Chapter 24

17 MINUTES LATER

After continuously running at a fast pace for 17 minutes both party's were able to complete 14 and a half rounds or 5600 metres.

Isaiah" Haha I guess you could keep up little Gu. Tho I won't hold back as much next time."

Gu Ning" What are you a stamina monster. The pace you were running was almost Olympic level. Sigh, I'll beat you soon enough. Alright, I have something to deal with this afternoon. You can do whatever you want." Gu Ning said. She needed to go to the old house to take some important stuff, then she would never walk into it again.

Hao Ran" Boss, are you going to the hospital to visit your mother? We'll go with you." The boys all believed Gu Ning was going to visit Gu Man.

Gu Ning" No thanks. I'm not going to the hospital," Gu Ning refused. She didn't want to say anything further. Hao Ran and his bros then closed their mouth.

Gu Ning and her friends went back to their classrooms several minutes before the morning class began. The seventh classroom was on the second floor. Hao Ran and his bros went to their classroom when they arrived on the second floor. Gu Ning and the other three went straight to the third floor.

The minute they went upstairs, they saw Gu Xiaoxiao leaning against the railings alone.

The three of them were all angry because they knew Gu Xiaoxiao was the cause of Gu Man's fall.

Gu Ning immediately knew the reason why Gu Xiaoxiao was here. She wanted to make fun of Gu Ning.

But to Gu Ning's surprise Chen Ziyao, Qin Zheng and their friends were absent.

Gu Xiaoxiao enjoyed her victory so much that she even ignored the anger of Mu Ke along with others. She laughed when she saw Gu Ning. "Gu Ning. I told you to apologize to me, and you wouldn't listen to me. How dare you yell at our grandma! Well, grandma demands that you and your mother move out of the old house today or you'll be kicked out."

Isaiah who was behind Gu Ning gave Gu Xiaoxiao a chilling look. But no one noticed it.

Hearing that, Mu Ke and Yu Mixi rounded their eyes in shock.

What? If Gu Ning didn't apologize, she would be kicked out?

Gu Ning" I will move out before tomorrow." Gu Ning said calmly.

Xiaoxial" You…" Gu Xiaoxiao didn't expect Gu Ning could still remain calm now. "Gu Ning, even though you don't care about yourself, how can you not care about your mother? The rent outside is so high. Can you afford it? If you apologize to me till I'm satisfied, I can ask grandma to let you stay," Gu Xiaoxiao continued. She was eager to let Gu Ning beg her. She wanted to stay proud before Gu Ning.

Mu ke" Gu Xiaoxiao, stop it. Hao Ran and his bros along with me won't let our boss be homeless." Mu Ke couldn't tolerate it any longer. He criticized Gu Xiaoxiao at once.

Gu Xiaoxiao's eyes were full of jealousy. She deliberately raised her voice. " Gu Ning, how could you be so shameless and behave like a mistress who relies on a man to support her…"

At the same time, Gu Ning became mad. Before Gu Xiaoxiao could finish, Gu Ning raised her hand and slapped Gu Xiaoxiao with a snap sound. Gu Xiaoxiao shouted in pain.

Gu Ning" Gu Xiaoxiao, stop crossing the line. I will not feel sorry about what I do to you from now on," Gu Ning warned her at the end. Then she walked away directly.

Mu Ke and Yu Mixi glared at Gu Xiaoxiao, then left too.

Isaiah was nowhere to be seen.

HOSPITAL

Gu Man was asleep at this time but a ringtone woke her up.

Gu Man took a look at the phone. The caller was Lin Lijuan. She didn't want to answer it because she knew Lin Lijuan wasn't a kind person.

However, the phone continued to ring. Gu Man had to answer it in the end.

Gu Man" What?" Gu Man asked coldly.

Lijuan" Gu Man, your daughter slapped Xiaoxiao this morning. If you don't bring Gu Ning to apologize to Xiaoxiao, I'll make you both pay for it!" Lin Lijuan shouted.

Gu Man was a little surprised at first, then immediately realized what had happened. She didn't blame Gu Ning at all, but questioned Lin Lijuan, "Do you know why Ningning has slapped Xiaoxiao? Do you think Ningning must be bullied and stay quiet, while Xiaoxiao is superior to my daughter?"

Lin Lijuan didn't feel guilty at all. She said with arrogance, "Of course. Gu Ning can't compare with Xiaoxiao. Xiaoxiao is our dear daughter, while Gu Ning is merely a bastard."

Gu Man" Lin Lijuan!" Gu Man's face turned red in anger. She shouted, "Stop calling Ningning a bastard. She is my daughter!"

Lijuan" So what? She doesn't have a father anyway. She's a bastard," Lin Lijuan continued.

Gu Man" You…" Gu Man was deeply hurt, but couldn't argue back. She hung up and burst into tears.

Suddenly the phone rang again. She ignored it but when it rang the third time she decided to see who the caller was. It was an unknown number. She didn't want to answer it but it could also be something important so she answered the call.

Gu Man[ hello. Who is this? Sniff.]

Isaiah[ Hey miss Gu it's me, Isaiah. I just wanted to see if you're okay. Gu Ning had just argued with her cousin who ran away. I've met a lot of people like her so I thought they might call you. And by the sound of your voice, it seems like you were crying.]

Gu Man didn't know what to do. She was flustered as she was seen through so easily. But also warm as Isaiah worried about her and took the time in school to call her.

Gu Man[ Thank you, Isaiah. I'm glad my daughter has a friend like you. You don't have to worry about me. I'm stronger than I look. Sniff.]

Isaiah" But in the end, you're still crying. Your still sad."

Gu Man" No I'm wait." The sound of Isaiah's voice didn't come through the phone but the door.

looking to her right she saw Isaiah leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed." Isaiah what are you doing here. You're supposed to be in school. Go back quickly. I don't want to be the reason why you have bad attendance." She said in a kind horse tone, that showed how selfless this woman was.

Isaiah said nothing and closed the door behind him. He then closed the shutters and the windows so it was almost pitch black inside.

Gu Man" Isaiah what do you mean by doing all of..." She couldn't finish her sentence as she was brought into the embrace of the only other person in the room.

Isaiah" Don't think of me as your husband, don't think of me as your daughter's friend. Right now I'm only a warmth in the darkness you can cry your heart too. You can hug me as much as you feel is nesocery. You can tell me what you think is only necosocery. You have always thought about others first. Especially your daughter.

If your the one who takes care of others. Them I'm going to be the one who takes care of you. if for only this moment." He said stroking the back of her head.

Gu Man" I-I-i Waaaaaaaaah. Sob sob." After trying to hold it in for soo long years of pain finally burst out of her.

Who could blame her with all that's happened to her? It was all this idiots fault. Who told him to be nice to her. Who told him to care for her. Who told him to feel so good when hugged.

Who told him to be so warm. Who told him to smell so nice. Who told him to make her feel safe and unguarded when he was around.

Isaiah just held her while she brought everything out.