Jiang Fuyue: “I won a learning tablet today, and unexpectedly found the lessons in it quite intriguing. I was wondering if I might have the chance to discuss them face-to-face with the instructor?”
Xiao Shan frowned. “It’s you? Sorry, it’s too late. Whatever it is, speak during the day.”
He was about to hang up.
Then a soft voice came through: “Some things aren’t necessarily suitable to be discussed in daylight. The night is perfect—everything hidden in the dark, quiet and unnoticed.”
Xiao Shan: “What exactly do you want? And how do you know my address?”
Jiang Fuyue: “I told you—I want to talk in person. As for your address… it wasn’t hard to find.”
That last sentence made Xiao Shan’s heart sink.
“…Fine. I’ll come out.”
The wooden door of the small house opened from the inside. Xiao Shan sat in a wheelchair, glaring at the black Mercedes parked by the curb, jaw clenched.
Jiang Fuyue noticed and gave Liu Jinzhong a slight nod.
The latter got out of the car. “Good evening, Mr. Xiao. My lady would like to invite you to speak in the car—would that be convenient?”
Xiao Shan sneered. “The knife is in your hand and I’m the fish on the chopping board. Does it matter whether it’s convenient or not?”
Liu Jinzhong: “If you don’t wish to get in, the young lady is willing to come down and speak with you here.”
Xiao Shan: “Fine. Have her come. I’m in a wheelchair—can’t move around easily.”
Liu Jinzhong nodded politely. “Understood.”
Soon, Jiang Fuyue stepped out of the car and approached him.
One stood, one sat—a natural height disparity.
Only now did Xiao Shan realize why she had invited him into the car. At least inside, they could both sit and meet eye-to-eye.
That was… considerate.
His expression softened slightly. “What do you want from me?”
Jiang Fuyue: “Professor Xiao, your lectures are excellent—whether it’s high school inequalities or college-level calculus. Your thought process is clear, your methods straightforward. I imagine students really like having a teacher like you?”
It truly sounded like she was only here to discuss the coursework.
A trace of confusion flashed in Xiao Shan’s eyes. He pressed his lips into a line. “I don’t like beating around the bush. Speak directly.”
Jiang Fuyue smiled. “You’ve lived both as a brilliant university professor and a fallen street vendor. How does that feel?”
His pupils shrank. “You investigated me?!”
She didn’t deny it.
Xiao Shan let out a cold laugh. “People like you—relying on your power to toy with ordinary folk in the palm of your hand—does that make you proud?”
Jiang Fuyue caught the key word: “People like us?”
Xiao Shan calmed abruptly, eyes utterly indifferent. “All the same—birds of a feather.”
Jiang Fuyue: “So, back then, when you were charged with intentional assault… there really was more to the story, wasn’t there?”
Xiao Shan: “And if there was? And if there wasn’t? I don’t know who you are or what you want with me. But one thing’s for sure—whatever you’re plotting, it won’t work.”
His expression said he didn’t care anymore. Like a shattered ceramic jar—broken already, what’s one more crack?
Jiang Fuyue gently placed her hand on his wheelchair. “You don’t have to be so hostile toward me. Who knows—I might be able to help you.”
Xiao Shan, as if hearing a ridiculous joke, actually laughed. Then, as he laughed, a deep sorrow emerged in his eyes.
He murmured, “No one can help me…”
Jiang Fuyue spoke calmly: “How would you know if you don’t try?”
It was the calm of a complete outsider, untouched by empathy.
Xiao Shan paused, looked blankly at the girl’s clear, cool gaze. “…Why help me?”
Her attitude made him instinctively lower his guard. Yes—this was how a normal person should behave.
Empathy is a false proposition. He didn’t need pity or sympathy. To him, those were no different from charity. If that’s the case, he preferred a fair trade.
Jiang Fuyue gave him an approving look. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Surely, Professor Xiao understands that.”
He composed himself, expression serene under the moonlight. “You don’t even know what difficulties I’m facing, and yet you talk big about helping me. And now you want to make a deal? That’s a bit much, isn’t it?”
This was a test—a way to gauge her ability.
If she didn’t even know the nature of his troubles, it would prove she was of little use.
Jiang Fuyue: “You fell to this point because of that prison sentence five years ago, didn’t you? Let me guess—you provoked someone untouchable, and got set up. Well—maybe not entirely set up. You did strike someone, after all.”
Xiao Shan showed no change in expression, but his eyes held scorn. “Is that all you’ve got?”
At that moment, Liu Jinzhong returned and handed Jiang Fuyue her phone.
Liu Jinzhong: “Miss, a call from the Imperial Capital.”
She recognized the number—it was Niu Rui.
She took the phone, slid to answer, and glanced at Xiao Shan in his wheelchair.
Didn’t he want to see how capable she really was?
Well, here it was.
“Hello…”
Niu Rui: “I found it. It’s a bit complicated—listen carefully…”
The call lasted five full minutes.
Throughout, Xiao Shan didn’t even glance her way.
Jiang Fuyue’s expression, however, grew more and more nuanced—especially when Niu Rui mentioned the Lou family and Lou Mingxin.
What she had initially thought was simply “interesting”…
Now seemed very interesting.
Niu Rui: “…That’s about it. I’ve sent over a few key documents to your phone. Check them.”
The moment the call ended, Jiang Fuyue opened the files and skimmed through them.
Her expression turned visibly pleased.
Jiang Fuyue: “Professor Xiao, at first I thought all you wanted was to stand up again—win back applause, return to the classroom, resume your research. A few years down the line, you might even become the most brilliant mathematician in Huaxia. You have the talent and the drive.”
Xiao Shan gave a soft snort.
Jiang Fuyue: “But I realized I was wrong—or at least, not entirely right.”
She patted the handle of his wheelchair. “Besides that, I’m guessing… what you want most is revenge, isn’t it?”
Xiao Shan curled his lips. “Miss…”
Jiang Fuyue: “Surname Jiang.”
“Miss Jiang, I admire your imagination. Like you said—I was the one who committed assault five years ago. If there’s a blood debt to settle, shouldn’t the victim be coming after me?”
Jiang Fuyue: “You struck him because he hurt someone you love. To be exact—your girlfriend. Also, the biological mother of Xiao Xiaoliang.”
His eyes snapped up, murderous intent flaring— But in the next instant, he went completely still.
Xiao Shan: “That’s just your guess.”
Jiang Fuyue shook her head. “I don’t guess without evidence. Zhou Qingping—”
At that name, Xiao Shan’s body stiffened, his voice hoarse: “Shut up!”
Zhou Qingping and Xiao Shan had been classmates at B University. The two had a strong relationship.
After graduation, Xiao Shan was recommended for a master’s program due to his stellar grades, while Zhou Qingping took a teaching position at a top high school in the capital, serving as both homeroom and math teacher. The workload was intense, and the pressure of her students’ futures weighed heavily on her.
They rented a place together, planning to register for marriage during Xiao Shan’s second year of grad school.
The first year, both were so busy their feet barely touched the ground. Yet they supported and understood each other—their bond grew stronger.
By the second year, life had settled. Xiao Shan’s research papers were published in SCI—three in one go, creating a stir across the campus. His PhD track was secured.
Zhou Qingping had also adjusted to her teaching role and built up some savings.
They agreed to get married in the fall.
But during a home visit, Zhou Qingping was assaulted by a student’s powerful relative.
He threatened her: Don’t report it—or your whole family dies.
She was pregnant at the time—Xiao Shan’s child.
Zhou Qingping came from an intellectual family, gentle and modest by nature. She’d grown up surrounded by kindness, never imagining she’d be dragged into the filth of the powerful.
But she was brave.
Her values and principles told her: you cannot let evil go unpunished.
If she gave in to threats, how many more girls would suffer in the future?
Some things—someone has to stand up and do them.
She wasn’t the first victim.
But she could be the first to step forward—and make her abuser pay.
She decided to report it to the police.
Before that, she tearfully, but calmly, told Xiao Shan everything.
He was furious, devastated, guilt-ridden.
But in the end, he held her in his arms—and supported her decision.
The next day, the two of them went to the police station…
