Why Don't You Believe Me

Looking at the villagers around him, all full of disdain and distrust, Zhang Zhaocai cried as he explained, "I used to be bad, but I know I was wrong. I've changed, and I won't steal or do bad things anymore. I really want to study, please let me register!"

But the children from the same village still blocked the way, refusing to let Zhang Zhaocai register, saying, "Your words sound nice, but who knows what you're really thinking? This school was hard to get, and we all cherish it. We must protect it well and can't risk letting you in."

Everyone thought the older kids made sense. Who knows if Zhang Zhaocai was sent by Zhang Zhuzi to cause trouble? If he stayed in the school, what if he set a fire at night or poisoned the communal meal?

So no matter how much Zhang Zhaocai cried and pleaded to prove himself, everyone refused to let him line up to register for safety reasons.

Several parents simply dragged Zhang Zhaocai far out of the line and threw him to the ground.

Zhang Zhaocai sat on the ground, hugging his schoolbag, crying bitterly, "I just want to study, I won't cause trouble. Why don't you believe me, why don't you believe me, sob sob..."

Zhang Zhaocai cried, and parents passing by with their children heard that the crying child was Zhang Zhuzi's own son, so no one paid him any attention.

Zhang Zhaocai hugged his knees sitting on the ground, watching the hurried passersby, suddenly feeling that the world was vast but he was all alone, lonely and helpless.

Just as Zhang Zhaocai was sad, suddenly someone from behind hugged his head, and a strong sour smell wafted into his nose.

"Why is Shimao crying? Who bullied my Shimao?" Zhao Shi let go and showed her head. Seeing Zhang Zhaocai crying, she hurriedly wiped his tears messily with her hand.

Zhao Shi's hands were so dirty that Zhang Zhaocai's face instantly looked like a spotted cat.

"I... I'm not Su Shimao, I'm Zhang Zhaocai!" Zhang Zhaocai bit his lip looking at Zhao Shi, tears falling again.

But Zhao Shi didn't understand at all and kept wiping his tears, saying, "Shimao, don't cry. Mom will make you new clothes to wear."

When Zhao Shi appeared, people nearby disliked her even more and stayed far away. Around them, it was like a vacuum zone with no one coming close.

Zhang Zhaocai cried for a while, wiped his tears, hugged his schoolbag, and said, "The schoolbag you gave me, I might not be able to use it."

Zhao Shi tilted her head with a confused expression, "Why? Does Shimao dislike the schoolbag? Mom will sew a new one for Shimao."

Zhang Zhaocai shook his head, "No, I like the schoolbag you gave me very much. It's just that they fear I'm a spy sent to the school to cause trouble and won't let me register... I don't blame them, after all, my dad wants the school to close down..."

Zhang Zhaocai's voice grew quieter as he spoke.

But Zhao Shi didn't understand what Zhang Zhaocai was saying, just tilted her head, wiping his tears, muttering Su Shimao's name.

Zhang Zhaocai looked at Zhao Shi and sighed. Since Zhao Shi went crazy, she seemed lost in her own world, unable to communicate.

After crying for a while, Zhang Zhaocai sniffed, looked at the registration line in the distance, and said to Zhao Shi, "I want to try again. I sincerely want to study, and I'll use my sincerity to move them."

Saying that, Zhang Zhaocai got up, wiped his face clean with his sleeve, and walked toward the registration line.

Zhao Shi didn't follow but tilted her head watching Zhang Zhaocai's back, waving to him, "Shimao, be careful on your way to school, walk slowly."

After saying that, Zhao Shi slowly turned and staggered back to the village.