After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 71: Cutting Ties

Chapter 71: Cutting Ties

“Officer, we finished talking, can we leave now?” Zhou Yining asked.

Ji Ying nodded, “Of course, that is your right.”

“Wait, you can’t leave yet. You can go if you want, but we need to check your suitcase. Who knows if you stole anything from the house?” Zhou Yuanfei continued to find fault.

Zhou Yining laughed in anger. She spoke, “Perfect, I had my friend record a video with her phone from the moment I unlocked the door. I can open my suitcase for inspection, but you won’t check it. The officers can check it. Everything inside is my own belongings.”

After Zhou Yining spoke, Jiang Xianzhi handed her phone to Ji Ying. The phone had the entire video. Ji Ying watched it and found no issues, just Zhou Yuanfei deliberately making trouble for Zhou Yining.

“The video shows no problems,” Ji Ying said.

Zhou Yuanfei was not satisfied, “Officer Ji, you can’t favor Zhou Yining like that, can you? That suitcase still needs to be opened and checked.”

Ji Ying looked at Zhou Yining. Zhou Yining nodded, opened the suitcase, and spread out its contents for everyone to see. “Look, inside are just a few sets of my clothes for changing, my textbooks, and nothing else.”

Ji Ying’s gaze turned to Zhou Yuanfei, “Mr. Zhou, are you satisfied now?”

“Wait, you can’t take that computer. I bought it with my hard-earned money,” Zhou Yuanfei sharply spotted the computer bag.

Zhou Yining sneered and said, “Zhou Yuanfei, you have some nerve. I bought this laptop with the six thousand yuan compensation from Tian Xue’s father. I have records on my phone. You dare say you bought it for me? Did you ever give me money?”

“You, I raised you this long, how have I not given you money? Besides, you say you bought it, and that’s it?” Zhou Yuanfei retorted.

Zhou Yining took out her phone, “Officers, look at this. This is the six thousand yuan Tian Xue’s father gave me that day. I deposited it into my card. This is the purchase record for the computer afterward. It has nothing to do with Zhou Yuanfei.”

“Hmm, no problem. You can take your personal belongings,” Ji Ying nodded.

Zhou Yining packed up the opened suitcase. She coldly looked at Zhou Yuanfei, “Zhou Yuanfei, I was going to let it go, but since you want to be so petty, wait a few days for a lawyer’s letter. Parents have a duty to support their minor children. I’m not yet 18. If I take you to court, you’ll have to pay me maintenance every month.”

“You dare,” Zhou Yuanfei said angrily.

Zhou Yining sneered at him, “Why wouldn’t I dare? Citizens can protect their legal rights through legal means.”

Saying that, Zhou Yining glanced at the people behind her, “Let’s go.”

Zhou Yining pulled her suitcase and walked forward. This time, Zhou Yuanfei didn’t dare stop her, but he still stubbornly said, “Don’t come back once you leave, Zhou Yining. Once you step out that door, I won’t care about you anymore.”

“You never cared before,” Zhou Yining said, pulling her suitcase and leaving. Jiang Xianzhi and Chen Yitong followed behind her. Ji Ying and the other three officers left last.

Zhao Xiuna seemed unwilling to give up. She looked at Ji Ying and asked, “Officer, she’s my daughter. Is there really no way?”

Ji Ying shook her head, “Every citizen is free. We are police, but we can’t restrict others’ freedom without permission. That’s it. We’re leaving now.”

Ji Ying said, leading her two colleagues out the door.

After everyone left, Zhou Yuanfei slammed the door shut. He cursed, “Don’t come back after you leave. Even if Zhou Yining kneels and begs me later, I won’t recognize her as my daughter.”

“Exactly, she’s just an ungrateful wolf!” Zhou Jiaming finally dared to say harsh words. Half his face was still swollen.

In the living room, only Zhao Xiuna was still crying. Zhou Yuanfei cursed impatiently, “Cry, cry, cry, all you do is cry and cause trouble. Fine, Zhou Yining’s life or death has nothing to do with us anymore. I’m going to work.”

Saying that, Zhou Yuanfei slammed the door and left.

Zhao Xiuna seemed to realize something. She wiped her tears, took out her phone, and called Tian Xue. The call was quickly answered.

“Auntie, what’s up?” Tian Xue’s voice sounded normal.

“Tian Xue, why did you harm me like this? My daughter cut ties with us. Why did you harm me?” Zhao Xiuna asked.

Tian Xue laughed, “Auntie, you’re joking. I just chatted with you casually. Who told you to believe it without asking Zhou Yining? Haha, it’s your own stupidity.”

“Tian Xue, you’re so young, how can you be so vicious?” Zhao Xiuna questioned loudly.

“I’m vicious? I’m not as vicious as Zhou Yining. Do you know I’m supposed to be in my senior year? Because of your daughter, I dropped out. My dad doesn’t care about me anymore. Zhou Yining deserves it, and so do you. I’m telling you, if I’m not doing well, none of you will either!” Tian Xue hung up after speaking.

Zhao Xiuna sat frozen on the sofa, full of regret.

Seeing she hadn’t cooked, Zhou Jiaming said, “Mom, if you’re not cooking, I’ll eat out.”

Zhao Xiuna had no mood to cook. She lacked the energy to speak. She nodded lightly to Zhou Jiaming without saying anything.

After Zhou Yining left, Jiang Xianzhi spoke, “Zhou Zhou, just come live at my place. We can always be together.”

Before Zhou Yining could reply, Chen Yitong said, “Come stay with me. Jiang has family at home, so it might not be convenient for you to stay long-term. I’m alone at my place, so you can keep me company.”

Zhou Yining shook her head, “Thank you, Teacher, but I’ll stay at Zhizhi’s place for a few days. Once the essay contest prize money comes in, I’ll rent a place outside. Don’t worry too much about me.”

“Yeah, Teacher Chen, Zhou Zhou and I are good friends. She stayed at my place during the holidays, and my family knows her well. You can rest assured. I’ll take good care of her,” Jiang Xianzhi quickly added.

“You really won’t come with me?” Chen Yitong asked Zhou Yining.

Zhou Yining nodded, “Hmm, I’ve already troubled you enough. I’ll stay with Zhizhi for a few days.”

“Fine, call me if anything happens. It’s getting late, so let’s eat first. My treat, no arguing,” Chen Yitong said with a smile.

“Okay, thank you, Teacher,” Zhou Yining said, smiling.

Zhou Yining and the others got into Jiang Xianzhi’s family car. Chen Yitong gave the driver an address to head to.

After all this, it was already 1:30. They needed to eat quickly and get to school. Zhou Yining’s luggage could stay in the car’s trunk for now.

Chen Yitong called the restaurant from the car, asking them to prepare in advance so food could be served as soon as they arrived.

Ten minutes later, Zhou Yining and the others got out of the car. Chen Yitong chose a mid-range restaurant near the school. The restaurant was new, and the food tasted great.

The three went to a private room on the second floor. As soon as they sat down, the waiters began serving dishes one after another.

Chen Yitong smiled at the two, “Eat up. Yining escaping that kind of family is something to be happy about. If we didn’t have class this afternoon, I’d want to order a bottle of red wine to celebrate.”

Zhou Yining laughed, “It is worth celebrating.”

“Hmm,” Jiang Xianzhi nodded. After thinking, she added, “Zhou Zhou, were you serious about suing them for maintenance? If so, I’ll have my sister arrange a lawyer.”

Though Jiang Xianzhi disliked Zhou Yining’s parents and brother, they were still her family. She needed to ask Zhou Yining’s opinion.

Zhou Yining nodded, “Yes, that family likes to pick on the weak. If I show them any kindness, they’ll walk all over me. I need to show them I’m not to be messed with.”

“Well said!” Jiang Xianzhi wanted to clap. “When we get home tonight, I’ll have my sister arrange a lawyer.”

Chen Yitong looked at Zhou Yining’s expression, still somewhat worried. Such a young child, not yet an adult, had faced school bullying, betrayal by a friend, and harm from her original family, forcing her to leave home.

“Yining, are you really okay? How about skipping school this afternoon? I’ll take you to a therapist to help you process your emotions. I’m worried you’re holding too much in, and you might break down,” Chen Yitong said after thinking.

“Yeah, Zhou Zhou, maybe go to the hospital to relax a bit,” Jiang Xianzhi said, looking at Zhou Yining with concern.

Zhou Yining smiled and shook her head, “I’m really fine. You don’t know how relieved I feel now. Leaving that house lifted my mood several degrees. I’m okay, don’t worry.”

“Alright then,” Chen Yitong let it go.

After eating, they hurried back to school. When Zhou Yining entered the classroom that afternoon, the room went quiet for a moment. Many eyes fell on her.

Everyone was curious about what happened at noon, but no one dared ask since it was Zhou Yining’s private matter.

Finally, Yu Yang came over and quietly asked, “Sister Zhou, are you okay?”

Zhou Yining shook her head, “I’m fine. It’s all settled.”

“Oh, good, as long as it’s settled,” Yu Yang said, not asking more since she didn’t say much. He just told everyone it was resolved.

Near the end of the school day, Jiang Xianzhi texted Zhou Yining, saying she was waiting at the teaching building’s entrance.

Zhou Yining soon came downstairs and spotted Jiang Xianzhi right away.

Jiang Xianzhi waved at her, “Zhou Zhou, over here.”

“Hmm, I see you,” Zhou Yining smiled, jogging to Jiang Xianzhi’s side.

The two walked out of the school together. Zhang Ye followed them at some point.

He hesitated before saying, “That love letter, it was from Tian Xue, right?”

Zhou Yining nodded, “Hmm, I’m not crazy. I wouldn’t post that stuff online. But this did affect you, so I apologize again. It won’t happen again, and I don’t like you anymore, so you can rest assured.”

Zhang Ye opened his mouth but couldn’t speak for a while. He used to think being liked by a girl like Zhou Yining was gross, so why did he now feel reluctant? She really didn’t like him anymore?

After Zhou Yining apologized, Zhang Ye didn’t speak. She ignored him, grabbed Jiang Xianzhi, and quickly left.

Hearing Zhou Yining clearly say she didn’t like Zhang Ye, Jiang Xianzhi felt great. She practically skipped as they walked.