After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 45: Study, Study, All You Know Is Study...

Chapter 45: Study, Study, All You Know Is Study…

On Sunday morning, Zhou Yining went to Jiang Xianzhi’s house early as usual. Jiang Xianzhi was already waiting for her in the living room.

When Zhou Yining arrived, only Jiang Xianzhi and a few servants were in the villa. As soon as Jiang Xianzhi saw Zhou Yining, she pulled Zhou Yining back to her room.

Zhou Yining let the young lady arrogantly pull her along. Ever since Zhou Yining celebrated Jiang Xianzhi’s birthday, Zhou Yining felt Jiang Xianzhi became clingier. At school, after dinner every day, Jiang Xianzhi would drag Zhou Yining to the playground for a walk.

As soon as they entered the room, Jiang Xianzhi wrapped her arms around Zhou Yining’s waist and buried herself in Zhou Yining’s arms, acting spoiled.

Zhou Yining gently stroked Jiang Xianzhi’s back and chuckled, “Be good, it’s time to study. Go get your wrong-answer notebook and the notebook I gave you.”

Jiang Xianzhi slightly raised her head, her delicate face showing some annoyance. “You’re so unromantic, all you know is study.”

Zhou Yining, teased, smiled even more. She patted Jiang Xianzhi’s waist. “Yeah, I’m just a ruthless studying machine.”

Jiang Xianzhi reluctantly got up from Zhou Yining, muttering something under her breath, looking unwilling, and took out the notebook and wrong-answer book.

Zhou Yining found her expression amusing and said softly, “Be good, if you want to cuddle, we can do it during the break later.”

Jiang Xianzhi pouted, hummed, and sat at the desk. Zhou Yining, with a smile on her lips, sat down next to her.

“I’ll first go over the knowledge points from last time, then explain the wrong answers, and then we’ll start reviewing new material,” Zhou Yining said.

“Hmm,” Jiang Xianzhi responded, sounding aggrieved.

“You have quite a few wrong answers this time. Let’s go over the knowledge points again,” Zhou Yining added.

Jiang Xianzhi wanted to be close to Zhou Yining, but she didn’t want to disappoint her either. Last week, she was indeed in a bad state, distracted by jealousy over Zhong Yumeng, and didn’t focus on studying. Seeing Zhou Yining a bit disappointed now, Jiang Xianzhi quickly pulled herself together.

“I was in a bad state during my birthday week. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely study hard today,” Jiang Xianzhi hurriedly promised.

Zhou Yining nodded and smiled. “Good, let’s start now. I’ll write down a few formulas to see how well you’ve mastered them.”

With Zhou Yining, the study fanatic, there, the young lady spent the whole morning studying in the study. Even during the one break, Zhou Yining only let her rest for ten minutes, stricter than their homeroom teacher.

By almost noon, the young lady was completely worn out from studying. With a bitter face, she leaned into Zhou Yining’s arms and asked pitifully, “Teacher Zhou, it’s almost 12 o’clock. Shouldn’t we eat now?”

Zhou Yining smiled at her, reached out, and gently tapped Jiang Xianzhi’s nose. “Alright, let’s eat. You worked hard today, Zhizhi, studying so much content. Of course, you still need to finish the problems I assigned you.”

Jiang Xianzhi sniffled and rubbed against Zhou Yining’s shoulder. “Got it.”

“Hmm, let’s go.” Zhou Yining nodded, satisfied, and pulled Jiang Xianzhi downstairs.

Perhaps because she used up too many brain cells in the morning, Jiang Xianzhi’s appetite was much better than usual.

After lunch, Zhou Yining prepared to leave. She planned to take an hour to visit Shi Qian in the hospital. After the incident with Shi Qian jumping off a building, Zhou Yining felt Shi Qian should have calmed down by now.

“It’s almost one. I should get going,” Zhou Yining said.

“Why are you in such a hurry? My villa isn’t far from Zhong Yumeng’s villa; it’s just a ten-minute walk,” Jiang Xianzhi said, holding Zhou Yining’s wrist, clearly not wanting her to leave.

Zhou Yining smiled at her. “I want to visit the hospital to see Shi Qian.”

Hearing this, Jiang Xianzhi nodded but then said, “Then I’ll go with you?”

Zhou Yining shook her head. “I’m involved in Lin Shaohui’s incident, so it’s better if I go alone. Don’t worry, I’ll check on her and then go tutor Zhong Yumeng.”

“Alright then,” Jiang Xianzhi said reluctantly. “Time passes so fast. I feel like I haven’t spent enough time with you, and it’s already gone.” She sighed. The morning was all about studying, and she didn’t even get to act spoiled with Zhou Yining.

“Hmm, take a nap and remember to keep working on the problems,” Zhou Yining reminded her.

Jiang Xianzhi looked at her aggrievedly. “Got it, got it. Study, study, all you know is study.”

Zhou Yining found her adorable and gently pinched Jiang Xianzhi’s cheek. “I really have to go, or I won’t have enough time later.”

“Hmm, be safe on the way,” Jiang Xianzhi said.

“Okay, go rest,” Zhou Yining replied, waving at her, telling Jiang Xianzhi to rest well. Then she left Jiang Xianzhi’s villa.

After leaving the villa district, Zhou Yining took a taxi to Nanchuan City First Hospital. She bought a box of milk at the supermarket by the entrance and carried it to the inpatient building. She had already asked Li Yuting about Shi Qian’s ward number, so she took the elevator straight to the seventh floor.

When she reached ward 729, she saw Shi Qian in a cast, with her mother and father by her side.

Zhou Yining knocked on the door and then entered with the milk. “Hello, Uncle, Auntie, I’m here to see Shi Qian.”

Shi Wanlong stared coldly at Zhou Yining, gritting his teeth to hold back his words. Even now, he still believed Zhou Yining was the main culprit in this matter. If Zhou Yining hadn’t reported it to the police, none of the subsequent events would have happened, he wouldn’t have lost face, and his daughter wouldn’t have jumped off a building.

Shi Wanlong ignored Zhou Yining. Shi Qian’s mother quickly greeted her, “Come in. You’re still a student; you didn’t need to bring anything.”

“It’s just a small gesture, not worth much,” Zhou Yining replied with a smile.

She looked at Shi Qian lying in bed, her back and right thigh fixed with thick casts.

“Are you okay?” Zhou Yining asked.

Shi Qian smiled at Zhou Yining. “Hmm, I’ve had surgery. I’ll need another one in a few days, but it’s not a big deal. My life is saved.”

Then Shi Qian looked at her parents. “Mom, Dad, can you step out? I want to talk to my friend alone.”

Though Shi Wanlong was reluctant, he didn’t dare upset his daughter at this moment, especially since she had even jumped off a building.

After they left the room, Shi Qian smiled and said, “I didn’t expect you to come.”

“Hmm, I was passing by and wanted to check on you. Like I said before, live for yourself and don’t take other things too seriously,” Zhou Yining said.

Shi Qian nodded. “That day, when I sat on the rooftop and jumped, I felt so free, but for a moment, I also felt regret. You’re right—living isn’t for my parents; it’s for myself. This time, I’ll treat it as my rebirth.”

Zhou Yining smiled at her. “It’s good you think that way. Nothing is more important than living. Recover well, and I’ll come back to see you later.”

“Hmm, thank you. Also, I’m sorry for what happened before. I wasn’t as brave as you, but I hope I can be as brave as you in the future,” Shi Qian said.

“There’s nothing to be sorry about. Recover well. I have to go tutor this afternoon, so I’ll leave now,” Zhou Yining replied.

“Hmm,” Shi Qian responded.

After leaving the ward, Zhou Yining greeted Shi Qian’s parents again and then left the hospital. Perhaps people need to go through something to grow up. Zhou Yining felt Shi Qian had matured a lot compared to before.

She took a taxi back to the villa district. It was almost two o’clock, and she had agreed with Zhong Yumeng to be there at two.

After getting out of the taxi, Zhou Yining quickly walked to Zhong Yumeng’s villa and arrived at ten past two.

Zhong Yumeng was already waiting in the study. Seeing Zhou Yining come in, Zhong Yumeng asked, “You went to the hospital?”

“Hmm, I saw she’s recovering well, and her mental state has stabilized a lot,” Zhou Yining replied.

“That’s good. After this, she probably realizes what kind of people her parents are,” Zhong Yumeng said with a sigh.

“Yeah, let’s not talk about her. Let’s start studying. Same routine—first, we’ll go over the wrong answers,” Zhou Yining said with a smile.

“Hmm,” Zhong Yumeng responded, immediately taking out her wrong-answer notebook.

Zhou Yining looked at it carefully and began explaining. “You’ve made a lot of progress since last time, but your accuracy on the last question is still a bit low. Let’s try solving this question in different ways to see if you can get the idea.”

“Hmm,” Zhong Yumeng listened attentively.

The two study fanatics worked until six o’clock. Only when the servant downstairs called them for dinner did Zhou Yining stop.

“It’s six already. I have a meeting at seven, so I won’t eat here today,” Zhou Yining said, as she had arranged to meet the editor of Nightfall to discuss something.

Zhong Yumeng looked at Zhou Yining with a smile. “You tutored Jiang Xianzhi in the morning, me in the afternoon, and you still have time to meet someone else tonight? Impressive, Teacher Zhou, you’re the master of time management.”

She even gave Zhou Yining a thumbs-up.

“Oh, come on, I really have important business to discuss,” Zhou Yining said, shaking her head with a laugh.

“Hmm, hmm, important business. I won’t keep you then,” Zhong Yumeng said, smiling as she got up and went downstairs with Zhou Yining.

“By the way, where are you going? I’ll have the driver take you,” Zhong Yumeng offered.

Zhou Yining glanced at her watch and didn’t refuse. Walking out and taking a taxi would take too long, and since it was about money, she’d rather get there early. “Alright, thanks for the trouble.”

Zhong Yumeng winked at her. “Go on, don’t delay your big business.”

“Hmm, bye, see you later,” Zhou Yining said, waving as she went to find the driver.

Meanwhile, Jiang Xianzhi noticed it was past six, and her mother and sister had returned from the company.

Jiang Xianzhi paced around the living room a few times, hesitating whether to call Zhou Yining and ask her to come over for dinner. After all, Zhong Yumeng’s house was in the villa district, not far from theirs.

After Jiang Xianzhi’s fifth lap, Jiang Yueyi couldn’t hold back and asked, “Zhizhi, what are you pacing around for?”

Jiang Xianzhi’s ears turned slightly red as she hummed. “Hmm, Zhou Zhou is tutoring at Zhong Yumeng’s house this afternoon. I’m thinking about calling her to come over for dinner.”

“If you want to call her, just call. Why are you pacing around hesitating?” Jiang Yueyi said, not understanding why her little sister was acting like a lovestruck girl.

“You’re right. I’ll call her then,” Jiang Xianzhi said, smiling as she called Zhou Yining.

Zhong Yumeng’s driver was driving a minivan today. As soon as Zhou Yining got in, she received a call from the young lady. She answered with a smile, “What’s up? Why the sudden call?”

“Do you want to come over for dinner with me?” Jiang Xianzhi asked in a soft, sweet voice, clearly acting spoiled.

Zhou Yining’s lips curved into a smile as she replied gently, “I have a meeting at seven, so I can’t come. Eat well on your own.”

“Who are you meeting? A guy or a girl?” Jiang Xianzhi asked, biting her lower lip. She was already jealous about Zhou Yining tutoring Zhong Yumeng, and now there was someone else?

“A woman. She’s the editor of a magazine. A few of my short stories got accepted by their magazine, and she wants to meet to discuss long-term collaboration. It’s serious business,” Zhou Yining explained patiently, learning from past mistakes.

Jiang Xianzhi replied listlessly, “Alright then.”

“Hmm, eat well and rest,” Zhou Yining instructed.

After hanging up, Jiang Xianzhi slumped onto the sofa with a long face.

Jiang Yueyi asked, “What’s wrong? Your little friend isn’t coming?”

“Hmm, she’s meeting someone else tonight and doesn’t have time,” Jiang Xianzhi said, sighing as she leaned back on the sofa.

Jiang Yueyi asked curiously, “Are you two that close?”

Jiang Xianzhi nodded. “You wouldn’t understand. We’re not in the same class, so we only get to see each other after dinner. On Sundays, when we finally meet, she makes me study right away. I barely got to talk to her about anything besides studying this morning.”

Jiang Yueyi laughed. “That’s good. Your friend sounds pretty responsible.”

Jiang Xianzhi glared at her sister. Her sister was a workaholic who didn’t need friends, but she did!

Liang Jing came over, smiling. “Yeah, Zhizhi, I haven’t seen you care this much about Shi Yuanyuan or Si Yaqing. Aren’t they your friends too?”

“Friends aren’t all the same. Zhou Zhou is special, different from them,” Jiang Xianzhi retorted.

Liang Jing teased her with a smile. “How’s she different?”

“Oh, I can’t explain it. She’s just different. I’m done talking. I’m going to eat,” Jiang Xianzhi said, heading to the dining room to wait for dinner.

Liang Jing and Jiang Yueyi exchanged a glance and burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yining had arrived at the meeting spot. Wu Xinyu hadn’t arrived yet, so Zhou Yining ordered an iced Americano to drink.

After tutoring intensely all day, she was honestly a bit tired. The iced coffee was just what she needed to perk up.

After waiting a bit, Wu Xinyu arrived.

Zhou Yining greeted her and invited her to sit. She then got a clear look at Wu Xinyu’s appearance. The woman was probably under thirty, dressed sharply, wearing silver-framed glasses, her dark hair tied into a bun—a classic, capable career woman.

“I asked you here to discuss long-term collaboration. Your short stories got great feedback, so we’re considering having you do a long-term serial in our magazine. We can negotiate the rate per thousand words. What do you think?” Wu Xinyu said.

“What about copyright ownership?” Zhou Yining asked, addressing her biggest concern first.

Wu Xinyu hadn’t expected her to ask this. She smiled and said, “The copyright belongs to the author. However, if you publish a book separately, our magazine requires a fifty percent share. For film or other rights, those fully belong to the author.”

Zhou Yining thought the terms were reasonable and asked, “What about the rate per thousand words? How much can you offer?”

“Given the great response to your short stories, we can offer you the highest tier: 200 per thousand words. Can you accept that?” Wu Xinyu asked.

Zhou Yining pursed her lips, thought it over, and decided it was acceptable. After all, she wasn’t famous yet, and expecting to earn as much as she did in her past life wasn’t realistic.

“That works. I’ll send you the outline later. If it’s okay, I’ll start writing. As for the contract…” Zhou Yining said.

“You don’t need to worry about the contract. Signing an electronic version is legally binding,” Wu Xinyu quickly assured.

“Alright, Editor Wu, here’s to a great collaboration,” Zhou Yining said, smiling as she extended her hand.

“Great collaboration,” Wu Xinyu replied, also pleased. The girl across from her hadn’t even graduated high school, but her stories had a unique spark. Wu Xinyu felt she might have struck gold.

“I’ll treat you to this meal. Order whatever you want,” Wu Xinyu offered.

“Thank you, Editor Wu,” Zhou Yining said, not refusing. The place they met at wasn’t cheap, and even with the payment for her two short stories, Zhou Yining only had a little over a thousand yuan on her.