Chapter Thirty-Five

  Listening to Wang Ming-tang joking with the female student so casually, and even welcoming her to visit him at any time, left everyone in a state of shock and uncertainty. After all, Wang Ming-tang's status in Yang City was not ordinary, and Longfeng Xiang Jewelry Store was the leader in the jewelry industry. Except for the recently emerging Yushizhuan, even Ma Weiguang's Wanfulou had been suppressed by Longfeng Xiang and couldn't lift its head due to financial difficulties a few days ago!

  And what he represents in Yang City is not only the identity of a billionaire, but also the veteran Tai Shan of the jewelry industry. This is indeed a symbol of status and prestige, and it's rare to see him joking around with someone like this.

  So Principal Wang Yan was also stunned, and in an instant he became furious and roared "What a scoundrel! What a scoundrel! Where's Wu Liang? Let him come find me! No, let him go to the office to find me!" He then bid farewell to everyone, dispersed the crowd, walked towards the teaching building, and convened a meeting with all teachers.

  Director Wu Liangqiang attempted to rape a female student, but failed! This matter spread like the wind, sweeping through every corner of Municipal No. 1 Middle School, and municipal leaders even sent an urgent message asking the school to handle the situation carefully, comfort the students, and prevent the bad influence from spreading further.

  Wu Liang has been taken away by the police, and the investigation results surprisingly found that Wu Liang had been involved in many similar incidents before. As for whether Liu Na was raped or not, no one asked anymore, and the police also remained silent.

  Wu Liang was also sent to prison on charges of multiple rapes and violent assaults.

  Although the rumor of Liu's attempted rape was spread, it caused psychological shadow and harm to the students. The school also made economic compensation to Liu Na's family in order to calm things down. However, Liu Na's mother was a tough cookie, she came to the school three or five times to make trouble, saying that if the handling of the matter was not satisfactory to her, she would go to the provincial government to petition.

  In the end, it is unknown what method the school used, but Liu's mother never came to make trouble at the school again.

  But this matter still spread, becoming a topic of conversation for the common people after dinner, and naturally, the brave lifesaver Ai Zi Qing classmate was not absent from this conversation...

  Ai Zi Qing has become a hero!

  Yu Douwu Liang Yan teacher, wisdom saves the victimized female classmate. So, in the student circle of Yangshi No. 1 Middle School, Ai Ziqing thoroughly became a small celebrity.

  The school didn't bother Ai Zi Qing at all, and when Principal Wang handed out the award certificates, he said with a serious tone, "Bravery is right, but in the future, when encountering similar situations, don't take risks lightly, and don't panic! You can privately find teachers and principals to better handle the problem."

  Ai Zi Qing nodded obediently, with a harmless expression. This made Wang Yan think to himself: What exactly did Wu Liang do to end up like that?

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  Wang Wu called that day and said that Lao Jiu, the most active drug dealer in Yang City, had been caught by him. He asked Ai Zi Qing what to do next.

  "These things you can handle on your own, find the source and go negotiate, in the future take charge of such matters yourself." As for this aspect, Ai Zi Qing didn't understand at all, it's better to let Wang Wu and others handle it.

  Moreover, she is not prepared to take everything on herself. If that's how it has to be, then it's really not the ideal state for Ai Zi Qing right now.

  In the late afternoon, Ai Zi Qing walked on the road to Xu Yan Dong's house, with a lollipop in her mouth, paired with fluffy short hair and casual white sportswear. No one would have imagined that such a little girl who seemed like a neighbor, actually controlled the giant conglomerate of Jing Tian and the entire underground black market of Yang City.

  Arriving at the provincial party committee's residential compound, newly built two-story small buildings, almost every household's balcony has some flowers and grass, looking clean and refreshing.

  Xu Yandong's home was easy to find, as he had already moved into Villa No. 1 as the provincial party secretary. Ai Ziqing rang the doorbell, and a woman's voice came from inside asking "Who is it?" The front door then opened a crack.

  "I'm looking for Secretary Xu."

  "Are you Miss Ai? Please come in, Secretary Xu just instructed that when Miss Ai arrives, she can go directly to his study." The maid hurriedly opened the door and welcomed Ai Ziqing in.

  "Thank you." Zi Qing politely thanked her and then went inside to change her shoes. Under the lead of the nanny, she arrived at the door of Xu Yandong's study on the second floor.

  "Miss Ai, go ahead, call me if you need anything." The nanny said with a warm smile, then turned and went downstairs.

  He knocked on the door three times, and from inside came Xu Yandong's thick voice: "Come in."

  Ai Zi Qing walked in, the room was tidy and clean, mainly decorated with red wood, on the wall in the middle, hung a large character "difficult to confuse" which made the whole room full of book fragrance. Xu Yan Dong sat on the main seat, wearing casual clothes, but still looked majestic and powerful.

  "Secretary Xu found me today, is it for......?" Ai Ziying sat down under Xu Yandong's gesture and asked doubtfully.

  "Haha, still calling me Secretary Xu, I'll also call you Uncle Xu then? Didn't expect that you're a high school student. What's even more surprising is that we attend the same school as my son, it's really true that no coincidence is just a coincidence." Xu Yandong sighed and shook his head with a smile.

  "Uncle Xu, to be honest, I'm also quite good friends with Xu Jian. If I wasn't afraid you wouldn't like it, I should have changed my address a long time ago." Ai Zi Qing smiled in response, apparently Xu Yan Dong had already investigated her background, this old fox.

  "Zi Qing, I heard that the article which was fiercely debated in academic circles during the middle school entrance exam was written by you?" Xu Yan Dong smiled and looked at Ai Zi Qing with a hint of surprise. If she weren't standing right in front of him, he wouldn't have believed it - a girl in her teens could achieve such heights! Her future prospects would be boundless!

  "Uncle Xu already knows." Ai Zi Qing nodded.

  "It's really a case of heroes emerging in their youth! With your age, you've achieved such accomplishments, which can only be found in the stories of ancient emperors and monarchs. You're truly a heaven-sent genius!" Xu Yandong suddenly exclaimed.

  This praise is truly enough to make Ai Zi Qing feel honored and surprised, the provincial party secretary's admiration for her as a genius, what an honor it is! Moreover, she was even compared to the monarchs of ancient times, if this were to spread, it would truly be the most astonishing thing of this century.

  So she hastily humbled herself and said, "Uncle Xu has overpraised me. I'm not as amazing as you say, it's just that I've been lucky." Ai Ziying's words were not empty talk, but came from the heart. Since her rebirth, although everything had gone smoothly, it was mainly because she had grasped the overall trend of the future and hitched a ride on this smooth-sailing boat. As for herself, there were still many areas where she lacked ability, and she needed to rely on the support of those around her. Moreover, with age on her side, she could use time to make up for her shortcomings.

  Xu Yandong praised with a nod, "Not arrogant or impatient, not rushed or proud, knowing how to endure and be low-key in handling matters. At your age, it's already quite rare, enough to be a model for people of the same age."

  Ai Zi Qing's old face turned red with praise, she was also considered a big aunt, and being praised like this made her feel somewhat embarrassed.

  "Hehe, nothing else today, just wanted to thank you for saving my life last time. Been busy lately and couldn't find the time, let's go, I'll take you out for a home-cooked meal with Uncle Xu today." Xu Yandong said with a smile as he stood up.

  Ai Zi Qing also stood up, muttering in her heart: You owe me a life debt, why didn't you come out to welcome your benefactor? How dare you put on airs inside the house.

  Ai Zi Qing actually understood Xu Yan Dong's intention, after all, his identity was there, even if Ai Zi Qing was excellent now, he couldn't go out to greet him, it didn't match the status of both parties, and in official circles, this is particularly emphasized. Moreover, if they were to cooperate in the future, Xu Yan Dong would naturally have to show his authority first, even giving her a slight warning wouldn't be excessive, after all, the two were also an official and a bandit, with different identities.

  As they walked into the dining room, the two had just sat down when the doorbell rang again. After the nanny opened the door, Xu Jian walked in and saw the two people in the hall, stunned, and asked stupidly, "How did you come?" This sentence was naturally directed at Ai Zi Qing.

  "Zi Qing is invited by me, what are you standing there for? Come and have dinner!" Xu Yandong said sternly.

  Xu Jian hastily took off his slippers and washed his hands, went upstairs to change into a new set of clothes, came down to the dining room and sat down, looking puzzled all along.

  "It was like that, Zi Qing. She can also be considered my lifesaver. It was her who discovered the culprit's trail that day, which led to the security company rescuing me." Xu Yandong explained briefly.

  "What does she have to do with Ging Tian Group?" Xu Jian was even more puzzled.

  "Ziying's father has recently been hired as a manager at Qiantian Security Company, so they just got the news. And she also had an article that received unanimous praise from the province. I want to meet this little benefactor of mine!" Xu Yandong said vaguely, he didn't want Xu Jian to come into contact with these things too early, and since Xu Jian didn't know, it proved that Ai Ziying was not intentionally revealing secrets, so he had already thought of an excuse.

  Xu Jian nodded. Since he saw that incident with Leti, he knew there must be some extraordinary people around Ai Zi Qing, so today wasn't that surprising.

  During lunch, Xu Yandong chatted with Ai Ziqing about some orders and projects recently issued by the province. What surprised him was that this girl spoke logically and clearly, and as soon as she opened her mouth, she would say something that made him applaud and exclaim, "Brilliant!"

  Xu Jian couldn't get a word in edgewise, and he hadn't expected his father to actually treat Ai Zi Qing as an equal and ask for her opinion. If this got out, no one would believe it! But the fact was that it was happening right before his eyes, making him admire Ai Zi Qing even more!

  "You should learn from Ziqing more, she is one year younger than you, look at yourself! Not even a tenth of her!" Xu Yandong scolded Xu Jian with a tone of hatred for iron that couldn't be made into steel.

  Xu Jian could only nod his head in agreement, staring at Ai Zi Qing who was trying to stifle a smile.

  "It's getting late, if there's nothing else, I'll head back." After dinner, Ai Zi Qing stood up and bid farewell.

  "Let Xu Jian send you back, a young girl going home alone is not safe." Xu Yandong nodded and said.

  "No need, I'll go myself, it's still not too late." Ai Zi Qing declined.

  Xu Yandong took a look at the sky which was just starting to darken and didn't want to be too enthusiastic, so he instructed Xu Jian to escort her out of the door.

  As soon as they left the house, Xu Jian teased, "Indeed, it's Ai Zi Qing. Even my old man can be subdued by you. If I don't marry you in the future, it would be a great loss. No one else can compare to your abilities."

  Zi Qing gave him a glance and ignored him. Xu Jian paused for a moment, then suddenly said, "In the future, don't be so reckless when doing things, what if you end up sacrificing yourself to show off your heroism?"

  Ai Zi Qing was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Showing off heroism?"

  "If we encounter another situation like Wu Liang's, don't be so reckless, it's simply too dangerous." Xu Jian said with a frown.

  "Alright, I know. I have my own limits." Ai Zi Qing suddenly realized that he thought she had been impulsive and almost gotten into trouble at the time. Although she felt that he didn't trust her abilities enough, she was still touched in her heart. After all, only friends would say such things, this was genuine concern.

  "Uh-huh." Xu Jian nodded slightly, and the two walked out of the provincial party committee compound. Ai Ziying stopped in her tracks "I'll just see you off here, I want to take a stroll before heading back."

  "Be careful yourself." Xu Jian hesitated for a moment, seeing her insistence, he nodded and saw her off as she left.

  The sky gradually darkened, and Aizi Qing strolled along the streets under the night sky of Yang City. The residents thought that the area near the residential quarters was already filled with vendors who had just set up their stalls. This street was a famous night market in '97, and the entire street was lined with clothing stores and snack shops. As she walked among them, the sound of height-measuring instruments broadcasting "Height 160, weight 60 kg, slightly overweight..." often echoed in her ears.

  Such sounds rose and fell, making Ai Zi Qing's memories a bit dizzy. Years later, the night market on this street was ordered to be rectified by the government, completely cleared out, and there were no more lively scenes like this.

  In her past life, she also often followed her parents to stroll through the night market, buying some affordable and cheap clothes, standing on the street and haggling with small vendors...

  These memories are distant yet real, and the scene before one's eyes is like a faded old photograph, evoking nostalgia and dizziness.

  Ai Zi Qing slowed down her pace, walking in this night market that should be demolished a few years later, weaving through the small houses built with steel pipes, and haggling over prices when she found something she liked, going back and forth between five yuan and ten yuan with the vendors. This feeling that she hadn't experienced for many years was really great.

  At this time, a playful voice rang out "Hey, isn't that our monitor Ai Zi Qing? What are you doing here?"

  Turning back, the voice came from Shi Ran, who was now not at all like the elegant and refined school flower in class, but rather a trendy girl across time, with a short shirt that couldn't cover her slender waist, bell-bottom pants that accentuated her beautiful legs, high chest, and pretty face, each of which could drive men crazy.

  From where she stood, there were already many young men stopping to watch nearby, and even the girls couldn't help but glance at Shi Ran's striking outfit with envy.

  Ai Zi Qing was also stunned. What kind of student from a top school like Shi Yi Zhong looked like this? She looked exactly like a delinquent girl.

  Looking at her bright red fingernails, deep brown eye shadow, exposed navel, and those thin high heels that seemed about to break, Ai Zi Qing furrowed her brow. Especially with that phrase "Big Class Leader", it was clearly sarcastic. Everyone knew that Ai Zi Qing had just been removed from office, and the position of class leader had been taken over by Shi Ran. What did she mean by this?

  Looking at Shi Ran's condescending expression, Ai Zi Qing calmly asked "What is it?"