“Drop out of school?”
Shen Mo was stunned. He hadn’t expected Jiang Xiaosi to want to drop out of school. Was it because of what he said yesterday? Because he no longer wanted to be her mentor? Or was it because of his rejection?
“She’s only been in school for less than a year. How can she give up so easily? Jiang Liu, as her guardian, you should understand what’s best for her. How can you let her act so recklessly, indulging her whims?”
Jiang Liu’s lips curved slightly, showing no expression, but Shen Mo knew it was a cold smile.
“Professor Shen, I think you’ve misunderstood. It’s not Xiaosi who wants to drop out of school. This was entirely my idea. I know what’s best for her, and that’s why I don’t want her to stay here. Let’s not beat around the bush. Xiaosi likes you, but you only see her as a child. Sooner or later, she’s bound to get hurt. Do you think staying at T University is going to help her grow?”
Shen Mo slowly stood up, walking to the window, looking down at the playground, unable to shake the frustration in his heart.
“If your issue with me is because of what happened that day, then I apologize. It was a unique situation, and we had to get married out of necessity.”
“Shen Mo, you don’t have children, so you wouldn’t understand a father’s feelings. If the marriage ceremony was out of necessity, then what about that kiss?”
Shen Mo sighed softly and closed his eyes.
“To be honest, I don’t know.”
Jiang Liu trembled. He thought Shen Mo would defend himself, but instead, he admitted that he didn’t know! Jiang Liu took a step back, slowly sitting down in a chair, fear creeping up on him, threatening to overwhelm him.
Seeing Jiang Liu’s suddenly pale face, Shen Mo felt a pang of guilt.
“Don’t misunderstand. I have no feelings for Xiaosi, and I never will. She’s a smart and talented kid, one of my best students, but that’s it. If you need an explanation for what happened that day, all I can say is that I thought I could always stay composed, but I overestimated myself. You can see me as a despicable person, unworthy of being a teacher, and I’ll resign immediately. But Jiang Xiaosi is a promising student, and she should stay in school and focus on her education, away from supernatural beings. There’s no reason for her to drop out because of me. I’ve already arranged for another mentor for her, and she’ll adapt soon enough.”
Jiang Liu’s eyes seemed to look through time and space, seeing another Zhaobing.
He knew what was best for Xiaosi, but he didn’t want to lose her. Gritting his teeth, he stubbornly shook his head.
“I understand Xiaosi’s personality, and I know you’re not to blame for all this. But I swore to protect her from all harm, no matter what.”
Shen Mo frowned. “You can’t shield her from every danger. She’s a child, but she can’t rely on others forever. She needs to learn to grow up, to face the pain that comes with love, instead of running away from it.”
Jiang Liu remained silent for a long time, but in the end, he just placed the documents in front of Shen Mo.
“What? Moving?” Jiang Xiaosi was so shocked that she dropped the chicken leg from her mouth.
Jiang Liu reached out, gently wiping her mouth with a tissue.
“Didn’t you say you liked the sea? This time, we’re moving to a seaside city.”
She liked the sea, but she liked Shen Mo more.
“Why do we have to move when we’re doing just fine here? Is it because of a job transfer at the hospital?”
“No, we’ve been here for almost two years, and you’ve barely grown. It’s time for a change of scenery, before trouble finds us.”
“Are we really afraid of a little trouble? Dad, I really like it here. Can’t we stay? I’d miss Miaoyan and Yueyi.”
“Dad listens to you all the time. Can’t you listen to Dad just this once?” Jiang Liu held her hands, his expression still gentle.
“But can’t you at least tell me the reason?”
“The reason is simple. I don’t want you to keep interacting with Shen Mo.”
“Dad, that was really just a misunderstanding! I was controlled by Lu Lin and kissed the professor on my own. He didn’t do anything to me.”
“I know, but the fact is, you like him.”
“I… Dad, you’ve never opposed me having boyfriends. You even liked Zhang Qi before. Besides, I’m not that young anymore.”
“Zhang Qi is Zhang Qi, but Shen Mo is Shen Mo. He’s not an ordinary person—he’s a Daoist priest, and one who rejects anything supernatural, cold-blooded and ruthless. He’s too busy now to hunt spirits, but before… do you want me to list off the names of all the non-humans he’s made vanish?”
Jiang Xiaosi lowered her head, feeling dejected. Indeed, her identity as a zombie was something she could never change.
“I’ve already arranged for you to drop out, and Shen Mo has signed the papers. If you still want to go to college, I’ll help you find another school later.”
Jiang Xiaosi looked up, her eyes red. Just moments ago, she had been hurt by Shen Mo’s cold words, and now she was being hit with another blow. She realized that more than Shen Mo’s rejection, what she feared most was being forced to leave him.
She didn’t care anymore. She didn’t need Shen Mo to accept her or be with her. She just wanted things to go back to the way they were—listening to his lectures, being his student, helping him with cases. Could they please stop forcing her to leave?
Seeing her teary eyes, Jiang Liu’s heart softened. He hated how soft-hearted he was. He had anticipated this day, and if only he had been more ruthless earlier, things wouldn’t have come to this.
“Xiaosi, do you really like Shen Mo that much?”
Jiang Xiaosi nodded firmly. “I feel sad when he rejects me, but when you say we have to move, that I won’t see him again, I feel like I’m going to die. Dad, can we please not move? At least not yet, not until he finds out who I really am. I promise I won’t cause any trouble. I just want a little more time with him, and then I’ll be satisfied. I know everything you say is right, that it’s for my own good, but I can’t bear to leave.”
“Xiaosi, even with the pearl, if he sees you not aging, your identity will be exposed sooner or later.”
“I’ll leave when he starts to suspect. Besides, people have feelings. Even if he hates me, we’ve been teacher and student—he won’t kill me.”
Jiang Liu sighed and shook his head. “Xiaosi, I’m not worried about him killing you. I’m worried he’ll break your heart. You’re oversimplifying everything. Love is hard to control. When you first met Shen Mo, didn’t you think it was impossible to fall for him?”
Jiang Xiaosi lowered her head, questioning herself. Could she really just stay by his side silently, even if he despised her, even if he one day married someone else and had children?
Jiang Liu hugged her, gently stroking her hair. “You’ve grown up, Xiaosi. I respect your choices, but I also hope you can understand your father’s concerns.”
Jiang Xiaosi hesitated, but eventually nodded lightly. Her father was the one who loved her most, the one she had depended on for so many years. If he insisted on leaving, she wouldn’t stay behind just for Shen Mo.
Be my Patron~
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
