CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 287: CINDERELLA’S COMEBACK 32

Xiao Yuan forced a couple of chuckles: "It’s not that; everyone is just concerned about you."

He then asked Anning, "Do you consider me an elder?"

Anning tilted her head to size up Xiao Yuan for a moment: "Not really, you don’t seem that old, at most like a brother, unless you really want to be my elder, and then should I call you ’Uncle’?"

Xiao Yuan, frightened, quickly waved his hands: "No, please don’t."

"There, isn’t that settled then."

Anning bowed her head and took a few more bites of her food.

When she lifted her head, Xiao Yuan quickly handed her a napkin.

Anning took it and wiped her mouth: "Actually, you can relax. I won’t date in high school; I am still young after all, and I need to study. I’ve said before that I want my parents to be proud of me, so I have to get my grades up. I really don’t have time to find a boyfriend, but when I get to university..."

She seemed to be pondering something: "If I really find someone I like, I can’t guarantee anything. Speaking of which, I didn’t date in high school because I didn’t like anyone. Those boys seem a bit immature, and we don’t really connect."

She lifted her hand: "You keep nagging me about this, and it really bothers me. I’ll discuss this with you but definitely not with my parents. Truth be told, if I met someone in high school who was my match in every aspect and who I liked, I might consider dating after all, because youth comes only once. Being young, it’s inevitable to do some crazy things, right?"

What else could Xiao Yuan say?

He didn’t even have the energy to smile anymore.

He thought to himself that he must check all the boys at First Middle School later, to absolutely keep the decent ones away from Anning.

But even being so protective, he still felt uneasy.

"The boys these days just aren’t up to par."

Xiao Yuan earnestly advised Anning: "They’re mentally immature and physically undeveloped, babbling about love and affection, but do they really understand it? That’s doubtful. You need to think this through carefully, understand?"

Anning nodded: "Alright, I got it."

After finishing her meal, she got ready to leave: "I have classes in the afternoon, so I’ll be off now."

Xiao Yuan quickly stood up: "Let me walk you out."

Anning waved her hand as she walked away: "No need. You must be tired, too. Go back and rest."

Xiao Yuan watched her leave with such ease, and his heart twisted even more.

Seeing the young girl acting this way, she probably really considered him like a brother or an uncle, so she babbles anything to him, but that’s not what he wanted.

He wanted to be the one she holds dear in her heart.

As soon as Anning left the restaurant, she received a call from Song Yingying.

Song Yingying had called specifically to thank her.

Previously, Song Yingying kept seeing some strange things and hearing weird noises, so Jiang Zhengwei had asked Anning to check her house. As it turned out, Anning had spotted the issue.

This time, Song Yingying had gotten to the bottom of it, and she had also resolved the issue.

Listening to Song Yingying’s voice, Anning felt her mood wasn’t so bad anymore.

Song Yingying told Anning about her findings: "Ningning, it’s just like you said. That medicine was neurotropic, causing hallucinations when taken in excess, and long-term use can lead to mental disorder."

Anning nodded: "Did you figure out what happened with your grandma?"

Mentioning her grandma made Song Yingying cry: "My grandma... she was really killed by that beast. I was so devoted to him, supported his family, and treated his parents with filial piety. But him... His whole family was plotting against me without my knowledge, knowing about that woman and keeping it from me alone. They would speak nicely, asking me not to rush into having children, but it turns out they were just waiting for that woman to give birth. How lovely, how truly wonderful."

Anning offered a few words of comfort to Song Yingying.

Song Yingying calmed her emotions: "I’ve called the police and hired a lawyer. As for what will happen to him, it’s all up to the law now. Thankfully, I’ve been physically weak these past years and thought about having children a few years later. Otherwise, this matter would have been tougher."

Anning understood that having children and being childless were different situations.

Without a child, Song Yingying didn’t need to consider anything and could deal with her husband however she wanted.

But with a child, she has to consider the child’s well-being.

"And that woman, he bought her a house and gifted her many things. I’ve hired a lawyer to reclaim the house and those valuable items. I want to leave them with nothing."

Song Yingying was truly ruthless.

She wouldn’t mention how her husband tried to harm her, but harming her Grandma Song, Yingying could never forgive him.

"That’s good."

Anning comforted Song Yingying, "You need to look on the bright side. It’s a good thing that you’ve seen his true colors sooner rather than later. It’s much better than realizing it after living half a lifetime with him. Also, concentrate on your treatment now, and you will surely recover soon."

Song Yingying was especially grateful to Anning. She expressed many thanks and even offered to take Anning out for a meal.

Anning cheerfully agreed to it.

In the end, Song Yingying asked Anning, "How did you know that he harmed my Grandma Song?"

Anning smiled and said, "I calculated it."

Could Anning tell her that she had seen Grandma Song hovering around Yingying’s home?

"Then you really are amazing."

Song Yingying held great admiration for Anning.

Anning cautioned her with a few reminders, "During this time, try to go out as little as possible, and don’t appear before that person. After this month passes, your luck will change, and you will live a happy and peaceful life without these troubles."

Song Yingying took Anning’s words to heart, talking a bit more before hanging up the phone.

Anning hadn’t even put her phone back into her purse when she noticed a new transfer notification; it turned out that Song Yingying had transferred her another sum of money as a token of gratitude.

Anning accepted the money and leisurely returned to school.

Shengzhe Middle School

Zhao Haichao sensed Qin Minghao’s dislike towards him.

He was puzzled.

He hadn’t offended Qin Minghao, so why had his attitude changed so drastically, and Zhong Boyang seemed to be distancing himself from him as well.

That day, during lunch, Zhao Haichao sat down with his tray next to Qin Minghao.

Qin Minghao quickly scooted his chair away, putting some distance between himself and Zhao Haichao.

A hint of hurt flashed in Zhao Haichao’s eyes, "Ming Hao, I feel like you guys have been keeping your distance from me these past few days. Can you tell me why?"

He then looked at Zhong Boyang, "Have I done something to offend you? Why are you treating me like this? We three have grown up together since we were kids, always close-knit. This hurts me deeply."

Ren Jiayao just happened to come over and, hearing Zhao Haichao’s plea, sat down promptly to intercede for him, "Ming Hao, if there’s something on your mind, you should talk to us about it. Haichao has been upset seeing you ignore him these past few days. You’re good friends, anything can be discussed and cleared up if there’s a misunderstanding."

Ren Jiayao gently tried to persuade Qin Minghao.

Qin Minghao felt even more annoyed.

He didn’t understand why he had ever agreed to date Ren Jiayao in the first place.

He initially thought she was straightforward and suited his taste, plus she was pretty and they had played together since they were kids, so when Jiayao confessed, he agreed.

But now, in hindsight, he felt his agreement was too impulsive.

Ren Jiayao was becoming more and more bothersome to him.

He never used to mind being with Jiayao, but now he always felt something was missing.

He was clueless before, but now it was clear to him.

He was missing that heart-fluttering sensation, the kind where you feel incredibly happy just upon seeing the other person, brimming with joy and eager to offer the whole world to them. And when she’s not around, the longing and intense desire to see her soon; just talking to her could make it the happiest thing in the world. That was the feeling he never had with Ren Jiayao.