Chapter 156 Turning Bad

Jiang Zhizhi rode the bike a few times until she was very skilled before going home with Fang Hua.

Fang Hua thought about finding some yarn to knit a seat cover for the bicycle, and also knit handlebar covers for the two handlebars, which would make it look better.

Following Jiang Zhizhi into the living room, he wondered, "Where did Xiao Chuan go to play today? He didn't even come back for lunch."

Jiang Zhizhi remained silent; she genuinely couldn't bring herself to like Zhou Xiaochuan. Everyone in this family had their own temper, but they were all capable of distinguishing right from wrong.

Zhou Xiaochuan was the only exception. He believed whatever outsiders said, but he treated the words of his own family as if they were going to kill him.

Fang Hua then asked Jiang Zhizhi about registering, and then went upstairs to find yarn to work on.

Jiang Zhizhi also went back to her room, packed her things for class into her military satchel, took a nap for a while, and then lay on the bed reading for a while before feeling her shoulder getting more and more painful.

I stood up and stretched my shoulders, then heard Fang Hua's voice outside.

Curious, I went outside. Zhou Xiaochuan returned sometime later, carrying a box of Fengxiangzhai pastries, which he placed on the coffee table.

Fang Hua was scolding him: "Where did you go to play all day again? Can't you be more mindful and find something to do? If your dad sees you being so irresponsible, he'll definitely scold you."

Zhou Xiaochuan pushed Fang Hua's shoulder and sat her down on the sofa: "Mom, don't worry, I went out today to check on my work. I definitely won't let you and Dad embarrass me."

Fang Hua was puzzled: "What good jobs can you find outside? If you don't want to work too hard, find someone to arrange an easy job for you. You're twenty-two, you should have a job and then settle down."

Zhou Xiaochuan was a little happy: "Mom, don't worry, this time it will definitely be reliable. I have a friend whose relative is quite capable. He arranged for him to work at customs and said that if I wanted to, he would arrange for me to go there too."

Fang Hua frowned: "If you want to go, just have your dad pull some strings. What kind of shady friends do you know outside? Are they reliable?"

Zhou Xiaochuan exclaimed, "Mom, I don't want to rely on the family for everything. You know my dad's temper. If I ask him to find some connections, he'll nag me endlessly. Besides, Xiao Liu, you know him. His uncle is a leader in customs."

Fang Hua didn't say anything more. She knew Xiao Liu, whom Zhou Xiaochuan mentioned, and Xiao Liu's uncle.

Jiang Zhizhi listened from the side and looked at Zhou Xiaochuan's smug expression. She felt that his job was too easy and too strange.

Fang Hua was still worried: "Okay, if you can go to work, I'll treat Uncle Xiao Liu to a meal later."

Zhou Xiaochuan agreed, bending down to pat the pastry box: "Mom, this is my gift to you. Just wait and see how good life will be for you with me from now on."

Fang Hua was still worried: "If you really go to work, you have to listen to your boss and not come back after just two days."

Zhou Xiaochuan was getting a little impatient. Jiang Zhizhi was going to college, and her mother was overjoyed.

He has now found a job, but instead of receiving praise from his mother, she is filled with all sorts of worries, as if he is a fool with no judgment at all.

She stood up somewhat angrily: "I'm going upstairs to sleep for a while. I won't be eating at home tonight; I'll eat at Xiao Liu's house."

Fang Hua ignored him and called Jiang Zhizhi to come and see the seat cover she had knitted.

Jiang Zhizhi smiled as she looked at the pink yarn ball: "Mom, isn't it too bright?"

Fang Hua held it up and looked at it again and again: "Is it bright? I think it looks pretty. Shouldn't girls wear pink and tender colors?"

Jiang Zhizhi didn't argue. Pink is pretty too, and it will be more recognizable.

He glanced at his watch: "It's almost five o'clock. I'll go to the main gate and see if Zhou Xiye has returned yet."

Fang Hua waved his hand: "Okay, wear something warm. The weather outside is changing; it looks like it's going to snow."

Jiang Zhizhi put on a cotton-padded coat and went out.

The sky was overcast, and it looked like it was about to get dark even though it wasn't even five o'clock.

The north wind howled all the way down, making the tree branches creak and groan.

Jiang Zhizhi stretched her arms as she walked, and after exiting the gate, she looked around before heading to the bus stop to wait.

The sky was overcast and cold, and there wasn't a soul on the road.

Jiang Zhizhi circled around the bus stop but still couldn't see the bus, so she decided to wait at the duty room at the entrance.

Turning around, I saw Song Man walking slowly in the woods across the way, as if she was heading towards the riverbank below the woods.

Look at the weather, then look at Song Man's lonely and desolate figure.

Jiang Zhizhi couldn't help but run over and grab Song Man's arm: "Sister Song Man, it's windy, don't walk in the woods. Branches might break and hit people."

Song Man turned around and saw that she wasn't wearing her glasses and her face was covered in tears.

Jiang Zhizhi was taken aback. Because they weren't familiar with each other, she didn't know how to persuade her. She just held onto Song Man's arm and didn't let go: "Sister Song Man, come with me to the duty room to warm up. Everything can be resolved there."

Song Man looked at Jiang Zhizhi, tears streaming down her face, and cried silently.

She knew it was shameful, but she couldn't control herself. It felt like a heavy stone was lodged in her heart, making it hard for her to breathe.

Jiang Zhizhi didn't say anything, but pulled her arm hard and led her onto the main road, then dragged her towards the duty room.

Think about it, there are still people in the duty room, Song Man definitely doesn't want anyone to see her like this.

Thinking of the air-raid shelter that the original owner used to frequent, which wasn't far from here.

So he simply grabbed Song Man and ran in that direction.

Song Man's mind was already blank, and after wandering around all afternoon, she couldn't understand it any better.

The more I think about it, the more I feel like my life is a failure, and I might as well just die.

Now that Jiang Zhizhi was pulling him along, he didn't resist and mechanically followed her.

Jiang Zhizhi pulled her to the entrance of the air-raid shelter. After listening for any sounds inside, she walked a little further in before stopping. "Sister Song Man, if you want to cry, just cry here. There's no one here, and I won't tell anyone when I get back."

He then handed her the handkerchief from his pocket.

Song Man looked at the handkerchief in Jiang Zhizhi's hand with some surprise, paused for a few seconds, took it, and wiped away her tears: "I'm fine, I'm sorry you had to see this."

Jiang Zhizhi shook her head: "No, everyone has moments of vulnerability and despair. Just let it out. No matter what, we only live once, so please don't do anything foolish."

Looking at Jiang Zhizhi, Song Man suddenly felt a strong urge to confide in this girl who was younger than her.

“Do you know that I have a crush on Zhou Xiye? I started having a crush on him when I moved into this compound at the age of fourteen. I even wrote a thick diary, which was full of stories about him.”

“I would secretly peek out the window and watch him pass by my door.”

"Actually, I've barely spoken a few words to him because I'm too shy..."