Xia Xiaolan hadn’t wanted to bring it up at this time. She had promised Liu Fen to build a new house in Qijing Village, and since Chen Qing also lived there, they would still have occasions to meet… But not saying anything would also hurt Chen Qing, who was clearly about to confess. Waiting for him to express his feelings before rejecting them would only further wound the young man’s pride.
Matters of the heart shouldn’t be left ambiguous, and Xia Xiaolan had no intention of keeping him as a backup option.
If it weren’t for concerns about the college entrance exam, she would have explained things to Chen Qing long ago.
Now, Chen Qing obviously couldn’t accept this blow immediately. When Xia Xiaolan mentioned having a boyfriend of several months, Chen Qing asked nothing further, dejected and dispirited, his feet barely carrying him as he walked.
“I’ll head back first.”
She left Chen Qing at school, letting him reconsider whether he still wanted to study in Beijing. He still had a chance to change his mind.
Under July’s scorching sun, Xia Xiaolan walked out of school to find Xia Ziyu there.
She was being blocked by Old Zhao, the security guard. Though she maintained her dignity by refusing to argue with him, her cheeks were still flushed with anger.
“I can’t even enter my alma mater now? Who gave you this authority!”
“Except for Student Xiaolan, nobody from your family is allowed in.”
Old Zhao was quite straightforward, not hiding his wariness of Xia Ziyu. She could visit her alma mater any other day, so why choose today? Old Zhao knew well that today was for estimating scores and filling out applications. If he let Xia Ziyu in, what if she caused trouble? He wasn’t overstepping his authority – Principal Sun had indeed said that no one from the Xia family could enter the school, fearing they might affect Student Xia Xiaolan. Although the exams were over, graduation photos hadn’t been taken yet, so Xia Xiaolan hadn’t technically graduated. Old Zhao stood firm on this point.
Xia Ziyu had never been treated like this before, with Old Zhao treating her like a dangerous beast.
She was welcome everywhere, whether at Anqing County First High previously or at Beijing Normal College now. Xia Ziyu took pride in her interpersonal relationships. Now she was being blocked by a mere security guard – someone she wouldn’t have given a second glance to during her time at the school.
She didn’t want to argue with a security guard; it was beneath her dignity.
But she wanted to enter the school. Today was for estimating scores and filling out applications for Xia Xiaolan… Just as they were at an impasse, Xia Xiaolan walked out, her wrist in a cast, still showing signs of injury, with two men flanking her left and right, watching her with undisguised vigilance.
Xia Xiaolan’s eyes were particularly striking, and when she looked at someone with that half-smile, it created an indescribable feeling.
“Xia Ziyu, you’ve come to congratulate me so early? How eager – today is just for estimating scores, the results haven’t even been announced yet.”
Xia Ziyu pressed her lips together, feeling her father’s broken hand wasn’t worth it.
Since Xia Xiaolan spoke this way, it seemed the cast on her wrist hadn’t affected her ability to take the exam, and now she was here to estimate scores and fill out applications!
Zhang Cui had said Xia Xiaolan broke Xia Changzheng’s hand in revenge, that Xia Xiaolan had dodged their plot and instead sent someone to break Xia Changzheng’s hand. Zhang Cui had become paranoid about it. Xia Ziyu thought that if they could block Xia Xiaolan’s prospects, then trading her father’s hand would be… Call her heartless as a daughter, but at this point, it would have been worth it.
But Xia Xiaolan had taken the exam as planned, and now she was here estimating scores and filling out applications with a relaxed and happy expression. Anger surged to Xia Ziyu’s head.
“Xia Xiaolan, don’t be too smug. You sent someone to break my father’s hand, didn’t you? You could go to jail for this!”
Xia Xiaolan responded dismissively: “Oh? My former uncle broke his hand. What a coincidence – I was also hit by a car recently, and injured my hand too! Fortunately, the injury wasn’t serious and didn’t affect my exam.”
Wasn’t this exactly what angered Xia Ziyu?
After returning from Beijing and hearing Zhang Cui’s account, she urged the police station to solve the case quickly.
The police were also troubled – there was no evidence left at the scene, and all traces were from Xia Changzheng himself. The incident occurred at 9 PM in a remote alley where the streetlight had been broken for half a year. Residents avoided that alley at night. Xia Changzheng was attacked at night and only discovered by a sanitation worker the next morning. With no witnesses and no surveillance cameras in 1984, the police were at a loss.
In the darkness, Xia Changzheng hadn’t seen who attacked him.
Directly accuse Xia Xiaolan?
The police would have to believe it!
How could a slender young woman knock down the strong Xia Changzheng?
And forcefully break his hand – Xia Xiaolan couldn’t even lift the weapon needed. Xia Changzheng was going to settle the “final payment,” and only Zhang Cui and the thugs knew he would be in that alley. Xia Ziyu went to find the thugs, but they were all at home nursing injuries.
The same injuries – broken right hands.
Xia Ziyu was certain this was Xia Xiaolan’s revenge!
Although the thugs insisted they had fallen, Xia Ziyu didn’t believe in such coincidences. All right hands broken – if it wasn’t someone hired by Xia Xiaolan, what else could it be? Xia Xiaolan’s ruthlessness shocked even Xia Ziyu. She knew Xia Xiaolan wasn’t to be trifled with. Before… before, when they lived together, Xia Xiaolan had always been dark-hearted, quick to turn on people once she gained power. Xia Ziyu had tried everything to prevent Xia Xiaolan from rising, partly due to her subconscious fear of her.
She truly feared Xia Xiaolan – somehow, whatever belonged to Xia Xiaolan, even if taken away, would return to her in another form!
Xia Ziyu touched the square object in her pocket through her clothes. Could she not deal with Xia Xiaolan?
“Xiaolan, my father’s hand is broken. I don’t want to dwell on past matters anymore. Even if I wronged you before, you had someone break my father’s hand – let’s call our grudges settled. From now on, let’s go our separate ways and be strangers when we meet!”
Xia Ziyu was used to putting on airs, but now her words carried a hint of sincerity.
Xia Xiaolan found this very strange – it wasn’t like Xia Ziyu’s character. When things seem unusual, there must be something amiss. Whatever trick Xia Ziyu was playing, Xia Xiaolan wouldn’t be led by her pace.
“Don’t talk nonsense. I’ve been busy with exams lately and haven’t even seen your father. Why would I break his hand? As for you, my dear cousin, how could we ever be strangers? Don’t worry, we still have long days ahead!”
To casually suggest writing everything off – did she think ‘Xia Xiaolan’s life could be settled so easily?
The days ahead were still long, and the revenge that kept Xia Ziyu on edge was just beginning for Xia Xiaolan!
“Xia Ziyu, our next meeting should be in Beijing… Yes, I’ve applied to a university in Beijing. Surprised? Unexpected, isn’t it!”