All the Female Protagonists Who Have Been Saved Have Become Obsessed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 41

After lunch, Zhou Xi pulled a spare house key from her bag, placed it on the table, and slid it to Beixia with a finger, smiling, “This is the house key. Welcome home.”

Beixia’s eyes flickered, gazing down to study the key’s shape.

Zhou Xi took out a keychain, waving it at Beixia, “One for each of us.”

She pushed it over, swapping her own key onto a new keychain. She’d chosen it at a boutique—two figurines, Beixia’s blue, hers pink.

Despite being older, Zhou Xi’s clothes were brown or gray, formal and cool, but her favorite was pink or candy colors. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have decked Beixia’s room in soft pink. A little princess lived in Zhou Xi’s heart.

Fiddling with the keychain figurine, Zhou Xi smiled, satisfied.

Beixia fitted her key into the keychain, a smile creeping onto her lips.

Zhou Xi said, welcome home—to their home.

Pulling out her phone, Zhou Xi said, “Smile.”

Holding up the keychain, she aimed the phone at Beixia, grinning brightly. Beixia’s stiff smile marked their first photo together.

Zhou Xi meant to send it to Beixia, then remembered she had no phone. Recalling online advice—phones distract exam students—she decided to print the photo for their bedside tables, one each.

Dropping Beixia at school, Zhou Xi waved and drove off.

Beixia watched her go before entering, sitting in class and pulling an old notebook from her bag.

Worn, half-used, it was Beixia’s diary and ledger, a habit since her first year. Her mother gave it to her.

In her first year, Beixia spent recklessly. Her mother, to build good habits, gave her a monthly allowance, handing her the notebook. School and food expenses came from it, forming the habit.

She treasured it. When the cover tore, she taped it, unwilling to replace it, as if keeping her mother’s promise alive.

The classroom was quiet. Students staying over lunch, after eating in the cafeteria, napped on desks. After two snowy days, the sun shone, snow reflecting dazzling light. In the stillness, Beixia wrote her first line.

[Mom, I have a home.]

She recorded Zhou Xi’s money and expenses meticulously.

Her deskmate, Wu Huimin, napped, turning her face toward Beixia, catching her fleeting smile, like a night-blooming cereus.

Rubbing her eyes, Wu woke. Seeing the classroom clock, thirty minutes until English listening, she stretched, lounging. More students trickled in, cold air rushing through the door each time, chilling Beixia’s neck. She closed her notebook, tucked it into her bag, wrapped Zhou Xi’s dark red striped scarf around her, and pulled out a physics paper.

Wu Huimin stared blankly.

Cui Lin and her friends entered through the back door. Glaring at Beixia, seeing her working, Cui Lin mocked loudly, “Oh! Our last-place student’s studying hard? Starting now? Too late! Someone like you won’t even get into college. If I were her, I’d drop out. School’s a waste!”

Cui Lin and her friends laughed loudly, disruptively.

Beixia’s pen paused. Cui Lin waited for her to argue, eager to scold her. But Beixia didn’t move, scanning the next question, writing an answer. Her pause was for thinking.

The mood fizzled. Bullying needed a reaction, but Beixia ignored her. Cui Lin’s face turned green, cursing under her breath. With English listening nearing and the teacher coming, she sat grudgingly.

Wu Huimin, watching, stifled a laugh.

Unsure why Cui Lin hated Beixia, targeting her, Wu found Beixia’s attitude refreshing.

Turning, she asked, “Did you offend Cui Lin before? Why’s she hate you?”

Beixia shook her head. Wu grew curious.

Cui Lin, good at studies, popular, generous, surrounded by admirers, shouldn’t cross paths with struggling students like them. Yet, she always provoked Beixia, who mostly ignored her.

Beixia finished half her physics paper. English listening started. She took out the test, and Xu Chuntian arrived, checking for absentees. Passing Beixia, she glanced, then moved on.

The twenty-minute listening test passed quickly. The English class leader shared answers. Beixia marked hers with a red pen. Xu, leaving through the back door, coughed, whispering, “Beixia, come with me.”

Beixia set down her pen, following.

Only Wu Huimin noticed, worried. Others focused on answers.

The corridor was quiet, classes prepping for the afternoon. Xu smiled at Beixia, “Did you tell your guardian?”

Beixia softly said, “Yes.”

“What’d she say?” Xu probed.

Beixia: “Nothing.”

The physics teacher arrived, greeting Xu at the corridor’s end, “Teacher Xu?”

Seeing him, Xu thought Beixia’s issue was settled, her smile warmer, “Go to class, study hard. I’m rooting for you.” She nodded to the physics teacher.

Beixia returned, sitting as the physics teacher entered.

Class leader: “Class begins!”

Students: “Hello, Teacher!”

The teacher nodded, “Sit, take out yesterday’s paper. We’ll continue.”

As Wu Huimin grabbed her paper, she whispered, “What’d the teacher want? Cui Lin’s issue still unresolved?”

Beixia nodded, then shook her head.

The physics teacher, lecturing, approached. Wu shut up, pretending to listen. Beixia, absorbed, enjoyed studying again, feeling progress.

Zhou Xi, free in the afternoon, printed the photo on photo paper, bought two frames at a boutique, and placed one in Beixia’s room, one by her bed, aiming to create a homey feel.

Admiring them, she opened her laptop, pondering her column’s first article. It needed to hit parents’ pain points for impact.

Though the first wouldn’t gain much traction, a strong start set the tone.

Optimistic, she brewed hot coffee, pacing, researching online, and set her theme.

With a theme, content flowed easily.

Typing the first line, her phone rang—a strange number.

Assuming it was the TV station, she answered.

“Hello, is this Ms. Zhou Xi? I’m from the Education Bureau. We received your complaint and take it seriously. Can you explain the letter’s details? We firmly oppose campus bullying!”

Zhou Xi hadn’t expected such a quick response—morning submission, afternoon reply.

Detailing Beixia’s background and school struggles, she said sternly, “Her teacher, Xu Chuntian, failed as an educator, allowing this incident and favoring the other side. As victims, we only ask for a sincere apology in front of the class to clear our kid’s name. The school did nothing. Xu pressured my kid privately with suggestive words to accept a private apology. I’ve seen no action from the other parent. Is this a teacher’s conduct? I doubt Xu’s character!”

“We understand the situation and your request. We’ll investigate and respond.”

Satisfied with the Bureau’s attitude, Zhou Xi hung up, her first sentence on the laptop sparking inspiration.

That evening, Zhou Xi didn’t pick Beixia up, preparing a surprise instead.

Beixia, not seeing Zhou Xi’s car at the gate, felt disappointed but reasoned Zhou Xi had her own life.

Walking home, Zhou Xi’s place was a half-hour from school. At the building, Beixia saw a lit window, her heart trembling—a light was on for her in this city.

Upstairs, sensor lights flicked on with her steps. At the door, her hand shook holding the key. At her uncle’s for two years, no key was offered; her aunt guarded it like she’d rob the place.

Opening the door, a savory aroma wafted out. Zhou Xi, no cook, managed a simple hotpot. She bought vegetables, meat, plugged in the electric pot, and added broth mix—easy enough.

“Beixia, you’re back?” Washing vegetables, Zhou Xi emerged from the kitchen, smiling, “Wash your hands, let’s eat hotpot!”

Beixia nodded, dropping her bag in her room. Heading to the bathroom, a frame on her desk caught her eye. She picked it up—her shy smile behind Zhou Xi, who grinned broadly, showing neat teeth, holding a keychain like Beixia’s, eyes crescent-shaped.

Beixia touched Zhou Xi’s face in the photo, then hers, noting their contrast. She looked timid, a student; Zhou Xi, radiant like July’s sun, dazzling enough to make you squint.

She liked Zhou Xi’s face in the photo.

Zhou Xi called, “Beixia, washed your hands? Come over.”

Beixia set the frame down, washed up, and joined Zhou Xi at the table, waving, “Hurry! I haven’t eaten, waiting for you!”

Beixia felt guilty, her expression showing it. Zhou Xi teased, “Oops, forgot the drinks. Grab them from the kitchen.”

As Beixia returned, setting them down, Zhou Xi pinched her cheeks, laughing, “I didn’t eat because I wasn’t hungry, not your fault. I messed up—meant I wasn’t hungry after work, so I waited.”

Patting Beixia’s head, joking, “You’re like a little old lady, always worrying.”

Pushing Beixia to her seat, Zhou Xi cheered, “Let’s eat!”

A meat lover, Zhou Xi contrasted Beixia, who had no food preferences. After her family’s upheaval, Beixia lost the right to choose, accepting anything.

Zhou Xi asked, “Want my secret dipping sauce again?”

Beixia nodded. Zhou Xi put meat in the pot, humming in the kitchen, mixing sauce. The TV blared, the house lively. Beixia, head down, smiled faintly.

Setting the sauce before Beixia, Zhou Xi said, “Eat.” She fished out meat, eating heartily. Beixia, not hungry, caught her enthusiasm, and they ate, chatting.

Zhou Xi beamed, “My complaint letter this morning got a response from the Education Bureau this afternoon. Beixia,” her face grew serious, “that Cui-whatever hasn’t bothered you again, right?”

Beixia shook her head. Zhou Xi studied her, uneasy, fearing Beixia’s quiet nature hid bullying.

Beixia’s lips twitched, “Forgot? I slapped her twice. I won’t lose in a fight.”

Zhou Xi blinked, then giggled, “You’re really…”

Barking dogs don’t bite? No! Her kid wasn’t a dog!

Thumbs up, she praised, “Well done! Anyone bullies you, fight back like that!”

Beixia found Zhou Xi unlike other adults. No parent cheered student fights; they’d feign morality.

Her eyes curved, grateful for that snowy day when, ready to give up, she accepted Zhou Xi’s offer to come home—another self-exile, but one that brought light.

Winter nights dragged, yet Zhou Xi’s home echoed with laughter. Beixia’s icy heart melted with the hotpot’s warmth, no longer cold despite the wind.

The dark red striped scarf hung on her bag, the frame cherished on her bedside. After hotpot, Beixia had homework. The kitchen clattered with Zhou Xi’s reluctant dishwashing—she wasn’t good at chores but tackled them.

Beixia meant to offer help, but Zhou Xi shoved an orange at her, sending her to study.

Zhou Xi cleaned; Beixia worked quietly.

Later, Zhou Xi, wincing, sank onto the sofa.

Eating was fun, dishwashing torture.

Her gaze drifted, landing on a black bag on the table. She’d forgotten Beixia’s surprise.

Grinning mischievously, she lifted the heavy bag, knocked on Beixia’s door, “Beixia, I got something for you. Can I come in?”

“Mm.” Beixia looked up as Zhou Xi entered, struggling with the bag, plopping it on her desk, “These are from bookstores, the most comprehensive science practice books.”

Beixia’s eyes widened at the stack, then met Zhou Xi’s. Patting it, Zhou Xi said, “Science needs practice, right? Work hard! If you’re stuck, I’ll get a tutor!”

More money…

Beixia frowned. The books cost plenty; a tutor, how much more?

She said, “No need.”

“Don’t be shy.” Zhou Xi waved grandly.

Beixia, helpless, “These books are useful. I’ll do them. No tutor—I’ll ask school teachers if I’m stuck.”

Zhou Xi blinked, “That works.” Scratching her head, “Finish homework, sleep early. I’ll drive you tomorrow…”

“No need.” Beixia eyed her unfinished chemistry paper, voice low, “I can go myself. You don’t need to drive daily.”

Zhou Xi, clearly not a morning person, yawned driving her. Beixia didn’t want to disrupt her routine.

“Then I’ll pick you for lunch.”

“I can eat at the cafeteria, afternoon too.” Beixia refused, not wanting Zhou Xi overworked or overspending on dining out.

Zhou Xi felt a pang, like her kid was growing up, ready to fly.

“Then I’ll give you more money.” She wanted to give Beixia something.

Beixia’s eyes flickered, “You just gave me pocket money. I haven’t used it.”

“Right…” Zhou Xi frowned, thinking what else to say. Everything covered, she left, glumly telling the system, “My kid’s rebelling, breaking my heart!”

System: …

Who complained about raising a kid?

Zhou Xi grumbled to the system, showered, and sat on her bed, finding a TV station email.

[Hello, Zhou Xi, congratulations on being hired. Please report tomorrow at 9 a.m.]

Wow, so fast?

The holiday was ending. Zhou Xi stretched. Early, not her usual bedtime, she reviewed her article, edited it, and posted it at midnight.

After, she closed her laptop, tossed it on the nightstand, rolled into blankets, and slept.

Outside, wind howled. Beixia, checking the time—past midnight, now tomorrow—paused, listening to the wind, then set down her pen, washed up quietly, fearing she’d wake Zhou Xi. Turning the faucet low, she washed with cupped hands, tiptoed to her room, and slept.

Morning, Beixia rose, visited the bathroom, and saw Zhou Xi’s open door. In the living room, Zhou Xi, yawning, set breakfast out, saying, “I won’t drive you. Watch for cars.”

Beixia eyed the steaming food, unsure when Zhou Xi woke. Nodding, Zhou Xi, in a coat, brushed past, returning to bed.

When Zhou Xi’s alarm rang, Beixia was gone. Checking her phone, she set it aside, opened the curtains—sunny, snow melting. Humming, she picked an outfit.

At school, after morning study, two people with briefcases arrived at the gate, showing IDs. The guard hurriedly called the dean, “Director! Education Bureau’s here!”

The dean rushed, dropping everything to greet them.

Polite but firm, the Bureau staff, at the gate, said, “We received a parent’s complaint about lax school culture and poor teacher conduct, with campus bullying! We’re here to investigate!”

The dean, sweating, eyes wide, waved, “Impossible! No such thing!”

The Bureau staff stood firm, “We’ll find out. Please cooperate!”

Zhou Xi: Kid’s not grown, already rebelling? So sad.

Beixia: Zhou Xi, I’m not a kid.

Zhou Xi: Call me sister! Those saying they’re not kids are the real kids!