CHAPTER 371: CHAPTER 364: GROWING APART

The next morning, Tian Xinhua rushed over, accompanied by Shangguan Qing, both wearing stern faces. They only breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Sisi and Shangguan, who were fast asleep in the room.

Sisi, groggily woken up, looked at Tian Xinhua by the bed, her mind in a haze. Was this a dream? She shook her head and continued to snooze, burying her head under the covers.

Tian Xinhua couldn’t help but smile wryly. This girl really had a carefree spirit. Since receiving Shangguan’s call yesterday till now, he had not slept a wink. Immediately after ending the call, he went to find Mr. Yun, hoping to command the stationed troops in H city with his current influence, but it was not sufficient – he needed Mr. Yun’s intervention.

Fortunately, Ah Nan was safe! Tian Xinhua silently celebrated, while also reminding himself that he still needed to grow stronger. If he had been stronger yesterday, he wouldn’t have needed to seek help from Mr. Yun!

But did Ah Nan really have a knack for getting into trouble? Why did she manage to stir trouble wherever she went?

Sisi cried injustice: This time it really wasn’t me provoking them, I was heeding Brother Xinhua’s advice, trying to avoid these troubles, but Professor Ma wouldn’t listen!

Tian Xinhua and Shangguan Qing had both flown in on a military plane. Shangguan not only had called Tian Xinhua yesterday but also her father. So, it wasn’t just Mr. Yun who intervened yesterday, Shangguan Lie also stepped in.

Of course, Old Man Yang Haoyuan also helped. He directly sent planes for Tian Xinhua and Shangguan Qing, otherwise, they wouldn’t have arrived so quickly.

Sisi and Shangguan were both awakened, receiving a severe and deep lecture from Shangguan Qing and Tian Xinhua.

Both Sisi and Shangguan quietly bowed their heads, enduring their lectures. After all, it was just a verbal scolding that didn’t really hurt, nothing serious.

Satisfied with their behavior, Tian Xinhua and Shangguan Qing, having tired their mouths out, each gulped down a large glass of water then hurriedly ran to cover up for these two girls.

Although they were acting in self-defense, this was a remote mountain area, somewhat far from the Emperor’s reach, and they had to handle it carefully to avoid inciting civil unrest.

Sisi only learned about the outcome after returning to Beijing. The main culprit, Jin San, died, and the villagers who were detained for three days were released. Tian Xinhua personally compensated one thousand yuan for the families of those who died, and also distributed two thousand yuan among the injured villagers.

With such a sudden influx of money, Lupanxia Village was quite happy, and they weren’t so saddened about the deaths anymore. After all, we’re not in the future where every household only has one child – there are plenty of children, no worries about who will take care of the elderly!

The issue was successfully resolved, the only dissatisfaction came from the Liu family. According to Zhu Yunxiu, Liu Xuelian was severely impacted, her womb was damaged, and she would never be able to conceive for life.

Physical pain was secondary; after this traumatic experience, Liu Xuelian seemed to have been mentally affected as well, becoming somewhat crazy. She would scream and shout upon seeing people, turning into a madwoman!

Speaking of this, Zhu Yunxiu sighed, seemingly very sympathetic towards Liu Xuelian, and her gaze towards Sisi and Shangguan became complicated and obscure.

Sisi sighed inwardly, thinking back to Zhu Yunxiu’s hesitation on the slope that day – perhaps she was about to lose a friend.

Indeed, in the days that followed, Zhu Yunxiu gradually distanced herself from Sisi and Shangguan. She became more reserved, often taking her meals back to her dormitory to eat, no longer joining them at their table.

Sisi also followed her, feeling disheartened was inevitable, but everyone has their own ambitions. She couldn’t force others to be her friend. Maybe Zhu Yunxiu was intimidated by her coldness that day?

That day, she actually had a chance to save Liu Xuelian, but it involved the risk of exposing Space, so she chose not to act and just watched Liu Xuelian being bullied by those people. Zhu Yunxiu probably saw this too!

But she did not regret it. Why should she put herself in danger for someone like Liu Xuelian? She is not the Holy Mother Maria! Even if Zhu Yunxiu couldn’t understand her, there was nothing she could do about it; she wasn’t money, she couldn’t possibly please everyone.

However, what consoled Sisi was that even though Zhu Yunxiu had distanced herself from her and Shangguan, she did not get closer to Song Mengshi and the others. She kept to herself, becoming a lone ranger, which is somewhat heartbreaking to see.

Liu Xuelian dropped out of school. Her current situation is really not suitable for attending school, Tian Xinhua mentioned that the Liu family had locked her up, she’s essentially ruined.

Tian Xinhua mentioned it with a cold smile. He had also learned about what happened that day and knew about the foolish things Liu Xuelian did. She really is stupid.

"Brother Xin Hua, do you think I’m too cold-hearted?" Sisi suddenly looked up and asked.

"Why? Did someone say something about Ah Nan?"

"No, just asking randomly," Sisi muttered ambiguously.

Tian Xinhua laughed and hugged Sisi, "Ah Nan, don’t mind what others think. I think the way you are now is just right. I used to worry you were too soft-hearted and would get hurt, but now I am no longer concerned!"

"I am not soft-hearted. For those who are unkind to me, I wish they were all dead!" Sisi hummed. She had no sympathy for Liu Xuelian at all.

The incident with Liu Xuelian was like a small stone, creating ripples in the school, sprinkling a few small splashes, and then it was never mentioned again. The school returned to its usual tranquility.

However, the classmates and teachers have become increasingly polite towards Sisi and Shangguan, the politeness somewhat distancing. Sisi didn’t mind it at all. She had no intention of getting close to them, and Shangguan cared even less; she has always disregarded these irrelevant people.

But Shangguan has been somewhat unhappy lately because her second brother, Shangguan Qing, arrived in Beijing. Due to his outstanding performance in the Vietnam War, he was sent to study at a military school in Beijing. He will surely get a promotion after completing his studies, something everyone was well aware of.

After Shangguan Qing arrived, although the time he could spend outside each month was limited, he kept a tight leash on his sister, making Shangguan extremely annoyed, but she dared not rebel, for she couldn’t beat her second brother!

However, Shangguan also had her happy moments; that is when a certain comrade frequently came to visit her at school and brought her delicious meats. This comrade is Yang Shu.

Yang Shu is now a great helper of Yang Wenbin. According to He Xuewen, although Yang Shu looks gentle, he is excellent in business, being harsh when needed and soft when appropriate, even more capable than his uncle.

Sisi secretly criticized, how could he not be capable? With the will of steel, the cunning of a fox, and the ferocity of a wolf, he is not an ordinary person!

In any case, Sisi didn’t believe the timid appearance of Yang Shu. She thought he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and sooner or later, this big-tailed wolf would swoop Shangguan away.

Sisi was happy to watch the drama unfold. Yang Shu is calm and scheming, while Shangguan is naive and impulsive. These two actually suit each other quite well. Considering the attitude of Shangguan Qing toward Yang Shu, it seems that both families are happy to see this match happen!