His thoughts slowly returned as Qiao Ci sat beside him.
Seeing her expression was placid, neither happy nor sad, Qi Che couldn't help but ask, "After you went back, did they treat you well?"
"Not well," Qiao Ci replied with a faint expression and a faint voice. After a moment's thought, she added, "My brother was okay."
Qi Che fell silent for a moment, then asked, "What about that woman, did she leave your family?"
"No, Mom and Dad like her very much," Qiao Ci said, opening her textbook to preview her studies.
The knowledge points in this small world were quite different from the few worlds she had visited before, and she had to re-learn them.
Knowing that Qiao Ci's original family didn't like her, and that her biological parents had lived with another girl for more than a decade, Qiao Ci couldn't help but feel wronged.
"That, if you're not comfortable with where you're staying, you can come back. I'll waive the rent," Qi Che stammered, unable to hold back his true feelings. "Please don't do anything drastic."
"Okay," Qiao Ci looked up, her smile radiant.
Seeing Qiao Ci appear carefree, Qi Che finally felt a little relieved and immersed himself in the ocean of learning.
Now, there should be no miscellaneous emotions; studying hard was the right path.
Qiao Sisi knelt on the ground, crying, her nose and tears flowing as she said she was too scared, that she loved her parents too much and didn't want them to be taken away...
In the end, Father Qiao softened his heart, promising not to neglect her because of Qiao Ci's arrival and to let her be as before.
After returning to school, Qiao Sisi passed by Class A on her way to the restroom.
Upon seeing the gentle gaze Qi Che inadvertently cast towards Qiao Ci, she gritted her teeth.
Having been outmaneuvered by Qiao Ci today, she cautioned herself to remain calm. The more chaotic things became, the more mistakes were made. Recently, at home, she couldn't show too much, but here, she still had room to maneuver.
So, as soon as she returned to her class, she immediately wrote a letter!
She asked her close friend to pass it to Qi Che's desk.
It seemed that Qiao Ci was definitely interested in Qi Che.
As the saying goes, the early bird catches the worm. As long as she confessed to Qi Che first, regardless of whether he agreed, he would be labeled as hers.
If Qiao Ci was shameless and liked the same boy, others would see it as her competing with her and fighting for him.
At that time, if she subtly influenced her parents, they would increasingly dislike Qiao Ci.
As for her fiancé, Nangong Ming, Qiao Sisi wasn't worried at all. For some reason, she had an inexplicable confidence in Nangong Ming; no matter how much she caused trouble, Nangong Ming would stand by her side, unwavering.
Qiao Sisi knew very well that he was madly in love with her, which was why she dared to openly pursue Qi Che.
After sending the letter, Qiao Sisi appeared shy. She even wondered if she could have a sweet romance if Qi Che accepted her.
As a result, as soon as class ended, she was called out by the stern "Niu Mo Tai" (a nickname for a strict teacher).
Looking at the familiar envelope on "Niu Mo Tai's" desk, she understood everything.
Not only that, but "Niu Mo Tai" also invited Father and Mother Qiao.
It was now the third year of high school, and in two months, they would be preparing for the college entrance examination. Yet, such a thing had happened.
Upon Father and Mother Qiao's arrival, they were made to feel ashamed by "Niu Mo Tai's" words. She then gave them space, hoping they could properly advise Qiao Sisi.
When she learned that the letter was personally written by Qiao Sisi, and the recipient was Qi Che, the top student in their year, Father Qiao questioned her with a grim expression.
"Sisi, you have a fiancé. If Ah Ming finds out, how will our Qiao family explain this to him?"
Mother Qiao still leaned towards Qiao Sisi. Thinking of their other daughter, Qiao Ci, she sighed and said, "If you really like that boy named Qi Che, then let Qiao Ci have an arranged marriage with Nangong Ming..."
"No, don't!" Qiao Sisi retorted instinctively.
This reaction confused Mother Qiao, who looked at her with confusion. "What is this?"
Qiao Sisi bit her lip and didn't answer directly. Instead, she said aggrievedly, "It must be Qiao Ci! Mom, I suspect Qiao Ci got the letter and deliberately gave it to 'Niu Mo Tai' to make a fool of me... Dad, Mom, I've disgraced you. I'm sorry."
"Is she involved in this?" The veins on Father Qiao's forehead throbbed. Ever since Qiao Ci returned, he hadn't had a moment of peace.
"I don't want to suspect like this, but how did my letter to Qi Che end up with 'Niu Mo Tai'? It couldn't have been Qi Che himself who handed it over..." Although it was a bit embarrassing, if it could make her parents start to dislike Qiao Ci, it would be worth the humiliation.
Father and Mother Qiao immediately called Qiao Ci over.
Father Qiao threw the pink envelope at Qiao Ci's feet. "Did you secretly give it to Sisi's class advisor?"
Qiao Ci looked bewildered. "What?"
She had been studying diligently for a good part of the day and knew nothing about any envelope.
Then, she learned from Little Spoon that Qiao Sisi had written a letter to Qi Che, which Qi Che had directly handed in.
"You're still quibbling! Could it be that Qi Che himself handed it out?" Father Qiao knew how popular Qiao Sisi was at school.
He instinctively refused to believe that a boy would handle Qiao Sisi's overture in such a way.
Qiao Sisi also quickly added fuel to the fire. "I know I'm sorry for enjoying your eighteen years of affection. But you can't ruin me either. If you gave the letter to 'Niu Mo Tai,' how will I face anyone in the future? This not only affects me but also our Qiao family. You're too muddled, sob sob sob..."
As she spoke, Qiao Sisi began to cry.
Qiao Ci, too lazy to join this farce, got up and walked out. Father and Mother Qiao were stunned. What kind of attitude was this?
Not long after, "Niu Mo Tai" arrived.
"Hello, I would like to ask who gave you the letter. I hope you can explain to my biological parents, whom I have just recognized, to prove my innocence."
"Niu Mo Tai," who was suddenly pulled over by Qiao Ci, was a bit bewildered and instinctively replied, "Qi Che gave it to me. He also said he hopes Qiao Sisi won't harass him anymore..."
Father Qiao: ...
Mother Qiao: ...
Qiao Sisi: ...
The three of them had identical expressions.
Qiao Sisi clearly couldn't accept it. "Impossible, impossible! How could Qi Che do this to me? It must have been Qiao Ci who instigated him!"
"Niu Mo Tai" looked at her sternly. "Qi Che is the top student in our grade and is expected to rank in the top three in this college entrance examination. This is an honor for our entire school."
"From now on, do not disturb him again, or the school will publicly criticize you at a meeting."
Father and Mother Qiao, too embarrassed to lose face, left with dark expressions. Before leaving, they sternly lectured Qiao Sisi.
As for Qiao Ci, no one apologized to her.