Chapter 113: Expulsion. A special update for those who gifted tourmaline diamonds.

I knew that once my grandfather returned, he would definitely tell my father about Luo Ange’s existence. The reason my father asked me was simply because last time, under Yihua Yang’s instigation, my mother had called Luo Ange asking for money. My father felt embarrassed and feared that Luo Ange might hold a grudge.

Hearing my words, my father finally showed a hint of happiness. “When will you bring her home for me to see?”

I replied, “Soon.” He repeated those three words over and over: “That’s good, that’s good, that’s good…”

That night, lying in Luo Ange’s arms, I thought back over everything since I met him. The past seemed like a dream. Heaven had truly treated me well. After all these twists and turns, we were still by each other’s side.

He played with my hair and asked, “Are you happy?”

I answered honestly, “Yes. My relationship with my father used to be very strained—we could barely stand each other. But Luo Ange, after meeting you, I reflected on it. No relationship is a one-sided clap; my father is definitely at fault, but so am I. So, I forgave him.”

He smiled, “Are you thanking me?”

I turned over and lay on top of him, teasing his chin like a mischievous rogue. “How does the young master wish his lady to express thanks?”

A deep desire flashed in his eyes. Suddenly, he flipped me over and pinned me down. “Wuyou, you know my greatest wish is to lock you in my bed for life.”

Such a barefaced declaration of love was irresistible, and yet I loved hearing it.

Stirred to passionate heat, the phone rang. I pushed against Luo Ange’s chest. “The phone…”

He tightened his arm around my shoulders, breathing heavily. “Don’t answer…”

In the throes of passion, Luo Ange whispered into my ear, “Wuyou, is today a safe day?”

In my haze, I shook my head. Ever since the last time I got caught in the heavy rain during my period, it hadn’t come again. My cycle was unreliable to begin with; now it was even more so.

Luo Ange freed one hand and rummaged through the cabinet, pulling out an empty box. I burst out laughing. “Sorry, I forgot to buy more…”

He pressed hard, making me shudder involuntarily. Smirking, he said, “Testing me, huh?”

I hurriedly shook my head, feeling both empty and helpless. “No, really, I forgot. I thought there were some left.”

That was the truth. Since returning to Kangcheng, his energy and desire had been insanely high. I was barely keeping up.

I was even considering whether to do my internship farther away, or to separate for a while. Otherwise, I’d be worn out for sure.

Luo Ange was displeased with my distraction and pressed harder twice. White spots danced before my eyes, and soon he tormented me until I forgot my own identity.

But in the end, he pulled away just in time. Without protection, the consequence was waking up in the middle of the night to change the sheets.

But none of it was my doing. Luo Ange wrapped me like a dumpling in a blanket, placed me on a nearby chaise lounge, quickly changed the sheets, then carried me back to bed.

Enjoying it all, I suddenly asked why he spoiled me so much.

He pulled the covers around us and after a few seconds said, “Because you’re my woman.”

I was very satisfied with that answer, curling up in his arms and whispering, “Luo Ange, thank you.”

At noon, Amu brought me a stack of photos. I took them and suddenly understood something but hesitated, lacking the courage to open them.

To be honest, I was afraid—afraid that either Xia Qi or Li Wanqiu might have been hurt.

I was afraid because I vainly hoped our friendship of three could still be preserved.

Yet, when Luo Ange showed me the photos, I realized the so-called three sisters were nothing but a foolish fantasy from now on.

In the pictures, Li Wanqiu handed Wang Keying a large kraft paper bag, seemingly at an airport.

In another photo, Jiang Chenghuan’s family and Li Wanqiu’s family dined together, the two drinking a mutual toast.

Other photos showed Jiang Chenghuan holding Li Wanqiu in a hospital corridor beneath a sign for the obstetrics and gynecology department.

I looked at the photos, my breath quickening. Amu said, “Li Wanqiu has already sent Wang Keying and her grandmother abroad. Reliable sources say Jiang Chenghuan is about to take Li Wanqiu to Germany.”

I suddenly stood up, scattering the photos everywhere. Luo Ange’s voice was stern: “Sit down.”

I grabbed my phone and wallet, but he repeated, “Sit down.”

I looked at him. “Don’t stop me…”

He raised an eyebrow, “What do you intend to do? Tell Xia Qi? Scold that scoundrel? Will that help?”

I thought of Xia Qi, wherever she was at that moment, and asked the man calmly sitting on the sofa, “Is that it? Just let it go?”

He closed his laptop, staring out the window. “Find Xia Qi first. Maybe she’s known since early on.”

But the world was so vast, and finding someone deliberately hiding was no easy task. Luo Ange’s trip to America couldn’t be delayed, nor could my school start. So, I had to set Xia Qi’s matter aside for now.

On the first day of school, Luo Ange left for America with Xibao. I didn’t see him off. The night before, I had been tormented countless times by someone whose energy was deadly, and when I woke, it was already noon.

A sticky note was left by the bedside, his strong handwriting reading: “Eat well, sleep well, wait for me to come back.”

A Yun accompanied me to school. He spoke little; usually silent unless absolutely necessary. But near the school, he asked what time I needed to be picked up.

Thinking about my personal affairs, I said I didn’t need a ride. I would return on my own once everything was over.

He hesitated. “Miss, the young master ordered me to stay with you every step while he’s away.”

I laughed at his fussiness. “I’m just going to Principal Xia’s house once. Really nothing to worry about.”

He naturally wouldn’t obey me. “Miss, please don’t make things difficult. If the young master knew, he’d blame me.”

I waved my hand impatiently. “Fine, fine. Pick me up at four.”

The first day of school was fairly uneventful: registration, an opening class meeting, and information about internships.

Unexpectedly, I saw Shu Congxuan there. He was standing with Principal Xia and a few others in front of the unfinished teaching building, chatting.

Fearing he might see me, I dashed to the administration building. Just as I was relieved, I spotted two more people.

Jiang Chenghuan and Li Wanqiu bowed to the director of Kang University’s academic affairs office, each holding something.

Jiang Chenghuan said, “Thank you, teacher, for the trouble.”

The teacher replied, “Principal Xia instructed us early on. As soon as you arrive, you’ll get your surgery. Work hard there and don’t disgrace Kang University.”

Li Wanqiu nodded, “We will obey and bring honor to Kang University.”

I suddenly realized they were here to handle formalities—they really were going abroad.

But why did the academic affairs teacher say Principal Xia had given instructions? Could it be that Uncle Xia had known everything all along?

I walked over and called Li Wanqiu’s name. Seeing me, she instinctively hid her hands behind her back. I sneered, “No need to hide. Congratulations to you three—a family finally flying abroad together.”

She tried to say something, but Jiang Chenghuan gripped her shoulder and stared at me. “Lanshan, if you have anything, take it out on me.”

I coldly faced him and spoke with icy contempt, “Jiang Chenghuan, a scoundrel like you, what right do you have to ask me to take it out on you? Do you deserve it?”

Li Wanqiu trembled, raising her voice, “Lanshan, don’t speak so harshly.”

I raised my voice as well, “And I call that harsh? Li Wanqiu, when you painstakingly set that trap; when you watched Xia Qi and me kept in the dark; when you carried his child; when you lay beneath him—do you know what ‘harsh’ really means?”

Her eyes reddened in an instant. “We truly love each other.”

She wanted to explain. I saw pain and pleading in her gaze, but I could not forgive. Xia Qi was the one who suffered most. Why should these two ringleaders leisurely fly abroad?

Through gritted teeth, I spat out, “A counterfeit paired with a dog, forever and ever.”

Leaving those words behind, I turned without another glance and went downstairs.

Since the new teaching building wasn’t finished, we had to hold the class meeting in a temporary building. The soon-to-retire homeroom teacher droned on, reading out internship assignments.

I was assigned to the Kangcheng Language Research Institute, to work under a well-known senior professor. In the past, I would have been thrilled.

But now, I felt nothing because the young lady who used to rejoice over my smallest successes was nowhere to be found.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed. The homeroom teacher called me to stay behind.

When most had left, I went up to the podium to help her pack her briefcase. She asked how my preparations for the graduate exam were going.

Fearing her scolding for not studying much these past months, I lied, “I’ve been working hard.”

She nodded approvingly. “With your qualifications, combined master’s and PhD should be no problem. That’s why you’re interning at the Language Research Institute. Principal Xia arranged it personally. Don’t take it lightly.”

I nodded. Then she added, “This year Kang University has had one blessing after another. After the new building, Mr. Shu generously donated a batch of the latest computers. Teacher’s Day is coming soon, and he donated ten million as welfare. Even someone like me, about to retire, is lucky to witness such times.”

So this was why I saw Shu Congxuan today. What was he trying to do? Was he opposing Luo Ange?

After saying goodbye to the homeroom teacher, my phone rang. I thought it was Luo Ange but saw an unfamiliar number from out of town.

A man's voice asked if I was so-and-so. Thinking it might be a scam, I warily asked who he was.

“I’m a school teacher. Can you come over? Xia Qi is in trouble.”

Half in doubt, I suspected Xia Qi’s phone had been stolen and this was a trick to get money. Several girls in my class had been scammed before.

He must have sensed my skepticism and said straightforwardly, “I’ll send you a video.”

Soon, my phone received a video showing Xia Qi lying in a hospital bed, wearing an oxygen mask, her face pale as if lifeless.