“No, she is my daughter,” Zhang Qiaolian declared.
“Just because you say she is your daughter, does that make it true? If she were truly yours, why did you abandon her?” Broken Zhang retorted directly.
Zhang Qiaolian suddenly realized her mistake. The child had already been abandoned; how could she claim ownership now? Zhu Xiangyao’s face turned pale. she looked at Zhang Qiaolian, never imagining that her future would be ruined by her actions.
Zhu Shunyo shook his head slightly at the scene. He knew the Zhu family favored sons over daughters, but he never expected them to commit such beastly acts—abandoning a newborn just days old. Fortunately, the weather had warmed. Had it been the dead of winter, the poor child might have suffered severe frostbite. “Since this is your family matter, do not discuss it in our home. I have no interest in your affairs.”
The truth emerged quickly due to the ease of investigation and numerous loopholes in their story. By the time Zhu Yanyi and Zhu Yanli returned, the verdict was final. Zhu Xiangyao was deemed morally unfit for having an extra child and abandoning her biological daughter. Consequently, she lost her job and was expelled from the Party. This was a devastating blow. From that day on, Zhu Xiangyao and Zhang Qiaolian argued daily.
Regarding the youngest daughter, Zhu Guifu believed that since she was already gone, there was no need to retrieve her. She argued that there was no proof Broken Zhang had found their child. Moreover, with Zhu Xiangyao’s current situation, the priority was to have a son. Zhu Yanyi paid no further attention to their family’s eventual downfall.
Time flew, and seasons changed rapidly. Zhu Yanyi entered the second half of her ninth grade.
Every ninth-grader strives for the high school entrance exam, and Zhu Yanyi was busy. However, she felt no anxiety about the tests. Nor did anyone else in the city worry for her. Over the years, the City Middle School had become famous throughout Zhejiang Province for producing two academic stars: Zhu Yanyi and Cheng Chen.
Luofu Xin was also well-known.
Zhu Yanyi, Cheng Chen, and Luofu Xin became known as the "Three Treasures" of Yao City. Why? Because for any knowledge competitions—international, national, provincial, or municipal—such as math, chemistry, or physics contests for middle schoolers, Yao City always sent Zhu Yanyi and Cheng Chen from City Middle School, and Luofu Xin from Lihua Middle School.
Whenever these three competed, they swept all the awards. Furthermore, their friendship deepened. Although they attended different schools, Zhu Yanyi and Cheng Chen became close friends with Luofu Xin.
“Zhu Yanyi, Cheng Chen, the mock high school entrance exam starts next week. Let’s compete again,” Luofu Xin said. After nearly three years, her personality had become much more outgoing.
“Alright. But are you sure you want to keep losing?” Cheng Chen looked at Luofu Xin with a helpless expression. Every time results were released, Luofu Xin ranked first in Lihua Middle School, but always behind Zhu Yanyi and Cheng Chen in the city rankings.