She Came Back to Win

"What?!" Bai Ningli's eyes widened as she shrieked, her voice sharp and furious. "Someone actually dared to lay a hand on my precious daughter?!"

Shen Meng, watching her mother fuming with rage, felt a little guilty. But when her eyes fell on the now filthy little floral dress around her feet, she nodded hard, clenching her fists as if to reassure herself.

Meanwhile, Shu Ran sat quietly in the backseat of the car, working to suppress the fury that still lingered inside her. In front of Song Yahan, she would always be the obedient, sensible child—just as she had been in her past life. No matter what, she never wanted to worry her.

"Are you tired?" Song Yahan asked gently. She knew exactly how Shu Ran was treated at school and it hurt her deeply. But to give Shu Ran a better life, she had to rely on Gao Jianjun.

"I'm fine." Shu Ran shook her head sweetly.

Song Yahan didn't say anything more. She only reached out and held her daughter's small hand tightly, trying to offer what little warmth she could. But deep down, she knew: the day she married Gao Jianjun, a barrier had formed between them. From that day on, Shu Ran had forgotten how to smile.

Shu Ran didn't pull her hand away. She never blamed her mother. No matter how strong a woman was, she needed someone to lean on—her mother was like that, and so was she. What she didn't know was that Shen Meng's words had just stirred up a storm in the Gao household.

The car pulled up slowly in front of a three-story villa with a neatly kept garden. As Shu Ran stepped out and looked up at the house, her brows furrowed slightly. It had been years since she'd last seen this so-called home. It didn't quite match her faded memories, but one thing hadn't changed—the people living here still didn't like her.

She had never truly known how rich her stepfather was. In those days, being able to afford a car and a house like this meant considerable wealth. No wonder people called her mother a gold-digger. Jealousy and money—that's what it always came down to.

"Ranran?" Song Yahan called softly when she noticed her daughter standing still at the gate. She thought Shu Ran was afraid of being scolded or beaten again, so she offered a gentle smile. "Don't worry. I'm here."

Shu Ran forced a small smile and nodded obediently. Her mother always said that whenever she got into trouble—as if she could protect her. But every time, the words sounded more hollow.

The housekeeper opened the door. Inside, Gao Jianjun was seated on the sofa, reading the newspaper, his face dark. Across from him, Gao Yuanyuan licked her ice cream, clearly amused as she watched the two walk in.

"You're back so early?" Song Yahan said cheerfully. "I'll go get you some soup." She gave Shu Ran a meaningful look, signaling her to go upstairs quickly. Then she headed toward the kitchen.

"Stop right there." Gao Jianjun's voice barked out like a whip as he threw the newspaper aside.

Shu Ran knew there was no escaping this. Ignoring her mother's cue, she stood still and faced the man she was forced to call stepfather.

Gao Jianjun raised a brow. The girl standing before him didn't look afraid. Her gaze was clear and steady, almost unnervingly so—like she could see through all the filth in the world. Oddly enough, that only dampened his anger.

"What did you do at school today?" he demanded.

"The same as usual," she replied, her tone calm and detached.

"The same as usual?" His voice rose, and with a loud thump, he stood up and flung the newspaper to the ground.

Seeing this, Song Yahan rushed to shield Shu Ran behind her, her smile strained. "Old Gao, if the child did something wrong, we can talk about it calmly. Don't get so worked up—it's not good for your health."

"Song Yahan, do you even know what that girl did today?" Gao Jianjun's fists clenched tight as he pointed a trembling finger at Shu Ran, his teeth grinding. "That wretched brat got into a fight at school! And not just with anyone—she laid hands on Director Shen's daughter! Do you have any idea how badly I need Director Shen's signature to get that project approved? It's a million-yuan deal! And now? Great. We can all go starve!"

"I…" Song Yahan didn't know what to say. She had been there—she'd seen two girls picking on Shu Ran. How did it become Shu Ran bullying someone else? But no matter how she tried to explain, Gao Jianjun would only see it as her blindly protecting her daughter. Face flushed, she stammered, "Ranran isn't that kind of child."

"She's terrifying at school! I don't even dare talk to her!" Gao Yuanyuan piped up suddenly, her shrill voice twisting the knife. "Shen Meng wore a new dress today, and she wanted to snatch it from her! When Shen Meng refused, she hit her!"

Song Yahan stayed silent, head bowed. Shu Ran, however, simply stared at Gao Yuanyuan without any visible reaction—calm, expressionless, almost eerie.

"W-what are you staring at me for?!" Gao Yuanyuan stuttered, startled by the look in Shu Ran's eyes. For some reason, she felt an involuntary chill run down her spine. What was wrong with her? Why was she scared of this useless brat? She had always been timid and submissive. What had gotten into her today?

Annoyed at herself for feeling fear, she raised her voice defiantly. "I saw it happen with my own eyes!"

Shu Ran didn't reply. She just kept staring—silent, composed, letting Gao Yuanyuan spiral. Yes, this stepsister of hers had always been good at twisting stories. She'd fallen victim to her lies more times than she could count. Back then, it felt unfair. Now? It was almost funny.

Gao Yuanyuan had been waiting for a rebuttal, something she could pounce on to make herself look like the poor, mistreated sister. But Shu Ran's strange silence unsettled her. She was supposed to be smug—so why was she suddenly feeling nervous?

Gao Jianjun, whose temper had already reached its boiling point, finally exploded. His veins bulged as he roared, "Even if no one else said anything, the school already called to complain! Are you saying I made this up?!"

Gao Yuanyuan, now smug again, watched gleefully as the mother and daughter stood frozen, too afraid to speak under the weight of her father's anger. Then, eyes glinting, she sauntered over and slipped her arm through his. "Daddy~"

Gao Jianjun paused mid-rant. Gao Yuanyuan's tone suddenly turned soft and pleading. "Don't be mad at my little sister anymore. She's still young and doesn't know any better. I'll take care of her, I promise. Besides…" She smiled sweetly, mischief dancing in her eyes. "Shen Meng and I are good friends. I'll talk to her tomorrow. The project shouldn't be delayed."

Gao Jianjun's fury began to ebb. The way his daughter looked up at him with those innocent eyes made his anger falter. When he glanced down and saw Song Yahan's anxious face, tears glistening in her eyes, his tone finally softened, though his face remained cold.

"This time, I'll let it slide—thanks to your sister. But you'd better not cause any more trouble. Uncle won't be so lenient next time."