Chapter 18: Scholarship

Chapter 18: Scholarship

This month, Qin Zhan had substituted more times than all the previous months combined, yet even so, the other party was unwilling to advance his salary.

Qin Zhan knew that if he asked, Du Li would certainly offer financial assistance under various pretenses, but he already owed her too much. Moreover, Bai Ling's current situation was partly due to him.

Fortunately, the school cafeteria was cheap, and there was still enough money on his card for a few meals. If everything went as planned, the scholarship should arrive today.

He sat in a corner of the dining hall, and while cleaning up, he saw Bai Ling sitting at a table near the noodle section. Soon after, someone sat down opposite her.

Bai Ling initially looked unhappy, but with Zhou Liao's few words of coaxing, her expression quickly changed from anger to embarrassment. Zhou Liao was known for his serial infidelity; Qin Zhan had known since he started following him that he had more than one person, though Ling Yang was currently the most intimate.

By the time he returned his tray, the two seemed to have reconciled, and Bai Ling no longer looked as evasive.

His classes ended at four-thirty in the afternoon. Until then, he had received no notification of new funds, only incessant reminders about loan repayments and calls threatening to cut off his phone service.

When he knocked on the office door, only his counselor was inside, watching short videos with his legs crossed. Upon seeing him enter, the counselor's expression became subtly awkward.

"Qin Zhan? What's up?" The counselor locked his phone.

"I wanted to ask about the scholarship and the financial aid disbursement."

The counselor pushed his glasses up: "The scholarship is supposed to be issued today. Hasn't it arrived yet?"

"No."

"Maybe it's just delayed..."

"What about the financial aid? It has already been postponed."

The counselor coughed awkwardly: "The financial aid, well, this time there were many applicants, and you might not have been selected."

Qin Zhan paused, his eyes darkening as he looked at the counselor.

"I know you've always received it in the past, and your family does face difficulties, but this year there were too many applications, and the decisions were made according to the criteria." The counselor sniffed, "The national scholarship is eight thousand, which should be in your account today. You can treat yourself to a nice dinner tonight."

"How were the selections made this year?" Qin Zhan ignored the counselor's last remark.

"The details are known only by those above, but they are fair and just." The counselor's gaze wavered.

"Can I see the list?"

"For privacy reasons, that wouldn't be appropriate."

Qin Zhan narrowed his eyes, and the counselor adjusted his posture: "You can apply again next time. It's only five thousand."

Only five thousand, such light words.

"You can go now. I have a meeting to attend."

Qin Zhan didn't move. He lowered his head for the first time: "I really need this money."

Seemingly surprised by Qin Zhan's statement, the counselor fell silent for a moment: "I can't help you."

With that, the counselor picked up the folder on his desk and walked towards the office door, sighing as he passed by: "Go back, Qin Zhan."

...

After leaving the office, he encountered Bai Ling at the corridor's turn. Clearly, she had come to wait for Zhou Liao in this building.

"Qin Zhan, did you just finish class?"

Qin Zhan stopped and nodded.

"It's getting colder these days; wear more clothes. Many people are catching colds."

"Okay."

Qin Zhan was usually quiet, and Bai Ling was used to it. She was about to continue when she caught sight of Zhou Liao coming out of another classroom. Many students skipped this general course, so few people emerged from the room.

When their gazes met, Qin Zhan saw Zhou Liao's initial surprise, followed by a quick smile.

"What a coincidence."

Qin Zhan remained silent.

"Finally done. Can you hold my bag? I need to use the restroom." Bai Ling handed her bag to Zhou Liao.

"Sure."

Once Bai Ling left, Qin Zhan lifted his gaze to Zhou Liao, his pocket vibrating with incoming calls: "Did you take the financial aid?"

It was common for students from well-off families to occupy financial aid spots, but given his own difficult circumstances and decent grades, the school usually ensured he received his share. Now, with the unexpected delay and the counselor's attitude, it wasn't hard to guess that Zhou Liao was involved.

"How can you call it taking?" Zhou Liao seemed innocent, moving closer to whisper in Qin Zhan's ear, "Remember the money you owe me?"

Qin Zhan's eyes darkened.

"I gave you the best treatment. Since you couldn't pay, I deducted it from your financial aid. Is that unfair?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a hand suddenly clamped around his neck, slamming his head against the tiles behind him. Zhou Liao was pinned against the wall by Qin Zhan.

The grip was strong, turning Zhou Liao's face red with bulging veins. Qin Zhan looked like a vengeful demon emerging from hell, exuding an aura of darkness and violence.

"What use is five thousand to you?"

Choked by Qin Zhan's grip, Zhou Liao struggled to breathe but wore a cruel smile, grabbing Qin Zhan's arm: "Not even enough to buy a pair of shoes... So what? Did you expect... me to help you for free?"

"Qin Zhan... Do you have the guts... to strangle me?" Zhou Liao felt dizzy and his vision began to blur, but he continued to provoke the other.

"Do you think I wouldn't dare?"

"Qin Zhan!!! What are you doing!"

An arm suddenly grabbed Qin Zhan, who felt someone collide with his back. Bai Ling's alarmed voice echoed in the corridor, drawing attention from nearby students.

Qin Zhan released his grip due to the sudden force, and Zhou Liao leaned against the wall, coughing violently. Red marks from the pressure of fingers were visible on his neck.

"Are you okay, Zhou Liao?" Bai Ling patted his back, glancing fearfully at the boy behind them. She had never seen Qin Zhan like this, even though others found him gloomy and intimidating. But Bai Ling always thought it was just because no one knew him well enough.

This was the first time she felt such intense fear, sensing the murderous intent in that moment.

"Qin Zhan... Why did you choke him?" Bai Ling's voice trembled, unable to imagine what might have happened if she hadn't been there.

"It's fine... I'm fine... darling... Just a little argument." Zhou Liao stood up, rubbing his still painful neck, finding it difficult to speak as if his breath was still cut off.

"What did you argue about?" Bai Ling asked suspiciously.

"The medical fees." Zhou Liao said calmly.

Bai Ling understood immediately; Zhou Liao had not helped Qin Zhan for free. She realized she didn't have the influence to make Zhou Liao help Qin Zhan. It was certain Qin Zhan couldn't repay the debt, but Bai Ling didn't understand why Qin Zhan would resort to violence. He was always meticulous about debts and unwilling to owe anyone, even trying to repay his mother's money later.

"Qin Zhan, regardless, you shouldn't have resorted to violence. If you're short on money, tell me or..."

Before Bai Ling could finish, Zhou Liao kissed her cheek and put an arm around her waist, interrupting her. "Darling, don't talk to him anymore... Could you get some ointment for me? The infirmary is on the second floor."

"Why don't we go together?"

"I have something else to say to Qin Zhan."

Bai Ling stood rooted to the spot, clearly worried they might fight again. "We should go together."

Qin Zhan watched Zhou Liao's act of feigned weakness, his gaze sweeping between the two. His arms, tense from the earlier outburst, were now visibly strained.

"It won't happen, will it?" Zhou Liao smiled at Qin Zhan. "Qin Zhan wouldn't want to appear this way in front of his student's sister, right?"

Qin Zhan narrowed his eyes, his face rigid.

Bai Ling glanced at Qin Zhan, her expression indescribable, as if she wanted to say something but didn't know how. After a few more words of caution, she reluctantly turned and headed downstairs.

"Don't get too worked up; you can't beat me." Zhou Liao watched Bai Ling disappear down the stairs, leaning against the wall and fumbling with a cigarette pack in his pocket. His voice was still hoarse. "If it weren't for people around, do you think I wouldn't fight you?"

"Is there anything you wouldn't do?"

Zhou Liao sneered, moving closer to Qin Zhan and staring into his eyes, his anger fully ignited. His defiant gaze only deepened the disgust, mirroring someone else.

"Or do you think I'd choose alleys or private rooms for no reason? I don't want to ruin my reputation over you."

Qin Zhan's eyes were venomous, like a snake's, and the tension between them was palpable. Despite Qin Zhan's cold demeanor, the situation was ready to explode.

Unfortunately, Zhou Liao's inherent superiority made him unable to accept being trampled by a mere insect.

"I know you need to repay a ten-thousand-yuan loan. Your scholarship and financial aid total thirteen thousand, leaving three thousand for living expenses. But I took your five thousand." Zhou Liao pressed closer, his lips near Qin Zhan's ear, deliberately provoking him. "Now you can't repay the loan or afford food. Can't you see I did it on purpose?"

Feeling the slight tremor of rage from the other, Zhou Liao patted his shoulder. "I'll remember what you did to me. We have plenty of time ahead."

"No chance."

"What?" Zhou Liao turned his head.

Qin Zhan stood still, lifting his eyelids. Even with sunlight streaming through the window onto him, his eyes revealed nothing but the eerie darkness of an abandoned factory, a bottomless pit.

"I said, there won't be any chance soon."