Chapter 37: A Light in the Darkness

Ling Yao scanned the surroundings and saw an empty seat at the back of the classroom. She walked over.

“Classmate, is anyone sitting here?” Ling Yao asked the girl who was sleeping on her desk.

The girl lazily opened her eyes, glanced at Ling Yao, and didn’t say anything.

Ling Yao put down her backpack and sat down.

“The new student is actually sitting with Li Ling. Li Ling’s father is a murderer.”

“Should we tell the new student?”

Ling Yao heard their discussion but didn’t pay attention. Even if Li Ling’s father was a murderer, it didn’t mean that Li Ling was also a murderer.

Li Ling was surprised when she saw Ling Yao sitting next to her, “You’re going to sit here?”

“Mm.” Ling Yao nodded and took out her books from her backpack and placed them on the desk.

“Do you know who I am? My dad is a murderer. Are you sure you really want to sit with me?” A hint of hatred flashed in Li Ling’s eyes.

 Because her father had killed someone, everyone looked down on her. They treated her like a snake, as if she were a murderer too. But she hadn’t done anything wrong! Why did they treat her like this?

Therefore, she wanted to study hard. When she went to college and had the ability, she would take her younger siblings and her mother and leave this place. She would get rid of this label.

“It’s not your fault.”

Li Ling’s pupils dilated slightly, and her expression flickered. This was the first time someone had said this to her.

She lowered her head and wiped her slightly red eyes with her hand, “Thank you…”

Her voice was very soft, almost inaudible in the noisy classroom.

But Ling Yao heard it. She smiled slightly and shook her head. She never judged people based on their family background. She looked at their character.

The bell for morning study rang, and the teacher walked in with her book.

She scanned the classroom and her gaze fell on Ling Yao, who was sitting at the back, “Ling Yao, come up and introduce yourself to everyone.”

Ling Yao nodded and walked confidently to the stage.

“Hello everyone! My name is Ling Yao.” It was short and simple.

The teacher coughed lightly, “Ling Yao, are you finished introducing yourself?”

“Mm.” Ling Yao nodded.

“Do you want to change seats?” The principal had just told her that Ling Yao’s identity was not simple and asked her to take extra care of her.

 She naturally couldn’t let Ling Yao sit with Li Ling. Li Ling’s father was a murderer.

Li Ling’s hands tightly clutched the hem of her clothes. She looked at Ling Yao with a complex expression.

She would probably change seats too. Who would want to sit with the child of a murderer?

“No need. I’m fine sitting here.”

“But…” The teacher wanted to persuade her again.

“Thank you, teacher! I’ll just sit with Li Ling.”

Li Ling’s eyes were red again. She quickly lowered her head, wiped her eyes with her hand, but she couldn’t help but curl her lips into a slight smile.

“Okay, if you want to change seats later, just tell the teacher.” The teacher could only say helplessly.

Ling Yao walked back to her seat and sat down.

The teacher looked away, picked up her textbook, and flipped through it, “Now, let’s start the lesson. Please turn to page nineteen.”

“Ling Yao, thank you!” Li Ling thanked her again. Since her father had killed someone, everyone looked at her with disgust, contempt, and a hint of fear, as if she were a murderer too.

 They all stayed far away from her. This was the first time someone was willing to approach her.

Ling Yao shook her head and smiled, “It’s not your fault. You don’t need to feel inferior.”

“Okay.” Li Ling smiled faintly.

The day passed quickly. After school, Ling Yao picked up her backpack and walked towards the classroom door.

She arrived at the bus stop just as the bus pulled up.

As she was about to get on, she saw a few thugs blocking Li Ling, who had just come out of school.

“What do you want?” Li Ling took a few steps back in fear.

“What are you afraid of? We just want to chat with you.”

“I don’t want to chat with you. Get out of my way.” Li Ling looked around for help, hoping someone would help her.

But everyone just glanced at them indifferently and didn’t have any intention of stepping forward to help.

Li Ling was pulled into a nearby alley by the thugs.

Ling Yao frowned slightly and stopped getting on the bus. She walked towards the alley.

“Give us all the money you have, or don’t blame us for being rude.” A thug with yellow teeth grabbed Li Ling’s hair and threatened her.

They knew that Li Ling went to the restaurant to wash dishes after school every day. Yesterday was her payday.

“I don’t have any money.” Li Ling’s entire face was wrinkled with pain. She did receive her salary yesterday, but that money was for her mother’s medicine. Her mother had fallen ill after her father went to prison.

She had been working part-time all winter break to help her mother with her medical expenses. She had finally received her salary. How could she give it to these thugs?

“You’re asking for it.” The thug raised his hand and slapped Li Ling’s face.

“Ah!” Li Ling’s face burned with pain. She looked at the thugs in despair. Why did everyone bully her? What was the point of living?

“Stop!” A low shout came from behind them.

The thugs turned around in surprise. They saw Ling Yao. They sneered disdainfully.

“Little fatty, it’s best if you don’t meddle in other people’s business. You still have time to run.”

“Or our brothers might change our minds.”

They looked at Ling Yao mockingly.

Li Ling saw a glimmer of hope in Ling Yao’s eyes, but it quickly extinguished, “Ling Yao, go quickly. Don’t worry about me.”

She didn’t want to involve Ling Yao. As for her, she was already like this. She might as well just die.

Ling Yao stepped forward and kicked a thug in the stomach.

“Ugh!” The thug bent over in pain, clutching his stomach.

“Damn it, beat her to death!”

The remaining thugs rushed towards Ling Yao angrily.

Ling Yao was nimble. She grabbed one thug’s fist, threw him over her shoulder, and kicked another thug in the face.

Li Ling was stunned. Ling Yao was amazing!

Ling Yao clapped her hands and coldly scanned the thugs on the ground, “Get out!”

The thugs quickly scrambled out of the alley.

“Are you okay?” Ling Yao walked to Li Ling.

“I’m fine. Thank you!” Li Ling looked at Ling Yao gratefully. A wave of warmth surged through her heart.

At this moment, Ling Yao was like a light in the darkness, illuminating her world. She would remember this kindness forever. She would repay Ling Yao in the future.

“Do you want me to take you home?” Ling Yao looked at Li Ling’s swollen face.

“No need.” Li Ling shook her head. If she took Ling Yao home, those people would look at Ling Yao with the same eyes they looked at her.

 Ling Yao was her benefactor. She was the first person to be kind to her and help her after her father went to prison.

 How could she let others look at her with that kind of gaze?