Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss-Chapter 625 - 599: Considerations and Criticism

"Silly girl, how can you stay with me your whole life once you grow up? It’s not like you’ll never see me again. When you come back from the south after finishing your doctorate, we’ll still meet often."

"I’m not used to the humidity in the south. There’s no hometown food there that I’m accustomed to. My mentor isn’t there, and neither is Xiaoqiang!"

Mr. Liu affectionately pinched her cheek, "Silly girl! Should I pack some baby formula and diapers in your luggage? How old are you, acting like you’re not weaned yet? Alright, don’t shed a few cat tears for me now. Aren’t you the famous cold beauty of our school? Crying like this will ruin your image."

"To hell with that image! My teacher doesn’t want me anymore!"

Even though I know some people drift apart as they walk their paths, it still hurts when the day finally comes.

"Who doesn’t want you? Once a teacher, always a father. You’ll be my student for life. Even if your doctoral advisor changes, this ’father’ position knows who came first. I’m the first to guide you. Even if you go to him, you’ll still be close to me when you come back, got it? Of course, Mr. Qi is a mysterious guy, quite sickly. He’s got a bunch of bad habits, don’t follow those. Just learn the good stuff from him, okay?"

"If he’s not so great, then don’t make me go with him!"

"Although his character’s not the best, Mr. Qi is quite authoritative in the world of psychology. Strictly speaking, he was born abroad, and his nationality isn’t ours. He was a doctoral advisor at top foreign universities all along, and who knows what hit him the past few years; suddenly, he came here and became a named advisor at a southern college. Considering your situation, you’re not in a convenient position to go abroad, so it’s better to go to him."

Chen Xiaoqian is about to marry Yu Minglang, which will make her a family person. If she goes abroad, it would be extremely inconvenient.

Just when Mr. Qio settled from outside, it seemed suitable for her. However, word had it that the odd Mr. Qi rarely took students and was only an honorary title in that southern school. Whether Xiaoqian could learn under him and continue her doctorate was uncertain.

"Teacher, why are you trying to push me to some foreign devil?"

In an effort to avoid going south to find whatever Mr. Qi, Xiaoqian was wracking her brains for excuses, even using Yu Minglang’s over-the-top logic.

Mr. Liu was amused by her, "Mr. Qi isn’t a foreign devil. His parents are of Chinese descent. He’s at most a second-rate foreigner born abroad."

"I don’t want to go."

"Chen Xiaoqian! Are you trying to make me angry?" Mr. Liu raised his voice several degrees.

"If you don’t go, don’t see me afterward. I won’t have such an incapable apprentice!"

Xiaoqian knew that Mr. Liu was well-intentioned.

In her past life, she was merely a domestic authority, but if she could apprentice under an international authority in this life, she might become an Asian authority, or even international later.

Her consulting fees could be charged in US dollars.

However, Xiaoqian, who was usually money-loving, felt a deep resistance in her heart at this moment.

She didn’t want to part with her teacher. When had she become someone who placed emotion above reason?

The rings on her ring finger and middle finger reflected dazzling light under the sun, and Xiaoqian felt it was all Yu Xiaoqiang’s doing.

Mr. Liu’s mind was set; he was determined to send Xiaoqian away. Even though Mr. Qi was especially pretentious and generally didn’t take disciples, she was confident that the Xiaoqian she brought up was exceptional, and she didn’t believe Mr. Qi wouldn’t recognize such a good student.

Xiaoqian was deep in thought. She felt she needed to come up with a mutually beneficial solution, to not be kicked out by her teacher while not making him angry. This matter required careful consideration.

...

Shi Touyu came to find Xiaoqian, waiting outside the graduate building.

A few minutes ago, she called Xiaoqian, whose voice was nasally. That was because she had just had a crying session with Mr. Liu; Shi Tou recognized it instantly and came to check on Qian, conveniently planning to invite her for lunch.

Xiaoqian was chatting with Mr. Liu, while Shi Touyu waited alone outside, bored and kicking the little stones on the ground.

From the teaching building, the third senior sister came out. Shi Tou, with her head down, was kicking more stones and didn’t pay much attention.

Their conversation came intermittently to her ears.

"Did you see? The big boss gave her special treatment again, causing my visit to be a waste of time. I also need the big boss’s signature, but it’s delayed. I just don’t understand, what’s so great about her, being constantly cold and aloof."

"Who?"

"Who else? The big boss’s precious red mark; always revolving around the boss, flattering him every chance, and giving us no good face." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"Are you talking about Big Boss Qian?"

The student thinking they were a favored disciple compared participant was none other than Big Boss Qian.

Other topics could be ignored, but the phrase ’Big Boss Qian’ instantly piqued Shi Touyu’s attention.

How dare they discuss her Qian like that?

It didn’t sound like they were saying good things. Shi Touyu perked her ears up and openly listened.

The third senior sister, standing two in front and one in back, with an almond-shaped face, carried a small sling bag, eating, while listening silently to the front two long-tongued women gossip. She didn’t join in but didn’t object either.

"I’ve disliked Chen Xiaoqian for a while now. She’s just a pretty girl flattering the big boss; what else can she do!"

Pah! My Qian got the highest scholarship, and there’s only one slot at the school. Plus, the first-place scholarship the school sets up, earning thousands from scholarships alone. How did she become nothing in the mouths of these envious people?

Shi Touyu was furious listening, wanting to hear what more they could say!

Where there are people, there’s gossip. Shi Tou knows her bestie, walking through school fearlessly. Top in academics, crowned with accolades, winning awards left and right, she was their big boss’s treasured one. It was normal for such comments borne of jealousy to surface, the sourness hitting full force, and Shi Touyu clenched her hands, holding back strongly.

Years ago, following Big Boss Qian, her personality transformed significantly. Before, if someone gossiped about Qian, she would roll up her sleeves and fight.

However, the current Shi Tou clearly matured, ignoring jealous comments with a few mental ’pahs’. You can’t argue with dogs.

Just when Shi Tou prepared to dismiss these gossiping women as a fart and ignore them, something even worse was said.

"In my view, the big boss is like Empress Dowager Cixi, and Chen Xiaoqian is just a maid trained in water blasting, acting all high and mighty. Fox exploiting tiger’s prowess! Last time working on a project, I made a tiny mistake, and she gave me a glare as if she were all that. Anyway, a mere graduate dares to boss around!"

"Why call Big Boss Qian a maid trained in water blasting?" the other gossiping senior was curious.