"Hey, Zhong Yuan, add me too. I want to compete with you guys and see which of us can rank first," Tian Weiwei said excitedly.
"I can’t agree to that immediately. I have to ask Jiang Mianmian." After all, it wasn’t just up to him.
"Okay, then hurry up and ask. I’ll wait for you here," Tian Weiwei urged.
"Hey, Jiang Mianmian, wake up," Zhong Yuan entered the room and called to Jiang Mianmian, who was studying in the system.
Jiang Mianmian looked up, "Hmm? What’s up?"
After Zhong Yuan shared Tian Weiwei’s idea with her, Jiang Mianmian nodded indifferently, "Okay, I agree."
Host: "Host, student Tian Weiwei’s average intelligence value is 135.4, also higher than yours. Please keep working hard, host."
Jiang Mianmian: "...got it."
Previously, she had thought highly of her own intelligence, but she was shocked to encounter two kids with higher intelligence as soon as she started junior high, instantly crushing her confidence a bit.
But she wasn’t too upset. Just like the system said, she had to keep working hard!
Seeing that Jiang Mianmian agreed, Tian Weiwei jumped and hopped happily at the door, causing other students to look at her strangely, making her feel embarrassed. She stuck out her tongue and ran back to her class.
The day went by quickly, and in the evening, Jiang Changhai came again to pick up Jiang Mianmian.
Seeing her dad, Jiang Mianmian ran over, "Dad, why did you come to pick me up again? I can go back by myself."
Their house was close to the school, and many of her nearby friends also attended junior high there; following them, she could reach home in about fifteen minutes.
"It’s just the first day of school. I was worried you might not be used to it. You can go back by yourself tomorrow," Jiang Changhai said cheerfully.
After returning home, Jiang Mianmian shared the interesting events of the school day with her parents. Hearing about her competition with Zhong Yuan and Tian Weiwei, they were delighted.
"Then you’ll have to really push yourself, don’t let them beat you."
Starting from the next day, Jiang Mianmian began going to and from school with Wang Li, who had been ordered by his parents to look after his sister.
Because she was cute, did well in her studies, and was always willing to help, she patiently explained things when classmates asked her questions, quickly becoming a favorite among her peers, thriving in school, and living each day happily and fully.
One evening after school, having finished dinner, Jiang Changhai suddenly said, "Wife, daughter, I’m thinking of going to Haicheng again in a few days to pick up some goods to sell."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mianmian immediately showed her serious disapproval, "Dad, we have enough money for now, don’t take risks again."
"Yes, Brother Hai, we aren’t short of money now. Remember how dangerous it was last time? Have you forgotten how one of our factory workers was robbed and beaten on his way back, ending up in the hospital for a week? It was really scary, please don’t go again," Su Wanyu also said, frowning in disapproval.
"Wife, daughter, don’t worry, just hear me out..."
Jiang Changhai looked tenderly and indulgently at Jiang Mianmian, "Dad knows that Mianmian is now able to earn money, but providing for the family is my responsibility as a husband and a father."
Then his tone and expression became serious, "You both know how profitable the business in Haicheng is, and you know I’m not the kind of person who would risk his life for money. So don’t worry, this time I’m not going with the transport company’s truck to Haicheng; I plan to take the train there myself, which will definitely be safer."