After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 72: Moving

Chapter 72: Moving

Jiang Xianzhi already told her parents about Zhou Yining’s situation, so Liang Jing and Jiang Yueyi were not surprised when the two returned.

“Yining, you can live here with peace of mind. The house has plenty of space, so stay as you like. I already had someone prepare a room for you, right next to Zhizhi’s room,” Liang Jing said with a smile.

“Thank you, Aunt. Sorry for the trouble,” Zhou Yining replied politely.

“No trouble, no trouble. Go put your luggage away and settle in. Zhizhi, you go with Yining,” Liang Jing said with a smile.

“Hmm, Mother, don’t worry. I’ll take care of Zhou Zhou from now on,” Jiang Xianzhi said, her face full of smiles. She was thrilled that Zhou Yining came to live with her.

“Come on, let’s go put your luggage away,” Jiang Xianzhi said, pulling Zhou Yining upstairs.

Zhou Yining opened the door to the room next to Jiang Xianzhi’s. Everything in the room was fully prepared, so she didn’t need to get anything else.

“Zhou Zhou, check if anything is missing. I can have someone buy it tomorrow,” Jiang Xianzhi asked.

“No need. It’s already great,” Zhou Yining said, letting go of her suitcase. She pulled Jiang Xianzhi into a hug. “Good thing you’re here, or I’d have to stay in a hotel these past few days.”

“No way I’d let you stay in a hotel. Wherever I am, you’re with me,” Jiang Xianzhi said, humming and nuzzling in Zhou Yining’s arms.

Zhou Yining patted her lower back. “Alright, I need to unpack my stuff. You should go tidy up too. It’s almost ten o’clock.”

“Hmm, I’ll go take a shower and come back to find you later,” Jiang Xianzhi said.

“Okay,” Zhou Yining said, starting to unpack her suitcase.

Jiang Xianzhi took a shower, changed into a nightgown, and before going to Zhou Yining, she went to Jiang Yueyi. She asked Jiang Yueyi to find a lawyer to help Zhou Yining sue her parents. After discussing this, Jiang Xianzhi planned to leave Jiang Yueyi’s room.

As she was leaving, Jiang Yueyi said, “I feel like you’re pretty happy that Zhou Yining cut ties with her family.”

“Of course. Zhou Zhou’s family are all wolves, and she’s just a little lamb. Now that the little lamb escaped from the wolf’s mouth, I’m happy for her,” Jiang Xianzhi said seriously.

“I feel like there’s another reason,” Jiang Yueyi said, eyeing Jiang Xianzhi.

“What reason?” Jiang Xianzhi asked.

Jiang Yueyi pursed her lips and shook her head. “Hard to say. Forget it. Go back. It’s late, and you have school tomorrow.”

“Hmm,” Jiang Xianzhi replied, leaving in a great mood.

When she got to Zhou Yining’s room, Zhou Yining wasn’t there. The sound of water came from the bathroom, so Jiang Xianzhi figured Zhou Yining was taking a shower.

She lay on the big bed. The mattress was the same as in her room, soft and comfortable, sinking under her weight.

Jiang Xianzhi stayed on the bed, pulled up the blanket, and waited for Zhou Yining. Since Zhou Zhou was living at her house, she naturally wanted to sleep with her.

When Zhou Yining came out of the bathroom, she saw Jiang Xianzhi already lying on the bed. She laughed. “Sleeping together?”

Jiang Xianzhi nodded quickly. “Hmm, definitely.”

“Okay, let’s sleep together,” Zhou Yining said, unbothered. She got into bed. It was almost eleven o’clock.

As soon as Zhou Yining got in, Jiang Xianzhi rolled into her arms. Zhou Yining held her, her eyes curving with a smile. The little fox was still so cute.

Jiang Xianzhi nuzzled her neck and said, “Zhou Zhou, turn off the main light.”

“Okay,” Zhou Yining said, one arm around Jiang Xianzhi, the other turning off the light. Only the bedside lamp remained.

Zhou Yining seemed to remember something and asked, “By the way, did you finish your homework?”

Jiang Xianzhi sighed in Zhou Yining’s arms, pinching the soft flesh at Zhou Yining’s waist. Zhou Yining gasped. “What are you doing?”

“Hmph, always talking about studying, always saying mood-killing stuff. I finished my homework ages ago,” Jiang Xianzhi grumbled.

Zhou Yining laughed and pulled her closer. “Alright, alright, I asked too much. Let’s sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow.”

“Hmm,” Jiang Xianzhi said, adjusting her position. She nestled obediently in Zhou Yining’s arms, not moving.

Zhou Yining turned off the bedside lamp and set the alarm.

For the next few days, she and Jiang Xianzhi went to school together. After a few days, Shi Yuanyuan and Si Yaqing noticed something was off.

After dinner one evening, Shi Yuanyuan asked tentatively, “Zhizhi, are you and Zhou Yining living together?”

Jiang Xianzhi, mid-sip of water, choked at the words. She coughed several times before recovering. “What living together?”

“We saw you two going to and from school together these past few days,” Shi Yuanyuan said.

“Yeah, she’s living at my house now. But ‘living together’ sounds weird. Isn’t that a term for couples?” Jiang Xianzhi asked, confused.

Shi Yuanyuan pursed her lips, mentally rolling her eyes at Jiang Xianzhi a hundred times. They were so clingy—who would believe they weren’t a couple?

“Fine,” Shi Yuanyuan muttered.

On Friday, Zhou Yining received a 50,000 yuan prize from the Provincial Essay Contest. She didn’t have time to look for a house, so she arranged with an agent to check places on Sunday.

After getting the money, Zhou Yining went to Chen Yitong. Her case with Lin Shaohui was still in progress, but the money was enough to cover Chen Yitong’s lawyer fees.

After finishing her run, Zhou Yining went to the teacher’s office to find Chen Yitong.

Chen Yitong saw her and asked, “What’s up?”

“Hmm, Teacher, I have the money for the lawyer fees. I want to pay you now,” Zhou Yining said.

“Did you get the prize money from the essay contest?” Chen Yitong asked.

Zhou Yining nodded. “Hmm, it came in this morning.”

“No rush for the lawyer fees. You can pay me back when you’re older. You need that 50,000 for school and living. Now that you left home, you’ll need money for a lot of things,” Chen Yitong said.

“Teacher Chen, don’t worry. Besides the 50,000, I have other money. You don’t need to worry about my finances. I don’t like owing people. If you don’t take it, I’ll feel uneasy,” Zhou Yining said honestly. She planned to pay Chen Yitong first, then save up from her writing fees to repay Jiang Xianzhi.

“Where does a student like you get other money? You’re in your final year of high school. No more part-time jobs. They’re too tiring,” Chen Yitong said.

“Teacher, really, I’m fine. Just take the money, or I won’t sleep well at night,” Zhou Yining continued.

Chen Yitong saw her insistence and compromised. “Fine, give me 2,000.”

“Teacher! I’m not a kid. A case this long can’t be that cheap. I bet it’s closer to 20,000,” Zhou Yining guessed.

Chen Yitong pressed her lips together. Zhou Yining’s guess was pretty close, but Chen Yitong used her company’s lawyer, so it barely cost anything. “Not that much. Let’s say 5,000.”

“Teacher, I checked online for similar cases. I sent you 20,000 via WeChat. Please accept it,” Zhou Yining said, transferring the money.

Chen Yitong looked at the transfer and sighed. “Are you sure you have enough money?”

Zhou Yining nodded. “Hmm, don’t worry, Teacher. I have enough. Please accept it.”

Seeing Zhou Yining’s determination, Chen Yitong accepted the payment.

“Done. Happy now?” Chen Yitong said with a helpless smile.

Zhou Yining nodded. “Thank you, Teacher. I’ll head back to class.”

“Hmm, go,” Chen Yitong said, watching Zhou Yining leave. She sighed in relief. She had been worried about Zhou Yining, fearing she might take things hard. But it seemed Zhou Yining had no attachment to her family, which was probably for the best.

~~

On Sunday morning, Zhou Yining and the agent looked at several apartments. She chose an elevator apartment near Nanchuan City No. 1 High School. It was small, just over 30 square meters, but newly renovated, perfect for moving in. Zhou Yining decided on it. The rent was 900 yuan a month. She paid a year’s rent upfront, plus a 2,000 yuan deposit and a 1,000 yuan agency fee.

In one go, Zhou Yining spent 13,800 yuan. With the 20,000 yuan to Chen Yitong, her 50,000 yuan was down to just over 16,000. She had about 3,000 more from previous compensation and writing fees, leaving her with roughly 20,000 yuan.

It wasn’t enough, especially since she still owed Jiang Xianzhi for lawyer fees, but Zhou Yining felt relieved.

After getting the keys, she reset the electronic lock’s password and left.

Zhou Yining ate lunch, then went to tutor Zhong Yumeng in math in the afternoon. She didn’t return to Jiang Xianzhi’s house to pack until after dinner.

As Zhou Yining packed, Jiang Xianzhi watched her pitifully. “You really rented a place?”

“Hmm, I did. If you don’t want to go home tomorrow at noon, you can come to my place. The apartment is right by the school,” Zhou Yining said, packing with a smile.

“Fine,” Jiang Xianzhi said. Seeing Zhou Yining’s determination, she didn’t argue, but when Zhou Yining left, Jiang Xianzhi insisted the driver take her.

Zhou Yining, dragging her suitcase, didn’t refuse.

After arriving, she unpacked her luggage, then went downstairs to buy daily necessities.

There was a supermarket near the school, open until nine. Zhou Yining shopped for a toothbrush, towel, slippers, bedding, and more, filling a cart.

Back home, she organized everything from eight to ten. After a shower, Zhou Yining opened her laptop to write, working until midnight before going to bed.

Lying down, she felt light. Staying at Jiang Xianzhi’s was nice, but nothing beat her own space. Zhou Yining felt this was her happiest day since arriving here.

She had dealt with most of her troubles, escaped her toxic family, and now had a new place. Next, she could focus on making money in her little home. With that thought, Zhou Yining closed her eyes, drifting into sleep.