Honestly, the practice papers Xie Qian set were even tougher than the school’s, and Wen Ying was genuinely a bit intimidated.
Still, knowing Xie Qian had informed her first and given her prep time, while Li Mengjiao and Wang Shuang were likely still in the dark, Wen Ying regained a sliver of confidence: at least she wouldn’t come last.
“Fine, it’s just a mock exam, perfect for checking my recent study progress.”
Wen Ying’s voice brimmed with assurance. Xie Qian could probably guess her thoughts, she was banking on not being the bottom of the three.
Xie Qian didn’t call her out, who’d come last would be clear after the test.
With Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong now set on signing up for postgraduate exams in July, plus the house renovation, the couple was too busy to keep tabs on Wen Ying, leaving her with plenty of freedom.
The matter between Xie Jinghu and Song Foxiang no longer concerned Wen Ying, so she spent the entire weekend at home, focused on writing and reading.
When Chen Ru and her husband returned, Wen Dongrong glanced at his watch, it was midnight, yet Wen Ying’s room was still lit.
“She’s been studying quite diligently lately, hasn’t she?”
This was directed at Chen Ru, who replied coolly, “Whether it’s real effort or just for show, she knows in her heart.”
Since Wen Ying was so keen on doing things her way and didn’t want Chen Ru meddling, why should she make herself the bad guy?
Chen Ru washed her face and went to bed.
Wen Dongrong sighed, their tempers were too much!
This cold war had dragged on for ages, with no sign of mother and daughter reconciling.
Chen Ru was stubborn, Wen Ying wasn’t exactly yielding either, leaving him, the head of the family, caught in the middle.
After some thought, Wen Dongrong gently knocked on Wen Ying’s door. She opened it, and father and daughter stared at each other.
Seeing books spread out on her desk and her laptop screen still on, Wen Dongrong couldn’t tell if she was studying or up to something else. He frowned, “Final exams are coming, shouldn’t you start focusing?”
With the tense atmosphere at home, Wen Dongrong wanted to shake things up.
If Wen Ying refused to live by Chen Ru’s rules, she’d need to show some results to prove herself.
At the end of the day, academic grades were the most persuasive in Chen Ru’s eyes.
“My goal this term is to rank in the top 300 in my year.”
Top 300?
Wen Dongrong mentally calculated the admission rates at the provincial key school and Wen Ying’s ranking when she started. Those legendary students who jumped hundreds of ranks in a year? He’d only heard boasts, never seen one.
Having gone through university entrance exams himself, he knew how tough studying was. If Wen Ying really hit the top 300 by term’s end, that’d be a leap of over 300 ranks since starting high school.
Even factoring in the arts-sciences split, with some top students shifting to humanities, that progress was impressive.
Come to think of it, Wen Ying’s grades had already improved far beyond Wen Dongrong’s initial hopes, back when he only wanted her to get into the provincial key school. Then Wen Kai scored high enough for a top-tier university, raising the bar for Wen Ying. Later, they saw her potential for elite universities, and expectations crept higher.
Wen Dongrong said nothing more.
“Just know what you’re doing, thinking is one thing, doing is another.”
If she really hit the top 300, Wen Dongrong could put in a good word with Chen Ru.
Wen Ying didn’t say much either.
Even if she lacked confidence in herself, she ought to trust Xie Qian.
He’d set her goal and made a study plan, if she followed it and still failed, her learning ability must be truly abysmal!
…
While Wen Ying quietly prepped for the weekend test, Zhao Dong was pledging loyalty to Xie Jinghu.
Zhao Dong apologised, admitting his negligence allowed Song Foxiang to connect with Zou Weijun, sparking this whole mess, injuring Mr Xie, and costing him financially.
Zhao Dong offered to cover the million.
“No need, I can pay it.”
Xie Jinghu brushed off Zhao Dong’s attempt to curry favour.
Zhao Dong didn’t feel relieved.
If Xie Jinghu didn’t want his gesture, was he giving up on investing in his project?
As Zhao Dong fretted, Xie Jinghu suddenly gave a cryptic smile, “Brother Zhao, make a trip to Beijing sometime, I’ll introduce you to a few friends.”
Zhao Dong was baffled.
Had Mr Xie been knocked silly by Song Foxiang?
It sounded like he was finally ready to pull strings for investment, but why now? Zhao Dong couldn’t make sense of it. Naturally, he wouldn’t miss the chance, quickly agreeing and setting a date with Xie Jinghu.
Xie Jinghu no longer hid his true intentions.
“I have one condition, whatever it takes, you do what I say. You might face pushback, but since you’re taking my help, you owe me sincerity in return.”
Take his benefits, then sit back and watch the show, ready to bail?
No chance!
Zhao Dong knew Xie Jinghu’s “condition” was the real deal and listened intently.
Xie Jinghu smiled, “If your amusement park project wins the bid, my son gets a 10% stake.”
Give Xie Qian 10% of the amusement park?
No way.
Zhao Dong suddenly realised Xie Jinghu meant not Xie Qian, but the one overseas!
“Mr Xie, this, this…”
Wasn’t this forcing him to pick a side?
The rest of the Xie family clearly backed Xie Qian. Xie Jinghu couldn’t openly give Jinhu Group shares to his illegitimate child abroad, so he was using this to boost the kid’s leverage.
The Xie family would tear him apart.
Zhao Dong felt unprecedented pressure.
He wanted to ride Xie Jinghu’s coattails for benefits but didn’t want to cross the rest of the Xie family.
“What, you can’t do it?”
Xie Jinghu wasn’t giving Zhao Dong time to think, he wanted an answer now.
After Zhao Dong’s repeated failures to deliver, disappointing Xie Jinghu, refusing now would likely cut ties completely.
Zhao Dong desperately needed Xie Jinghu’s help, for funds and connections, Xie Jinghu was his best shot right now. Starting over with new contacts? Zhao Dong didn’t have the time!
“Fine, I agree, Mr Xie. If the project wins the bid, Young Master Zhuo will hold 10% of the shares.”
Xie Jinghu’s eldest son, who couldn’t carry the Xie name, no wonder Xie Jinghu felt stifled.
Putting himself in Xie Jinghu’s shoes, Zhao Dong found he could somewhat understand his reasoning.
The more the Xie family pressured and restrained Xie Jinghu, the harder he pushed back.
Xie Jinghu’s gloomy mood lifted, and he flashed a genuine smile, “Brother Zhao, you’re a man of action! Don’t worry, I won’t let you lose out. The 10% stake isn’t just a demand, it’s worth something, and I’ll compensate you in a way you’ll accept.”
“You’re too kind, Mr Xie.”
Compensation? Zhao Dong only half-believed it.
Even if Xie Jinghu paid for the 10%, it’d surely be below market value, otherwise he’d feel short-changed.
Assistant Qi, listening nearby, barely dared to breathe, his face creased like a bitter melon: Mr Xie, snap out of it! Your son abroad doesn’t carry the Xie name, Young Master Xie is your legitimate heir.
Mr Xie must’ve been driven mad.
Just because Young Master Xie agreed to pay Song Foxiang a million, Mr Xie was giving such a fortune to his illegitimate child overseas.
What if Master Xie Senior found out?
