Chapter 3: The Hen Family

But now, it no longer mattered. With the all-powerful system, quietly gathering strength, sooner or later, Han Quexi would make the whole world know who the real genius was. For now, though, Han Quexi needed to keep a low profile—keeping low was always the safest course.

Smirking to herself, Han Quexi ignored the contemptuous glances around her, holding the mindset of “while others are drunk, I alone am sober,” watching the fools with disdain as she walked through the grand gates of the Han family estate.

“Young Master, you’re back! The clan leader said that if you returned, you should come to the study immediately,” said the steward Zhuang Xian, who stood guard at the Han estate’s entrance. Upon seeing Han Quexi, he immediately approached with respectful deference. His gaze was filled with kindness and pity.

Han Quexi nodded, her voice low and steady as she replied, “Alright, I understand.”

There was no other way. At fifteen, Han Quexi was in the midst of her voice changing period. If she didn’t deliberately lower it, her speech would sound sharp, risking exposure of her true female identity.

Within the entire Han estate, only her Aunt Lan knew that Han Quexi was a girl. Aunt Lan had cared for Han Quexi since childhood and, it was said, had been arranged by Han Quexi’s mother.

Yet whenever Han Quexi inquired about her mother, not only Aunt Lan but even the entire Han household would avert their eyes uneasily. This puzzled Han Quexi greatly, but she was no troublemaker. If they would not speak, she would not press the matter.

After nodding to Steward Zhuang, Han Quexi made her way to the study.

“Father, may I ask why you summoned me?” Entering the study, Han Quexi respectfully saluted the clan leader of the Han family, who was also the biological father of the body she now inhabited.

Though outwardly respectful, Han Quexi held deep contempt for Han Ruocheng. She had arrived in this world because of this body. When she went to Jiuxiao City, she was beaten by a disciple of another clan—beaten to death, in fact.

Yet the Han family, including Han Ruocheng, had done nothing to stand up for her. This realization left Han Quexi feeling deeply disheartened.

“Quexi, are your injuries any better?” Seeing Han Quexi enter, Han Ruocheng put down his pen and looked at her kindly. But Han Quexi did not reply.

Han Ruocheng sighed bitterly in his heart. “Oh, by the way, don’t go out tomorrow. There will be important guests visiting the family. You must not be discourteous,” he said gently.

Han Quexi raised an eyebrow. What did these important guests have to do with a useless person like her? Still, she calmly nodded. “Father, I understand. If you have business, please attend to it. I will take my leave.”

Saluting respectfully, Han Quexi left the study without waiting for a response and returned to her room.

Han Ruocheng opened his mouth but found no words. He sank into his seat gloomily. “Quexi, I know… I’m sorry.”

Within Jiuxiao City, there were three top-tier families. The Han family ranked second, with the Ye family first and the Baili family third. The Ye family was only a branch of the top clan in the Tianfeng Empire.

Even so, this was enough to keep both the Han and Baili families tightly restrained. This time, Han Quexi had competed against Baili Chong, the genius disciple of the Baili family, and the result was...