Chapter 164: I Don’t Want to Live Anymore (Part 1)

Zhao Xiuli hung up the phone, furious to the core. She couldn’t believe that despite such a scandal, the Zhao family seemed not to be panicking at all, even daring to laugh on the other end of the line. It was as if they were shamelessly accepting their fate.

So, she thought, if that’s how it’s going to be, then don’t blame us for being thoroughly ruthless!

They had previously talked about digging up graves, but that now seemed insufficient to quell their anger. She wanted not only to exhume graves but also to parade around the county, hire several cars, hang banners, and fabricate some more scandalous stories. As soon as the exam results were released, she planned to show the entire county the true colors of the Zhao family’s mother and son.

Thinking they wouldn’t have to pay? That was a pipe dream!

The compensation, along with the property, was destined to be claimed by the Zhao sisters!

While they plotted their next moves, in a certain residence in the county government’s family compound, Deputy Chief Pang also just turned off the TV. He sat by the sofa, frowning, taking a sip of his drink. Reflecting on the assembly he had attended, he realized he might have misjudged someone.

“What are you thinking about?” Pang’s wife asked as she cleaned up the dishes.

“I was thinking about a kid…” Deputy Chief Pang lit a cigarette, “Remember the oath-taking ceremony I attended as an alumnus of County No. 2 Middle school? I told you about a kid named Zhao Qingfeng, whose experiences seemed somewhat similar to mine when I was young.”

“Why bother with him?” His wife didn’t care much about these matters. She quickly shifted the conversation to what she deemed more important, “I think you should be more concerned about the upcoming election. You’ve been the deputy chief for seven or eight years now. The organization has always mentioned you had a chance, but every time it ends up being someone else getting elected or parachuted in. The election is less than half a year away; you should really start making your moves.”

What moves to make? Deputy Chief Pang felt increasingly annoyed. The county wasn’t big, but there were several deputy chiefs besides him, either younger and stronger or with powerful backers. Everyone was eagerly waiting for the election, hoping to advance their careers. Where was his chance in all this?

Moreover, he had always conducted himself according to the rules, never providing opportunities for bribery, which had offended many. No one supported him.

“Forget it, forget it. You’re a woman; don’t meddle in men’s affairs!” Losing interest in the conversation with his wife, Deputy Chief Pang turned to look out the window, still pondering how Zhao Qingfeng could have done something so despicable.

He had initially wanted to help him, seeing him as a bullied orphan. Now, it seemed best to let the young man fend for himself. Zhao Qingfeng’s behavior at the oath-taking ceremony wasn’t confidence but mischievousness. He couldn’t compare to himself when he was young. Let the troublemaker fend for himself.

…

The next day, the second day of the university entrance examination, Zhao Qingfeng, Shen Lingyao, and Zhang Yang, as usual, took Shen Kuo’s car to the examination site. The atmosphere today was entirely different from yesterday. As soon as he appeared, he immediately attracted many disdainful looks and whispered comments.

“That’s Zhao Qingfeng, the punk who visits prostitutes.”

“How can such trash even qualify for the university entrance exam? It’s a disgrace. He’s wasted all his time on internet cafes and women, yet talks about being in the top three in the county. More like bottom three!”

“Son, remember, never learn from such people, nor become friends with them. ‘One who touches pitch will be defiled.’ Now, even the girl from the Shen family doesn’t seem like a good person!”

What does it mean to kick someone when they’re down? That’s human nature for you.

Zhao Qingfeng wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

Let them talk. After all, having been praised so much in his previous life, being ridiculed now was somewhat amusing.

Shen Lingyao also didn’t care.

Let them talk; it won’t cost them a piece of flesh. Besides, she knew the truth. My Brother Qingfeng is not that kind of person, hmph!

The three of them quickly entered the examination hall.

The morning session was for the science comprehensive test, and the afternoon was for English. Both subjects were not difficult for Zhao Qingfeng. In science, there might have been a few tricky questions where he might lose some points, but English was a breeze. Having lived abroad for over twenty years in his past life, not just the university entrance examination English, even TOEFL and IELTS would be a piece of cake for him.

In a blink of an eye, the day’s exams were over.

Every student who came out of the examination hall was cheering. It was over! The three-year middle school journey had finally concluded with the handing in of this last exam paper. The first major examination in life had come to an end!

As Zhao Qingfeng walked out, Shen Lingyao was already waiting for him at the gate. She bounced up to him, “Brother Qingfeng, tell me quickly, are you confident about getting into Ji Province University? Tell me now, I want to hear it!”

“Of course!”

“Yay! That’s fantastic!”

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