Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 193: A Girl’s Love Strangled in the Cradle
Qu Zhiyang jumped up excitedly, "Great! We’ll be schoolmates then."
Xue Lingxue couldn’t help but pour cold water on his enthusiasm, "Saying it like you can get in just because you want to, we might not even be able to get in!"
Chen Xinyue quickly turned her head to comfort him, "Others I can’t say, but you’re studying art, and your academic grades are so good, you will definitely get in."
"My grades aren’t as good as you siblings," Xue Lingxue glanced at Chen Ruiyu without a trace and took a bite of a hamburger as if nothing had happened.
Qu Zhiyang strongly agreed, pointing indignantly at Chen Ruiyu, "What are you, a monster! Always first in the grade every exam, never seen you drop! Xinyue, too, how do you guys do it? Always in the top ten of the grade.
My mom says she wants to go to your house and learn from your parents!"
As soon as she heard about going to Chen Ruiyu’s house, Xue Lingxue immediately tugged at Chen Xinyue, pitifully saying, "Xinyue, we’ve been desk mates for two years now, soon three, and I still haven’t been to your house!"
Chen Xinyue rolled her eyes, "I haven’t been to your house either, have I?"
Xue Lingxue was at a loss, her small mouth pouted.
It wasn’t that she didn’t let Chen Xinyue come over, but her family’s situation was special, with strict security where they lived, and her parents were worried about her safety, never letting her reveal any family background, so she simply couldn’t invite classmates over.
Seeing her pitiful appearance, Chen Xinyue softened, "Alright, alright! Just kidding, it’s the same for everyone. We all have classes from Monday to Friday, on the weekends you have art class, my brother has to train at the rehab center, and I have classes and homework. Where’s the time? Maybe we can wait until winter break?"
Last year, a new rehabilitation hospital opened in An City, said to be run by returned overseas Chinese, with all the facilities imported.
Lin Qin heard the news and immediately signed Chen Ruiyu up, and since then, every weekend, Chen Ruiyu has had to report to the rehabilitation center.
He exercises every day after returning home.
Initially, everyone was skeptical, but after a year, they found that Chen Ruiyu’s physique had indeed improved a lot, and the whole family watched him go to classes come rain or shine.
Xue Lingxue immediately nodded happily.
Qu Zhiyang saw this and also clamored to join.
Chen Ruiyu rolled his eyes but didn’t refuse.
The four played in the park until it was almost dark before parting ways.
Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue walked together, and Qu Zhiyang and Xue Lingxue shared the same route.
The dim streetlights stretched their shadows long.
Just moments ago, the playful and joking Qu Zhiyang rarely spoke seriously, "Xue Lingxue, the way you looked at Ruiyu just now seemed off. Be honest, do you like him?"
Xue Lingxue blushed, feeling an exposed secret’s embarrassment, glaring at him angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about! I just... I just admire him, that’s all."
Qu Zhiyang withdrew his gaze and continued looking ahead, "Better be. You know your family’s situation. Although I don’t know my brother’s background, you guys are definitely not the same kind. You’d better not think about my brother, focus on studying, and study abroad in the future, that’s the path you should take."
It’s not that he likes to meddle, but his family was related to the Xue family, and they were family friends, and he didn’t want Xue Lingxue to have unrealistic dreams. At the same time, he didn’t want Chen Ruiyu to be affected.
Xue Lingxue’s mood sank, tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly ignored Qu Zhiyang.
When she got home.
Xue mother originally wanted to scold her daughter for coming back late, but seeing it was Qu Zhiyang who sent her back, her expression softened instantly, "Where have you been?"
Xue Lingxue replied sullenly, "Saved up ten bucks to buy a hamburger and soda, went to the park to play with classmates."
Xue mother raised an eyebrow, "Didn’t have fun?"
Xue Lingxue shook her head, "No, the stress of ninth grade is big. There’s a lot of homework, I’ll go to my room first."
Xue mother still felt something was off, but couldn’t figure it out. She paid extra attention for a couple of days only to find her daughter was as before, doing what she should with no abnormalities.
She breathed a sigh of relief and took the time to discuss studying abroad with Xue Lingxue, "Your father and I think we shouldn’t participate in the national college entrance exam and should go straight to university abroad, then come back after graduation."
The daughter’s future has long been planned by the couple, and as long as she follows the plan, her life is guaranteed to be smooth sailing.
In the past, Xue Lingxue would have nodded without hesitation, but this time she suddenly felt a bit unwilling and aggrieved, "Can’t I decide for myself?"
Xue mother was taken aback, then her face turned stern, "Lingxue, the decisions your father and I make are thoroughly considered. Be good, listen, and don’t be willful."
Tears suddenly rolled down Xue Lingxue’s face, startling Xue mother, who hurriedly softened her tone and coaxed for a long time.
After calming her daughter, she turned back to contact Qu Zhiyang to inquire about what happened on Friday.
Qu Zhiyang couldn’t very well reveal his suspicions and claimed ignorance.
After hanging up, he got scolded by his mother, Yang Caifeng, "What exactly happened?"
Qu Zhiyang, feeling wronged, held his head, "Mom! There’s nothing. I really don’t know!"
"Dare to argue! Without a problem, would Aunt Zhou call specifically to ask about you? I see you won’t cry until you see the coffin!" Yang Caifeng threatened, about to hit him again.
Qu Zhiyang quickly ran off.
Seeing her son run so nimbly, Yang Caifeng admitted she couldn’t catch up, cursing as she picked up her bag and went to work. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚
At work, she caught sight of Lin Qin having a snack while preparing a report.
Yang Caifeng sidled over, sniffing, "Brought good food again!"
Lin Qin looked up and handed her a piece, "Honey cake from the dessert shop at my house. It’s quite good."
Yang Caifeng looked on enviously, "So nice! I can’t understand how you have so much energy to do so many things! I’m half dead just from work and tidying up after the kids at home."
Lin Qin rarely talked about family matters with colleagues and seldom pried into others’ personal affairs. She nodded in agreement, "Taking care of children indeed takes energy. Luckily they’re older now and don’t require much fuss."
"Who says so! My son is in ninth grade and still clueless, grown tall, half a head taller than me. I can’t catch him even if I chase, can’t win if I scold, feeling sulky every day, just gets irritating to watch."
Thinking of Qu Zhiyang, Yang Caifeng got worked up again.
Lin Qin quickly made her a cup of tea, "Calm down, it’s hot out, no need to take things too seriously. The director mentioned a meeting later."
Upon hearing this, Yang Caifeng hurried back to her workstation to prepare.
Lin Qin stayed busy at work until six before leaving.
When she got home, Chen Wenjun had also returned.
At the dinner table, Chen Wenjun talked about business matters, "The hill we leased is full now. Today I negotiated with the village chief for the next hill over at the same price. We’ll need to hire people to clear it and buy chicks in the coming days."
In other words, more things are coming up!
