Chapter 6 The Nightmare Begins
After the first monthly exam in high school, I ranked fifth in class.
But because of that rank, I caught the attention of Liu Tian, the class favorite who had been right behind me.
After evening self-study, Liu Tian and two other girls from our class locked me in the classroom.
They slapped me several times, pinned me to the ground, and cursed me with filthy words.
"...I told you to stop studying so hard. Why the hell did you steal my spot? You took fifth and cost me my reward money..."
If she had gotten into the top five, her father would have given her a large sum of money. Because I took fifth, she lost her reward.
She was furious.
Liu Tian's father owned a factory and her family was rich.
She was also the best-dressed girl in class.
"Really can't understand it. A deaf person like you studying so well for what?"
"If you cry, you'll regret it."
"Block my way again and I'll kill you, bitch."
...
After they left, I pinched my nose, climbed up from the floor, and fixed my clothes. My hair and nosebleed were scattered on the ground.
I gathered my courage and told the Teacher that Liu Tian had bullied me.
The Teacher looked incredulous.
Liu Tian was the class committee member. She looked sweet and had an outgoing personality. She was the type teachers liked.
The Teacher was shocked by the Liu Tian I described.
Liu Tian was called to the School office.
She denied bullying me and claimed she had caught me stealing her Meal Card. She had only hit me in a moment of anger.
The two girls who helped beat me served as her witnesses.
I was stunned. How could they make this up?
I explained desperately that I had not taken her Meal Card.
But all three insisted I had stolen Liu Tian's Meal Card.
"Teacher, it really was Zhou Xiaoning who stole Liu Tian's Meal Card. That's why Liu Tian taught her a lesson. Every word we said is true."
Liu Tian even swore. "Teacher, if I lied and framed Zhou Xiaoning, may I be struck by lightning and die miserably."
The Teacher could not tell who was telling the truth, but the injuries on my face were obvious. She made Liu Tian apologize to me in person.
"Fine, Teacher. I apologize."
"Zhou Xiaoning, it was wrong of me to hit you. I'm sorry. I know I was wrong. Please forgive me."
But I clearly saw the corner of her mouth curl up while she bowed ninety degrees to me.
I looked at the Teacher. "Teacher, is one apology all?"
The Teacher frowned. "Zhou Xiaoning, Liu Tian has sincerely admitted her mistake. Let's leave it at that."
I felt the world grow even darker.
What hurt me most was returning to class. The Teacher tapped the blackboard and said, "Students in our class must keep their hands and feet clean. If you have difficulties, speak up. Stealing is shameful."
My face burned red at once.
Later, I heard classmates calling me thief behind my back.