Chapter Two: Encounter

"I'm at the front door now, no need to worry. Alright, I'm hanging up," Leng Zheng said, her voice casual as she bit down on a lollipop. Dressed in a black hoodie with a backpack slung over one shoulder, she ended the call.

Looking up, she immediately spotted Cheng Yunting leaning against his car, with his close friend Shen Dongling standing beside him.

Cheng Yunting's gaze landed on Leng Zheng as she approached, and he couldn't help but be struck by her beauty.

Noticing Cheng Yunting's reaction, Shen Dongling was puzzled. What kind of woman could astonish the notoriously looks-obsessed Cheng Yunting? He lifted his eyes and, unsurprisingly, found her extraordinarily beautiful.

Leng Zheng’s beauty was nothing like the pampered heiresses of City A, who painted themselves with garish makeup. Hers was a natural, breathtaking kind of beauty.

"Hello, I'm Cheng Yunting. My mother, Shao Suya, asked me to look after you," Cheng Yunting stepped forward and introduced himself.

Leng Zheng paused, then nodded, "Hello, I'm Leng Zheng."

"If you ever need anything or run into any trouble, just come to me. Or if you want, you can move into my villa," Cheng Yunting offered, his curiosity piqued. What kind of person could make his mother ask him to take care of them?

Shen Dongling glanced between the two, suspicion rising in his heart. Had Cheng Yunting taken a liking to this girl? The way he looked at her felt off.

"Alright," Leng Zheng replied coolly. Since he was her honorary brother, it was no big deal. She agreed, though she hardly wanted to live here.

"Well, we'll get going then," Cheng Yunting nodded and got into the car.

It was only then that Shen Dongling spoke up, "Hello, Xiaozheng! I'm Shen Dongling, Cheng Yunting’s friend. If you ever need anything, just come to us."

"Okay, noted," Leng Zheng replied apathetically.

"Alright, we're off. Bye," Cheng Yunting said, ushering Shen Dongling into the car.

"Bye," Leng Zheng responded.

...

In the car.

"Hey, Yunting, don’t tell me you’ve fallen for her? You were awfully enthusiastic just now," Shen Dongling teased the usually taciturn Cheng Yunting.

"Shut up," Cheng Yunting shot him a look, his tone impatient.

A chill ran down Shen Dongling’s spine. He immediately sat up straight and closed his mouth. As expected, Cheng Yunting was still the same as ever—utterly unchanged.

...

On Leng Zheng’s side.

After Cheng Yunting left, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. That man’s looks were simply stunning—exactly her type! No wonder, given who his parents were. Truly remarkable genes.

She entered the Shi family villa, her face expressionless as she surveyed the place.

"Madam, someone claiming to be your daughter is waiting outside," Butler Li hurried to Leng Shuxue's side and reported.

"What’s her name? What does she look like?" Leng Shuxue sat calmly on the sofa, sipping tea. Over the years, many people had shown up claiming to be Leng Zheng, but all had been imposters.

After all… the real Leng Zheng had been killed by Leng Shuxue’s orders when she was just a child. At least, that’s what Leng Shuxue believed.

"She… she looks exactly like you, Madam. As if carved from your very bones," Butler Li stammered, trembling. He had witnessed Leng Zheng’s supposed death firsthand. How could this be?

"How can that be? Dismiss her. No, bring her in," Leng Shuxue regained her composure. Who knew—perhaps it was just another impostor with plastic surgery.

"Yes, Madam."

Leng Zheng entered the Shi family villa, her eyes sweeping over the nouveau riche décor. It wasn’t nearly as impressive as rumors made it out to be.

Guided by Butler Li, she reached the living room and met Leng Shuxue.

Leng Shuxue’s composure faltered at the sight of Leng Zheng. Surgery could never achieve such a perfect likeness, and more importantly, there wasn’t a trace of surgical alteration on the girl’s face. There was only one explanation—she was Leng Zheng.

But… Leng Zheng had been killed when Leng Shuxue married into the Shi family. How could it be her?

Steadying herself, Leng Shuxue put on the airs of the lady of the house. "So, you are my daughter?"

Leng Zheng nodded, her tone cold. "As you can see."

"You! Truly a child raised in the countryside—so ill-mannered," Leng Shuxue snapped. "You don’t even know to greet your mother?"

Leng Zheng let out a self-mocking laugh, "Are you worthy?"

"If you think I’m not, then why come back at all? To steal your sister’s place?" Leng Shuxue was nearly beside herself with anger. She had never encountered anyone so brazenly disrespectful.

At that moment, a man descended the stairs—Shi Dingguo, the master of the Shi family and Leng Zheng’s stepfather.

"Is this Zhengzheng? Zhengzheng has come home?" Shi Dingguo looked at the girl before him with delight.

Seeing Shi Dingguo, Leng Shuxue immediately donned the mask of a dutiful wife and mother. "Yes, Zhengzheng has come home. I was just teaching her some manners, as she seems unfamiliar with them."

"The child has just come back. There’s no need to rush into lessons. Let her settle in first," Shi Dingguo said, not sensing anything amiss. If not for the old master’s insistence, he would never have allowed a country girl like Leng Zheng into the family.

"Very well, I’ll arrange for her to attend high school, and take her out to see the world," Leng Shuxue relented, seeing she had no choice with Shi Dingguo’s intervention.

Just then, Leng Sumei came downstairs, eager to stir up trouble. "Sister’s back! Oh, how I’ve missed you! Dad, let sister attend my high school. We’re twins, after all, same age, so we might as well be in the same class."

Leng Shuxue immediately objected, "How can that be? Leng Zheng is just a country girl. She can’t possibly attend such a prestigious school!"

Annoyed by their performance, Leng Zheng said impatiently, "Alright, I’m going to sleep. Take your time discussing."

"Leng Zheng! Have you no manners? Don’t you know you shouldn’t interrupt your elders, or leave before they’re done speaking?" Leng Shuxue was appalled. Leng Zheng was clearly unfit for polite society, and she feared for Sumei’s reputation.

"Oh, I grew up on my own. No one ever taught me what manners are," Leng Zheng replied coldly, meeting Leng Shuxue’s gaze.

"Enough. The child has just arrived. It’s normal for her to be unfamiliar with these things. Don’t hold it against her," Shi Dingguo interrupted, trying to defuse the tension. "Zhengzheng, go to your room. Tomorrow, I’ll have someone handle your school registration."

"No need. I can do it myself," Leng Zheng replied with the same chilly indifference.

"Leng! Zheng!"

"Alright, enough. Don’t argue with the child…"

Expressionless, Leng Zheng slung her backpack over her shoulder and went upstairs, ignoring the farce unfolding behind her.