Half a month before the start of the winter break, everything was fine.
He Yao finished the homework assigned by Zhan Jingrui every day, reviewed her studies, submitted her homework for Zhan Jingrui to correct, and occasionally chatted with him, ate meals, and slept.
Her life was fulfilling and regular.
Until the morning of New Year's Eve, when she went to the supermarket to shop.
Less than ten minutes after entering the supermarket, she ran into He Chuan, who was also browsing with a girl.
Long time no see, their eyes met, and both were stunned.
After a two-second reaction, He Yao turned and ran. He Chuan quickly settled his girlfriend and then shamelessly followed.
"Stop!"
"My mom told me you had a falling out with the family and moved out of your mom's place. Not only did you block her number, but you also threatened her not to bother with you anymore. I thought you'd be living a miserable life, but you've become more radiant."
"That's great, He Yao. It's good to be pretty. To be honest, did you meet someone rich?"
He Yao broke free from his hand and glanced at the girl watching him from afar behind him, thinking that her eyes were so blind to fall for such trash.
"What's it to you? My mom doesn't care about me, so why should I report to you?"
He Chuan had been cunning since he was a child. Knowing that He Yao was fostered in his home and had no one to support her, he always tried to exploit her.
He was a major contributor to He Yao's current gloomy and irritable temper.
The two had fought since childhood and were used to being impolite to each other.
"Hey, you little brat, you're different now that you've found a rich person. You're getting more defiant when you talk to me!"
"Who cares about you? If it weren't for your mom constantly calling mine to complain..."
He Yao lost patience listening to his nonsense and interrupted.
"I don't have time to listen to your nonsense, and I don't believe you're so kind-hearted as to care about me. It's better if we draw a clear line between us from now on and pretend we don't know each other."
"You don't have to repay the money you owe me. He Chuan, stay away from me."
After speaking, she tried to leave, but He Chuan blocked her path in a fit of rage.
"How dare you talk to me about money, you ungrateful wretch!"
"I ask you, when other people's relatives get promoted and become rich, don't they help their own brothers? What about you? Huh? After all, my parents raised you since you were little. I'm not asking you to..."
He Yao knew that all this talk, no matter how noble it sounded, was just him being short of money and wanting to squeeze some out of her.
She would not satisfy him.
He Chuan was a bottomless pit without conscience or shame.
His doting parents had spoiled him so much that he had lost the value of living.
Giving him money would be the first time, then the second, and the nth time. She didn't have that much kindness, nor the ability to indulge him forever.
"What happened between your parents and my mom has nothing to do with me. They will settle their own accounts; you don't need to keep reminding me."
"I don't have money, and even if I did, I wouldn't give it to you. Move aside."
He Chuan had finally found a girlfriend recently, and dating was too expensive. He could no longer find excuses to ask his family for pocket money.
It was New Year's Day, and his girlfriend had come from afar to wander around the supermarket with him for half an hour without buying anything. She was feeling awkward when she saw the radiant He Yao.
Could he let her go so easily?
With a "clang," he grabbed her shopping cart and smiled sinisterly.
"Are you going to be tough with me? Since childhood, have you ever managed to resist anything I wanted? He Yao, don't be ungrateful."
"Since I'm in a good mood, obediently transfer five hundred yuan to me. Otherwise, if you anger me, even a thousand won't save you!"
A clown.
Every time He Yao faced him, she couldn't help but ask heaven what sins she had committed in her past life to have such family members in this life.
The same gender, squeezing her money to spend on another girl... The gap between people was indeed huge.
She let go of the shopping cart, pushed it towards him, and said, "If you can't save me, so be it. I'll wait for you to deal with me. Use all your abilities."
After saying that, she bypassed the shopping cart and prepared to quickly avoid him and leave the supermarket.
However, she still underestimated He Chuan's degree of madness.
Failing to get money and being humiliated by He Yao, he was furious and violently rammed the shopping cart into He Yao's back.
He Yao fell to the ground, her head ringing, and stars dancing before her eyes.
Other customers, seeing her conflict with He Chuan, came to help her up and asked if she was alright and if she wanted them to call security. He Yao thought about it and decided against it.
After all, it was the New Year.
And he was her aunt and uncle's only son.
"I'm fine, he's my brother. We were just joking around, and it got out of hand."
On New Year's Eve, He Yao didn't eat.
Firstly, the family had no food left. Secondly, her left shoulder and head hurt from falling that day, and she didn't want to move.
She slept until almost midnight. Zhan Jingrui called her. Hearing her groggy voice, he felt heartbroken.
"Why did you sleep so early? Are you too bored being alone?"
"It's okay."
"Okay means you don't need me. It seems I was overthinking."
The little romantic gestures between couples were to playfully bicker. Zhan Jingrui had quickly mastered this without being taught.
He Yao coaxed him with a smile, "No, I didn't want you to worry. It is indeed quite boring."
"Then I'll come back early to accompany you."
"Can you?"
"As long as you want me to, I can."
"Then come back a week earlier."
"Okay."
After they finished their call, He Yao couldn't sleep. Perhaps it was due to the fall today, but she felt nauseous.
Tossing and turning for most of the night, He Yao finally fell into a hazy sleep near dawn.
She slept until almost noon. As soon as He Yao got up, she heard an urgent doorbell ring outside.
Besides Zhan Jingrui, no one else had ever come to this house.
On New Year's Day, who would come to her house?
Could it be that she told Zhan Jingrui she missed him last night, and he ran back today?
He Yao suppressed the excitement in her heart and opened the door a crack. Before she could even see who was outside, the door was pushed open with great force.
Her uncle, aunt, He Chuan, her mother, and that man, all entered with grim faces and imposing auras.
Needless to say, it must have been He Chuan's doing. She hadn't expected him to follow her yesterday!
Before He Yao could say anything, her mother raised her hand and slapped her.
Her uncle and aunt walked back and forth in the room, surveying the layout, and exclaimed.
"My goodness. A mere girl, relying solely on her beauty, is doing better than us who have worked hard for half our lives!"
"Living in such a nice house, using such good appliances. No wonder she refused to come home. She's too amazing..."
"Sister, I'm not trying to criticize you, but your heart as a mother is too big. You don't even go to see her at school when she says she's not coming back. Look at you now..."
He Yao's mother, looking furious, pointed at her nose.
"Who is that man? Where is he now? What's your relationship like? Speak!"
"He Yao, He Yao, I worked so hard to raise you, and you... Where is he? Make him get out!"