Qin Man took out her phone and saw that she had an unopened message from her daughter. The timestamp was twelve minutes ago.

Yao Ran had probably sent it when they had first entered the restaurant.

The message alleviated Qin Man’s doubts.

“I see. I had no idea.”

Qin Man didn’t mind that Yang Nian and his friends had witnessed the fiasco earlier, but if Yao Ran had somehow brought them here on purpose, then that would be a different story.

She glanced at Yang Nian, making sure that he heard what she was about to say.

“Your cousin was on a blind date, that’s why I didn’t have the time to check my phone.”

“It’s okay, Mom,” Yao Ran chimed. “I know Sister Tang’s matters are important to you.”

“Yes, yes. My Ranran is so sensible, you really are the best!” After saying that, Qin Man turned to Yao Yan.

“Little Yan, I know that you’re feeling protective of Yao Tang. You only have one sister, after all, so it’s understandable that you dote on her. But have you ever thought that she would ruin her future if you keep spoiling her like this? You can’t just give in to her wishes all the time, you need to discipline her as well.”

Yao Yan looked baffled. His brows furrowed, though a faint, mischievous smile danced on his lips.

“Hmm? Did I say anything wrong just now? Please be direct with me, Aunt. Whatever do you mean?”

Qin Man was taken aback. Did this boy really not comprehend a thing she said, or was he just pretending?

“Don’t you get it? I’m telling you to stop spoiling Yao Tang and feeding her delusions! In what way is she comparable to my Ranran? Lies, all of it. The sooner you stop fooling yourselves and face the truth, the sooner you can work on bettering your lives.”

“Oh!” Yao Yan laughed. “So that’s what you were trying to say, Aunt.”

Qin Man lifted her chin and harrumphed. “What else could it be?”

“I suppose I was mistaken just now.”

“As long as you acknowledge your faults,” Qin Man nodded in satisfaction.

But Yao Yan wasn’t done talking yet.

“I should have said it clearly. Cousin Yao Ran’s appearance is inferior to Tangtang’s in every way, her grades are inferior to Tangtang’s in every subject, and her talents are inferior to Tangtang’s in every field. What’s more, even her morals are inferior to Tangtang’s.”

Yao Yan swept a condescending gaze over Yao Ran and added, “You’re right about not comparing the two. Tangtang is obviously a hundred times better than Cousin Yao Ran.”

Yao Ran inexplicably felt vulnerable under that gaze, as if her ugliest parts were bared for everyone to see.

Qin Man, on the other hand, was outraged.

“Watch your tongue, Yao Yan! You can’t just make things up and slander my Ranran to make your sister look good!”

Yao Yan smiled pleasantly at her. “But I’m not making anything up. I’m only telling the truth.”

Qin Man sputtered, at a loss for words.

“In terms of looks, I’m pretty sure everyone here can attest to who is prettier between Cousin Ran and Tangtang.

“In terms of intelligence… Well, how can Cousin Ran compare to my sister, who ranked first in the Math Olympiad and got full marks in all the subjects?

“As for their talents,” Yao Yan paused and shot Qin Man a pointed look. “Why don’t you pick a field, Aunt, and I will explain to you how Tangtang is better than Cousin Ran?”

Qin Man’s face darkened, but she said nothing.

She still thought Yao Ran was the best, of course, but she couldn’t refute Yao Yan.

He was indeed telling the truth, on all counts.

Yao Ran gritted her teeth, her cheeks burning red. She was humiliated.

She had never been compared to another girl so openly before, and to think that she lost to Yao Tang, of all people…

It was unacceptable!

Yao Ran clenched her hands so tightly that her nails dug into her palms. She felt the familiar sting as her scars split open again.

At this rate, it seemed like the wounds on her palms would never heal until Yao Tang was permanently out of the picture.