12dz Chapter 1231 - 1220: Refusing to Be a Cowed Person
Chapter 1231 - 1220: Refusing to Be a Cowed Person
On Wednesday, Ye Qiu reported to Professor An’s research group, where she met Xie Lizzi, who looked at her as if she wanted to devour her.
Xie Lizzi’s family was in this field, allowing her access to knowledge that ordinary students couldn’t reach. She got in on her own merit, but Professor An didn’t like her much, so she wasn’t allowed to access the core of the research.
This was one of the reasons for her resentment towards Ye Qiu. Despite not having taken the exam, Ye Qiu was invited by Professor An himself. In this place, Xie Lizzi couldn’t use her family background to affect Ye Qiu.
This was Professor An’s territory. Those with access to his core research were people he trusted. They wouldn’t ignore his warnings for promises they deemed insignificant.
So when Ye Qiu passed by, she deliberately cast a smug look at Xie Lizzi, trying to provoke her.
And Xie Lizzi was indeed infuriated. She gritted her teeth, pulled out her phone, and swore to get back at Ye Qiu. If she couldn’t act against Ye Qiu here, could she do it elsewhere?
A foster daughter, if her foster mother were to cry and curse her as a thankless wretch, saying she had no conscience, how would she dare face Professor An’s research group? Even if Professor An allowed her to stay, gossip could crush her.
She couldn’t wait to see that scene! An abandoned orphan, a foster daughter disliked by her adoptive family—what right did she have to compete with her?
Upon receiving the information, Lu Mei Juan had already set off. Following Xie Lizzi’s clues, she first went to Ye Qiu’s residential area, and upon discovering she couldn’t get in, angrily headed to the campus.
"Excuse me, ma’am, who are you looking for?" A University’s management was strict, generally not allowing adults in, so the security guard stopped her.
"Oh, I’m looking for Ye Qiu, a senior in Mechanical Engineering. I’m her mom," Lu Mei Juan said somewhat unnaturally.
The security guard suspiciously continued, "Since you’re the mother of a university student here, why didn’t you call your daughter to have her meet you?"
"Because I’m her foster mother, our family relationship isn’t great, and she doesn’t like taking my calls. I’m here to see her for something urgent," Lu Mei Juan lied without blinking.
"Alright, then, I’ll call her counselor to check in."
"No need, security brother. I’m in the same class as Ye Qiu; I know where she is. I’ll take this lady to her." Gu Xiaotong hurried over, panting, "Look, here’s my student ID."
"Oh, it really is, but..."
"It’s fine, if there’s a problem I’ll take responsibility, alright?"
"Ok, but don’t stay in the school too long; come out quickly."
"I know, people from this school wouldn’t lie, would they?"
"Young lady, thank you!" Lu Mei Juan said gratefully while walking.
"Enough, I know who you are. Lizi was worried you couldn’t get in and specifically asked me to come and meet you." Gu Xiaotong said impatiently, looking down on Lu Mei Juan. Although this woman came to help them teach Ye Qiu a lesson, Gu Xiaotong despised people like her—betraying her foster daughter for outsiders, even after years of fostering feelings, without a moment of hesitation. Ye Qiu really failed as a person.
But she deserved it. She stood in Lizi’s way without knowing better, made her lose face that day, and let Lizi show her displeasure—Ye Qiu deserved the lesson.
"In a moment, I’ll take you to the building under the lab. We can’t get inside, just wait downstairs. Remember, Lizi’s request is to leave no dignity for your foster daughter; make her as embarrassed as possible. Otherwise, you’ll have to return all of Lizi’s money, and your daughter’s future job will be ruined," threatened Gu Xiaotong.
Lu Mei Juan was harsh with Ye Qiu, but when facing Gu Xiaotong now, she was compliant and fearful: "Don’t worry, young lady, I won’t disappoint Lady Xie. But if I do well, perhaps Lady Xie could help with my husband and my job change?"
Gu Xiaotong looked disdainfully at this greedy woman: "That depends on how ruthless you can be."
"Gu Xiaotong?"
A pleasant male voice came from behind. Gu Xiaotong stiffened, then turned happily, her cheeks flushed, "Senior Brother Zhang, what are you doing here today?"
"Oh, just wandering." Zhang Zeyu’s gaze fell on Lu Mei Juan, then asked, "Who is she?"
Gu Xiaotong’s heart tightened, a flicker of panic in her eyes, but she quickly calmed and lied, "She’s Lizi’s nanny, here to deliver something to Lizi."
"I see, go ahead then."
"Goodbye, senior." After walking for a bit, Gu Xiaotong noticed Zhang Zeyu hadn’t followed and let out a heavy sigh of relief.
What she didn’t know was that Zhang Zeyu was looking at her back meaningfully. He knew that the middle-aged woman was suspicious because he overheard the mention of Ye Qiu, though not clearly due to the distance.
Zhang Zeyu changed direction toward the lab building. He thought if the woman really had something to do with Ye Qiu but came with Gu Xiaotong, she would certainly head to the lab building, so why not take a look?
Reflecting on what Ye Qiu told him before, Zhang Zeyu felt complicated and seriously reconsidered himself. After asking around about the past two years, he realized he had caused Ye Qiu many troubles and felt deeply guilty.
If this was another scheme by Xie Lizzi to trap Ye Qiu, perhaps he could lend a hand.
"Here we are; later don’t mention knowing me or Lizi. Just trouble Ye Qiu directly."
Zhang Zeyu stood behind a tree, watching Gu Xiaotong and that middle-aged woman whispering near the lab building. His expression suddenly sharpened. Though he enjoyed the admiration of women, he disliked other women being harmed because of him.
Xie Lizzi and he were childhood friends; their families were close, and he knew Xie Lizzi had always liked him. But he only considered her a sister. In front of adults, Xie Lizzi was always obedient; he hadn’t known she did so many things behind the scenes.
After investigating, he discovered his first girlfriend had broken up due to threats from Xie Lizzi. The first love was always different, and among his many relationships, only the first ended by the girlfriend’s initiative, making it feel special to Zhang Zeyu.
Though he no longer liked his first girlfriend, thinking about Xie Lizzi’s actions chilled his heart.
On the surface, she seemed understanding and gentle, but her hidden methods were vicious and deeply concealed. It felt like being watched by a venomous snake. If he couldn’t find true love in the future, despair leading him to be with her, wouldn’t his life be over?