Surprise! The Fake Heiress is Actually an Ancient Master of Metaphysics! - Chapter 18

At first glance, this statement seemed no different from what Zhao Deming had said, but the tone in which Tan Yayue delivered it carried a more insinuating weight.

If Mrs. Zhao hadn’t known Tan Lingyin, she might have already been furious and ordered her out of the classroom.

Mrs. Zhao’s expression shifted rapidly—from shock to sternness, then to anger, and finally to disdain.

Dropping her previously gentle tone, she said coldly, “Do you two realize what you’re saying?”

Li Lele nodded eagerly. “Yes, yes! Tan Lingyin is the other woman!”

“Nonsense!” Mrs. Zhao had heard enough of their absurd accusations and cut them off sharply.

Her voice icy, she continued, “Tomorrow, bring your parents to school. I’d like to ask them if their own improper behavior has influenced you!”

Li Lele and Tan Yayue hadn’t expected the dean to turn the tables on them, leaving them momentarily stunned.

Mrs. Zhao, however, gave Tan Lingyin a slight nod. “Focus on your studies. I’ll handle this matter.”

Then, she turned to Li Lele and Tan Yayue. “You two, come with me to the office. We’ll wait for your parents there.”

With that, she strode off, leaving the two girls no choice but to follow.

The teacher resumed the lesson, and Tan Lingyin listened attentively.

Though she believed herself to be naturally gifted and quick to grasp new concepts, she still made a point of paying close attention in class.

The sea of learning was boundless—even geniuses had to work hard.

When lunchtime arrived, Tan Lingyin was the first to dash out of the classroom, a habit she’d developed over the years.

Back when she often went hungry in the mornings, she had always raced to the cafeteria to be first in line.

After picking out her favorite dishes, she settled into a corner with her tray, ready to enjoy a hearty meal.

Her phone buzzed, and when she checked, she was surprised to see a message from Huo Jingyan.

Mr. Huo: Li Heng is at the school gate.

Tan Lingyin blinked and immediately called him.

The line rang several times before he answered.

“What is it?” His voice was calm.

“Why is Assistant Li here?”

“To pick you up for lunch.”

“I’m eating in the school cafeteria. Tell him to go back.” Tan Lingyin’s words were muffled as she still had food in her mouth.

Huo Jingyan frowned slightly, his tone deepening. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“I—”

A sharp beep cut her off as he hung up.

Tan Lingyin stared at the screen, blinking. “Hanging up so fast—how rude!”

Setting her phone aside, she went back to gnawing on her ribs.

Students soon streamed into the cafeteria, chatting and laughing as they headed for their preferred dishes.

Tan Lingyin was nearly done eating when she spotted some familiar faces.

Perhaps because they’d been called to school during lunch, Tan Hongzheng and Liu Yun had accompanied Tan Yayue to the cafeteria.

The three of them looked like the picture of familial harmony. Tan Yayue had a bandage on the corner of her mouth, her eyes still red, while Liu Yun held her shoulders, murmuring comforting words.

Tan Lingyin kept her head down, not wanting to draw their attention and ruin her good mood.

Liu Yun cooed softly, “Sweetheart, don’t cry. It’s your first day here—you’re just not used to it yet. Things will get better with time.”

Tan Hongzheng also chimed in, “That’s right. Today we’ll also check if this cafeteria has anything you like to eat. If not, we can have the driver pick you up for lunch outside in the future.”

Tan Yayue’s eyes reddened as she nodded obediently, “Thank you, Mom and Dad. You’re so good to me…”

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of white.

A high black ponytail revealed a slender, fair neck.

“Tan Lingyin!” Tan Yayue suddenly shouted.

Tan Hongzheng and Liu Yun’s attention was immediately drawn over.

Tan Lingyin, who had been focused on her meal, nearly rolled her eyes.

What rotten luck. She should have done a divination for herself before eating and found a more secluded spot.

She should have just gone back to the villa with Li Heng earlier.

Liu Yun’s eyes instantly widened as she pointed at Tan Lingyin and scolded, “You wretched girl! Apologize to Yayue right now!”

Tan Lingyin had lost her appetite. She wiped her mouth and stood up. “What did you say?”

“I told you to apologize to Yayue! Look at how you hit her—how could you be so brutal?!”

“After raising you for eighteen years, you turn out to be such an ungrateful wretch!”

The commotion quickly drew the attention of everyone in the cafeteria.

No one had noticed Tan Yayue before, but now all eyes were on her.

Embarrassed, Tan Yayue covered her face and tugged at Liu Yun’s sleeve. “Mom, stop…”

“Stop what? She must apologize to you today!” Ignoring the onlookers, Liu Yun glared fiercely at Tan Lingyin. “If it weren’t for the Tan family raising you, how could you have grown up like this?”

Tan Lingyin raised an eyebrow calmly and replied, “If it weren’t for you, I would have grown up perfectly healthy and safe.”

“You ungrateful brat! We never should have taken you in!” Liu Yun clenched her fists in anger, but this was a school—she couldn’t just hit someone here.

“On the other hand, without me, Tan Yayue might not have lived to this day. Wouldn’t you agree?” Tan Lingyin’s probing gaze swept over Liu Yun and Tan Hongzheng’s faces.

Liu Yun’s furious expression froze, while Tan Hongzheng guiltily averted his eyes.

Even Tan Yayue panicked, hiding her face and not daring to look up.

Tan Lingyin’s eyes darkened as she said coldly, “I know exactly what shameful things you’ve done.”

“Slapping her once today was lenient. If she disrupts my studies again, I’ll make sure her face is permanently crooked!”

Tan Yayue shrank behind Tan Hongzheng in fear. “Dad! Help me!”

Tan Hongzheng also felt humiliated. With so many people watching, he, an adult, was being silenced by his own adopted daughter.

“Shut up!”

He roared and raised his hand to strike Tan Lingyin.

“Stop!” Zhao Deming’s voice rang out.

Tan Hongzheng’s hand froze mid-air as he turned to see Zhao Deming and his wife hurrying over.

Mrs. Zhao immediately pulled Tan Lingyin behind her and said sternly, “This is a school! How dare you lay a hand on my student here? We won’t let this go!”

Tan Hongzheng quickly withdrew his hand and defended himself, “No, it’s just that Lingyin—”

His words were cut off by Zhao Deming.

Zhao Deming looked displeased and spoke impatiently, “Tan Yayue was the one at fault today, yet here you are, even considering taking action on her behalf. Is this how you act as parents? Is this how you educate your child?”

“No wonder Tan Yayue picks up bad habits instead of good ones—the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Mrs. Zhao sneered from the side, casting a dissatisfied glance at Liu Yun.