Chapter 8: Her Lover, the Deceiver

Inside An City No. 2 High School’s pressure resistance room, Zhen Yan’s black short-sleeved shirt was already soaked through with her own sweat. The sweat trickled down her clothes, dripping onto the floor tiles and spreading across the ground. The whites of her eyes were bloodshot, and the veins on her forehead bulged prominently.

Standing opposite her was a stern-faced teacher wearing the instructor’s uniform of the Imperial Fourth Military Academy.

In the observation room outside the pressure resistance chamber stood five other people: teachers from the other three major military academies, along with the principal of An City No. 2 High School and the Senior Grade Director.

“This Zhen Yan is quite good,” a teacher from the First Military Academy remarked, nodding as he reviewed Zhen Yan’s scores across various tests.

“Yes, yes! Since enrolling, Zhen Yan has performed exceptionally well in all areas, far surpassing her peers. Whether it’s physical ability or academic performance, barring any unforeseen circumstances, a bright future surely awaits her!” The principal stood to the side, beaming with pride.

At that moment, a teacher from the Second Military Academy cast a flat glance at the principal. “This year, there’s only this one who barely passes muster. The rest are completely useless.”

The smile on the principal’s face froze, but she quickly made it look genuine again.

Inside the pressure resistance room, the Fourth Military Academy teacher retracted her released Mental Power, a smile tugging at her lips. “Congratulations, you’ve passed the final test.”

Zhen Yan’s face was somewhat pale, but still within normal limits. She rose from her chair and first bowed to the Fourth Military Academy teacher. Straightening her back, she asked, neither humble nor arrogant, “Teacher, may I have the honor of receiving the early admission letter to your esteemed academy?”

The Fourth Military Academy teacher nodded. “You may. But are you certain you want to enter our Fourth Military Academy? To be honest, our Fourth Academy is the harshest and strictest. The other three academies would allow for a relatively more comfortable life.”

Zhen Yan nodded solemnly and rendered the most standard military salute, one she had practiced countless times in private.

“Zhen Yan will definitely report to the Imperial Fourth Military Academy!”

The Fourth Military Academy teacher’s eyes filled with admiration. She handed an acceptance letter to Zhen Yan and smiled lightly. “When you differentiate into a female Alpha with a Mental Power Level of B-rank or higher, bring this letter. Our Imperial Fourth Military Academy will welcome you at any time!”

“Yes!” Zhen Yan received the letter with both hands, her expression solemn.

After being notified that she could leave, Zhen Yan walked out of the pressure resistance room and returned to the empty Senior 3 Class 1.

Sitting in her seat, she held her breath and slowly opened the acceptance letter. The name Zhen Yan was already written on the admitted student line.

Staring at the letter, a smile slowly spread across Zhen Yan’s face.

Just then, her phone vibrated twice. She received a message from Zhang Juan.

【Zhang Juan: Jia Hua made it home safely.】

—

Jia Hua’s room.

Jia Hua sat at her desk, chin propped on one hand, pondering why Zhen Yan had asked Zhang Juan to escort her home.

Could it be that Zhen Yan likes her?

But she had clearly written in her diary that she utterly despised female Omegas and wanted to marry a female Alpha as her wife. And the handwriting indeed matched Zhen Yan’s current script.

Jia Hua walked to her vanity and examined her face from left to right. This face was beautiful; it wouldn’t be surprising if Zhen Yan had fallen for her. But would she change her sexual orientation for me?

Jia Hua thought for a moment, then finally pulled out her phone, deciding to ask Zhen Yan directly why she had Zhang Juan escort her home.

Just as she dialed Zhen Yan’s number, a knock came from outside her bedroom door.

Jia Hua hung up, placed her phone on the desk, and got up to open the door.

“Mother, was it an early shift today? Why are you back so early?” Jia Hua asked Jia Hui, who stood outside the door. Jia Hui’s job had an early shift and a late shift; the early shift ended early, the late shift ended late.

“Good girl, time to eat,” Jia Hui nodded casually. After speaking, however, she didn’t turn to leave as usual. Instead, she stood before Jia Hua and let out a deep sigh.

“What’s wrong?” Jia Hua asked, puzzled.

“Sigh…” Jia Hui looked at Jia Hua’s face and sighed again.

Jia Hua was baffled by the two sighs. “If there’s something to say, say it. Why sigh if nothing’s wrong?”

Jia Hui shook her head, turned, and walked toward the dining table. Jia Hua followed closely behind.

“Mother, if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t keep it bottled up,” Jia Hua pressed, sitting across from Jia Hui.

Jia Hui sighed. “Good girl, you’re growing taller and taller, aren’t you? If this continues, you’ll soon be taller than Zhen Yan.”

Jia Hua shrugged. “It just happens naturally. How should I know?”

Song Qiaoyi nudged Jia Hui. “What can be done about it? We’ve been to the hospital, and all her indicators are normal. Forget about it. As long as the child is healthy… Yanyan won’t mind the height.”

Jia Hua: …What does my height have to do with her?

After dinner, Jia Hua returned to her room and found her phone on the desk flashing repeatedly. Picking it up, she saw that Zhen Yan had actually called her over ten times.

Why did she call so many times? It must be urgent.

Jia Hua immediately called back, and it connected instantly.

Jia Hua: “Zhen Yan? What did you need me for?”

Zhen Yan’s breathing was slightly rapid. “You called me first. What’s up?”

Jia Hua smacked her forehead. “Oh, sorry, I forgot. I called earlier to ask why you had Zhang Juan take me home?”

There was a moment of silence on Zhen Yan’s end. “…No reason. I couldn’t walk with you today, and I was afraid you wouldn’t know the way.”

Having said that, Zhen Yan hung up directly.

Jia Hua stared at the phone screen, bewildered.

Was she crazy, or was Zhen Yan crazy? She was almost an adult—did she look like someone who couldn’t find her way home? She could get home with her eyes closed!

Tsk. Why did it always feel like Zhen Yan couldn’t stand her?

Jia Hua rummaged through the original owner’s memories and roughly understood why Zhen Yan was like this.

Jia Hua had always had a bad temper, loving to stir up trouble outside. A big reason she was still alive and arrogantly thriving was due to Zhen Yan’s protection.

And Zhen Yan had suffered countless beatings because of Jia Hua since childhood. Yet, she couldn’t just ignore Jia Hua. First, Jia Hua loved to tattle to Grandma Zhen. Second… it was probably because Zhen Yan lost both her mothers at a young age. There was a period when Grandma Zhen was gravely ill, and Jia Hua’s family busily took care of the old woman and the young girl. The debt of nurturing during those days was firmly etched in Zhen Yan’s heart.

Jia Hua was reviewing the original owner’s memories, while Zhen Yan, who had just hung up, was actually still sitting on the stairs outside Jia Hua’s door.

Zhen Yan stood up, put her phone in her backpack, and pulled out the acceptance letter. She glanced at the security door of Jia Hua’s home and pursed her lips. She put the letter back, then dashed quickly downstairs.

She still needed to thread skewers now; later, she had to go with her grandma to set up the stall.

Livelihood and romance. First, handle life. Then, begin to enjoy a romantic life.