Section 3

Before her words could finish, Aunt Zhu's sharp voice immediately interrupted her: "Don't mention that heartless thing in front of me! Go, go, go!" She reached out to close the door.

Everyone in Cangmi Alley knows that Uncle Zhu is under the strict control of his wife, never daring to breathe a word in front of Aunt Zhu. However, on that occasion, he made a fierce declaration: "He is my own nephew, the son of my only sister. If you dare to call the police, I will kill you today!"

At this moment, Fu Zichen wished he could throw Cheng Jiayang, who was on the treadmill in the gym upstairs, into the sea to feed the fish. If it weren't for him introducing Ning Beibei and claiming she was particularly gentle and understanding, he would never have whimsically decided to date her. Even more troublesome is that Ning Beibei is not like the other girls he has been involved with; she is the close friend of Cheng Jiayang's cousin, who has a fiery temper and loves to stir up trouble. If things were to escalate too badly, it would likely lead to a lack of peace.

In Luhe, there is a kind-hearted uncle, but unfortunately, he has an even more formidable aunt. His childhood and adolescence were not only marked by the anxiety of living under someone else's roof, but he also endured the more terrifying humiliation.

Hey—" The expression on Fu Zichen's face behind them was so twisted with anger that it was almost unrecognizable

"Bastard, let go of me!" As soon as Mingmei glanced at the scene before her, she already understood what was going on.

Time always seems to pass particularly quickly in such silence. Before one realizes it, it is already time for the study room to close. Amidst a chorus of complaints from everyone, Mingmei tidies up her books and descends the stairs together with Emily Lin.

In the coffee bar of the lounge on the first floor of the fitness club

You, this person! Uncle Zhu stepped forward to block the door, glared at her, then turned to Mingmei and sighed, shaking his head: "No, ever since he left four years ago, there has been no news at all. I don't even know where he is now or how he is doing. Alas!"

He took a deep breath, trying his best to make his tone sound a bit better: "Beibei, you know me, I just like to have a bit of fun, but let's part on good terms, shall we?" This was truly shameless of him, and he was somewhat worried that Ning Beibei would grab the coffee cup on the table and throw it at him, but she did not. Instead, she deepened her tearful expression and reached out to try to grasp Fu Zichan's hand, "Zichan, if I haven't done well enough, I will change, I will change, okay?" He was somewhat worried that Ning Beibei would grab the coffee cup on the table and throw it at him, but she did not. Instead, she deepened her tearful expression and reached out to try to grasp Fu Zichan's hand, "Zichan, if I haven't done well enough, I will change, I will change, okay?"

At this moment, the few team members shared Mingmei's thoughts from yesterday, all lamenting that the final exams were approaching, questioning why they were having a meeting, as if they were going to listen to the diving safety instructions again. While they were discussing this, the door to the small conference room was pushed open, and Cheng Jiayang was the first to enter. When Mingmei's gaze fell on the person behind him, her mind went blank for three seconds, and her first reaction was to run away. However, she quickly calmed down, thinking to herself, why should I feel guilty and sneak away when I haven't done anything wrong? Although that kick was a bit harsh, he deserved it!

In the afternoon, Mingmei did not return directly to school; instead, she first visited the city center's bookstore and purchased several books related to her major. As she was planning to head back to school, she suddenly remembered that the gym where Xia Chunqiu worked was not far from the bookstore. She called her, and it turned out that Xia was just about to finish her class. Mingmei then went to the gym to meet her and return together, while also taking the opportunity to see her work environment.

Just as Mingmei returned to her dormitory, Cheng Jiayang's call came in. She hesitated for a moment, wondering why he was calling so late, but still answered. Cheng Jiayang, on the other end, spoke in his usual seemingly affectionate tone: "Junior Sister, long time no see, I've missed you greatly!" His tone was so cheesy that it made Mingmei's skin crawl, but she was no longer as startled as she had been the first time she received his call, when she had nearly dropped her phone in shock. After a few more conversations, she had come to realize that he was merely playing a mischievous prank.

Spring and Autumn! Bright and beautiful exclamations

Mingmei has not gone to the food street outside the island university for a week, waiting for opportunities. A thick stack of professional books piled up like a small mountain is weighing her down, making it hard for her to breathe. In the 608 dormitory, apart from Xia Chunqiu from the Physical Education Department who is slightly more relaxed, Emily and Lin Miao are also staying up late in the study room with Mingmei

Thank you, Aunt Zhu, I will take my leave now. Mingbei turned around, and as she descended the stairs, her steps were almost unsteady, her legs slightly weak. Upon reaching the first floor, she simply sat down on the steps. Since childhood, she had always feared Aunt Zhu, whose sharpness and severity were well-known throughout Cangmi Alley. If she were not the aunt of Luohe, Mingbei thought she would never have approached her home.

Setting sail... This immediately captured Mingmei's heart; after a brief moment of thought, she quickly changed her words: "Understood, Senior Brother, I will be there on time tomorrow"

Alas! Failing and having to retake courses is truly a sea of suffering, one must quickly cling to the Buddha's feet! Lin Miao's delicate little face was almost wrinkled into a bitter melon expression. She shared the same mindset as Emily, thus throughout the first semester of her freshman year, she hardly studied at all, skipping any class she could and staying in the dormitory, lost in watching idol dramas.

This kick was delivered without mercy, fueled by all her strength and anger. Fu Zicheng gasped in pain, bent over and hugged his leg as he retreated to the sofa, raising his head to shout: "Hey! Are you even a woman? Such strength!" He truly did not understand what misfortune he had encountered; every time he met this woman, something bad always happened!

Aunt Zhu gazed at her deeply and spoke with impatience: "What is it?"

Senior brother, what is the matter

Mingmei had just shaken off her shock when she heard a somewhat familiar voice from above her head. She wanted to push him away, but his arm tightened around her even more, as if he knew her next move would be to lift her foot to step on him. He firmly pinned her legs against the chair with his own, leaving her completely unable to move.

"Thank you, Uncle, I have already eaten." Mingmei slightly bowed. "I apologize for disturbing you, but I would like to... I would like to ask if there has been any contact from Luohe recently..."

"I’m sorry, you have to come with me to change your clothes..." Before Fu Zichen could finish his sentence, he was suddenly grabbed by someone and pulled back. A fist, swift and precise, struck his cheek. Just as he regained his senses, that furious fist came at him again. He swiftly caught that arm, firmly holding it in the air.

You ask whether life is exhausting. Originally, I thought that after escaping the hell of the third year of high school and entering the paradise of university, I could spend my days indulging in food, drink, entertainment, social events, dances, dating, and breaking up. Who would have thought it would still be the same! The sea of suffering, oh the sea of suffering!" Emily buried her head in a dictionary as thick as a brick, softly lamenting.

Mingmei, you don't know, right? Last time, it was this guy who hit you with his car and then ran away. Well done! You've avenged both old and new grievances! Xia Chunqiu naturally was unaware of the 'falling into the sea and the mental hospital' incident, but Mingmei's kick was particularly satisfying. She put her arm around her shoulder and said, "Let's go, let's head upstairs and take a shower first." Looking at Mingmei's disheveled appearance, with coffee stains all over her face, she felt a bit guilty. Had she known, she wouldn't have let her wait for her at the coffee shop. If she hadn't come down to check on her during her break, who knows how much more she would have been bullied.

Aunt Zhu coughed immediately

"Let me just say about you, you have wasted a good appearance, completely lacking in charm." Cheng Jiayang resumed his usual tone, sighing repeatedly. Every time he called Mingmei, she always opened with this line, her tone never changing.

Mingmei did not respond, holding the phone and quietly waiting for him to speak again

Half of December has just passed, and the atmosphere in the school has suddenly become tense. No matter how playful the students usually are, they are all rushing to the study rooms and libraries with stacks of materials to secure their spots, striving for the upcoming final exams. Almost all departments have a rule that all students despise: those who fail the final exams must retake the course, with no opportunity for a make-up exam.

Fu Zichen covered her mouth with his hand, and at that moment, Mingmei was completely furious, cursing him a hundred times in her heart, yet feeling utterly helpless. She could only restlessly twist and turn in Fu Zichen's embrace, trying to attract the attention of the waiter, but no one was looking this way at all

When Mingmei got up, she reached out to brush her bangs, only to find a moist substance at the corner of her eye; it had been a long, long time since she had shed any tears

That won't do! Cheng Jiayang immediately refused without a second thought. After a pause, he added: "I'll let you in on a secret, our team leader will attend tomorrow's meeting and is very likely to go out to sea. Haven't you always wanted to give it a try?"

Let us get down to business. There will be a team meeting tomorrow at 10:00 AM. Please do not be late

Mingmei was busy grappling with the troublesome data and technical terms, leaving her no time to engage in conversation. In the entire study room, apart from their table, there was hardly anyone else talking, only the sound of papers rustling in a continuous flow.

The shrinking turtle... was teasing a respectable young lady. Fu Zichen's expression changed repeatedly, but before he could speak, Mingmei had already recognized him. Pointing at him, she stammered, "You, you, you, you..." After a long pause, she suddenly rushed over and kicked Fu Zichen hard on the shin, gritting her teeth with laughter: "Cousin, what a coincidence, we meet again!"

Mingmei, strong and self-assured, calmed herself down

Fu Zichen, dressed in sportswear, rested one hand on his forehead while the other hand rhythmically tapped on the table, indicating that his patience had reached its limit. However, Ning Beibei across from him seemed completely oblivious, her face resembling a palette of colors as she squeezed out a weak expression that looked as if she were about to cry, repeating for the Nth time the same phrase: "I don't believe... Zichen, I don't believe that you no longer love me. You used to treat me so well..."

Mingmei, with her eyes closed, was consumed by a desire to kill. Coffee flowed from her forehead into her eyes, then slid down her cheeks and into her neck, chilling her to the bone

Tomorrow is Saturday, and Mingmei furrowed her brows: "Senior Brother, if there are no particularly important matters, may I take a leave? The final exam is approaching, and I need to review." Since she joined the diving group, there have been a total of three internal meetings. The first was for the members to get to know each other, the second was a one-hour lecture by Cheng Jiayang on the basics of diving and precautions, and the third was again a half-hour lecture by Cheng Jiayang on the same topics. For the new members, it was fine, but several old members had already protested, asking when they could practice diving. Mingmei also wanted to dive, but Cheng Jiayang said that the arrangements for diving practice had to be made by the group leader, yet that mysterious group leader had never shown up.

Xia Chunqiu did not respond to her. After seeing Fu Zicheng clearly, her anger surged even more: "So it was you, the irresponsible turtle who shrank back last time, and now you dare to tease a respectable young lady in public?"

Fu Zichen was on the verge of losing his temper. He avoided her hand, and at the moment he raised his eyes, his gaze coincidentally met a familiar figure who was walking towards him. A thought crossed his mind, and as she passed by him, he suddenly stood up and grabbed her arm. With a pull, she found herself leaning into his embrace in a rather ambiguous posture.

You... you all... you adulterous couple!" Ning Beibei finally awakened from her tearful state, her expression drastically changing. She raised a cup of coffee and splashed it over, then smashed the cup on the ground, letting out a heart-wrenching roar: "Fu Zichen, I hate you!" She covered her face and left.

The next day, when Mingmei arrived at the conference room, most of the team members had already gathered. There were not many members in the diving team, just ten in total, as the school had only provided two sets of professional equipment, which were outdated. This resulted in a significant shortage during training, so each year, at most, only two new members could join the diving team. Upon hearing this, Mingmei felt both surprised and fortunate; with so many people in the school, she truly considered herself incredibly lucky to be one of those two fortunate individuals.

"Stop being so verbose, eat!" Aunt Zhu shouted

The expression is that of a thoroughly abandoned woman, the actions are filled with a mix of love and hate, and the scene is reminiscent of an idol drama

"Beibei, I’m sorry, my girlfriend has been waiting for me for a long time. If I don’t leave soon, she might get jealous." Fu Zichen's lips curled into a smile

At that moment, someone walked out from behind Aunt Zhu, exclaiming in surprise: "It's Mingmei! Have you eaten? Come in, come in, let's eat together if you haven't."

Mingmei did not expect that the person she collided with last time was actually Fu Zichen, but recalling that day when she had recklessly run without a care, the coffee stains on her face and neck were indeed uncomfortable. She had no intention of arguing with him and turned to follow Xia Chunqiu upstairs

It is not surprising that she reacted so strongly upon hearing the name Luo He, because four years ago, Luo He secretly left the Zhu family and stole the one thousand yuan she had hidden under the mattress to pay for her son's extracurricular tutoring classes. This incident caused quite a stir at the time; Aunt Zhu was determined to report it to the police, but Uncle Zhu slapped her twice, which made her explode in anger, crying and making a scene, demanding a divorce