After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 77: Showdown

Chapter 77: Showdown

Jiang Xianzhi saw her mother not letting her go, so she gave up reluctantly. She turned her gaze to Zhou Yining.

Zhou Yining smiled at her reassuringly. “I come back soon, don’t worry,” she says.

Jiang Xianzhi nodded slightly in response. “Hmm,” she said.

After comforting the young lady, Zhou Yining followed Liang Jing. They went to a tea room on the third floor, where Liang Jing had already prepared tea.

“Sit, we chat casually,” Liang Jing said, looking at Zhou Yining.

“Okay,” Zhou Yining replied, noticing Liang Jing didn’t seem like she wanted a casual chat. She sat down obediently anyway.

Liang Jing poured tea for herself and Zhou Yining. She took a sip before speaking. “Yining, are you and Zhizhi dating? You understand my meaning—not as ordinary friends, but you want to be with her kind,” she said.

Zhou Yining looked up at Liang Jing and shook her head. “No, but I indeed like Zhizhi and really want to be with her. But it’s senior year now, and I fear affecting her studies, so I haven’t told her about this,” she said.

Liang Jing didn’t expect Zhou Yining to be so honest, admitting it directly. She thought Zhou Yining would dodge the question.

“You’re so honest, just telling me like that?” Liang Jing asked.

Zhou Yining nodded slightly. “Hmm, I’m serious about Zhizhi, so letting her family know is inevitable. Saying it now is good too,” she said.

“Aren’t you afraid we’ll break you two apart?” Liang Jing asked.

Zhou Yining smiled and shook her head. “I know you care about Zhizhi a lot and probably won’t do that. Even if you did, I’d work harder later to bring Zhizhi back to my side sooner,” she said.

Liang Jing sighed, realizing she underestimated Zhou Yining. This child was mature and calm in handling matters. “Alright, let’s leave it at that for now. We won’t interfere in the future, but not this senior year,” she said.

Zhou Yining nodded in agreement. “Auntie, don’t worry. Zhizhi and I will work hard. We aim to go to a university in Beijing together,” she said.

Liang Jing smiled, reassured, but asked curiously, “What does Zhizhi think of you now? Does she know she likes you?”

Zhou Yining smiled and shook her head. “She probably thinks it’s the kind of liking between friends,” she said.

Liang Jing nodded. “Good, remember our talk today. You two can’t date this senior year. After you graduate high school, it’s your business, and we won’t interfere,” she said.

“Thank you, Auntie,” Zhou Yining said politely, thanking her.

As long as the young lady’s family didn’t object, Zhou Yining felt confident. The young lady would be hers eventually.

Liang Jing was actually quite satisfied with Zhou Yining. Zhou Yining had good grades, treated Zhizhi well, and had cut ties with her own family, so her focus would surely be on Zhizhi. That was enough since their family wasn’t short of money and didn’t need the two to strive too hard.

After they went downstairs, Jiang Xianzhi ran quickly to Zhou Yining’s side. She whispered, “What did my mom say to you? She didn’t make things hard for you, did she?”

Zhou Yining smiled and shook her head. “No, Auntie asked about your study progress this week and told me to supervise your studies well,” she said.

Jiang Xianzhi pouted and muttered softly, “Studies again.”

Zhou Yining smiled, reached out, and patted her lower back. “Come on, let’s go upstairs to do homework,” she said.

“Alright,” Jiang Xianzhi replied listlessly.

They returned to the study room. Zhou Yining took her laptop to write, while Jiang Xianzhi started working on a math test paper. After she finished, Zhou Yining began explaining the problems to her.

When Liang Jing came in to bring them orange juice, she saw several sheets of draft paper filled with formulas on the desk. Zhou Yining was explaining problems to her daughter, who listened attentively.

Liang Jing placed the orange juice down, feeling more at ease. Zhou Yining seemed to care a lot about Zhizhi’s studies, even more than she, the parent, did.

“Yining, Zhizhi, if you get tired later, drink some orange juice before continuing. I left it here for you,” Liang Jing said.

“Hmm, thank you, Auntie,” Zhou Yining said, smiling gratefully.

After Liang Jing left, Zhou Yining continued pushing Jiang Xianzhi to study.

They studied until noon, then went downstairs for lunch. At one-thirty in the afternoon, Zhou Yining prepared to go to Zhong Yumeng’s place. Jiang Xianzhi held her wrist, looking at her reluctantly.

Zhou Yining laughed, amused. “I come back after tutoring her. We go home together later,” she says.

Jiang Xianzhi shook her wrist gently. “Alright, but remember to come back early,” she says.

“Hmm, got it,” Zhou Yining said, smiling and nodding.

She walked quickly toward the villa’s exit. Ten minutes later, Zhou Yining arrived at Zhong Yumeng’s villa, where Zhong Yumeng was already waiting.

With Zhou Yining systematically tutoring her in math for months, Zhong Yumeng felt solving the last two big problems wasn’t as tough as before.

“You’re here?” Zhong Yumeng asked.

“Hmm, how many mistakes this week?” Zhou Yining asked, as usual.

Zhong Yumeng was very organized, always compiling her mistakes in a notebook.

“Not bad, fewer than before, thanks to your math tutoring these past months,” Zhong Yumeng said, smiling.

“Good if it helps,” Zhou Yining said, pulling a chair to sit beside Zhong Yumeng to explain problems.

Zhong Yumeng handed over her mistake notebook. “But next month, you don’t need to tutor me anymore,” she says.

“What’s up? You think your math is fine now?” Zhou Yining asked.

“Not exactly. I’m going for training next month. I’m an art student, and the art exam is coming up in December. I need to train for two months, cramming at the last minute,” Zhong Yumeng explained.

Zhou Yining was surprised. “With your grades, you could get into most top universities through the college entrance exam. You still need the art exam?” she asked.

“Hmm, it’s kind of a hobby. My family started a film company early, and I want to be a star in the future,” Zhong Yumeng explained.

Zhou Yining glanced at Zhong Yumeng’s face, which indeed seemed suited for stardom. “That’s great. With your academic scores, won’t you crush everyone?” she said.

“Hmm, probably close. I hope I can crush others in the art exam too,” Zhong Yumeng said.

Zhou Yining gave her a thumbs-up. “Wish you success. When do you come back?” she asked.

“If everything’s set, probably back around winter break. If I need tutoring then, I contact you,” Zhong Yumeng said.

“Good,” Zhou Yining said, nodding.

They chatted briefly before starting to go over problems. Zhou Yining didn’t return to the Jiang family villa until six in the evening.

Jiang Xianzhi was waiting in the living room. Seeing the little fox seemed impatient, Zhou Yining hurried over, hugged her, and soothed, “Waited long?”

“Not too bad. You guys worked on problems all afternoon?” Jiang Xianzhi hummed, burying herself in Zhou Yining’s arms.

Zhou Yining gently patted her lower back. “Hmm, but she’s going for training next month. For about three months, I don’t need to tutor her math,” she said.

“Really?” Jiang Xianzhi’s eyes lit up at this.

Zhou Yining nodded. “Hmm, really,” she said.

“Great!” Her Zhou Zhou finally didn’t need to spend time with another girl. Jiang Xianzhi happily nuzzled in Zhou Yining’s arms.

When Liang Jing came downstairs and saw them hugging, she coughed lightly, pretending not to notice. “Zhizhi, Yining, eat dinner before you leave,” she said.

“Okay, Auntie,” Zhou Yining said, planning to return to the apartment, which was closer to school.

During dinner, Liang Jing and Jiang Yueyi’s gazes subtly drifted toward Zhou Yining and Jiang Xianzhi. Since Zhou Yining had been open with Liang Jing, Jiang Yueyi also knew she liked her little sister.

Liang Jing saw her daughter sticking close to Zhou Yining, asking if she wanted this or eagerly serving her soup.

Liang Jing sighed. Her daughter didn’t even know she liked Zhou Yining yet, but was already so clingy. What would happen if they got together? But seeing Zhou Yining cared so much for her daughter, Liang Jing felt relieved.

At seven-thirty in the evening, the driver took Zhou Yining and Jiang Xianzhi back to the apartment.

Zhou Yining took out her laptop. She urged, “Zhizhi, go take a shower. You studied all day, so tonight you can relax,” she said.

“Really?” Jiang Xianzhi’s eyes brightened, but then she saw Zhou Yining typing. She looked at Zhou Yining aggrievedly. “What about you? Won’t you spend time with me?” she says.

The little fox stared at Zhou Yining pitifully. Zhou Yining smiled helplessly. “Alright, I won’t write after my shower. I play with you. That’s okay, right?” she says.

“Hmm, hmm,” Jiang Xianzhi said, satisfied with the answer. She grabbed her nightgown and clothes to shower.

When Jiang Xianzhi came out, she saw Zhou Yining still writing. She went to Zhou Yining, hugged her from behind, and whined, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t write?”

Zhou Yining’s hands stiffened slightly on the keyboard. The young lady, fresh from her shower, carried the scent of body wash to Zhou Yining’s nose. Being hugged from behind, she coughed lightly before speaking. “Okay, I stop writing. I go shower now,” she said.

She gently patted Jiang Xianzhi’s hands around her waist.

Seeing Zhou Yining close the laptop, Jiang Xianzhi let go, satisfied.

Zhou Yining went to the bathroom, her tense body relaxing slightly. Being so close to the person she liked every day, yet unable to do anything, was a test for her.

Zhou Yining took a shower to clear her mind, then slowly came out of the bathroom. She saw the young lady already on the bed, waiting for her.

Jiang Xianzhi waved at her. “Why so long? Come here and stay with me,” she says, acting coy.

Seeing Jiang Xianzhi’s playfulness, Zhou Yining’s eyes curved with a smile. “Okay, I’m coming,” she said.

Zhou Yining climbed onto the bed. As soon as she did, Jiang Xianzhi leaned into her arms, sitting in front of Zhou Yining with her back against her. She opened a tower defense game on her tablet and started playing.

Zhou Yining dutifully served as the young lady’s human pillow, her eyes smiling as she watched her play.

Her gaze lingered on Jiang Xianzhi’s profile, tracing from her eyes to the girl’s lips.

The young lady mumbled something unclear, her hands busy on the tablet, looking even cuter.

Zhou Yining stared at her for a while before reluctantly pulling her gaze away. She took a few deep breaths to suppress the fluttering in her heart. The girl she liked was too adorable, but she had to wait over half a year to confess her feelings.