Meng Ting rushed towards the laboratory.
Outside the research institute, many ambulances had arrived. Several people in protective suits were being carried out on stretchers. They were conscious and feeling pain, but unable to avoid death.
Meng Ting’s hands and feet turned cold. She couldn’t go in.
“Dad Shu! Dad!”
For a long time, no one responded. Meng Ting grabbed an uncle from the research team, her lips trembling: “Uncle, is my dad inside? His name is Shu Zhitong.”
“Old Shu? I’m not sure.”
Shu Zhitong had been hurriedly helping to rescue his colleagues. When he came out, he saw his daughter almost in tears with worry.
He quickly said: “Tingting, Dad’s here.”
Meng Ting’s legs went weak, and her whole body nearly lost strength. She was so afraid of watching Shu Zhitong die painfully again.
Shu Zhitong led her away from the chaos: “Tingting, you go home first. There’s still work to be done here. I’ll come back later and explain everything to you.”
Dad was fine. Meng Ting, afraid of causing trouble, could only wait anxiously at home.
Shu Zhitong came back very late and explained everything.
It turned out that their laboratory had a confidential experiment, a key national research project. Even after two lifetimes, Meng Ting didn’t know what exactly the experiment was. Dad Shu was a very principled person who never talked about work at home. She could only repeatedly emphasize safety.
Because his daughter kept mentioning the experiment, Shu Zhitong also became more cautious and reported his concerns to his superiors.
However, the progress of the experiment couldn’t be halted just because of his report.
Shu Zhitong didn’t want to go, but many others were willing to.
Fortunately, because of Meng Ting’s daily reminders, Shu Zhitong, despite others’ disapproval, repeatedly emphasized safety issues. This project finally had more precautions, and although many people were affected by this radiation issue, no one’s life was in danger.
Hearing this, Meng Ting felt relieved and couldn’t help but smile slightly.
Not a single person’s life was in danger!
It’s worth noting that in her previous life, including Dad Shu, none of the eleven researchers present at the time survived! But this time, everyone lived.
Shu Zhitong was still shaken.
“Thanks to you talking about radiation safety every day, otherwise it would have been disastrous this time. I was also terrified, if people had died, everything would have been lost.”
“Dad, eat first, then get some good rest.”
“Alright, don’t worry, everything’s fine now.”
“Mm.”
By the time she finished everything, Meng Ting realized it was already 1 AM.
There was something hard in her school uniform jacket. She took it out – it was the little star she had folded today. She hadn’t had the chance to give it away yet.
She didn’t go today. What would Jiang Ren think?
He might not have come at all. Thinking this, Meng Ting couldn’t help but feel discouraged.
However, she still carefully took it out, planning to give it along with tomorrow’s star.
The next afternoon after school, she encountered Huo Yifeng, who had returned from university.
Nineteen-year-old Huo Yifeng, with his gentle smile, and wearing a gray scarf, seemed to be glowing. People used to say that Senior Huo’s existence was almost godlike.
Good family background, excellent grades, handsome, elegant, and completely without scandal.
Recently, almost everyone knew that this nearly perfect Senior Huo liked the school beauty, Meng Ting.
He was waiting for her to attend the same university as him, coming back every week to see her.
Huo Yifeng thought so too.
After all, Meng Ting’s grades were no worse than his. By next spring, Meng Ting’s university admission recommendation would likely come through. They were at the same level, so they should attend the same university.
Meng Ting had no impression of him in her previous life. In the winter of her previous life, she was burned and disfigured, and Dad Shu died in a radiation accident.
She didn’t even get to wait for the recommendation list or the college entrance exam opportunity before being forced to drop out.
Now, a young man had exchanged a completely different life for her, yet he was unwilling to see her.
Meng Ting looked at the gently smiling Huo Yifeng in front of her: “Senior, I’ve told you before, I have someone I like.”
“I thought you were just using that to reject me.”
“It’s true.”
Huo Yifeng’s smile faded a bit: “Is it Jiang Ren?”
She pressed her lips together and nodded slightly.
“But he’s already left, gone back to B City, right?” He said seriously, “Meng Ting, don’t you understand yet? He was just playing around. Before he liked Junior Shen Yuqing, then Lu Yue, and then you. In his eyes, you’re no different from those others. If he still liked you, how could he leave you?”
As Huo Yifeng said this, he held her shoulders. He had no intention of taking advantage of her; he was truly frustrated and hoped she would “come to her senses.”
After all, for the nation’s first love, the girl, to like a scoundrel was incompatible in every way.
Huo Yifeng’s family background was also good. Although it couldn’t compare to the Jiang family, it was very well-off. He was a good person, and his eyes showed genuine hope for her well-being.
Meng Ting pushed him away and took a step back: “I’m sorry.” She tilted her head and smiled, with a touch of pure innocence, “Some people, you can’t explain why they’re good, but you just can’t forget them.”
Moreover, Jiang Ren wasn’t that bad. He might be harsh to this world, but he was already trying to be better.
“Senior, I will take the college entrance exam. I want to go to B City. Don’t wait for me, I wasn’t joking before. You’re so good, you’ll find someone who truly likes you.”
Meng Ting finished speaking and returned to the classroom.
Huo Yifeng watched her slender figure, thinking of the light in her eyes.
“Meng Ting!”
“Hm?”
“I’ll wait for you! I’ll keep waiting for you at university. I won’t give up.” He said this very loudly, causing the entire quietly studying Class 3-1 to hear. Immediately, there was a commotion of desk tapping and cheering.
Even Zhao Nancheng’s face turned red with excitement. The male god and female goddess, even if not together, standing side by side was an extremely pleasing sight.
Meng Ting frowned. The class was about to start, so she could only enter the classroom first.
Their class made such a commotion that it even alarmed Fan Huiyin. Fortunately, the classmates were quite “loyal,” quieting down as soon as the teacher arrived, not saying anything more.
Meng Ting raised her eyes to look out the window. After making up classes for a few days, there were only a few days left until the New Year.
Outside, the tall trees had shed their leaves, leaving only bare branches, particularly cold in the air.
There was only one green plant swaying in the air on the opposite teaching building. Apart from that, it was empty, yet she always felt there should be someone there.
Meng Ting looked for a long time until Hong Hui came to ask her a question, and she began to explain it to him in detail.
The night in Anhai Town, the sea breeze brushed against faces, carrying a faint tranquility.
Jiang Ren was washing his hands in the sales office of a nearby villa district. Water flowed over his pale knuckles.
He raised his eyes to look at himself in the mirror, his black eyes quiet and silent, carrying infinite deadness. After a long while, he bent down, putting his mouth under the faucet. Water flowed over his lips, down his chin, and finally into his collarbone.
Jiang Ren didn’t turn on the hot water.
He stood up, spat out the water in his mouth, and looked at the bloodstains inside the white sink. With a cold face, he wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb, turned on the faucet, and washed away that trace of blood.
When Gao Yi brought him new medicine, he ran into the men’s bathroom and saw that even Jiang Ren’s bangs were wet. He quickly said: “Young Master Jiang, I’ve brought the medicine. Why is your hair wet? It’s so cold in the middle of winter. Wait, I’ll go get you a towel.”
He took the medicine bottle without even looking at it and threw it into the trash can.
Why should he take this?
It wouldn’t cure his illness. The jealousy, violence, and madness in his bones were inherent misfortunes. The medication hadn’t made him a normal person; instead, it made him walk on the edge of extremes.
When he went to Anhai Hall as usual, the sales staff couldn’t help but smile.
“Young Master Jiang, she came today.” She opened her hand, carefully revealing two paper stars. Yesterday’s and today’s, neither missed.
“Throw them away,” he lowered his eyes to look at them for a moment, and said, “Don’t accept them in the future either.”
“Throw… throw them away?”
Gao Yi gave her a look: “If Young Master Jiang says to throw them away, then throw them away. Go on, go.”
The salesperson had no choice but to throw the paper stars into the trash can.
Gao Yi looked at Jiang Ren’s calm face: “Young Master Jiang, the New Year is coming. Chairman Jiang’s intention is for you to return soon. It’s quite lonely spending the New Year in H City. If you go back, you can have a reunion dinner with your family.”
“Mm, I’ll go back tonight.”
Gao Yi was shocked: “Tonight?”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, no problem. I’ll go prepare right away.” Young Master Jiang had stayed here for quite a while, but today he suddenly wanted to go back. Moreover, he had just called saying he had an episode and didn’t have medicine with him, which scared Gao Yi so much he rushed to deliver the medicine.
But when the medicine was delivered, Jiang Ren, with his wet bangs, threw the bottle away.
It was very quick for them to get a plane ticket.
Someone had packed all of Jiang Ren’s luggage.
Jiang Ren took a look: “No need.” He had nothing worth taking, and he couldn’t take anything away.
Gao Yi drove him personally.
The car drove through the quiet night. Gao Yi looked at Young Master Jiang through the rearview mirror. He was looking down at the villa district’s promotional video on his iPad, then calmly recording shortcomings.
Jiang Ren, who had no talent for studying, turned out to have quite a talent for work. Following his methods, now the entire H City knew about the high-end villa district by the sea. The value had been hyped up, and the prices had increased considerably.
Originally, Jiang Ren had already made the whole project quite successful. Gao Yi thought he would spend the New Year here, but unexpectedly, he suddenly agreed to go back.
Chairman Jiang on the other side hadn’t slept either. Hearing that Jiang Ren was coming back, he snorted: “That brat.”
He was ready to die for a girl, even his leg ended up like that, but in the end, she still didn’t want him.
Jiang Ren adjusted his collar. When boarding the plane, he didn’t look back even once.
Gao Yi could barely keep up with his pace.
“Young Master Jiang, slow down, phew…”
The flight was only a few hours.
Before Jiang Ren returned, he called Chairman Jiang. His tone was cold, with a hint of maturity: “If I come back, you get rid of Wen Rui. Otherwise, every time I see him, I’ll deal with him once.”
“You brat, who are you calling ‘I’!”
“You figure it out.”
Chairman Jiang had no choice. The most temperamental in their family was Jiang Ren, and he didn’t know where Jiang Ren’s hostility towards Wen Rui came from. Little Rui was quite sensible.
But Jiang Ren had a fierce personality. What he said, he meant.
Wen Rui could only be sent away to spend the New Year elsewhere.
When Jiang Ren returned to B City, his chest felt tight. He had watched the promotional video on the iPad the whole way but thought about her the entire journey.
Until he opened the door and saw his grandmother wearing a dark cotton jacket, only then did he show a bit of tenderness.
Grandmother Jiang had Alzheimer’s and didn’t recognize many people, but she recognized Jiang Ren.
As soon as Jiang Ren entered, she clapped happily, like a child: “Little Ren is back! Little Ren is back!”
He adjusted the old lady’s collar. Chairman Jiang was still at the company. The young man said: “Mm, I’m back.”
“Little Ren, you’ve been crying. Who bullied you? Grandma will beat them up.”
Jiang Ren pushed away her hand: “What nonsense are you talking about? I’ll peel an orange for you.”
There was nothing on his face.
“Good grandson, don’t cry. Our Little Ren is the best.”
“I’m not crying.”
“You were crying. Still trying to fool Grandma. Tell grandma, who bullied you!”
Jiang Ren took a deep breath and held the old lady’s wrinkled hand.
“Yes, someone bullied me.”
“I’m not good enough for her. She doesn’t want me. Now I’m afraid I can’t control myself if I see her and might try to take her by force.”
“I know I’m sick, but the last thing I can do is to not see her again. She’s bullied me to the point where I have no retreat.”
The old lady didn’t understand, comforting him kindly: “There, there. If she bullies you, we won’t play with her anymore. Grandma will play with Little Ren.”
He forced a smile: “Okay.”