The Black Swan Trap - chapter 7

Wen Ning’s goal was Capital City University (Jingda).

She had excellent grades and originally held a guaranteed admission spot at Capital City University (Jingda), but it was taken by the child of a second-generation official.

In a small place, under-the-table manipulation like this went unnoticed by teachers far away in Jing City. Wen Ning knew she couldn’t afford to offend those in power, so she chose to silently accept it.

Later, her homeroom teacher comforted her, saying that with her grades, getting into Capital City University (Jingda) through the normal exam would be more than enough.

But on the day of the math exam, Wen Ning’s mother suddenly had a relapse.

She mistook Wen Ning for Wen Hua, thinking her Hua Hua was about to leave again, so Wen Ning was locked in the house and missed the math exam.

In the end, Wen Ning was left with a zero in math on her college entrance exam. Although she was admitted to many universities, Capital City University (Jingda) was now far out of reach.

On the table lay university brochures sent by Zhao Qianru. Wen Ning looked at the information for Capital City University (Jingda), her eyes growing moist.

“Aunt Zhao, why did Dad say there’s no way I can go to Capital City University (Jingda)?”

Zhao Qianru, seeing Wen Ning inferior to Wen Hua in every way, was in a good mood as she explained.

“Capital City University (Jingda) is the most prestigious institution in the country. The president of Capital City University (Jingda) has quite a background-it’s not a place you can get into just with money.”

“Your exam results are good, but you’re still a bit short for Capital City University (Jingda), so the Wen Family naturally can’t send you there.”

“So that’s how it is.” Wen Ning seemed to understand, and asked again, “Then which university is my sister at?”

Mentioning Wen Hua, Zhao Qianru couldn’t help but feel proud.

“I’ve raised Hua Hua so well, of course she’s studying at Capital City University (Jingda). All right, you can take your time and look through these. Let me know when you’ve decided.”

Zhao Qianru left Wen Ning alone in the living room and went out.

Wen Ning stayed curled up on the sofa, pondering Zhao Qianru’s words.

To sum up: the Wen Family didn’t have the means to send her to Capital City University (Jingda).

She knew very well what kind of person Wen Jiming was. If she wanted to repeat a year and retake the entrance exam, Wen Jiming would think it embarrassing and definitely wouldn’t allow it.

And, judging by his attitude of disliking trouble, Wen Ning also knew the Wen Family wouldn’t help her fight for her guaranteed spot back.

Even a lowly official is still an official; Wen Jiming would never go against them for her sake.

If the Wen Family couldn’t do it, she would have to find someone else who could.

Wen Ning quickly thought of someone-Jiang Nie.

Last night, she’d researched the Jiang Family. Like the Wen Family, while not a top-tier family, they were already among the upper-class elite.

What stood out was that there was no information about Jiang Nie online at all.

There are two possible reasons for that.

Either he was unpresentable, or he was being protected.

Thinking of how Wen Hua’s eyes lit up when Jiang Nie mentioned Jiang Boyu, it proved that he could reach people Wen Hua couldn’t reach.

Otherwise, Wen Hua wouldn’t have used the clumsy excuse of returning a phone just to get close to him.

So Jiang Nie must be the latter-someone the Jiang Family wanted to protect.

If Wen Hua wanted to approach a higher social circle through Jiang Nie, then Wen Ning naturally could as well.

As for the Jiang Family, the information found online was all common knowledge or polished up, with little reference value.

But making contact with Jiang Nie first wouldn’t be wrong.

Wen Ning sat like that all the way until noon.

Wen Hua came downstairs yawning, her thoughts still lingering on last night, her heart fluttering.

Last night, she’d walked Jiang Nie downstairs and, when he wasn’t looking, hid his phone. Then she used the excuse of returning his phone to join Jiang Nie and his friends’ gathering.

The Jiang Family has a deep foundation, and Jiang Boyu is young and promising, handsome and wealthy.

He is the object of countless socialites’ dreams in Jing City.

As for how Jiang Nie knew Jiang Boyu, Jiang Nie explained that when he was young and living with his grandmother, Jiang Boyu, who was recovering his health in his hometown, was his neighbor.

They played together as children, so when they returned to Jing City, Jiang Boyu was willing to include him in his social circle.

Wen Hua naturally believed this-otherwise, the Jiang Family would never be able to reach the Jiang Family.
After delivering the phone last night, Wen Hua ended up staying there.

It was her first time fully participating in one of those people’s gatherings, and it was a world apart from her usual social circle.

The Jiang Family was already formidable-Wen Hua had always planned to pursue Jiang Boyu.

But last night, when Wen Hua first met the legendary Shen Du, she realized there was a man in the world even more perfect than Jiang Boyu.

He was utterly captivating, whether in looks or background.

The Shen Family controlled Z Country’s economic lifeline and dominated Jing City with both power and wealth.

Just thinking of Shen Du’s intoxicating face still made Wen Hua’s cheeks flush red.

She went downstairs and saw Wen Ning sitting on the sofa like a quail. Wen Hua leaned over and asked, “What are you looking at?”

“Sis-sister.” Wen Ning was startled by Wen Hua and immediately straightened her back.

“I’m looking at university brochures. Dad wants me to keep studying.”

When Wen Hua saw the Capital City University (Jingda) materials in Wen Ning’s hands, she frowned. “You’re not thinking of applying to Capital City University (Jingda), are you?”

Wen Ning shook her head, “No, I’m just looking…”

Even just looking made Wen Hua uncomfortable inside.

She thought Wen Ning lacked self-awareness; even the idea of her considering certain things felt as if Wen Ning was trying to take them over.

Wen Hua asked, “Do you have any special skills?”

Wen Ning replied, “I can dance.”

That wasn’t surprising-their mother had been a dancer, though never on a proper stage.

Wen Hua took the brochures and flipped through them, then decided for Wen Ning without asking, “Just go to this school.”

Wen Ning looked down and saw it was a private dance academy.

“Alright.”

Watching Wen Hua’s superior attitude, Wen Ning saw her plan for the morning unfold perfectly.

After Wen Ning told Zhao Qianru about the school Wen Hua had picked for her, Zhao Qianru nodded in satisfaction.

It seemed everyone thought Wen Ning ought to attend such a school.

The admission process was complicated, and classes would begin in March.

Wen Ning would have to use this time to successfully meet a teacher from Capital City University (Jingda).

Jiang Nie and Wen Hua were both students at Capital City University (Jingda). If she wanted Jiang Nie to help her, she first had to win his favor.

Naturally, to attract a man, she needed to restore her beauty.

For the next two weeks, Wen Ning obediently stayed at home. Her thinness was due to deliberately eating less, so her figure recovered quickly.

During this time, Wen Ning’s well-behaved manner also made Zhao Qianru lower her guard and put Wen Jiming at ease.

Wen Jiming sent her two more payments, and Zhao Qianru didn’t object.

With her looks and figure restored, the next step was to increase her chances of meeting Jiang Nie.

Wen Hua was still in school and sometimes stayed in an apartment near Capital City University (Jingda).

To be able to come and go freely, Wen Hua hadn’t hired anyone for her apartment.

Zhao Qianru worried that Wen Hua wasn’t eating well, so every week she sent Liu to bring Wen Hua some good food and help clean up.

Today, Wen Ning went with Liu to deliver the food.

Wen Ning said she was bored at home and wanted to get out for a while, so Zhao Qianru didn’t suspect anything.

When they arrived at Wen Hua’s apartment, Wen Hua hadn’t finished class yet.

Liu put the food she brought in the kitchen and started cleaning.

“Miss Wen Ning, please have a seat. Miss Wen Hua should be back soon.”

While Liu was sweeping, Wen Ning sneezed twice, her eyes rimmed red with tears, and she spoke shyly:

“Sorry, Liu, I’m a bit allergic to dust.”

“Oh dear, miss, why don’t you wait in the bedroom for a while?”