Qu Ruorui certainly remembered, "I know, Cousin Zhuang Lan."
"This year she’s in the ninth grade, right? The school has criticized her several times, having heard she skipped class without reason."
"Is that so?" Qu Ruorui listened to Zhuang Lan’s words, thinking that the twins’ grades always seemed quite good.
Jun Feifei rejoiced in others’ misfortune: "Who knows? In any case, she doesn’t seem to be studying well. I saw her outside the school last time. She looked different from before, I can’t quite pinpoint it, but it feels like she is increasingly resembling a delinquent, with that streetwise air."
Jun Feifei would bet that now, Qingqing standing next to Li Ruyun, no one would say they looked alike.
Li Ruyun’s demeanor had greatly changed, strikingly different from before.
Qu Ruorui also casually mentioned this to Yue Qingqing afterward.
Thinking of the sister who shared the same parents, Yue Qingqing always felt something was off but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
However, their lives were moving further and further apart, and she wouldn’t bother about it.
Right now, what Yue Qingqing was most concerned about was her uncle’s stock investments.
One day, taking time out from her lunch break, Yue Jiannan specially came to the school gate to pick up his niece.
"Hey, it seems like the food at your school is pretty good; your face has gotten rounder."
Yue Qingqing guiltily touched her face, "Really? I haven’t noticed any change."
Recently, after evening classes, she indeed felt hungry, and had called the manager of Four Seas Restaurant several times for late-night snacks to share with her classmates.
Could it be because of that?
Yue Jiannan joked nonchalantly, "You girls in your teens need to be careful. If you get fat, it may be hard to slim down again. By then, your Brother Jiang surely won’t like you as much. Even if his overall affection doesn’t change, the love spread to each pound of flesh will be less."
Yue Qingqing immediately objected, "That’s impossible! He won’t change."
Only after she spoke did she realize she had fallen for Yue Jiannan’s ploy.
"You little wench, so you are actually in a relationship with that Jiang boy, huh? Watch it or I’ll tell your dad and have your New Year’s money confiscated," Yue Jiannan said with an evil grin. "Or you can bribe your little uncle now, and I’ll keep your secret."
Yue Qingqing huffed, "Comrade Yue Jiannan, you are working in the research department of a national institution and openly soliciting bribes. I should report and expose you."
"Whoa, you can’t just say anything. I’m loyal as can be, I wouldn’t dare break the discipline," Yue Jiannan raised his hand over his head, swearing, and led his little niece towards where the bicycles were parked.
After paying a dime to the auntie with the red armband for parking, Yue Jiannan slapped the back seat.
"Climb up to your throne. This is a 360-degree panoramic sunroof we’re talking about, much better than those private cars. Less fuel consumption and more eco-friendly, heeding the call. Before now, only your aunt had the pleasure of riding, but today you get to experience it for free. Remember to pay next time though, one yuan per ride, fair to young and old alike."
Yue Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh at her uncle’s teasing, "Why so expensive? You’re almost charging as much as a rickshaw. I’m going to report you for overcharging."
Yue Jiannan continued to joke, "Well, purebred horses pull carriages for the King, while donkeys grind at the mill. They both work, but should the fee be the same?"
Yue Qingqing nearly choked on the wind from laughing so hard and quickly lowered her head, no longer daring to laugh.
She strongly suspected that Lin Yushan had been sweet-talked by her uncle’s glib tongue.
"We’re here!" Yue Jiannan stopped the bike in front of the stock exchange.
A number of private cars were parked outside.
The brightly polished glass doors were frequently pushed open by people wearing ties and carrying briefcases, all looking quite upscale as they went in and out.
But upon entering, one would find many casually dressed citizens, some of whom were the very common old men and women seen by the roadside.
Men in suits mingled with those in slippers and vests, but everyone’s expression as they watched the huge electronic screen was the same.
It was the desire for wealth.