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墨書 Inktalez
Zhou Xiaxia stood in the room, her eyes welling up with tears as she saw her father with thick bandages wrapped around his head and her mother’s hands also covered in gauze.
After the doctor left, the room was filled with just the three of them.
Zhou Yaohui, despite his blurred vision, reached out his hand toward his daughter. “Xiaxia, come here.”
“Dad…” Her voice trembled with emotion as Zhou Yaohui’s wife, Sama, sat by the bed and wiped her tears away.
She was a gentle and beautiful Thai woman who had devoted herself entirely to her husband since marrying Zhou Yaohui. Because he spoke Chinese, she diligently learned the language and, in less than three years, was able to speak it fluently. She understood that what her husband did was dangerous, but since she had never witnessed it firsthand, she had no idea just how perilous it truly was.
Until today, when she opened the door to find Zhou Yinkun standing outside. He politely greeted her as “Sister-in-law.” Unaware of anything amiss, she led him upstairs into her husband’s study.
In an instant, the man who had just called Zhou Yaohui “Big Brother” turned violent, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him off the ground before slamming him onto the floor. Without mercy, he kicked Zhou Yaohui repeatedly in the head. He didn’t even have time to ask what was happening or raise a hand to defend himself before Zhou Yinkun yanked him by the hair and smashed his head against the safe.
Sama screamed and rushed forward, but Zhou Yinkun tore her clothes apart and even ripped off a piece to wipe his hands.
He then held it to his nose and sniffed it, leering as he said it smelled good.
Sama trembled as she held her husband tightly. Inside, she prayed that Xiaxia would stay outside a little longer after school and not return at this moment.
Zhou Yinkun was a madman—someone who appeared perfectly normal yet lacked any humanity.
Xiaxia had mentioned that she had seen Zhou Yinkun and even spoken to him; he had told her that next time he saw her, he would take her out for delicious food.
“Xiaxia, don’t cry,” Zhou Yaohui said softly as he stroked his daughter’s face with a faint smile. “Dad is okay.”
“Why did he hit you?!” Zhou Xiaxia cried, her shoulders shaking. “Dad, the doctor just said your injuries are serious. We should call the police to arrest him! He broke in and hurt you! You know so many police officers and powerful people—why don’t you… why don’t you arrest him?”
She choked on her words, wanting to touch Zhou Yaohui’s wounds but afraid of causing him pain.
She cried with deep regret, feeling utterly wronged. How could she have smiled at Zhou Yinkun and even called him "Uncle" several times? Zhou Xiaxia held her father's hand tightly. "Dad, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Although Zhou Yaohui was not often at home, he had a close bond with Zhou Xiaxia. He held his daughter's hand with his left hand while reaching out with his right to grasp his wife's hand.
"Alright, alright, stop crying. Let's not mention what happened today again, especially you, Xiaxia. Don't talk about whether to report it or not. We are a family, and Uncle is also Grandpa's son. He... is just too young and has a bad temper. Just avoid him when you see him; don't provoke him. Do you understand?"
Sama had always listened to her husband well. She nodded and gently wiped the tears from her daughter's face. "Do you remember what I told you?"
Zhou Xiaxia nodded. "Stay far away from Zhou Yinkun."
Zhou Yaohui wanted to correct her; despite Zhou Yinkun's faults, he was still an elder to Xiaxia. However, a sharp pain surged through him, making it impossible for him to speak further. He waved his hand, signaling the mother and daughter to leave.
Once the door closed, Zhou Xiaxia heard low groans from inside. It must hurt a lot; even her strong and composed father was in so much pain that he cried out. He had been holding back the pain to comfort her and her mother, not wanting them to be more upset.
Standing at the door, tears streamed down Zhou Xiaxia's face onto the floor.
Sama sighed and took Xiaxia by the hand towards her room. "Leave the adult matters to us. Focus on your studies, get into Chulalongkorn University, and make your dad proud. Do you remember?"
"Yes." Zhou Xiaxia nodded vigorously. "Mom, I will work hard."
Sama patted her head gently. "Get some rest early tonight. Tomorrow after school ends for the semester, come home early."
"Okay." Zhou Xiaxia returned to her room and washed her face with cold water.
The water dampened the strands of hair by her cheeks as she looked at herself in the mirror, silently making a resolution. Her parents hoped she would attend Thailand's best university; she couldn't let them down. With three years left, it was enough time for her to strive from the middle tier to the top and keep improving.
The face in the mirror still bore youthful innocence but was filled with unwavering determination. She was sure she could pass all five rounds of selection exams and gain admission to Chulalongkorn University.
The first thing she did was tell her good friend Song En and ask for his help.
Song En was a tall, sunny boy, and they had known each other since childhood due to the relationship between their families. After listening to her, Song En laughed, revealing a row of white teeth. "Xia, do you think just studying well is enough to get into Chulalongkorn University?"
Zhou Xiaxia, holding her neatly organized textbooks and homework, looked up at Song En with a puzzled expression.
"The college entrance exam has five rounds of selection: educational background, participation in activities, awards received; direct admissions university entrance exam; university entrance examination; and independent examination... It means you not only have to study well but also excel in various aspects," Song En explained, his tone in Chinese somewhat amusing. Zhou Xiaxia intended to listen seriously but couldn't help laughing.
"Song En, just speak Thai; I can understand it."
"No way! One of the hardest languages in the world is Chinese. As long as I can speak this well, there’s nothing I can’t accomplish!"
"Alright, alright, go on," Zhou Xiaxia said as she walked with her backpack until she reached the bus stop.
Although they came from well-off families, Song En and Xiaxia had taken the bus to school by themselves since they were young, just like any other ordinary kids.
"What are you so anxious about? These are things high school students should consider. Why are you rushing as a middle schooler? More importantly, we need to hurry; my grandfather's birthday party is today, and your family is coming too."
At this point, Zhou Xiaxia suddenly remembered that they were going to Chinatown today to celebrate Song En's grandfather's birthday. But... her father was injured; how could they go?
Yet she had promised Song En that she would attend.
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