The bad value system is measuring values.

Chapter 172 Daily Lateness

Zhong Huanli stepped forward, looking back at Qiao Xiao who hadn't moved yet, and asked, "Aren't you coming together?"

Qiao Xiao lowered her head and said, "You go first."

Zhong Huanli took a few steps back to stand beside her, and asked in confusion, "Why?"

Qiao Xiao: "..."

Zhong Huanli simply grabbed Qiao Xiao's hand and said, "Come with me."

Qiao Xiao's face instantly turned displeased: "No... he's not my boyfriend." She tried to break free from Zhong Huanli's tight grip, but out of fear, she didn't dare to struggle forcefully.

At that moment, Zhong Huanli realized something was wrong with her, so he quickly let go of her hand, squatted down, looked tenderly into Qiao Xiao's eyes, and said seriously, "He's not my boyfriend."

Qiao Xiao nodded. "You...walk in front."

Zhong Huanli said softly, "Okay."

The two did not exchange any further words until they reached the door.

The moment Zhong Huanli arrived at the school gate, he suddenly remembered something: he still had a father to face. The familiar black car came into view, and he felt a mix of emotions, his expression becoming slightly solemn.

At this moment, Qiao Xiao suddenly spoke up: "Zhong Huanli, you go with your parents, I'll walk back by myself."

Qiao Xiao, as the primary target of the strategy, should be given priority, and she should be sent home first. However, Zhong Yan is an unavoidable character. In order to stay here for a long time, the current character setting must be solidified first. After weighing the pros and cons, Zhong Huanli chose to appease his nominal father first.

Zhong Huanli reluctantly agreed, "Okay, be careful on the road."

Qiao Xiao: "Mm."

Zhong Huanli slowly walked to the car, where she saw Zhong Yan with a gloomy face and furrowed brows. "Get in the car," he coldly commanded.

Zhong Huanli opened the car door, feeling a little uneasy. Normally, he wouldn't have any emotional fluctuations, but this was the first time he had been in the role of a junior, and he couldn't help but feel a little different.

Zhong Huanli confessed, "I'm sorry, Father, I'm late."

Zhong Yan remained silent, seemingly waiting for Zhong Huanli to continue explaining.

Zhong Huanli laid everything out frankly, and Zhong Yan turned to look at him seriously, saying, "You shouldn't have interfered in this matter, Zhong Huanli."

"But Father, they are bullying her!"

"Have you thought about yourself? Have you thought about what I would do if something happened to you?!"

Zhong Huanli was instantly moved by him, and a sense of self-reproach arose from within her. "I'm sorry... Dad."

“Don’t do this again next time,” Zhong Yan told him solemnly.

Zhong Huanli: "No, Father, I can't listen to you."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yan's expression turned extremely ugly: "It has to be done, no matter what." His tone was cold and resolute, leaving him no room for rebuttal.

Zhong Huanli had a headache. His purpose in coming to this world was for Qiao Xiao. He thought to himself, "It would be better to send her back. It's not worth it."

“Dad, I love her just like you love Mom.”

Upon hearing this, Zhong Yan, who was about to drive away, froze for a moment, and a tear instantly rolled down his right eye.

He rested his head on the steering wheel, as if wiping away his tears, as Zhong Yan mourned his deceased wife.

After a short while, he calmed himself down, slowly started the car, and said, "You're still young, you don't understand what liking someone means."

Zhong Huanli could only let the car move forward. During the journey, he caught a glimpse of Qiao Xiao's slender figure and wanted to say hello, but the car was moving too fast and he didn't have time to say goodbye.

The next morning, Zhong Huanli sat in the back seat while Zhong Yan drove to their usual breakfast shop to buy breakfast.

Seeing her father get out of the car to buy breakfast, Zhong Huanli asked, "Father, could you bring me an extra portion?"

Zhong Yan realized something, gave Zhong Huanli a deep look, and turned to walk into the breakfast shop without saying a word.

After he got out, he handed the plastic bag containing steaming hot buns to the back seat, saying, "Hold on tight." His tone was calm but contained deep concern.

Zhong Huanli stared at him longingly, thinking, "He loves his child very much. I wonder if he has noticed the changes in his child." At this thought, a sense of guilt welled up in his heart.

As always, Zhong Yan remained seated in the car until Zhong Huanli's figure disappeared from sight before he finally left.

Zhong Huanli was the first to arrive at the classroom. He walked to Qiao Xiao's seat and placed the breakfast directly on her desk.

"Wouldn't it be too obvious? I don't care, but what about her? I can't ignore her feelings."

Then he placed the breakfast in her cupboard, thinking to himself, "I hope it doesn't get cold."

The students entered the classroom one after another. He kept glancing outside the door, but Qiao Xiao was late. Then, the bell rang for class.

She was late today.

Zhong Huanli turned to look at the empty table. "Why is no one taking care of this? Why isn't anyone investigating why she's late for no reason? What if something happened to her?"

Finally, she arrived late and stood alone at the door. The teacher, already used to this, waved her in and continued the lesson.

However, Zhong Huanli noticed her helplessness and unease.

"There was guilt in her eyes, which means she wanted to change the situation. Why is no one helping her?"

As soon as get out of class ended, Zhong Huanli asked, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Qiao Xiao simply shook her head gently, then buried her head deep in her arms and drifted off to sleep.

Seeing that she was unwilling to answer, Zhong Huanli did not press her, and then said, "I brought you breakfast, it's on the table."

Qiao Xiao turned her head and said, covering her head, "The teacher doesn't allow us to eat in the classroom."

Zhong Huanli looked at her in surprise, thinking, "The person I'm trying to win over... is so obedient."

"Then let's go out to eat."

Will you take me with you?

"I'll take you!"

"Ah."

Qiao Xiao lowered her head and followed Zhong Huanli's footsteps as the two walked out of the classroom together.

Soon after, whispers began to fill the classroom.

"What's wrong with Zhong Huanli? Why is she staying with her?"

"I guess they'll be bringing their parents soon."

"No, I heard that Zhong Huanli's father is very rich, and the teacher may not be able to afford to offend him."

The moment Zhong Huanli stepped out the door, he felt a slight displeasure. He clearly understood what they were talking about. After controlling his expression, he said to Qiao Xiao behind him, "Let's go find a place to have breakfast."

"Ah."

The two found a corner on campus with a small stool inside. Zhong Huanli took out a steamed bun and handed it to Qiao Xiao.

"Please sit down and eat."

Qiao Xiao looked at the stool, then turned to look at Zhong Huanli, and quickly shook her head, "I...I won't sit."

"You have to sit down whether you like it or not."

He pressed Qiao Xiao down onto the stool, and Qiao Xiao took the steamed bun and ate it in small bites.

Zhong Huanli asked, "Won't it be a little cold?"

Qiao Xiao shook her head. Zhong Huanli watched her eat and felt inexplicably happy.

She's so well-behaved.