Chen Zimei stammered, as if her throat was being tightly choked, unable to utter a single sound.

Yang Qingheng patted her shoulder and sighed helplessly: "You have to be careful when making friends. You treat someone like a sister, but they treat you like a fool."

Chen Zimei couldn't hold back any longer and burst into tears. She shook off her hand and ran outside.

Yang Qingheng awkwardly withdrew her hand.

Fang Nan was dumbfounded, feeling as if the world had been hit by a thousand points of damage: "Song Hengjue, why does your wife carry this thing with her all the time!"

Song Hengjue remained silent, his dark eyes fixed on Yang Qingheng's direction, his gaze complex.

"How could my sister-in-law, such a funny person, fall for a dark-faced weirdo like you?" Fang Nan felt like he had a red eye. "You don't cherish such a good person. You'll regret it when she runs away."

Chen Zimei ran into Li Jiaoyan as soon as she entered the classroom.

"Zimei, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?" Li Jiaoyan turned her head and glanced at her.

"I'm fine. It's just that the wind was blowing outside and sand got in my eyes," Chen Zimei said, looking at her friend. For the first time, she felt that her friend was a complete stranger. "Jiaoyan, why is Yang Qingheng always bothering Song Hengjue? Didn't you say that Song Hengjue is your boyfriend? Can't you tell him to stay away from Yang Qingheng?"

"What else could it be? Yang Qingheng just doesn't like me," Li Jiaoyan said through gritted teeth, clinging to her hand and acting coquettishly. "Zimei, do you know any of the friends in Class One? Can you talk to them for me? I want them to know what Yang Qingheng is really like."

Chen Zimei felt a chill run down her spine and stammered, "I haven't been in contact with them for a long time. I have so much schoolwork now, going to see them would just be bothering them."

She casually brushed Li Jiaoyan's hand away and made an excuse to return to her seat.

At the school gate.

Yang Qingheng's brow twitched as she looked at Cheng Kai, who was being unreasonable and argumentative.

"Yang Qingheng, I've helped you twice, so even if we're not friends, we're business partners, right? You should treat me to dinner." Cheng Kai shamelessly blocked her way.

"I'm busy."

Cheng Kai persisted: "How can you say you're not free? You're going home now, so surely you'll be free tomorrow at noon."

Yang Qingheng didn't want to get entangled with him, so she tried to negotiate: "I'll give you fifteen yuan. You can go to the state-run restaurant with Xu Linsen, okay? Consider it my treat."

"No..." Cheng Kai grabbed her wrist as she was about to leave.

Yang Qingheng was annoyed and about to reprimand him when a male voice suddenly came from behind her: "Try touching her again!"

Tang Bainian pulled Cheng Kai away with a forceful tug.

This action was undoubtedly a provocation in Cheng Kai's eyes. His face darkened instantly, and he threw a punch at Tang Bainian. However, he was only a half-baked fighter. His fighting skills were okay among his peers, but he was no match for the battle-hardened Tang Bainian. He was suppressed in just a few moves.

"Comrade Yang Qingheng, are you alright?" Tang Bainian turned to look at Yang Qingheng with concern.

Yang Qingheng shook her head: "It's okay, let him go."

Tang Bainian looked at her serious expression, hesitated for a few seconds, and then pushed Cheng Kai away.

Feeling both angry and ashamed at being easily overpowered by a stranger in front of a woman, Cheng Kai turned to stare directly at Yang Qingheng, his tone tinged with barely perceptible grievance: "Yang Qingheng, who is he?"

Yang Qingheng ignored him and casually replied, "He's my friend. I have something to talk to him about. You can go now."

Cheng Kai glared fiercely at Tang Bainian, reluctantly turning back every few steps.

"Is he yours?" Tang Bainian glanced indifferently in Cheng Kai's direction, not quite understanding how such a gentle girl like Yang Qingheng could be friends with such a hoodlum.

"My classmate." Yang Qingheng seemed reluctant to mention Cheng Kai.

Tang Bainian changed the subject, saying, "I'm off work. I'll give you a ride home. I also have something to give you."

Yang Qingheng nodded: "Okay, thank you." It saved her from having to squeeze onto the bus.

Since their last meeting at the hospital, Zhou Shuwen has sent her family several supplements, but they won't listen to her advice. So Yang Qingheng had Yao Ying bring her some herbal tea, and sometimes she would also bring her a nice bag or two.

The car was not far away, and Yang Qingheng naturally unfastened the passenger seatbelt.

How did you find your way here?

Tang Bainian started the car: "My aunt told me that you're in your final year of high school and you're planning to apply to that university?"

Yang Qingheng was surprised: "Everyone thinks I'm taking a risk when they know I'm in my senior year of high school. How come you have so much confidence in me?"

“I don’t think you’re the type to make decisions without being sure of yourself. And even if you don’t pass the exam, so what? You can take it again next year. It’s a good opportunity to gain experience,” Tang Bainian said seriously.

Yang Qingheng couldn't help but smile: "I feel like you know me pretty well."

Tang Bainian couldn't help but slightly curl his lips: "Which university are you planning to apply to?"

"Let's report it to Hai Province."

Tang Bainian was taken aback: "There are only two universities in Hai Province, and the development here is quite backward. Are you sure you don't want to consider Beijing?"

These days, everyone is striving to get into Beijing for the civil service exam, but this is the first time he's seen someone so determined to go to Hai Province.

“This is something I’ve thought about carefully,” Yang Qingheng shook her head, declining his offer. “Hai Province is right next door, not far at all. I can come back to take care of my family during a short holiday, which is quite convenient.”

Moreover, this place will be the center of reform and opening up at that time, so you can study and take care of your career at the same time. It takes care of all three directions, which is perfect.

Tang Bainian didn't have the ability to predict the future, but he thought that Yang Qingheng was doing everything for her family. His expression was somewhat complicated: "Comrade Yang Qingheng, you have sacrificed too much for your family. You should also consider your future."

If he had a clear stance, he really wanted to ask her if it was worth giving up so much for a man.

Yang Qingheng didn't explain, but just shook her head with a faint smile: "Officer Tang, don't try to persuade me. I won't regret making this decision."

Tang Bainian sighed, and the car slowly came to a stop outside Songjia Village.

Just as Yang Qingheng was about to get out of the car, she suddenly remembered that Tang Bainian had said he would bring her something, and turned back: "Officer Tang?"

Tang Bainian suddenly realized and slapped his forehead: "I forgot."

He took a wooden box out of the car.

Yang Qingheng asked in surprise, "What is this?"

"Open it and take a look," Tang Baiqing said with a smile.

Yang Qingheng found it strange, so she simply opened it. This was not a tonic at all, but clearly the antique teacup she had lost last time!