At sixteen, I was the well – known ugly girl in my class.
Song Zhaoyang, however, mistook me for the school beauty and had an online relationship with me for two years. It was not until the day we were supposed to meet in person that he realized he had added the wrong WeChat.
Feeling humiliated, he bullied me for three years.
As a result, I failed the college entrance examination.
Years later, his career and love life were booming, while I was brutally violated and killed during a part – time job.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back at sixteen.
I was back on the day when I had agreed to meet Song Zhaoyang in person.
1
I remembered that I was already dead.
I died on a cold winter night in a hotel suite reeking of alcohol.
The man with a fleshy face was flushed, and his thick hands tightly choked my neck, making it hard for me to breathe.
My consciousness stagnated for a moment.
Suddenly, all the pain in my body disappeared. I opened my eyes abruptly and was stunned by the scene in front of me.
There were rows and rows of desks in front of me.
I lowered my head and found a stack of high – school textbooks and two sets of brand – new school uniforms on the table in front of me.
The faces around me were those familiar from high school.
On the podium, Teacher Zhang, the head teacher, was smiling and introducing himself to us.
But… hadn’t Teacher Zhang retired long ago?
Before I could figure out the situation, there was a sudden sound of footsteps at the classroom door.
“Report – “
My heart skipped a beat.
This voice, could it be…
I looked towards the door.
The tall and slender teenager in black clothes and black pants had a lazy smile on his lips, and his posture was casual and flirtatious.
I shivered all over and almost screamed.
Song Zhaoyang!
The person who came was actually Song Zhaoyang!
My heart was pounding in my chest. Fear and hatred welled up in my heart together.
My fingers unconsciously clenched, and my nails dug into my flesh.
The sharp pain in my palm finally made me sure that I had really been reborn.
I was back at sixteen.
I was back on the day of the start of the first year of high school, the day when I had agreed to meet Song Zhaoyang in person.
2
Many of the misfortunes in my life started from meeting Song Zhaoyang.
After entering junior high school, my body began to develop. Not only did my upper body become plump, but I also had a lot of pimples on my face.
Male classmates in the class often made fun of me.
I was originally an introverted person, and over time, I became even more inferior and dared not talk to my classmates.
And Song Zhaoyang happened to appear at the time when I needed someone to accompany me the most.
He was careless and added my WeChat by mistake, thinking I was the tutoring teacher.
After the misunderstanding was cleared up, instead of deleting me, Song Zhaoyang offered to be friends with me.
I didn’t refuse.
Because at that time, I was really lonely.
Just like that, we had an online relationship for two years.
In the third year of junior high school, Song Zhaoyang wanted to meet me in person, which made me at a loss.
I also wanted to see him, but I was afraid that he would dislike my appearance and didn’t dare to agree.
After Song Zhaoyang noticed my hesitation, he sent me another message.
It was this message that pushed me into the abyss.
” Miaomiao, I know how wonderful you are. I don’t care about your appearance. I like your inner self.”
I believed his sweet words and promised that as long as we both got into No.1 Middle School, I would meet him in person.
In my previous life, we had agreed to meet at the amusement park that afternoon. He said he wanted to take me to ride the Ferris wheel.
I went to see him in a white dress I had prepared specially, full of joy. But the moment he saw me, his face changed.
He looked at me in surprise: “You… are Miaomiao?”
I nodded and smiled at him: “Yes, I’m Miaomiao.”
I was full of joy, but Song Zhaoyang’s face darkened little by little.
He made a call with a cold face.
Soon, three or four fierce – looking boys came.
They were Song Zhaoyang’s lackeys.
At Song Zhaoyang’s command, the boys dragged me into the alley on the street and punched and kicked me.
It started to drizzle.
My white dress was soon covered with mud stains and footprints.
Song Zhaoyang kicked me in the stomach, and I felt as if my internal organs were splitting.
I struggled to call his name, wanting to ask him why he was treating me like this.
But he interrupted me: “You bitch, are you worthy of calling my name? You’re so ugly and you dare to pretend to be my goddess. You’re really shameless!”
“Stay away from me in the future. You’re so disgusting!”
Only then did I know that Song Zhaoyang had really added the wrong WeChat at the beginning.
The person he originally wanted to add was the school beauty he had a crush on.
The girl and I had the same profile picture, and our names both had the character “Miao”, which led to his mistake.
What I thought was salvation was a complete deception.
3
Song Zhaoyang explained that he had gone to the wrong classroom just now.
Since it was the first day of school, Teacher Zhang didn’t say much and motioned for him to find an empty seat and sit down.
I looked at his back and fell into deep thought.
The girl Song Zhaoyang really liked was Jiang Zhimiao, a well – known academic goddess.
In my previous life, in order to follow in her footsteps, Song Zhaoyang pretended to be a good student.
He spent three years successfully reversing his situation from a bottom – of – the – class poor student and was admitted to a key 211 university in Beijing. Jiang Zhimiao was moved by his perseverance and accepted his confession after the college entrance examination.
The teacher publicized his reversal story as a positive example and even invited him back to school to give a speech to the students.
He not only gained a beautiful love but also received flowers and applause.
While in a corner where no one paid attention, I failed the college entrance examination.
Song Zhaoyang regarded me as a shame and used me as a punching bag to relieve his study pressure. He bullied me for three whole years.
In the end, I didn’t even reach the minimum score for the third – tier colleges at that time and could only go to a local junior college.
I didn’t have a decent education. After entering society, I had a hard time. In order to pay off the debt owed for my father’s treatment, I sold the house and took various part – time jobs to make money.
Just when I was about to pay off the debt, I met a lecherous drunkard and died accidentally.
Past events flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.
It was not until my phone in my pocket vibrated that I came back to my senses.
It was a message from Song Zhaoyang.
“Miaomiao, what clothes are you wearing today? I really can’t wait to see you!”
“Looking forward.JPG”
I looked at the screen, and a wave of nausea welled up in my chest.
He was clearly a person who judged others by their appearance, yet he had the audacity to say that he didn’t care about my appearance. It was really disgusting.
I didn’t want to have any more contact with Song Zhaoyang, so I replied without thinking:
“I’m tired.”
“Let’s delete each other. There’s no need for us to meet.”
After sending this message, I promptly deleted and blocked him.
After the opening ceremony, I rushed home without stopping.
The moment I opened the door, I smelled a familiar and long – lost smell of food.
My father was in the kitchen, wearing a floral apron, preparing lunch.
Seeing me come back, he greeted me with a spatula in his hand: “Miaomiao is back? Dad has made your favorite spicy chicken. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat!”
I looked at his back, and my eyes couldn’t help getting wet.
Afraid that my father would notice something was wrong, I rushed to the bathroom to wash up properly.
When I came out again, the food was already on the table.
I picked up a piece of chicken and put it in my mouth. The taste in my memory spread from my mouth to all parts of my body.
The tear that I had held back for a long time finally fell.
My father was startled when he saw me crying: “Why are you crying all of a sudden? Is it not delicious?”
I quickly shook my head: “No, it’s so delicious that I’m moved to tears.”
In my previous life, my father died of gastric cancer in the second year I was in junior college. I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to eat the food he cooked with his own hands again.
My father heaved a sigh of relief after hearing my words.
He raised his palm and rubbed the top of my head: “If you like it, eat more. Only when you’re full will you have the energy to go out and play with your classmates later.”
I didn’t have any friends in junior high school and always stayed at home on weekends.
My father was very happy to learn that I was going to play with new friends today.
Of course, I wouldn’t go to see Song Zhaoyang again.
In order not to worry my father, I didn’t explain to him. After eating, I went out.
Although I had blocked Song Zhaoyang, I was still a little uneasy.
The chance of rebirth was hard – won. Just in case, I decided to go to the business hall and cancel my original phone number.
The summer sun was scorching.
After walking out of the business hall, I finally let out a sigh of relief.
This way, Song Zhaoyang shouldn’t be able to find me again, right…
4
In the next two months, Song Zhaoyang didn’t pay any attention to me.
But just when I thought I had successfully gotten rid of Song Zhaoyang and was about to devote myself to my studies wholeheartedly, a note suddenly appeared in the drawer of my desk.
There was a row of words scrawled on it:
“Don’t leave after school. Wait for me obediently!”
My heart was pounding, and I wasn’t sure if this note was written by Song Zhaoyang.
To test him, I threw the note into the trash can in front of him.
The moment I turned around, I glanced at Song Zhaoyang from the corner of my eye. He didn’t react much.
I thought I was overthinking.
But the next day, I found another note in the drawer.
This time, it said:
“You bitch, if you run away after school again, you’re dead!”
My heart tightened.
“You bitch” was Song Zhaoyang’s pet phrase.
I had heard him say these three words countless times.
I could basically be sure that the person who wrote the note was Song Zhaoyang.
But why…
Why was he still looking for trouble with me even though I was avoiding him…
I gave the note to Teacher Zhang, the head teacher.?
The three years of being bullied by Song Zhaoyang in my previous life was a nightmare for me for the rest of my life.
I must never let myself repeat the same mistake.
Teacher Zhang taught Chinese. She wore a pair of black – rimmed glasses on her nose and looked very strict.
She pinched the note and asked me if I had offended anyone recently.
I shook my head: “No, I get along well with my classmates and haven’t had any conflicts with anyone. I also received a note yesterday, but I didn’t take it to heart at that time. But when the note appeared again today, I was really scared, so I decided to tell you about it.”
Teacher Zhang patted me on the shoulder: “You did the right thing. Don’t keep things to yourself when you encounter problems. You should take the initiative to communicate with the teacher.”
She asked me to go back first and told me to report to her in time if there was any new situation.
I agreed seriously.
The moment I lowered my head and turned around, I slightly curved my lips.
Teacher Zhang was familiar with the handwriting of every student in the class. I believed that she could find out the truth of this matter within two days.
Song Zhaoyang wanted to pretend to be a good student, but I would make sure the teacher saw what a disgusting person he really was.
On Friday afternoon, Teacher Zhang really called Song Zhaoyang to the office.
When Song Zhaoyang returned to the classroom, his face was so dark that it seemed as if ink could drip from it. He had obviously been criticized.
He was young and impulsive. When he passed by me, he deliberately bumped into my desk hard.
Two books fell to the ground, and he viciously stepped on them twice.
Before I could say anything, my male deskmate spoke first.
He lazily lifted his eyelids and sneered: “Song Zhaoyang, why do you look like your cerebellum is underdeveloped and your cerebrum is completely undeveloped everywhere you go? You can’t even walk without bumping into a table!”
Song Zhaoyang was full of anger and was looking for a place to vent. He immediately shouted: “What are you barking about, you cheating dog! Are you eager to be expelled?!”
A week ago, we had our seats re – arranged. My new deskmate, Ye Zheng, was also a tough guy.
He cheated in the first placement test after entering school and was caught red – handed by the dean. He was transferred from the top – class to the ordinary class.
He now had a major demerit on his record. If he got another demerit, the school would expel him.
Ye Zheng raised his eyebrows and smiled in a lazy way:
“It’s hard to say. Maybe the school will expel you first?”
I thought Song Zhaoyang wouldn’t let it go.
But he just gave Ye Zheng a fierce look: “I don’t want to talk to someone like you. You’re disgusting!”
“Su Miao, you wait for me!”
After leaving these harsh words, Song Zhaoyang actually left like that.
I was a little surprised. This kind of forbearance was not like the style of School Bully Song…
Could it be that Ye Zheng had some handle on him?
5
Song Zhaoyang didn’t plan to let me go easily.
However, the monthly exam was coming up next week, and he was busy cramming knowledge points, hoping to show off in front of the goddess Jiang Zhimiao. So he didn’t have time to look for trouble with me for the time being.
I also threw myself into my studies wholeheartedly.
But it had been a long time since I had been in touch with high – school knowledge, and it was very difficult for me to learn it again.
Other classmates could memorize about fifty words a day, but no matter how hard I tried, I could only stumble through memorizing twenty.
Not to mention mathematics, physics, and chemistry. I was really at my wit’s end.
In this monthly exam, except for Chinese and history, my other subjects were only barely passing the passing line.
Looking at the test paper in my hand, I was extremely frustrated.
Was I really a born underachiever? Even if I was reborn, I couldn’t get rid of the fate of being at the bottom of the class?
Inadvertently, my eyes caught a glimpse of Ye Zheng’s report card.
Goodness, he didn’t pass a single subject!
Not only that, but his Chinese, history, and politics were all zero points.
But…
He got 11 points in math, 22 points in physics, and 33 points in English…
What on earth was this?
I blurted out: “Ye Zheng, your scores are really amazing?”
Ye Zheng had a subtle smile on his lips: “I guessed randomly for the multiple – choice and fill – in – the – blank questions. I couldn’t understand a single question in the big questions.”
“Then why didn’t you guess randomly for Chinese and history?”
“Well…”
Ye Zheng rubbed his eyes: “There are too many words on the test papers for these subjects. I was too lazy to read the questions.”
“…”
I was speechless and turned my head to continue looking at the wrong questions.
A few minutes later, there was a sudden commotion at the door.
A beautiful girl with a ponytail walked in and walked up to Ye Zheng angrily.
“Ye Zheng, why didn’t you take this exam seriously? Have you forgotten what Teacher Zhao said before? As long as you can prove yourself, you can go back to the top – class to study!”
“Oh? Go back?”
Ye Zheng leaned against the chair, looking lazy and casual: “Jiang Zhimiao, this is just your wishful thinking. I never thought of going back at all.”
So she was Jiang Zhimiao.
I secretly looked at her and found that she was really beautiful.
She had an oval face, big eyes, fair skin, and a black ponytail. She looked like the female lead in a youth movie walking out of the screen.
The sunlight shone on her blushing cheeks due to excitement, adding a bit of unique vitality to her.
No wonder Song Zhaoyang liked her.
If I were a boy, I would like her too.
Neither Jiang Zhimiao nor Ye Zheng spoke, and the atmosphere became stiff.
When Song Zhaoyang learned that Jiang Zhimiao had come to our class, he rushed back from the basketball court in a hurry.
“Miaomiao, come and see! I passed every subject in this exam! Isn’t my progress great?”
When he looked at Jiang Zhimiao, his eyes were so gentle that they seemed to be able to melt.
But when his eyes fell on me and Ye Zheng, all that gentleness disappeared in an instant, replaced by naked disgust and loathing.
“Miaomiao, don’t be so kind – hearted. Ye Zheng is just a good – for – nothing who can’t be helped up! And this Su Miao, she looks like a toad. I’m afraid even looking at her will dirty your eyes!”
As he spoke, he tried to hold Jiang Zhimiao’s hand to lead her away. But she slapped his hand away.
Jiang Zhimiao completely ignored him and just stared fixedly at Ye Zheng:
“Are you really going to degenerate like this?”
Ye Zheng didn’t even raise his head and snorted:
“What I do has nothing to do with you!”
Jiang Zhimiao was so angry that she bit her lip and left a harsh word: “Fine! If I ever meddle in your business again, I’m a dog!”
She turned around and left, and Song Zhaoyang followed closely beside her.
“Miaomiao, don’t be sad…”
Suddenly, an idea flashed through my mind.
Song Zhaoyang hadn’t won Jiang Zhimiao’s heart yet…
6
I started to look for opportunities to get close to Jiang Zhimiao.
She was on guard against boys but was very easy – going with girls. Before long, we became friends.
On the weekend, I invited her to the bookstore to buy tutoring books, and I learned a lot about Ye Zheng from her.
Jiang Zhimiao’s father and Ye Zheng’s father were colleagues.
They had been in the same class from primary school to middle school, and their grades were comparable. This year, they both naturally entered the top class of No.1 Middle School.
But not long after the start of the first year of high school, Ye Zheng’s parents divorced.
His father didn’t want to take him.
His mother was engaged in biotech research work and needed to stay in Germany all year round, so she couldn’t take care of him either.
This matter had a huge impact on Ye Zheng.
So he gave up on himself. Even when he was accused of cheating, he didn’t bother to defend himself.
I was a bit stunned: “The high – school stage is so crucial. Why would his parents choose to divorce at this time?”
A flash of unnaturalness crossed Jiang Zhimiao’s eyes.
After a while, she lowered her voice and said: “I heard from my mom that Uncle Ye had an affair outside, and that woman was pregnant and was crying and making a scene for a title.”
Jiang Zhimiao said as she reached out to hold my hand.
“Ye Zheng is a very important friend to me. I can’t just watch him joke about his future.
Su Miao, I know this request may be a bit presumptuous for you, but can you help me persuade him?”
She tilted her head slightly, and her watery eyes were full of worry.
The thought of such a warm – hearted girl becoming Song Zhaoyang’s wife in the future made me feel annoyed just thinking about it.
So I looked up and smiled at her:
“Don’t say that. Ye Zheng is also my classmate. Classmates should help each other.
And I also have a favor to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Keep your distance from Song Zhaoyang. He’s not a good person.”
In my previous life, he bullied me for three years. In this life, I’ll ruin his chance of getting married.
This way, we can be considered even.
8
Jiang Zhimiao readily agreed to me.
She had already been annoyed by Song Zhaoyang’s pestering. When she heard me say that his character was bad, the disgust in her words became even stronger:
“He talks about love with me at an age when we should focus on studying. It’s so ridiculous!
He also said that he’s sincere to me and will be good to me for a lifetime. I don’t believe him at all! Instead of spending time having a puppy love with him, I’d rather do two more sets of test papers!
Don’t worry. I won’t even look at him in the future!”
After getting Jiang Zhimiao’s promise, I started to get on good terms with Ye Zheng.
After being reborn, every day I either thought about how to avoid Song Zhaoyang or how to improve my grades.
It was not until I separated from Jiang Zhimiao that day that I suddenly remembered something.
In my previous life, Ye Zheng and I were not deskmates, but we had a brief encounter.
During the mock exam in the first semester of senior high school, Song Zhaoyang didn’t perform well. In a fit of anger, he beat me up and locked me on the rooftop.
I cried and shouted desperately for a long time. Finally, when the school – ending bell rang, a boy opened the door for me from the inside.
That boy was Ye Zheng.
He lowered his head and asked me in a low voice: “Are you okay…”
At that time, all I could think about was not wanting others to see my mess, so I left a “thank you” and ran away in a hurry.
But when I ran out of the teaching building, a figure suddenly fell from the sky.
What I saw was a scene of blood.
Ye Zheng jumped off the building.
At that time, no one knew why a good – for – nothing underachiever would commit suicide.
And now, I think I’ve found the reason for Ye Zheng’s suicide.
No one needed him, and he couldn’t find the meaning of his existence.
No one wants to be an isolated island.
When a person is no longer needed by anyone, falling becomes inevitable.
So what I have to do is to make Ye Zheng feel “needed”.
I shamelessly asked Ye Zheng to help me with my studies.
This way, I could not only improve my grades but also get closer to him.
It was a win – win situation, simply wonderful.
However, the reality was harsh. No matter how much I tried to persuade him with emotions and reasons, Ye Zheng remained unmoved and just slept with his eyes closed every day.
It was as if this was not a school but a hotel.
After a week of trying, I was so angry that I blocked him on his way home:
“Ye Zheng, don’t you think you’re stupid to sacrifice your whole life for two people who don’t care about you?”
Ye Zheng’s face changed.
The night shrouded him, and his side – face was buried in the shadow, making it hard to see clearly.
“Su Miao, don’t meddle in other people’s business.”
Ye Zheng’s voice was very soft. I knew he was angry.
But so what.
Since he wouldn’t listen to kind words, I might as well scold him.
“Your parents abandoned you, but your friends and teachers all hope that you can pull yourself together!
Why can you only see the heartless people, but turn a blind eye to those who care about you?!”
Facing my questioning, Ye Zheng remained silent.
I sighed and walked up to him: “Ye Zheng, no matter what, you shouldn’t give up on studying.
I heard from Jiang Zhimiao that your parents’ relationship was not good. You used to study desperately because only when you got good grades could your family of three sit down and have a meal in harmony.
But you got one thing wrong. We should study for ourselves.
Studying is not the only path in life.
But it can provide us with choices. You’ve already experienced the feeling of being abandoned. Don’t you want to hold the right to choose in your own hands?”
9
After that day, Ye Zheng finally saw the light.
He repaired his relationship with Jiang Zhimiao and also agreed to help me with my studies.
But learning really requires a certain amount of talent.
Although I got up earlier than a rooster and went to bed later than an ox, and there was a hidden top student by my side, my grades still didn’t improve much.
Looking at my 91 – point math test paper, I frowned.
If I could maintain this score, it should be no problem for me to apply for a second – tier university in the college entrance examination.
But there is still a big gap if I want to reach the first – tier university score line in the future.
Ye Zheng comforted me with a pen in his mouth: “Take it slow. At least you got over 90 points this time, a full 80 points higher than me…”
I turned my head. His test paper was casually spread on the table, and the big “11” on it gave me a headache.
Ye Zheng, this childish guy, was addicted to controlling his scores.
He said he wanted to hide his strength and bide his time, and then make a stunning appearance in the college entrance examination.
In sharp contrast to us was Song Zhaoyang.
He had originally entered No.1 Middle School by paying a sponsorship fee through connections. But since Jiang Zhimiao rejected his confession on the grounds that his grades were too poor, he had been working hard recently, wishing he could split a day into 48 hours.
In this exam, he successfully entered the top 100 in the grade, getting one step closer to Jiang Zhimiao, who was in the top 10 of the grade.
Anyone would have to sigh that the power of love is really great.
But a dog can’t change its habit of eating shit.
As soon as he made some progress and heard that I was getting close to Jiang Zhimiao recently, he couldn’t wait to come and find trouble with me.
He snatched the test paper from my hand and shouted loudly: “Tsk tsk, only 91 points? Su Miao, with your IQ, what’s the point of getting up early and staying up late every day? You might as well sleep with your deskmate!”
The surrounding classmates burst into laughter.
Facing his mockery, I just smiled lightly: “Being in the top 100 in the grade makes you so arrogant? Jiang Zhimiao seems to be in the top three of the grade this time. You still have a long way to go!”
Song Zhaoyang was immediately furious and pointed at my nose: “You bitch, I knew it was you who was talking nonsense in front of Miaomiao, that’s why she ignored me!
Don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re a girl!”
He had no manners at all. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have used me, a girl, as a punching bag in his previous life.
Seeing him raise his hand, I instinctively raised my right hand to block his fist.
After waiting for a few seconds, his fist didn’t land on me.
Ye Zheng stood up and grabbed his hand:
“Song Zhaoyang, you even hit a girl. Have you no shame?”
Song Zhaoyang shouted exaggeratedly: “Are you kidding me, cheating dog? Does she even count as a girl? She’s more like a toad!”
These words were hurtful, but they were indeed Song Zhaoyang’s true feelings.
In his opinion, only girls as beautiful as Jiang Zhimiao could be called girls.
The others were just dinosaurs and toads.
Ye Zheng put away his lazy look and said word by word: “You think you’re great by dividing people into different classes according to their appearance. But in fact, people like you are really vulgar!
Jiang Zhimiao hates people like you the most. Even if all the men in the world were dead, she would never take a fancy to you.”
He really knew how to hit where it hurt.
Song Zhaoyang was furious and swung his fist to hit Ye Zheng.
Ye Zheng wasn’t afraid of him, and the two started fighting in the classroom.
The classmates couldn’t stop them. Finally, the teacher came and pulled them apart.
According to the usual practice, for fighting, parents would be called.
Ye Zheng’s parents didn’t come.
Song Zhaoyang’s mother arrived quickly. Seeing the bruises on her son’s mouth, she demanded that the school expel Ye Zheng without thinking:
“Teacher Zhang, how could my Yangyang take the initiative to hit someone? It must be this bottom – of – the – class poor student bullying him! Look at what he’s done to my child’s face!
I heard that he cheated in the exam before, right? A student with such bad moral character must not be left in No.1 Middle School!”
I glanced at Song Zhaoyang and clearly saw the viciousness in his eyes.
Suddenly, I understood.
Song Zhaoyang did it on purpose just now!
He knew that Ye Zheng had a demerit on his record. If he got another major demerit, he would definitely be expelled from school. So he deliberately picked a fight with him.
I stepped forward and interrupted Mrs. Song: “Auntie, are you so sure that it was Ye Zheng who started the trouble?
I was at the scene at that time. It was Song Zhaoyang who took the initiative to hit me, and my deskmate couldn’t stand it and stopped him.”
Hearing this, Song Zhaoyang quickly shouted: “Mom, Teacher Zhang, don’t listen to Su Miao’s nonsense! She liked to flirt around in junior high school!
She’s having a puppy love with Ye Zheng now! They’re in cahoots!”
In a high – school campus, puppy love is a sensitive topic.
As soon as any teacher hears these two words, the radar on their head will immediately stand up.
Teacher Zhang was no exception. She immediately turned to me:
“Su Miao?”
I shook my head firmly.
“Whoever makes a claim should provide evidence. You said I flirted around in junior high school, so please show the evidence.
Also, Ye Zheng and I have a normal classmate relationship. Don’t slander us just because you have a dirty mind!”
Song Zhaoyang regarded me as a shame and of course wouldn’t make public the fact that he had mistaken me for Jiang Zhimiao and fawned on me for two years and even confessed to me on his own initiative.
He could only stiffen his neck and stubbornly say:
“You know what you were like in junior high school!
You bring breakfast to Ye Zheng every day. The classmates in the class have all seen it. If you say you’re not having a puppy love, who would believe it!”
I was speechless.
Did he think everyone was as love – struck as him?
Didn’t he understand human relationships?
Teacher Zhang looked at me and Ye Zheng seriously: “Puppy love violates school rules. If the situation is true, both of you will be given a demerit. The teacher hopes you can answer truthfully and not joke about your future.”
I said calmly: “Teacher Zhang, I do bring breakfast to Ye Zheng, but it’s just to thank him for tutoring me after class. We’re not having a puppy love.”
Seeing this, Teacher Zhang’s expression softened.
After all, my grade improvement in the past two months was obvious to all.
Song Zhaoyang seemed to have heard the funniest joke:
“Ye Zheng tutors you?”
He said in a sarcastic tone: “Su Miao, please make up a better lie! Ye Zheng has always been the last in the class. How can he tutor you?
You’re having a puppy love and still treating us like fools!”
10
I silently mouthed “sorry” to Ye Zheng.
The next second, in his puzzled eyes, I took out a USB drive:
“Teacher Zhang, I also have something to report to the school.
I want to report to you that Song Zhaoyang maliciously framed Ye Zheng for cheating.
In the placement test after the start of school, Ye Zheng didn’t cheat. Song Zhaoyang was in the same examination room as him at that time, and he secretly stuffed that paper ball into Ye Zheng’s school uniform pocket.”
As soon as I finished speaking, everyone’s eyes were focused on Song Zhaoyang.
His expression suddenly became a little flustered, and he growled:
“Su Miao, what nonsense are you talking about!
Now we’re talking about your puppy love with Su Miao. I think you’re just trying to change the subject and frame me out of guilt!”
“What I said is the truth.”
I gave him a cold look: “I have a surveillance video here. Teacher, you can take a look.”
The video in the USB drive was copied from the security room by Jiang Zhimiao and me half a month ago.
There are cameras installed in every classroom. But because Ye Zheng was caught red – handed at that time and he didn’t defend himself at all, the teachers didn’t check the surveillance.
The school’s surveillance video will be automatically overwritten after more than three months. Fortunately, Jiang Zhimiao and I went in time. If we were two days later, the video would have been automatically overwritten.
Teacher Zhang was just about to reach out when someone behind her snatched it first.
Song Zhaoyang grabbed the USB drive and threw it out of the window forcefully: “If Ye Zheng didn’t cheat, why didn’t he say so at that time? Now you can just take a random USB drive and frame me. It’s ridiculous!”
The school was building a new teaching building at this time.
The window of this office was facing the construction site of the new building. The small USB drive disappeared without a trace in an instant.
I was immediately angry: “Song Zhaoyang, are you crazy?!”
Song Zhaoyang raised the corners of his mouth triumphantly, looking like I couldn’t do anything to him.
The anger in my chest was burning more and more fiercely. But Ye Zheng suddenly stepped forward and said unhurriedly:
“Song Zhaoyang, you don’t think that destroying the surveillance video will solve everything, do you?
What Su Miao said is right. I didn’t cheat. You deliberately framed me that day.”
Song Zhaoyang raised his eyebrows and sneered:
“Stop scaring people. Why would I frame you for no reason?
I have no reason to target you!”
“You certainly have!”
Suddenly, Jiang Zhimiao’s loud voice came from the door of the office.
I secretly breathed a sigh of relief in my heart.
When Song Zhaoyang and Ye Zheng were fighting in the classroom, I quietly asked the class monitor to find Jiang Zhimiao and tell her what was going on.
Jiang Zhimiao walked straight up to Teacher Zhang and slapped the love letter in her hand on the table:
“Teacher, Song Zhaoyang framed Ye Zheng because of me!
Song Zhaoyang has been pestering me since the start of the first year of high school, wanting me to be his girlfriend. Ye Zheng and I live in the same community, and we used to go home together. Song Zhaoyang was jealous, so he framed him for cheating in the exam!”
Song Zhaoyang stubbornly refused to admit it and anxiously explained, “Miaomiao, don’t be deceived by Ye Zheng! If he didn’t cheat, why is he always at the bottom of the class in every exam?”
Jiang Zhimiao refused to back down, “Ye Zheng has been excellent in his studies since childhood. If the school doesn’t believe it, we can have a set of test papers prepared for Ye Zheng on the spot, and the truth will be revealed.”
The office fell into a deathly silence.
Ye Zheng didn’t say anything, but Song Zhaoyang spoke up first, “Fine! I challenge Ye Zheng to a competition right here. Let the teacher calculate the scores on the spot. If you lose, you and Su Miao should drop out of school voluntarily. Ye Zheng, do you dare to compete with me?!”
He was so confident that he thought Ye Zheng would definitely lose.
Teacher Zhang’s face was gloomy: “Song Zhaoyang, the school is not a place for you to sulk. You don’t have the right to demand that other students withdraw voluntarily!”
“Teacher Zhang, I’m willing to compete with him.”
Ye Zheng turned to look at me, and then said to Teacher Zhang, “I hope you can give me a chance to prove myself. I promise you that if I win, I won’t ask Song Zhaoyang to drop out of school either.”
Song Zhaoyang didn’t appreciate it.
He was sure that Ye Zheng hadn’t studied seriously this semester, and he was certain that he could win. He simply and decisively left a harsh word, “Don’t be so hypocritical!
If I lose, I’ll transfer out of No.1 Middle School myself!”
11
The math teacher printed out two sets of test papers on the spot.
“This is the test paper for this semester’s final exam. It happens to be used for you to practice. The answering time is sixty minutes. Now, start timing.”
Ye Zheng and Song Zhaoyang each found an empty seat and sat down to start answering the questions.
The grade director personally invigilated them, and everyone else walked out of the office.
During this time, I kept pacing back and forth in the corridor.
Jiang Zhimiao saw this and calmly comforted me, “Don’t worry. Ye Zheng has an IQ of 140. Just wait for his good news.”
I had no doubt about Ye Zheng’s ability.
It was the meaningful look he gave me when he looked at me that made me restless.
Jiang Zhimiao comforted me a few words, and then suddenly changed the topic, whispering, “Speaking of which, that guy has been working too hard recently. Could it be… you two are really in love?”
How could that be!
I was shocked and quickly waved my hands, “Looking at the entire No.1 Middle School, do you think there are boys who would like me?”
“Why not?”
Jiang Zhimiao asked me without thinking, “You have a good personality, you’re thoughtful and kind. You’re really likable.”
I was stunned and couldn’t come back to my senses for a long time.
In my previous life, I was disliked by my classmates and colleagues. Unconsciously, I had forgotten the feeling of being recognized.
After being reborn, besides studying, I also strengthened my exercise to promote my body’s metabolism. Now, there are a lot fewer pimples on my face than before.
But I was still inwardly inferior, thinking that I was ordinary and unworthy of being liked.
Jiang Zhimiao saw my blank expression, smiled, and held my hand, “Su Miao, although you may think I’m talking without understanding your situation, I still want to tell you that you have to be more confident. You’re no worse than anyone else.
If someone judges you solely by your appearance, it doesn’t mean you’re really worthless. It just means… he’s really shallow.”
There was a light of sincerity in her eyes.
My heart felt a twinge, and I lowered my head to avoid her gaze.
12
An hour later, Ye Zheng and Song Zhaoyang walked out of the office one after another.
The test papers were graded quickly.
Song Zhaoyang performed well and got 129 points.
And Ye Zheng, as expected, got a full score.
When the grade director announced the results on the spot, Song Zhaoyang couldn’t bear the blow and his legs went weak, causing him to fall to the ground.
Ye Zheng smiled at him, “I’m really sorry. If I had known you were so bad, I should have controlled my score.
Have you thought about which school you’re going to transfer to?”
Seeing Song Zhaoyang like this, his mother couldn’t sit still anymore and jumped out to defend him, “It’s just a fight between two children. How can we take it seriously!”
Facing her double – standard behavior, Jiang Zhimiao couldn’t help but speak up, “Auntie, you can’t go back on your word. If you didn’t agree with Song Zhaoyang’s actions, why didn’t you stop him in the first place!”
Song’s mother knew she was in the wrong.
But even if she was in the wrong, she still had to make a scene!
No.1 Middle School was the best high school in the city. There were only students from outside trying to get in through connections. There had never been a student from No.1 Middle School who voluntarily transferred out.
Jiang Zhimiao was the first to speak, so she turned her anger towards her.
“I haven’t settled accounts with you yet, but you’re the one picking on me. There are so many female students in the whole school and grade. Why did my son write a love letter to you instead of others? You must have seduced him first, right?
You’re not a good girl at such a young age. You have a flirtatious look and are always thinking about how to seduce boys! I’m warning you. Don’t meddle in this matter, or I’ll ask the teacher to invite your parents to school!”
Jiang Zhimiao was just a teenage girl after all. She was immediately scared and burst into tears.
Teacher Zhang saw this and quickly pulled her behind, “Song Zhaoyang’s mother, you’re also a woman. How can you say such things to a girl!
When it comes to studies, Jiang Zhimiao has never fallen out of the top ten in the grade. Although she may not be the best, she’s definitely not worse than your son!”
Teacher Zhang’s words not only failed to calm Song’s mother down but made her even more excited, “How do you talk as a teacher? I can complain about you to the Education Bureau!”
Song’s mother was arrogant and scolded everyone.
She left a harsh word, saying that if anyone dared to make things difficult for Song Zhaoyang in school in the future, don’t blame her for being rude.
Song Zhaoyang left silently with her.
When he passed by me, he gave me a deep look. His gloomy eyes revealed an evil aura, making me feel deeply uneasy.
13
Teacher Zhang said that the school would handle this matter and asked us to focus on our studies.
Walking out of the teaching building, Jiang Zhimiao looked worried, “I don’t know how the teachers will deal with it. I always feel that Song Zhaoyang’s family won’t let it go easily.”
Ye Zheng, however, just looked at me expressionlessly, “Su Miao, don’t you have anything to say about what happened today?
From the beginning, you deliberately approached me and Jiang Zhimiao. What’s your ulterior motive?”
A lead – colored cloud drifted over in the distance.
The sun was blocked.
Jiang Zhimiao was confused and stared at Ye Zheng, “Hey, what are you acting crazy for out of nowhere!”
Ye Zheng didn’t answer but just stared at me steadily.
I took a deep breath and told them the whole story of my “online relationship” with Song Zhaoyang.
“You guessed right.
I did approach you with a purpose. I’m sorry for using you, but I don’t regret it.”
Song Zhaoyang was like a mad dog.
The more I am afraid and give in, the more he becomes increasingly aggressive.
I was reborn to make up for the regrets of my previous life and live a different life, not to continue being his punching bag.
So I had to fight back.
I looked at the two of them and said softly, “You probably won’t want to have any more contact with me in the future. I’ll go to the teacher to apply for a seat change tomorrow…”
“I’ll change your seat, my ass!”
Jiang Zhimiao suddenly shouted, her hands on her hips, “Su Miao, I’m really angry! But compared to your concealment, I’m even angrier that as your friend, I wasn’t there to share your worries and fears.
You’re as stubborn as a turtle!
And you, Ye Zheng, I don’t even want to talk about you. It was wrong for Su Miao to hide things from us, but she had her reasons!
We should judge things by their actions, not by our assumptions. Whether it was her advising me to keep my distance from Song Zhaoyang before or helping you clear your name of cheating today, we are all real beneficiaries!”
Ye Zheng was a bit unconvinced and argued, “But I didn’t ask her to help me…”
“You still have the nerve to say ‘but’?”
Jiang Zhimiao didn’t give him a chance to speak at all and scolded him like a dog, “Stop reading those online novels and do more test papers. What’s wrong with you? Learning to control your scores like those novel protagonists! You’re so full of yourself!
Go to the hospital and register for a check – up. Cure your secondary syndrome!”
Her outburst swept away the solemn atmosphere.
I asked tentatively, “You… will you still be friends with me in the future?”
“Of course!”
Jiang Zhimiao answered firmly, and Ye Zheng also gave a low hum of agreement.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell into her clear eyes, “Today’s matter is over. But good friends should share joys and sorrows. You two, don’t hide anything from each other in the future!”
14
Song Zhaoyang soon took revenge on me.
A few days later, my father’s breakfast shop was suddenly smashed.
After my father was laid off, my mother divorced him. He used the compensation money to rent a storefront and opened a breakfast shop.
For the past ten years, he had been relying on this small shop to support the two of us.
But now, the shop was in a mess, and a lot of insulting words were written on the roller shutter door with red spray paint.
The people who smashed the shop came prepared. The surveillance camera at the door was deliberately damaged, and we couldn’t find any useful clues.
It wasn’t until the next day on my way to school that I met Song Zhaoyang.
He lowered his voice and asked me with a smile, “Do you like the gift I gave you?
You’d better be sensible! If you dare to oppose me again, next time I won’t just smash your father’s breakfast shop.”
After saying this, Song Zhaoyang walked away.
I stared at his brisk back, wishing I could rush up and tear him to pieces.
How dare he lay his hands on my family.
How dare he?!
Jiang Zhimiao was furious when she learned that Song Zhaoyang had someone smash my father’s shop.
She was about to rush to find Song Zhaoyang to settle the score.
Ye Zheng stopped her, “Calm down.”
“My friend was bullied. You ask me to calm down?”
Jiang Zhimiao stared at him with wide eyes, “Ye Zheng, I just want to ask you one thing. Is what this scumbag did even human? Doesn’t he deserve a beating?”
“He does deserve it, but right now we don’t have any evidence!”
“Miaomiao, Ye Zheng is right.”
I slowly exhaled, “Actually, I’ve already thought of a way in my mind, but I need your help…”
15
The next day after school, I took the initiative to show weakness to Song Zhaoyang.
“Song, can I trouble you for a few minutes? I… I have something to say to you…”
“It won’t take you long.”
Seeing my pleading face, Song Zhaoyang raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction and followed me to the small woods behind the teaching building.
When we got to the small woods, I knelt down with a thud.
“Song Zhaoyang, don’t send people to make trouble at my father’s shop anymore.
I was wrong.
I shouldn’t have opposed you. I’ll never dare again. Please spare my father. I’m begging you!”
Song Zhaoyang was a little puzzled by my words.
He was the one who ordered the shop to be smashed, but he hadn’t arranged for anyone to go to the breakfast shop to cause trouble again.
But he didn’t think too much about it.
At the moment, my humble appearance of kneeling and begging for mercy gave him a great sense of pleasure.
“Su Miao, you’re such a wimp!”
You only admit defeat when I use some means. If you had been so obedient earlier, why would I have someone smash your father’s shop?”
I lowered my head in fear and trepidation, “It’s my fault for making you angry. Song, I apologize to you. Please forgive me for my rudeness…”
Song Zhaoyang stepped on my shoulder and snorted coldly, “If you want to beg for mercy, you should show the proper attitude.”
I was shocked all over.
I deliberately froze for a few seconds, then with a pale face, I kowtowed three times to him, “Please be merciful and spare me…”
The moment I finished speaking, tears streamed down my face.
Song Zhaoyang was very satisfied with my performance.
“Good performance. From now on, you’re my little bitch. You have to do whatever I tell you. Do you hear me?”
Song Zhaoyang had an appointment to play games at the Internet cafe. Seeing me nod timidly, he kicked me over and swaggered away.
After he left, Ye Zheng and Jiang Zhimiao came out from a hidden corner not far away.
Jiang Zhimiao rushed to my side in three steps and took out a tissue from her bag to wipe the mud off my face, “Miaomiao, does it hurt?”
I shook my head and stood up from the ground, “Don’t worry. I’m fine. Did you record the scene just now?”
Ye Zheng nodded, “Don’t worry. I specially brought a professional camera from home. The picture and sound are very clear.”
Hearing his words, I raised the corners of my mouth in satisfaction.
Everything that just happened was a play I orchestrated myself, all to make Song Zhaoyang admit that it was he who had someone smash my dad’s breakfast shop.
It wouldn’t be long before Song Zhaoyang’s good days came to an end.
16
After that day, I became the most obedient dog by Song Zhaoyang’s side.
I didn’t fight back when beaten or talk back when scolded.
Not only that, I also distanced myself from Ye Zheng and Jiang Zhimiao, and I basically didn’t talk to other classmates in the class.
This kind of life lasted for about half a month.
Until Song Zhaoyang’s birthday, when we were still in class, the dean suddenly came to our class and took Song Zhaoyang away.
A few minutes later, Teacher Zhang also came.
She took me to the office.
“Su Miao, you’ve been absent – minded in class recently. Are you not feeling well?”
I shook my head and quietly put my hands behind my back.
Song Zhaoyang didn’t perform well in the test two days ago and beat me up yesterday. There were still a few bruises on my body.
But I lowered my head and didn’t say anything.
Teacher Zhang was at a loss and sighed, “Su Miao, the teacher will tell you the truth. Last night, the Education Bureau received an anonymous report email, which included a video of Song Zhaoyang bullying you at school.
The leaders of the Education Bureau attach great importance to this matter. If you’ve really been bullied, the teacher hopes you can tell the truth.”
I knew about this. I was the one who personally sorted out the report materials.
It not only included the video of Song Zhaoyang bullying me in the small woods that day, but also videos of him fighting and brawling outside the school and fooling around in the bar.
And according to my memory of my previous life, I secretly took pictures of his parents going in and out of high – consumption places.
But it wasn’t the right time yet, so I had to keep pretending.
I bit my lip and said in a low voice, “Teacher Zhang, you don’t need to lie to me. It’s useless to say some things. Song Zhaoyang said that his father is an official in the Education Bureau. Even if someone reports, it’s just a formality.
I’m from an ordinary family. I can’t afford to offend him…”
“How can you think like that…”
Teacher Zhang stood up and grabbed my arm. I couldn’t help crying out in pain.
She immediately noticed something was wrong. When she rolled up my sleeve, she found a large area of green and purple bruises on my arm.
“What’s going on?”
Teacher Zhang was shocked and angry, “Did Song Zhaoyang do this? When did he hit you?”
After her repeated questioning and assurance, I finally admitted that I had been bullied by Song Zhaoyang recently.
Teacher Zhang was furious. She took me to the hospital to do an injury inspection report and truthfully reported my situation to the school and relevant departments.
Because the evidence was conclusive, the school soon expelled Song Zhaoyang.
His father was also removed from his position and investigated by the unit for repeatedly covering up his son’s evil deeds and suspected abuse of power for personal gain.
The day Song Zhaoyang’s mother came to the school to go through the formalities, she looked like a wilted fighting cock, no longer as arrogant as before.
When she saw me and Jiang Zhimiao in the corridor, she didn’t say anything excessive.
Jiang Zhimiao was full of surprise, “Su Miao, am I dreaming? Is this still the overbearing aunt who threatened to teach us a lesson?”
“She’s changed so much!”
In fact, there was nothing to be surprised about . Before, she and Song Zhaoyang were so arrogant because they relied on Song Zhaoyang’s father as their backer. Now that the backer had fallen, these two monkeys naturally had no capital to be arrogant.
According to Teacher Zhang, Song Zhaoyang’s father was also fired, and no school in the city was willing to accept Song Zhaoyang. He could only go back to his hometown to study. All my previous patience and hard work were worth it. This time, I could finally get rid of Song Zhaoyang completely.
17
I didn’t expect that Song Zhaoyang would come to make trouble again.
During the college entrance examination, Ye Zheng’s examination room was in No.3 Middle School, while Jiang Zhimiao and I were assigned to No.7 Middle School.
After the last exam, Jiang Zhimiao and I made an appointment to go home together.
Just as we walked out of the school gate, Song Zhaoyang suddenly emerged from the crowd and grabbed Jiang Zhimiao.
“Miaomiao, come home with me quickly!”
Jiang Zhimiao was stunned for a moment and then forcefully shook off his hand. “Are you crazy? We’re not familiar at all. Why should I go home with you?”
Song Zhaoyang’s expression was manic. My heart instantly tightened, and I couldn’t help but shiver. Could it be that Song Zhaoyang was also reborn?
My guess was soon confirmed. The next second, Song Zhaoyang stepped forward again and tried to get close to Jiang Zhimiao.
“How can we not be familiar? Miaomiao, we’re a legally married couple who have received a marriage certificate! Be good, let’s go home…”
He was smiling, but his eyes were cold.
My body reacted faster than my mind. I pushed him away hard.
Song Zhaoyang didn’t expect me to dare to fight back. He was pushed back two steps. He glared at me fiercely.
“I almost forgot about you, you bitch! If it weren’t for you meddling, Miaomiao would have been with me already! I’m in this situation all because of you. Let’s settle the score today!”
As he spoke, he took out a folding fruit knife from his pocket.
I was extremely scared. I grabbed Jiang Zhimiao’s hand and turned around to run back.
Song Zhaoyang immediately started chasing us.
18
Jiang Zhimiao and I managed to escape Song Zhaoyang’s clutches.
There were police officers on duty at the entrance of the examination room. He didn’t catch us, but was instead controlled.
Song Zhaoyang was detained.
Thanks to him, Jiang Zhimiao and I also went to the police station to make a statement.
When we came out, my father and Jiang Zhimiao’s parents were waiting outside.
Ye Zheng also rushed over after hearing the news. “What happened? Are you two okay?”
I hid the fact that Song Zhaoyang was reborn and only said that he might hate us and wanted to take revenge.
For the next week, I was restless, always worried that after Song Zhaoyang was released, he would still do something to us.
But to my surprise, before Song Zhaoyang could take revenge on us again, he died.
Because of my report, Song Zhaoyang’s father became unemployed. He drank alcohol at home all day and would beat people when he was drunk.
This time, when Song Zhaoyang came out of the police station, his father started beating him and his mother again.
Song Zhaoyang didn’t endure it like before.
In the end, the father – son fight led to their deaths.
Only Song Zhaoyang’s mother survived, but she was left with a lifelong disability.
The next day, Jiang Zhimiao invited me out for a meal.
She told me that she had a strange dream last night. In the dream, she was actually with Song Zhaoyang.
In the second year after their marriage, she accidentally discovered that Song Zhaoyang had framed Ye Zheng for cheating in high school.
They had a big fight because of this.
Jiang Zhimiao couldn’t forgive herself, nor could she continue to live with a person who had indirectly killed her friend.
She proposed a divorce to Song Zhaoyang, which angered him, and he hit her.
From then on, Song Zhaoyang seemed to have changed into a different person.
He imprisoned Jiang Zhimiao, cut off all her contact with the outside world, and made her his captive.
Jiang Zhimiao couldn’t bear it anymore.
After being discovered while trying to escape, she accidentally killed Song Zhaoyang.
After hearing Jiang Zhimiao’s words, I fell into silence.
I understood that this might not just be an ordinary dream, but Jiang Zhimiao’s real life in her previous life.
So, in the previous life, it wasn’t just me who was ruined by Song Zhaoyang…
Thinking of this, I quickly held her hand and said in a deep voice,
“Miaomiao, dreams are usually the opposite. You will have a bright future. Don’t waste too much energy on a scumbag. It’s not worth it.”
Jiang Zhimiao nodded and smiled.
“I know. I didn’t take him to heart. I just thought this dream was too absurd and wanted to complain to you. You’re really nice, but sometimes you’re too sensitive.”
About twenty days later, the college entrance examination results came out.
All three of us were admitted to our ideal universities. Jiang Zhimiao and I applied to universities in the south, while Ye Zheng went to the north alone.
The future was still uncertain, but I didn’t feel lost.
Just like after the rain, there will always be a sunny day. After experiencing hardships, we will eventually become the adults we want to be.
(The End)
