After Becoming the Abused Heroine in a Campus Story - Chapter 90: 18th Birthday

Chapter 90: 18th Birthday

The morning interview ended quickly, and Zhou Yining went to pick a birthday gift for Jiang Xianzhi.

Zhou Yining chose a gold coiled bracelet and selected a small gold fox as the top bead from the store. After matching them, the gold shop helped thread the rope for free. This bracelet alone cost over twenty thousand, but because of the city and district rewards, Zhou Yining had plenty of money on hand. She simply bought what caught her eye.

Zhou Yining arrived home at noon, just in time for lunch.

The villa’s servants were busy preparing Jiang Xianzhi’s birthday banquet for the day after tomorrow.

When Jiang Xianzhi saw her return, she hurriedly greeted her, “Zhou Zhou, you’re back? How did it go?”

“Everything is done. The process is complete. Now we wait to fill out the application. Of course, I must first celebrate my young lady’s 18th birthday,” Zhou Yining said, winking at Jiang Xianzhi.

Jiang Xianzhi’s ear tips turned slightly red. Although Zhou Yining said nothing specific, she felt extremely shy, sensing hidden meaning in Zhou Zhou’s words.

“You better just be celebrating my birthday,” Jiang Xianzhi said, her face flushed.

Zhou Yining laughed, amused, “Of course, what else do you want me to do?”

“You’re teasing me on purpose! I’m done talking to you,” Jiang Xianzhi huffed, getting up from her arms and heading to the dining room to wait for food.

Zhou Yining followed, careful not to upset the little fox further. This time, she didn’t dare say anything more.

After lunch, Zhou Yining took a shower. She planned to stay home in the afternoon and evening, having nothing else to do, and intended to catch up on sleep.

Jiang Xianzhi nestled in her arms, playing with her phone.

The next morning, Zhao Xiuna and Shining Media received a lawyer’s letter from Zhou Yining’s side. Shining Media wanted to settle the matter by paying directly, but Zhou Yining’s side naturally refused.

Zhao Xiuna was at a loss. Zhou Yuanfei still hadn’t returned. Zhou Jiaming hid in his room, unwilling to go to school. Zhao Xiuna sat alone in the living room, crying. She truly felt the sky had collapsed.

She cried for a while, then, as if making a decision, dialed Zhou Yining’s phone, only to hear the tone indicating the phone was off.

Hearing the busy signal, Zhao Xiuna broke down and cried even harder.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yining slept until past nine. After surviving senior year, sleeping until naturally waking felt truly blissful.

She opened her eyes and saw the young lady leaning in her arms, sleeping even more soundly than her.

Zhou Yining’s eyes curved with a smile. She leaned closer, gazing at Jiang Xianzhi’s sleeping face. Her Zhizhi was getting cuter, and Zhou Yining felt she could barely hold back. Luckily, the little fox would be an adult tomorrow.

When Jiang Xianzhi woke, she found Zhou Yining staring at her. The young lady’s face turned red with shyness, and she buried herself in Zhou Yining’s arms. “Why are you staring at me so early?”

“Can’t I look at my girlfriend?” Zhou Yining lifted her slightly, nuzzling Jiang Xianzhi’s neck and taking a few breaths. She always felt the little fox smelled sweet—not like body wash, but naturally fragrant.

Jiang Xianzhi softened in Zhou Yining’s arms, weakened just by Zhou Yining holding her waist and nuzzling her.

Zhou Yining, afraid of losing control, didn’t dare do more. After holding back so long, a day or two more didn’t matter.

With that thought, she let go of the shy little fox in her arms.

“Alright, I won’t tease you. It’s past nine. Get up,” Zhou Yining said, releasing the hand on Jiang Xianzhi’s lower back and stretching lazily.

Seeing her let go, Jiang Xianzhi’s eyes darted playfully. She reached out, hugged Zhou Yining’s neck, and cooed, “Zhou Zhou, I miss you.”

Jiang Xianzhi’s voice was soft and sweet, making Zhou Yining’s heart feel like a kitten was scratching it.

Zhou Yining gently pushed Jiang Xianzhi. “Be good, I’m really getting up.”

“No, I want you to hold me,” Jiang Xianzhi said, hugging tighter and deliberately rubbing against her.

Zhou Yining’s breath grew unsteady from the rubbing. She looked down at the little fox mischievously teasing her in her arms, her gaze deepening. “Zhizhi, I forgot to remind you. After midnight tonight, you’ll be 18.”

Jiang Xianzhi pretended not to understand. “So what? 18 is 18.”

Zhou Yining’s lips curved slightly. “Fine, you said it. Don’t cry later.”

“Hmph, I won’t,” the young lady declared confidently.

“You better not,” Zhou Yining nodded, pressing Jiang Xianzhi’s lower back to stop her mischief, or she really wouldn’t hold back.

The summer nightgown was thin, and with them pressed together, rubbing like this, it was hard not to feel something. Yet the little fox loved to tease her.

Zhou Yining’s gaze deepened further. Tonight, she’d teach the little fox a lesson.

Pushing the young lady away, Zhou Yining hurriedly got up to wash.

Jiang Xianzhi raised an eyebrow at Zhou Yining, muttering softly, “Such a coward, doesn’t even dare kiss.”

She huffed and rolled on the bed twice before getting up.

By the time Zhou Yining and Jiang Xianzhi got ready and went downstairs, it was past ten. They simply ate lunch too.

At noon, Zhou Yining and Jiang Xianzhi went to the top-floor theater. They picked a movie, eating fruit while watching, but halfway through, Jiang Xianzhi fell asleep in Zhou Yining’s arms.

Zhou Yining settled the young lady on the sofa, covered her with a blanket, and finished watching the movie alone.

In the afternoon, the household servants got busier. Jiang Xianzhi’s dress for tomorrow night was ready, and Zhou Yining’s dress was prepared too.

Liang Jing looked at the two black dresses, very satisfied. “Yining, Zhizhi, try on the dresses for me.”

Zhou Yining pointed at herself. “I have one too?”

Liang Jing smiled. “Hmm, of course. You’re my child too. Whatever Zhizhi has, you’ll have too.”

Liang Jing thought her daughter liked Zhou Yining so much, so as family, they naturally had to treat Zhou Yining well.

After spending time together, Liang Jing knew Zhou Yining was a good kid. As long as they treated her well from the start, Zhou Yining and her Zhizhi likely wouldn’t part. That was nice, like having three daughters by their side.

Zhou Yining and Jiang Xianzhi obediently tried on the dresses. Liang Jing was very pleased with them. “Good, no alterations needed. Tomorrow, the makeup artist can come early to do your makeup.”

High society valued such banquets greatly. Last time, Jiang Xianzhi and Zhou Yining had a falling out, so she spent the banquet crying instead of socializing. This time was different—her Zhou Zhou would be with her.

Liang Jing had the cake prepared in advance to celebrate her daughter’s birthday at midnight.

Jiang Shengde took the latest flight back. He never missed family birthdays.

At midnight, everyone in the dining room said in unison, “Happy birthday!”

Zhou Yining and the others lit the candles, then turned off all the house lights. They gathered around, singing the birthday song for Jiang Xianzhi.

When the song ended, Liang Jing smiled and said, “Zhizhi, happy 18th birthday. Make a wish.”

Jiang Xianzhi nodded, her eyes curving as she looked at her family. Finally, her gaze settled on Zhou Yining. Her ear tips turned slightly red. She clasped her hands, tightly closing her eyes.

A moment later, Jiang Xianzhi opened her eyes. “Alright, I made my wish.”

“Let’s blow out the candles together,” Jiang Shengde said, smiling.

As soon as he spoke, Zhou Yining and the others eagerly blew out the candles. Jiang Yueyi quickly turned on the dining room lights.

Zhou Yining leaned close to Jiang Xianzhi, whispering, “What did you wish for?”

Jiang Xianzhi’s ear tips reddened. She glanced at Zhou Yining, her eyes sparkling. “I won’t tell you, or it won’t come true.”

“Alright, I’ll listen to our Zhizhi,” Zhou Yining said softly.

Jiang Xianzhi looked at Zhou Yining, her eyes curving. She made three wishes: first, for her family’s safety and health; second, for her Zhou Zhou’s path to be smooth; third, for her and Zhou Yining to be together forever.