After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 76: So Protective?

Chapter 76: So Protective?

The morning passed with the senior students distracted, mainly because the playground outside echoed with drumbeats and cheers, making their hearts itch with excitement.

Finally, the afternoon school session arrived, and the senior classes lined up and took their seats in the bleachers on the playground.

The host at the podium announced which event started first, calling participants to prepare.

Zhou Yining and Yu Yang sat in the bleachers, resting and watching the games. High jump and long jump held little interest, so they focused on the running events.

Soon, the host announced the names of the male and female 100-meter race participants. Zhou Yining walked down from the bleachers.

Jiang Xianzhi hurried down too, joining some girls from their class inside the playground to cheer.

Zhou Yining received her number tag. A girl in charge pinned the tags onto their clothes, and the races began in groups.

Zhou Yining stretched her arms and legs nearby. Jiang Xianzhi saw her and ran over.

“I’ll wait for you at the finish line, Zhou Zhou. Do you want water or a drink? We have both ready,” Jiang Xianzhi asked Zhou Yining.

“Water’s fine. Came down just for me?” Zhou Yining asked with a smile.

“Of course! Who else would I watch? The girls’ race is still a bit away. I’ll stay with you here for a while.”

“Hmm.” Zhou Yining nodded. They stood together, sticky and close, waiting with others for the 50-meter race to finish.

Soon, the boys’ 100-meter race began. The first group lined up, and when the starting gun fired, everyone sprinted out.

The 100-meter race ended quickly. The top three in each group advanced, while others returned to class.

Zhang Ye took first in the boys’ group. After finishing, he walked slowly back to the starting point. Seeing Jiang Xianzhi and Zhou Yining, his eyes lit up.

He knew Jiang Xianzhi and Zhou Yining had some interest in him—why else would they wait at the starting point?

Zhang Ye walked over, glanced at the purified water in Jiang Xianzhi’s hand, and reached out. “Give it to me.”

Jiang Xianzhi looked confused and even stepped back with Zhou Yining. “Are you okay? There’s plenty of water and drinks over there. Go get your own.”

Zhang Ye’s outstretched hand froze. Retracting it would make him lose face, especially since the bleachers had a clear view of the playground.

He lowered his voice. “Didn’t you come to bring me water?”

Zhou Yining burst out laughing beside him. She grabbed Jiang Xianzhi’s wrist and mocked Zhang Ye. “You’re still so ordinary yet confident. I’m impressed.”

“No, come on, give it to me. My hand’s already out,” Zhang Ye said, sweating anxiously.

Jiang Xianzhi frowned. “You can pull your hand back. This is for Zhou Zhou, not you.”

Zhang Ye had no choice but to withdraw his hand, humiliated, and grabbed a bottle of water himself before slinking off.

Nearly twenty minutes later, the boys’ 100-meter races finished.

Zhou Yining prepared to hit the track. Jiang Xianzhi felt more excited than her. “I’ll wait at the finish line. When you cross, I’ll be the first you see.”

Zhou Yining shook her head with a smile. Such a kid, so invested in the sports meet.

Still, she smiled back. “Okay.”

As soon as she spoke, Jiang Xianzhi joined some girls from their class at the finish line. Shi Yuanyuan and Si Yaqing came over too, joining Jiang Xianzhi to wait.

Zhou Yining got ready. Every class had athletes, so she held no high hopes, having signed up casually.

The starting gun fired. Zhou Yining sprinted out. Her group had only two athletes. She crossed the finish line in third, qualifying for the final round.

At the finish line, Jiang Xianzhi ran to meet her.

Jiang Xianzhi wiped Zhou Yining’s sweat with a tissue and asked, “How was it? Tired?”

Zhou Yining laughed, amused. It was just 100 meters—she barely sweated. “Not tired. Let’s walk back to the start. I’ve got another round soon.”

“Then wait to drink water. They say you shouldn’t drink right after intense exercise,” Jiang Xianzhi said.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you.” Zhou Yining returned to the starting point, waiting for the second group’s race to end. The qualifiers lined up on the track again.

This time, Zhou Yining wasn’t as lucky. Four of the six in her group were athletes. She finished fifth.

Jiang Xianzhi waited as usual, jogging over to give Zhou Yining water and wipe her sweat.

Shi Yuanyuan and Si Yaqing couldn’t bear to watch. Were couples this blatant now?

After the races, all students groaned and returned to class for self-study. The first self-study period belonged to Chen Yitong.

Chen Yitong saw the distracted students and sounded a warning. “This is your last activity this senior year. Focus now. Next June is the college entrance exam. If you don’t study hard, it’ll be too late. Stop thinking about the races and do your papers.”

Her words sparked groans across the class, but she ignored them. Without a lecture, no one would focus during evening self-study.

After school, Zhou Yining grabbed only a few A4 papers. Xu Yueming looked at her enviously.

“Why don’t you even carry a backpack and still get first place?”

“Do you need to ask? The knowledge is all in my head,” Zhou Yining said proudly. For the upcoming midterm, she’d show everyone her true strength. In past exams, she intentionally tanked English, but otherwise, she was confident the top spot in humanities would be hers.

Zhou Yining walked to the school building’s entrance. Jiang Xianzhi waited there already.

Zhou Yining reached out, took Jiang Xianzhi’s backpack, and slung it over her shoulder.

Jiang Xianzhi looked at her with smiling eyes. “Oh, my mom said we should go back tomorrow. It’s been a week since I went home. They probably miss me.”

Zhou Yining nodded. “Okay, but we’ll need to bring homework. I can tutor Zhong Yumeng in the afternoon.”

Hearing Zhong Yumeng’s name, Jiang Xianzhi pouted. She got annoyed thinking about it. If Zhou Zhou didn’t owe Zhong Yumeng a favor, she wouldn’t have to tutor her every week. That time could be spent with her instead.

Seeing Jiang Xianzhi’s mood dip, Zhou Yining quickly pulled her close. “Let’s go home.”

“Hmm.” Jiang Xianzhi replied softly, following her obediently to the school gate.

The school gate buzzed with activity, with vendors selling snacks and skewers.

Seeing the little fox still seemed down, Zhou Yining asked, “Want some grilled cold noodles? The stall over there sells them.”

Jiang Xianzhi knew the stall’s snacks were popular but had never tried them. The rich girl, curious about cheap snacks, asked, “Are they good?”

“Not bad. I’m a bit hungry. Come on, let’s get two portions.” Zhou Yining said, leading Jiang Xianzhi by the hand.

Before reaching the stall, Zhou Yining stopped. “Wait here. The snacks are made fresh, and standing there might get the smell on you. I’ll go buy them.”

Jiang Xianzhi’s lips curved up uncontrollably. She knew Zhou Zhou treated her best. “Hmm, I’ll wait here.”

Zhou Yining went to the stall and ordered two portions of grilled cold noodles. Four orders were ahead, so she waited.

In those few minutes, several couples arrived. Some boys were considerate, having their girlfriends wait at a distance while they bought the food.

Jiang Xianzhi watched, feeling something odd, but her Zhou Zhou pampered her so much.

About ten minutes later, Zhou Yining returned with the packed grilled cold noodles. “Let’s go home quick, or they’ll stick together and won’t taste good.”

“Hmm.”

Their apartment was close to the school gate. When they got home, the noodles were still hot. Zhou Yining placed both portions on the table. “Come eat first, or they won’t taste good later.”

“Okay, coming.” Jiang Xianzhi washed her hands and hurried over.

She picked up a piece of cold noodle with a bamboo skewer, tasted it cautiously, and her eyes lit up. These street snacks were indeed tasty. She’d never tried this before.

“Delicious.”

“If it’s good, eat more. These snacks are nice once in a while,” Zhou Yining said, eating her own portion.

After the late-night snack, Zhou Yining worked on her drafts, while Jiang Xianzhi did homework. They worked quietly, not disturbing each other, until 11 p.m. Zhou Yining urged Jiang Xianzhi to shower first.

After Jiang Xianzhi finished, Zhou Yining showered. It was nearly midnight when she came out.

Seeing Zhou Yining climb into bed, Jiang Xianzhi sleepily snuggled into her arms. “The driver’s coming at 8 a.m. to pick us up.”

“Okay, I’ll set an alarm for 7 a.m. to get up early.”

“Hmm.” Jiang Xianzhi said, rubbing against Zhou Yining’s chest and closing her eyes.

The next morning, Zhou Yining carried Jiang Xianzhi’s backpack downstairs. They ate breakfast downstairs, and Jiang Xianzhi’s driver arrived. They got in the car and went straight to Jiang Xianzhi’s house.

When Liang Jing saw Zhou Yining, her expression was hard to describe. She hadn’t expected her daughter to be whisked away already, and by another girl.

Seeing Liang Jing pinch her forehead, Jiang Xianzhi asked, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

Liang Jing forced a smile. “Nothing, you heartless girl. You haven’t been home in a week. I missed you a bit.”

“I missed you and Sister too,” Jiang Xianzhi said sweetly.

“Hmph, you better.” Liang Jing smiled, glancing at her daughter before turning to Zhou Yining.

“Yining, come with me. I have a few words to say to you alone,” Liang Jing said with a smile.

Meeting Liang Jing’s gaze, Zhou Yining sensed she knew something. But she wasn’t afraid. Her feelings for Zhizhi would eventually be known to Zhizhi’s family.

“Mom, why are you calling Zhou Zhou? I’m coming too.”

Liang Jing sighed, exasperated with her daughter. So protective?

“Relax, it’s not a big deal. I won’t eat your Zhou Zhou. Stay with your sister for now.”