All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 37

The room was quiet, only the sound of Zhou Xi slurping noodles and the wind and snow battering the window frame outside.

The howling wind slammed against the window, muffled by the glass, which had a layer of ice. Zhou Xi glanced at it and drew the curtain.

She tossed her empty bowl and chopsticks into the sink, too lazy to wash them, then crossed her arms and looked at Beixia.

“Kid,” Zhou Xi called, “something’s off with you. Do you know me? You just followed me?”

Was the female lead this naive? Even three-year-olds are taught not to go with strangers. First meeting, and even if she was desperate, shouldn’t she be cautious? So easily lured?

Beixia, at the table, glanced up at Zhou Xi, then lowered her head, staying silent unless necessary.

If Zhou Xi hadn’t clearly heard her say “okay” earlier, she might’ve thought this was a mute female lead.

Thinking of Beixia’s backstory, Zhou Xi scratched her chin helplessly.

Trauma changes people. Losing both parents overnight, displaced, living with relatives—no wonder she wasn’t cheerful.

Fine, if she didn’t like talking, so be it, as long as she understood Zhou Xi.

Zhou Xi had low expectations for the female lead. A nurturing task was just raising a kid, right? Harder than other tasks? Impossible, absolutely impossible. Zhou Xi was confident she’d get an A-grade evaluation.

She said to Beixia, “You might find it odd, but I’m your relative. I’m Zhou Xi, your distant cousin, very distant. Not sure if your mom mentioned me.”

Beixia slowly looked up, lips pale, dazed from the start. Even hearing Zhou Xi was family, she showed no reaction.

Zhou Xi, helpless, scratched her chin, “Here’s the thing. Your mom helped me once. I heard about you, and I should’ve come sooner—my fault. But I want to take care of you. Will you live with me?”

This identity was a girl adopted by Beixia’s mother’s cousin, barely known, so Zhou Xi didn’t expect Beixia to recall her, just using it to get close.

Female lead Beixia, a campus novel heroine.

Meant to be a genius, crushing others with her intellect, but after her parents’ death, relatives bickered. She was supposed to be adopted by foster parents before adulthood, but something went wrong, and they hadn’t shown. So Zhou Xi stepped in to care for her temporarily.

Beixia’s dark eyes quietly met Zhou Xi’s. She spoke slowly, voice low.

“What’s your name?”

“Zhou Xi.”

Beixia lowered her eyes, eyes reddening, holding back tears. In her memory, her mother received a package full of treats, sharing one with Beixia. When Beixia pestered about the sender, her mother smiled, pinched her nose, and said, “A big sister, Zhou Xi, very impressive~”

She’d overheard her parents discuss it.

Father: “That kid’s filial. You helped her once, and she remembers us monthly.”

Mother: “Shows she’s good. I saw that poor girl back then. They adopted her, then wanted to abandon her. Who could stand that? Just a girl, how much could she eat?”

Beixia couldn’t hold back. Thinking of her parents, her tears overflowed.

Zhou Xi watched big tears fall from Beixia’s eyes, like pearls, plopping onto her cotton pajamas. Flustered, she searched for tissues, found none, and wiped Beixia’s face with her sleeve.

Her sleeve’s button scratched Beixia’s face, stinging. Beixia stopped crying.

The button hit her nose, making it sorer, and another big tear fell. Beixia grabbed Zhou Xi’s wrist, voice hoarse, “Stop wiping.”

Zhou Xi sighed in relief.

She was fine with most things, just couldn’t handle tears.

Beixia’s backstory was tragic. Crying, eyes red, lips pursed to hold back tears, she broke Zhou Xi’s heart.

Carefully, like handling fragile glass, Zhou Xi softened, “Want to live with me? You might not be used to it, but I’ll take care of you…”

Beixia cut her off, asking three questions, “Is there a bedroom for me? Will you feed me? Can you afford to care for me?”

Zhou Xi was thrilled—Beixia was easy to win over. Squatting by her chair, holding her hand, she said, “There’s a bedroom, prepared before I found you. Food? You just ate. Money? Don’t worry, I’ll earn.”

Worst case, there was the system store. One point could exchange for so much money—could she not support a kid? Zhou Xi was confident.

Suddenly, a system prompt sounded.

System: “This world prohibits using the system store.”

Zhou Xi froze.

She knew it wouldn’t be easy! The trap was waiting!

“What’s wrong?” Beixia looked at Zhou Xi, who’d buried her head in her hands. Zhou Xi looked up, eyes teary, “I’m just so moved you’ll live with me.”

Beixia, still a child, hadn’t expected anyone to care about her feelings. She shyly lowered her head, voice dim, “If you’re willing, I’m fine with it.”

She was homeless…

Zhou Xi sighed, reading her. She stood, ruffling Beixia’s hair.

“It’s late. Sleep. I’ll show you your bedroom.”

Beixia stood at the door, heart pounding.

Since her parents’ death, she’d met many fake, polite people.

They told her to come if she needed help, but when her uncle called to send her over, no one offered a place. She ended up at her uncle’s, a burden.

Her aunt’s disdain, her uncle’s resignation, her cousin’s mockery—calling her a hermit crab stealing his things…

Beixia scanned the room. Neat bed, pink wallpaper, a large bedroom with a big desk, a huge wardrobe, and a giant teddy bear on the bed.

Beixia was past liking pink and stuffed toys, but she saw Zhou Xi’s sincerity.

Her throat felt blocked, like a deflated balloon. She exhaled, whispering, “Thank you.”

Zhou Xi patted her head.

The 17-year-old was scrawny, as tall as Zhou Xi, with a sharp chin and big eyes. Her lively age had turned heavy.

Beixia habitually hunched, as if it gave her security.

Zhou Xi patted her back, joking, “Stand straight, or you’ll get a hump. Want to be a turtle?”

Beixia froze. Her mother said that too.

Nagging during homework to sit straight, not hunch, keep good habits…

For a moment, Zhou Xi’s figure merged with her mother’s. Beixia’s eyes stung. She turned, sniffing, “I know.”

Zhou Xi pretended not to notice.

Opening the wardrobe, full of clothes, she said shyly, “First meeting, I didn’t know your taste. The room and clothes are my style. Tell me what you like, we can buy new ones. The desk drawer has notebooks and pens. Check if they work. Anything else…” Zhou Xi forgot, smiling at Beixia, “Good night.”

She left, giving Beixia space, closing the door with a grin, “The bear’s Gina. Share your worries with it—it keeps secrets.”

So childish. Beixia hadn’t done that since she was three.

Yet she stepped forward, diving into the soft bed, softer than the sofa. She grabbed the bear, burying her face in its belly.

“Gina, will she find me troublesome?” Beixia whispered.

Zhou Xi’s name crossed her mind. Was she like those fake adults, satisfying her pity to feel noble, only to discard kindness like her aunt when patience ran out?

Gina didn’t answer. Tired, Beixia curled up, pulled the blanket, hugged Gina, and fell asleep.

For now, she didn’t want to think. Whether Zhou Xi was fake or not, she’d given her a home.

Closing the door, Zhou Xi sighed to the system. This was her smoothest task.

The female lead was obedient, old enough to need little care.

Stretching, Zhou Xi went to her room and slept.

Beixia’s high school had a one-day break; Sunday meant classes.

Waking from deep sleep, Beixia saw daylight. A bedside clock ticked. Confused, she forgot where she was. Memories returned—she’d fled her uncle’s, had nowhere to go, was picked up by a strange, pretty woman named Zhou Xi, her distant cousin.

Hearing the clock’s ticks, her eyes darted. Seven o’clock.

Beixia frowned. She’d be late!

Throwing off the blanket, she searched for her uniform.

Zhou Xi, not yet awake, heard chaos outside, frowning, “What’s wrong?”

System: “The female lead’s late for school.”

Zhou Xi: “Huh?” Checking her phone—seven o’clock—she wailed. It wasn’t the weekend? Why did high schoolers have Sunday classes?

Full of questions, she opened the door. Beixia panicked, “Where’s my uniform?”

Zhou Xi rubbed her brow, “Washed, on the balcony. I’ll grab it. Wear a sweater from the wardrobe.”

Turning, coat over her shoulder, her slim arm raised, she yawned heavily.

Beixia stood by the wardrobe, dazed. These clothes, once nothing special, were now beyond her dreams.

After her parents’ plane crash, the airport paid compensation, but funeral costs, the house’s mortgage, and her father’s debts drained it. Her uncle said after settling everything, they sold the house, leaving a few thousand yuan, which her aunt took.

Beixia lowered her eyes, grabbing a sweater. Its soft touch made her hand tremble.

Wearing the thick sweater and leggings, Zhou Xi brought the uniform, washed with detergent and softener, fragrant. Beixia couldn’t recall the last time her uniform felt like this. At her aunt’s, she used soap; at school too. Some mocked her for wearing the same clothes weekly, calling her Soap Girl, though she washed and changed inside.

Her nose stung.

Zhou Xi, still groggy, not at her usual wake-up time, rubbed her head, “What time’s class?”

“Seven thirty.”

Zhou Xi checked—seven twenty.

Helpless, she said, “Wear a coat. I’ll change and drive you.”

Zhou Xi splashed water on her face, threw on clothes, grabbed keys, and drove Beixia. They were late. The guard wouldn’t open the gate. Zhou Xi smiled, pleading, until Beixia got in. They locked eyes through the gate. Zhou Xi waved; Beixia pursed her lips and entered.

Her fragrant uniform and new clothes felt different. The wool coat kept her warm, even in the wind, and…

Beixia looked down. Zhou Xi’s dark red striped scarf hung around her neck.

Before leaving, Zhou Xi had wrapped it around her, circling it a few times, patting her shoulder, “Let’s go!”

Today, she felt renewed, distinct.

After dropping Beixia, Zhou Xi went home, collapsing into bed.

Weekend! Wasn’t it for sleeping and recharging?

Half-asleep, a call came. The voice hesitated, “Hello, are you Beixia’s guardian? She’s in trouble at school.”

Zhou Xi snapped awake, sitting up, frowning, “I am! What happened to Beixia?”

After the call, she pinched her nose. Yesterday, she’d praised Beixia’s obedience; today, trouble.

Glancing outside, snow fell again. Zhou Xi changed into thick clothes, opened the door, and shivered.

This damn weather was freezing!

The car started after a few tries, like morning. Zhou Xi waited, fingers tapping the wheel, wondering, “How’d Beixia know my number?”

She hadn’t given it yesterday.

The car warmed, engine ready. Zhou Xi floored it.

At school, she registered.

The morning guard eyed her, recognizing the parent who came twice, late earlier.

Zhou Xi nodded. He called the office.

“Teacher Xu, a parent’s here. Says you called her.”

“Is that so? Good, let her in.”

Hanging up, the guard said, “Go ahead. Office is in the back building.”

“Thanks.” Zhou Xi nodded, stepping in.

Arriving during break, students leaned on corridor railings, craning to see the visitor. Zhou Xi entered the office building, students glancing, whispering.

Ignoring odd looks, Zhou Xi searched for the high school faculty office sign.

“Hey, who are you? Looking for someone?” A teacher stepped out, greeting warmly.

Zhou Xi, embarrassed, said, “I’m a student’s parent, looking for the high school office.”

“They’re on the third floor. You’re in the wrong place,” the teacher said.

“Thanks.” Zhou Xi nodded.

The teacher returned, sighing, “Parents are so young now.” And good-looking. If she came to a parent meeting, the school would explode.

Zhou Xi found the office, seeing Beixia facing the wall in reflection. Sighing, she knocked on the open door, drawing all eyes.

“Which is Teacher Xu? I’m Beixia’s guardian.”

A teacher stood, “That’s me.”

Beixia, head down, froze.

She really came…

Xu Chuntian approached Zhou Xi, meeting halfway. Hesitating, she offered a handshake, “You’re Beixia’s guardian?”

So young. Beixia lived with her uncle after her parents’ death, didn’t she? Xu Chuntian found it odd.

Zhou Xi’s lips curved, nodding, “I am. What’s up with Beixia?”

Xu glanced at Beixia, head aching, “She’s fine, but the classmate who accused her of stealing got hit by her.”

Zhou Xi frowned, “Stealing? You didn’t mention that on the phone, Teacher Xu.”

Xu Chuntian, also troubled, invited Zhou Xi to sit, offering water.

“The other student’s parent is coming soon. Wait, we’ll sort it out together.”

Zhou Xi glanced at Beixia, “Come here.”

With a parent present, Xu wasn’t too harsh. Frowning, she watched Beixia turn, head down.

Zhou Xi watched Beixia approach, raising her hand. Some thought she’d hit her, closing their eyes, but she only patted Beixia’s back.

“What’d I say? Don’t slouch, stand straight, little turtle.”

She patted again. Beixia jolted, looking up, face scratched.

Zhou Xi chuckled, patting her shoulder, “Teacher says you hit someone? How’d your face get scratched?”

She laughed, ignoring the issue.

Xu Chuntian frowned—this young parent was unreliable.

Beixia’s heart eased awkwardly. She tilted her head, voice muffled, “They ganged up on me, but I slapped her twice.”

“Good job.” Zhou Xi patted her head, whispering, “I trust you.”

She lowered her voice, like a shared secret, “I know you didn’t steal.”

Smiling brightly, she ruffled Beixia’s hair, turning to Xu Chuntian, “Send Beixia to the infirmary. Her face is scratched.”

The child’s parent cared most. Xu sighed, “Fine.” To Beixia, “Go to the infirmary. I’ll talk with your guardian.”

Zhou Xi checked the time—nearly noon dismissal.

Neither ate breakfast; this needed quick resolution. She asked, “When’s the other parent arriving?”

Xu, slightly embarrassed, “Actually, she’s here. She took her kid to the hospital.”

Zhou Xi frowned, “Isn’t this between the kids? Is she escalating it?”

Going to the hospital—probably for an injury assessment.

Xu touched her nose, “Let me explain, Beixia’s guardian.”

“Today, our class collected textbook fees. Lei found her money missing, insisted Beixia stole it, and searched Beixia’s desk and clothes, finding extra money.”

“Beixia denied it, so they fought.”

Zhou Xi’s brows knitted, “What’s that mean? Without proof or Beixia’s consent, they searched her? What law gives schools police powers?”

Xu, helpless, “I didn’t approve the search. Students did it privately. I arrived, they were fighting, and I separated them.”

Rubbing her nose, Xu said, “Beixia’s guardian, the search was wrong, but they did find extra money on her. That’s a fact.”

Zhou Xi sneered, “How do you know it wasn’t hers, but stolen?”

Xu found Zhou Xi unreasonable, frowning, “We know Beixia’s situation. She couldn’t have that much money.”

“So you assume she stole it?” Zhou Xi’s voice chilled, her sharp eyes on Xu, “Couldn’t I have given it to her?”

Zhou Xi showed her watch, “This is worth over ten thousand. What’s wrong with giving my kid pocket money?”

Xu was speechless.

Zhou Xi lowered her hand, commanding, “Was the money eight hundred yuan?” Seeing Xu not answer, she scoffed, “No need to wait for the other parent. Let’s call the police, let them decide who’s right!”

Xu panicked, “Beixia’s guardian, let’s talk calmly, for the kids.”

“For the kids?” Zhou Xi sneered, “You assumed Beixia stole, called the other parent first for an injury assessment. Fine, no more talk. My kid’s hurt too. I’ll take Beixia to the hospital, get a doctor’s check!”

Xu hadn’t expected Zhou Xi, so young, to be so sharp-tongued, tougher than the other parent. Troubled, she said, “I’ll call the other parent. Let’s sit and talk, no police. If it’s not Beixia’s fault, I’ll make them apologize. If it is…”

“If it’s Beixia’s, the school handles it as it should,” Zhou Xi said coolly.

Zhou Xi: This task seems easy.

Zhou Xi: Spoke too soon!!!