Miao Jing was showing concern for Qiao Nan like gentle breeze and drizzle.

  Before Qiao Nan could utter a word, her stomach grumbled a few times and replied to Miao Jing’s question on her behalf.

  “You must be starving.” When Miao Jing was facing Qiao Nan, she was smiling. However, when she turned her head, she shot Zhai Sheng a glare of warning. She seemed to be reprimanding Zhai Sheng for being too much. He should not ‘bully’ Qiao Nan without allowing her to rest.

  If he had bullied Nan Nan too much and made her run away, what should they do?

  “Auntie, those dumplings that you made earlier, is there still some in the fridge? Quickly prepare a bowl of them for Nan Nan to eat.”

  “Aye.” The auntie had long treated Qiao Nan as part of the Zhai family and one of her masters. In fact, that portion of dumplings was specially set aside for Qiao Nan.

  She was aware that Zhai Sheng went out to fetch Qiao Nan yesterday. The Zhai family members waited until seven o’clock in the evening, but Zhai Sheng had not brought Qiao Nan home. As such, the auntie had already set aside dinner for Qiao Nan, afraid that they would come back later.

  “Thank you, auntie.” Qiao Nan’s head felt stiff as she endured the few pairs of eyes that seemed to be looking at her. She took up the bowl of freshly cooked dumplings and started eating them.

  In actual fact, Qiao Nan was really feeling hungry.

  Ding Jiayi came in the afternoon. After Ding Jiayi left, Qiao Nan was so angry that she had been drinking. She did not even take her dinner.

  Besides skipping a meal, she had been forced to ‘exercise’ with Zhai Sheng for a long time. As one could imagine, Qiao Nan was exhausted and her muscles were aching all over.

  In addition, she did not take her breakfast. At the sight of the bowl of dumplings, both of Qiao Nan’s eyes were popping.

  The more Qiao Nan behaved this way, the more Miao Jing glared at Zhai Sheng. ‘Look at how you had starved Nan Nan. Clearly, you are so much older than Nan Nan. Don’t you know how to take care of people?’

  When she married Zhai Yaohui, although Zhai Yaohui was quiet and had a tough and unyielding appearance, he was very meticulous.

  In comparison, Miao Jing suddenly felt that she had not taught her son well. At least, she was worse than her mother-in-law who had already passed on. Both of them had to teach a son. However, this son of hers was too lousy.

  It was not only Miao Jing. Even the two ‘old’ men of the Zhai family gave Zhai Sheng negative scores.

  \r \r \r

  At the sight of this, Zhai Hua, who was initially in a bad mood, felt amused. She kicked Zhai Sheng with her leg.

  From now onward, Qiao Nan would become the family’s favorite. When Qiao Nan really had children, both Qiao Nan and the children would be the bosses.

  Zhai Sheng ignored Zhai Hua. He accepted the looks of blame from his elders and became the scapegoat for Qiao Dongliang, his father-in-law.

  As Qiao Nan was in college and often not at home, besides the fruits that the Zhai family insisted to give to Qiao Dongliang, the fridge in the Qiao family was totally empty.

  You can’t make bricks without straws.

  Even if Zhai Sheng did not wish to starve Qiao Nan, he could not simply cook only white rice for her.

  Qiao Dongliang was aware that there was nothing at home but he did not want to trouble Qiao Nan to go marketing and cook herself. He thus allowed Qiao Nan to go to the Zhai family to get a ‘free’ meal.

  Zhai Sheng expressed that, from last night onward, Nan Nan had been stamped with his chop from tip to toe and in and out. She was truly his wife now.

  Zhai Sheng, who had gotten himself a wife, was in an excellent mood. This was just a small issue. He did not mind taking the blame for his father-in-law whose daughter had just been kidnapped.

  Finally, when Qiao Nan felt that she was about fifty to sixty percent full, Miao Jing asked gently, “Nan Nan, did you rest well last night? Do you want to take a nap in Sister Zhai Hua’s room?”

  Fortunately, Qiao Nan had already finished eating her dumplings. Otherwise, she would definitely spit them out when she heard Miao Jing’s words.

  Even if the deed had already been exposed, Qiao Nan really did not wish to mention what happened last night. Who knows……

  “Hahaha, my goodness, this is so funny. Qiao Nan, come and stay at my house. With you around, my broken heart will definitely heal faster.” When she saw Qiao Nan’s extremely red face and that smoke was almost rising from the top of her head, Zhai Hua held her tummy and laughed out loud.

  She discovered that her life was actually quite good when she saw someone being more miserable than her.

  Qiao Nan was both angry and annoyed. She rolled her eyes at Zhai Hua to complain that Zhai Hua had no conscience.

  Zhai Hua patted her chest and laughed. “Don’t be angry. You will be married to Zhai Sheng in two months’ time. You will have to call me sister. Now, just take it that you are pleasing your seniors and elders.”

  When she said this, Zhai Hua did not feel bad at all.

  At the sight that Zhai Hua’s mood became better because of Qiao Nan’s arrival, the Zhai family was happy. They felt even more satisfied with this daughter-in-law (granddaughter-in-law).

  In the future, Zhai Sheng would definitely be the one heading the family. As Zhai Sheng’s wife, if Qiao Nan did not have the capability to help Zhai Sheng manage the domestic affairs of the Zhai family or if she were to add on to his woes, that would be terrible.

  At this juncture, Qiao Nan had been doing very well.

  It was not just the Zhai family who valued Qiao Nan. The elders in the Zhai family were all aware that Zhu Chengqi also liked Qiao Nan very much and treated her like his goddaughter.

  The Lee family also had interactions with the Qiao family.

  The Lee family had such connections with the Qiao family all because of Qiao Nan.

  Otherwise, even though Qiao Dongliang’s deceased father had saved Elder Lee’s life and had a strong friendship with the latter, the relationship between the two families had already been thoroughly ruined by the unreasonable, shrewish, and ‘short-term thinking’ Ding Jiayi.

  In addition, Lin Yuankang, the famous and prominent figure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was Qiao Nan’s master. He doted on Qiao Nan so much.

  Old Master Zhai had received news recently. Although Lin Yuankang did not personally go to the capital, he had already informed his former subordinates and disciples in the capital to find time to guide Qiao Nan so that she could widen her horizons and learn gradually.

  Was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a place for people to learn?

  Was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a place that would casually allow a college student to go in?

  Even if Qiao Nan had entered it, she could not do anything. She could only hear with her pair of eyes and listen with her pair of ears.

  Nevertheless, as long as Qiao Nan was smart and quick-witted enough, she would be able to pick up skills and gain experience. These were knowledge that an average person could pick up only after going through a lifetime of obstacles.

  Old Master Zhai was aware that Lin Yuankang wanted to make Qiao Nan a female diplomat in The Ministry of Foreign Affairs!

  Half a year ago, when Zhai Sheng was engaged with Qiao Nan, many people said that Qiao Nan was very lucky. Some said sarcastically that great happiness had befallen the Qiao family as they were able to find such a good marriage.

  In one leap, Qiao Nan, a pitiful child who did not receive any love from her biological mother, became the chief’s daughter-in-law. She had designated cars to fetch her everywhere. Wasn’t that akin to the Cinderella in television shows?

  Old Master Zhai had never taken these words too seriously. Since he was willing to acknowledge Qiao Nan as his granddaughter-in-law, naturally, he did not mind the Qiao family’s situation.

  Old Master Zhai did not bother but this did not mean that he did not understand the situation.

  Given Qiao Nan’s current qualities, not to mention the Zhai family, even those few families in the capital would be willing to nod and accept Qiao Nan as a new member of their family.

  1028 May-December Romance Is Not So Easy

  Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan were engaged. However, it was not true that Qiao Nan had married into a better family than her own. Instead, the pair was extremely compatible.

  To put it bluntly, Old Master Zhai looked down on those people who felt that Qiao Nan would gain more in this marriage. This was because they had mistaken the bright pearl for fish eye.

  These people could not even differentiate between the good and the bad. As such, they were definitely very muddleheaded in their own conduct and behavior.

  Old Master Zhai was still very influential in the Zhai family. Qiao Nan was already in Miao Jing’s favor and Zhai Yaohui had also gradually approved of Qiao Nan. Everyone believed that given the Qiao family’s situation, Qiao Nan would not be able to rely on her maternal family after the marriage. As such, Qiao Nan’s life in the Zhai family would definitely be filled with difficulties. She had to tread on her toes and would be a very miserable daughter-in-law.

  Nevertheless, the actual situation was the exact opposite of these people’s thoughts.

  “Nan Nan, you have not taken your exams, right?” Miao Jing was a woman and a meticulous one. Furthermore, she liked Qiao Nan. Naturally, she would spare more consideration for Qiao Nan.

  “Yes, my exams will be held next month.”

  “You must be having your revision at this point in time then.” Miao Jing was shocked. “You have applied for leave to come back?” The situation that day was too chaotic. Finally, Hua Hua was willing to break up with Wei De. Miao Jing almost fainted from joy.

  Within one day, her daughter not only fell out of love but also discovered that her lover had been a swindler all along. He had never been true to her.

  Miao Jing was afraid that Zhai Hua would have thoughts of suicide. She had thus been keeping Zhai Hua company these few days and did not have time to think about Qiao Nan’s situation.

  “Yes, I have applied for ten days of leave.” The principal had given his approval.

  Zhai Hua sat up straight and looked at Qiao Nan gratefully. “You have done a lot for me. Although you have just entered college, given your character, your grades definitely did not drop. Don’t worry. I am really fine now. I won’t do anything foolish again. You should go back. Your studies are also very important.”

  She was blind to have known such a man. She not only caused her mother to cry but also the old master and her father to be angry. Even Qiao Nan had to spend so much time and effort to take care of her in many ways.

  At the thought that she was almost thirty years old but everyone in the family, regardless of their age, cared and protected her, Zhai Hua felt that she was quite useless. At the same time, she understood one thing: Many people loved her and were by her side. She should become more resilient.

  She had only fallen out of love. It was not a big deal.

  \r \r \r

  Furthermore, Qiao Nan had also said that discovering Wei De’s true colors before marriage was not a sorrowful matter. Instead, it was something that was worth celebrating.

  She had made so many people worried and Qiao Nan sacrificed so much for her. Zhai Hua was too embarrassed to continue in her decadent ways. “Qiao Nan, go back to school. I have really sorted out my thoughts this time. If I bother about that person again, I am a pig!”

  “Hua Hua is right. Nan Nan, go back to school. The rest of us are here for Hua Hua.” Miao Jing nodded continuously.

  Old Master Zhai snorted. “What’s there to worry about? That piece of shit. Whoever feels sad for him is a pig!”

  To Old Master Zhai, when Zhai Hua was willing to beat and chase Wei De out of the house that day, he had wanted very much to put up and light up a string of loud firecrackers at his doorstep to announce his happiness. It could be considered ridding his family of bad luck as well.

  The members of the Zhai family were all agreeable for Qiao Nan to return to school. The only one who did not feel too good about this was Zhai Sheng.

  Zhai Sheng had just had a taste of meat. He had been yearning for it.

  After much difficulty, he had finally kidnapped Qiao Nan back to his home. Zhai Sheng was thinking of how to let Qiao Nan sleep in his own room tonight so that they could get used to marriage life earlier.

  They had already discussed the issue of having children. As Zhai Sheng thought about his age, it was not considered too early to have children at this point in time.

  Zhai Sheng was not certain if he had ‘planted his seeds’ yesterday. Nevertheless, he could continue to work on it tonight.

  When Miao Jing spoke, naturally, some of Zhai Sheng’s ploys were ruined.

  Zhai Sheng did not respond despite listening to the conversation for a long time. Zhai Hua secretly peeped at Zhai Sheng and vaguely felt that Zhai Sheng’s face seemed a little pale.

  All of a sudden, no one was talking in the spacious living room of the house of the Zhai family. It was so quiet that people were not used to it.

  After about three minutes, Zhai Sheng spoke, “Nan Nan, are you ready to go back today or tomorrow? I will buy the flight tickets for you.”

  “Why don’t we get the flight ticket for tonight?” Zhai Hua was already in the mood to joke about herself. Without the need for Zhai Hua to say, Qiao Nan was certain that Zhai Hua was fine.

  It had been quite difficult to apply for this period of long leave. The sooner she returned to the school, the sooner she could revise for her studies.

  “Okay.” Within three breaths of time, Zhai Sheng replied calmly, “I will help you buy the tickets.” Having said that, Zhai Sheng took off with his long legs.

  Qiao Nan felt a little unsettled. Was Brother Zhai angry?

  Qiao Nan had guessed a little why Zhai Sheng brought her back to the house of the Zhai family.

  Moreover, although one had not eaten pork, they would have seen a pig running away.

  In her previous life, when Qiao Zijin was close to Chen Jun, she did not come home for a few days. She said that she was staying at the house of ‘a good friend’. They were so sticky to each other. Sometimes, Qiao Nan might not even see Qiao Zijin in the house of the Qiao family for a week.

  When Qiao Zijin was not staying in her ‘good friend’s’ house anymore, after just a few days, her mother expressed furiously that Qiao Zijin was pregnant with Chen Jun’s child. She asked Qiao Nan to scram so that Qiao Zijin could take her place.

  Regarding this, Qiao Nan was in a dilemma.

  In her previous life, her marriage did not even arrive at the point of her death.

  In this life, heaven loved her so much. She had not fully grown up but already had a husband. His whole family was also pining for the time when a child would be in her womb.

  In the face of such extreme lives, Qiao Nan felt very helpless.

  Miao Jing sat beside Qiao Nan and touched the latter’s hair. “Don’t think too much or give yourself too much pressure. Well, Zhai Sheng is the one who wants a May-December romance. He shouldn’t just enjoy the benefits of it. How could May-December romance be so easy?”

  Zhai Sheng had chosen a ‘young’ wife. He should have been mentally prepared for such things, no?

  Clearly, Qiao Nan was the younger one but she was fully equipped psychologically to take on the role of a military wife. On the contrary, her son was the more ‘sticky’ one. The roles of the two of them were a little reversed.

  “Right, that’s correct. Is May-December romance so easy?!” Zhai Hua was so amused. She was troubled about having no man. Zhai Sheng had a wife but he was even more troubled. This was so funny.

  Qiao Nan’s face turned red. She did not know whether to laugh or cry when she looked at both Miao Jing and Zhai Hua. This was truly an unreliable pair of mother and daughter.

  May-December romance?

  Were these two people really Brother Zhai’s biological mother and sister?

  At this moment, the other two men in the Zhai family did not utter any word. It was also not convenient for them to do so.

  Nevertheless, they wholeheartedly agreed with Miao Jing’s words. Since Zhai Sheng had made his choice of path, he had to persist even if he were to sustain blisters all over his feet.

  1029 Untitled

  Zhai Sheng should know very well that Qiao Nan was still young and she was still in school.

  Both of them had a secret relationship for years.

  Qiao Nan had hidden it very well for the past four years. Nobody noticed that they were in a relationship. They hid it very well. It was as if they were performing a secret service.

  On the one hand, it suggested that the two of them were smart to be able to hide it from everyone.

  On the other hand, it proved that Qiao Nan could handle hardships. Zhai Sheng had to stay in the camp every day, but she did not lose her temper or throw tantrums. Instead, she studied hard at school and had excellent results.

  If not for the fact that they were lovey-dovey when they were with each other, Old Master Zhai and Zhai Yaohui would have suspected that they were not in a serious relationship.

  “Okay, say no more.” Miao Jing noticed that Qiao Nan blushed a bright red. “By February next year, Nan Nan, the fresh flower, will belong to us.” At the thought of this, Miao Jing could not help but smile widely. She was as thrilled as Zhai Hua.

  Since they had already decided, by the time Zhai Sheng came back, he had bought the plane ticket that was scheduled for four o’clock this afternoon. “Don’t wait until the evening to go back. It’s better to return to the capital earlier so that you can have a good rest. Otherwise, you will be too tired for lessons tomorrow.”

  “Brother Zhai, thank you.” Qiao Nan was moved and happy when she saw the departure time on the ticket.

  She wanted to spend more time with Zhai Sheng, so she said that she would leave in the evening.

  After Qiao Nan studied in college, she and Zhai Sheng seemed to be like the legendary separated lovers, the cowherd and the weaving maid[1]. Zhai Sheng hardly had time to go back to Ping Cheng, while Qiao Nan had to study at the capital.

  When Qiao Nan was on her summer and winter breaks, Zhai Sheng might have to carry out missions.

  Now that they finally could spend time with each other, Qiao Nan had to go back to school as early as possible. Qiao Nan felt sorry about it. But she could only try to spend more time with Zhai Sheng on the premise that she would be able to make it back to the capital for her lessons tomorrow.

  To her surprise, Zhai Sheng bought her the plane ticket that was due to depart in the afternoon.

  Although Zhai Sheng did not say anything, he wrapped his arms around Qiao Nan’s waist. The gaze in his eyes told her that he did not want gratitude from her.

  Qiao Nan might be able to escape from him for the time being, but she could not do so forever.

  \r \r \r

  By February next year, nobody would be able to stop him from loving his wife.

  Whatever that was meant to happen today……

  Would have to be paid back eventually.

  On the day that he was legally married, he would take back everything that was owed to him!

  Qiao Nan straightened her back. She could feel a shaft of coldness and she shivered uncontrollably.

  “Alright, we can still have lunch together.” Old Master Zhai was pleased that his grandson was disciplined. He was, after all, raised by him. He was similar to him in terms of his personality.

  “Zhai Sheng, have you made a phone call to Uncle Qiao? He worked overtime last night. He should be able to go home earlier today.” Qiao Nan was his precious daughter. Qiao Nan’s flight was at four o’clock in the afternoon, and she had to be there at the airport at half past three. They had to let Qiao Dongliang know before she got on the plane that his daughter would go back to school today.

  Zhai Yaohui would not exceed what he should do and meddle in other people’s affairs.

  Zhai Sheng sounded displeased. “I have made a call to my father-in-law’s factory on my way back. He said that he will reach around half past eleven.”

  “Okay.” Miao Jing nodded. “Auntie, did you buy enough ingredients today? Please prepare a sumptuous lunch.” Everyone was present except Qiao Dongliang. The two families could have their lunch together once he reached.

  “Madam, you can rest assured that there are enough ingredients. There are quite a lot of dishes to prepare. I will prepare them right now.” The auntie replied smilingly. She put on the apron and went to the kitchen to prepare the dishes.

  Qiao Dongliang knew that his daughter was going back to school. If he took into account the two days that she spent on traveling, she was back for a total of three days.

  On the first day, the father and daughter spent most of the time at the Zhai family’s residence. By the time they went back home, they were too tired to talk after dinner.

  The next day, Qiao Dongliang did not expect that he would have to work overtime. The Lunar New Year was not here yet, but the factory that he worked at had to settle the account for one of their clients.

  He could finally go back home earlier on the third day, but his daughter had to go back to school.

  Qiao Dongliang might be reluctant, but he could not stop Qiao Nan from going back to school. Furthermore, it was his wish for Qiao Nan to study in college.

  Qiao Nan was not only a college student, but she was also a student of Peking University!

  He would break the legs of those people who stopped Qiao Nan from going to school. If Ding Jiayi dared to make trouble, he would not be lenient with her!

  Because of this, Qiao Dongliang would not stop Qiao Nan from going back to school.

  “Nan Nan, you must study hard at school. I can cope by myself at home. You don’t have to worry about me. You can spend the Lunar New Year with me after your exam.”

  Qiao Dongliang felt forlorn that the Zhai family wanted to discuss the marriage between the two children.

  Perhaps this would be the last Lunar New Year that he could spend with his younger daughter.

  Qiao Nan sensed that Qiao Dongliang was reluctant to part with her. She forced a smile. “Dad, don’t overwork yourself and you must remember to have your meals. You must take care of yourself. Dad, I will take care of you in the future.” After she graduated from college—even if they could not stay in the same house—she would find ways for her father to stay near her.

  However, the Zhai family was around. Qiao Nan kept this thought to herself.

  If she wanted to provide for her father, she must do it based on her own efforts. She must not rely on the Zhai family.

  After all, he was her father. She had an obligation to take care of him. It was unreasonable to ask the Zhai family to help her.

  After she left, Qiao Dongliang would be alone. Qiao Nan opened her mouth, wanting to ask her father if he thought of getting another wife after his divorce years ago.

  However, Qiao Nan could not bring herself to ask the question and she boarded the plane.

  The flight was scheduled to depart at four o’clock in the afternoon. The flight departed on time. It was not even eight o’clock when Qiao Nan reached the Lin family’s residence.

  The sky was dark. If not for the streetlights, it would be difficult to tell the way.

  Qiao Nan made three phone calls immediately after she reached. She made a phone call each to the Zhai family, the Qiao family, and to her master.

  Then, Qiao Nan boiled water to wash her face and feet before she went to sleep.

  Qiao Nan had applied for ten days of leave, but she canceled the leave and went back to school on the fourth day.

  Although it was the principal who approved the leave, Qiao Nan’s teacher was unhappy that she took such a long period of leave.

  But the teacher was slightly appeased that Qiao Nan canceled the leave and returned to school after settling everything at home. “That’s good. You did not spend too much time away. Here are the revision materials for the past three days. Take them and study them. Don’t do this in the future.”

  [1] They are characters in Chinese folk stories, where the lovers are separated and only get to meet each other once a year.

  1030 Being Taught a Harsh Lesson

  “Thank you, teacher!” Qiao Nan was very surprised. She did not expect that her teacher who disapproved of her taking long leave would help her keep a copy of the revision materials for other subjects. It was a pleasant surprise.

  “You should thank the principal.” The teacher did not take credit for it. The principal gave the instructions that if other teachers distributed revision materials to the students while Qiao Nan was away, the teacher must take an extra copy of the revision materials from them. If not for the principal’s instructions, no teacher would go to the trouble to do that.

  “I have to thank the principal and you.” Qiao Nan shook her head. She was honey-mouthed.

  The teacher relaxed. “Alright, you may not have lessons today, but you should read these materials. Don’t fall behind in your studies.”

  “I will!” Qiao Nan took the revision materials and found a seat in the library, poring over the materials.

  Qiao Nan put all her attention on the materials.

  Since she no longer had to worry about Zhai Hua, she was totally focused on her studies. She put the matter of what happened at Ping Cheng for the past three days aside.

  Unlike her who was able to concentrate on her studies, other people might not be able to do that.

  On the day that Qiao Nan returned to the capital, Qiao Zijin had classes in the day, and went shopping and singing karaoke with her classmates in the evening. She seemed slightly tipsy, swaying as she walked. There was a dazed look and a silly smile on her face as she walked back to her dormitory.

  “My dormitory is in that building.”

  “Mine is at this building.”

  “Then, goodbye.” Qiao Zijin gave a silly smile and walked back to her dormitory.

  It was December now. The days were short and it was very dark at night.

  The streetlights at school were dim. Under normal circumstances, it would suffice. However, Qiao Zijin was half drunk and she could hardly make out the road an arm’s length away.

  But Qiao Zijin had taken this path for more than a year. She could make her way back even without looking at the path. She was the least worried.

  \r \r \r

  When she reached the corner, a man came out behind a big tree directly opposite the dormitory building. The man put a sack over Qiao Zijin’s head and gave her a few punches.

  Qiao Zijin felt pain all over her body. She wanted to shout for help, but she was too drunk. She could only moan in pain.

  After giving Qiao Zijin a lesson, the man gave her a blow behind her neck and she fainted right then.

  There were the sounds of someone using the scissors. It was not long before Qiao Zijin’s roommates came running down the stairs.

  The man heard the sound of footsteps and left right away.

  “Where is she?”

  “Is the text message that you received telling the truth?”

  “It is. I have yet to delete the text message. If you don’t believe me, you can take a look. Did it say that Qiao Zijin is drunk and she has collapsed at the entrance of the dormitory building and we are to fetch her?”

  “Yes, but where is she?”

  “Look, is that her on the floor?”

  The three young ladies wore thick and long down coats to fetch Qiao Zijin. They were females and they still had to carry their drunk roommate back to the dormitory. It was impossible for them to do it by themselves. Therefore, the three of them came down together to fetch Qiao Zijin.

  “Let’s take a look.”

  “She……”

  The three roommates were scared and taken aback when they saw the condition that Qiao Zijin was in. They hurried to help her back to the dormitory.

  They had to wait until Qiao Zijin woke up tomorrow to ask her what exactly had happened to her.

  It was early in the morning. Qiao Zijin had already woken up. She did not pass out due to too much alcohol, she was knocked out by the punches.

  She woke up to see herself in her own dormitory. She did not sense that anything was wrong. She felt thirsty and was in urgent need of the restroom. She yawned as she changed and walked toward the restroom.

  Three minutes later, a piercing scream was heard in the dormitory!

  “Mom, I don’t care, I-I am already in this situation. What should I do? I am too ashamed to face others at school. I am very polite in school, and I have not offended anyone. Why would someone do this to me?”

  Qiao Zijin was on the phone. She had cried until her voice was hoarse.

  When she was in the restroom today, she saw in the mirror that her long hair was cut to uneven lengths; some strands were short while some were long. She looked like a madwoman. Qiao Zijin refused to believe that the freak she saw in the mirror was herself.

  Later, she heard from her roommates that she was in this state when she collapsed, drunk, in front of the dormitory building. This reminded Qiao Zijin that she did not collapse by the roadside as she was drunk. Instead, she was beaten by someone.

  “Mom, those people are too much. Not only did they cut my hair, but they even punched me. I was punched on the back, so I couldn’t see for myself. But my classmates said that my back had bruises!” Who had such deep animosity with her that they punched her and was so cruel to cut her hair?

  If she found out the identity of that person, she would definitely get Chen Jun to make the person suffer a fate worse than her!

  Ding Jiayi’s heart thumped at Qiao Zijin’s words.

  Ding Jiayi covered the mouthpiece. She was worried that Qiao Zijin would notice her irregular heartbeat. “A-are you sure you didn’t provoke anyone in school?”

  Her hair was cut and her back was being punched?!

  “Of course not!” Qiao Zijin did not sound honest.

  Qiao Zijin was not a friendly person. She had friends who got along well with her, and there were classmates who found her to be an eyesore.

  However, she merely gave them disdainful stares or made digging remarks at them. She would not dare to do anything that was overboard.

  These people did not need to go to the extent of punching and humiliating her.

  Qiao Zijin cried until her eyes were swollen, but she had no suspects in mind.

  “Mom, I am going crazy.” After she took her diploma studies, she was all the more concerned about her appearance. She almost had an emotional breakdown at the thought of her crazy hairstyle. “Right now, I have to use a headscarf to cover my hair. I am worried that everyone will know about this. Mom, c-can I drop out of school or change to another school?”

  Those classmates who were at loggerheads with Qiao Zijin learned of the news and came to check out her hairstyle. They mocked her for doing too many evil deeds and that someone had decided to give her a lesson.

  “Zijin, don’t be willful.” Ding Jiayi knew that Qiao Zijin was in great distress. She cried and moaned and her voice had turned hoarse. Ding Jiayi’s heart ached for her daughter. “Did you tell your teacher about this so that the teacher can help you with it? If the student in the school did this to you, the teacher has to find out who the bad apple is so that the person will not continue to bully others.”

  “Do you still take me for an elementary student? Tell the teacher? What’s the use of telling the teacher?” I had told them, but the teachers and the school could not find out anything!” Qiao Zijin was vexed at the mention of this.