“Yes, you can call me on this number.” Qiao Nan nodded. She was worried that Zhai Hua’s resolve would be shaken if Wei De went looking for her. If there was no one for her to discuss with or to give her a reminder, Zhai Hua might be confused again.

  Now that she thought of it, Qiao Nan began to feel anxious.

  She was a student. If Zhai Hua called her, she might not be able to be on standby twenty-four hours a day to answer her call and remind her to stand firm.

  “Okay, goodbye.” Zhai Hua was unaware of Qiao Nan’s concerns. After listening to her suggestion, she hung up her phone and immediately volunteered to take part in the training of the new recruits for this year. She was afraid that if she delayed further, she would have second thoughts.

  Given Zhai Hua’s position in the army, the higher-ups usually would not allow her to take part in the training of new recruits. It would be a waste of her talents.

  However, Zhai Hua could not be bothered with that.

  She might have to take responsibility for her failure in the mission and be demoted to the position where she needed to train the new recruits. She was simply getting ready for the tasks in advance.

  Qiao Nan still looked sullen even after speaking with Zhai Hua.

  When Shi Qing came looking for her at night, she still had the same expression.

  Shi Qing grew cautious upon seeing Qiao Nan. “Qiao Nan, are you angry at my family……”

  “I am indeed in a bad mood, but it is not due to your family. I just spoke to Brother Zhai. He was shot in the arms because of Sister Zhai Hua.” Qiao Nan lowered her voice. Thankfully, her three roommates had yet to return to the dormitory. She was still not quite used to talking about Zhai Sheng openly.

  “Why did this happen?!” Shi Qing turned serious at the mention of Zhai Sheng’s injuries.

  \r \r \r

  Qiao Nan reiterated Zhai Hua’s words to Shi Qing. “This is what happened.”

  “Sister Zhai Hua is too…… Are Brother Zhai’s injuries serious?”

  “He was shot in the arms. The bullets have been removed. He should be alright.”

  “Don’t be angry. Brother Zhai did not tell you anything as he did not want you to worry or have conflicts with Sister Zhai Hua. Did the old chief and Auntie Miao know about it?” Shi Qing did not know what else to say. She had nothing to say about Zhai Hua.

  Zhai Hua had lost her senses because of Wei De.

  She had known Sister Zhai Hua for a long time. This was the first time that she committed such a stupid mistake.

  “I am not sure. I have no time to care about this. I suppose they will not tell me even if they know about it.” Brother Zhai was worried, and so were the old chief and Auntie Miao. They would certainly favor their daughter over their daughter-in-law.

  They must be worried that she would have some misgivings toward her sister-in-law because of what happened. “Have you tidied your dormitory?” Shi Qing had not been to her dormitory before going to the Feng family’s residence. “Moreover, do you intend to stay in school or the Feng family’s residence?”

  The Feng family had more than one car. It would not be a problem to send Shi Qing to school and pick her up daily.

  “No, I will stay in school.” The Feng family wanted her to stay at home, but Shi Qing was unwilling

  It was okay to fetch her to and fro for a few days. But it would be a hassle to do that for four years.

  Shi Qing understood that keeping a proper distance from others would be a way to maintain a good relationship with them. She must cherish the fact that her two uncles and aunties treated her well. She must not take it for granted that she was the only young lady at home and felt too smug about it. If she was not careful, they might end up in a bad relationship.

  Shi Qing would not do the same things or commit the same mistake that Qiu Chenxi had made.

  “Okay.” Qiao Nan lay on the bed lazily. The new semester had yet to start, but she already felt very tired. She did not feel like sitting up once she lay down on the bed.

  “Oiao Nan, today……” Shi Qing hesitated slightly. She wanted to explain to Qiao Nan regarding the Feng family’s attitude toward her today.

  Qiao Nan’s head was pillowed on her hands. She said softly, “There is no need for any explanation. I am not Grandpa Mao. I do not need to be liked by everyone. Don’t worry. Regardless of the reason, I will not be bothered by it.”

  They were Shi Qing’s relatives, not hers.

  It was only by pure coincidence that they met today. Of course, from today onward, she would try her best to avoid such encounters.

  Shi Qing did not feel better at Qiao Nan’s words. Instead, she felt worse.

  She had tried hard to sort out the misunderstanding today, but none of her relatives would believe her.

  This time, she had meant to work on Qiao Nan, hoping that she would show the Feng family through actions that she was as good as what Shi Qing had said to clear up the misunderstanding.

  However, Qiao Nan did not seem to care about the Feng family’s attitude toward her. She had no intention of changing their attitude toward her. She was fully at ease. Shi Qing was the only one who was upset.

  Shi Qing looked gloomy. “Qiao Nan, I know that this is unfair to you. They don’t know you. They shouldn’t have judged you in such a way. But discretion is the better part of valor. The Feng family has a lot of influence in the capital. If I have to transfer to another school or something else happens, I will be more assured that my grandparents will take good care of you.”

  Qiao Nan propped her head on one hand and looked at Shi Qing. “Have you been brainwashed by your dad and Brother Zhai? There are a lot of new recruits at Peking University this year. I am here to study. I am not here to create havoc or invite troubles. According to what you said, all of the new recruits this year have strong backing like the Feng family?”

  “That’s not it. At times, you may not seek trouble, but trouble will come looking for you.” Shi Qing sounded like her nanny.

  Qiao Nan chuckled. “I appreciate your kind intentions. You can rest assured that this will not happen. On the other hand, if you keep putting in a good word for me in front of the Feng family, asking them to take good care of me, given their attitude today, your plan may backfire on you. People from the Feng family will create trouble for me instead.”

  Shi Qing paused momentarily. She scratched her head in agony. “Qiao Nan, aren’t you curious about why they treated you in such a manner?”

  “No,” Qiao Nan replied coldly.

  Shi Qing seemed to be upset at her reply. Qiao Nan gave in and pacified her. “But I can tell that it is due to my engagement to Brother Zhai and that you are on close terms with me, helping me carry my bags.”

  “Yes,” Shi Qing replied sullenly. “There is another reason that you must not have thought of. Qiu Chenxi is out of her mind. She called the Feng family and sputtered nonsense to them.”