CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 284: CINDERELLA’S COMEBACK 29

Who’s Anning talking to?

Actually, it’s Qin Minghao.

Qin Minghao felt sick to his stomach all last night after receiving a call from Anning, and was furious for another half of the night, so he got up early and waited at the entrance of First Middle School without even eating breakfast.

He had to ask Anning what the heck was going on.

Now Anning, seeing Qin Minghao, could speak to him calmly and evenly.

Mainly because besides being a bit bearish, this kid didn’t really have any bad intentions.

His temper is a bit rough, but he is quite sincere with people.

Anning didn’t think it was necessary to get all wide-eyed and flared-nosed over a bit of misunderstanding.

Moreover, after thinking it over for a long time, Anning probably didn’t hate Qin Minghao that much anymore.

So why keep butting heads with him all the time?

After all, the enemy behind the scenes was still up to no good, and Anning felt that having one more friend at this time was better than having another enemy.

Seeing Qin Minghao, Anning smiled first: "I reckon you didn’t sleep well last night either."

Qin Minghao was stunned by Anning’s smile.

It took him a while to speak: "Was everything you said last night true?"

Anning glared at him: "Do I look like I’m joking with you about this kind of thing?"

Qin Minghao quickly waved his hands: "No, I didn’t mean that, I’m not doubting you, it’s just... I didn’t expect it to be like this..."

Anning sighed and, seeing that there were still more than ten minutes before class, took Qin Minghao to a wind-sheltered corner.

"Actually, when I was being bullied at Shengzhe, I really hated you."

Anning started with such a sentence, which instantly paled Qin Minghao’s face: "I really didn’t know about you being bullied, you should know that I was at odds with my family at that time and didn’t go to school much."

Anning nodded in understanding: "Back then, I thought it was you who instigated it. Every time I got beaten or cursed at, I’d curse you in my heart. Once, I even went to the rooftop and cursed you out loud. But as time went on, I figured it out. I thought you weren’t that kind of person."

Qin Minghao instantly smiled.

"But I still didn’t know who was doing the harm behind my back. I couldn’t stand up to those people with my family’s situation. So I thought, just transfer schools, better than being bullied every day, not doing well in studies, and being scared out of my wits—so I found a way to put together the money and paid back Shengzhe, then I transferred to First Middle School."

Anning recounted the situation to Qin Minghao: "Back then, I really was driven to a dead end. Sometimes I thought, rather than living a cowardly life, I might as well take down that person even if it meant going down together. But then when I got home and saw my parents, I couldn’t bear it. I’m their only child, I’m their life. If I were gone, they wouldn’t be able to live either."

At this point, the lingering emotions inside Gu Anning surged, and Anning didn’t control himself, letting the tears fall.

Qin Minghao was scared, clumsily trying to comfort Anning, but not knowing how.

He took a pack of tissues from his backpack and handed them to Anning: "It’s all my fault. If I had paid more attention, you wouldn’t have gone through that. Actually, it’s natural for you to resent me."

Anning took the tissues and wiped her tears, then looked up and smiled at Qin Minghao again: "Let’s not talk about this anymore. I just wanted you to know why I kept looking into these matters."

"I understand."

Qin Minghao nodded.

He thought if anyone dared to do this to him, he would hold on for dear life, never letting go, and make their life hell forever.

"I couldn’t find out who it was before, but then this person showed his face, didn’t he? He sent some thugs to harass my home, so I took the opportunity to investigate, and it led to Zhao Haichao. I really didn’t understand why before; I didn’t know him, nor had I offended him, so just because I bumped into you, he shouldn’t have clung to it so stubbornly. I pondered for a long time and came up with a possibility."

Ming Hao’s face grew even paler upon hearing this.

"You should pay close attention from now on. If Zhao Haichao harbors such thoughts, you ought to be cautious. Otherwise, if you get close to another girl at school, Zhao Haichao might trouble her too. It’s enough that I’ve suffered through this alone."

Anning gave Ming Hao a few earnest admonitions, then turned to leave.

Ming Hao called out to Anning: "Wait, wait a second."

Anning looked back: "Anything else?"

Ming Hao took out his phone: "I’ll transfer some money to you. Your family is in a tight spot, and after pooling money to pay back Shengzhe, life must not be easy for you. Don’t overthink this; since the incident started because of me, I should take some responsibility."

Anning waved her hand: "No need. Our family doesn’t lack money now. And don’t feel too guilty about this matter; it really has nothing to do with you. Alright, I’m leaving."

She walked away with a certain breeziness.

Leaving Ming Hao standing in the cold wind for a long time.

And Xiao Yuan, sitting in his car, was also heartbroken for a long time.

Xiao Yuan, a doctor by profession, was usually very health-conscious and hardly ever indulged in smoking or drinking.

But at that moment, he couldn’t calm the turmoil in his heart. Eventually, he got out of the car, bought a pack of cigarettes, smoked, and coughed until tears came, still feeling an uncomfortable heaviness inside.

Anning was now in high school. For the sake of her studies, both her family and school would certainly not allow her to date early. She wouldn’t dare to openly engage in romance, but at this age, young men and women are like flower buds, inevitably developing crushes, falling for someone.

Even if the family pressures them, when passion arises, they may act on impulse.

If...

Xiao Yuan didn’t dare to think further.

Retreat a thousand steps; if Anning stays out of relationships in high school, what about in college?

With Anning’s grades, she could definitely get into a good university. By then, talented individuals from all over would come together. Anning, being so attractive, would have countless suitors lined up. By that time, there would be no one to stop her from dating.

Thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in Xiao Yuan’s eyes.

Before, he thought she was too young, too ignorant, and he couldn’t take advantage of her vulnerability.

But now, it seems that cannot be the approach.

While he’s waiting for the child to grow up, he must also find a way to make a place for himself in the child’s heart—even if he can’t win the young girl over, he must guard against the wolves that lust after her.

Ming Hao returned to Shengzhe and immediately bumped into Zhong Boyang.

Zhong Boyang tried to drape an arm around Ming Hao’s neck as he saw him, but Ming Hao stepped back to dodge.

Zhong Boyang dragged him into the hallway: "Look, I thought about it long last night. Something about what Anning said doesn’t seem right. If Zhao Haichao is indeed into you, then why is he still decent to Ren Jiayao? I haven’t seen him making her life difficult."

That was also true.

Ming Hao lowered his head and thought for a while, then a cold laugh escaped him: "It’s because he doesn’t dare. Do you think the Ren Family is just for show? Ren Jiayao’s background is different from Anning’s. The Gu Family has no power or influence to dictate, they can be manipulated by him, but the Ren Family? Would his Zhao Family dare to provoke them?"

Zhong Boyang stared with wide eyes for a long time: "Right, even if he wanted someone to use violence against Ren Jiayao, no student in the entire school would have the guts."

"There’s more."

Ming Hao was now especially convinced by Anning’s words and the mere thought of Zhao Haichao was irritating: "If he targets Ren Jiayao, wouldn’t he be revealing his true intentions? Then wouldn’t we keep our distance from him?"

This time, Zhong Boyang was thoroughly convinced: "I really had no idea Zhao Haichao was so cunning. I used to misjudge him."