After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 10: Handed in a Blank Paper

Chapter 10: Handed in a Blank Paper

Zhou Yining’s lips curved slightly. She’d planned to let it go, but since Teacher Cao was so petty, she couldn’t be blamed.

After writing her name and class on the answer sheet, Zhou Yining stopped. She planned to hand in a blank English test. It wasn’t the college entrance exam, and a blank paper would show her dissatisfaction with the teacher, especially since her other subjects were strong, making the blank English test stand out.

She didn’t answer or look at the paper. Teacher Cao glanced at her.

He wanted to say something but held back. Zhou Yining doing poorly was good for him—just a bad student, not worth getting mad over.

So, Zhou Yining napped on her desk. Feeling back pain, she sat up, staring boredly at the paper.

When the bell rang to submit answer sheets, the student at the end of her row was shocked by Zhou Yining’s blank sheet.

She whispered, “You forgot to fill it out. I’ll collect the front first—hurry and fill it.”

Zhou Yining smiled calmly. “No need. Submit it like this.”

“What? Alright then.” She took the sheet, giving Zhou Yining a thumbs-up. Talk about guts—her answer sheet was cleaner than her face, with only her name and class.

After the third exam, it was dismissal time. Due to the tests, teachers notified the parent group chat that students would stay at school, eat in the cafeteria, and start the comprehensive exam at 1:30.

Zhou Yining got up, and Tian Xue ran over.

“Let’s go to the cafeteria.”

Zhou Yining nodded. Though not close, Tian Xue was the original’s friend, so she couldn’t refuse. “Sure, let’s go.”

“Man, the morning tests were hard. How’d you do?” Tian Xue asked.

“Pretty good. I filled out everything except English,” Zhou Yining said confidently.

“Didn’t answer? What’s that mean?” Tian Xue was stunned, asking instinctively.

“Means I didn’t write anything on the answer sheet. Handed in a blank paper.” Zhou Yining said frankly.

“Whoa, how’d you dare? Teacher Cao’s already petty. You’ve totally pissed him off now.” Tian Xue was nearly frantic.

Zhou Yining smiled, unbothered. “It’s fine. He pissed me off last time too.”

“You can still laugh? You’ve got some guts.” Tian Xue sighed, peering at Zhou Yining through her thick bangs, feeling her friend had changed.

“Of course. Let’s go eat. Wonder if the cafeteria’s got spicy noodles.” She craved something bold.

“They do, but the line’s long. You’ll have to wait.”

“No big deal. I’ll wait.” Zhou Yining smiled and headed to the cafeteria.

She and Tian Xue found an empty table. Zhou Yining saved the spot while Tian Xue got food. When Tian Xue returned, Zhou Yining went for spicy noodles.

Spicy noodles were a hit with students. Zhou Yining, at the back of the line, drew attention. No surprise—the confession wall posts were still up, and everyone in the grade knew her.

She didn’t care, standing straight, waiting for her noodles.

Jiang Xianzhi and her two followers came over. Because of the exam, the school gates stayed closed at noon, forcing students to crowd the cafeteria.

Jiang Xianzhi, seeing the packed cafeteria, lost her appetite. She never ate there—her family’s maid brought lunch daily. This was her first time eating in the cafeteria.

She looked at the counters with disdain, not wanting to eat.

Shi Yuanyuan, noticing her mood, smiled. “Zhizhi, what do you want? We’ll get it for you.”

“Yeah, find a seat first,” Si Yaqing added, though her fists clenched. If her family didn’t make her suck up to Jiang Xianzhi, she wouldn’t act like a servant.

Jiang Xianzhi didn’t know what to get, hesitating as she scanned the counters.

Then she saw Zhou Yining squeezing through the crowd with a bowl.

Zhou Yining spotted Jiang Xianzhi and smiled. “You’re eating here too? Hurry, some counters are sold out.”

Jiang Xianzhi’s gaze landed on Zhou Yining, then on her bowl.

Curious, she asked, “What’s that?”

“Spicy noodles. Want some? I can get another bowl.” Zhou Yining’s tone was casual, like talking to a friend, which made Jiang Xianzhi feel at ease.

“Is it good?” Jiang Xianzhi asked, a bit doubtful.

“It’s good. I got mild spice—you can try it. You don’t have to eat healthy every day. Come on, my friend saved a table. I’ll take you.” Since Jiang Xianzhi was helping her, Zhou Yining felt she should offer.

The original was poor, but her meal card had some money. Treating Jiang Xianzhi to spicy noodles wasn’t a big deal.

Jiang Xianzhi, put off by the crowded cafeteria and not wanting to line up, took Zhou Yining’s offer and followed her to the table.

Shi Yuanyuan gave Si Yaqing a look. Si Yaqing said, “Zhizhi, maybe forget it. We’ll get your food.”

Jiang Xianzhi didn’t want to wait—she just wanted to sit. “No, I’ll eat her bowl. You two get your own and find me later.”

Shi Yuanyuan and Si Yaqing didn’t move, trailing Jiang Xianzhi, occasionally glaring at Zhou Yining.

Zhou Yining reached Tian Xue’s table. Tian Xue, seeing Jiang Xianzhi, was surprised for a moment, then said, “I forgot something in class. You guys eat. I’ll come back later.”

“Find it after eating,” Zhou Yining suggested.

“No, you and them eat first.” Tian Xue, head down, hurried off.

Zhou Yining was confused. She knew Tian Xue was shy, but this shy? Couldn’t even eat with others?

Since Tian Xue insisted, Zhou Yining nodded. “Alright, find your stuff and come eat, or the food’ll be gone.”

“I know.” Tian Xue gave Jiang Xianzhi an embarrassed smile, then ran off.

Zhou Yining set her bowl on the table, grabbed a tissue, casually wiped a stool, and smiled familiarly at Jiang Xianzhi. “Sit. You eat first. I’ll get another bowl.”

“Thanks.” Jiang Xianzhi’s ears reddened. Used to being catered to, the rich girl awkwardly thanked Zhou Yining.

She felt Zhou Yining was different from Shi Yuanyuan and them, but couldn’t pinpoint how.

Unable to figure it out, she stopped trying. Looking up, she saw Zhou Yining wiping chopsticks with a napkin and handing them to her.

“Make do with these. I wiped them clean. Eat before it gets soggy. I’ll grab another bowl.” Zhou Yining dove back into the crowd to queue again.

Shi Yuanyuan and Si Yaqing left with dark faces.

“See that Zhou Yining? More attentive than us. We just get food for Jiang Xianzhi—she even wipes stools,” Shi Yuanyuan grumbled, pushing up her glasses.

“I don’t buy it. She can’t handle Jiang Xianzhi’s attitude. Give it a week—she’ll steer clear,” Si Yaqing scoffed.

“I just don’t want anyone else around Jiang Xianzhi.”

“Don’t worry. With Jiang Xianzhi’s rich family, no way she’d be friends with Zhou Yining. Just keep an eye out,” Si Yaqing smiled.

“Yeah, let’s get food and find Jiang Xianzhi.”

They joined the food line.