Chapter 41 - 040: Qiu Wan’s Relics

Words : 1316 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 41 - 040: Qiu Wan's Relics Although their interactions were limited, they were classmates after all—leaving it completely unchecked didn't feel right. "Yu... Classmate Yu." Qin Huai's voice was completely hoarse as she raised her gaze to carefully examine the other person. She didn't cry when she was bullied. She didn't cry when she was verbally insulted. Yet this time, upon seeing Yu Zhi, upon hearing Yu Zhi's cold and detached voice, she finally couldn't hold back her tears. She buried her head into her knees, and her tears fell endlessly, as if they were free of cost. Yu Zhi said nothing: "..." What was she supposed to do with this strange situation? Yu Zhi had never encountered anything like this before. Momentarily at a loss, she chose to stay silent by the side and let the other cry it out. After what felt like ages, Qin Huai finally lifted her head. Her swollen eyes now resembled almonds. She wiped away her tears and slowly stood up. "Thank you, Classmate Yu." Yu Zhi nodded slightly and motioned toward three people still trembling in the corner. "How do you want to handle them?" Qin Huai glanced at them briefly, her hand at her side involuntarily clutching her skirt hem tightly. She shook her head. "I... I don't know." Or rather, she had never even considered the idea that they might face consequences someday. Upon hearing this, Yu Zhi paused for a moment of thought. Then she gestured to the trio, "Follow me." The three girls hesitated: "..." Were they about to get beaten again? They exchanged nervous glances for a long while before finally taking reluctant steps forward. To their surprise, Yu Zhi had no intention of doing anything further. Without saying another word, she led them straight to the office. When Ji Jingchen saw the four disheveled female students trailing behind Yu Zhi, his expression descended into chaos. "Classmate Yu, what's going on here?" Ji Jingchen's rare seriousness was accompanied by a deeply furrowed brow. It wasn't hard to imagine what he was thinking—besides Yu Zhi, the others were all dirty and disheveled, barely recognizable from their original appearance. Yu Zhi, concise as ever, explained, "They bullied someone." "Teacher Ji, Classmate Yu only acted to help me, because..." Afraid he might criticize Yu Zhi, Qin Huai hurried to recount the entire incident from beginning to end. For the first time in her life, she spoke so fluently that even Yu Zhi couldn't resist throwing her a glance of silent admiration. "You're all adults now. Do you even realize extortion and theft carry legal consequences?" Ji Jingchen glared angrily at the girls. If it weren't for Yu Zhi intervening today, Qin Huai might still be suffering under their torment. "Teacher, we... we're sorry. Truly sorry." "We'll give the money back, every last penny. We'll return it all to her." "Please don't call the police on us, we beg you..." "..." After hearing Ji Jingchen's stern reprimand, panic overwhelmed them. Even the one with the high ponytail, previously the most arrogant among them, was now crying uncontrollably. "Regretting it now, are you?" Ji Jingchen's face remained cold, and his tone unyielding: "Regardless, this isn't up to me. Take it to the administrative office." At Shengde, a student's character was prioritised above all else. Considering the gravity of what had happened, it wasn't hard to guess what their fate would be. In the hallway, Yu Zhi glanced sideways at the silent Qin Huai and voiced the curiosity she had harbored for a while: "Why didn't you resist?" As she had bluntly pointed out earlier in the office, this wasn't the first time Qin Huai had been mistreated by them. She hadn't fought back. She had never reported it to the school. Instead, she repeatedly allowed them to corner her again and again. "I..." Qin Huai's lips moved twice, hesitation evident on her face. "If you'd rather not say, that's okay." Yu Zhi didn't press her. She gave her a quick once-over and asked, "Want to go freshen up in the restroom?" "Classmate Yu, thank you." Qin Huai stopped in her tracks, locking eyes with Yu Zhi's almond-shaped gaze. For the first time, a faint smile surfaced on her face. It felt like a ray of light breaking through heavy clouds, as though she returned to her usual self. Once she turned toward the restroom, Yu Zhi's lips formed an almost imperceptible smile. ** Qiu Wan was buried at the largest cemetery near the city outskirts, beyond the Fifth Ring Road. The distance from either the school or the Yu Family residence required considerable travel time. By the time Yu Zhi arrived at the cemetery, it was nearing five o'clock. She carried a bouquet of flowers, navigating narrow pathways and crossing a lawn until she found Qiu Wan's tombstone. It seemed like no one had visited or maintained it for quite a while. The tombstone was covered in dried weeds, fallen branches, and heavily layered dust. "Out of sight, out of mind"—perhaps this saying captured it best. Yu Zhi put down the bouquet and began cleaning up, one weed and dried branch at a time, tossing them aside. She then pulled out wet wipes from her bag and wiped the tombstone meticulously from top to bottom. As she knelt down, she took a closer look at Qiu Wan. The photo on the tombstone must've been taken when she was young, her features carrying a serene grace that matched her name. Her appearance evoked the tranquility of Jiangnan's waterways—gentle and refined. As quiet as late Ming moonlight. As tender as a Song Dynasty drizzle. "Your daughter..." Yu Zhi paused her cleaning, gripping the wipe tightly, and sighed deeply. She lowered her gaze, continuing to clean the picture as she murmured softly, "I'm doing pretty well." Yu Zhi had lost her parents at an early age, living alone ever since she was in the starry realm. Unable to understand familial ties, she couldn't fully grasp those sentiments. So, aside from feeling pity for Qiu Wan, she felt nothing else. Having tidied up the tombstone thoroughly, Yu Zhi bid farewell to the photograph on the grave marker. "I need to go now. I'll visit again next time." She turned around and left. Behind her, the breeze stirred the tree branches, creating a rustling sound. Fallen leaves scattered across the ground, adding an inexplicable touch of melancholy to the scene. Near the cemetery's ashes chamber stood an adjoining room meant for storing the deceased's relics or personal belongings. The room was dimly lit, and rows of cold metal lockers lined the walls. A faint scent of rust lingered in the air, making it somewhat unpleasant. When Yu Zhi opened Qiu Wan's locker, a burst of dust flew up, prompting her to cover her face and sneeze. Squinting, she retrieved the contents inside. Inside the red wooden box were a pair of earrings, a jade bracelet, a palm-sized golden lock, and several scattered photos. Yu Zhi carefully examined the items and glanced back into the locker. Based on her investigation, Qiu Wan's belongings were supposed to include a document granting ten percent shares in the Yu Group. But apart from this box, there was nothing else in the locker. Yu Zhi let out a cold chuckle as a dim gleam passed through her light brown almond eyes. Her expression didn't change as she placed the items into her backpack, toyed briefly with the silver key in her hand, and casually tossed it aside. A soft clang. The silver key traced an arc through the air before landing perfectly in the trash bin.

Chapter 41 - 040: Qiu Wan’s Relics

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