Chapter 18 "Home invasion."
There was silence at both ends. The phone in Zongchi's luggage bag kept playing. He Dongli knew that his family must be looking for him.
The person involved pretended not to hear anything, picked up a bottle of water, tilted his head back and drank it, and when he couldn't finish it, he poured it on his head and face.
After a moment of calm, he finally showed his impatience at noticing someone else was around and asked her, "I've delivered your message, why aren't you leaving yet?"
He Dongli felt driven away and turned around consciously.
Zong Chi warned her from behind, "Don't talk too much when you get out. I have my own legs, and I can go back whenever I want."
He Dongli felt as if he had been stung. He turned back decisively, "Zongchi, I'm telling you again, I didn't say anything about you."
"I'll emphasize to you again, I didn't say you said that."
“You didn’t say…”
Zong Chi interrupted her, "I asked if you'd mentioned it to anyone. Just because you mentioned it doesn't mean you're the one fabricating the rumor."
He Dongli felt aches all over her body for a moment. She could have just told Zong Chi, "I already know who said that. It was Xu Xilin. She and her classmates heard their conversation that night."
Xu Xilin also admitted that it was not her who spread the news on purpose, but she just did not stop it immediately.
She said she hated the way Zong Chi always looked at her, and that watching him get humiliated was such a joy. It was a blessing for all of them that a playboy had left their middle school. It was a shame, some would be left alone, others would have to rely on someone less. He Dongli, don't deny it, you're just like your mother.
You're hooking up with Zong Chi, relying on your grades and your beauty. He always stands up for you when you have problems. You and your daughter really can't live without a man.
-
He Dongli questioned Xu Xilin, "Who stood up for me, and when? Also, is it me and my mother who can't live without men, or is it you, Xu Xilin, and you two siblings who can't live without the hatred you have for me?"
Xu Xize stood by, indifferent and ignoring their daily quarrels.
Xu Xilin constantly brought up her mother, saying she could never forgive the man who betrayed her mother and would always look down on women who depended on men. She laughed at He Dongli, saying, "Isn't it true that your mother is just this kind of dodder? If not, why would she agree to be with Xu Maosen?" Her late husband, your father, was a technical backbone sent out by him. He was nominally on official business at the branch factory, but in reality, your father and my mother might have been cuckolded for a long time.
He Dongli's blood was flowing backwards to the point that she almost raised her hand to hit Xu Xilin, but Xu Xize grabbed her wrist from behind.
She cried and said no, they had always had a good relationship before her father got sick. She couldn't get away from Xu Xize, and finally, she collapsed to the ground in frustration. Xu Xize still didn't let her go. He Dongli used all her strength to elbow him in the chest, then turned around and slapped him in the face.
She stood up and told the brother and sister in a resolute manner that she would not take a penny from the Xu family, but you are trying to humiliate me in order to persuade my mother to leave your father, forget it, everyone should deal with their own mess.
Xu Xilin was shaking with anger, the anger in her eyes almost overflowing, she scolded He Dongli for being shameless, as expected, like mother like daughter, so you are openly acknowledging that your mother is a mistress!
He Dongli argued, "I repeat, she's not. When she returned to Jiangnan, she was widowed, and so was your father. When you accuse someone of something, you should understand that the one making the claim must provide the evidence. Xu Xilin, you'd rather stigmatize your father and your former family than admit it. You simply want to take advantage of your father and your family's interests. You keep saying that my mother can't live without a man, but why can't your father live without my mother?"
The accuser hadn't finished speaking when Xu Xilin, in a frenzied manner, shoved him. He Dongli fell backwards down the stairs. Xu Xize, standing next to him, yelled uncontrollably and was about to go downstairs when Xu Xilin grabbed him and yelled, "If you help her, I'll never let you see me again!"
Aunt Lu climbed up seven or eight steps upon hearing this. Seeing the situation, she cried out in dismay. She helped Dongli up and checked her head and feet. She only had some scrapes on her spine. Aunt Lu knew the contradictions in this combined family. She sided with the right and not the relatives. The younger ones couldn't be persuaded, so she could only blame the eldest brother. Blame Xize, you are the brother, a boy, how could you watch these two sisters fight like this? It was your father who wanted to be with your Aunt Yu. If there is anything, go to your father. Don't you know your father's temper? If you keep making trouble, no one will be happy. If someone dies, let's see how capable your father is to cover up for you two brothers and sisters!
He Dongli climbed up from the carpet. Aunt Lu, in a panic, lifted her clothes to examine her wound, not even avoiding Xu Xize on the steps. He Dongli raised her eyes, her gaze silent for a moment. Xu Xilin looked down at the two people at the staircase with contempt. She said it was great, even a nanny had been bribed by this so-called mistress.
He Dongli, you're so shameless, saying that men can't live without you. If you had that in mind, how could you bear to let Zong Chi go? You should have held on to him tightly, or you know that a child from a family like Zong Chi's would leave sooner or later. Your mother just lied to Xu Maosen and see if her daughter could learn her skills. Let me tell you, in Zong Chi's mother's eyes, you're not even worthy of carrying her shoes.
He Dongli smiled, not insincerely, even a little sarcastic, but more because of the pain from the wound on his waist. Pain can bring clarity, and clarity can bring understanding. Compared to right and wrong, people live more for desire.
She began to understand. Just like Xu Xilin's constant claims of being injustice for her mother, and He Dongli's so-called injustice for her father, they were actually doing it for themselves. Just like today's battle, it seemed to be for their respective parents and factions, but in reality, it was still a matter of personal gain and loss.
"Xu Xilin, why do you care so much about whether Zong Chi leaves or not?"
The person upstairs suddenly moved and almost walked down, but was stopped by her brother.
He Dongli also shook off Aunt Lu's hand, saying that she was fine, and asked her to tell her mother that she had come back and had something to do, so she would go back to live in Tongcheng first.
Before leaving, He Dongli glanced up at the building twice, one look of resentment and one look of ruthlessness.
-
She did not tell Zong Chi who spread the rumors about his family, and naturally she did not mention that Xu Xilin seemed reluctant to let you go.
He Dongli was in a trance for too long, so long that Zong Chi's patience ran out. He threw the towel aside and walked over, shirtless, looking completely out of place with He Dongli. "Did you come here today just to clear your name or to clear your name?"
"Not really. If someone wants to misunderstand you with ulterior motives, no amount of explanation will be enough."
"Then why did you come here?"
"Your father's secretary is looking for you."
"Whether they look for me or not is none of your business."
He Dongli turned away, watching the ripples on the water caused by the wind, so subtle they were barely audible. She couldn't tell whether it was the wind or her heart that was stirring the water.
"Before you leave, I'm here to congratulate you. Congratulations on winning the silver medal."
Zong Chi tilted his head, breathing heavily. He didn't know whether he was mocking himself or her. "Are you here to congratulate me or ridicule me? What's there to congratulate about winning the silver medal?"
"Why isn't the silver medal worth congratulating?" He Dongli had an expression that showed no doubt in his mind. To put it nicely, it was innocent, but in fact, she knew that Zong Chi called her a nerd behind her back.
Zong Chi turned to look at her, their eyes meeting. After a moment, He Dongli said in a serious tone, "I can't even swim. Winning a silver medal in a provincial competition like this, in my opinion, means you're the best. No, the best of the best."
"What’s wrong with you?"
Zong Chi asked her this out of the blue, and He Dongli shook her head almost subconsciously. With their separation imminent, she thought she should make peace with this classmate and alumnus who had been with her for several years. Even though he really had few good relationships at school, only hatred and grudges.
"Nothing much, just came to congratulate you and say goodbye."
-
That day, she had already reached the exit when Zong Chi called out to her from a distance of fifty meters, "He Dongli, do you want me to teach you how to swim?"
“…”
"You are so old, but you can't swim. How did you pass the physical examination in junior high school?" In the silence, his voice came from far away and finally landed in front of her.
"I didn't choose swimming in the physical exam."
"Stop talking nonsense. I'll teach you how to swim, and you'll help me with the four primary school subjects. I'm not afraid to tell you, I don't want my dad to arrange for me to study with those people from the Zong family. I don't like them, and I don't like my parents. I don't like their arrangements, and I don't like the result of my hard work. But because I won the silver medal, they all think that holding a celebration party is a bit too ostentatious. I won't go even if they hold a celebration party, because it's not for me at all. I'm his son, Zong Jingzhou."
It was the first time He Dongli had heard Zong Chi say all this. His usual arrogance was gone, his domineering attitude that could kill anyone he disliked. Instead, he felt only awkwardness and resentment. "Didn't you say your parents were very loving?"
"Just because they are in love doesn't mean they are in love with me too."
He Dongli didn't understand. Zong Chi opened his mouth and finally said, "You won't understand even if I tell you."
He Dongli nodded and let him do as he pleased.
Zong Chi thought she was angry and that he didn't tell her because he was afraid the matter would be exposed again, so he blurted out in desperation, "Husband and wife can fight in bed and make up in the foot of the bed, but how can parents and children do the same? My father can comfort my mother, but he will only kill me."
He Dongli seemed to understand, but finally came to the conclusion that Zong Chi's father had a bad temper, and this seemed to be passed down to him.
They talked for a long time. He Dongli was still wearing a sweater over his school uniform. The person who came ashore was still not going back to the bathroom to take a shower. He Dongli pointed at the goose bumps on his body and said, "Go take a shower and put on your clothes."
"What do you think?" Zong Chi asked her regardless of what she said.
"What?"
"I'll teach you how to swim, and you'll help me with my lessons as compensation."
“…”
"With 4 A's, I can stay and study until the college entrance examination."
"You want to stay and take the college entrance examination?"
"It's up to you."
“…” He Dongli stood there in a daze.
Zong Chi then said slowly, "Help me get 4 A's."
"I can't help you. This isn't the Wedding Dress Magic or the Star Absorbing Magic. I'll just pass it on to you. You're so frivolous and boastful that you can't even tell the difference between A, B, C, and D on a test."
"He Dongli!"
“That’s what it is.”
"What the hell, what do you think? I just don't want to go to their place. Anyway, if I stay, I will prove that I can reach the score required by Lao Zong."
He Dongli acted as if he was not involved, just listening to what he said but not expressing any opinion.
Zong Chi was not very satisfied with her attitude. "You think I can't get 4 A's, right?"
He Dongli shook her head, but she still said it directly, "Zongchi, why are you so unwilling to stay with your parents? You would rather stay in China and go to high school."
"Because I meet them about the same frequency whether I stay in China or go to the country or school they are satisfied with."
"They only come back and fly over to see me when they have time, but some people, once I leave, I won't be able to see them anymore."
He Dongli looked up and heard the bell for the end of get out of class outside. She had skipped class during the free time period of physical education.
She was startled by the ringing sound that came and went, and she looked away for a moment. At that moment, she heard Zong Chi say, "I mean, Lin Jiaoyu and the others."
"I have to go back to the classroom."
"What? About swimming."
"I don't want to learn how to swim, and I can't go in the water recently."
"The menstrual period will always pass." Zong Chi thought she was using her menstrual period as an excuse.
He Dongli couldn't help but adjust the gauze around her spine. It had healed much better in the past two days. When her mother changed the dressing, she said it had already scarred. Yu Xiaohan got angry with the two Xu children for the first time over this matter, and she didn't treat Xu Maosen well either, saying that she usually endured it for the sake of decency, but since it had gotten so bad, why not just let it go? She was a loser, seen by outsiders as someone who couldn't live without a man, and even coveted wealth and fame, and had followed Xu Maosen just for pleasure.
But it’s okay to slander her, but if anyone slanders her daughter, she will fight to the death with all of them.
He Dongli came to her senses almost overnight. She could see clearly whether her mother was really ready to let it go or just wanted to control Xu Maosen.
In the end, they agreed not to enter into a marriage contract. Xu Maosen had already gifted the villa he currently lived in to Ms. Yu Xiaohan. He now lived with his girlfriend, and his children lived separately, so they didn't interfere with each other.
Xu Xilin was very dissatisfied with this. She said that everything the Xu family had should belong to her mother. Why did this third party come in and take over the magpie's nest?
Xu Maosen didn't attack his daughter, only his son. He said he was an adult and there was a limit to how he could speak up for his mother. "What I owe to your mother will be left intact to you and your sister. But I'm not dead yet. I have the right to choose my partner and even more so, the right to control my finances. If you're dissatisfied, you can use your living expenses or your mother's inheritance to hire a lawyer."
When Xu Xize came to pick up his sister from evening study last night, he stopped He Dongli to chat for a few words. He praised He Dongli, saying that it was a blessing in disguise, he fell down but got a house, which was a good deal.
He Dongli smiled, laughing at the lingering ghosts of the brother and sister, and also at herself. Xu Xize asked her with a cold face what she was laughing at. He Dongli replied, "Yes, maybe your sister's attack made me paralyzed, and I will benefit more from it!"
The coldness on Xu Xize's face froze instantly. Finally, he angrily raised his index finger like a gun and pointed it at her brow. Then he left in anger.
They say that once the wound heals, the pain is forgotten.
That day, by the swimming pool on a closed-school day, He Dongli's scars hadn't fully healed, so her hatred for Xu Xilin and her siblings, and the humiliation they'd inflicted, overwhelmed her rationality. Or perhaps Zong Chi's casual mention of her period eventually passed, though the placebo effect was limited, hadn't repelled her, despite the non-offensive gesture. Or perhaps it was simply because the swimming pool was too stuffy, with too little oxygen...
"Zong Chi, I can't guarantee that you will get A's in all four subjects." She hesitated for a while and said this.
The person on the other side smiled and said, "But you will definitely give it your all, right?"
"Yes. I will do my best to supervise you. In return, you don't have to teach me how to swim anymore. Just give me money, whether it's tutoring or part-time supervision."
After Zong Chi heard it clearly, his face fell and he sneezed violently several times, "Hey, you're really short of money, you're earning all your classmates' money!"
"Yes, I'm in need," He Dongli admitted frankly. She might still have many years of schooling ahead of her. She needed money, and selling her knowledge for it wasn't shameful.
Zong Chi stared at her without blinking. He Dongli handed him the tissue in his pocket and urged him to wash and change his clothes.
During the break after the morning exercises the next day, Zong Chi appeared in front of He Dongli's classroom in school uniform. He came to ask her for her student card so that he could top up her card to pay her the hourly fee for supervision.
The rumor spread during lunch in the cafeteria at noon. Zong Chi didn't leave because He Dongli promised to help him get 4 A's. Actually, for a child from a wealthy family like this, how many A's does it matter? He Dongli is really interesting. It's true that when a woman takes the initiative, she can really go a long way.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xingyuan marveled at the Xu family's secrets. He indifferently remarked, "Xu Xilin was truly a master at keeping it secret." Of course, it wasn't surprising that she'd fallen for Zong Chi. Back then, many people had a love-hate relationship with Zong Chi. She wasn't necessarily attracted to him. She looked at Zong Chi the same way she looked at high-end jewelry under a spotlight in a window display. Who knows, if the word "Bulgari" wasn't mentioned, she might lose interest in the items in the window.
As for the campus couple incident that was widely rumored at the time, Jiang Xingyuan vaguely felt that Zong Chi was angry because He Dongli had rashly appeared in the swimming pool that day. At least, without her appearance and this step, the two of them would really be separated by time difference and oceans.
"But, only Zong Chi knew that you went to the swimming pool to look for him. He could have stayed if he wanted to. Why did it get out?"
He Dongli took out some clean clothes and prepared to take a shower. She only admitted one indisputable fact in response to her friend's words: she was indeed the direct cause and effect of Zong Chi's decision to stay in the country.
After Zong Chi finished his four primary school exams, he earned four A's, as he'd hoped. He explained this as a bet to stay in China. He took a leave of absence during his senior year, returning occasionally for training sessions related to school competitions. He then took time off to study with a private tutor his parents had arranged for him, where he also had to get four A's.
He did not take the national college entrance examination, but during the exam days, he sent messages to He Dongli online in advance, calling her He classmate.
Congratulations A.
This seemed to be the Morse code they had worked out during their last year of studying together.
Before Zong Chi went abroad, he confessed to her that the four A's in No. 1 Middle School were to prove to her that I am not as good as you think, but definitely not that bad.
The four A's from the institution were an explanation to my parents.
By the same token, you are roughly equal to my parents.
He Dongli, do you understand?
His mother was urging him to go in, and Zong Chi was demanding an answer from He Dongli in an extremely oppressive manner. He Dongli never said anything, but just said that she was leaving and he should go and wait for the flight quickly.
Zong Chi took off the baseball cap on her head on a whim and said, He Dongli, I believe you.
"Trust me what?" she asked naively.
I believe in your order, I believe in your exclusivity, I believe that you will not cut in line, and similarly, I will not have the best of both worlds.
Jiang Xingyuan laughed so hard, wondering how someone could confess their love in such a formal way.
He Dongli claimed that this was not a confession.
"What is that?"
"Home invasion."
Jiang Xingyuan laughed out loud, "Why did he take off your hat?"
"I don't know. He probably forgot to put on sunscreen that day and requisitioned whatever he could get his hands on and was confident the owner wouldn't sue him."
Jiang Xingyuan was so offended by Dongli's sharp tongue that his jaw was tired from laughing. He said expired candy was kind of delicious, what was going on?
He Dongli felt that she had given such a long speech to strengthen her friendship with Jiang Xingyuan. After all, she was not one to share her personal affairs with others. But it seemed a bit unreasonable that her closest friend knew only a little about her.
Jiang Xingyuan disagrees. "Love is about every detail. Who remembers their ex-boyfriend so clearly? I mean, you describe it in so much detail. I even forgot where my ex-boyfriend and I kissed for the first time."
"That's what you want to hear." Dongli argued.
"I want to hear how you pursued Zong Chi, but you didn't even do that. Who started this rumor? And you have such a good memory, you'd remember it even if it gave me goosebumps."
He Dongli remained silent. Yes, having a good memory is sometimes not a good thing.
Jiang Xingyuan's phone rang. After she picked it up and responded a few times, as if to a business matter, He Dongli went to take a shower.
After showering, Jiang Xingyuan returned to the bedroom, feeling warm and wet. He announced in a thunderous tone, "Do you know who called me just now?"
"Her surname is Huang. She's currently in Hong Kong and will be returning to Shanghai tomorrow morning. She said she read our WeChat official account article and asked me to meet with her tomorrow afternoon regarding qualifications and other details. Her boss gave her my contact information. Who do you think her boss is?"
He Dongli thought, she didn't need to guess. In any case, it was good news, both for her and her friends. At least someone would never be discredited for saying something like that.
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