Zhao Dong glared at his sister. “You are too impatient!”
What good would mocking Zhuo Yue do?
It would only provide momentary verbal satisfaction.
Besides, although Zhuo Yue was not Xie Jinghu’s biological daughter, Zhuo Chen was!
A glint flashed in Zhao Dong’s eyes. “You have been enrolled for over half a month now. Have you not seen Xie Qian even once?”
Zhao Qian muttered, “Not only have I not seen Xie Qian, I have not even heard anyone mention his name!”
Someone as dazzling as Xie Qian should not be this low-key!
Without Xie Qian, Wen Ying had become the most gossiped-about new student at Zhendan University this year. Wherever Zhao Qian went, she heard Wen Ying’s name, which infuriated her.
Yes, Zhao Qian was now also at Zhendan University, enrolled in the International Cultural Exchange College.
How to put it? For overseas Chinese immigrants like Zhao Qian, whose families used Chinese daily, returning to apply to top domestic universities with foreign status was indeed a big advantage.
At Zhendan, students like Wen Ying, who received systematic domestic education and entered through gaokao or recommendation, had little contact with “international students” like Zhao Qian from the exchange college. Zhao Qian operated in the shadows, Wen Ying in the light. Thus, Zhao Qian often heard others mention Wen Ying, but Wen Ying did not know Zhao Qian was studying at Zhendan too.
Zhao Dong murmured, “Zhuo Yue long ago said Xie Qian had an accident but refused to say what it was. A few days ago, I heard a rumour that Xie Qian was severely injured in a car crash and fell into a coma. He might become a vegetable or paralysed. I thought it was fake, but with him absent so long, it seems like it could be true.”
This was what annoyed Zhao Dong most about Sara Zhuo.
Zhao Dong had taken his rumour to Sara Zhuo for confirmation, but the woman played tai chi with him.
They were clearly allies, yet Sara Zhuo would not tell him the truth, leaving him very passive!
Zhao Qian grew anxious. “Zhuo Yue does not even know who her real father is. How can you believe her nonsense?”
“Then why has Xie Qian not appeared?”
Zhao Dong countered. Zhao Qian was speechless.
She was not Xie Qian’s girlfriend. Of course she did not know why he was absent!
Xie Qian’s whereabouts were a mystery, his health a mystery. Yet that dark, plump bumpkin went to school happily every day, enjoying pursuit from the boys… Xie Qian had truly been miserably deceived by that bumpkin!
Seeing his sister’s unconvinced expression, Zhao Dong’s head ached faintly. “Sara Zhuo cannot rise anymore. President Xie will not marry her. But if something really happened to Xie Qian, Zhuo Chen would be President Xie’s only remaining son. Jinhu Group would ultimately go to Zhuo Chen. Zhuo Yue is not President Xie’s daughter but is Zhuo Chen’s full sister. What good does mocking her do you?”
After all this, Sara Zhuo could not rise, but Zhuo Chen had a high chance of inheriting “Jinhu”?
Zhao Qian’s brain was not the best. Her brother was allied with the Zhuo family. She should side with them. Hearing Zhuo Chen might inherit “Jinhu,” she was actually unhappy.
If Zhuo Chen became heir to “Jinhu,” Zhuo Yue would still have a backer and step on Zhao Qian for life.
And Xie Qian. Had he really become a vegetable or paralysed?
What a pity!
Zhao Qian took several deep breaths. “I understand. I still need to be good sisters with Zhuo Yue. Sigh, my good sister has gone through such a big thing. It should be fine if I go comfort her, right?”
Zhao Dong waved his hand. “As long as you understand. If you comfort her, do it sincerely. Do not let her see you gloating, or I will cut your allowance.”
“Oh, got it.”
On the way to see Zhuo Yue, Zhao Qian prepared a bellyful of words.
When she met Zhuo Yue, Zhao Qian looked worried. “I just heard about your matter, that matter… Sigh, do not be too sad. It is not your fault. Of course, it is not Aunt Zhuo’s fault either. We can only blame fate for playing tricks.”
This good-for-nothing Zhao Qian, influenced a bit by Zhendan University, spoke more pleasantly than before.
Sad?
Zhuo Yue’s face showed no sadness at all. Instead, it radiated vibrant ambition and longing.
“I am not sad. I do not blame Mommy. One cannot choose their birth. I thank Mommy for giving me life.”
Anyway, without Xie Jinghu’s support, her biological father Zhang Zhijin would provide for her and Mommy. Why should she be sad?
Ever since Sara Zhuo told Zhuo Yue about Zhang Zhijin, Zhuo Yue had been eager to meet him.
Sara Zhuo said it was not the right time yet. Zhuo Yue was disappointed.
Xie Jinghu’s formal lawsuit reignited Zhuo Yue’s hope.
A lawsuit was a perfect timing. She could meet Daddy!
Zhao Qian’s prepared consolations went unused. She dryly praised, “You really are open-minded and optimistic!”
Zhuo Yue smiled. “I thought you would laugh at me. It turns out I was petty. You are still as good to me as before.”
Zhao Qian panicked a bit and stammered, “H-How could that be? We are good friends.”
Zhuo Yue pulled Zhao Qian to sit. “Yes, we were good friends before and will remain so. You have been at Zhendan for almost a month. Can you tell me about the latest happenings at school?”
What counted as latest happenings?
Zhao Qian’s instinct told her Zhuo Yue meant things related to Wen Ying.
That dark, plump bumpkin was very popular at school. How could Zhao Qian talk about it?
Sigh, so annoying!
…
The “dark, plump bumpkin” in Zhao Qian’s mouth was, in others’ eyes, a proper fair-skinned rich beauty.
Peng Guoqing was very obsequious, reporting the “enemy situation” to Xie Qian over the phone, thumping his chest loudly. “Rest assured. I am watching. If anyone dares dig your corner, I will chop their hands off!”
Similar words from President Peng would sound imposing. From Peng Guoqing, Xie Qian’s temples throbbed.
Too chuunibyou.
“I asked you to look after Wen Ying, not to spy on her like an agent!”
Peng Guoqing’s flattery hit the horse’s leg. He quickly backpedalled. “I am not spying on her. I am concerned. Who knows if her new friends are decent? What if they deceive Wen Ying? You know, Wen Ying has no flaws except being too kind and liking to help others. I fear someone might exploit her kindness.”
Hmm, that was possible.
Xie Qian also felt Wen Ying was smart everywhere except kindness was her only weakness.
At this moment, Xie Qian completely forgot how, after middle school exams, Wen Ying hired a private detective to track her aunt’s husband. He forgot she negotiated with Director Fan on behalf of Tianjiao. He could not recall her calm decisiveness when he had the accident and lost contact. Perhaps Xie Qian remembered but, young and tasting love for the first time, separated by countries, he lacked his usual calm and restraint.
Having lost calm and restraint, Xie Qian thought it over and accepted Peng Guoqing’s offer.
Peng Guoqing’s IQ was not particularly high, but his perceptiveness was decent.
Though not as smart as Wen Ying, he far surpassed Wang Shuang.
“You can care for Wen Ying, but do not overdo it. Do not use concern as an excuse to make decisions for her. She is a fully capable independent person. She has the right to choose her friends. Even I have no right to interfere.”
Xie Qian emphasised again. Peng Guoqing said he understood clearly. “I can attend every off-campus dinner. On-campus situations are harder to grasp… But rest assured, I can contact Sister Tang more and get updates from her!”
When not involving Wen Ying, Xie Qian’s IQ could crush ten Peng Guoqings. He immediately saw through the scheme. “No need for that. I can ask Sister Tang directly myself.”
“You are so busy abroad!”
“Not as busy as you think.”
Peng Guoqing persisted. Xie Qian was too lazy to deal with him further, gave perfunctory responses, and hung up.
Xie Qian asked the doctor again to assess his condition. The doctor said rehabilitation medicine is a vast system. Doctors create plans for different patients, but completion depends on doctor and patient together.
Everyone’s pain tolerance, willpower, and physical condition differ!
The doctor advised Xie Qian not to rush. “You do not want lifelong regrets, do you?”
Seeing Xie Qian truly anxious, Zou Weijun did not tease her son this time. Instead, she shared news. “The police have closed the case on Lu Meishu’s suicide. The Zhang family wants to bury her. Zhang Hua says he will take her body back to her hometown. The Zhang family agreed.”
Xie Qian’s attention was indeed partly diverted.
“Does Aunt Lu have any relatives left in her hometown?”
“Your uncle had someone check. Lu Meishu’s parents are deceased. She has an older brother in her maternal family. His legs are not good, apparently disabled from an accident. They had no contact these years. Since Lu Meishu’s incident, no maternal relatives have come to the capital.”
Relatives need interaction to stay close.
Lu Meishu’s suicide made Zou Weijun sigh. Who knew what reaction Lu Meishu’s disabled brother would have when Zhang Hua sent the body back.
Xie Qian’s focus was unique. “Is it that the Lu family did not come to the capital, or the Zhang family did not notify them? No matter the lack of contact, not seeing a sister’s final face after death is unusual.”
Zou Weijun shook her head. “Only the Zhang family knows if they notified. Anyway, no Lu relatives came to the capital.”
Zou Weijun also realised something was off.
Lack of contact between siblings is one thing. Hiding such a major event as Lu Meishu’s suicide from her maternal family was clearly wrong if the Zhang family did it!
