Surprise! The Fake Heiress is Actually an Ancient Master of Metaphysics! - Chapter 19

That morning, she had come to the school to have lunch with her husband when she heard about the commotion in the principal’s office—Liu Yun and Tan Yayue had caused a scene, shouting and making a fuss.

Zhao Deming, a grown man, was utterly overwhelmed by the pitiful sight of the mother and daughter duo, crying and carrying on.

Had she been there in the morning, she certainly wouldn’t have let those two get their way!

Fortunately, her husband had still allowed Master Tan to continue her studies.

Otherwise, a student on the verge of the college entrance exams being suddenly expelled could have had her entire life ruined.

As for Liu Yun, Mrs. Zhao had taken an instant dislike to her the moment they met.

The woman was too sharp-tongued and bitter, harping on about how she had raised Tan Lingyin while belittling her at every turn, painting Tan Yayue as some pitiable victim.

The internal conflicts of the Tan family were naturally beyond Mrs. Zhao’s knowledge, and she had no interest in digging into what was true or false.

All she knew was that Tan Lingyin had saved their family. Regardless of whether Tan Lingyin was the ungrateful wretch Liu Yun claimed her to be, Mrs. Zhao would protect her as their savior.

Besides, Mrs. Zhao firmly believed Tan Lingyin wasn’t the kind of person to forget kindness and betray others.

A child who didn’t care about money and only wanted the chance to keep studying—how bad could she really be?

“What did you say? ‘A crooked stick will have a crooked shadow’?” Liu Yun shrieked in outrage, her face twisted with fury.

Mrs. Zhao regarded her calmly. “This is the school cafeteria. Please leave and stop disrupting the students’ lunch.”

Liu Yun opened her mouth to retort, but Tan Hongzheng cut in, apologizing profusely. “Our apologies, we really shouldn’t have come here. We’ll leave now.”

With that, he grabbed Tan Yayue with one hand and Liu Yun with the other, dragging them away.

Tan Yayue kept her head down, not daring to look up.

Everyone around was staring, and she didn’t want to become the subject of school gossip on her very first day.

Liu Yun, meanwhile, shot Tan Lingyin a venomous glare, murderous intent flashing in her eyes.

That damned girl—she wouldn’t rest easy until the brat was dead!

She’d find a way to finish her off sooner or later!

Tan Lingyin met her gaze and saw the killing intent in the red veins of her eyes.

Well, well. Still scheming, huh?

First, they’d kicked her out and tried to run her over with a car. Now, they were still plotting her murder.

“Ma—Tan no, Lingyin, dear, go ahead and finish your meal,” Mrs. Zhao said gently, smiling at her. “Don’t be afraid. As long as you’re at this school, no one can bully you.”

Zhao Deming nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Our school will ensure every student’s safety.”

Tan Lingyin smiled and nodded. “Thank you both for your concern. I’m actually full already, so I’ll head back to the classroom to study.”

Under countless watchful eyes, she walked out of the cafeteria with composure.

That afternoon, neither Li Lele nor Tan Yayue showed up—likely resting at home with their swollen faces.

When school ended, Tan Lingyin received another message from Huo Jingyan, informing her that Li Heng was waiting at the school gate.

As she stepped outside, she spotted the Rolls-Royce parked nearby.

Li Heng was leaning against the car door and waved the moment he saw her. “Miss Tan! Over here!”

Just as Tan Lingyin was about to walk over, she caught sight of a family of three approaching from the sidewalk.

Having skipped classes all afternoon, Tan Yayue was now dressed in a fresh new outfit—though she now wore a face mask.

Tan Lingyin didn’t want to speculate where that family had gone. She quickened her pace toward Li Heng.

Over there, the Tan family had also spotted her.

Liu Yun immediately frowned. “Who is that wretched girl talking to?”

Tan Yayue, recalling what Li Lele had said, whispered, “A classmate mentioned seeing her get out of a Rolls-Royce this morning. So it’s true—she really is being kept by someone.”

“Kept by someone?” Tan Hongzheng’s expression darkened instantly, his eyes flashing with displeasure.

Liu Yun’s face twisted in irritation. “Why are you so worked up if she’s being kept?”

“No matter what, she used to be my daughter. If she’s doing something this disgraceful, just wait till I teach her a lesson!” Tan Hongzheng stormed toward the Rolls-Royce.

Though his words sounded righteous, his thoughts were anything but.

Something he had raised—how could she fall into someone else’s hands? If she was to be taken advantage of, it should be by him!

Tan Yayue eagerly followed, adding fuel to the fire, “This is the school gate, Dad. No one will stop you if you go easy on her.”

Her words dripped with malice, clearly hoping Tan Hongzheng would be ruthless.

Li Heng smiled warmly at Tan Lingyin. “Miss Tan, we’re dining out tonight.”

“Why the sudden change?” Tan Lingyin thought the bodyguards at the estate cooked quite well.

Li Heng chuckled. “It’s Master Xuanqing. He wants to indulge in some meat dishes, and the estate doesn’t have anything particularly appetizing for that.”

Tan Lingyin nodded. “What about Mr. Huo?”

“President Huo is joining us as well.” Li Heng moved to open the rear door when he suddenly sensed hostility. He swiftly pulled Tan Lingyin behind him.

At the same time, Zheng Han, the driver and bodyguard, quickly stepped out of the car.

Tan Hongzheng glared, jabbing a finger at Li Heng. “Move!”

Li Heng frowned. “And you are?”

“I’m her father!” He tried to shove Li Heng aside. “Get out of my way!”

Zheng Han seized Tan Hongzheng’s wrist. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Towering and muscular, his suit strained against his build, and his thick beard made him look downright intimidating.

Tan Hongzheng glanced at him and faltered slightly, intimidated.

But he quickly regained his bravado. “I’m her father. I’m here to see my own daughter. What business is it of outsiders like you?”

“He’s not my father. We’re not close.” Tan Lingyin calmly peeked out from behind Li Heng.

Li Heng scowled. “You heard her. Miss Tan isn’t close to you!”

Tan Hongzheng’s face twisted in fury. “I raised you for eighteen years, and now you’re letting someone keep you? Have you no shame?”

Tan Yayue chimed in spitefully, “That’s right, Lingyin. Even though Mom and Dad kicked you out because you bullied me and tried to steal my place, they never said they’d abandon you. How could you stoop to being a kept mistress?”

“That fox-like face of hers was born to be a homewrecker—destined to be some man’s cheap plaything!” Liu Yun shrieked loudly.

The luxury cars lingering near the school, which had been about to leave, now lingered with windows down, their occupants eager for the spectacle.

Liu Yun spewed venom, hurling filth at Tan Lingyin’s reputation.

Tan Lingyin pressed her lips together, her fingers subtly weaving a spell as she channeled mystical energy. An invisible force shot toward Liu Yun’s knees.

“Ahhh!” Liu Yun cried out as pain shot through her legs, sending her crashing to the ground—right at Tan Lingyin’s feet.

Tan Lingyin said coldly, “This is the retribution for your slanderous lies. But even if you kowtow to me, it’s useless—retribution may be delayed, but it always comes!”

“You little brat, who’s kowtowing to you?!” Liu Yun struggled frantically to get up but couldn’t manage it.

Beside her, Tan Yayue quickly helped her to her feet. Liu Yun gritted her teeth and snapped, “You ungrateful wretch! Always saying we’ll face retribution—after raising you for eighteen years, you show no gratitude. You’re the one who deserves retribution!”

Tan Lingyin’s expression turned icy, her clear voice as calm as the eerie stillness before a blizzard. “Raised me for eighteen years? In those eighteen years, how many misfortunes did I endure in Tan Yayue’s place? How dare you accuse me of ingratitude?”

“Without me, Tan Yayue—with her fate of an early death—would have been long gone. You should be the ones kowtowing to me in thanks!”

At the mention of Tan Yayue’s fate being forcibly altered, Liu Yun immediately fell silent, only managing to retort weakly, “But we’re still your adoptive parents!”

“Come home with us! I won’t allow you to disgrace the Tan family by being some man’s mistress!” Tan Hongzheng reached out to grab Tan Lingyin.

With a flick of her finger, a surge of mystical energy sent Tan Hongzheng stumbling before he face-planted onto the ground.

Her eyes glinted with hidden murderous intent. With so many people around, she’d deal with this wretched family of three properly tonight.

Tan Hongzheng scrambled up from the ground and lunged for her again.

Zheng Han, who had been itching to act, seized his arm and flung him straight into Liu Yun and Tan Yayue.

Li Heng declared righteously, “Stop slandering her! Miss Tan is not being kept by anyone!”

“Then why are you driving her to school? Who are you to her?” Tan Yayue asked, unable to hide her jealousy.