Chapter 3 Three

• "Hello everyone, this semester, you’re going to work together with your group partners to finish the project. Next, I'll let you know the group arrangement." The teacher started calling the students’ names of each group. “... Tiau Billy and Xiao Xie, Group 5."
• Hearing that they were in the same group, Billy smiled.
• After the teacher left, Billy draw close to Xiao Xie and greeted, “Hey, partner!”
• Xiao Xie did not reply him, she just went out. Billy kept looking at her with smirk until she disappeared at the door.
• And that all fell on some girls’ eyes, they felt jealous. Each time they tried to get closer to Billy, he did not show any interest in them. How could Xiao Xie get his attention that easily?
• Three of the girls followed Xiao Xie out, they thought they have to teach her a lesson.
• When Xiao Xie came back from the bathroom, one of the girls put her leg on the way. Xiao Xie was tripped over.
• “Are you blind?” The girl who put her leg on the way said as if it was Xiao Xie who intentionally step on her feet.
• Xiao Xie knew that was not her fault. She tried to stand up and just ignored them. But the other girl pushed her down again, which causes one of her hand get bruised.
• Knowing it’s a trick they planned for her, Xiao Xie finally decided to fight back. She pushed the girl who pushed her down before. When the last girl was about to slap her, a voice stopped them.
• "What are you girls doing?"
• It’s Billy.
• Everyone looked up and saw Billy coming towards them angrily, the girls were shocked they quickly ran back to the class.
• Seeing Xiao Xie was still on the floor with a bruised hand, Billy stretched his hand, trying to help her stand up. However, Xiao Xie stared at him with anger. “I do not need your help." she roared at Billy and stood up on her own.
• Billy was shocked by Xiao Xie’s reaction and even could not notice she has already left. No one had ever shouted at him like that, not even his grandfather!
• "Did she just transfer the aggression into me?" Billy asked himself, “OK, girl, you’d better keep that tough, otherwise I’ll let you pay for it.”
• ***
• AT NIGHT, IN XIAO XIE’S HOUSE
• The family gathered together for dinner, most time they ate chicken for dinner and so as tonight.
• "Why can't we eat something else? I’m tired of eating chicken." Xiao Xie said with an unhappy face.
• "Don't worry. We will cook something different tomorrow" her father replied.
• "That’s what you always say." Xiao Xin, her little brother said with his mouth full of chicken. Then he got choked and started coughing.
• "Water!"
• Their mother quickly passed water to Xiao Xin's mouth, but it didn’t work. He kept coughing, which stressed his heart.
• Fortunately, he was sent to the doctor in time, and his illness didn’t get worse but he still needed some days for rest. Although the family has got used to the repeated illnesses, the reminder of collecting money for his operation was still a huge challenge for them.
• Xiao Xie quickly rushed back home the next morning, because they all had to sleep in the hospital but she was late and got punished. When she came back to class, Billy drew his chair closer to her and asked "You are very late today. Is everything OK?" X
• iao Xie looked at him but did not answer.
• Then Billy continued, "How is your brother?"
• Xiao Xie was surprised. No one in the school knew about her brother, let alone knowing about what they had been through yesterday.
• Xiao Xie stared at Billy with curious, and Billy was searching into her eyes, wanting to know what she is thinking.
• "Don’t you want to tell me about it?" Billy asked.
• Bur Xiao Xie just looked at him angrily, "I don't have anything to tell you about my family".
• "I don't mean to offend you, I‘m just worried about you" Billy said seriously.
• Xiao Xie looked back at Billy again as if she was looking at an enemy. However, she discovered that Billy’s eyes was full of sincerity. He was not going to mock her.
• “But how did he know about my brother and why is he worried about me? Xiao Xie thought with confusion."Don’t be fooled. That is all a lie. he wants to mock me just like others." she told herself.
• "You don't have to worry about me or my family" she replied and look away to avoid Billy's gaze.
• Billy sighed since Xiao Xie still kept strong in such situation, "I don't think you can escape from me."
• Xiao Xie frowned and looked back at Billy, "What did he mean by that?"