Tu Xiupei first looked at that slim, white arm, then at Feng Tianlan’s annoying smile. Deep in her heart, she clenched. She held out her hand and said, “You should eat more then, Sister.”
Just as Tu Xiupei was about to touch Feng Tianlan’s hand, Feng Tianlan retracted it suddenly. Then, with a thud, Tu Xiupei fell back on her bum.
“Little Sister, why did you suddenly sit back down? Don’t tell me that you’re trying to…” Feng Tianlan looked at Tu Xiupei in confusion. By stopping midsentence, she allowed the listeners to supply their own stories.
“Was Tu Xiupei trying to sabotage Feng Tianlan?”
“Looks like it. The first time could have been an accident, but the second time was most likely intentional. If Feng Tianlan had not retracted her hand in time, then at whom would people point their fingers?”
“Sigh, I used to think that Tu Xiupei’s perfection was flawless and impenetrable. However, it now looks like a lie. You can feel her hypocrisy just by looking at her.”
“Well, she was a hypocrite in the first place. Haven’t you heard? Tu Xiang and his family’s ugly deeds have spread throughout South Peace City.”
“After all those things they’ve done to hurt Feng Tianlan, she still allows them to live in Feng Manor. Feng Tianlan is truly warm-hearted and loyal.”
“On the contrary, they are just like white-eyed wolves who repay kindness with revenge. I can’t believe that she’s still trying to frame Feng Tianlan at this point.”
Tu Xiupei quickly paled at the gossip spreading through the crowd. There was not a single kind word in the rumors floating around the city. There were all sorts of stories, and it was all thanks to none other than Feng Tianlan.
Earlier, she had indeed planned to pull Feng Tianlan down. However, who knew that Feng Tianlan would suddenly retract her hand? On top of that, she had pushed her down with Spiritual Qi, making it look like a sabotage attempt gone awry.
However, she could not defend herself now. It was useless.
Tu Xiupei’s tears churned in her eyes. She lightly bit her lower lip and glanced at the crowd with a devastated expression. Then, with both hands pushing against the ground, she pulled herself up. She hung her head low, and tears rolled off her cheeks as she walked wordlessly toward the platform.
Her silent tears looked pitiful and wronged in the onlooker’s eyes. This was the hurt look of a person who had been misunderstood. It tugged at the people’s heartstrings, making them feel bad for her plight.
As expected, the crowd began to shift topics and tried to paint her in a better light. Why would she, a girl doted on by the heavens, go out of her way to make Feng Tianlan’s life miserable?
Feng Tianlan swept her eyes across Tu Xiupei and saw her sitting with her head buried in her chest. Her tears fell without a sound, and she was as pretty as a pear blossom drenched by rain. This look of utmost pitifulness was sure to invoke sympathy. She was indeed skilled in acting. So, this must be the ultimate look that makes men go weak in their knees? Feng Tianlan reckoned.
However, these little tricks were far beneath what Shen Yunya was capable of. If Shen Yunya had found herself in this situation, she would not have shed a single tear, and yet, her performance would have been much more impactful.
Feng Tianlan restrained her gaze. To tone down her brilliance, she suppressed her Spiritual Qi and placed her hand on the testing rock. Very soon, the rock emitted a bright light, and gasps of shock erupted from the audience.
“I can’t believe that Feng Tianlan’s a Middle-stage Spiritual Master! That’s too scary!”
“What’s the big deal? Don’t forget that Tu Xiupei is an Advanced-stage Spiritual Master. She will break through and become a Spiritual Grandmaster in no time,” Luo Zhouquan scoffed in disdain. Ever since Tu Xiupei had arrived, he had been attracted to her. She was so beautiful and strong. He had decided to pursue her, so it was only natural that he would defend her.
“Uh, that sounds about right. Don’t forget, Tu Xiupei’s title as the ‘top genius maiden of the South Winds Nation’ is still pretty much unshakable.”
However, someone retorted weakly, “But wasn’t Feng Tianlan still at the Sixth-level of Gathering Spirit just a few months ago? Yet, within these last few months, she has become a Middle-Stage Spiritual Master.”
Everyone fell silent. By comparison, it was clear that Tu Xiuyu could never measure up to Feng Tianlan.