The Little Brat's Sweet And Sassy Chapter 2

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

The rain had finally ceased.

Morning sunlight spilled into the chamber, illuminating the face of the young lady as she lay sideways upon her bed. Her complexion possessed a porcelain-like delicacy, complemented by lashes that were thick and gracefully curled. Even upon waking, a lingering sense of exhaustion clung to her luminous eyes.

The corners were slightly reddened and glistening with moisture.

Ding dong.

A notification flashed brightly across her smartphone screen.

She reached for the device with casual disinterest and flicked a glance at the message.

[At 11:00 p.m. last night, a four-vehicle collision occurred on the Lianyun highway heading toward Yunzhou, resulting in two critical injuries and three minor casualties…]

Her mind sharpened instantly, and she pressed onto the headline to scroll through the article.

The temporal and geographic details matched perfectly. Curiously, the casualty count differed from the tragedy she remembered from her past life.

It appeared the absence of the Ye family’s Cayenne had improved the outcome significantly.

Abruptly, a rhythmic pounding resonated against her door.

She checked the time; it was already 8:20 a.m.

Ning Li frowned, briefly verifying the contents of her backpack before rising with a languid motion to swing the door open.

…

Zhou Hua stood in the hallway, his patience clearly exhausted after hammering on the wood three times.

The barrier finally retreated just as he was prepared to force his way inside.

A face devoid of any cosmetic aid met his gaze, yet it was undeniably striking. Zhou Hua hesitated for a heartbeat, visibly stunned, before recollecting his professional demeanor. He spoke through gritted teeth, “You are overdue, Miss Ning.”

The Madam specifically requested 8:00 a.m., yet it is nearing 8:30! Does she lack any concept of punctuality!?

“The Madam harbors a dislike for tardiness,” he added pointedly.

Ning Li merely offered a dry chuckle.

In her previous existence, Ning Li had always strived for punctuality, yet Su Yuan had rarely shown her any warmth. When it came to waiting, Ning Li had spent eleven years longing for her mother since the age of six. In comparison, Su Yuan’s wait felt trivial at best, did it not?

“My apologies. I was honestly unaware of the expectation, as we haven’t shared a residence in so many years.”

Zhou Hua felt a tightness constrict his chest. How could she be so insolent!?

Ning Li stepped past him into the hallway, pausing only to rotate the handle and secure the door behind her.

“Let us depart.”

Zhou Hua’s eyes widened slightly as he observed her frame.

“Miss Ning, what about your luggage?”

Ning Li carried nothing but a single sling bag.

“This is everything,” she replied tersely.

Zhou Hua was momentarily speechless. Was she not carrying this exact bag last night while claiming she hadn’t finished packing? All this time, and it was just this singular, worn-out satchel? Who is she trying to deceive!?

Ning Li descended the stairs a few paces before looking back at him over her shoulder.

“Are you not coming? Forcing others to wait is hardly polite.”

Zhou Hua’s lips twitched, but he dutifully trailed behind her.

…

The morning was destined to remain sour.

Su Yuan’s irritation regarding Ning Li’s tardiness was palpable. Zhou Hua occupied the driver’s seat while the two women sat silently in the back.

The car’s interior was frigid, the silence heavy with unresolved tension. Ning Li, however, seemed entirely indifferent, leaning her head against the door frame to doze with her eyes tightly shut.

Su Yuan studied her, initially intending to deliver a sharp reprimand. Ultimately, she decided against it, noting that the girl was prone to blatant truancy regardless of her lectures.

Still, there were necessary instructions to convey.

“Once we reach Yunzhou, you must abandon your undesirable habits. Little Ci is merely three months your junior, and Little Cheng is a mere ten years of age. Naturally, you are the elder sister now. It is your duty to look after them—is that understood?”

Ning Li’s eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly unveiled her gaze. Her pupils were veiled in a dark, impenetrable sheen, lending an aura of profound mystery to her expression.

After all these years, she was hearing the same tired script once more.

She was the elder sister, which meant she was expected to absorb her brother’s faults. She was the elder sister, which meant she was obligated to yield her possessions to the younger.

Raised by her grandmother from infancy, Ning Li possessed only hazy memories of her actual progenitors. Despite this, she had nurtured a flicker of hope at the prospect of residing with her mother again.

Even with those step-siblings, she had been prepared to offer 120 percent of her patience. She had genuinely yearned for a true home. How unfortunate...

Su Yuan exhaled in relief, interpreting Ning Li’s unreadable expression as an admission of compliance.

“There is one more matter. I intended to transfer your academic records to Yunzhou Second Senior High. The term is already underway—”

A faint smile touched Ning Li’s lips.

Yunzhou Second Senior High was the most prestigious institution in the region. They had undoubtedly exerted significant influence to secure her a spot.

In her youth, Ning Li had mistakenly believed it was an act of genuine affection, but she eventually realized it was nothing more than a delusion.

The reality was that Ye Ming was a vain, ego-driven man. When Ning Li had resided in Lincheng, they had never interfered in one another’s lives. However, now that she was officially part of the household, she served as a token. Ye Ming did this purely to bolster his image and boast of his connections; it had never been about her well-being.

Su Yuan sighed, shifting in her seat.

She had heard that Ning Li’s academic performance in Lincheng was merely mediocre—the type of student who drifted through life easily overlooked.

While this would be acceptable in an ordinary school, it would prove incredibly difficult to keep pace at Yunzhou Second Senior High.

“The administrative requirements remain, but since Uncle Ye has already brokered a deal, you only need to pass the entrance assessment. Once admitted, you must demonstrate more diligence and improve your marks.”

Ning Li offered no response.

Su Yuan attempted to continue, but upon encountering Ning Li’s apathetic demeanor, she grew frustrated, ultimately turning her head toward the window to avoid peering at the girl.

…

After an hour and a half, they arrived in Yunzhou.

The black Cayenne navigated directly into the exclusive grounds of the Jingyue Villa complex.

More than a dozen residences were nestled halfway up the mountainside. This district represented the zenith of luxury in Yunzhou, housing only the most prominent and affluent families.

Zhou Hua steered the vehicle up to the entrance of one specific manor.

The heavy gates parted slowly to receive them. Ning Li glanced across the entry, noting another vehicle already parked on the stone porch.

She blinked, recognizing that the car did not belong to the Ye collection.

The window was down just enough to reveal a man resting within. From her vantage point, she caught a glimpse of a razor-sharp nose and porcelain-pale skin.

He appeared to be sleeping soundly.

How curious, she mused. What kind of person naps in their car on someone else’s property for no apparent reason?

The atmosphere was deathly quiet. Even the domestic staff traversed the grounds with exaggerated care, their footsteps muffled as if they feared disturbing the slumbering figure.

Su Yuan scrutinized the car for a moment, furrowing her brow as if trying to place the vehicle.

She lifted her chin, demanding of a passing servant, “Are we expecting guests?”

Aunt Zhao’s expression radiated unbridled excitement. She leaned in toward Su Yuan, whispering, “Madam, believe it or not, Master Cheng arrived today to deliver an invitation personally!”

There was only one Master Cheng of note in all of Yunzhou: Cheng Xiyue. At twenty-three, he already commanded one-third of his family’s massive interests—the undisputed heir to the Cheng dynasty.

But even for him, this level of reverence seemed excessive, did it not? Besides, Su Yuan had encountered Cheng Xiyue previously; the man in that car looked entirely different.

Ning Li observed the hushed exchange until, abruptly, the man in the car seemed to sense their presence. He opened his eyes, the movement slow and deliberate.

He instinctively straightened his posture, tilting his head to inspect the newcomers. Shadow cloaked much of his features, preventing Ning Li from getting a perfect look, yet the cold, abyssal intensity of his gaze was enough to eclipse everything else in the vicinity.

Their eyes locked.

Ning Li felt a distinct shiver race through her chest. It was no wonder the Ye family was acting so frantic. It turned out that he was the one visiting.