This is too risky.
Most importantly, in Jiang Qu’s memory, it seems there was never any mention of his grandma falling ill and being hospitalized.
By next year, He Xing’s factory should be built. Two years later, he should appear on TV, and in another year, he could become one of the city’s outstanding talents.
But what about now? He is heavily in debt, with additional burdens, and the factory won’t be able to open next year!
Jiang Qu doesn’t know what’s gone wrong, and she’s increasingly uneasy, with more doubt in her eyes when looking at He Xing.
"He Xing, even if you do this, you might not be able to save grandma. Grandma wouldn’t want to see you sacrificing so much!"
He Xing silently looked at Jiang Qu.
His eyes were pitch black, carrying a strong, cold light within.
Many things from the past surged into his mind again. He had always known that Jiang Qu’s intentions toward him might not be pure.
But he also felt that she truly loved him.
After all, the admiration and love in her eyes didn’t seem fake.
But now, he was more clear-headed.
That the girl in front of him wasn’t as simple as he had imagined.
"Grandma fell because she was bringing you something. No matter what, I will do my best to save her."
Jiang Qu couldn’t help but furrow her brows.
So it was because of her that He Xing’s original trajectory was altered?
What should she do now?
Just watch as he misses this great opportunity for development?
How many years would it take to catch such an open opportunity again? Now, opportunities were everywhere, especially with He Xing currently planning to do trade business.
This winter shouldn’t be spent like this. At the very least, they should go to the warm south, discussing business while enjoying the warmth and flowers of the south.
Jiang Qu remained silent.
He Xing didn’t say anything further.
"You can go back, and I’ll take care of things here."
"You go ahead with your work, I’ll take care of grandma."
Unexpectedly, Jiang Qu suddenly said something that moved He Xing for a moment, but then she added.
"Your friend is already waiting for you to set off together. You go, and I’ll handle what’s next. You don’t need to worry about grandma."
He Xing got up and left, leaving a cold remark behind.
"I’ll take care of my own grandma. I’ve postponed all my commitments for the next month."
"Postponed? So you’re not purchasing the machines? Do you not know that the bank’s interest rates are increasing every day?"
"Let it increase; it doesn’t matter."
"He Xing, you’re only thinking about your grandma. Have you considered my feelings? We’re about to get married. Can’t you even provide me with a decent wedding?"
He Xing’s figure turned stiff.
This indeed was a case of him going back on his word.
He had promised to give Jiang Qu a grand wedding so that everyone in the village could witness their marriage. But now? If he really didn’t go, he might struggle financially for the coming year, let alone getting married; he might not even be able to gather the bride price.
With a sense of responsibility, He Xing thought hard for a long time and finally decided to take a trip out of town and buy the machines first, no matter what.
A slightly recovered Grandma He heard their conversation and struggled to sit up, instructing He Xing.
"Go and do your work well. You don’t have to worry about me here; with Xiao Qu around, who is attentive and caring, I’ll be fine."
He Xing paid another half-month of hospital fees and left more than a hundred yuan for Jiang Qu, asking her to buy some nutritious food for grandma during her visits.
Jiang Qu agreed repeatedly and promised she would take good care of the elderly lady.
He Xing set off, and over the next week, Jiang Qu visited Grandma He every day, bringing chicken soup and bone broth. After feeding the elderly and finishing the meal, she stayed to chat.
Soon, it was time to collect the end-of-term results.
On this day, all the students returned to school to receive their report cards.
The results of the senior year’s selection exams were also out, displayed on small blackboards right at the school’s entrance, with the names and scores of the students who passed.
When Jiang Lai arrived at the school gate, she heard loud commotions from the senior high section, with laughter, crying, and someone crazily rushing forward to erase more than half of the names on the blackboard.
Erasing them didn’t change the results; soon, the names were written back again.
In a more forward position, Jiang Lai saw Jiang Qu’s name.
Ranked around the top fifty in her grade, with a selection exam score of three hundred and ninety-eight points.
This score could steadily get her into an undergraduate program, even if it was just a third-tier one, but it was enough to bring honor to the Jiang Family.
Further down, the selection exam scores stopped short of those who didn’t reach the vocational college entrance score threshold.
After pausing for a moment, Jiang Lai departed. When she arrived at her class, many people were already seated, and the classroom was noisy, with many girls actively approaching Jiang Lai for a chat.
The conversations largely revolved around the senior year’s selection exams.
"Jiang Qu is your sister, right? Both of you are impressive. Your sister passed the undergraduate line in the selection exam!"
In this era, getting into a vocational school means guaranteed government-assigned work after graduation, with a lifetime of secured living.
Getting into an undergraduate program meant an even brighter future.
"But I heard from the seniors that your sister’s scores dropped significantly. She used to aim for first-tier undergraduate programs, but it seems she underperformed this time."
Jiang Lai smiled and nodded.
"Yes, she’s not been in the best mood lately."
"Is it because..."
Someone was about to say something but was quickly stopped by others from continuing.
After all, the incident of Jiang Qu falsely accusing Jiang Lai of reading extracurricular books had spread not only among seniors but also among freshmen.
Jiang Lai almost got expelled because of this.
Jiang Qu was penalized to write a reflection, which is now posted on the bulletin board at the school gate.
To falsely accuse her own sister, it was utterly embarrassing, no wonder she dropped so many ranks this exam.
"Oh right, why haven’t I seen Zhou Juan today? Usually, she’s the one asking how everyone did after exams, right before grades are announced."
"I heard she transferred classes, she’s not in ours, she moved to the neighboring class."
"Transferred? Why?"
Everyone soon found out why, because when all students and teachers had reported to school, the campus speaker broadcasted Zhou Juan’s voice reciting her reflection.
"Here, I solemnly apologize to Teacher Hu and Jiang Lai. It was my mistake to assume Teacher Hu gave Jiang Lai special treatment without understanding the facts, deeply hurting both Teacher Hu and Jiang Lai..."
An 800-word reflection, the first half was read emotionlessly, while the latter part became choked and sobbed with laughter from others—a mix of remorse and guilt among other emotions.
"She’s really fond of reporting, just like Li Huihui from our class."