Chapter 232 Two Birthdays

"No, this time it really is my fault, I..."

“I’ve already said, this isn’t your fault. It’s Wen Jin’ai’s own fault for having impure thoughts. She’s the one who’s wrong. If she hadn’t had those thoughts, none of this would have happened. Cangcang, if you ever encounter something similar again, don’t blame yourself or get caught up in the internal struggle. First, think about whether someone else was at fault first.”

If he continues with this mindset, he will inevitably fall into a vicious cycle of self-blame after she is gone. Over time, even a god would suffer from this kind of inner turmoil and become ill.

But of course, she couldn't tell him any of this.

As Ao Cang watched Qiao Mei's hands washing vegetables in the clear water, his heart, which had accumulated a lot of grime, seemed to be cleansed by her hands. His originally gloomy heart instantly felt much lighter.

"Is that so?" He still had a wound on the corner of his mouth. When he raised his wet golden eyes, his uncertain and pitiful expression softened Qiao Mei's heart. She dried her right hand and rubbed his fluffy head, then hummed in agreement.

"However, if something like Xu Heyu hitting you happens again, no matter the reason, you have to hit back, understand?"

Ao Cang didn't understand: "Then, if I did something wrong and he hit me, do I have to retaliate?"

Qiao Mei frowned: "Of course, he's nobody to you. Even if you're wrong, it's not his place to lecture you."

“But…” Ao Cang wanted to say that Xu Heyu seemed to still like her and was on her side.

He hit her to vent his anger for her.

But remembering that Qiao Mei had been dealing with Xu Heyu for who knows how long because of him, he swallowed his words and mumbled an "Mm".

Just as dinner was ready, the medicine Qiao Mei had bought was delivered.

She glanced at Ao Cang's still-oozing pus-filled mouth, opened the medicine box and told him to tie his hair up so she could apply the medicine for him.

"I'll pretend I don't know anything about this time, and I won't mention it to Xu Heyu. But if it happens again, I'll definitely go find him. He's strange; he's clearly a man..."

Ao Cang finished tying his hair and looked up in confusion: "What man?"

What Qiao Mei wanted to say was that he was clearly the male lead, so why didn't he revolve around Qiao Yingying, the female lead in the book, but instead revolved around her, the female supporting character who should have been killed off long ago?

Reminded by Ao Cangyi, he felt a sudden chill and broke out in a cold sweat.

If she continues talking, she'll probably be forced to leave.

She fluttered her eyelashes and said evasively, "No, you should apply the medicine quickly. If your injury isn't treated soon, it will get even worse."

Ao Cang sensed that Qiao Mei was hiding something from him, but thinking that there was plenty of time and she would eventually tell him the truth, he didn't press her further. He pretended not to notice anything amiss and obediently let her apply the medicine.

The results of Wen Jin'ai's investigation came out early the next morning.

The interrogating officer named Yuan Shao actually replaced her brother-in-law and became the new director. He convicted Wen Jin'ai based on the facts. Her family tried everything they could, but they couldn't change the sentence she was supposed to receive. They could only watch helplessly as she was sentenced to seven years in prison for kidnapping and attempted coercion.

Qiao Mei didn't feel anything about the result.

When people do wrong, they must pay the corresponding price. Wen Jin'ai can only be said to have deserved her punishment.

The sudden loss of this person in the class doesn't seem to have much of an impact.

Soon, a new girl with a similar family background took her place and became the new leader.

Shang Duojin and Shu Qingqing asked Qiao Mei and learned that Wen Jin'ai had "transferred schools" because of this incident. They scolded Wen Jin'ai harshly during lunch to vent their anger.

Shang Duojin placed his large chicken leg into Qiao Mei's bowl and gave her a thumbs up: "With this incident, those who still have designs on Ao Cang will probably be more restrained. The truth should be revealed in about half a month. Sister Qiao, I must say, you did a great job!"

Half a month is the time it takes for the Interstellar Police Bureau to announce the results of its operations.

Shu Qingqing was unaware of this and asked Shang Duojin why.

After asking and understanding, he nodded knowingly: "You know this? You wouldn't have committed a crime and been imprisoned in Orange before, would you?"

"Tsk, how could that be? It's my older sisters. Several of them have experienced similar things before. They wanted to marry into the Shang family but failed. I know a bit more about it."

At this point, Shang Duojin clenched his right fist and slammed it into the palm of his left hand, as if he had suddenly remembered something: "By the way, are you two free next Saturday? I want to celebrate my birthday then."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Mei transferred the large chicken leg into Ao Cang's bowl and asked him in confusion, "But if I remember correctly, didn't you already have your birthday? All freshmen at the Federal Academy must be 18 years old this year to be eligible to enter. How come you've already celebrated your birthday?"

Shang Duojin waved his hand: "Oh, don't say it. I'm speechless when it comes to this. According to the Gregorian calendar, I've already celebrated my birthday, but in my family, we usually celebrate both the lunar and solar calendar birthdays. So, we celebrate both birthdays. This time, it was my lunar birthday."

Qiao Mei and Shu Qingqing had never attended his birthday celebration according to the Gregorian calendar, so of course they had to go this time since it was on the lunar calendar.

After understanding the reason, Qiao Mei said there was no problem, but she had a game to play that day and might have to go later. At the latest, she would probably be free around 8 o'clock.

"The competition is the Star Monster All-People Professional League, you should know that."

"When did you participate in this competition? I remember the entry requirements for this competition were very strict. You had to independently build a B-class mecha. Although it didn't have to be a real-world mecha, even a game-based one is not easy to make!"

Qiao Mei nodded: "Yes, that's the requirement. I was able to complete the mecha so smoothly thanks to Yan Qing's help. She provided all the materials. I'll have to thank her properly after the competition."

Shang Duojin: "???"

"No, what did you just say? Your mecha materials were provided by Giant Qing? Did she make you return them? Did she greedily charge you a high price?"

"No." Qiao Mei shook her head, picked up a shrimp with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, and then stated the fact that Yan Qing was sponsoring her for free.

"Why would you suddenly say that? Don't you have a lot of opinions about Gan Gan? I feel that she is a very good person, not as bad as you say."

Shang Duojin was utterly astonished: "How could it be that I have a problem with her? She treats everyone the way I described, so why is she suddenly treating you so differently? Taking you back to her family home and giving you materials for free... this is just...!"

At this point, Shang Duojin's eyes widened in shock, as if he had discovered some incredible secret.

Shang Duojin: !! I was caught completely off guard and stumbled upon a shocking piece of gossip!