CHAPTER 285: CHAPTER 285 SHEN CHENG’S SECRET (3)_1

"Did I speak ill of her? I just wanted you to recognize your place, your status. Shangguan You is from an illustrious family. Do you think someone of your commoner status could ever reach her level? Even Li Lan and Han Yachu are respectful in her presence. Do you know why?"

"I don’t need to know, and I don’t want to know! All I know is that Youyou is *my* Youyou," Zhu Li declared, "and she said she would wait for me."

"Wait for you? Just look at your foolish appearance. She’s the kind of person to whom even a mayor or a school principal must show some courtesy. Do you think you, the daughter of a small restaurant owner, could ever reach her level? You’re overestimating yourself."

"You’re talking nonsense! Are you just jealous because Youyou is nice to me? Is that why you’re spouting all this nonsense?" Zhu Li cried out, standing up abruptly.

"If you don’t believe me, go ask Han Yachu and Li Lan what her status is! Hmph, overestimating yourself. The princess of the military and political worlds—is your status worthy of her? As a friend, are *you* worthy?"

Feng Shaomei also stood up, shouting back at Zhu Li. A collective gasp rose in the classroom as two erasers flew at them, striking them about the head and face. They quickly covered their faces. Their faces paled—they had forgotten they were in class, and Old Chen’s class at that! How could they have started arguing so loudly?

"Zhu Li! Feng Shaomei! Stand outside the classroom door and come to my office after class!" Old Chen roared. The two of them scurried to the door. They glared at each other, then each stood on one side of the door, like two door gods.

Shangguan You passed by the basketball court, watching the endlessly running players and listening to the occasional cheers and yells, when suddenly a basketball flew straight toward her.

It was a similar basketball that had brought her to this world. Just as she was about to catch the incoming ball, the person beside her reacted a step quicker. Shangguan Qing’s tall figure moved in front of her, his hands securely catching the ball before he shot it toward the hoop.

From that distance, Shangguan Qing jumped lightly. His short hair flew in the air as his tall frame soared. The basketball left his hands in a parabolic arc, sailing smoothly into the hoop. He landed steadfastly in front of Shangguan You. Under the sunlight, a faint golden glow bathed Shangguan Qing’s tall figure.

His movements were like flowing water, executed in a single, seamless motion. He looked so handsome and charming that it prompted nonstop screams from the spectators. That was the charm of the basketball court. Just as Han Yachu’s equally impressive moves had once mesmerized Shangguan You, Shangguan Qing’s actions now were even more alluring, even more handsome.

A slight smile curled at the corners of Shangguan You’s mouth. It seems Big Brother Qing’s charm is truly unstoppable, she thought. Having such a brother to protect me in the future isn’t bad at all.

"Kiddo, let’s go." Shangguan Qing turned his head and took her small hand in his large one. He led her toward the school step by step, automatically ignoring the screams behind them.

Gui Mo’s lips twitched. My basketball skills aren’t any worse than Shangguan Qing’s, really, he thought. It’s just that my movements aren’t as fast. Otherwise, I would have been the one in the spotlight today, and Youyou would have seen me differently. Gui Mo lamented internally, resignedly following them.

Late at night, Shangguan You once again went to the Qing Gang. After the previous night’s events, she understood that individual strength, no matter how great, sometimes wasn’t enough. Therefore, she decided to enhance everyone’s capabilities.

Shangguan You remained hidden in the shadows, observing all the members of the Azure Dragon Gang, the White Tiger Gang, and a third gang. She then cast an Obedience Curse and a True Heart Curse upon them. This way, she could boost their strength with peace of mind.

Although she didn’t need them at the moment, she believed their existence would offer protection to both her and the Shangguan family. She also left countless Jade Dew Pills for everyone to consume to increase their strength. As for Chu Yi, Long Hua, Li Qing, Li Lan, and Zhong Mingyang, she gave them Spirit Fruit from her interdimensional space to eat, which would slowly alter their physiques.

Once the Marrow Cleansing Pills were refined, she would completely change their physiques, leading them onto the path of cultivation. When the Spirit Gathering Pills were ready, they would serve their purpose. She also gave the formula for the Bone Growth Pill, with its modified Spirit Fruit catalyst, to Zhong Mingyang to be discreetly released onto the market.

Having finished all her tasks, she once again took flight, heading toward Beijing. Shen Cheng and Wanqian had schemed against her for two years; she would also take two years to slowly return the favor. From the moment she set foot in Beijing, she awaited the end of those two years.

She awaited the moment when the couple would turn into enemies.

Back in Beijing, Shangguan Qing and Gui Jun went directly to the military academy for training and studies. Meanwhile, Yu Zifeng and Zhang Yuchen transferred from abroad, immediately joining Shangguan Qing and the others for an arduous and stressful period of education. Their school required them to stay on campus at all times, except for special holidays.

Meanwhile, Shangguan You transferred to Beijing High School, a prestigious institution for children of high-ranking officials. Because of the bet between Yu Zhibin and Shangguan Zhi, Shangguan You was placed directly into the same class as Yu Zifeng, Li Meisu, Gui Luo, and Gui Mo—a class filled with the children of Beijing’s most powerful families.

Senior year studies were busy and laden with immense pressure. For others, senior year was dull and stressful, but for Shangguan You, studying or not made no difference.

With the help of the Medicine King Canon, her memory was astonishing; she never forgot new information once learned. While everyone else was studying hard, she focused on practicing the Medicine King Canon to improve her physical abilities. She had been stuck on level 3 for a long time and was diligently searching for a breakthrough.

Back home, she was warmly welcomed by her paternal uncle’s family. Shangguan Hao, her father, also no longer stayed away for an entire year at a time. Whenever he had the chance, he would come home to see Shangguan You and spend time with his family. She relished this peaceful and warm life, the kind she had longed for before her rebirth.

In the silence of the night, she would either enter her interdimensional space or visit the cemetery to accompany her grandfather. Sometimes, she would visit the Inferno Sect to guide Zhuge Feng and the others in their martial arts. She also gradually entrusted Zhuge Feng with the collection and management of Jade Dew Pills and Spirit Gathering Pills. Sometimes, on a whim, she would visit the Shen Family to observe the development of Shen Cheng and Wanqian’s situation. Occasionally, she would add fuel to the fire, making the flames of their animosity burn even fiercer.