Fu Man was still at home patiently preparing the things Lu Xinnuan would need for college.
While packing, she glanced at Lu Xinnuan’s room, feeling worried.
Since the day of the interview, her daughter had been sullen and would not say what had happened when asked.
It wasn’t until Fu Man received this message from a former colleague.
She clicked on the photo, not knowing what to expect, zooming in and then zooming in again, her heart skipped several beats instantaneously.
She remembered this hotel, the biggest and finest in Wucheng, generally used to host distinguished guests and leaders.
Looking at the bright red banner hanging over the hotel entrance, the line of text on it made her unconsciously clutch her chest, her breathing becoming difficult.
The top scorer in the college entrance exam!
[As the mother of the top scorer, such a joyous occasion, let us join in the celebration and hear how you raised such an outstanding child!] Her former colleague sent another teasing message, even proposing to attend the teacher appreciation banquet.
Fu Man trembled, closing the photo and glanced once more toward Lu Xinnuan’s room.
She finally understood why Xinnuan had been unhappy these past few days.
Fu Man bit her lip, her gaze withdrew and settled on the words "mother of the top scorer."
What glorious words they were.
She could have rightfully claimed this title.
She could even be living in a large house with Lu Mian, enjoying a life of material wealth.
Even, she could have become in-laws with a Calligraphy and Painting Master, receiving respect...
Fu Man, with trembling fingertips, mustered the courage and promptly replied: [Sorry, I am not in Wucheng at the moment.]
The former colleague on this end looked at the text message, pursing their lips and showed it to the person next to them.
[Look at this, so capable as a mother, not even coming to her elder daughter’s teacher appreciation banquet!]
Nobody dared to be late for Lu Mian’s teacher appreciation banquet. They all arrived at the hotel early and entered the private room.
Sui Yuan arrived with Shouhao and another chubby friend. They scrambled to carry Sui Yuan’s bag for her, weighing it and finding it quite heavy.
"Sister Yuan, what are you carrying? Gifts for Brother Mian?"
Sui Yuan responded with a shy smile, "Just... some local specialties."
As the three of them approached the hotel, Sui Yuan saw a familiar figure walking out of the side door.
Thinking Jiang Yingyue was a good friend of Sui Yuan, Shouhao and the chubby friend quickly called out to her.
"Classmate! Classmate!"
Jiang Yingyue turned around, and upon seeing Sui Yuan, she clearly froze for a moment, with guilt and unease flashing quickly across her face.
Sui Yuan felt a bit awkward too, but since she had called out, she had no choice but to approach.
Only then did Shouhao and his chubby friend belatedly realize that the vibe between these two was somewhat off.
Sui Yuan wasn’t as clear-cut with her likes and dislikes as Lu Mian, and despite Jiang Yingyue’s classmate and previous seatmate’s frequent snide remarks and even a few sabotaging actions, Sui Yuan didn’t hold much resentment in her heart.
On the other hand, Jiang Yingyue was visibly unstable, full of unwillingness. Having lost the top honor she coveted the most, and not even securing a spot in the top three, she had suffered the greatest punishment.
"Jiang Yingyue, what a coincidence," Sui Yuan greeted lightly.
"Huh, what, only you and Lu Mian are allowed to be here, and I can’t?" Jiang Yingyue had come to book the hotel but couldn’t get a reservation. Instead, she witnessed Lu Mian’s grand and luxurious teacher appreciation banquet and left in a disheveled state.Sui Yuan pursed her lips, "I didn’t mean that."
"Then what do you mean? Seeing me so desolate, are you pleased? You and Lu Mian finally get to look down upon me and mock me, right?"
Fat Hao and Shouhao noticed something was amiss and quickly and considerately shielded Sui Yuan.
Sui Yuan shook her head, indicating it didn’t matter to her.
She didn’t have that many thoughts on the matter and wasn’t accustomed to making others uncomfortable. Out of politeness, she had just given a simple greeting, with no intention to show off or be sarcastic.
"You are very outstanding and hardworking. I wish you all the best," Sui Yuan said and turned to leave.
The word "hardworking" made Jiang Yingyue’s face turn red with embarrassment.
Yes, she had scored 717 points on her college entrance exam through her own abilities; she really had worked hard.
But some things cannot be achieved by hard work alone.
If she hadn’t been so stubborn back then, if she had just peeked at Lu Mian’s notes, could she have achieved an even better score?
"Sui Yuan, do you think it’s all over now? Don’t be too pleased with yourself. Someone’s investigating you, I don’t even have to lift a finger. You’re finished soon!"
Jiang Yingyue, out of anger, was saying things without thinking.
Sui Yuan turned around, unsurprised yet surprised, and looked at her, "Was it you who betrayed my whereabouts and information?"
"Yes, it was me! I took your math test paper too! I’ve seen those men in black, they don’t look like the kind to mess with, you’re done for!"
Fat Hao and Shouhao could no longer stand idly by and stepped forward to defend Sui Yuan.
Sui Yuan gestured for them to stop, "It’s okay."
"Sis Yuan, she’s bullying you!"
"She’s not bullying me; she’s making life difficult for herself." Sui Yuan spoke indifferently, looking seriously at Jiang Yingyue, "That was my brother."
The hysterical girl was taken aback.
"It was my biological brother who came to find me; he won’t hurt me. So, I’m sorry to disappoint you..."
Though Sui Yuan spoke very calmly, it left Jiang Yingyue dumbfounded.
She had thought Sui Yuan must have offended some big shot in society and would sooner or later be retaliated against, and that would, in turn, alleviate some of the hatred in her heart.
"If my brother knows you’ve been informing him while harassing me, he might not let it go."
Jiang Yingyue shuddered and took a few steps back in panic.
Although Sui Yuan was softspoken and spoke gently, she firmly came out on top in this confrontation.
Under Jiang Yingyue’s increasingly collapsing expression, Sui Yuan turned and walked towards the hotel, while Fat Hao and Shouhao called out "Beautiful!" and hurriedly followed her.
"Sis Yuan, does Brother Mian know about this?"
"Don’t tell her; it’s not that big of a deal."
"Ah? If Brother Mian knew, it definitely wouldn’t have ended ." Fat Hao and Shouhao were somewhat indignant.
Sui Yuan wasn’t bothered by it and didn’t want to trouble Lu Mian, repeatedly instructing the two brothers before taking the elevator upstairs.
The thanksgiving banquet hosted by Lu Mian was indeed grand and solemn.
There were senior members of the Xiao Family in charge, Qimo from Jinjing accompanying, and with Lu Mian, the prodigious student, in attendance, everyone at the banquet was well-acquainted with Lu Mian.
Some people were aware of the identities of Xiao Jianli and Xiao Qimo, while others were not. Those in the know were extremely respectful, and those who did not understand the situation became even more cautiously uneasy.
Xiao Jianli was down-to-earth and greeted everyone warmly and patiently.
He had arranged several private rooms; the elders were in one, and the young people were in another.
At the young people’s table were mostly Class 25 students and a few familiar ones from senior year. Sitting together, they had plenty to talk about, chatting about all sorts of topics.