With a resounding “slap,” a clear handprint instantly appeared on Lin Jinran's face, burning with pain.
She closed her eyes briefly, then slowly opened them. Her gaze fell on Lin Cheng, who was in a fit of rage. She twitched the corner of her mouth, which made the left side of her cheek throb with pain again.
The pain on her cheek was excruciating, but it was nothing compared to the emptiness and coldness in her heart.
The students who had not yet dispersed in the corridor stared at this scene with wide eyes, unable to believe that Lin Jinran's father had slapped her in front of so many people.
At the front door of Class One, Su Qinian rushed out in a hurry. As soon as his hand touched the front door, he saw the slap land on Lin Jinran's face.
On her porcelain - white cheek, there was a bright red handprint, extremely conspicuous.
His heart seemed to be tightly grasped by a big hand and then squeezed hard. A sharp pain instantly assailed him.
Su Qinian's face turned pale. He watched as Lin Cheng, on the verge of a violent outburst, pointed his finger at the girl's forehead and said furiously, “Lin Jinran, what did you say? Have the guts to say it again.”
The girl beside the corridor stubbornly raised her head. The warm sunlight quietly fell on her shoulders. Her clean and clear glass - like eyes were filled with disappointment and a deathly coldness.
She said, “Do you want me to say it again? Sure. Lin Cheng, you're not fit to be my father at all!”
Lin Cheng flew into a rage. Seeing that his other hand was about to land on the other cheek of Lin Jinran, Su Qinian caught his breath. Without any time to think, he strode over directly, reached out his hand and pulled Lin Jinran aside, saving her from this undeserved disaster.
Lin Cheng's hand missed. He squinted his eyes and stared at Su Qinian, coldly saying, “Who are you? This is my family matter. It's none of your business, is it?”
Su Qinian shielded Lin Jinran behind him. His eyes were calm as he said in a deep voice, “Hello, Uncle. I just can't stand it that you scold and beat Lin Jinran in public. It's not very appropriate, is it?”
“Moreover, if there's anything, you can talk to Lin Jinran in detail after you get home. Maybe there's some misunderstanding between you. After all, she's your own daughter.”
Lin Cheng retracted his hand, snorted, and stared at Su Qinian as if examining him. After a while, he said meaningfully, “Are you the boy who came to find Lin Jinran during the Chinese New Year?”
“I wanted to visit the imperial capital during the winter vacation, so I troubled Lin Jinran. I'm really sorry,” Su Qinian replied calmly, his eyes remaining calm.
“Uncle, no matter what, you can't scold Lin Jinran in public. What on earth did she do wrong to make you so angry?” Xie Wanyu came out from the front door. She hurriedly pulled Lin Jinran behind her and pointed at Lin Cheng.
“This is my family matter. It has nothing to do with you. What do you know?” Lin Cheng looked a bit embarrassed.
“Then tell us what Lin Jinran did wrong!” Tao Wan also came out. The first thing she saw was the bright red handprint on Lin Jinran's face. She was almost furious and trembled as she questioned Lin Cheng.
Lin Cheng pointed at Lin Jinran, who was protected behind everyone, and roared, “What did she do wrong? She's ungrateful and flirts around outside. Is this really my own daughter?”
“But as far as I know, Lin Jinran is obsessed with studying all day long. She hopes to be admitted to Tsinghua University or Peking University one day and surprise her family,” Su Qinian moved to the side to block Lin Cheng's hand. Beneath his calm eyes was hidden anger that was almost about to burst through the surface.
He knew as “Qi” that Lin Jinran said she was working hard to study in order to get into a good university and make her family happy.
“Sorry, the so - called flirting around you mentioned is completely unfounded,” Su Qinian felt a bit sad. Clearly, Lin Jinran was working so hard to study and move forward, but in the end, she only received false accusations.
“Unfounded? Then why did her head - teacher call her to the office? Isn't it because she's a liar and has deceived you all?”
Lin Cheng slowly shifted his gaze, and his expression towards Lin Jinran became even more gloomy.
“Uncle, you don't know. The head - teacher called Lin Jinran over because she thought Lin Jinran was so excellent that she decided to let her be the oath - taker at the 100 - day oath - taking ceremony. What an honor! Isn't she worthy of being your daughter? Uncle, it's really hard to be your daughter. She's one in a thousand, but you still don't like her,” Lu Youchuan put away his casual attitude and said seriously, word by word, “She's in the top ten of the grade in Wannanshi No.1 Middle School and a candidate for Tsinghua University or Peking University. Aren't you satisfied with that?”
“Moreover, Lin Jinran has not only achieved a little in her studies. She's also the host of various evening parties, grade meetings, etc. Teachers and leaders all speak highly of her,” Su Qinian, with his hands clenched tightly at his sides, stared at Lin Cheng, not missing any change in his expression. “She's almost recognized by all the teachers. Isn't she much better than your so - called daughter, Lin Tingnian, who got into school by paying money?”
This was the result of Su Qinian's deliberate investigation.
This sentence was like a stone thrown heavily into a calm pond, causing the water to splash everywhere and not calm down for a long time.
The surrounding students were stunned for a few seconds at first, and then their faces flushed red as they spoke up for Lin Jinran.
“Yes, how could there be such partial parents? They're both born of the same parents. How could they be so excessive? Are they even parents? They're worse than pigs and dogs,” one student said.
“Lin Jinran is simply the perfect child that other parents envy. If you don't want her, other parents will fight to have her. I think Lin Jinran just had bad luck with her family. She shouldn't have been born into your family,” another student chimed in.
“She's in the top ten of the grade and has the potential to get into Tsinghua or Peking University. She's also good - looking. How could she have such a father? It really proves the saying that when God closes a window, he will open another one for you,” a third student said.
“It seems reasonable to say that she's an orphan. This father... She should get into a good university quickly and stay away from her original family,” yet another student commented.
“...”
Lin Jinran covered her left cheek with one hand. A few strands of her hair fell down as she lowered her head, covering her face. It was hard to see her expression.
Hearing the students speaking up for her, she was slightly stunned. Her eyes slowly welled up with tears. She took a deep breath and was truly happy.
She still had such a group of friends who really cared about her.
Su Qinian, Tao Wan, Xie Wanyu, Lu Youchuan...
Lin Jinran was really, really grateful to everyone. At this sensitive moment, they stood up for her.
She would never forget this.
“You, you, you all...” Lin Cheng was filled with anger. He never expected so many students to speak up for Lin Jinran. His chest heaved violently with anger. “Lin Jinran, are you rebelling? You must transfer schools immediately!”