Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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Yu Zhuo, in tears, called Yu Cheng, who was still working overtime.
After listening to his son’s accusations, Yu Cheng remained silent for a long time, then sighed and said, “It’s already been bought, forget it. I’ll buy you a laptop after I get my year-end bonus this year.”
Yu Zhuo was furious: “Is this just about a computer? This is a matter of principle! If she keeps going like this, one day an old classmate will sell insurance, the next day an old friend will sell health products, who knows how many times she’ll be scammed!”
The sound of typing came from Yu Cheng’s other end; he was still working overtime. He then said gently, “Just consider it giving your mother peace of mind. Ever since your aunt’s family had that accident, she’s been worried sick, not sleeping well at night, afraid that if something happens to her or me, you’ll be all alone and unable to grow up on your own. Buying insurance is a good thing; if something really happens, at least you’ll have some protection.”
Yu Zhuo didn’t say anything.
He was still young, with the heart of a child. Although his aunt’s family’s tragedy deeply shocked him, he felt nothing more than sadness and a determination to take care of his sister.
But the Yu couple, having experienced this blow, were forced to re-examine their seemingly ordinary lives.
You never know how terrible an accident can be until it happens to you. Until you witness it destroy a once warm and beautiful family.
Watching Qi Ying, who once had a bright future, fall from grace, from a sunny, cheerful girl into an orphan who couldn’t speak or listen.
No one knew if she had truly survived, or if it was just a suppressed volcano that would eventually erupt.
Yu Zhuo hung up the phone.
Wu Yinghua had already set the table, loudly calling for him to wash his hands and eat. Qi Ying obediently set out the chopsticks and bowls beside him. Yu Zhuo liked to eat while drinking soup, so she had specially brought him a soup bowl.
Yu Zhuo recalled his father’s words, looked at Qi Ying, and silently clenched his fist.
His sister was such a well-behaved girl, he absolutely couldn’t let that bast**d Ji Rang ruin her!
After dinner, back in his room, Yu Zhuo messaged Yang Xinyuan, asking him to keep an eye on Ji Rang’s movements. Yang Xinyuan, nicknamed Yang Wanli[1], was known for his ability to gather firsthand information from thousands of miles away without leaving home, given that he was in two hundred QQ groups.
Yang Xinyuan sent a facepalm emoji: Why do you always pick on him? This guy is really not someone to mess with. You were lucky you got away unscathed last time, do you really want him to beat you into the ICU?
Yu Zhuo: I told you to keep an eye on him, so just keep an eye on him, stop talking nonsense!
Yang Xinyuan: Bro, if you keep this up, I’m going to suspect you have feelings for Ji Rang.
Yu Zhuo: I think you fu**ing want me to beat you into the ICU.
Yang Xinyuan: …
Tomorrow was Friday and school rules allowed students not to wear uniforms, so Wu Yinghua even picked out clothes for Yu Zhuo and Qi Ying before going to bed.
She found a short-sleeved dress she’d recently bought at the mall, ironed it, and had Qi Ying try it on.
The white dress, embroidered with small flowers, was flattering and slimming; Qi Ying looked just as good as she’d imagined.
While Wu Yinghua was still admiring her own taste, Yu Zhuo came out after brushing his teeth and immediately noticed Qi Ying’s long, white legs and slender waist. He immediately complained, “This dress is awful!”
Wu Yinghua glared at him. “What do you know? Go to sleep!”
Yu Zhuo persisted, “Change her to pants! It really doesn’t look good! Who dresses like that these days? It’s so tacky!”
Wu Yinghua was sceptical, beginning to doubt her own sense of style. “Really?”
Yu Zhuo nodded firmly. “Really! Girls these days like to wear T-shirts and jeans— simple, stylish, and elegant!”
Wu Yinghua glanced back at Qi Ying a few more times, and after her son’s comment, she did indeed think she didn’t look as good as before.
The next morning, when Yu Zhuo saw Qi Ying, dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, emerge from her bedroom, he silently breathed a sigh of relief.
At school, it was indeed a vibrant display of beauty.
On this one day a week, all the girls put in their best effort to dress well within the school rules. Qi Ying’s attire was conventional and unremarkable, so she naturally received far fewer glances.
Yu Zhuo was very satisfied with this and mentally praised himself for his cleverness.
Someone called younger brother, and came chasing after him. Yu Zhuo felt a tap on his shoulder, and Yue Li, wearing a pinafore dress, stood behind him, panting: “Why didn’t you answer when I called you?”
Yu Zhuo’s eyes twitched, but he remained silent.
Fortunately, Yue Li quickly shifted her attention, staring at Qi Ying with wide, round eyes: “Ying Ying, why are you wearing pants! Didn’t we agree yesterday to wear skirts together today and go shopping at Yinxiang City after school!”
Although she couldn’t hear her, she knew what Yue Li was talking about from her expression. Qi Ying was a little embarrassed and gave her an apologetic look. She took out her phone and typed, “I’m sorry, my aunt picked out the clothes for me. I’ll definitely wear a skirt with you next week.”
Yu Zhuo glanced at the message on the screen and gave Yue Li a cool look: “Your legs are so thick, and you’re still wearing a skirt.”
Yue Li instantly exploded: “Who are you calling thick-legged?!”
Yu Zhuo: “…”
Girls who don’t want to face reality are terrifying. I’m outta here.
Yue Li angrily took Qi Ying’s arm and walked towards the classroom. As they entered the teaching building, the handsome PE teacher, Shen Yue, walked towards them. Yue Li’s expression changed, looking a little nervous and a little shy.
Shen Yue saw her and smiled, clearly recognizing this student. Yue Li greeted him softly: “Hello, Teacher Shen.”
Shen Yue smiled and nodded: “Good morning.” His smile was bright, like the morning sun. “The overalls are cute.”
Yue Li’s ears turned red, and she hurriedly ran upstairs with Qi Ying, who was still waving to Teacher Shen.
When they arrived at the classroom, all the girls were gathered around Zhao Dunan, the class’s arts and culture representative, discussing enviously the dress she was wearing, which was supposedly bought from America by her aunt.
Yue Li disliked Zhao Dunan, always thinking she was pretentious. Besides, last year she was the class beauty, but this semester, with Qi Ying’s arrival, everyone said the class beauty would be replaced. Zhao Dunan had given Qi Ying the cold shoulder several times, making Yue Li so angry she wanted to bite her.
Seeing the two of them walk in, Zhao Dunan’s gaze swept over Qi Ying from head to toe, her face once again displaying that smug, winner-like expression— it was just annoying.
Yue Li put down her schoolbag and, while taking out her homework, deliberately chatted loudly with Huang Botong, the class monitor sitting behind her: “I saw Xue Manqing at the school gate just now. She was wearing a limited edition XX dress. And her group of girlfriends, the luxury brand logos on their clothes were sparkling in the sunlight, they looked so good.”
Huang Botong looked up from his test paper and pushed up his black-rimmed glasses: “Huh?”
Zhao Dunan also heard her and sarcastically mocked her: “Some high school students these days don’t study very well, but they have a strong competitive spirit. They fawn over luxury brands. Tch, they should be able to afford them themselves first.”
Yue Li turned around and smiled, revealing two deep dimples: “I can’t afford it, after all, I don’t have an aunt who does personal shopping in the US.”
Zhao Dunan: “You!”
Class teacher Liu Qinghua walked in from the door, carrying a stack of test papers: “Sit down, everyone, there’s a pop quiz during morning self-study.”
The classroom finally quieted down.
Yue Li put away her textbook and reminded Qi Ying, who was still obediently reading, that there would be a pop quiz.
She suddenly felt that sometimes not being able to hear was actually quite good. At least the malice received would be halved.
The last class in the morning was biology. The biology teacher was a young man in his early twenties who had just graduated. He was a very nice person. Whenever he taught the last class, he would dismiss the class two minutes early so that everyone could rush to the cafeteria to grab food.
This time was no different. He looked at his watch, put away his lesson plan, and said in a low voice: “Students, as before, don’t make noise or shout, run quietly, don’t disturb other classes, and most importantly! Don’t let the grade director find out! Otherwise, if the teacher’s salary is deducted, you will have to make up for it.”
The students of Class Two nodded firmly.
He waved his hand, and everyone crouched low and ran outside. The bell rang just as they reached the outside of the teaching building, and the students of Class Two wore victorious smiles as they sprinted.
As it turned out, five classes had PE today.
Yue Li, who was really looking forward to eating sweet and sour pork ribs, watched helplessly as the cafeteria lady shouted in her booming voice, “Last order of sweet and sour pork ribs!”
There were still seven or eight people ahead of her in line.
Couldn’t the cafeteria make more sweet and sour pork ribs every day?! What kind of scarcity marketing is this?!
Several tall, strong boys ran in playfully from the side door, and Qu Dazhuang shouted from afar, “Sweet and sour pork ribs, here I come!” The first boy in line had just handed out his plate when he heard that voice, his hand trembled, and he hurriedly took back his plate, saying to the cafeteria lady, “I don’t want it anymore, I don’t want it anymore.”
The lady looked at the student behind her.
The second student: “Me too, I don’t want it anymore!”
In an instant, all seven or eight students ahead of Yue Li and Qi Ying ran off, and Yue Li and the cafeteria lady shared a deep, meaningful look.
Auntie: “Do you want some?”
Yue Li: “I dare not…”
She still remembered the last time Qu Dazhuang and his gang fought tooth and nail over a bowl of sweet and sour pork ribs.
She thus pulled Qi Ying away.
Qi Ying was confused.
There was clearly only one serving left, so why had everyone left? She had been recommended it so many times since she came to school, but she had never actually tried it, and she was very curious about the taste.
Qi Ying pointed ahead and mouthed to Yue Li, “I want that.”
Yue Li: “Next time, next time, we’ll come back next time.”
As she spoke, Qu Dazhuang and his gang rushed over, and seeing that there was only one serving left, they immediately wailed. He shouted loudly, “Where’s Rang? Call Rang quickly, there’s only one left.”
They must have just finished playing ball, and they were covered in sweat. Ji Rang was walking at the back, his black T-shirt soaked with sweat, and he had rolled up his short sleeves over his shoulders, revealing his lean and muscular arms.
Qi Ying didn’t see Ji Rang; instead she stared longingly at the bowl of sweet and sour pork ribs.
Yue Li was on the verge of tears: “Ying Ying, be good, we’ll come back to eat next time.”
Qu Dazhuang was already preparing to swipe his card when Ji Rang patted him on the head: “I don’t want to eat this today.”
Qu Dazhuang said: “Then I’ll eat it.”
Ji Rang didn’t say anything, only glanced at him sideways.
Qu Dazhuang: “I’m not eating anymore, let’s go, let’s go.”
So Yue Li inexplicably got the last serving of sweet and sour pork ribs, which made her wonder if she was the legendary chosen one?
Qi Ying then noticed Ji Rang walking away.
She moved her lips, looking at Ji Rang’s tall and thin back, but swallowed the word “general” and stopped herself from going forward.
The students in the cafeteria gradually increased, and it was the busiest time of day again.
Yue Li led Qi Ying to get their food and walked towards the area where their class was clustered.
Ji Rang was already sitting in his special seat, with a plate full of food in front of him, chopsticks placed aside, but he hadn’t eaten, leaning back in his chair playing on his phone.
He caught a glimpse of Qi Ying walking towards him.
He unconsciously shifted his body, sitting up slightly.
Then he saw Qi Ying smile at him, carry her tray past him and sit at another table.
Ji Rang: …
Damn it.
Frustrated, he picked up his chopsticks, when someone suddenly placed a tray opposite him.
She didn’t sit down, but stood beside him, a little restrained yet smiling, softly asking, “Ji Rang, may I sit here? Last night I saw Uncle Ji, and he told me…”
Ji Rang didn’t even look up: “Get lost.”
Feeling the gazes at them from all sides, Xue Manqing trembled slightly, her smile almost faltering: “Ji Rang, I…”
He slammed his chopsticks down, splattering oil onto Xue Manqing’s limited-edition white dress.
No one spoke.
Xue Manqing almost cried, not even picking up her tray, but gritting her teeth as she turned to leave.
Ji Rang said, “Take your things.”
Her whole body stiffened, and she had no choice but to turn back, enduring all the stares, and pick up her tray. Then she went straight to the swill area and threw the whole plate of food in with a thud.
She rarely ate in the cafeteria.
Either her nanny brought her food, or she ate at upscale restaurants. Until two days ago, when she heard that Ji Rang, who never ate at the same table with anyone, had let that special needs student sit across from him.
Last night, she went to a dinner with her father and met Ji Weiyan, Ji Rang’s father.
Ji Weiyan knew she went to the same school as Ji Rang, so sometimes when they met, they would chat for a bit, asking about Ji Rang. They thus became familiar, and she started calling him “Uncle Ji,” making her think she was different.
She told Ji Weiyan about the special needs student, and he was indeed very happy, saying, “Rang has always been a good kid, just like his mother, soft-hearted.”
Xue Manqing thought angrily, “Soft-hearted my foot!”
The cafeteria farce became gossip for a long time afterward.
Yang Xinyuan, adhering to the principle of taking his brother’s instructions seriously, embellished the story and told Yu Zhuo, who didn’t like eating in the cafeteria.
Yu Zhuo was shocked: “He threw his plate at Xue Manqing?”
Yang Xinyuan: “Absolutely! Tsk tsk, a limited edition dress, covered in vegetable soup, Xue Manqing threw down a sentence, ‘Ji Rang, just you wait, I won’t let you get away with this!’ and ran out crying while covering her face!”
Yu Zhuo: “…I feel like I’ve seen this plot in some TV series before.”
Yang Xinyuan: “So you and your sister are really lucky, you got away with it both times. By the way, there’s something else. I saw in the ‘Crazy Dragon Crossing the River’ group that people from No. 3 Middle School are going to ambush Ji Rang after school.”
Yu Zhuo: “People from No. 3 Middle School again? Are they like leeches? How many times have they ambushed Ji Rang? Every time they get beaten to a pulp by Ji Rang, haven’t they had enough yet?”
“The grudge of having one’s wife stolen! It’s not something that can be settled so easily! And this time is different. I heard Zhang Daqing brought in some gangsters, vowing to teach Ji Rang a lesson he’ll never forget!”
Yu Zhuo pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up.
The chance for his sister to see Ji Rang’s true colors had come!
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[1] During the later part of his reign, the Wanli Emperor (who ruled China’s Ming Dynasty from 1572 to 1620) became highly distrustful of his own scholar-officials and retreated into a long-term strike, refusing to attend court audiences. Because he effectively bypassed the traditional bureaucracy, he relied heavily on alternative channels to gather information, collect revenue, and surveil his empire.
