Chen Ru had been holding back a barrage of harsh words, but Wen Ying, seasoned from years of tussling with her parents, sensed trouble brewing. Covering her mouth, she let out a big yawn:
“Goodness, I’m knackered today. I’m off to bed, or I’ll have no energy for tomorrow’s tutoring. You two should rest early too—don’t stay up late!”
With that, Wen Ying darted into her room.
“Old Wen, look at her—just look—”
Chen Ru leapt up from the sofa, but Wen Dongrong frowned, “Enough, it’s late. Whatever you’ve got to say can wait till morning.”
This wasn’t their home, after all; dragging Wen Ying out for a scolding wasn’t an option.
Chen Ru went to bed fuming, planning to settle scores with Wen Ying come morning. But Wen Ying outsmarted her, rising at six for a run and not returning until half-past eight. She dashed in, showered, grabbed her bag, and headed to the Jiangs’ for tutoring, leaving Chen Ru no chance to pounce.
Midday was even less likely.
Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong were in Rongcheng to treat Lin Lin to lunch.
The meal included not just Lin Lin, but her mother-in-law, Guo Xia, a deputy head at the provincial key school, showing great respect to the Wen couple.
At the table, Chen Ru, Wen Dongrong, Lin Lin, and Guo Xia were the main players; Chen Li was just along for the ride. With the adults talking business, Wen Ying and Xie Qian naturally didn’t join.
During the meal, Lin Lin kept praising Wen Ying, catching Guo Xia’s attention:
“Lin Lin, you rarely rave about a student like this. Since you’re so fond of Wen Ying, why not have her in your class when term starts?”
Seeing Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong’s mild reactions, Guo Xia added lightly, “Lin Lin’s been teaching at the provincial key for years. The leadership all rate her teaching skills highly and have unanimously decided to give her more responsibility. Next term, she’s set to lead the first-year experimental class.”
Chen Ru blinked.
Did Principal Guo mean Wen Ying could join the experimental class?
This was exactly what Chen Ru and Wen Dongrong had been mulling over lately.
They’d assumed Wen Ying couldn’t get into the provincial key, so they’d saved up to pull strings. When her entrance exam results came out, she didn’t need connections, and the couple pocketed the cash they’d set aside.
Deep down, everyone’s a bit greedy for more. Since Wen Ying made it into the provincial key, they figured with a bit more effort, getting her into the experimental class would be even better!
They’d come to Rongcheng to sound out Lin Lin, but before they could broach it, Principal Guo brought it up herself.
Wen Dongrong reacted faster than Chen Ru, his tone brimming with surprise, “Principal Guo, Miss Lin, isn’t this too much trouble? Wen Ying’s grades are decent back home, but at the provincial key, they’re average. This, this… ugh, I’m all over the place—grateful for your kindness, yet worried she’ll let you down.”
He was fishing for a firm answer.
Lin Lin smiled, “Keeping up could be an issue, but we can give it a go. If Wen Ying really can’t handle the experimental class pace, she can switch to a regular class when they split for arts and sciences.”
Snapping back, Chen Ru pledged on Wen Ying’s behalf, “We’ll support her fully as parents—she won’t fall below the experimental class standard!”
With Guo Xia’s good news, the meal was a jolly affair. Chen Ru had meant to suggest changing Wen Ying’s tutoring spot, but with Guo and Lin Lin offering such a favour, she swallowed her doubts.
After seeing Lin Lin and Guo Xia off, Chen Li grinned, “Sis, brother-in-law, you can relax now, eh? Principal Guo’s spoken—Wen Ying’s in the experimental class come term start!”
Chen Ru smiled briefly before turning serious, “Relax? Didn’t you hear Miss Lin? If Wen Ying can’t keep up, she’ll drop to a regular class at the split. This summer, she’s got to prep hard for high school. Tutoring in maths, physics, and chemistry is spot on, but one day on, one off—she’s not using all her time. That crayfish business has to stop!”
Chen Li was stunned.
“But you agreed with Wen Ying she’d earn her tutoring, tuition, and living costs herself. If she quits the crayfish gig, how’s she supposed to make money?”
Chen Ru glared at her, “Can’t you tell what’s more important? We gave her a chance to prove herself and concede gracefully, but times change. I’m her mum—I birthed her, raised her, and she’s still relying on me. She’s got to listen!”
Chen Li’s heart sank.
Learning mattered, of course.
But Wen Ying wasn’t slacking—serious at tutoring, then home doing questions till late.
If they thought Wen Ying didn’t deserve her own say, they shouldn’t have signed that “bet” in the first place.
A few days of hope, just getting the stall going, and now forcing it to stop—
Chen Li couldn’t hold back, “If Wen Ying quits now, forget how she’ll feel—what about her mates? They only joined ‘cause she rallied them!”
Chen Ru brushed it off, “What mates? If she doesn’t get into a good uni or land a decent job, you think these ‘friends’ will stick around? They’re not even from the same circles—barely know each other. She’s all in, but who knows if they see her as a real friend?”
Chen Li was speechless.
Qin Jiao, Xie Qian, and the others liked Wen Ying for herself, not for any gain. Yet in Chen Ru’s mouth, their friendship turned mercenary.
Chen Li held back, but now she’d had enough. She argued with Chen Ru in the car, saying her parenting was wrong.
Chen Ru sneered, “My daughter, my concern. Think what you like—I don’t care. In a few years, you’ll see the results.”
“Alright, you two sisters, calm down,” Wen Dongrong cut in. “I say the business doesn’t need to stop. Learning won’t skyrocket in two months. Miss Lin said they’ll decide at the split. Let Wen Ying muck about—when she’s fed up, she’ll quit.”
Wen Dongrong backed keeping the business; Chen Ru didn’t—their rift lay in this: Wen Dongrong saw the connections Wen Ying made at the provincial key as vital, while Chen Ru agreed but doubted Wen Ying could make true friends. She’d always thought Wen Ying hadn’t inherited their strengths—dull, unlikable, and poor at socialising.
With no consensus, Wen Dongrong deftly changed the subject to the house Chen Li had suggested they buy.
“Wen Ying’s enrolment and class placement won’t cost much—saved us tens of thousands. Why not check out that flat Shangwei and Xiao Li mentioned?”
That hit Chen Ru’s sweet spot.
Wen Ying was close to Chen Li and Deng Shangwei but ignored her parents, irking Chen Ru. Buying a place in Rongcheng would neatly separate Wen Ying from them—no time like the present, with the afternoon free, Chen Ru agreed to see the flat.
Chen Li also wanted Chen Ru distracted from hovering over Wen Ying.
The trio reached a temporary truce and headed east.
