CHAPTER 411: CHAPTER 404: TANG ANXIN SLANDERS

Everyone at the dinner table was no fool. After hearing what Sisi said, how could they not decipher the implications of her words? Their gazes shifted toward Tang Anxin, as if seeing her in a new light—could it be that the seemingly gentle and amiable Miss Tang harbored malicious intents behind her facade?

Tang Anzhi was certainly aware of his little sister’s nature—externally gracious and gentle, but inwardly scheming and vicious. Seeing the change in everyone’s expressions, he silently cursed Tang Anxin for her sloppy actions.

He was more composed than Tang Anxin indeed. With a covert glare at Tang Anxin, he smiled and steered the conversation towards another topic, successfully shifting everyone’s focus away.

Thanks to Tang Anzhi’s witty interjections, the mood at the dinner table relaxed significantly. Sisi stopped dwelling on the restroom matter and instead chimed in with the new topic introduced by Tang Anzhi. He breathed a sigh of relief and felt a tinge of gratitude towards Sisi.

Sisi: "No hurry, let’s start with an appetizer."

Even though Sisi was willing to let go of the matter with Tang Anxin, Tang Anxin herself had no intention of sparing Sisi. Her gaze shifted as she smiled and inquired, "I heard from Brother Yuxi that Miss He is an outstanding student from Tsinghua Art College?"

This was one of the reasons for the animosity between Tang Anxin and Sisi. Tang Anxin had always prided herself on being smart, but she had never excelled academically, and her grades were a mess. If it wasn’t for the university recommendation a few years back, with her grades, she would have definitely been unable to attend college.

The college diploma wasn’t genuinely earned through her abilities, so she always felt a bit guilty. Additionally, Li Yuxi would frequently mention in front of her how He Sisi was the youngest outstanding student at Tsinghua University that year, laden with praise, which she found unbearable.

In reality, the original Tang Anxin possessed the means and the cunning, with neither her looks nor her family background falling short. A girl with her assets certainly had a bright future ahead of her. However, even the most formidable of women can become blind-sighted once caught in the whirlpool of love, doing foolish things that harm others and themselves.

At that moment, this was exactly Tang Anxin’s case. Having regained some composure, she saw Li Yuxi happily chatting with Sisi, and jealousy flared within her, obliterating all reason.

Sisi did not grasp the intention behind Tang Anxin’s sudden inquiry about her university, so she was on her guard, responding with a smile, "I can’t claim to be an outstanding student. Miss Tang flatters me too much."

"Ah, we are all friends here, why be so formal? Wouldn’t it be better to call each other by our first names?"

Seeing his little sister engaging with Sisi again, Tang Anzhi didn’t know what she was plotting, but he laughed and kept the atmosphere lively, appearing to want to be closer to Sisi.

"It’s better to remain polite," Sisi courteously smiled and refused, Tang Anxin likewise had no intention of befriending Sisi, and on this point, they were in agreement.

"As a matter of fact, I have a good friend who also attended Tsinghua Art College, and she was in the same year as you, Miss He," Tang Anxin continued.

"Oh? May I know who Miss Tang’s good friend is?" Sisi remained composed, curious about the game Tang Anxin was playing.

"Liu Xuelian." Tang Anxin finally got to her point.

Sisi couldn’t help but laugh silently. No wonder Tang Anxin felt animosity towards her—it turns out she was seeking revenge on behalf of a good friend.

Sisi thought she had discovered the real reason why Tang Anxin was targeting her, but she was wrong. Tang Anxin was actually targeting her because of Li Yuxi; Liu Xuelian was just a smokescreen.

Sisi stifled a laugh and said, "So, Liu Xuelian is Miss Tang’s good friend? How come I’ve never heard Liu Xuelian mention that before!"

Everyone found Sisi’s words somewhat amusing. Claiming to be good friends, yet that friend had never once mentioned her name. Just how close is this friendship really, everyone just sniggered.

"Miss He doesn’t really associate with other students in class, so of course, you wouldn’t have heard!" Tang Anxin replied calmly, implying that Sisi was not well-liked.

Sisi didn’t care, continuing to help herself to the food as she was curious to hear what Tang Anxin would say next about Liu Xuelian.

Tang Anxin then continued, "Speaking of which, the fate of this friend of mine is really tragic."

Her words piqued the interest of others at the table. Jin Wen asked in a hoarse voice, "What happened to Sister An Xin’s friend?"

Tang Anxin put on a look of deep sorrow, as if she had something to say but hesitated. Sisi couldn’t help but sneer, disdainful of Tang Anxin’s pretentious behavior, and continued to gnaw on a rib, thoroughly enjoying it.

Seeing Sisi’s indifferent demeanor, Tang Anxin became even more irritated. As far as she was concerned, Liu Xuelian’s miserable fate had a lot to do with Sisi’s lack of action. Originally, she thought that by bringing up Liu Xuelian’s name, Sisi would feel guilty and show fear, but unexpectedly Sisi was as unaffected as a dead pig is to boiling water, not the least bit troubled.

"How can you be so cold, Miss He? Not only did you not help her when she was in danger, but you didn’t even visit her to offer consolation after her misfortune. Now, you show no concern at all. Miss He, you really chill the heart."

Tang Anxin couldn’t be bothered to reply to Jin Wen’s question and couldn’t help but accuse Sisi. The others didn’t understand what she meant - what neglect of duty to help the dying? And who was Liu Xuelian? They were all very confused.

Sisi spat out the neatly gnawed rib onto the table, wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of Tang Anxin’s portrayed grief.

"Miss Tang, anyone who doesn’t know better might think that you were the one bullied by a dozen men."

Once Sisi said this, everyone’s expressions turned awkward, yet they all pricked up their ears, eager for Sisi to say more.

Tang Anxin was so angered by Sisi’s words that she was speechless and just as she was about to retort, Sisi said, "Moreover, what do you mean, Miss Tang? What ’leaving to die’? It’s Liu Xuelian’s own fault for not taking my advice and insisting on staying in the bandit’s den to get bullied. How is that related to me? How was I supposed to save her?"

Without waiting for Tang Anxin to respond, Sisi continued, "Speaking of which, your good friend Liu Xuelian suggested to the bandits that I should replace her. Unfortunately, though I wanted to save your friend, I just didn’t have the ability. I could only watch helplessly as Liu Xuelian was mistreated, sigh!"

Sisi shook her head with a look of deep sorrow, giving a long sigh, as if she felt immense pain for Liu Xuelian.

Now everyone else understood what had happened. Initially, everyone sympathized with Liu Xuelian - a young girl encountering such a disaster would have her life ruined. But now it seemed that Liu Xuelian wasn’t such an innocent victim after all, even hoping for someone else to take her place? How could she concoct such an the idea?

Seeing the situation develop differently from what she had expected, Tang Anxin started to panic. She tried to calm herself and said with grievance, "But why is it that what I’ve heard is different from what you’ve said, Miss He? I was told that Miss He just abandoned the professor and fellow students and ran away?"