After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 61: Don't Really Expect Anything from Her in the Future

Chapter 61: Don’t Really Expect Anything from Her in the Future…

“Isn’t it true, you really found a lawyer that quickly?” Guo Ziheng’s hand, holding the lawyer’s letter, was trembling.

Zhou Yining, though in the back row, heard Guo Ziheng’s words clearly since the classroom was quiet, “Yeah, what else? Did you think I was joking?”

“But, but isn’t this too fast?” Li Shangkun wiped a tear and chimed in.

“Efficiency is the key. You two better find lawyers quickly too, or you’ll just be left to take a beating.” Zhou Yining smiled at them and said.

Guo Ziheng and Li Shangkun had no choice. In their current situation, they had no mood to study. They asked for leave from the teacher in charge and went home to discuss with their parents.

Zhou Yining, however, didn’t care at all. She continued writing her outline.

She was quite looking forward to the Provincial Essay Contest on the 25th, as the first prize offered a 50,000 yuan cash reward.

In the following days, Zhang Jianzhong began having the training students write essays as required. The essay contest, unlike the college entrance exam essays, wouldn’t be simple argumentative essays. Instead, it required students to write narrative essays with well-rounded characters and a central theme.

Zhou Yining wrote these effortlessly. Her essays were read aloud by Zhang Jianzhong as model examples in class for several days.

The students in the class gradually forgot about the online forum post. For Zhou Yining, they only felt the pain of being outdone. After all, among the fifty-plus students, only five spots were available, and Zhou Yining was surely taking one, leaving them to compete for the remaining four.

It wasn’t until the fourth day that Guo Ziheng and Li Shangkun returned to the training site, both visibly worn out. Zhou Yining felt quite satisfied with this.

She knew that even with a lawyer, Guo Ziheng and Li Shangkun wouldn’t face severe punishment, but it would annoy them for quite a while. For high school seniors already under pressure, having a legal case would definitely affect their state.

On the morning of the seventh day, Zhang Jianzhong organized an exam. The requirement was for students to write a narrative essay on the theme of homesickness, with a self-chosen title.

Zhou Yining thought briefly and began writing. Sometimes, a vivid essay didn’t mean the writer had experienced those events.

With her writing experience, Zhou Yining easily made the characters in her essay come alive. Plus, her handwriting was already beautiful. An hour later, Zhou Yining was the first to submit her essay.

Everyone waited for the results after submitting their essays, so they could only leave in the afternoon.

Zhou Yining was quite happy, as this meant she could have another lunch here.

Lunch was still buffet-style. Zhou Yining got rice, ribs, cold dishes, and tofu soup.

At 2 p.m., Zhang Jianzhong entered the classroom with the results. His gaze swept over the fifty-plus students before he spoke, “This week, I enjoyed spending time with everyone. Although only five spots are available for the provincial exam, everyone should have gained something over these seven days. Now, I’ll announce the selected students: Zhou Yining, Fu Yuanke…”

Zhang Ye’s name wasn’t on the list. He sat at his desk, looking grim, lost in thought.

Zhou Yining, however, was in a good mood. Securing a spot in the Provincial Essay Contest meant she had a chance at the 50,000 yuan prize.

Zhang Jianzhong gave a few more instructions, and the male teacher in charge came to tell everyone to pack their luggage. A bus would take them back to the city, and after disbanding, they would return home.

Zhou Yining and the others arrived in the city around 4 p.m. After getting off the bus, Zhou Yining took a taxi home, arriving after 5 p.m.

When she opened the door with her key, she saw Zhou Jiaming playing video games in the living room.

Seeing Zhou Yining return, Zhou Jiaming mocked, “Yo, back so pathetically? I heard only five people from your training got selected for the contest. You probably failed, right?”

Zhou Yining’s lips curved slightly, “Zhou Jiaming, has anyone told you that you really act like a rat from a stinking ditch, with a foul and stubborn mouth? You can’t compete in something like this yourself, so you want others to be as pathetic as you. This is what people call incompetent rage.”

“You, you’re the rat, Zhou Yining. Why don’t you just die out there? Don’t you know how happy our family was this week without you at home?” Zhou Jiaming jumped up angrily and said.

Zhou Yining nodded, “How happy you all were is none of my business. Do whatever you want; it has nothing to do with me.”

With that, Zhou Yining pulled her suitcase into the house.

Zhao Xiuna, who was cooking in the kitchen, heard the commotion and rushed out.

“Jiaming, how can you talk like that? Your sister just got back; don’t upset her.”

“Mother, are you all crazy? Just because her grades are good, you’re starting to favor her, right? What’s the use? Zhou Yining is clearly an ungrateful wolf. Everything you do now is a waste.” After saying that, Zhou Jiaming stormed back to his room.

Zhou Yining didn’t care about him. She had already unpacked her luggage and grabbed clothes to take a shower.

Although many things were still undone, Zhou Yining planned to finish her vacation homework in three days.

Seeing her heading to the bathroom, Zhao Xiuna hurriedly said, “Yining, how was the training these past few days? Are you tired?”

“It’s fine, more comfortable than at home.” With that, Zhou Yining smiled at Zhao Xiuna and went into the bathroom.

Zhao Xiuna stood there stunned, sighed, and thought, this daughter is really growing distant from us.

At dinner, Zhou Jiaming, still angry from the afternoon, refused to come out to eat. Zhao Xiuna had no choice but to serve his food and bring it to his room.

In the living room, only Zhou Yining, Zhao Xiuna, and Zhou Yuanfei remained. Zhou Yuanfei looked at Zhou Yining, trying to get closer, “Yining, how did you feel about this training?”

He had bragged to colleagues at his company about his daughter attending the training. Several colleagues’ children were also in high school, so they knew only top essay scorers could participate. He felt proud and boasted for days.

“It was just like that, ordinary training, but the food was good, all buffet.” Zhou Yining replied coldly, clearly uninterested in talking.

“That’s good, that’s good. You must be tired from just getting back. Rest at home for a few days.” Zhou Yuanfei continued.

Zhou Yining rubbed the goosebumps on her arm; she could barely eat.

Ignoring Zhou Yuanfei, Zhou Yining quickly finished her meal and left. Back in her room, she immediately started on her homework.

Every subject had assigned worksheets. Zhou Yining was only glad she didn’t need to flip through books to complete them, or the stack would take weeks.

Her hand was fast, her mind faster. Two hours later, two sets of worksheets were done on the desk. Zhou Yining stood to stretch, then checked her phone and saw a WeChat message from Jiang Xianzhi. She quickly opened it.

Jiang Xianzhi: [Are you home? Tired?]

Zhou Yining: [Got back this afternoon, was doing worksheets, didn’t see it.]

Jiang Xianzhi: [??? Doing worksheets right after getting home?]

Zhou Yining: [Yeah, or I won’t have time. The contest is on the 25th, held in Nanchuan City, but I still need a day. I have to finish all the homework quickly.]

Jiang Xianzhi: [Fine.]

Looking at Zhou Yining’s message on her phone, Jiang Xianzhi pouted. She knew it—her Zhou Zhou was a study brain, diving into work without rest right after getting home.

Jiang Xianzhi lay on her bed, feeling listless, but still sent Zhou Yining another message.

Jiang Xianzhi: [Miss you a bit, what to do? (Crying cat jpg)]

Zhou Yining’s lips curved; she could picture Jiang Xianzhi’s expression.

Zhou Yining: [Then I’ll bring my homework to see you tomorrow? We can do it together? (Doggy cuddle jpg)]

Jiang Xianzhi looked at Zhou Yining’s message, huffed twice, and typed with a pout.

Jiang Xianzhi: [Can you not mention homework? (Crying cat jpg)]

Zhou Yining: [Hahaha, okay, let’s study together!]

Jiang Xianzhi: […]

Zhou Yining: [Kidding, I want to hug you properly. I miss you too. (Doggy pounce jpg)]

Jiang Xianzhi: [That’s more like it. (Proud cat jpg)]

Zhou Yining and Jiang Xianzhi agreed she’d go over the next morning. She sat back down to do homework until nearly 1 a.m. Five densely filled worksheets piled up in front of her before she decided to rest.

Zhou Jiaming came out to use the bathroom and saw Zhou Yining still studying. He looked exasperated, “I’m done. Mom and Dad are asleep, who are you acting like a good student for? You really think pretending will make your grades good?”

Zhou Yining laughed in frustration, “My grades are obviously good. I’m first in our class. What about you?”

“Tch, there’s still a year of high school left. We’ll see. You think you can always be first? Keep dreaming.” With that, Zhou Jiaming ran off, afraid Zhou Yining would say more and he’d lose it again.

Zhou Yining couldn’t be bothered with him. She packed up the five worksheets and got ready to sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhou Yining packed her schoolbag. She wasn’t kidding about going to Jiang Xianzhi’s to do homework—she meant it.

Seeing her about to leave, Zhao Xiuna hurriedly asked, “Yining, where are you going now? Didn’t you just get home yesterday afternoon? Why not stay home a few days?”

“Honestly, there’s no place for me here. Sleeping on that tiny bed at home isn’t as comfortable as the bunk beds at training. I’m off.” With that, Zhou Yining opened the door and left.

Zhao Xiuna sighed, looking at Zhou Yuanfei in the living room, “This child is getting more and more distant from us. Old Zhou, should we get Yining a new bed?”

“A new bed? How? There’s no space at home. She’s a girl, she’ll marry eventually, so we don’t need to keep a place for her. But her attitude toward us is really bad. Don’t really expect anything from her in the future.” Zhou Yuanfei was also worried about this.