If they opened their mouths again, they would be practically admitting that they were the barking mad dogs Yao Tang was referring to. However, their egos would not allow them to just stand back and accept abuse.

For a moment, Yao RanandYu Shuwere both at a loss.

Soon enough, Yao Ran’s eyes lit up as she came up with an idea. “Yao Tang,” she said in a meek voice. “It’s lunch break. It isn’t good to stir up trouble while everybody is eating. I will apologize on behalf of this lady, all right? Can we just drop this matter?”

Yu Shu scoffed in disbelief. This student was actually giving those rascals a way out. She rolled her eyes and glared atYao Tang. “You should be grateful to this girl. I’m willing to let you off easily just this once for her sake. Consider yourselves lucky that I’m feeling generous today.”

Just like that, Yao Ranhad once again twisted the situation so that her enemies turned out to be the bad guys.

Lin Xin gritted her teeth. She leaned close toYao Tangand whispered, “ThatYao Ranis really skilled at playing innocent. It’s like she can’t live a day without manipulating other people!”

The corners of Yao Tang’s lips slowly curled into a meaningful smile. “I know, it must be something in her genes.”

Qin Jing chortled at that. It was almost their turn at the counter. Unsurprisingly,Yao Rancut in front of them.

“Let me treat you to a meal,” she offered to Yu Shu, pulling her pastYao Tang’s group.

“Sure.” Yu Shuglanced snidely at the three other girls before announcing her order. “I want ten servings of the braised pork rib. And I will also treat ten other people to one serving each.”

There wasn’t much food left as it was. If they really bought twenty meals, the display window would be empty.

That meant that Yao Tangand her friends wouldn’t be able to eat a proper meal, much less the specialty dishes.

“Are you really this shameless?” Qin Jingburst out. “It’s one thing for you to cut in line, but it’s another thing entirely to deprive the rest of us of food! Are you even going to finish all of that?”

“Oh, I have my ways,” Yu Shureplied smugly. “Even if I explode from eating too much, I’ll never let you guys have a bite.”

“Isn’t this a little too much?” Yao Ransaid from the side.

“What do you mean?” Yu Shuhuffed. “We’re on the same team, aren’t we? Just follow my lead. Don’t worry. If you can’t afford it, then I’ll pay for everything myself.”

With that, she turned and purposely called over the students lining up behind Yao Tang. “Hey, guys. We’re treating ten lucky students to lunch. Come over and get your meals.”

Then, with a gloating expression, she glanced at Yao Tang’s group and added, “Of course, these three are the exception. They’re not allowed to get any braised pork ribs.”

The look on her face almost sent Lin Xinover the edge.

Before they could challenge Yu Shu, cheers erupted behind them, and several students rushed forward to claim their free food.

One of them even stopped by to praise Yao Ran.

“You’re so kind to treat us to lunch.”

“That’s right, that’s right,” another student chimed in. “What a pity that those three losers keep bullying you.”

“Well, don’t mind them. They don’t even have any money or power, but they like going up against those that do. We shouldn’t interact with them in the future.”

“Who cares about them? Come on, let’s go enjoy our free meals.”

Lin Xin clenched her fists and craned her neck to look for the teacher on duty at the cafeteria. Just when she had finally spotted her,Yu Shuspoke again.

“Don’t even think about ratting us out to a teacher. I’ll have you know that I am here to settle an agreement between my family and your school. We are donating an entire teaching building; do you think any teacher would listen to you and risk losing such an opportunity?”

Her words cut through the air like sharp knives.

Lin Xin faltered. She already knew the answer to that, of course. No teacher would be so stupid as to gamble with such a large donation over some juvenile scuffle.

Yu Shu andYao Rangot their food trays and paid their bill. When they were about to walk pastYao Tang,Yu Shupaused. “Too bad,Yao Tang,” she taunted. “I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to get a taste of the specialty dishes. Meanwhile, we’ll be over there enjoying our meal.”

But Yao Tangpaid no attention to her. Instead, her cold eyes were fixed onYao Ran.

Yao Ran’s grip tightened on her tray. She averted her eyes and pretended to be scared. “Sis…”

“Give that to me, Sun Ran,”Yao Tangsaid, her words loud and crisp.

“What? Who’s Sun Ran?”

The other students who were still waiting for their food looked at each other in confusion. For the most part, they all thought that Yao Tanghad misspoken.

None of them noticed that Yao Ran was trembling. The name struck deep into her heart, and a wave of fear washed over her.

Sun Ran… Sun Bin’s grandchild…