Chapter 10: The Cold School Beauty’s Fierce Love
Someone noticed Xu Zhihong and said hurriedly, “Laosan, you’re here! I thought you weren’t. You’re usually the most eager, why aren’t you saying anything today?”
He had already gambled away all his money. He found the online gambling sites not lively enough and only played a couple of rounds before bed, then ended up playing until dawn.
But Xu Zhihong wouldn’t say that. He only said, “I’m hungry too, I’m going home for dinner later.”
Someone at the next table burst into laughter: “Xu Laosan, are you really hungry or just out of money? Ask the owner to give you some credit, and you can pay her back with interest when you win.”
“Isn’t your wife getting paid soon?”
The owner, carrying a plate of fruit, pretended not to hear and quickly walked away. If she stayed any longer, Xu Zhihong would try to borrow money from her. He hadn’t paid back his previous debts, so no one wanted to lend him any more.
Everyone in Xiao’an Village knew that lending money to Xu Qiuyi was more reliable than lending it to Xu Zhihong. Money lent to Xu Zhihong was like throwing meat buns to a dog – never to be seen again.
It was his wife and children who suffered. A portion of his wife’s meager salary went towards paying off his debts, and they still had to pay for the younger child’s medical expenses. The older child, Xu Qiuyi, was worryingly thin.
The man shuffling mahjong tiles with one hand, a cigarette dangling from his lips, said, “Come on, does San-ge need to borrow money? He’s so capable, he can get money in minutes. He’s just taking a day off today.”
A day off? He was probably fired again.
A wave of laughter spread through the room, everyone exchanging knowing glances.
Xu Zhihong’s face flushed red: “I’m just a bit heatstruck today, don’t feel like playing.”
Someone who had just finished dinner and came over heard this and said, “If San-ge wants to make money, it’s not difficult. Just ask Xiaoqiu’s rich friend to introduce some channels. Yesterday a Rolls-Royce, today a Bentley, with license plates like this and that. These rich people, just a little something from their fingertips is enough.”
Xu Zhihong abruptly looked up: “What rich friend?”
The man was startled by his expression, then said, “You didn’t know? Xiaoqiu was driven home for two days in a row. That classmate is very rich and treats Xiaoqiu well.”
Xu Zhihong’s face burned with anger: “There’s such a thing? Damn it, I was wondering why she suddenly had some backbone, thinking she had someone backing her up?”
The man continued, “That girl seems quite trendy, her hair is dyed red…”
Hearing this, Xu Zhihong didn’t want to hear another word and abruptly stood up and left.
Everyone was startled by the loud slam of the door and turned to look at his retreating figure, his gait unsteady.
He was of medium build, thin from often forgetting to eat due to his gambling addiction. Back then, he had relied on his good looks to deceive Xu Qiuyi’s mother. Who knew that beneath the handsome exterior was a rotten core.
“Why is he walking so unsteadily? Was he beaten by debt collectors?”
“Oh no, he was beaten by Xiaoqiu. He was cursing all day today, you came late and didn’t hear it.”
“Huh? How did she beat him?”
“How would I know… Maybe with a knife, that child is stubborn…”
Xu Qiuyi, carrying her backpack and pushing her bicycle, walked through the alley and stopped in front of a small, detached house: “Grandma Pan, I’m back.”
She opened the half-closed iron gate and walked in. This small house belonged to Grandma Pan, an elderly woman who loved tending to flowers and plants.
She was a former elementary school teacher who had taught Xu Qiuyi. Now retired, she couldn’t stay idle. Besides practicing tai chi during the day and square dancing at night, she also grew vegetables and flowers in her spare time.
Walking through the small courtyard, Xu Qiuyi approached the warmly lit first floor, the sounds of television and voices coming from inside.
“I think I hear Jiejie’s voice.”
The old woman’s sleepy voice said, “Hmm? Qiuyi is here?”
“Grandma, I’m here. I’m here to pick up Zhichun,” Xu Qiuyi said, entering the house and smelling the aroma of food.
The television was playing a popular legal drama. The old woman wasn’t interested in melodramas. She insisted she was a Party member and would never do such things to her daughter-in-law. Then she lamented that her son, a criminal police officer, only remembered his work and hadn’t even brought a girlfriend home.
The little girl sitting obediently on the sofa with a book jumped down. She looked to be elementary school age and bore a striking resemblance to Xu Qiuyi.
Born prematurely in the cold winter month, their mother, Guan Ruolin, feared she wouldn’t survive until spring, so she named her Zhichun, meaning “knowing spring.”
In the end, little Zhichun lived through many springs, proving the name was well-chosen.
However, Zhichun’s health wasn’t good. She had a weak immune system and asthma, frequently visiting the hospital during spring and autumn.
Zhichun ran towards Xu Qiuyi and hugged her: “Jiejie, you’re back a little earlier than yesterday.”
Xu Qiuyi stroked her soft hair: “A classmate gave me a ride, so I’m back a bit earlier. Did you finish your homework?”
After school, worried that Zhichun would be alone, Grandma Pan had invited her over. Zhichun would go home after eight, so as not to disturb the elderly woman’s sleep.
“Oh, I see,” Zhichun nodded. “I finished it, can you check it for me later?”
“Okay, let’s say goodbye to Grandma.” Xu Qiuyi picked up Zhichun’s packed backpack, preparing to leave.
Grandma Pan smiled: “Goodbye, Zhichun.”
“Bang—!” A man’s furious roar echoed through the peaceful night: “Xu Qiuyi! Xu Zhichun! Damn it, spending every day at someone else’s house instead of coming home, aren’t you ashamed?”
The half-closed courtyard gate was kicked open, and the bicycle parked by the door fell to the ground with a clang.
Grandma Pan, despite her age, had sharp ears. Knowing immediately what was happening, she pushed the two girls into the house without a word: “Get inside, I’ll handle this.”
Xu Qiuyi shielded Zhichun, who hid fearfully behind her: “But…”
Grandma Pan waved her hand: “No buts. He wouldn’t dare touch me. The weather’s been bad lately, Zhichun can’t handle being frightened.”
These words stopped Xu Qiuyi in her tracks.
Looking down, she saw her sister’s frightened, innocent eyes looking up at her helplessly, her small hands clutching Xu Qiuyi’s uniform.
People were different. Having experienced this since childhood, Xu Qiuyi was already used to such scenes. But Zhichun, naturally frail, was easily scared and needed a clean and safe environment.
Stroking her sister’s hair, Xu Qiuyi comforted her: “It’ll be alright soon.”
Zhichun’s small face was pale, and she buried her face behind Xu Qiuyi, nodding silently.
Everyone in Xiao’an Village knew that Xu Zhihong was a bully at home, dreaming of getting rich from the demolition of their dilapidated house.
Sure enough, not long after, Grandma Pan returned, cursing: “I said they’re not here, and you still dare to trespass? My son will be back from work soon, are you leaving or not?”
It was quiet outside for a moment, then someone stormed off angrily.
“He’s gone, probably back home waiting for you two. Don’t go back tonight,” Grandma Pan said as she closed the door. “Your Uncle Pan is out of town on a case, no one’s home, and I’m lonely…”
Xu Qiuyi was brought back to reality by a small, cool hand tugging at hers. There was no other way, so she nodded in agreement: “I’ll borrow Grandma’s landline to call my mom.”
Grandma Pan knew Xu Qiuyi didn’t have a phone and naturally agreed.
She had offered Xu Qiuyi an old phone before, but it was refused. Xu Qiuyi couldn’t bring herself to buy one even if she wanted to. She always went to the office to ask the teachers to print out the electronic assignments, or she would copy them by hand.
After the call, Guan Ruolin sighed, her voice choked with sobs, saying she had to work overtime and would be back later, reminding them not to cause trouble for Grandma Pan.
Xu Qiuyi responded and hung up the phone. She sat in the living room.
The turned-off television screen reflected the girl’s side profile, her figure like a pale, fragile flower bud.
As if thinking of something, her expression gradually turned cold, but she quickly suppressed the annoyance, her face returning to normal as she went to the guest room to find her sister.
In the same city, life took many forms. Just a ten-minute drive from the cramped and chaotic Xiao’an Village was the central business district.
Bailu Alley was the city’s famous nightlife district, opening at 7 pm, filled with neon lights and fashionable, slightly tipsy men and women.
In a luxuriously decorated private room, the atmosphere, which should have been lively, was subdued because of the person in the main seat. Only a female singer with a guitar sang a lazy tune.
The young men and women on the sofa forced smiles, their eyes constantly glancing towards the main seat.
Xiao Xuan said confidently, “She’s definitely playing hard to get, trying to get your attention.”
The boy, having taken off his school uniform, was starting to look more like a young man. Under the dim lights, his age was hard to discern, his sharp side profile exuding an air of ease.
But when he turned his face and you saw his eyes, you could easily tell he was still a teenager, his emotions completely unconcealed.
His eyes were filled with violence, desire, and anger, lacking the clarity typical of his age.
He was undeniably handsome, but his foul temper overshadowed it.
The person in the main seat slammed his glass on the table impatiently, cracking the marble surface and startling everyone with the loud bang.
Nangong Yunfei loosened his collar, dispelling the heat: “She deliberately embarrassed me in public, what else could it be but playing hard to get?”
Hearing this, Xiao Xuan knew he had hit a nerve: “Exactly! Tao Ning even left her old house to live in the same neighborhood as you. Isn’t it because she wants to see you every day? You just wait and see, when you go back, you’ll find her loitering at your door.”
That made sense, it should be so.
It seemed he had been too lenient with Tao Ning, letting her get too comfortable. He had always been impatient with these spoiled young misses.
Nangong Yunfei then asked, “What about Xu Qiuyi?”
“Her?” Xiao Xuan’s eyes darted around, exchanging a look with his friend next to him.
The friend instantly received the message, his eyes also shifting.
His naturally flirtatious peach blossom eyes looked even more alluring on his face. Chen Yisi waved his hand dismissively: “What else could it be? Two words – not enough.”
Nangong Yunfei didn’t speak, his thick eyebrows furrowing in displeasure.
Chen Yisi continued eloquently: “I’ve seen this kind of person many times. They all start like this. I was foolish enough to invest my feelings once, and in the end, it was just ‘not enough.’ No offense, Brother Yunfei, but you need to have a clear understanding of yourself.”
He straightened up and patted Nangong Yunfei’s shoulder: “You’re the most favored young master of the Nangong family. Everyone in Ming Rui knows you. You’ve seen plenty of admirers, and you usually have good judgment. Why did you lose your sharp discernment with Xu Qiuyi?”
Nangong Yunfei: “Xu Qiuyi, she’s not…”
Chen Yisi quickly said, “Alright, alright, even if she’s not, you haven’t done anything wrong. She’s so poor, the money you gave her was to help her family, but she’s never seen anything good and she’s stubborn.”
Seeing Nangong Yunfei’s expression soften, a bolder girl approached, holding a glass in her delicate hands: “Young Master Nangong…”
“Get lost!” Nangong Yunfei glanced at the young face, his eyes flickering, then said, “Cheap.”
The smiling girl’s face turned pale, frozen in the posture of being pushed away.
Xiao Xuan stepped in to smooth things over: “What are you waiting for? Everyone, let’s go.”
So everyone dispersed, the singer also leaving with her guitar.
After finally getting the drunk Nangong Yunfei into a car and sending him off, Xiao Xuan and Chen Yisi stood side by side.
Xiao Xuan said, “Brother Chen, I still feel like he’s not thinking clearly.”
Chen Yisi spread his hands: “What can we do? We’ve all bet on him. My cousin still has to entertain Third Young Master Nangong Lin with those drinking games. It’s already good enough that we just have to drink and flatter him. Besides, he’s popular with women, ridiculously lucky. If nothing unexpected happens, he might actually be chosen by Tao Ning.”
Xiao Xuan laughed and said, “That’s true.”
The two chatted and left together, not expecting that Nangong Yunfei, who should have arrived home safely, would be punched at his doorstep.
Nangong Yunfei, his face flushed, lay on the ground dazed, the stars and moon seemingly spinning before his eyes.
The bodyguard, whose body moved faster than his brain, clenched his fist the size of a sandbag and looked back at Tao Ning. The 1.8-meter tall young woman looked slightly at a loss: “Miss?”
Tao Ning emerged from behind the group of bodyguards and waved at him: “You did well.”