Chapter 162

"At that time, I’ll send you some local specialties."

Fu Nanshuang sighed and said, "I don’t need any specialties, I just hope you can be a little happier."

Zhong Ning responded softly, "I will."

It wasn’t that she had never met good people—she had. It was just that the one she gave the most of her heart to had always let her down.

The one who falls in love first is always the loser. She hadn’t thought much of it before, but only now did she realize how true those words were.

Zhong Ning patted the empty spot on the bed. Pine Mushroom looked at her, and without needing any command, jumped up on its own, resting its furry head on her arm.

"You’re still the best."

She rubbed the dog’s head. "Pine Mushroom is the number one in the world."

Dogs were better than people—another timeless truth.

The next day, she went to class as usual. Before leaving, she had breakfast with Xie Shiqing. When they parted, she kissed her on the forehead.

What was so hard about it?

Wasn’t it just hiding one’s thoughts and putting on a false mask? Everyone could do it—why couldn’t she?

Zhong Ning sat indifferently in the car and turned the key.

When facing someone who had constantly deceived and hurt her, what was there to feel guilty or hesitant about?

Fu Nanshuang had always been reliable, especially when it came to helping her friends. There was probably no one more dependable in this world than her. Even though Zhong Ning never showed up in person, she had no idea how Fu Nanshuang managed it or what connections she used. But by noon, during the lunch break, she arrived at the cafeteria with all the necessary documents and handed them to Zhong Ning.

"As for the suspension of studies, you’ll still have to meet with the principal," she said helplessly. "She insists on seeing you, otherwise she won’t approve it. I really have no way around it."

"I can meet her. Let’s go after lunch. Does she have time?" Zhong Ning didn’t resist. She had asked Fu Nanshuang for help assuming it would take a while, but in reality, she couldn’t even bear to stay one more day.

Every extra minute she stayed in this city was another minute of tormenting.

"I’ll ask." Fu Nanshuang picked up her phone and typed a few times. After a while, she said, "Yes, she’s in her office. I’ll go with you after we eat."

The principal of Fengcheng University was a middle-aged woman with a strong scholarly air. She wore a pair of silver-rimmed glasses, and her gaze was steady and tolerant, as though it carried a quiet strength—like the vast and weighty earth itself.

"You want to take a leave of absence. What exactly is the reason? I need to understand."

Zhong Ning thought for a moment and said, "My family went bankrupt."

The principal’s eyes widened slightly.

The students might not know her background clearly, only that she came from a wealthy family, but the principal naturally knew whose daughter Zhong Ning was. Bankruptcy?

Although the Zhong family had been in turmoil recently, and she had seen plenty of news about it, it couldn’t have come to this point, right?

Zhong Ning thought for a moment, then added, "It’s not exactly bankruptcy, but it’s pretty close. I’ve gone through too much recently. I’m someone with a fragile mindset, and I just can’t take it anymore. I want to take a break and come back later."

…Fragile mindset, unable to take it.

The principal looked at her quietly. Zhong Ning met her gaze just as silently. After a moment, the former sighed and said, "If you’re determined to take a leave, I can’t stop you. If a person’s heart isn’t set on learning, no matter how clever they are, they won’t be able to take in anything."

"One year?"

Zhong Ning nodded. "One year."

Maybe it wouldn’t even take a year. By then, she might already know what direction she truly wanted to take next.

Her heart was too chaotic now, completely unable to think. All she wanted was to go far away, to get away from the root of all her unrest, and let herself return to peace.

"Whatever hardship you’re going through, it’s just a part of life, a phase. Don’t think you’re trapped by it. Looking back, your life is long. The problems you're facing now, once you look back later on, will seem no more than puddles."

The principal signed the documents slowly and steadily, advising her earnestly, "Don’t get stuck in the present. No matter what a person chooses to do, it’s not a waste of youth or time. The only true waste is when you let yourself be consumed by negativity."

"I’ll come through it." Zhong Ning nodded, her gaze sincere. "Thank you, Principal."

All the procedures were completed with unexpected speed.

After class, Zhong Ning returned home and had dinner with Xie Shiqing as if nothing had happened. Though they didn’t talk much, it was a normal kind of quiet.

Xie Shiqing seemed like she had a lot to say but held it all back in the end.

Before leaving, she placed that bank card on the shoe rack by the door.

It was the money Xie Shiqing had given her—there had been even more added in recent days.

Zhong Ning didn’t have the slightest attachment to it. After putting it down, she turned and walked away.

She didn’t sleep that night. Around eleven at night, she took Pine Mushroom downstairs and drove to the airport.

Fu Nanshuang was already there waiting to see her off. Zheng Xuan and the others were also present.

None of them mentioned anything about the Zhong family, nor did they bring up Xie Shiqing. It was as if this trip of hers was simply a vacation, just a bit of travel and sightseeing.

Fu Nanshuang smiled and said, "I sent you a travel guide—did you see it? There are a few must-visit spots and restaurants. You have to go. They’re really good!"

Zhong Ning replied, "I read it all. I’ll definitely go."

Zheng Xuan added, "Have fun out there. Oh, right—the people outside are open-minded but also kind of conservative. If someone offers to treat you, they’re definitely into you."

With a worried expression, everyone could guess what she was actually worried about. But when it came to speaking, her words turned into: "Anything that’s left out of your sight, whether it's food or drink, don’t touch it. Get a bodyguard to protect yourself, and stay safe no matter what."

Zhong Ning agreed to everything. "I’ll be careful."

"Go on and check in... sigh, when the holidays come, I’ll go find you and we’ll travel together. It’s more fun with two people." Fu Nanshuang said with deep reluctance.

"I’ll miss you all. I’ll definitely send local specialties."

Zhong Ning held Pine Mushroom by the leash. She didn’t bring any luggage—just a small backpack that carried her various documents and a phone charger.

She had booked a pet-friendly flight, which allowed passengers to buy a seat for their pets. Zhong Ning had chosen first class, the kind with a private room. It was spacious enough for both her and Pine Mushroom to sleep comfortably, so there was no need to buy a separate seat.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.