But no one was more shocked than Shi Ai whose hand had suddenly been grabbed!Shi Ai's reactions were a lot slower today and so she was out of her seat and exiting the class before she could even realize what was happening.She tried to tug her hand out of his hold but the boy had a good grip on her.His fingers tightened on her wrist in warning.Though his grip was tight and his strength good,the boy was holding her hand carefully so as not to hurt her.Once they were out of earshot of everyone,he let go of her hand and stood in front of her..
Shi Ai stared at the senior brother in confusion.She had no idea who was this senior brother and why he had called her a cousin.So all she could do was stare.
Seeing her just stand there with a dumb look on her face,Zhang Min wondered if she was deaf.Maybe that is why she had not responded to all those insults and insinuations.He then refuted himself and finally asked her impatiently,"So?"He expected her to thank him but ofcourse she had no clue what had transpired.Finally,Shi Ai realized that he was waiting for her to say something though she had no idea what.She tried to read the brother's name but his name was currently covered by his blazer jacket.
When she still said nothing,Zhang Min decided to let it go and to introduce himself."Ms Shi Ai.I am Zhang Min,Doctor Zhang Shu's son.My dad had decided to take you in as his foster daughter and we have been warned to take care of you.I have a few questions to ask you and some other talk.Meet me in the canteen after classes.Also,why did you not make them shut up when they were insulting you?"
That was when Shi Ai realized that those girls had been trying to provoke her and this is what he had heard and had been angry about.
In answer to his question, Shi Ai shrugged and said,"They are like dogs who keep barking.And the more attention you give them the more they bark so I just ignore them.It's not like arguing with them is going to make them understand any thing.But I am sure you must be shocked.Please do not worry.That is all they can do..And my classes end at 4 pm so let's meet up and talk then."With that Shi Ai left him standing there,befuddled.
His father had gathered the family yesterday for an emergency meeting and then after giving them basic details,had instructed them all to be supportive of her when she decided to join the family.He had refused to give any more details and left them to go and meet her.When Zhang Min realized that the girl was in his school,he had decided to question her today.His parents already had three sons why did his father want to foster more children.His elder brothers were already in the army and had moved out of the house.So they were not very concerned about the living conditions. But essentially he was going to get a new sister.And he needed to know a few things.His imagination was acting up and he wanted to get to the bottom of this matter.
His mother was also not too happy with this decision but she never went against his father directly so she said nothing and agreed to it.
All through the day Shi Ai was also wondering what Dr Zhang Shu's son would want with her.When she had returned to the classroom,she had felt the angry and curious stares of her classmates.But she ignored them as usual.And thankfully the teacher entered just then so she was saved from answering Yao Yao's questions.
Finally in the evening:
Shi Ai escaped the class as soon as the bell rang.Her speed was so much that by the time anyone realized what had happened,she was already half way out of the class towards theb
cafeteria.Reaching there,she saw Zhang Min already sitting there waiting for her.She greeted him coolly and sat opposite him.
Zheng Min stared at the girl in front of him.After thinking of the way those girls had bullied her,he had decided it wouldn't be bad for her to have a brother to protect her.But first he needed to ask her the most important question.Taking a deep breath he asked,"Are you my father's illegitimate daughter?"
Shi Ai(who had not even expected such a question): "..."