Bai Zhiping stood at the entrance of Gu Zhao’s courtyard.
His expression was arrogant, and behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes were full of disdain.
Gu Zhao’s yard was truly poor—there was almost nothing in it.
Under the eaves hung a few shriveled corncobs. Two chickens were kept in a coop. Inside the house, there was only a worn-out square table. The paint on the chairs had peeled off in patches, and they didn’t even match. Who knew from which corner Gu Zhao had picked them up?
The undisguised contempt on Bai Zhiping’s face made Gu Zhao want to laugh.
They were both educated youths from the city. Some were humble and down-to-earth—so what gave Bai Zhiping the right to look down on others like this?
Hearing Bai Zhiping’s voice, Shu Ning slowly stood up. Her eyes narrowed slightly, carrying a cold distance. She remained where she was and asked indifferently, “What do you want? Just say it.”
“….” Bai Zhiping’s face darkened instantly. His tone dropped, his expression full of condescending superiority. “Shu Ning, I’ll give you one chance. Whether you come out or not is up to you.”
Give her a chance?
Shu Ning let out a disdainful laugh. “You already left, so why come back? What chance do I need from you? Wherever you came from, go back there!”
Bai Zhiping clenched his fists.
But then he thought—how could a person’s feelings change so quickly?
It must be because after she jumped into the river for him yesterday, he didn’t show concern, so she was acting cold toward him.
Yesterday was like this, and today was the same.
He didn’t like Shu Ning, but he absolutely wouldn’t let Gu Zhao benefit from her.
After some thought, he decided that no matter what, he should first win back Shu Ning’s heart.
Looking at her, he said with apparent anguish, “Shu Ning, I know you’re still angry and think I’ve been too cold to you. But how can you ruin yourself like this just because we had a conflict? Running to a man like him—you don’t know what kind of damage this will do to your reputation?”
“Bai Zhiping, wait. What did you just say? Who has no morals?” Shu Ning lifted her eyes, looking at him coldly as she questioned sharply.
Hearing her defend Gu Zhao, Bai Zhiping grew agitated. “Isn’t it true? What kind of person is Gu Zhao? Poor and vicious! He even sent his own uncle and grandmother away!”
“Smack!” Shu Ning grabbed a handful of muddy residue from where she had just washed mustard greens and flung it directly onto Bai Zhiping’s face. She snorted coldly. “You and Zhu Qiulan really are a perfect match!”
They clearly knew what kind of person Old Madam Gu was, yet they all blamed Gu Zhao.
The mud hit his face—it hurt. When it splattered onto his glasses, his vision blurred instantly.
Like a dog shaking off water, Bai Zhiping shook himself repeatedly, trying to get rid of the mud.
“Bai Zhiping, don’t bother. My dog has fur—it can shake clean. You don’t have fur, so it won’t come off.”
Shu Ning’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.
“….” Bai Zhiping’s face turned completely dark.
He had never expected that Shu Ning—who used to be as gentle as a rabbit in front of him—would actually strike him and humiliate him like this. Furious, he rushed in and grabbed her wrist. “You shameless woman! Come back to the dorm with me!”
That vicious, grinding tone pierced Shu Ning’s heart like a blade.
In her previous life, he had cursed her like this too.
He grabbed her hand—then came a slap, followed by pulling her hair and kicking her mercilessly.
He had beaten her until she was covered in injuries. Later on, whenever he raised his hand, she would instinctively tremble.
“Who’s shameless? Whose place is this? You come here to cause trouble without even looking where you are?” Gu Zhao chopped down on Bai Zhiping’s wrist with his hand, standing beside him with an imposing presence, his gaze cold and heavy.
A sharp pain shot through his wrist, and Bai Zhiping instinctively let go of Shu Ning.
“Gu Zhao, I advise you not to meddle!” Bai Zhiping raised his head angrily, warning him. “This is between me and Shu Ning. It has nothing to do with you! I’m not like your grandmother—I won’t let you bully me! If you know what’s good for you, get out of my way!”
Gu Zhao curled his lips into a faint smile and threw a punch straight at Bai Zhiping’s face. “You think this is the old society with no ownership? You barge in and cause trouble whenever you want? The people in my yard—do you think you can bully them as you please?”
The punch was solid and forceful.
He had long found Bai Zhiping irritating.
Taking advantage of female educated youths while looking down on them—if he didn’t like them, he should just stay away.
But now that Shu Ning seemed to be distancing herself, he couldn’t accept it.
If he spoke properly, it would be one thing—but he insisted on acting superior.
If Gu Zhao hadn’t seen it, he might have ignored it.
But since he showed up right in front of him—wasn’t he just asking to be hit?
Taking the punch head-on, Bai Zhiping’s fair face turned red and swollen.
He raised his fist, wanting to hit back, but realized Gu Zhao was more than half a head taller, exuding overwhelming pressure.
Unable to win, Bai Zhiping shifted his target. Turning to Shu Ning, his eyes filled with grievance and disappointment, he said, “Shu Ning, do you see this? I’ve been beaten like this—are you still unmoved?”
In the past, even when he cut his finger slightly, Shu Ning would feel heartbroken.
Now, he refused to believe she wouldn’t care.
Standing behind Gu Zhao, watching him stand up for her, Shu Ning felt all the fear from her previous life swept away. Her back straightened, and the more she looked at Bai Zhiping, the more ridiculous he seemed.
“Well done!” Shu Ning’s red lips parted slightly. “I told you to get lost, but you didn’t. Getting beaten is only natural.”
“I told you not to pester me, yet you insisted on coming. If not you, then who should be beaten?”
“I advise you to leave now. Otherwise, there might be another punch waiting.”
Bai Zhiping stared at her in disbelief. Something in his heart cracked open, and he began to realize—these might truly be her real thoughts. She really didn’t love him anymore.
“Shu Ning, do you really have to be this heartless?” he asked in anguish.
Shu Ning remained unmoved. The more she looked at him, the more disgusting he seemed. “Why do you talk so much nonsense? Did my dog teach you reading comprehension? I’ve made it so clear, and you still don’t understand? Get lost!”
“….” Bai Zhiping’s dignity was trampled into the ground. “Shu Ning, don’t regret this! Even if you beg me in the future, I won’t care!”
Trying to salvage his remaining pride, he spat out threats while retreating in embarrassment.
Er Gouzi, who stood nearby, almost wanted to applaud.
When Bai Zhiping insulted Gu Zhao, Shu Ning threw mud at him!
When Bai Zhiping grabbed Shu Ning, Gu Zhao punched him!
The two worked perfectly together—unstoppable!
Just as he was about to clap, he noticed tears glistening on Shu Ning’s face.
Sensing trouble, Er Gouzi quickly slipped into the house.
Comforting people wasn’t his specialty.
When Gu Zhao turned around, he saw the girl behind him with tears falling one after another.
Her big eyes were misty, her long lashes wet with droplets. Tears shimmered on her flushed cheeks, and her soft pink lips were tightly pressed together. She looked so wronged and pitiful that it made one’s heart ache.
Gu Zhao was instantly at a loss.
What was going on?
He hadn’t done anything to upset her—so why was she suddenly crying?