I'm Not Playing This Vicious Female Supporting Character Anymore! - Chapter 18

The atmosphere grew awkward. The Zhao family’s assistant and lawyer tried to continue negotiating, hoping to convince Rong Xi to abandon this “ridiculous” idea.

“My sister only wants an apology,” Rong Xi said. “If this gets to my father, it won’t be settled so easily.”

Qin Yuzhen didn’t know how Father Rong would handle it, but she personally doubted he’d step in without a compelling reason. He was more likely to deny the apology, save face with the Zhao family, and negotiate some other benefit. Rong Xi was still naive.

“You’re young and don’t understand these things,” the Zhao family’s assistant said. “Miss Rong, the relationship between the Rong and Zhao families has always been good. There’s no need to sever ties over this.”

“At most, we can have the Young Master and Miss Qin apologize. Asking CEO Zhao and Madam to apologize is impossible.”

“Host, this matter might be difficult to resolve,” the System said.

Qin Yuzhen smiled. “I never thought it would be easy.”

Rong Xi seemed agitated, and Qin Yuzhen could feel her grip tighten. “What do you mean ‘these things’? Our Rong family’s young lady was beaten, and you dismiss it as ‘these things’?”

“Our Young Master is still in the hospital.”

“Isn’t that just what they deserve?” Rong Xi said, her voice tinged with mockery. She had never heard such a ridiculous statement. “It was just self-defense.”

“Little sister, the Zhao family is very powerful in City A, right? They don’t even consider the Liang and Rong families worth a glance,” Qin Yuzhen said softly, disappointment coloring her voice. “I thought that once I came to the Rong family, I wouldn’t be bullied anymore… If it will affect the family, then forget it. I’m fine.”

Just as the argument was about to escalate, the Rong family assistant contacted Father Rong. Qin Yuzhen’s voice traveled through the phone to his ears.

Father Rong indeed didn’t want an apology from the Zhao family. In his view, apologies were empty gestures; he only wanted tangible benefits. He felt little affection for Qin Yuzhen, having taken her back solely because she was his biological daughter. He couldn’t allow his bloodline to remain outside the family, and raising one more child was no burden for the Rong family.

However, he was also a man who valued his reputation. When Qin Yuzhen cleverly reframed the incident as a matter of the Rong family’s dignity, the situation had fundamentally changed. For his own flesh and blood to be ambushed and beaten, with the perpetrators refusing to apologize, was, in a way, no different from slapping his own face.

Although none of them knew Qin Yuzhen’s true identity.

Father Rong was still pondering when he heard Rong Xi’s voice from the other side of the room.

“Sister! Mom and Dad will definitely stand up for us!” Rong Xi’s voice was resolute. “You have to believe in them. Besides, when you do something wrong, you should apologize.”

Father Rong rubbed his temples. “We’ll do as Zhenzhen and Xixi wish. Tell them I support their stance. After all, Zhenzhen was the one injured, and the Zhao family still needs to consider our reputation. They’ve gone too far this time.”

“Understood,” the assistant replied, hung up the phone, and smiled at the Zhao family. “I just spoke with CEO Rong. He said to proceed according to the two young ladies’ wishes.”

The Zhao family’s expression shifted. The Liang family, who had remained silent until now, promptly voiced their agreement.

Qin Yuzhen smiled.

“Host, you handled that well?”

“Mm-hmm,” Qin Yuzhen replied. She had even used an Item Card to ensure their voices reached Father Rong’s ears. She knew his pride too well; he wouldn’t tolerate his daughters questioning his authority.

With Father Rong’s declaration, the matter was settled. The Zhao family had no choice but to accept and say nothing more.

After the meeting concluded, the three families left the principal’s office. As they exited, Zhao Pàohuī’s assistant kept glancing at Qin Yuzhen, but Rong Xi noticed and deliberately blocked his line of sight.

As they walked back together, Qin Yuzhen’s expression had already returned to normal, though her eyes remained red.

“Host, you’re truly ruthless with yourself,” the System remarked with a hint of admiration. It was clear she could have dodged Zhao Pàohuī’s hair-pulling, but she had endured it head-on. The System could tell from the look alone how painful it must have been.

“I’ve always been ruthless with myself,” Qin Yuzhen replied nonchalantly. A mere tug of the hair? She’d endured far worse in the past.

“Sister, are you alright? Do you need to go to the infirmary?” Rong Xi asked, concern etched on her face. Hearing the screams during the incident while watching the surveillance footage had made her heart clench.

“I’m fine,” Qin Yuzhen said, glancing at Rong Xi.

Beside them, Liang Xuzhou desperately wanted to shout at Rong Xi, warning her not to be deceived by Qin Yuzhen’s facade—it was all an act. But he didn’t dare. Qin Yuzhen’s ferocity earlier had genuinely frightened him. He suspected that if they weren’t at school, she might have gone even further.

Where on earth did that woman come from?

“Good to see you’re alright. Liang Xuzhou, thank you for helping my sister,” Rong Xi said with a smile.

Liang Xuzhou, unsure how to respond, simply said stiffly, “No problem.”

“Sister, I’m sorry. I dragged you into this mess,” Rong Xi sighed. She had only just learned about that person’s actions. For so long, no one had told her, afraid of the Zhao Family. So many people came and went from her life, but she never noticed the reason behind their departures.

“Pervert’s business? What does that have to do with you?” Qin Yuzhen gave Rong Xi a look. “You really like to apologize, don’t you?”

Rong Xi pursed her lips. “It was still my misfortune that caused you trouble.”

“Hmm, true. So, you owe me one favor already, and now you owe me another,” Qin Yuzhen said.

Rong Xi: …

“Host, you really know how to climb the ladder by grabbing onto any opportunity,” the System said, exasperated.

“Not too bad, not too bad,” Qin Yuzhen replied.

Beside them, Liang Xuzhou was at a loss for words, marveling at Qin Yuzhen’s cunning in completely fooling Rong Xi. He couldn’t help but think that Rong Xi didn’t seem like the gullible type.

Back in class, everyone instinctively turned to look at the trio. The incident had already spread among the students; after all, everyone had seen the boy being carried out, though the whispers remained private.

“Are you okay?” Pei Jingyue asked.

Qin Yuzhen shook her head. “I’m fine. We owe it all to Ninth Middle School’s ‘Big Shot’ this time.”

Liang Xuzhou had just sat down but now felt the urge to stand up again. He gulped down a mouthful of water and took a deep breath, sensing that the “Big Shot” nickname was here to stay.

Pei Jingyue glanced at Liang Xuzhou and gave him a thumbs-up. “You really went all out! You’ve done everyone a favor by getting rid of that menace. The Big Shot strikes again!”

Liang Xuzhou: …

Liang Xuzhou felt utterly drained. This incident had cemented his reputation as Ninth Middle School’s “Big Shot,” and he had no way to protest. Though Qin Yuzhen hadn’t explicitly threatened him for breaking her confidence, he knew the consequences would be dire if the truth came out.

“You can’t hide this for long. The Zhao guy knows who beat him up,” Liang Xuzhou whispered.

“Who would believe him?” Qin Yuzhen replied.

“He’s the one who got beaten up. If he says it was me, who wouldn’t believe him?”

“He’s already lost face. Wouldn’t claiming I beat him up lose him even more face?” Qin Yuzhen smirked. “Besides, even if he told the Zhao family, they’d have to keep it secret. After all, I’m all skinny arms and legs, while he’s supposed to be trained. If he can’t even beat me, it just proves he’s a useless waste.”

“You don’t know his name, do you?” Liang Xuzhou asked.

“You know it?” Qin Yuzhen raised an eyebrow.

“No,” Liang Xuzhou shook his head.

“A cannon fodder like that doesn’t deserve a name from me,” Qin Yuzhen declared.

Liang Xuzhou: …

Where does she get such insane confidence?

Zhao Pàohuī would be hospitalized for a month, including a brief period of unconsciousness, though his life wasn’t in danger. When he finally woke up, he saw Mother Zhao beside him and cried out, “Mom! Qin Yuzhen! Qin Yuzhen…”

“Qin Yuzhen demands that you apologize publicly to her in front of the entire school, transfer, and that we personally apologize to her family. We’ve already agreed,” Mrs. Zhao said, her expression darkening. “You can’t do anything right! You’re just a little girl—did you really need to go to such lengths? If you like her, just tell me, and we’ll approach the Rong Family for a marriage alliance.”

“Apologize? She’s the one who hit me! Why should we be the ones to apologize?” Zhao Pàohuī shouted, wincing as the movement aggravated his wounds.

“What did you say? Who hit you?” Mrs. Zhao frowned.

“Qin Yuzhen! That bitch Qin Yuzhen!” Zhao Pàohuī growled, his expression twisted with rage.

“She claims it was that Liang boy who hit you,” Mrs. Zhao said, tightening her grip on the phone. “That girl is so frail. Are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

“How could I be mistaken? Qin Yuzhen was the one who did it! She accused me of pulling her hair, then stomped on my hand.” As Zhao Pàohuī spoke, he shuddered involuntarily, remembering Qin Yuzhen’s cold, calculating expression at the time. “Mom…”

“There’s nothing you can do about it,” Mother Zhao said expressionlessly, glancing at Zhao Pàohuī. After reviewing the surveillance footage, she’d suspected that the blind spot wasn’t something Zhao Pàohuī could have discovered on his own. Now, it seemed Qin Yuzhen had outsmarted him. “Such malice from someone so young.”

“Mom, I want Qin Yuzhen to suffer,” Zhao Pàohuī declared. “I can’t swallow this humiliation.”

“Qin Yuzhen is under the Rong Family’s protection. We can’t touch her. Rest now. Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. Keep it buried inside.”

“Why?”

“Even if you don’t care about your dignity, the Zhao Family does.” Mother Zhao stood up, her disappointment clear in her eyes as she looked at Zhao Pàohuī. “When will you be as dependable as your brother? We gave you everything, yet you’re not even half as capable as he is.”

“So we’re just going to let this slide?” Zhao Pàohuī asked in disbelief.

Mother Zhao didn’t respond. She turned and walked out of the hospital room.

“Mom!”

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