Chapter 2 - Xie Yuansheng

Feng Xingying sat back in her chair, her head spinning as her limbs became numb. How did this happen? Her eyes followed Xie Yuansheng as he stood up from his chair two seats away from her and walked gracefully to the stage to receive the award amongst a huge applause. When the Principal gave him the award, he received a standing ovation.

Feng Xingying could only see things happening in front of her. Her blood rushed to her brain and she felt winded as her eyes filled with tears. Her fingers curled tightly around her certificate automatically as her anger rose. She could see his neck snapping in her mind and she felt good.

Xie Yuansheng could feel her fist smashing into his nose, splattering blood on his dress.

Her knuckles became white from clenching her fist too hard, and she gritted her teeth in an effort to contain herself. She exuded so much animosity that it was like slicing, very venomous. Her face became red with rage that she couldn't express.

This was the first time she had cried after her mother had died. Although she was too young to even remember her mother but she remembered the feeling of loss when there was no one to cuddle her during bedtime. She had become very lonely and had withdrawn from the world. The same feeling stabbed her heart. How could Xie Yuansheng, a boy who had joined school just two years back could win the most coveted award despite the fact that she was an assured candidate for it?

Her heart beat fast and all she wanted to do at that time was to run away from there. She wanted to be with her father. But she had to endure watching Xie Yuansheng on the stage receiving the award from the Principal and for the graduation ceremony to get over. She looked at him from her place and found him looking at her intently. Their eyes locked for a long time until the applause died. She was full of hatred for him.

Xie Yuansheng had joined the school only two years back and had challenged Feng Xingying's position as being a brilliant student in his academics. Tall and handsome, he bore looks like that of a prince. With skin was fair like porcelain, almond shaped eyes and thin red lips, he was epitome of handsomeness with an old school boy charm. Girls went crazy after him wherever he went. They would keep pushing themselves at him but he would never give them attention. Only one girl was allowed to be with him, Wang Zǐróng. She was the only girl who used to talk to him and he would answer her.

With all his good manners and polite attitude, he had been so good with his studies and extra curricular that he had won the hearts of students and professors.

---

Feng Xingying waited for the function to finish and then she hurried outside. She went to find her father but it seemed that the Principal had called him for the formal dinner.

She went to the dining hall of the school where the dinner was hosted for the school staff and other dignitaries. She tried to enter the hall but the guard stopped her. She had to turn away back. She walked to her car and even though there was a driver waiting for her, she demanded keys from him to drive it and asked him to sit in the back seat.

It was only 9PM in the evening and the traffic was busy, but she drove crazily at high speed breaking many traffic signals before finally reaching home. She ran to her room and huddled on the floor. Curling her knees in her hands and resting on head on her arms, Feng Xingying cried for what seemed like a century. Where did she go wrong? And how did he get the award she was sure she would receive?

When she thought about how she had worked hard for all those years, her tears burst forth more like water from a dam, spilling down in her cheeks. The muscles of her chin trembled like that of a small child, as she waited for her father to come and soothe her. Her mind had become static. Like a distressed little child, she felt raw all over again. She was injured – an injury she could feel the pain of but no one could see. Why didn't her father come home? She wanted to be his little baby and cry like a spoilt child. Didn't he know that she hadn't received the award? Or was it that he was disappointed in her? No, that couldn't be possible because for him it didn't matter so much.

As a matter of fact he had also once told her that let that award go to someone who is needy and would be able to fund his or her education. Does that mean he wouldn't even empathize with her?

As she kept thinking, she became all the more anxious. She called him but he didn't pick the phone. She desperately needed that father and daughter moment.

She heard his car parking an hour later. Hurriedly, she wiped her tears and ran downstairs to meet him.

As soon as he opened the door, Feng Xingying threw herself on him and said, "Papa!" She hugged him and again started crying.

Feng Zhantian stumbled back a little and then softly stroked her hair. "There is nothing to cry Feng Xinying…"

She lifted her head and said, "How can you say that father?"

From the corner of her eye, she saw a woman standing behind him.