"Don't you know how Xia Qingtian treats you? Do you really think she's your sister just because she gives you a smile and speaks civilly now? Don't be ridiculous."
"Back then, she and I were best friends, but what happened? After we went to college, she still kicked me aside and became good friends with Dr. Li's daughter?"
"She hasn't kicked you aside yet, it's just that she sees you as a pet, a toy. She'll kick you aside once she's done playing."
Mo Jianing crossed her arms, looking at Xia Qingyu with a smile, her demeanor that of an elder, as if pitying Xia Qingyu, who was still in the dark.
At this moment, the bell for the end of class rang, jolting everyone out of Mo Jianing's words.
They had initially thought that Xia Qingtian's support for Xia Qingyu at the parent-teacher conference meant she truly regarded Xia Qingyu as family.
Now, hearing Mo Jianing say this, it seemed as though Xia Qingtian was playing both Xia Qingyu and Mo Jianing in the palm of her hand.
It was true that in wealthy families, interests came first. Even close siblings could turn on each other for money, let alone Xia Qingyu, the "drag-along" brought in by a mistress.
What sisterly affection, perhaps only Xia Qingyu had taken it seriously.
The gazes directed at Xia Qingyu now carried a hint of pity.
Nie Qingkong, standing to the side, showed no outward emotion, but a flicker of amusement appeared in his eyes.
He had observed Xia Qingyu's performance today.
Knowing the truth now, it must be quite a blow to Xia Qingyu!
"Are you done?" Xia Qingyu looked at Mo Jianing. "You act immorally, don't categorize me with you. If you want to be my sister's pet, you have to see if you're qualified. My sister doesn't collect trash, she doesn't want anything discarded.
What's wrong? Can't be my sister's dog, so you're starting to bite back madly?"
Upon hearing Xia Qingyu's words, Mo Jianing sneered, "Xia Qingyu, do you think you're different from me? Do you think..."
"Indeed, you're different. You lack a brain, I have one," Xia Qingyu interrupted Mo Jianing. "I know my sister better than you do. You don't need to sow discord in front of me. Believing a single word from you would mean my life has been lived in vain!"
Mo Jianing was angered by Xia Qingyu's lack of appreciation. She had clearly conveyed what Xia Qingtian had told her before, and if Xia Qingyu had any spirit, she should have confronted Xia Qingtian directly!
A daughter of a mistress had no bottom line!
She'd rather be a dog than stand tall as a human!
"Go on, continue deceiving yourself!" Mo Jianing gritted her teeth. "Perhaps by continuing this self-deception, you can still live like a human!"
"I don't need to live like a human; I am one to begin with, unlike you, who are not only beasts in fine clothing but wolves among beasts!" Xia Qingyu conceded no advantage to Mo Jianing, countering every word and enraging Mo Jianing to the point of trembling.
This sharp-tongued Xia Qingyu was exactly like that wretched Xia Qingtian, utterly detestable!
"Xia Qingyu, you..." Before Mo Jianing could utter her curse, she fell silent as if she had seen something she shouldn't have, her eyes widening to the size of saucers.
Seeing Mo Jianing like this, the onlookers also looked back, only to see Xia Qingtian approaching from a distance. Their eyes immediately lit up – there was drama to be had!
Xia Qingyu also saw Xia Qingtian approaching. She pursed her lips slightly, her eyes wide, her tear ducts reddening, appearing as if she had been wronged.
"What's going on?" Xia Qingtian asked immediately, seeing Xia Qingyu's state.
Xia Qingyu opened her mouth, then slowly closed it again, her gaze lowered, and she gently shook her head.
"Don't lower your head, look at me," Xia Qingtian gently lifted Xia Qingyu's chin with her fingertips. "What happened?"
"She cursed at me," Xia Qingyu finally whispered the three words, her voice soft and weak like a kitten's, evoking pity.
The surrounding students were bewildered. Wasn't it Xia Qingyu who had just argued fiercely and retorted to Mo Jianing, making her jump?
How had she suddenly become a timid, bullied pushover?
Seeing Xia Qingyu like this, Xia Qingtian's anger surged.
She pulled Xia Qingyu behind her and glared at Mo Jianing. "Who gave you the audacity to bully my sister?"
"Who bullied her?" Mo Jianing naturally would not admit it. Besides, it was Xia Qingyu who was uncivilized and cursed at her.
Her intention was not to bully Xia Qingyu, but Xia Qingyu herself was ungrateful. People like Xia Qingyu deserved to be bullied.
"A dog bullied her," Xia Qingtian immediately replied.
"You!" Mo Jianing choked, glaring at Xia Qingtian, then at Xia Qingyu. She noticed Xia Qingyu looking up at Xia Qingtian from behind her, her eyes sparkling, which was infuriating to behold.
"Xia Qingtian, why are you pretending to be a good person now? Didn't you say before that Xia Qingyu was a bastard, a burden? Why? Have you suddenly become a good sister? Isn't that disgusting?" Mo Jianing deliberately said. "Have you forgotten what you said? Do you want me to repeat it for you?"
Xia Qingtian didn't waste words with Mo Jianing. She stepped forward and delivered a resounding slap. The slap was clean and loud, stunning not only Mo Jianing but also the surrounding crowd.
It was break time, and many students had gathered to watch the spectacle. Upon witnessing this, they all gasped.
"Xia Qingtian! How dare you hit me!" Mo Jianing covered her face, looking at Xia Qingtian in disbelief.
Even though their previous interactions had been tense, Xia Qingtian had merely argued with her, given her the cold shoulder, and blocked her, but she had never laid a hand on her.
Today, Xia Qingtian had actually hit her!
And in such a public place! How dare she!
"It's my sister, I can say whatever I want. Anyone else who says an extra word deserves to be beaten," Xia Qingtian said coldly. "This slap is to make you clean up your mouth. If I find out you dare to bully my sister again, you'll face the consequences!"
"Xia Qingtian! Even you can't oppress our company's artist!" Mo Jianing's assistant blurted out.
"Oppress? This is called oppression? Is this your first day in the entertainment industry?" Xia Qingtian raised an eyebrow. "It's just a plagiarism show, who knows if it can even make a splash. You really think you're someone important?
Today, forget Mo Jianing, even if your CEO Yu Linwan were here, I'd still slap her!
If I find out anyone dares to bully my sister, I'll let them know what 'oppression' truly means!"
With that, Xia Qingtian's gaze swept coldly around, and she pulled Xia Qingyu and turned to leave.
The onlookers wisely made way. Only after watching Xia Qingtian pull Xia Qingyu away did a collective "Wow..." erupt from the crowd.
Is this what it feels like to have a sister backing you up?
It feels so good...