A young girl, pale and slender, tall and thin, dressed in white sneakers, light-colored jeans, a white down jacket, and with long hair cascading down her back.
Her features were those of a very young, lively girl, and she looked at him with a mixture of stubbornness and embarrassment.
He knew that she was undoubtedly the protagonist of today's story.
To be honest, the girl was exceptionally beautiful, quite eye-catching at first glance.
What a shame.
Standing with such a motley crew lowered her public appeal.
With a poor family background and inadequate education, her character likely had significant flaws, so Hu Jiasheng couldn't bring himself to like her.
"So, she's a classmate of Zhan Jingrui?"
After a brief appraisal, Hu Jiasheng gestured towards He Yao with his chin.
As this was the first time her gaze met that of Zhan Jingrui's family, and it was filled with such disdain and indifference, He Yao's heart sank into an abyss.
Ma Songhan replied, "Yes. I believe Mr. and Mrs. Tang have met her before. The two children have always interacted as classmates. I had assumed their relationship was healthy, but I never expected..."
Tang's father and mother, who had just finished reviewing the examination reports, stepped forward and looked at He Yao.
Yes, they remembered Zhan Jingrui bringing this girl home before.
At the time, he had said they were going out to buy study materials.
Regardless of whether Rui Rui's relationship with her was true or not, getting involved with someone like her would be detrimental to him. Everyone felt a sense of heaviness, but no one showed it.
As the male party, he bore the primary responsibility in such matters. If he also appeared guilty, their troubles would be immense.
"I apologize. Zhan Jingrui is a boarder in our home, and we are not his legal guardians. He doesn't stay with us on holidays, so..."
Hu Jiasheng shrugged with a faint smile.
"So you can't control him, and you don't intend to, is that right?"
Ma Songhan smoothly finished his sentence.
"Alright, I understand. Since you won't intervene, and we can't reach him, we'll have to report it to the authorities."
"The child is still young and shouldn't be bullied. The school also needs to provide an explanation."
He Yao instinctively looked at him, wanting to refute his words. He squeezed her hand, causing her immense pain.
"Let's go, we're heading back."
He called to his family with a somber expression and turned to leave. Tang's father stepped forward gracefully.
"Mr. Ma, please wait."
Seeing a potential turn of events, Ma Songhan stopped and looked at Tang's father expressionlessly.
Tang's father smiled calmly.
"Whether we are Zhan Jingrui's guardians or not, and regardless of the truth of this matter, as neighbors, if you seek our help, I believe I should do something for you."
"Firstly, such incidents are indeed unacceptable at their age, especially for your daughter. I sympathize with your distress."
"Secondly, we are a loving family and will help with anything within our capabilities. Mr. Ma, please don't hesitate to ask if you need assistance; we will not refuse."
"Thirdly, such matters, if spread, are not good for anyone. If both parties were willing, adult interference could cause psychological harm to the children. So, shouldn't we also listen to the child's opinion?"
A cunning old fox, indeed.
He didn't want to involve the authorities, nor did he want to cause a scene or take responsibility. He wanted to resolve the issue quietly, yet he presented it in such a righteous manner.
Ma Songhan scoffed inwardly, maintaining his outward composure.
"We are all experienced. I believe you can understand our child. Young and ignorant, swayed by sweet words for a moment, her opinion doesn't represent anything."
"The little one definitely cannot be kept. The harm it has caused us is lifelong and irreversible."
Tang's father nodded, "Precisely. We are all experienced and can understand. So, Mr. Ma, what are your specific demands?"
He actually expects him to extort them?
Hu Jiasheng frowned slightly, "Dad..."
Mr. Tang did not turn around but raised a hand to stop him.
Ma Songhan looked back at He Yao, then at her mother, and pondered for a moment.
"I wouldn't have come forward without concrete evidence. Zhan Jingrui, to satisfy his selfish desires more conveniently, bought an apartment in Sunshine Garden residential complex on Changjiang South Road..."
Tang's father continued to look at him calmly, but Hu Jiasheng was inwardly shocked.
Zhan Jingrui, what a boy.
He always appeared aloof and detached, and reclusive, disliking contact with people.
Not only was he dating behind their backs, but he was also making such big moves.
He even bought an apartment for the girl. He was quite something.
Tang's father nodded in agreement with his words, "So, is there any problem with the apartment?"
"No problem. I just wanted to remind everyone to keep an eye on Zhan Jingrui and to stop harassing us again in the future."
The implication was that the apartment was theirs now.
Tang's father had no objections.
"Reasonable and fair. We can comply with that. Asheng, later you'll need to check the ownership of that apartment. If it's under Zhan Jingrui's name, have it transferred, and tell him not to go there again."
This meant, "You came for the apartment, didn't you? Then take it."
At this point, Hu Jiasheng understood.
The other party had sufficient leverage and had come prepared.
The Zhan family was prominent, and regardless of the truth of the matter, they were betting on the Zhan family's reputation. Therefore, they had to either crush them decisively to eliminate future trouble or pay them off to silence them.
His father-in-law chose the latter, valuing face.
It was always good to leave some room for maneuver; it would be beneficial for Rui Rui.
Hu Jiasheng respectfully agreed.
"Since you mentioned the physical examination report just came out, you probably haven't made arrangements for what's next. Asheng, you arrange for the hospital stay as well. You two will personally look after her and ensure she has adequate nutrition."
Tang Nannan and Hu Jiasheng both responded, "Understood, Dad."
He Yao stood outside the door, her arm throbbing with pain, looking at Zhan Jingrui's family.
Each of them was impeccably dressed and exuded elegance, yet at the same time, they were so condescending.
Throughout the entire interaction, they hadn't spared her more than a glance, hadn't inquired about the truth of the matter, and hadn't doubted it.
Instead, they dismissed her so nonchalantly.
It was as if the incident was of no consequence, like shooing away a group of beggars.
Before, she had only known that there was a significant disparity in status between her and Zhan Jingrui, an unbridgeable chasm.
Only now did she truly feel that deep, innate, and insurmountable gap between social classes.
The feeling of being looked down upon was unbearable.
The feeling of being looked down upon by the family of the person she loved was excruciating.
Never before had she felt so ashamed, so desperate to disappear into the ground.
Previously, she had told Zhan Jingrui that she would never regret being with him.
But at this moment, she genuinely felt regret.
When Zhan Jingrui made a mistake, his family didn't scold or punish him. It was as if he had bought an unsuitable toy, and they would simply help him exchange it.
In a mere ten minutes, Heaven had clearly shown her what it meant to be truly insignificant.