Chapter 7: The Situation

Chapter 7: The Situation

Qin Zhan had taken a few days off and hadn't come to school. Zhou Liao didn’t really care; he was just told about it.

Being beaten up like that and still coming to school would be strange. That night, he couldn’t stop dreaming about Qin Zhan lying on the ground in a pathetic state. The more Qin Zhan had despised him before, the more helpless he seemed that night. And his refusal to beg or bow was quite interesting—after all, toys should be durable.

Mentioning Bai Ling’s family issues was just a way for him to toy with Qin Zhan. Even if Qin Zhan reported it, it wouldn’t matter because no one could match his wealthy and powerful parents.

After all, reality is so cruel, and the pleasures of the elite are built upon trampling the weak.

The basketball court this weekend was bustling with people. Besides those playing, many girls were sitting around the stands, mostly there to watch Zhou Liao and Chen Xian play.

A three-pointer went smoothly through the net, and hearing his brothers cheer behind him, Zhou Liao ran his hand through his hair, revealing his arrogant yet superior expression. As he moved, the muscles in his arms were clearly visible.

"Great shot. I thought you’d pass it," Chen Xian patted his shoulder.

"No need. I was going to get something." Zhou Liao noticed Bai Ling sitting there out of the corner of his eye.

"Who's that?" Chen Xian looked in the direction Zhou Liao was looking. He had never seen such an ordinary girl with Zhou Liao before.

"Qin Zhan likes her."

"Huh?" Chen Xian was surprised. It was hard to imagine Qin Zhan liking anyone, given how emotionless he seemed.

Zhou Liao walked over to the stands and sat down next to Bai Ling, stretching out his long legs. "When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I sent you a message, but you were playing, so I thought I’d wait." Bai Ling felt a bit awkward as she tried to tuck her hair behind her ear. People kept looking at them, and she wasn’t used to these gazes, knowing many found it odd to see her with Zhou Liao.

Zhou Liao reached out to help her tuck her hair behind her ear, his fingertips brushing against her earlobe in a slightly intimate gesture. "Do you have plans later?"

"No, why?" Bai Ling’s face turned slightly red as she handed Zhou Liao his clothes. "By the way, your clothes."

"Thanks." Zhou Liao took the clothes and draped them over his arm. "Where are you going?"

"I’m going home for dinner tonight."

"Oh, right, about Qin Zhan?"

"Yes, he’s tutoring my brother, and my mom said we should have dinner together." Bai Ling glanced at the band-aid on Zhou Liao’s eyebrow. "Um... is that okay?"

"It’s fine, just a small bump." Zhou Liao touched the band-aid and then smiled mischievously. "Are you worried?"

"Just be careful."

Hearing this, Bai Ling felt her face flush. She wasn’t good at interacting with guys like Zhou Liao.

Girls often develop feelings for those who help them during vulnerable times. That day, when Zhou Liao wrapped her in his coat, ran to buy her menstrual medicine and pads, and offered her warm water, she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. Their brief interactions since then made her feel that Zhou Liao was both gentlemanly and respectful, always stopping short but giving her a sense of ease. She knew she was overthinking things and that they weren’t from the same world, but...

"Okay."

Zhou Liao observed Bai Ling’s reaction.

"By the way, where do you live? Is it far? Do you want a ride?"

"No, it’s not necessary. I live near Spring Grass River, just a subway transfer away." Bai Ling looked up, surprised.

"Spring Grass River? That’s pretty far, an hour by subway, right? Let me give you a ride. It’s on my way home."

"But aren’t you still playing?"

"Almost done, and I have other things to do."

"But this..." Bai Ling wanted to refuse; she had never ridden alone with a guy her age, which felt too intimate and strange.

Zhou Liao interrupted her with a somewhat mischievous smile. "Afraid I’ll eat you?"

"No." Bai Ling’s face turned bright red.

It was Bai Ling’s first time riding in such an expensive sports car. Zhou Liao even opened the door for her. Throughout the ride, he was considerate, asking if she was comfortable, whether she needed the window open or the seat adjusted, and even letting her connect her phone to the car’s Bluetooth to play her favorite music.

When Zhou Liao dropped her off at her apartment complex, he parked and got out to open the door for her, his hand resting on the frame to prevent her from hitting her head due to the low height of the sports car. Zhou Liao, tall and wearing a black tank top, looked lean and athletic, casting a somewhat oppressive shadow over the entrance. Looking up, Bai Ling could only see the outline of his well-defined chest and abs, his broad shoulders, and his high nose and thin lips, with his usually arrogant eyes now holding a hint of restraint.

"Be careful."

"Thank you." Bai Ling nervously tucked her hair behind her ear.

"No problem." Zhou Liao closed the car door. "Can I invite you to dinner next week?"

"Huh?"

"Don’t worry, just to thank you for washing my clothes."

"That’s not necessary. I used them too, so it’s..."

"So, you’re refusing?"

Bai Ling understood his intentions. Her mind was a mess, especially when she was blushing and nervous. After a moment of internal struggle, she finally said yes.

"Then it’s settled." Zhou Liao’s eyes lit up with a smile. "See you next week."

"Um... see you next week."

Opening the door to her home, the smell of food immediately wafted out.

Du Li peeked out from the kitchen when she heard the door open. "Back already? You’re early today."

"I left the dorm earlier today." Bai Ling didn’t mention being driven back.

"Come help me serve the soup. It's time to finish up anyway."

"Coming."

Bai Ling put down her crossbody bag and immediately ran in to help.

"Why is your face so red? The sun hasn't been that strong lately?" Du Li glanced at her daughter's face while washing the dishes.

"Huh? Really red?" Bai Ling almost spilled the soup when she heard this. She swallowed hard. "I don't know. It was crowded during rush hour, maybe I got pushed around."

Du Li didn't think much of it; she just mentioned it in passing. After a while, the two of them carried all the dishes out, filling the table with an abundant spread.

"Is Dad coming back for dinner?"

"He's working late. He asked me to save some for him." Du Li took off her apron and called into the room, "Dinner time!"

As soon as Du Li finished speaking, a young boy rushed out from the room and sat down in his seat in a second, still exclaiming in amazement. A moment later, Bai Ling saw Qin Zhan emerge from inside, but she froze when she clearly saw him.

"Qin Zhan, what happened to your face and neck?"

Qin Zhan had bandages on his face, but even so, one could see the bruising at the edges. It looked like a piece of skin near his Adam's apple had peeled off and was scabbing over.

"I was so worried when I saw him today," Du Li sighed. "He said he fell while walking at night. I don't know how he ended up like this."

Bai Ling frowned. "What happened to your neck?"

Qin Zhan lowered his gaze. "I scraped it on the stairs."

Bai Ling felt it wasn't quite right; upon closer inspection, it looked more like burn blisters. She hesitated to ask too many questions. "Did you go to the hospital?"

"Yes."

"I'll change your dressing later and disinfect it." Du Li filled Qin Zhan's bowl with soup, then served Bai Ling and her brother each a bowl. "It's chicken soup, drink more to replenish yourself."

"Mom! Why do I have less than Qin Zhan!" The brother pouted and glanced at Qin Zhan's bowl.

"What do you need so much for? You've been snacking all afternoon."

Qin Zhan pushed his bowl towards the brother, but Du Li stopped him. "Don't mind him. Eat more. You work so hard and study at the same time; it must be exhausting."

"I was just joking, bro." The brother gave him a silly smile. "You're injured, eat more."

Bai Ling's family treated him well. Du Li cared for him and gave him opportunities to earn money without hurting his dignity. Qin Zhan understood this and sometimes felt it was difficult to repay their kindness. He had nothing, yet he kept receiving.

"By the way, how is Grandma doing?" Bai Ling placed a serving of vegetables in Qin Zhan's bowl, adding, "I haven't eaten yet."

"Still the same."

"Are you short on money recently? You spent a lot going to the hospital again, didn't you?" Du Li felt heartbroken seeing the injuries on Qin Zhan's face, knowing how excellent he was despite his circumstances. "Fortunately, your brother improved by a hundred places in the midterm exams. I'll give you a big red envelope."

"The financial aid is coming soon, so it's okay..."

"That's different." Bai Ling bit her chopsticks, looking at her brother wolfing down his food. "This kid has improved so much, thanks to your teaching."

Just as she finished speaking, her phone beeped. Bai Ling glanced at the message and was surprised to see it was from Zhou Liao, asking what they were having for dinner.

"Who is it? Do you have a boyfriend?" Du Li noticed Bai Ling's slightly flushed ears as she replied to the message. As a mother, she could subtly sense changes in her daughter's thoughts.

"No, no, don't say that." Bai Ling hurriedly shook her head.

"You're already a junior. It's about time you started dating. You haven't had anyone yet." Du Li joked as she playfully instructed Qin Zhan, "You're at the same school. Keep an eye on Bai Ling for me."

"Mom..." Bai Ling felt embarrassed as she glanced at Qin Zhan, who only met her gaze briefly without any reaction.

Her phone vibrated again, and Zhou Liao quickly sent another message, a photo of takeout, saying he was eating alone at home. The corner of the house shown in the photo looked luxurious. Bai Ling knew Zhou Liao always had people around him.

"Don't you hang out with friends or parents on weekends?"

"My friends went out to play with cars, and my parents are busy with work. I hardly see them all year."

Thinking about Zhou Liao's usual demeanor, Bai Ling suddenly felt that he seemed completely different from what she imagined. Perhaps someone who lacked family companionship might feel lonely too.

When Du Li stood up to get more rice from the kitchen, she glanced at Bai Ling's chat screen. Without much thought, she said, "Zhou Liao? That's a boy's name, isn't it? I knew something was up."

Hearing this, Bai Ling quickly locked her phone. In her panic, she looked up and saw Qin Zhan suddenly staring at her, his eyes dark and unfathomable.