All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 38

The school bell rang, and students lingering outside the classroom scattered.

Beixia, head down, entered the infirmary.

The teacher there, seeing her injuries, was careful not to ask about the scratches, disinfecting them with iodine and covering larger marks with bandages.

After giving Beixia instructions, her phone rang.

Answering, she glanced at Beixia, saying, “Got it.”

She told Beixia, “Teacher Xu wants you in the office.”

Beixia pursed her lips, nodding faintly.

Turning to leave, she felt a moment of confusion.

Finding extra money on her was unexpected. Her first thought was that Cui Lin framed her, but the money fell from her uniform pocket, which she hadn’t taken off.

If it was a setup, it’d be in her desk, not slipped into her pocket while awake.

Only one possibility—Zhou Xi secretly put it there.

She hadn’t expected it to become evidence of theft.

Cui Lin took the money. Beixia pinched her uniform’s seam, bit her lip, and slowly walked to the office.

Snow fell again, piling up. Yesterday’s snow, uncleared, was heaped by cleaners at wall corners. The path was muddy, ice crunching underfoot.

Beixia felt cold. Her scarf and coat were in the classroom, leaving her in a thin uniform, no match for the howling wind. It flipped her collar, smacking her face, stinging.

Exhaling warm breath, she tucked her hands into her sleeves, walking with her head down.

After Xu Chuntian’s call, Zhou Xi didn’t stay in the office. She went downstairs, hands in her leather coat, its collar up, watching outside, waiting for Beixia to discuss things.

Seeing a frail figure along the school building’s wall, trembling in the wind, Zhou Xi recognized Beixia and ached.

Undoing her coat’s belt, she strode to Beixia, wrapping her tightly in it. Beixia looked up, seeing Zhou Xi’s concern. Her voice was lost in the wind as she shouted, “Where’s your coat? Why so little clothing?”

Beixia, enveloped in warmth—Zhou Xi’s warmth—stayed silent as Zhou Xi pressed her head into her chest.

Snow soon dusted their hair. Zhou Xi hugged Beixia, sighed, and led her to the office building. Her coat hung loose, revealing a black sweater dotted with snow. Snow clung to her hair and lashes, but she ignored it, brushing Beixia’s hair and shoulders.

“Couldn’t you borrow an umbrella from a teacher? Your hair’s soaked—you’ll catch a cold.” As Zhou Xi spoke, Beixia sneezed softly, almost inaudible.

Zhou Xi squinted, smiling, “Sneezes are ‘achoo,’ not ‘achiu’ like yours.” Joking now, she lightened Beixia’s heavy mood.

It felt like she had backup, no longer fighting alone.

“Do you trust me?” Beixia asked.

Zhou Xi grinned wider, as if it was a silly question.

“If I didn’t, why’d I rush here?” She pinched Beixia’s nose, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle it, but tell me the details.”

Zhou Xi carefully asked about the incident. Beixia looked up, explaining earnestly.

Hearing three kids bullied Beixia with no classmates helping, Zhou Xi’s heart hurt more.

Unable to hold back, she pulled Beixia close, promising, “This won’t happen again. With me here, no one will bully you.”

Beixia shut her eyes, nose stinging.

She hadn’t expected warmth from a stranger she just met.

She hummed softly, like a newborn chick’s first chirp. Zhou Xi let go, ruffled her hair, and smiled, “Let’s go.”

Holding Beixia’s warm hand, Beixia followed, watching snow on Zhou Xi’s shoulders melt into water, trickling down her coat’s texture.

In the office, Zhou Xi was confident. Glancing at the other parent with disdain, their eyes met, and the parent exploded, slamming the desk, “Teacher Xu! The hitter’s this arrogant? What kind of students does your school teach? I’ll write to the Education Bureau!”

Zhou Xi sneered, letting go of Beixia’s hand, shielding her, and said lightly, “Good, I’ll write too, complaining about the school’s inaction, allowing bullying!”

“What’re you saying? Your kid started it!” The parent’s finger nearly jabbed Zhou Xi’s nose. Unfazed, Zhou Xi retorted, “Anyone see my kid strike first? Wasn’t it your kid and her friends ganging up on mine? Outnumbering her—that’s your parenting?”

“You, you, you…” The parent, furious, stomped, “She stole money, that’s a fact!”

Zhou Xi crossed her arms, chin up, scornful, “How much did she steal? I asked Teacher Xu—textbook fees are 250 yuan. How much did you give your kid?”

The parent swore, “Four hundred. My kid’s honest, doesn’t lie!”

Zhou Xi sneered, “Then why was eight hundred found? Didn’t you say four hundred? Can’t your family get your story straight?”

The parent faltered, then argued, “Who knows if she stole from others! Everyone knows she’s a…”

Zhou Xi cut her off, asking Xu, “Anyone else lose money?”

Xu hesitated, “The class leader hasn’t checked.”

“Then check,” Zhou Xi said haughtily to the parent, “Loud doesn’t mean right. If needed, we’ll call the police for a fair judgment.”

“Call them! My kid’s honest, doesn’t lie!” the parent snapped.

Zhou Xi’s eyes flicked, seeing the nervous kid behind the parent, scoffing, “Ask your kid first. If she lied, that’s a record.”

She bluffed—this small matter would only get a warning, not what she implied.

As expected, the kid’s face looked ready to cry.

The girl couldn’t handle the pressure.

Cui Lin tugged her mother’s clothes. No response—her mother glared at Zhou Xi, thinking her flashy clothes meant she was improper.

Cui Lin called, “Mom!”

Her mother, annoyed, “What?”

“I don’t want Beixia expelled.” She tugged again, whispering.

“No way! She hit you, no way it ends like this!” Cui Lin worried, “Let it go. She said she’d call the police…”

“Who’s scared? Let her!” Her mother jabbed Cui Lin’s head, “Look at your uselessness! She stole, she’s wrong!”

Tears in Cui Lin’s eyes, she broke, crying, “Mom, what if she didn’t steal?”

“What?”

The class leader finished checking fees. Except for Beixia and Cui Lin’s, all were collected.

Xu Chuntian, holding the list, felt awkward. The case had holes, but Cui Lin, a good student with popularity, spent freely. Beixia’s grades fluctuated, sometimes blank papers, and her odd, withdrawn nature led to complaints. Gossip shaped Xu’s bias against Beixia.

She’d judged too soon.

The money must be Beixia’s theft.

Her poverty was obvious, so she’d steal.

Xu blushed, telling Cui Lin’s parent, “Maybe Cui Lin’s money is elsewhere. Have her look.”

Hearing Cui Lin’s cries, the parent knew it wasn’t Beixia’s fault. She slapped Cui Lin, yelling, “Where’s the money I gave you?!”

Crying, Cui Lin confessed.

She’d spent her money treating classmates, had none for fees, saw money in Beixia’s pocket, and got ideas.

Her mother hit her again, chasing Cui Lin around the office.

“You wretch! I’ll kill you!”

Losing face before teachers and another parent, she chased harder. Teachers, watching the drama, stepped in to stop her. Compared, Zhou Xi’s earlier attitude seemed refined.

Zhou Xi smirked, enjoying the show.

Xu approached, hesitant, “Beixia’s guardian, how about we drop this? We’ve cleared it up. I’ll restore Beixia’s innocence.”

“How?” Zhou Xi sneered.

Xu frowned, “Beixia hit Cui Lin. How about Cui Lin apologizes?”

Zhou Xi shook her head, “An apology’s fine, but Cui Lin must admit to the class the money wasn’t stolen by Beixia, and I want to see it.”

“Isn’t that too much?” Xu hesitated, “Let’s end it here. It’s not good for Beixia’s school life—she might be isolated.”

Xu didn’t want her “good student” Cui Lin’s studies affected before college exams.

Zhou Xi hesitated. With exams next year, transferring or changing classes wasn’t ideal for Beixia. Isolation could worsen her situation. Looking at Beixia, who stepped forward, eyes firm, “I’m not afraid. I don’t need friends.”

Zhou Xi smiled—worthy of a female lead. To Xu, she said, “If you don’t do as I say, I’ll write to the Education Bureau about your school’s culture and teacher management.”

Pressuring Xu clearly.

Such tough parents were hard to handle. Cui Lin’s mother still jabbed her kid’s head. Xu, troubled, said, “It’s not just my call…”

It depended on the other parent’s agreement.

Zhou Xi pulled Beixia close, smiling, “That’s your job, Teacher. I’m taking Beixia.”

Winking at Beixia, she led her out of school.

Snow raged outside, but Beixia no longer felt suffocated. Zhou Xi didn’t send her back to class for her coat, instead wrapping her in her coat. Its loose cut fit two, especially with Beixia’s small frame.

Zhou Xi lied to the guard, “Teacher Xu said I can take her home.”

The guard, unsuspicious, opened the gate. In the car, Zhou Xi grinned, “You spoke well earlier.”

Praising Beixia, she pulled a candy from her pocket, “Your reward.”

Beixia took it, warmth surging, pocketing it, reluctant to eat.

Zhou Xi stretched, grabbing her phone, “Where to eat? I’m starving. You didn’t eat breakfast, right? Hungry? Want anything?”

Beixia shook her head, gripping the candy.

Zhou Xi found a hotpot place online, deciding, “Let’s eat hotpot! Perfect for this weather.”

Warm air filled the car. Beixia sneaked a glance at Zhou Xi.

At a long red light, Zhou Xi held the wheel with one hand, head tilted against her left hand, her profile sharp, lashes thick, nose high, hair loosely tied, looking lazy.

Green light. Zhou Xi released the brake, starting slowly, yawning. The warm air made her drowsy. Snow made roads slick; she’d forgotten chains, so drove carefully. Few cars were out.

At the hotpot place, Zhou Xi checked her watch—eleven, perfect timing. Pushing the door, heat poured out. She lifted the thick curtain, “Get in!”

Beixia entered; Zhou Xi closed the door.

“Where for two?” the waiter asked.

“By the window.” No other customers yet.

The waiter led them, handing a menu. Zhou Xi glanced—dishes and broth weren’t pricey. She asked Beixia, “Can you handle spicy?”

Beixia nodded.

Zhou Xi smiled, telling the waiter, “A mandarin duck pot, extra spicy.”

Spicy hotpot and a drink were perfect for this weather.

She told Beixia, “Extra spicy to chase bad luck.”

Her words made Beixia smile faintly.

Heard of grapefruit water or mugwort for bad luck, but hotpot? Never.

When the pot arrived, Zhou Xi got a sparkling water. The cap popped with a bang, fizzing in the glass. Beixia stared at the bubbles. The spicy pot boiled first. Zhou Xi added meat, asking if Beixia wanted dipping sauce. Seeing her daze, she laughed, “Mind if I make it? My secret recipe~”

Beixia nodded indifferently.

It’d been ages since things were this lively.

The drink’s pop, the pot’s gurgle, the staff’s footsteps.

Zhou Xi got up to mix sauce. By noon, more customers came, craving heat in this weather. The shop did well. Zhou Xi weaved through, placing a bowl of sauce before Beixia. Meat floated up. Beixia hadn’t moved; Zhou Xi filled her bowl.

“Eat.” Then she dug in, head down.

She took food seriously, the kind of eater chefs loved.

Beixia ate slowly. Zhou Xi added vegetables.

Beixia preferred veggies over meat, eating slowly. Zhou Xi ordered a tableful; Beixia stopped after a bit.

Sweating, Zhou Xi, greedy, wanted to try everything even when full. Noticing Beixia’s pause, she downed a drink, “Full?”

Beixia nodded.

Zhou Xi muttered, “Ate so little?”

Seeing Beixia’s thin frame, she wanted to order more meat.

“Eat more?” Zhou Xi said.

Beixia shook her head. Zhou Xi didn’t push, asking the waiter to pack leftovers and paying.

Beixia glanced at the bill—over two hundred.

Lips pursed, she felt she’d cost more money.

Zhou Xi, unaware of her burden, stretched, “No school this afternoon? Stay home and nap?”

Tempting Beixia to be a bad student, Beixia neither nodded nor shook her head.

Zhou Xi noted her composure, worthy of a female lead.

Driving home, she tossed the packed food by the door. Beixia frowned.

Zhou Xi, oblivious, changed into slippers, flopped on the sofa, far from her morning’s commanding presence, now lazy.

Yawning, she turned on the TV, calling Beixia to watch.

No adult demeanor.

Her aunt nagged her uncle, minded her brother, and cooked. Beixia saw none of that in Zhou Xi.

Head down, she changed slippers, tidied shoes wet from snow, frowning at the floor’s mess. In the bathroom, she washed her hands, stored the leftovers in the fridge, and saw yesterday’s dishes in the sink, frowning harder.

Unable to stand it, she rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a rag, wiped the snow-water mess, mopped the floor, and washed the dishes.

Zhou Xi, on the sofa, dozed off, unaware, blanket fallen to the floor.

The TV blared, snow hit the windows. Beixia boiled water, took a cup from the cabinet, and poured. Steam rose; her eyes reddened.

This was all beyond her hopes, now real—she had family, a shield.

Waking, Zhou Xi saw the clock at three p.m. She’d slept two hours. Sitting up, she called, “Beixia?”

No reply. Searching, she found a note under a cup.

[I went to school]

Zhou Xi scratched her head, “Didn’t I say no school?”

Shrugging, wasn’t loving school good? Stretching, she checked her laptop for job replies. Raising a kid needed money.

Her system-crafted identity had some funds, but not enough for two.

She’d quit her job to rent in Beixia’s city. Finding work was urgent. Her identity studied journalism, so she applied for new media and TV jobs.

No new media replies, but a TV station emailed, inviting her for an interview tomorrow.

Zhou Xi raised a brow—worth a try.

Reviewing the job requirements, she prepared materials, working late. Looking up, it was dark, seven p.m.

“Why isn’t Beixia back?” Zhou Xi frowned.

Pacing, she asked the system, “Where’s the female lead?”

System: “School.”

“School?” Zhou Xi puzzled, “This late?”

She imagined bullying scenarios—maybe Beixia was trapped post-morning’s incident.

Panicking, she headed out, stopped by the system, “She’s in evening study.”

Zhou Xi, embarrassed, forgot about evening classes. Complaining, “Why didn’t you remind me?”

System: “…”

It suggested, “Shouldn’t you learn to be a proper guardian?”

Zhou Xi, odd, “Guardians need training?”

Thirsty, she went to the kitchen, filled a cup, and leaned on the counter.

System: “Beixia washed yesterday’s dishes and mopped while you slept.”

Zhou Xi protested, “I washed her clothes.”

System: “You mean tossing them in the washer and taking them out?”

Speechless, Zhou Xi gulped water, then boldly, “Tell me! How do I learn?”

The system listed books.

Rush 100 Days: 100 Things Parents Must Do, Before College Exams, I Did This, and My Daughter Got into Tsinghua, Tiger Dad, Wolf Mom, and more.

Seeing the list, Zhou Xi’s eyes blurred.

So much to being a guardian? Could she quit?

Sighing, she ordered online, reading e-books first, studying to be a proper guardian.

Zhou Xi sighed: So much to learn to be a guardian.