The bad value system is measuring values.

Chapter 184 Man

Who exactly was that man you saw? Zhang Lingwan? Why haven't you mentioned him? Why didn't you tell me? Why did you keep it from me?

Zhong Huanli's behavior has become extreme.

His burning heartbeat plunged him into a state of bewilderment. Qiao Xiao was someone he wanted to extract her soul from after her death and keep it with him forever.

Perhaps, by shedding this identity, you and I can take a step closer.

It was a morning like any other, and Zhong Yan was back.

He sat at the head of the table, dressed in a white suit with a stand-up collar, quietly waiting for his two children to take their seats.

"Good morning, Father." Zhong Huanli was the first to arrive at the dining table.

Zhong Yan asked, "How have you been these past few days?"

"As always, nothing special."

"I heard you don't like attending weekend tutoring classes."

“I don’t think that’s necessary, Father.”

"But you need to maintain consistent performance."

"Thank you, Father. I will."

Just then, the father and son heard footsteps coming from the stairs.

Good morning, Dad Zhong; good morning, brother.

Zhong Yan's originally cold face immediately broke into a smile. "Xiao, good morning."

Zhong Huanli immediately turned her head and looked at her with a smile, "Good morning, Xiaoxiao."

After Qiao Xiao took her seat, the three of them began to enjoy breakfast.

Zhong Yan said, "I'll take you to school later."

Zhong Huanli: "No need, Father, we have a driver."

Qiao Xiao: "Is Dad Zhong going that way? If so, we can go together."

Zhong Yan said firmly, "Yes, I'll deliver them." He wanted to spend more time talking with the children this way.

Qiao Xiao's expression was solemn the whole way. She felt that since she entered this family, there had been many more expenses, such as clothing, transportation, food, and housing, as well as hiring Aunt Shen and a driver.

But she didn't know that before she arrived, Zhong Yan had been in a state of grief. He had even resigned all his employees and had no intention of living. However, his and Wanwan's child was not yet an adult, and he could not abandon their child.

After Qiao Xiao joined, Zhong Yan began to recall his former employees, and they managed to get through each day.

Qiao Xiao sat in the car and sighed deeply.

"What's wrong, Xiaoxiao?"

"It's okay, brother, I'm just a little tired."

"Get some sleep."

"Ah."

Zhong Huanli turned to the side and stared at Qiao Xiao's profile; she looked so cute.

Zhong Yan glanced at it indifferently, without saying anything more.

As they approached Qiao Xiao's school, a boy in a blue school uniform caught Zhong Huanli's attention—it was the boy who had gone on a date with Qiao Xiao that day.

He noticed that Zhang Lingwan seemed to be getting very close to a short-haired girl.

"Hmph." He blurted out.

"Xiao, we've arrived at school," Zhong Yan reminded her.

Qiao Xiao quickly rubbed her eyes. "Okay, I'm going to school now."

"Okay, be careful when you walk," Zhong Huanli said, looking at her with a hint of caution.

Qiao Xiao replied with a puzzled look, "I know."

She looked up and saw two figures that stood out: Lu Zi and Zhang Lingwan.

Oh, so that's what he was reminding me of? Is Zhong Huanli worried that I'll run into a jerk? That's probably what he's worried about.

Lu Zi and Zhang Ling are having a conversation...

"Qiao Xiao, how did your date go?"

"Not very good, her brother showed up halfway through the conversation."

"Her brother?!"

"Don't get so agitated."

"Is he a handsome guy?"

"Okay."

"Not bad? Come on, I've seen his picture, it's absolutely horrific! Zhang Lingwan, if you can get me a private photo of her brother, I'll send you one of Qiao Xiao."

"Really? It's a deal."

"It's a deal. By the way, here's Qiao Xiao's address." Lu Zi handed Zhang Lingwan a piece of paper.

Zhang Lingwan smiled slightly: "It's a pleasure working with you."

Lu Zi: "It's a pleasure working with you."

In the evening, Zhong Huanli packed his schoolbag in less than half a second, then rushed to the school gate and quickly got into the car.

Zhong Yan, sitting in the driver's seat, said, "No need to rush, I didn't wait long."

Zhong Huanli: "Thank you for your hard work, Father. Let's go quickly, don't keep Xiaoxiao waiting too long."

Zhong Yan then started the car and drove to Qiao Xiao's school.

Upon arriving at the school gate, she saw a tall man forcefully grabbing Qiao Xiao's slender arm, his movements rough and showing no tenderness.

Zhong Huanli's brows furrowed deeply, his thick, dark eyebrows tangled together. "What is he doing?!" he growled in a low voice. Before the words were even finished, he pushed open the car door beside him and rushed towards the two men.

He gripped Qiao Xiao's wrist firmly with one hand, then pulled her to his side, shielding her. He stared coldly at the arrogant man before him, his eyes flashing with anger, and asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

The man arrogantly said, "Who are you? Oh, it's Zhang Lingwan, right? You've ruined my plans!" He even puffed out his chest deliberately, striking a provocative pose.

But the man only saw Zhong Huanli's angry gaze and didn't see Qiao Xiao's sinister eyes staring fiercely at him.

Qiao Xiao frantically scratched the spot where the other person had touched her, rubbing it back and forth on her skin, even if it meant breaking the skin completely and causing it to bleed. She was determined not to let anyone else touch it, as her skin was already dirty!

Disgusting! Disgusting! Die! Die!

Without saying a word, Zhong Huanli kicked him directly, "Who gave you permission to touch her?" Then she took Qiao Xiao's hand and left. The moment they held hands, he noticed her movement.

"How did you scratch your skin?" he asked urgently yet gently.

Qiao Xiao blinked her innocent big eyes at him, "Brother, I don't know that person."

Zhong Huanli gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, "Don't be afraid, your brother is here."

He pulled Qiao Xiao into the car.

Zhong Yan frowned slightly. "What's wrong?"

Zhong Huanli told Qiao Xiao to go first, then closed the car door and said, "Some bastard is harassing Xiao Xiao." His eyes looked like he was about to go crazy with anger.

Zhong Yan's eyes were heavy. He turned to look at the person Zhong Huanli had kicked down. "Hmm, I'll have them deal with it."

The car slowly drove out of the school.

Lu Zi took out her secret phone and quickly pressed the shutter button, exclaiming with a lovesick look, "Oh my god, he's so handsome!"

Zhang Lingwan walked over from the side and leaned close to Lu Zi, asking, "What happened? Why didn't the actors you hired wait for me to go on stage?"

Lu Zi: "Oh dear, can you compare to that guy? He immediately appears in front of you, while you're just standing there worrying about your image?"

"Lu Zi! Now you've got what you wanted—the photos you wanted, while I have nothing."

"Alright, alright, I'll help you again. Don't be so impatient. You can spend some time getting to know Qiao Xiao around her neighborhood." After saying that, she stared intently at the photos on her phone.

Zhang Lingwan felt contempt for Lu Zi, who had a lovesick look on her face. She thought that a model student like Qiao Xiao was more worthy of him.