She Came Back to Win

Gao Yuanyuan's father, Gao Jianjun, was the CEO of a company—what kind of business it was, no one at school really knew. They only knew her family was rich. When Gao Yuanyuan had just started elementary school, her parents divorced. Less than a year later, her father remarried—to Shu Ran's mother.

Gossip spread like wildfire. Some said Shu Ran was actually Gao Yuanyuan's half-sister. Others whispered that Gao Jianjun had been "stolen" by Shu Ran's mom.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" Shu Ran looked at Song Yahan's perfectly made-up face, though even the makeup couldn't hide how tired she looked. Her eyes were slightly red. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

"I know you've been wronged," Song Yahan took a deep breath, trying not to cry. She held Shu Ran's small hand tightly. "I just wanted to give you a stable home. I didn't expect…"

"Uncle treats you well, and as long as you're happy, I don't mind." Shu Ran reached out and hugged her mother, gently patting her back. "One day I'll grow up. You don't need to worry about me forever."

Song Yahan knew Shu Ran was obedient and thoughtful. Every time she heard words like that from her daughter, it made her feel selfish. She was tired of the judgment and rumors, so when she met Gao Jianjun, she married him without hesitation. But she hadn't considered how it might affect her daughter.

"Good girl. I'll make you some chicken soup when we get home to help you feel better," Song Yahan said gently, brushing Shu Ran's hair. It was the only comfort she could offer.

"Really? I've been craving some!" Shu Ran's eyes lit up, and she clung to her mother's arm excitedly.

"Get some rest. I'll talk to the teacher and then we'll head home."

"Okay." Shu Ran obediently lay down as her mother tucked the blanket over her. But as she watched Song Yahan's back walking away, the smile slowly faded from her face.

In the Gao family, she and her mom barely had a voice. To be fair, Gao Jianjun didn't treat them badly—he gave them decent clothes, good food, and regular allowances. But to him, Shu Ran felt more like a stray cat or dog living in the house—neither liked nor disliked.

Song Yahan knew Shu Ran was a sensitive child, so she tried to make up for things by giving her the best food and small comforts whenever she could.

Shu Ran understood how hard it was for her mom to be stuck in the middle, so she never made things difficult. She tried to let her mom live her life in peace.

That kind of unspoken understanding became their way of life—twenty years of it. Eventually, it became a habit. Whether they were happy or not, only they knew deep down.

Staring at the door, Shu Ran slowly clenched her small fists.

She would not live the same life again. Things had to change. Her twenty-eight years of experience had taught her that men couldn't be relied on—especially not the kind her mother depended on. Sooner or later, relying on a man meant losing yourself. Maybe her mother already had.

"Sorry to trouble you, Teacher Zhou," Song Yahan said as she stepped outside. She noticed the school nurse giving her a judgmental look but kept her composure and spoke with quiet elegance.

She'd grown used to those kinds of looks over the years, but they still stung, especially when they came from a teacher. She didn't want her daughter to be hurt because of her own choices. Maybe it was time to consider transferring Shu Ran to another school.

"Shu Ran just seemed a little distracted in class, but otherwise she's doing fine," said Teacher Zhou. "She's still recovering from her illness, so let her rest for now."

"If there's nothing else, I'd like to take her home."

Teacher Zhou checked the time and nodded. "It's almost the end of the school day anyway. Go ahead and take her."

"Thank you so much." Song Yahan gave both the teacher and the nurse a polite nod before walking back into the infirmary. "Ranran, feeling any better? Let's go home."

"Mm." Shu Ran lifted the blanket. A breeze brushed against her, making her shiver. "Mom, wait for me outside. I need to go back to the classroom and grab my backpack."

"Alright." Song Yahan nodded and watched Shu Ran dash away. She sighed softly and exchanged a few polite words with the teachers at the door before leaving.

"You could at least tone down that look you gave her," Teacher Zhou muttered to the nurse.

"Why should I? If she didn't want to be judged, she shouldn't have done things worth judging," the nurse replied coldly. "I don't know how you tolerate that woman."

"That's her private life. We just need to do our jobs," Teacher Zhou said, frowning. She started walking away, then turned back after a few steps. "Wanna come to my place for dinner?"

"Of course! Free food? Count me in," the nurse grinned like a total foodie.

Outside the school gate, Song Yahan slowly walked over to her car and got in to wait for Shu Ran. A familiar black luxury car drove past, and her expression shifted—bitterness flashing faintly at the corners of her lips.

It was Gao Jianjun's car. He had come to pick up his beloved daughter, Gao Yuanyuan.

Watching the father and daughter chatting and laughing inside the car, Song Yahan's eyes dimmed further. When the car finally disappeared from view, she sat still. Unless it was a formal occasion, she never approached him first—because he didn't like it.

"Madam, the young miss is coming," the driver's voice pulled her back to reality. Through the window, she saw Shu Ran running out from the school gate, carrying a huge backpack on her thin shoulders. A soft smile finally returned to her face.

She was about to get out and greet her when she saw two girls stop Shu Ran in her tracks. She frowned, ready to intervene, but remembered what Gao Jianjun had warned her before. In the end, she stayed in the car—but her eyes never left her daughter.

"Shu Ran, are you seriously trying to leave just like that?" Shen Meng held up a floral dress in front of her. "You got this brand new dress dirty!"

"What do you want?" Shu Ran kept her voice low, catching sight of her mom's car out of the corner of her eye.

"I want you to buy me the exact same dress," Shen Meng said smugly, lifting her chin. "If you don't, I'll tell Gao Yuanyuan's dad!"

"Just let her wash it, that should be enough," Li Qian suggested, trying to defuse the tension. She knew the dress wasn't cheap.

"Li Qian, whose side are you on?!" Shen Meng snapped. Already in a bad mood, she was furious that her best friend was siding with Shu Ran. "You think I don't have maids at home? I want a new one!"

Li Qian realized she'd upset Shen Meng and backed off, shooting Shu Ran a look that said, "You're on your own."

Shu Ran took in their every word and move, her lips curling into a cold, subtle smile.