The deepest part of the alley.
With a creak, Xiyan pushed open the rusty iron gate.
In the left-hand room of the flat, a pale-faced middle-aged woman lay there quietly, an oxygen mask strapped to her nose.
Xiyan mustered a faint smile. "Mom, I'm home."
The woman gave no response.
Five years ago, she and her mother were kicked out of the Xia Family, and her mom fell into a coma, never waking up since.
Xiyan walked up and began chattering away, "Mom, so many things happened today."
After recounting everything that had happened, Xiyan stood up and tucked the blanket tightly around her mother. "Mom, from now on, I'll protect myself. You don't have to worry about me... I'll go prepare dinner now. Sleep well."
As she turned around and walked past the full-length mirror in the restroom, she paused slightly.
She tilted her head, looking at her own face reflected in the mirror.
Pressing her lips together, Xiyan brushed back a stray lock of hair, covering her cheek again, and quickly stepped past the mirror.
-
The next morning.
Xiyan hadn't slept well last night. She actually dreamt of Ou Jue and his terrifyingly stoic face.
In the dream, Ou Jue pulled her close, laughing arrogantly like a demon, claiming she could never escape again, vowing to drain every last drop of her blood...
Aaahhh! What kind of absurd dream was that?!
Slumping her arms, Xiyan walked sluggishly toward the classroom while yawning.
As soon as she stepped inside, the entire class fell silent, and everyone turned to look at her.
What's going on?
Xiyan blinked.
"Why are you here?"
"Huh?" Xiyan glanced up at the class sign.
Year 1, Class 6.
No mistake.
Two seconds later, the class's lovestruck girls erupted, swarming around Xiyan.
"Xia Xiyan, what's your relationship with Young Master Ou? Where did you two go yesterday??"
"How did you meet Young Master Ou?? Spill the beans, now!!"
"I'm so jealous I could kill you right now..."
"Wait a second!" Xiyan covered her ears and took a step back. "Can't you all speak one at a time?"
Everyone was talking over each other so much they were practically spitting on her!
A heavily made-up girl, while checking herself in the mirror, spoke in a sarcastic tone. "Xia Xiyan, no matter what tricks you used to hook Young Master Ou, you're done for now!"
"What do you mean?"
"Ha, don't tell me you don't know—you've already been expelled, haven't you?"
Like a bolt from the blue.
Xiyan's eyes widened in shock. "What did you say? Expelled? On what grounds?!"
The girl with heavy makeup snapped her mirror shut and smirked maliciously. "I wouldn't dare spread false rumors; the homeroom teacher told us personally yesterday afternoon!"
Just as she finished speaking, the homeroom teacher entered, calling out, "Alright, everyone, get ready for class."
Xiyan ran up, grabbing the teacher's arm and shaking it. "Teacher! They said I've been expelled. What's that supposed to mean?"
The homeroom teacher pulled her arm away. "It means exactly what it sounds like. Look, your things have already been packed—take them and leave!"
"Why?!"
"Skipping classes without reason—if not you, then who should we expel?!"
Xiyan was frantic. "But, but I was dragged away against my will yesterday—you all saw it! And in the afternoon, I even asked for leave..."
The teacher impatiently cut her off. "Enough, enough, I don't want to hear it. This decision came straight from the principal. Xia Xiyan, you're expelled!"