My Hated Stepsister Became a Teacher

A tsundere, money-loving, spirited little punk (mostly putting on a rebellious act) x a stern, resilient, self-righteous teacher (occasionally very sharp-tongued) / A spirited little punk's comeback and growth story

[Blurb]

On the day Xu Mengxing turned eighteen, her mother took her to a restaurant that cost 300 yuan per person for the first time ever, then slapped a bright red marriage certificate down in front of her and declared triumphantly:

“Your mom got married again. This time, the guy's pretty good. I'll take you to meet him this afternoon. I'm sure he'll give you a red envelope.”

Xu Mengxing had been stuffing food into her mouth and was about to throw down her chopsticks and walk out. Hearing the second half, she came right back.

She really did go meet him. The man had an extremely tall woman following behind him. She was very young and so skinny she looked like a bamboo pole. Standing there with skin so pale it seemed to gleam, she looked down at Xu Mengxing through lenses that caught a cold glint.

Xu Mengxing took one look at her and sensed the intense hostility. She immediately guessed who the woman was: the man's daughter.

She was a hundred percent sure the woman hated her and her mother.

Xu Mengxing thought she wouldn't last more than a few days in this hellhole, so she would just put up with it. But after taking a year off school, she was dragged back to register. The moment she walked in, she froze on the spot.

Because Liang Yun, the one who had gotten her in trouble with the school authorities several times for deliberately skipping class, was standing at the lectern with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Her stepsister had become a teacher. This was really the end of the road...

*

Ever since a spirited little punk moved into her home, Liang Yun had known no peace.

She got off work at midnight and had just lain down when Xu Mengxing came clattering upstairs. The door slammed twice, then Xu Mengxing clattered back down again. Liang Yun was so startled her heart raced, and she felt like she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

That was bad enough, but she also had to get up at six in the morning to deal with a problem student who had put off showing up for a whole month, and whose parents couldn't be reached.

This was no way to live. Even after spending every day drinking goji berry tea and herbal medicine to take care of herself, Liang Yun felt she might drop dead at any moment.

At last, the impossible kid showed up. Liang Yun glanced over and saw Xu Mengxing, who had been out partying until two or three in the morning the night before.

How was this any different from seeing a ghost in broad daylight?!

Liang Yun's temples throbbed, her blood pressure shot up, and she had to hold on to the lectern just to stay on her feet.

She really couldn't put up with Xu Mengxing anymore. While the girl was out partying, Liang Yun grabbed her by the ear and dragged her home. Xu Mengxing's brightly dyed hair swayed as she walked, and the metal chains at her waist clinked and clanked the whole way. Liang Yun truly felt as if she were walking a dog.

She prepared herself for a fight and gave Xu Mengxing a thorough tongue-lashing. But Xu Mengxing just looked at her with red-rimmed eyes and asked, like a submissive:

“Can I really become better? Has my life been a mess from beginning to end?”

*

Under Liang Yun's tireless guidance, the spirited little punk actually got into university.

The whole world thought Xu Mengxing had gotten lucky, but Liang Yun alone knew what it had taken. She quietly began saving money for her tuition and other school expenses.

During summer vacation, Xu Mengxing did nothing but work part-time and follow Liang Yun around, grinning foolishly. Once she entered Liang Yun's room, she refused to come back out, wishing she could turn into sticky candy and cling to her.

On the day her admission letter arrived, Xu Mengxing looked at her with utter seriousness.

“Liang Yun, don't you still owe me a wish?”

Looking into those puppy-dog eyes full of anticipation, Liang Yun felt her heart suddenly leap. She turned her face away without thinking.

Xu Mengxing edged closer, little by little, and carefully kissed her cheek.

“You promised me. We were going to have a home of our own.”

Tip: The two leads are not on the same household register and have no blood relationship. They were both adults when they met and began living together. They lived together for less than a year because of their elders' marriage, and there is no romantic storyline while their teacher-student relationship is in effect.

Theme: Cycles can be broken. Even in the mud, you must strive to grow.