Chapter 109: You Are All Villains

“Hey, fatty, why don’t you help me out a little?”

As soon as Meng Ran heard that he was being asked to endure hardship alongside him, he quickly refused.

“Zhang, you know me well enough. Whenever I have free time, I’m eating. Besides, I have more important tasks to attend to. How could I possibly have time to help you with your exam papers? Are you kidding me?”

Zhang Shen immediately sensed from Meng Ran’s words that this so-called important task was now Meng Ran’s sole focus. He rolled his eyes and said, “What a guy who values pleasure over friendship!”

Meng Ran just chuckled foolishly and didn’t take Zhang Shen’s words seriously at all.

Meanwhile, Ye Qiong couldn’t help but flip through a few exam papers, clicking her tongue in admiration.

“Looks like you’re going to take first place at graduation this year!”

Zhang Shen knew that was Ye Qiong’s sarcasm. A student who scored only 30 points suddenly making a leap in just a few days was practically impossible.

He also understood that this was Ye Qiong’s indirect way of rejecting him.

Now, only one last “savior” remained—Wang Ying.

Zhang Shen turned to Wang Ying and said, “How about you help me out a bit, for the sake of being deskmates?”

Before Wang Ying could answer, Meng Ran quickly spoke up for her.

“Xiao Ying is already busy enough with her studies. Don’t make things harder for her. Besides, this is the principal’s trust in you. You can’t disappoint the old man’s hopes!”

Hearing this, Zhang Shen almost wanted to slap Meng Ran against the wall.

But then, Wang Ying’s response gave Zhang Shen a glimmer of hope, as if he saw a ray of light in the darkest moment.

“This favor isn’t impossible. But I have a condition.”

Seeing Wang Ying willing to help, Zhang Shen hurriedly asked, “Name it, I’ll do whatever you say!”

Wang Ying deliberately paused, her expression seeming to tell Zhang Shen that this matter might not be as easy as he thought.

“My dad’s chronic leg pain has flared up again these past few days. I had Meng Ran take him to the hospital, but the doctors are only treating the symptoms, not the root cause. So I want to ask for your help, but I’m worried about you...”

Zhang Shen knew that on the night he went to Zheng Tiande’s house, Meng Ran had gone to Wang Ying’s place to take her father to the hospital. Now that she needed him, Zhang Shen was more than willing to lend a hand.

“All right, then there’s no time to waste. Let’s go!”

“Hey! Zhang, what are you thinking? We still have two more classes!”

Meng Ran’s words snapped Zhang Shen back to reality. It seemed the piles of exam papers had completely disoriented him.

...

For the next two classes, Zhang Shen wasn’t listening at all; he was entirely focused on the exam papers. Wang Ying was also helping him complete the tasks assigned by the principal.

“Ring, ring, ring.”

When the final class bell rang, Zhang Shen’s joy was beyond simple description. He quickly grabbed Wang Ying’s arm and headed out the school gate.

By chance, a taxi was passing by, and the two of them took it straight to Wang Ying’s home.

In reality, Wang Ying’s family made a living from a dumpling shop. Just beyond a few long benches lay the usual resting place for her parents.

It was noon, and the dumpling shop wasn’t open yet, so there weren’t many people outside.

With Wang Ying leading the way, Zhang Shen entered the back room. Wang Ying’s mother was gently massaging the legs of her father, who was lying in bed.

“Dad, Mom, I’m home!”

Clearly, the parents hadn’t expected their daughter to come home at noon, and even more unexpected was that Zhang Shen had come with her.

Seeing Zhang Shen’s expression, the elders could tell there was a distinct difference from the first time they met him. They knew Zhang Shen and their daughter were at most classmates.

But why had their daughter brought him home at noon? Their minds were full of questions.

“Xiao Ying, why are you back so early?”

“Mom, Dad’s chronic leg pain has flared up again. I wanted Zhang Shen to help treat him; maybe it’ll work.”

Hearing that their daughter had come to treat him, Wang Ying’s father felt happy but also a bit embarrassed.

After all, the last time had been awkward, and now he was asking someone else to treat him. It was somewhat humiliating.

“Doctor, there’s no need for this. It’s just a minor issue. I’ll be fine after resting for a few days.”

Zhang Shen knew this was a polite refusal, but since he’d agreed to help Wang Ying’s father, it was only right to keep his word. Besides, there were so many exam papers that needed Wang Ying’s assistance!

“Uncle, it’s no trouble at all. I already know your condition. Once I apply the needles, you’ll be cured in no time.”

Although Zhang Shen’s theoretical grades weren’t impressive, his practical skills had earned him a good reputation among patients.

Seeing that her father remained unmoved, Wang Ying couldn’t help but say, “Dad, don’t pretend you’re fine. I know you haven’t gotten out of bed for days. Let him take a look, please!”

Unable to resist their daughter’s wishes, Wang Ying’s mother turned to her husband.

“All right, then. Let the doctor take a look.”

Seeing everyone’s expectations, Wang Ying’s father finally relented.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, doctor.”

With his consent, Wang Ying’s mother quickly served Zhang Shen some tea.

“Doctor, please sit down. I’ll get you some tea.”

After speaking, she pulled Wang Ying out of the back room, leaving Zhang Shen and Wang Ying’s father alone.

“Mom, what are you doing? I want to see Dad!”

Wang Ying clearly ignored her mother’s attempt to pull her away.

“I need to talk to you,” her mother explained.

Wang Ying could already guess the general reason.

“Xiao Ying, be honest with me. What’s going on? Just a few days ago it was Meng Ran, and now it’s Zhang Shen. You’re our daughter, and we’re respectable people. You can’t let the neighbors gossip about us.”

Her mother’s concerns were understandable, but Wang Ying was confused.

Why had a simple medical visit turned into a scandalous matter?

“Mom, it’s not what you think. I can’t explain it to you right now. Right now, Dad’s health is the most important thing.”

As someone who knew her well, Wang Ying’s mother trusted that her daughter would never do anything improper. Besides, with her daughter about to step into society, she believed in her judgment.

“All right, I trust you. Go back and check on your father’s condition.”