chapter 7

Without Shen Qingqie, my day was surprisingly pleasant.

After school, the homeroom teacher kept me behind to help grade some papers.

By the time I got to the neighborhood, it was almost dark.

A few aunties walking their dogs were chatting as they strolled ahead of me.

“Did you hear? That lunatic from Building Three just got sent to the Mental Hospital because he beat his son so badly that the boy called the police.”

“I even went to see. It’s such a tragedy. That child looks so well-behaved-how could anyone bear to hit him like that…”

I stopped in my tracks.

Our home is in Building Three.

And that lunatic is none other than Shen Qingqie’s Father.

In my previous life, he would often go mad and beat Shen Qingqie, leaving him covered in bruises.

I always kept a small first aid kit under my desk to treat his wounds.

I had offered to help him call the police, but he thought I was meddling.

It seems that this time, he chose not to endure it any longer.

I hadn’t walked far when I saw Shen Qingqie curled up on a bench.

Blood was seeping from his forehead, making his face look sickly pale.

The lights around flickered, and the cold wind lifted his messy hair. I was caught off guard when our eyes met-his gaze was lost and helpless.

I looked away, expressionless, ready to turn and leave.

“Ranran…” he called out to me.

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, his expression returned to its usual coolness. “What are you doing here?”

What’s wrong with him?

Feeling unlucky, I hurried my pace.

But he suddenly let out a cold laugh.

His low, hoarse voice came from behind me.

“Don’t think I don’t know-you came here to play the savior.

“You love to swoop in and help when others are at their lowest, acting all high and mighty.

“Do you think that will make me like you?

“On the contrary.

“I hate your hypocritical act the most.”