Chapter 7 – The Situation

Qin Zhan had taken several days off from school and hadn’t been seen since. Zhou Liao didn’t particularly care; he’d only learned about it from others.

It would have been strange if Qin Zhan had returned to school after being beaten so badly. Ever since that night, Zhou Liao had even dreamed about Qin Zhan’s pathetic state, sprawled on the ground. The same person who had once regarded him with such disdain and contempt had been reduced to a defenseless lamb for the slaughter. Yet his refusal to beg or yield only made him more intriguing. A good toy should be durable and fun to play with.

To put it bluntly, bringing up Bai Ling’s family troubles was just another way for Zhou Liao to manipulate and torment Qin Zhan. Filing a police report wouldn’t help him, nor would raising his voice. No matter how loud he shouted, it would never drown out the power and influence of Zhou Liao’s wealthy and influential parents.

After all, reality was brutally simple: the privileged derive pleasure from crushing the powerless like ants.

The basketball court was packed this weekend. In addition to the players, the bleachers were still crowded with girls, most of them there to watch Zhou Liao, Chen Xian, and their teammates play.

A three-pointer swished cleanly through the net. Hearing his teammates’ cheers behind him, Zhou Liao raked his fingers through his hair, revealing his arrogant and dominant features. The movement highlighted the sculpted muscles of his arms.

“Nice shot,” Chen Xian said, clapping him on the shoulder. “I thought you were going to drive to the basket.”

“No need for that. I’m just going to grab something.” Zhou Liao noticed Bai Ling sitting on the sidelines out of the corner of his eye.

“Who’s that?” Chen Xian followed his gaze, having never seen such an ordinary girl around Zhou Liao.

“The one Qin Zhan likes.”

“Huh?” Chen Xian was taken aback. Qin Zhan? Someone like him could never like anyone. He seems completely devoid of emotions.

Zhou Liao walked over to the bleachers and plopped down beside Bai Ling, stretching out his long legs. “When did you get here? Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I texted you, but you were playing, so I figured I’d just wait,” Bai Ling replied, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. People kept glancing at them, making her uncomfortable. She knew many found it odd to see her walking beside Zhou Liao.

Zhou Liao reached out and gently brushed her hair behind her ear, his fingertips grazing her earlobe in a subtly intimate way. “Got any plans later?”

“No, why?” Bai Ling’s cheeks flushed slightly as she handed him his clothes. “Oh, here’s your jacket.”

“Thanks.” Zhou Liao took the jacket and draped it over his arm. “So, where are you headed?”

“I’m going home for dinner tonight.”

“Oh, right. And Qin Zhan will be there too, right?”

“Yeah, he’s tutoring my younger brother. My mom suggested we all have dinner together tonight.” Bai Ling glanced at the bandage above Zhou Liao’s eyebrow. “That… are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Just a clumsy bump,” Zhou Liao replied, touching the bandage before his lips curved into a teasing smile. “Worried about me?”

“Then be careful.”

Bai Ling felt her face burning hot. She wasn’t used to interacting with guys like Zhou Liao.

Girls easily develop feelings for those who support them during vulnerable times. That day, Zhou Liao had wrapped his jacket around her, ran to buy her period pain medication and sanitary pads, and thoughtfully handed her a cup of warm water—she couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter.

Their subsequent brief encounters had also shown her that Zhou Liao was both gentlemanly and respectful, always knowing when to stop but exuding an effortless confidence. She knew she was letting her imagination run wild; she and Zhou Liao belonged to different worlds, but…

“Okay.”

Zhou Liao took in Bai Ling’s reaction with a knowing glance.

“By the way, where do you live? Is it far? Should I give you a ride?”

“Oh, no need. I live near Chuncao River. Just a subway transfer and I’ll be home,” Bai Ling replied, looking up in surprise.

“Chuncao River? That’s quite a distance. It’ll take an hour on the subway. I’ll give you a ride; it’s on my way home anyway.”

“Aren’t you going to play basketball?”

“Almost done. I’ve got other stuff to do anyway.”

“But still…” Bai Ling hesitated, wanting to decline. She’d never been alone in a car with a boy her age before, and it felt too intimate and awkward.

Zhou Liao cut her off, flashing a mischievous grin. “What, you think I’m going to eat you or something?”

“No!” Bai Ling’s face flushed crimson.

……

This was Bai Ling’s first time riding in such an expensive sports car. Zhou Liao gentlemanly opened the door for her as she got in. Throughout the drive, he was considerate, asking if she was comfortable, if she wanted the window down or the seat adjusted, and even letting her connect to the car’s Bluetooth to play her favorite music.

When they arrived at the entrance of her residential complex, Zhou Liao parked smoothly and got out first to open her door. He braced his hand against the doorframe to prevent her from bumping her head on the low roof of the sports car. Tall and lean in his black tank top, Zhou Liao stood framed in the doorway, casting a slightly oppressive shadow over the space. Bai Ling looked up, her gaze drawn to the faint outline of his chest and abdominal muscles beneath the fabric, his broad shoulders seeming even wider from her angle, and finally to his high-bridged nose, thin lips, and those usually flamboyant, captivating eyes, now tempered with a hint of restraint.

“Watch your head.”

“Thank you.” Bai Ling instinctively reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear whenever she felt nervous.

“No problem.” Zhou Liao closed the car door. “Can I invite you to dinner next week?”

“Huh?”

“Don’t be nervous. It’s just to thank you for washing my clothes.”

“Oh, that’s really no problem. I used it too, so it was only fair…”

“Ah, so that’s a rejection, then?”

Bai Ling suddenly understood his intentions. She wasn’t sure what was happening, but her mind was a mess—especially when she was flustered and blushing, her thoughts tangled even more. Staring at Zhou Liao standing beside his sports car like a male model, she wrestled with herself for a long moment before finally saying, “Okay.”

“Great! Then it’s settled.” Zhou Liao’s face lit up, his eyes sparkling with laughter. “See you next week.”

“Mmm… see you next week.”

……

The moment Bai Ling opened the door to her apartment, the savory aroma of dinner wafted out.

Hearing the door open, Du Li poked her head out from the kitchen. “You’re back already? Why so early today?”

“I left the dorm earlier than usual today.” Bai Ling didn’t mention that she’d been driven home.

“Come help me serve the soup. It’s almost time for class to end anyway.”

“Coming!”

Bai Ling dropped her crossbody bag and rushed into the kitchen to help.

“Why is your face so red? The sun hasn’t been that strong lately,” Du Li remarked, glancing at her daughter while washing dishes.

“Ah? Is it really that red?” Bai Ling nearly spilled the soup. She swallowed hard. “I don’t know… the rush hour crowd was packed, maybe I got squeezed.”

Du Li didn’t dwell on it, just making a casual comment. After a while, the two carried all the dishes out, creating a lavish and abundant spread.

“Is Dad coming home for dinner?”

“He’s working late. He told me to save some for him when he gets back.” Du Li took off her apron and called toward the bedroom, “Dinner’s ready!”

Before Du Li could finish speaking, a young boy darted out of the bedroom, plopping into his seat in a flash while exclaiming excitedly. A moment later, Bai Ling saw Qin Zhan emerge from the bedroom, but she froze in her tracks at the sight of him.

“Qin Zhan, what happened to your face and neck?”

A bandage covered Qin Zhan’s face, but even through it, the dark bruises were visible around the edges. A small patch of skin on the edge of his adam’s apple looked like it had peeled off and was now scabbing over.

“Seeing him today broke my heart,” Du Li sighed. “He said he fell while walking home at night, but I can’t imagine how he could have fallen so badly.”

Bai Ling frowned. “What happened to your neck?”

Qin Zhan lowered his gaze. “I scraped it on the stairs.”

Bai Ling wasn’t convinced. Upon closer inspection, she noticed marks that resembled blisters from a burn. Not wanting to pry, she simply asked, “Have you been to the hospital?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I’ll change your dressing and disinfect it later,” Du Li said, first filling Qin Zhan’s bowl with soup before ladling separate bowls for Bai Ling and her younger brother. “Chicken soup—drink up and get some nourishment.”

“Mom! Why did Qin Zhan get more than me?” the brother pouted, glancing at Qin Zhan’s overflowing bowl.

“What do you need so much for? You’ve been snacking all afternoon.”

Qin Zhan pushed his bowl toward the brother, but Du Li stopped him. “Don’t mind him. You need to eat more. You work so hard at your part-time jobs and school. You must be exhausted.”

“Just kidding, bro!” the brother grinned foolishly at him. “You’re injured, so you need to eat more.”

The Bai Ling family had always treated him well. Du Li pitied him, took care of him, and gave him opportunities to earn money without compromising his dignity. Qin Zhan understood this deeply, which sometimes made him feel he could never repay their kindness. He had come with nothing, yet they continued to give him everything.

“By the way, how’s Grandma doing?” Bai Ling placed a bite of food in Qin Zhan’s bowl, adding quickly, “I haven’t eaten yet,” as if afraid he’d think she’d put her saliva on it.

“Still the same.”

“Are you short on cash lately? Going to the hospital must have cost you a lot,” Du Li said, her heart aching as she looked at the injuries on Qin Zhan’s face. How could such a talented young man have such a difficult family background? she thought. “Just so happens my son improved his mid-term exam ranking by a hundred places. I’ll give you a big red envelope as a reward.”

“The scholarship money should be coming soon. It’s fine…”

“That’s different,” Bai Ling said, chewing on her chopsticks and glancing at her younger brother, who was frantically shoveling rice into his mouth. “This kid actually improved that much? It’s all thanks to your tutoring.”

Just as she finished speaking, her phone buzzed. Bai Ling glanced at the notification and was surprised to see it was from Zhou Liao, asking what they were having for dinner tonight.

“Who is it? Got a boyfriend?” Du Li teased, noticing the faint blush on Bai Ling’s ears as she replied. A mother always has a subtle intuition for her daughter’s shifting affections.

“Ah, no, don’t be silly!” Bai Ling hurriedly shook her head.

“You’re a junior now; it’s time you started dating. You haven’t even had one relationship yet,” Du Li said teasingly, while also giving Qin Zhan a playful warning, “Since you two go to the same school, keep an eye on Bai Ling’s situation for me, okay?”

“Mom…” Bai Ling glanced awkwardly at Qin Zhan, who simply met her gaze with a detached look, showing no reaction whatsoever.

Her phone vibrated again. Zhou Liao had quickly replied with a photo of his takeout meal, saying he was all alone at home and this was all he was eating. Even this small corner of the house looked luxurious in the picture. Bai Ling knew Zhou Liao was always surrounded by people.

“Aren’t you spending the weekend with friends or your parents?”

“My friends are out racing, and my parents are too busy with work. I barely see them all year.”

Remembering Zhou Liao’s usual carefree demeanor, Bai Ling suddenly realized he was nothing like she’d imagined. The chronic absence of family must make him sad too, she thought.

As Du Li stood up to get rice from the kitchen, she glanced at the contact name on Bai Ling’s phone screen. Without thinking much of it, she remarked, “Zhou Liao? That’s a boy’s name, isn’t it? I knew there was something going on.”

Bai Ling instantly locked her phone, her heart pounding. She looked up in a panic, only to find Qin Zhan staring at her with eyes as deep and fathomless as a pool of dark water.