Ji Zhaoxi’s homeroom teacher knew about her family situation, so whenever there was a competition with a cash prize, she would always ask Ji Zhaoxi to participate.
But she had to sift through them first, making sure the prize money was worthwhile and that Ji Zhaoxi had a real chance of winning.
“Miss Li, why didn’t you let your class’s Ji Zhaoxi take part in that city-level competition?” a colleague teased.
Miss Li sighed. “The prize money for that one isn’t even enough to cover the taxi fare.”
She felt embarrassed even bringing it up to Ji Zhaoxi.
But if she did ask, Ji Zhaoxi would definitely go—she was that kind of obedient kid.
The other teacher was puzzled. “Aren’t competitions like that just for gaining experience? Why focus so much on the prize money?”
After all, the cash was supposed to be more of a symbolic gesture.
Miss Li understood that full well. Competitions like that were fine for the other students in class, but for Ji Zhaoxi, it would just be a waste of her time.
She knew Ji Zhaoxi had some side hustles at school, but she usually turned a blind eye.
She hadn’t understood why until the day she got a call from Ji Zhaoxi’s father.
That man swore and ranted on the phone, demanding the school deposit all of Ji Zhaoxi’s future prize money into his bank account, or else he would sue.
Only then did Miss Li realize just how hard Ji Zhaoxi’s life really was.
Now, Miss Li picked up the essay award certificate from her desk and went to find Ji Zhaoxi.
This competition wasn’t very prestigious, but the prize money was generous—which was why she had recommended it.
When Ji Zhaoxi received the certificate and the cash, she was overjoyed and immediately sent the news to Ji Huaichuan and Zhou Chiye.
Zhou Chiye replied quickly: 【Not bad [attached transfer]】
Ji Huaichuan didn’t respond at first.
Ji Zhaoxi knew he had seen the message, so she smugly sent him another screenshot of the prize money she just got.
That time, Ji Huaichuan finally replied: 【Wow! You’re so amazing, little sis! Bro is so jealous. Keep it up, sis! [star eyes]】
Ji Zhaoxi stared at the screen, imagining Ji Huaichuan gritting his teeth while typing those words—it made her mood soar.
Zhou Chiye was a little surprised when he got Ji Zhaoxi’s message.
Why did she feel the need to tell him every single time she won something? It was almost like he was her sponsor…
But since she sent it, he wasn’t about to be a killjoy.
Praise where it was due, scold where it was due—that was his style.
Out of curiosity, Zhou Chiye even looked up Ji Zhaoxi’s essay, which had been posted on the school website.
The theme was “hometown,” so she had written about her life in the countryside.
The more he read, the tighter his brow furrowed. A nerve in him felt like it was on the verge of snapping…
He suddenly leaned back in his seat, covering his eyes with the back of his hand.
He hadn’t realized her childhood had been so rough—it was no wonder she had turned out the way she did.
“What’s wrong, Ye Ge?” Shan Yanpi set down his headphones and glanced over with curiosity.
Zhou Chiye’s face was twisted with pain. “Read this essay. I’ve never seen anyone more pitiful in my life.”
Shan Yanpi leaned in, scrolling through her essay on the website.
Going fishing with her brother, the simple kindness of the locals, tending the fields, catching birds, running wild across the mountains…
Shan Yanpi was confused. What was so painful about any of this? It sounded like fun!
The happiness in Ji Zhaoxi’s writing practically leaped off the page.
Shan Yanpi stared speechlessly at Zhou Chiye.
Zhou Chiye’s face carried no expression, but his eyes were slightly red. He stared at the text on the screen, as if struck by some revelation.
Single Eyelids: …
Zhou Chiye was already lost in his own world. No wonder she didn’t fight back when people bullied her. No wonder she always spoke so softly. So all of this had an explanation after all.
Without a second thought, he immediately transferred money to Ji Zhaoxi.
On the other end, Ji Zhaoxi had no idea how much Zhou Chiye had been overthinking. When she saw the money he’d sent, her eyes lit up instantly.
【Thanks, Ye Ge spinning and tossing flowers】
Zhou Chiye felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders grow heavier. Now that Ji Zhaoxi was under his care, he had to take responsibility for her—including straightening out her values.
【What are you up to now? Not out trying to pull a con, are you? Send me a photo.】
Ji Zhaoxi received Zhou Chiye’s message and immediately took a picture for him.
【Ye Ge, I’m not pulling any cons. I’m at the study room right now muscle emoji muscle emoji】
Zhou Chiye looked at the photo, and his tightly furrowed brow relaxed.
【Mm, study hard attached a red envelope】
After the conversation ended, Zhou Chiye finally put his phone down, put on his headphones, and started playing games.
Single Eyelids hesitated beside him, wanting to say something. Was Ye Ge meddling a bit too much?
And he was actually asking the girl to report her whereabouts…
He glanced at the slight curl at the corner of Zhou Chiye’s mouth, flinched in surprise, and quickly turned his head back.
This was seriously freaky.
Zhou Chiye seemed to enjoy this feeling. He started making surprise check-ins with Ji Zhaoxi at random times.
【What are you doing now? Send a photo.】
From the other end, the reply came almost instantly: 【I’m playing badminton, Ye Ge! attached photo holding a racket】
Zhou Chiye glanced at the familiar hand in the photo, feeling pleased, and sent a red envelope.
He suddenly thought this system worked well—spot checks anytime, anywhere, to keep her from making money through shady means.
The school swimming pool was very quiet, with only the occasional splashing sound of someone diving in, a soft ripple.
Just as Zhou Chiye was halfway through his swim, a few guys hesitantly walked over. Single Eyelids, sitting on a chair, watched the scene with amusement.
Zhou Chiye pushed himself up from the pool with one hand, climbing out directly. The guys immediately crowded around him, nudging each other until they pushed one person forward.
“Ye Ge,” the guy said awkwardly.
Zhou Chiye looked at them, took the towel handed to him, and slowly dried his hair.
The guy gritted his teeth. “Ye Ge, we’ve known each other for years, since middle school. We’re all brothers here—no need to go this far, right?”
The others chimed in.
“Yeah, Ye Ge.”
“Bro, is it really worth it over some girl?”
Zhou Chiye’s tone was icy. “This has nothing to do with the girl or the guys.”
If they had a problem with Ji Zhaoxi, they could say it to his face. But a bunch of grown men ganging up on a girl—
Saying that out loud, he’d be embarrassed for them.
Zhou Chiye leaned back in the chair nearby, the towel casually draped over his shoulder. He looked at his phone, showing no intention of acknowledging them.
The others didn’t dare to pick a fight with Zhou Chiye directly. They just muttered under their breath, “Ye Ge, don’t let her fool you. You can ask around campus about her reputation.”
“Yeah, Ye Ge. She was acting all flirty with some guy this morning, begging him for money.”
Zhou Chiye’s brow furrowed at those words. Seeing he had a reaction, the others continued.
“That’s right, that’s right, plenty of people saw it. That guy was running like crazy, and she was chasing right behind him.”
“A woman chasing a man for money—what do you think that says, Ye?” The guy’s tone carried a hint of sly implication.
Zhou Chiye’s gaze settled coldly on the speaker, who immediately shut his mouth.
Zhou Chiye let out a sarcastic laugh.
“What does it say? It says the guy owes her money.”
A moment of silence hung in the air.
Zhou Chiye stood up, but the other guy kept rattling on, rattling off every rumor he’d heard about Ji Zhaoxi.
Zhou Chiye’s expression grew darker. Just as the guy was about to unleash another juicy piece of gossip, Zhou Chiye barely lifted an eyelid before kicking him straight into the water.
The guy floundered pathetically in the water, coughing as it flooded his throat. Zhou Chiye looked down at him from above, disgust written all over his face.
