Aunt Wang had carefully prepared several of her signature dishes.
It was Wen Ying’s first time eating with the Jiang family.
Lin Lin, of course, was familiar to Wen Ying by now, and she’d grown comfortable enough with Xie Qian that she didn’t blush nervously at the table.
Lin Lin’s mother-in-law was Vice Principal Guo Xia, someone Wen Ying didn’t know well but had seen around school in her past life.
Only Lin Lin’s father-in-law, Jiang Xuekun, and her husband, Jiang Youjia, were people Wen Ying hadn’t interacted with much. During her tutoring at the Jiangs’, she’d occasionally run into them, exchanging polite greetings. Both were busy men with no time to chat with her.
Jiang Xuekun didn’t mind an extra person at the table. Adding a pair of chopsticks was trivial, and though the girl looked a bit plump, she wouldn’t bankrupt the Jiangs.
Jiang Youjia, however, quietly observed Wen Ying.
She ate with impeccable manners—no smacking lips or rummaging through dishes for favorites.
After the meal, her spot was spotless—no oil stains or stray grains.
It seemed she was always mindful not to embarrass herself, yet she appeared naturally at ease, not overly cautious.
The Jiangs ate in silence, but afterward, they liked gathering in the living room, munching on fruit and catching up on recent events—work or life, anything went.
During this, Wen Ying’s only words were to praise Aunt Wang’s cooking and thank Lin Lin for having her stay.
Jiang Youjia couldn’t find a flaw. Her demeanor was poised and generous with compliments—until Guo Xia suddenly asked, “You and Xie Qian run a stall at the night market. Isn’t it just for pocket money? I hear your little venture’s thriving, even partnering with the street office for a food festival. It’s reached the school.”
Qin Jiao handled the school connection.
Her efficiency was solid; she’d already cleared it with them.
As vice principal of a top provincial school, Guo Xia was busy but kept tabs on standout students.
Qin Jiao was one such figure—well-off, studious, and a guaranteed top university candidate. Anything less would be a fluke.
Hearing about students entrepreneuring at the night market, Guo Xia connected it to Xie Qian and Wen Ying. With Wen Ying at lunch, she asked.
Wen Ying smiled, “So you already know. It started with me wanting to earn some cash over summer. Friends got curious and joined. The street office has been kind to us students, and we made some money. Then we thought, why not do something more meaningful?”
What’s more meaningful?
To most parents and teachers, students earning money at stalls wasn’t commendable.
Their job was to study. Wasting time on small profits—thousands or tens of thousands—was petty in the grand scheme.
But if this “venture” yielded more than money, like appreciating hard-won study opportunities, Guo Xia approved.
Her school’s students came from varied backgrounds—some bound for top domestic schools, others abroad. Since parents didn’t object and Wen Ying had a solid reason, Guo Xia wouldn’t block them.
“Then follow your plan. Young people can fix mistakes. Do it well, and if you hit trouble, the school’s your backup.”
A top Chengdu school gave her that confidence.
It wasn’t just about admission rates.
With Guo Xia’s blessing, Wen Ying knew it was in the bag.
With school approval, the street office on board, and a TV station lined up, the food festival was nearly set. Wen Ying’s smile grew—next stop: open a shop, franchise it, become CEO, and hit life’s peak!
Wen Hamster was dreaming big again when Xie Qian asked Guo Xia, “Has the school set this year’s entrance exam date?”
Guo Xia nodded, “August 14. What, you want to test into our school? Xie Qian, if you transfer to Chengdu, I’ll approve you without an exam.”
No test required.
Peak student perks.
For Wen Slacker, “August 14” was all that registered.
Guo Xia’s words were nice—school as their backup—but Wen Ying wasn’t a student there yet!
Neither Guo Xia nor Lin Lin doubted Wen Ying would pass the exam. Wen Ying knew her own limits.
No mood left for sofa fruit chats, she turned to Xie Qian, “Do you nap at noon? How about going over my papers again?”
Loving study was a virtue. Guo Xia and Lin Lin laughed, shooing them to the study.
Xie Qian rose calmly, “Fine, let’s review your morning mistakes twice.”
Wen Ying nearly kowtowed to Xie the Genius.
Forget heartthrob—drooling over looks was shallow. Right now, Xie Qian was her living savior!
She limped upstairs, Xie Qian trailing behind.
Jiang Youjia stayed quiet, watching their exchange.
Later, alone with Lin Lin, he hesitated. Finding no fault in Wen Ying was what unnerved him.
That night, unable to hold back, he asked Lin Lin, “When’s Xie Qian heading back to Beijing?”
Lin Lin sat up, blanket in hand, “What’s with you today, harping on Xie Qian? If he’s offended you, his cousin-in-law, I’ll apologize for him. If you’re unhappy he’s here, I’ll move out with him tomorrow!”
Lin Lin’s temper flared.
Chengdu had plenty of hotels—money could solve anything!
Jiang Youjia nearly drowned in her wrath, soothing her half the night. If the family caught them arguing over Xie Qian, he’d be in the wrong.
He knew how much his dad adored Xie Qian, wishing he were a Jiang.
After hours of calming her, Jiang Youjia sighed inwardly: Could he not be vigilant? These cousins were like they’d been hexed. Someone in the family had to stay sharp!
Being a man was tough—unappreciated effort, scolded, yet bearing life’s burdens in silence.
