CHAPTER 153: 152: INTENSIFIED CONFLICT (FIRST UPDATE) ASKING FOR MONTHLY TICKETS

After Zhang Zhenlian returned to the dormitory, she didn’t go back to her own room but went directly to find Ye Ling. Ye Ling’s bed was particularly eye-catching in the room, and Ye Ling was sitting on the bed flipping through books and materials with a distracted look.

"Ye Ling, what are you doing today? Do you want to hang out together this afternoon?" Zhang Zhenlian asked softly.

Ye Ling looked up and saw it was her, then smiled, "I want to read this afternoon, but if you have anything to say, feel free to speak?"

Since the time after eating noodles, Ye Ling would only nod and greet Zhang Zhenlian, not being overly friendly, much like with Wang Xiaohong in the room. Initially, she thought they would be seeing each other constantly living in the same dormitory, and Ye Ling wanted to make a few friends. However, it seemed she had been too optimistic. Luckily, she was used to being alone.

Zhang Zhenlian nodded, "I’m also afraid of falling behind, you know, even getting into high school I barely made it. Now I’m even more worried about keeping up. By the way, Si Daochen just asked me where is your younger sister? Is she not well yet?"

Ye Ling looked at her, "Ye Qian didn’t make it to high school."

"Huh? How could that be?"

"She was unwell and didn’t take the exam. If you want to find her, just go look for her in the junior high school department." Ye Ling said, directly showing her out.

Si Daochen had different feelings for Ye Qian, which Ye Ling could guess. However, she couldn’t understand why Zhang Zhenlian, who was always timid and behaved like she was invisible in the village, now seemed interested in meddling. Remembering how she always tailed Wang Shumei made Ye Ling really not fond of her.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhenlian still had the sense to see that Ye Ling didn’t like to talk much to her and added another polite comment before leaving. In the afternoon, she brought the letter to Si Daochen.

The two of them stood under the trees by the wall, and Zhang Zhenlian looked worried, "Daochen, we are from the same village. I noticed Ye Ling wasn’t happy when she mentioned her sister. Maybe just leave it; don’t inquire about Ye Qian’s situation anymore. After all, Ye Ling grew up with us, and it wouldn’t be good if she found out."

Zhang Zhenlian had liked Si Daochen since she was little, but Wang Shumei’s affection in the village had prevented her from showing it. Until Si Daochen started reviewing, she saw the practice questions Ye Ling left behind, copied them to study at home, and got into high school. She felt she was one step closer to Si Daochen, and with Wang Shumei out of the picture, things seemed to develop in a better direction. But seeing Si Daochen’s heart thinking of Ye Qian made Zhang Zhenlian feel uncomfortable. When Si Daochen asked her for information, she couldn’t bear to refuse, putting herself in a difficult position.

Ye Qian not getting into high school was the best news for Zhang Zhenlian. On the way to find Si Daochen, she felt particularly relaxed today.

Si Daochen nodded but didn’t speak. For Zhang Zhenlian, it was a luxury to be so close without having to sneak glances like before. Even though there were many students better than Si Daochen in high school now, none of them compared to him in Zhang Zhenlian’s eyes, especially since they both came from the countryside. Zhang Zhenlian always believed Si Daochen hadn’t realized this: that a rural boy wouldn’t attract city girls, and ultimately, the one by his side would be her.

So Zhang Zhenlian kept waiting for the day Si Daochen realized this, making all her efforts and waiting over the years worthwhile.

Yet upon hearing the news Zhang Zhenlian brought, Si Daochen was consistently agitated but couldn’t figure out why. After a long time, he couldn’t help but murmur, "Ye Ling is very accurate with her predictions, why didn’t she show them to Ye Qian? She’s her own sister, regardless of any unhappy matters between them, it shouldn’t lead to keeping such crucial matters from each other. Ye Ling is too selfish."

Zhang Zhenlian opened her mouth but said nothing.

Then someone else chimed in, "Ye Ling does things her own way, her family hasn’t criticized her, so who are you to interfere? Who are you to know about Ye Ling’s family matters?"

Zhao Guodong came out from behind the tree. He never expected to overhear someone talking badly about Ye Ling while lying there. When Si Daochen saw someone emerge from behind the tree, his face changed, but he quickly concealed his panic.

Zhang Zhenlian recognized him as a person in her class, and he looked particularly fierce, yelling at anyone who glanced at him.

"Who are you?"

Zhao Guodong laughed in a roguish manner, "I’m from the same compound as Ye Ling, and you? Since you know her, you must’ve lived in the same village, right? Does living in the same village allow you to meddle in her business? Ha, you really have the face of a busybody."

"Be careful how you speak." Upon hearing himself being called a busybody, Si Daochen’s face turned dark, angrily glaring at the opponent.

However, in terms of aura, Si Daochen was no match for Zhao Guodong, who raised his hand and pushed him. Si Daochen staggered back two steps, Zhang Zhenlian turned pale with fright, hurriedly supporting Si Daochen while looking at Zhao Guodong again.

"We’re just having a discussion, not bad-mouthing Ye Ling. Plus, we’re concerned for Ye Ling, otherwise, what she does doesn’t affect us. How can you not know right from wrong?" Were it not for Si Daochen, Zhang Zhenlian would never have had the courage to say these words, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Zhao Guodong sneered, "Stop pretending to care about Ye Ling. I’m warning you, if I hear you bad-mouth her again, don’t blame me for what happens."

After dropping those words, he shot them a fierce glance and walked away casually.

Zhang Zhenlian sighed, "Really scary, just not a good student."

Si Daochen felt humiliated being protected by a girl and shook off Zhang Zhenlian’s hand, "From now on, you don’t have to speak in such situations. I don’t believe he dares to hit me, there are teachers up there, does he think this is a gang and everyone has to fear him."

Zhang Zhenlian understood, nodded with a frightened look, "You know I’m timid, without you beside me to bolster my courage, I wouldn’t dare to say such things or stand up, I wouldn’t dare even for a tiny bit of courage."

This comforted Si Daochen, "Then you should go back."

Seeing Si Daochen upset and after experiencing such an ordeal, Zhang Zhenlian nodded and returned to the dormitory, inevitably feeling lost. Zhou Haiying saw Zhang Zhenlian sitting alone on the bed, lips curling slightly, shaking the bed before speaking, "Zhang Zhenlian, what’s wrong with you?" (To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to vote for it with recommendation votes, monthly tickets on Qidian. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)