After seven years of being a "simp," she's reborn and no longer pursuing the aloof sc

Chapter VII

When I woke up, Gu Zhi looked at me with a worried expression.

"You're finally awake! You suddenly fainted, it scared me to death."

"I am fine."

My voice was hoarse, and I looked around, only to find that apart from the medical staff, there was only Gu Zi and me left in the infirmary.

Thinking of the illusions I had before I lost consciousness, I gently tugged at the corner of my mouth.

"It's alright. Your stomach hurts so badly, you probably didn't eat breakfast again this morning. This is what I bought for you."

As Gu Zi spoke, she unscrewed the insulated box, and a fragrant aroma wafted out.

"The doctor said that you need to eat small amounts of food and drink something warm and easy to digest."

"Yes, you're so good to me."

I was very grateful for Gu Zi's thoughtfulness and drank the porridge heartily.

"I'll go get some water. I've already asked for leave for you. Just stay here and rest."

"Ah."

I gave Gu Zi a reassuring look and watched her leave.

I was just about to lie down and rest for a while when I heard Song Yuan's voice gradually coming from the doorway.

"Jinghuai, I'm fine. I just twisted my ankle by accident. Don't worry."

"You said you were fine, but your foot is all swollen. How could you be so careless?"

I looked up and saw Gu Jinghuai helping Song Yuan walk in, his eyes full of worry and tension.

The two leaned on each other, looking just like a loving couple.

At that moment, my heart ached deeply. It turned out that he was also kind to others, but that person was not me.

I gave a bitter smile, and instantly felt that the air in the infirmary was thin, and I didn't want to stay there any longer.

Just as I was about to leave, Song Yuan seemed to notice me and suddenly called out my name.

"Nanzhi, are you alright?"

Looking at her feigned indifference, I replied with a nonchalant expression, "It's nothing."

Instantly, Song Yuan's eyes reddened, as if she had been stimulated by something.

"Nanzhi, is there some misunderstanding between us? Why are you..."

"There's no misunderstanding between us. I simply want to keep my distance from you. Is that not allowed?"

Looking at her pitiful appearance, I felt a bit impatient and tilted my head to ask her a question.

"Nanzhi, can't classmates talk to each other properly?"

Gu Jinghuai frowned involuntarily, looking at me with displeasure, his voice low and cold.

Looking at Gu Jinghuai, who was defending Song Yuan, I felt like all those days had been wasted. I took a deep breath, my cold gaze meeting his without any affection, and said in a slightly nasal voice, "You're here for treatment, not to nitpick."

I ignored the two of them, got up from the bed, and left them.

Just as she stepped outside, she ran into Gu Zi, who was returning.

"Nanzhi, why don't you go inside?"

"No, I want to get some fresh air."

I forced a smile. Gu Zi gave me a suspicious look, went inside, and came out angrily a few seconds later.

"Nanzhi, my brother..."

Gu Zi looked at me with red eyes, her heart aching, and hesitated to speak.

"I'm fine. Some things should have been put behind me a long time ago. I can't keep licking my wounds forever."

I linked arms with Gu Zi and walked towards the classroom, while Gu Jinghuai, who had just come out behind us, stared ahead with a complicated expression.

I went to class as usual in the afternoon, and the afternoon passed quickly. After school, Gu Zi wanted the driver to take me home, but I refused.

After Gu Zi left, I thought about the troublesome people at home and didn't want to go home so soon, so I did an extra set of practice questions.

When I left, the whole school was deserted. As I was about to leave with my backpack, I found Song Yuan waiting at the school gate.

I was about to ignore the past when Song Yuan stopped me.

She crossed her arms, her scrutinizing gaze falling on me, her tone arrogant: "Zhou Nanzhi, you're from the countryside, you're not good enough for Gu Jinghuai. You should stay away from him. We're about to take the college entrance exam, we should focus on our studies. Your persistent pestering will only annoy him..."

"Is this troubling you? Don't worry, I don't like Gu Jinghuai, not now, and certainly not in the future. If you really like him, then keep an eye on him."

I interrupted her, saw her nose almost twisted with anger, and walked away.

"You, Zhou Nanzhi, if you're so capable, keep your word and don't go back on your word."

I walked ahead, ignoring Song Yuan's calls from behind.

Now I'm just going to successfully pass the college entrance exam and get away from my terrible family.

My home is in an old neighborhood, and I have to go through a narrow alley. I looked at the dimly lit alley, squeezed the straps of my suspenders, and bravely walked in, my steps quick.

Just as I was about to walk out, a figure suddenly appeared beside me and pulled me inside.

Before I could call for help, I instinctively tried to shout, but then I smelled a faint minty scent that was refreshing and made me shut my mouth immediately.

"Zhou Nanzhi, focus on the college entrance exam."

After Gu Jinghuai finished speaking, he stuffed something into my pocket and then left.

I stood there for a long time until my legs went numb before I started walking home.

The old neighborhood is mostly inhabited by poor families and elderly people. It's only 8 p.m., and the whole building is very quiet, with very few rooms lit up.

I climbed to the third floor, but instead of going in directly, I leaned against the door and listened to what was happening inside. This is something I do every time I come home.

When I heard that it was quiet inside, I took out my key and gently pressed the doorknob. As soon as I opened the door, I found my mother kneeling at my father's feet, massaging his legs with her fists, while my father looked on with a look of enjoyment.

When my mother saw me come in, she only glanced at me before looking away and continuing to "serve" my father.

My father gave me a disapproving look and said in an unhappy tone, "You're so old, and you don't go out to work. I still have to support you. What's the point of a woman going to school? You need to be able to earn money and know how to please a man, just like your mother, understand?"

Suddenly, my father grabbed my mother's hair and kissed her right in front of me.

My face darkened as I watched the two of them spiraling out of control, and I quickly went back inside.

Soon, the strange sounds stopped, and instead came the mother's cries for help and pleas for mercy.

It's always the same. My father rarely comes home, and when he does, he either takes money or vents his anger.

"Please spare me, I beg you, I won't do it again."

"Useless! Look at other women, how come they can give birth to sons? You can't. You're really useless. Why did I spend so much money to marry such a piece of trash like you?"

Then came the sound of someone being kicked. In the past, I would have held onto hope and helped my mother, but every time my father left, my mother would take her anger out on me. This time, I won't go out again.

Listening to the sounds of things being smashed outside the door, I felt inexplicably irritable. I put on my headphones, turned the volume up to the maximum, collapsed onto the bed, and stared blankly at the ceiling.

Until midnight, the outer door was slammed shut with a bang, and the world returned to silence. I closed my eyes as I wished, but a tear rolled down my cheek and disappeared into my hair.

At first, the neighborhood wasn't very soundproof, and people would come knocking on the door. But as time went on, no one dared to mess with my father, this fearsome figure.

Suddenly remembering something, I jumped up, grabbed something from my pocket, and found a White Rabbit milk candy.

This is my favorite food. Whenever I eat one when I've been hit or am in a bad mood, it makes me feel better.

So far, only Gu Zi knows about this. Why?