Chapter 20: The Battle of West Point
Chapter 20
Kong Lian, who was at the forefront, listened attentively to the commotion behind her. She discreetly glanced at Guo Tongwen, making a mental note of this person.
Throughout the day, Kong Lian was like a gentle princess stepping out of a castle, effortlessly captivating many people, including Guo Tongwen.
Impressive speed indeed. As soon as she realized that Guo Tongwen was not her adversary, she immediately approached and won her over.
After school, still carrying her backpack, Kong Lian walked out with Zhao Yi and a few others.
Just as they reached the school gate, they saw a luxurious car parked by the roadside. A well-dressed, silver-haired butler respectfully bowed to Kong Lian.
"Miss."
"Uncle Wang," Kong Lian called out and then turned to her new friends, the newcomers to her circle. "See you all tomorrow."
These students had never witnessed such a scene before. They had only seen something like this on TV, and suddenly encountering it in real life brought a sense of awe and novelty, like a country bumpkin entering the city.
"See you tomorrow."
They waved at her.
Kong Lian got into the car, and it started moving. She intentionally rolled down the window and waved goodbye to the people outside, deliberately displaying her social etiquette. It was almost as if her face said, 'I am a rich young lady.' This display completely stunned the group of naive high school students.
Even Zhao Yi couldn't help but marvel, her eyes looking at Kong Lian differently now, without the previous casualness, but with a hint of caution. "She really is a rich young lady."
If they didn't know about her background, they would have been easily deceived by her grandeur.
"A rich young lady?" Ren Ran chuckled.
Zhao Yi glanced at her sideways and noticed something different in her subtle expression.
She lowered her voice and whispered, "Ren Ran, do you have any information?"
Ren Ran cryptically replied, "Spoiling the surprise wouldn't be fun. Take your time and experience it yourself."
The play hasn't started yet, and the stage shouldn't be dismantled too soon, or else it would be unfair to the grudges of being fooled and betrayed in past lives.
Zhao Yi quickly understood, "Oh, I see. Hehe."
The next day, everyone hurried to school, and as soon as Ren Ran put down her backpack, all eyes were on Kong Lian as she entered the classroom carrying a large bag.
She asked her desk mate for help and distributed exquisitely crafted pastries to her classmates.
Each pastry was delicately designed and visually appealing.
"Wow, these pastries are so beautiful," someone exclaimed.
"They look like works of art."
"Kong Lian, where did you buy these pastries? They're so pretty."
Kong Lian smiled and replied, "My dad just hired a Western pastry chef. I think they turned out quite well. I wanted to share them with everyone."
This statement revealed her extraordinary family background—being able to hire a pastry chef at home.
Ren Ran didn't even need to look at the chef, but her ears caught every bit of information. A slight curve appeared on her lips.
She really had no idle days.
On the first day, she established her character, gained the support of the principal, and made others too afraid to offend or bully her.
On the second day, she further solidified her "rich and beautiful" image. At the same time, she used small favors to win over her classmates and gain their favor.
Today's action achieved two goals at once—many benefits to reap.
She couldn't wait to establish her position and win people's hearts.
Kong Lian walked up to Ren Ran, holding a tray of pastries. "Ren Ran," she said.
She placed the pastries on his desk.
Ren Ran looked up at her, pretending not to recognize her, and smiled politely. "Thank you."
"If there's anything you don't like, remember to let me know," Kong Lian said sweetly.
"Alright."
Kong Lian was about to say something else when Guo Tongwen approached and pulled her aside, afraid that they would become too close and develop a friendship.
"Kong Lian, the pastries from your family are delicious. I heard that pastry chefs, just like chefs, have different levels. What level is your family's pastry chef?" Guo Tongwen asked.
"I'm not sure, I don't really pay attention to such trivial matters," she replied in a gentle voice.
'Trivial matters,' that phrase was used so well.
Ren Ran thought to himself.
Kong Lian quickly changed the subject. "I heard from our aunt that he used to work as a pastry chef in a five-star hotel."
Zhao Yi took a bite and exclaimed, "Hmm, why does this taste so familiar?"
She turned to look at Ren Ran and said, "Ren Ran, the pastries you brought from home before also had this taste."
Guo Tongwen smiled and said, "That must be because Ren Ran bought them from a five-star hotel, after all, not everyone can afford to hire chefs from five-star hotels."
They might as well have said, 'Ren Ran is lying.'
It's not surprising that they would think that way, and the reason is simple.
Ren Ran was not wearing designer clothes, she wore custom-made ones. She didn't have a strong desire to buy things, nor did she pursue luxury goods. Let alone the fact that Ren Ran took the bus to school by herself.
From top to bottom, there was no sign of wealth in her, and no one knew that she was the little princess of the Yaxing Group.
There were several reasons for this: partly because she didn't like to show off, partly because of Kong Li's guidance, and partly for her own safety.
In her past life, her classmates only found out about her identity after it was exposed online that she had abused children in an orphanage.
Kong Lian's heart tightened for a moment.
She had asked her father to hire a pastry chef to make a batch of pastries, and she didn't expect her father to hire someone from Ren's family.
Kong Lian was a little worried. If Ren Ran noticed something, it would be troublesome.
She instinctively looked at Ren Ran, and before Ren Ran could speak, she quickly remedied, "Wow, your mom's cooking skills are amazing, Ren Ran. If my mom was this good, I would be so happy. I envy you."
One sentence directly defused Guo Tongwen's mockery and also praised Ren Ran's mother.
That's the power of language.
Ren Ran naturally understood her intentions and wanted to let it go, but why should she go along with her?
She took a bite and found that the taste was not unrelated to the pastries at her home, but rather exactly the same.
"The taste is indeed identical to the pastries made by the pastry chef in my family," she casually commented, placing the pastry down.
The information contained in her words stunned everyone present.
"Your family also has a pastry chef?" Guo Tongwen questioned again.
Are you trying to give Ren Ran trouble? You're actually asking for trouble for yourself.
Kong Lian wished she could shut Guo Tongwen's mouth.
Ren Ran paid no attention to Guo Tongwen and kept his gaze fixed on Kong Lian. "Being able to create desserts on par with Pete Qiao, you must be a renowned pastry master. Pete Qiao has always wanted to catch up with an old friend, and it seems his wish can come true. As a favor to Uncle Pete Qiao, may I ask who that person is in your family?"
Confidently revealing her own dessert chef's name, Ren Ran's calm demeanor made Guo Tongwen's previous words seem like those of a clown jumping around.
Someone quickly looked up who Pete Qiao was.
"Oh, my goodness! Pete Qiao is one of the top ten pastry masters in the World Pastry Cup."
The gazes of the crowd toward Ren Ran changed instantly, filled with curiosity, admiration, and questioning.
Upon hearing Ren Ran say the words she least wanted to hear, Kong Lian grew even more resentful towards Guo Tongwen.
What an idiot!