Chapter 36: The results

Yun Cheng tugged at the hem of Feng Yuansheng's jacket, his big brown eyes pleading. "Third uncle, can you please tell me where Pretty Sister lives? I want to go see her."

Feng Yuansheng took another sip of his coffee, his eyes glued to the tablet in his hand. "Not now, Yun Cheng. I'm busy," he replied dismissively.

Yun Cheng pouted; his little face scrunched up in frustration. "But she's my new friend. I really miss her and really want to see her. Please, pretty please, Third Uncle?"

Feng Yuansheng set down his coffee cup. "No," he replied curtly, returning his attention to the tablet.

Yun Cheng huffed in disappointment, crossing his arms over his chest. "Fine. I guess I'll just have to ask someone else."

Just then, Liang Hao burst into the room, clutching a thick file. "Boss, I have the report you asked for," he said, handing the file over to Feng Yuansheng.

Feng Yuansheng took the file and began flipping through the pages, his eyes narrowing as he read. "These people have changed their target," he muttered to himself, his expression growing colder by the second.

Feng Yuansheng leaned back in his chair, his eyes glittering with determination. "We'll take care of them by the end of this week. Liang Hao, make the necessary arrangements."

Liang Hao nodded, his face stoic as ever. "Yes, boss. Consider it done."

Yun Cheng watched in awe as his third uncle and Liang Hao exchanged a few more words before Liang Hao left the room. Even though Yun Cheng was basically raised by his third uncle, he couldn't help but feel a little intimidated by Feng Yuansheng's cold and calculating demeanor. But he knew that his third uncle will always act in the best interest of the family.

***

Jiang Yan sat at her desk, typing furiously on her computer, her eyes glued to the screen as she worked on the reports. Ling Meili, her assistant, paced around the cabin, her anxiety written all over her face.

"I can't believe how calm you are, Miss Jiang," Ling Meili said, stopping her pacing to stand beside her boss. "Your admission results will be out soon, and you're acting like it's just another day at the office."

Jiang Yan looked up at Ling Meili, a small smile playing on her lips. "I have faith in my abilities," she said, returning to her work.

Ling Meili continued to pace, unable to shake off her nerves. "But what if you don't get the results you're hoping for?" she asked, her voice quivering. "What if you don't get the Imperial university?"

Jiang Yan sighed, setting down her pen. "Then I'll just have to work harder," she said with a shrug. "But there's no use worrying about it. I know I can easily get into Imperial University. Anyway we'll find out soon enough."

As the time drew near for the results to be released, Ling Meili sat beside Jiang Yan, her laptop open and her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Are you ready?" she asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

Jiang Yan nodded, a small smile on her face. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long," she said. "Let's see how I did."

Ling Meili logged into the website and scanned the page, her eyes widening in shock. "Jiang Yan!" she squealed. "You're in the top 10!"

Jiang Yan smiled, and she remain calmed. "See, I told you!" she laughed, leaning over to look at the screen. Though she already knew about her results as, she could help but feel excited about it. Maybe because this time she has her people to share the joy with.

Ling Meili handed over the laptop, and Jiang Yan's heart swelled with pride as she saw her name listed among the top 10 candidates in the country. The result was exactly same as her previous life. She then handed back the laptop to Ling Meili.

This time Ling Meili logged into another site to check the university where Jiang Yan had been accepted. But as soon as the page got loaded, her face fell. "Miss Jiang," she said, her voice trembling. "There's no university under your name. The alert says you didn't apply to any university."

Jiang Yan's heart sank, her mind racing as she tried to remember if she had missed anything during the application process. She quickly fished out her phone and navigated to the website, her eyes scanning the page frantically. She clearly remembers that she was selected to go to Imperial University in her previous life. But why have the result change this time?

Jiang Yan's heart was pounding in her chest as she logged out of the website and logged back in, hoping that it was just a technical glitch. But as the page loaded, her worst fears were confirmed. Her name was nowhere to be found under any university.

She let out a frustrated groan and slumped back in her chair, her mind racing with possibilities. How could this have happened? She had meticulously filled out the application form and had even double-checked it before submitting it.

Without wasting a moment, Jiang Yan dialed the number of the university's admission office and waited anxiously for someone to answer.

"Hello, how may I assist you?" a voice said on the other end of the line.

Jiang Yan took a deep breath to steady herself. "Yes, I'm calling to inquire about my application," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "My name doesn't seem to be listed under any university, and I'm wondering if there's been some mistake."

The person on the other end of the line asked for her name and other details before putting her on hold to check the records.

Jiang Yan paced back and forth in her cabin, her anxiety mounting with each passing moment. Finally, the voice came back on the line.

"I'm sorry, but we have no record of an application under your name," the voice said, apologetically.

Jiang Yan's heart sank like a stone. "What do you mean there's no record?" she asked, her voice rising with frustration. "I filled out the application form and submitted it myself!"

The person on the other end of the line explained that they had searched through all the records and that there was no trace of an application under her name. The system showed that she had not applied to any university.

Jiang Yan was stunned. How could this be? She was sure that she had been accepted by Imperial University. How could she be wrong?

Her mind raced with possibilities as she tried to figure out what had gone wrong. Had there been a glitch in the system? Had someone sabotaged her application?

Suddenly, Jiang Yan slammed her fist on the desk, her eyes blazing with fury. "I knew it," she muttered, her mind racing with thoughts of who could have done this to her.

Ling Meili looked at her with concern. "What happened, Jiang Yan?" she asked, her voice soft.

Jiang Yan took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing. "I know exactly who's behind this," she said, her voice cold and steely.

***

In the Jiang family residence, Madam Tian was chatting with her brother Tian Jun in the living room. They were celebrating a small victory, which involved their biggest nemesis Jiang Yan. Madam Tian was beaming with joy and couldn't help but laugh.

"I cannot believe that her application was not processed. That brat must be shocked," Madam Tian exclaimed.

Tian Jun smiled and replied, "It was nothing, just a small favour. I hired the best IT guy to hack into the system and delete her name from the database. I also gave some money to the higher-ups in the educational administrator department to discard the hardcopy of her application. After all, we cannot risk anything in this perfect plan."

Madam Tian took a sip from her cup, her eyes glinting with determination as she spoke, "But it's not over yet. We need to keep an eye on her. She won't give up so easily."

Tian Jun, her brother, nodded in agreement. "Don't worry," he said, "I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. We'll make sure she never gets in the way of our plans."

Madam Tian leaned forward, "I really don't understand. I had hired so many people, but every time she's coming out of that unscathed. There must be someone helping her. We have to be careful."

Tian Jun shook his head, "This time, no matter who she looks for, nobody can salvage her situation. She is done for." He leaned back and let out a laugh, his confidence oozing from every word.

Madam Tian nodded in agreement, "You are truly the best brother anyone could have. Now we can finally breathe easy knowing that our Jiang Yixuan's inheritance is secured."

While they were engrossed in their discussion, Jiang Yixuan entered the living room and warmly greeted her mother and Uncle Tian Jun. She sensed their joyous expressions and couldn't resist asking, "What's happening? Why are you guys so happy?"

***