Chapter Six: The Charm of a Smile That Wins All Hearts

Slender fingers tugged gently at Yan Yan’s sleeve. Jiang Wanwan spoke softly, “Don’t talk like that. Even if my sister is a bit harsh, a bit short-tempered, and tends to bully others, she’s still a good sister.”

Her gentle yet clear voice rang out, drawing the attention of nearby tables, their curious gazes shining like spotlights.

“Yes, I am a good sister,” Jiang Wangshu interjected with a smile. “If I weren’t, how could I have let you insult me so freely for so long?”

“My mother is still ill, and your mother couldn’t wait to climb into my father’s bed—even in my own bedroom.”

The original host could never forget the thunderbolt of her childhood, the sight that pushed her sickly mother into the abyss of death. All these years, she hadn’t fought back, believing such passivity was a form of self-punishment and redemption.

“Do you remember how your mother used to look when she worked as a housekeeper in my home? At best, you’re just the housekeeper’s daughter.”

Jiang Wangshu reached across the table, pinching Jiang Wanwan’s chin. Her eyes, half smiling, were filled with undisguised contempt and mockery.

“In an instant, you soared to the top—do you really think you’re a phoenix?”

She released her grip and, without warning, slapped Jiang Wanwan hard across the face. The sharp “crack” echoed, drawing everyone’s attention.

Jiang Wangshu picked up a napkin and carefully wiped her right hand. “A mistress’s daughter—filthy enough to dirty my hand!”

A clear red handprint appeared on Jiang Wanwan’s fair cheek. Her face swelled on one side, her misty eyes filled with disbelief and curiosity.

This useless girl had become so tough—could it be because of the man beside her?

Jiang Wanwan stole a glance at Xiao Hei.

Such fierce composure was definitely not ordinary.

Suddenly, a tear slid down Jiang Wanwan’s cheek. She angled her profile to show her perfect forty-five-degree side, her lips trembling like petals, as if she’d suffered a great grievance. “Sister, you…”

Zhang Jin’s eyes widened in fury, his muscles swelling until his body doubled in size. His fist, as large as a cooking pot, came crashing down.

With the force of his blow, he sneered, “How dare a trash like you, both in character and talent, bully Wanwan!”

Jiang Wangshu’s gaze swept over him, and, following the unlucky law, she quickly selected the most ostentatious talisman and prepared to slap it down.

Suddenly, her waist was pulled back, and she fell into a broad embrace. A strong arm reached from behind, gently gripping Zhang Jin’s fist with a crisp crack.

Jiang Wangshu turned her head, meeting Xiao Hei’s lowered gaze. He muttered something under his breath, his eyes radiating impatience and urgency.

Suddenly, she realized—he was desperate to eat.

Zhang Jin screamed, his body shrinking back to its original size, retreating in panic. “My hand, my hand!”

His fist dangled limply from his wrist, flesh twisted, with bone protruding through torn skin. Blood dripped onto the floor, shocking everyone.

His hand was broken, his fingers twisted.

She wailed, tears and snot streaming together. “I still have the college entrance exam this afternoon! Wuu wuu wuu…”

Yan Yan stood up abruptly, fists clenched under his sleeves, grinding his teeth as he glared at Jiang Wangshu. “How could you be so cruel?”

Jiang Wanwan’s heart trembled—this man dared to act in public. He must have backing.

She turned to Jiang Wangshu, “Sister, you’ve gone too far!”

Jiang Wangshu relaxed, leaning into Xiao Hei’s arms with a mocking laugh, her disdainful gaze circling the three. “When she hit first, you all kept silent. When I hit back, you sprang to life!”

She pressed down on Xiao Hei’s hand, preventing him from pushing her away, sending a threat through their contract.

[If you don’t cooperate, you won’t get food.]

At a nearby table, an older man couldn’t bear it any longer. He stood, pointing at her nose. “No matter what, you can’t ruin a college student’s future.”

“A young woman should be gentle, or her boyfriend might leave her. Hurry up and apologize to this girl and take her to the hospital!”

Others chimed in.

“That’s right! The college entrance exam is a major life event. We can’t take it lightly. Let’s call and get this girl to the hospital.”

“This young lady is something else—slapping her sister, punching her classmate.”

“You’d better not run—we’re all watching you.”

“Yes, you must pay for the medical bills.”

Everyone clamored, pinning Jiang Wangshu as a bully.

Jiang Wangshu straightened up and cupped her hands to those around her. “You are all cultivators, and know that the mouth is the door to fortune and misfortune. To insult someone’s mother is to lose virtue. These three not only spread rumors behind my back, but insulted my mother to my face.”

“In terms of emotion, I can't tolerate it. In terms of reason, she hit first—I hit back. Why shouldn’t I?”

When it came to verbal sparring, Jiang Wangshu never lost.

Xiao Hei, impatient, eyed Jiang Wangshu’s fingers and smacked his lips.

The contract holder’s fingers looked so crisp—one bite and they’d break. Once he figured out how to break the contract, she’d be the first he’d eat.

The crowd fell silent, heads bowed in contemplation.

“Yes! If anyone insulted my mother, I’d slap them twenty times.”

“No matter the dispute, parents should never be dragged in. We cultivators avoid that above all.”

Meanwhile…

In the corner, a message talisman glowed, broadcasting live.

Countless comments flew across the screen.

“Insulting someone’s parents deserves death.”

“I hate those who curse parents the most.”

“Even so, breaking someone’s hand is too much!”

“One spread slander, the other violence—neither is good!”

…

Jiang Wanwan saw the tide turn and quickly stood to defend herself, “Sister, how could we be insulting? We’re just telling the truth!”

Yan Yan declared, “These days, is it wrong to speak the truth? Wanwan’s mother and Mr. Jiang are true love. Your mother is the mistress who took advantage.”

“Pretending to be a housekeeper, but when my mom was sick, she seduced him. Is that what you call true love?”

“How ridiculous!”

Yan Yan’s figure wavered as he looked at Jiang Wanwan, shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s not what you said…”

Jiang Wanwan bit her lip, rolled her eyes, and fainted.

But faking a faint depended on whether Jiang Wangshu allowed it. She searched her shopping page and discreetly tossed a “Blossom and Laughter Talisman.”

The moment Jiang Wanwan touched the bench, she shot up as if electrified, tugging at her clothes and running outside, screaming, “My mother is a mistress! My mother loves crawling into beds…”

Everyone’s jaws dropped.

“She’s gone mad!”

Yan Yan glanced dazedly at Jiang Wangshu, then helped Zhang Jin onto the ambulance.

The crowd rushed to apologize to Jiang Wangshu.

“We’re sorry, young lady—we misunderstood you!”

“Today’s bill is on me! Consider it an apology!”

At 1 p.m., Exam Room Six.

Jiang Wangshu opened the door and stepped inside. The world spun, and endless yellow sand swept toward her.