Retribution
After informing Huo Cheng’s grandfather, Mr. Song diligently called Shen Wanying’s mother.
The phone rang for a while before it was picked up. “Sorry, Mr. Song, I’m in a meeting,” Jiang Yu said in a low voice.
“Ah, I see. Is it convenient for you to speak now?”
“Yes, it’s fine. Did something happen to Wanying?”
“Nothing happened, but a classmate reported that she is dating Huo Cheng.”
Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned. “Dating Huo Cheng, you said?”
“Yes, he’s a classmate in our grade.”
“I know him. He and Wanying have known each other since they were children.”
“Oh, so…” Mr. Song suddenly felt like he had a front row seat to the whole situation. Is this the lead up to a childhood sweetheart romance?
“Did they do something at school?”
“Not at all. I was just afraid it might impact their studies, so I decided to report the situation to the parents.”
Jiang Yu nodded lightly and said, “I’m afraid they’ve worried you in vain. They are indeed young, and I understand the school’s concerns. But Wanying and Huo Cheng are both children who know and understand the implication of their situation. They are very smart. At this point, I’m not worried that they will mess up.”
Again, Mr. Song had nothing to say to that. Alright then. “I also believe that they know what to do. I spoke to them today, and the two children were very sensible.”
“Mm. When Wanying comes back, I’ll have a word with her. Sorry to trouble you.”
“No, no, not at all. I’ll let you get back to your meeting.”
“Alright. If there’s anything else, you can contact me after that.”
“Okay.” Mr. Song hung up the phone and took a deep breath. The female teacher who was sitting across from him waited for him to finish the call before asking him: “What did their parents say?”
Mr. Song said, “Well, they were relieved to find out who their child is dating.”
The female teacher burst out laughing. “I can understand that. If my daughter were to date Huo Cheng, I would also be relieved.”
♥
Huo Cheng’s relationship with Shen Wanying didn’t cause any uproar among their peers, but the story of Qiu Ziqing framing Fang Yichang once again spread among the students. Many people gossiped about her behind her back, calling her a pathological liar: first, she framed Fang Yichang; this time she framed Huo Cheng and Shen Wanying.
Qiu Ziqing was originally relatively popular at school. But as the situation unfolded, people began subconsciously avoiding her, afraid they would end up her next victim.
She never expected that the couple would not be punished, and that she would be the one summoned to the office by her form teacher for a talk.
♥
Fang Yichang was happy now. Last time, it was obvious that Qiu Ziqing had framed him. But despite his consternation, he couldn’t raise his hand to the girl, so he’d had to quietly put up with being wronged.
But now, this must be retribution.
“Sure enough, no one is spared by God!” Fang Yichang lit up during lunch, “I’ll treat you at noon today, just order whatever you want, and I’ll go to the canteen to buy you snacks later!”
Zhao Yimeng scoffed at this idiocy. This Xiao Fang, it’s actually a little cute how stupid he is. Does he really think Qiu Ziqing made this rumour up out of nothing?
Forget it, he’s probably happier not knowing; she won’t hurt him with the truth.
Qiu Ziqing didn’t come to the cafeteria today. Instead, it was Wang Tingting who showed up to grab a lunch for her friend. When she passed by Huo Cheng’s table, she gave them a dirty look.
Zhao Yimeng patted the table. “Huh, they still dare to hold a grudge. It was because of them that Lady Shen injured her leg at Starlight Farm back then, and she didn’t go looking for revenge.”
Shen Wanying replied, “Forget it, it’s been so long.”
Curling her lip, Zhao Yimeng commented, “You said that Qiu Ziqing is always glaring at you, doesn’t she get tired of it?”
“She’s just jealous!” Fang Yichang said. “She’s trying to copy you and failing!” 1Here Fang Yichang actually uses an idiom (东施效颦 dōng shī xiào pín) that literally translates to “Dong Shi imitates Xi Shi’s frown”, referencing a story in which an unattractive girl (Dong Shi) tries to mimic an attractive girl’s (Xi Shi) quirks thinking that she would be better liked, but said quirks were only endearing in the context of Xi Shi’s beauty, and so Dong Shi fails and is rejected.
Zhao Yimeng raised her eyebrows and looked at him. “Whoa, you know how to use idioms?”
“…I’m a high school student, I’m not illiterate, okay?”
“Okay, okay, my bad.”
♥
Huo Cheng went straight home after school to find Huo Qiming waiting of him in the living room. When he came back to this, he stepped forward to greet him: “Grandpa.”
“Hello.” Huo Qiming nodded and motioned for him to sit by him, “Your class teacher called me today.”
“Mm.”
“Are you and Shen Wanying dating?”
“We just like each other, that’s all.”
T/N: Thank you Bright Eyes for her help with this chapter!! Saving my butt since 2021 <3
God damn, I hope Jiang Yu doesn’t lose her shit. Although it is Huo Cheng, so maybe he’s just the Ideal Son-In-Law and she won’t mind LOL. I feel a bit bad for Qiu Ziqing tbh, idt she deserves to be ostracised. Anyone else lowkey shipping ZYM with FYC or is it just me HAHAHA. Before I ramble on, see y’all in the next chapter. Thank you for reading!