Do Not Approach

74

Zhang Qiao couldn't help but laugh. "What's the matter? Are you also a fan of Sister Qin?"

Fan? He is more than just a fan. To Xiaolu, Qin Yi was nothing short of a goddess. When his father mentioned that the head of a company called Shenglan was visiting, he never imagined it would be her.

Qin Yi gave him a slight nod, her attention soon returning to Xiaoxiao.

Mu Xiaoxiao had just finished washing her face and walked over with a radiant smile. Qin Yi's earlier words-that she would never leave her, that she would always stay by her side-felt like a steady anchor in Xiaoxiao's heart, soothing all her anxieties.

Feeling unusually cheerful, Xiaoxiao even opened a bottle of wine, sharing it with the chief, Grandma, and Xiaolu. Laughter filled the air as they drank, creating a rare moment of joy that Xiaohua would treasure forever-a moment she hadn't often experienced in her childhood.

She vowed to remember it always. And to spend a lifetime in gratitude.

After a few drinks, Xiaoxiao became a bit tipsy, leaning against Qin Yi like a sleepy kitten. She glanced around the old, drafty house with a smile. "Grandma, in a couple of days, Zhang Qiao and I will come back with some of the young men from the village to help fix this house. We don't want anything dangerous to happen."

The fact that her granddaughter's future was now secure left Grandma overwhelmed with gratitude. She waved her hand modestly. "There's no need, really."

She had lived here her whole life and was used to it. Though the house couldn't keep out wind or rain, it was still home-a place filled with memories. She believed that as Xiaohua grew older, everything would gradually improve.

Xiaoxiao understood Grandma's thoughts. With a smile, she glanced at Xiaohua and gave Zhang Qiao a meaningful look. Zhang Qiao immediately pulled out a brand-new outfit from her bag.

"Here, this is from your Auntie Xiaoxiao and me. We had someone buy it from town. You'll wear it to school tomorrow."

Since the school didn't have uniforms yet, Mu Xiaoxiao and Zhang Qiao had been brainstorming ideas to design some and have them made at a factory.

Xiaohua stared at the new clothes, stunned. She looked at the two women, too bewildered to accept them.

Go to school?!

Even Grandma's hand trembled, spilling a few drops of wine.

The village chief smiled. "Mu Xiaoxiao and Zhang Qiao have been working on this for a while. The school fees are covered by national policy, and if you're worried, you can come to school and help with some handicraft work."

The remaining school fees would be covered by Xiaoxiao and Zhang Qiao. For Xiaoxiao, this was second nature, but for Zhang Qiao, it was a deeply moving experience. She hadn't realized that something as trivial as an expensive outfit or a meal out with friends could amount to half a year's expenses for a child in a poor area-deciding their fate.

After calculating the costs, Zhang Qiao hugged Xiaoxiao tightly without saying a word. In that moment, she felt an immense admiration for her friend from the bottom of her heart.

No wonder... Xiaoxiao only had two sets of clothes all year, both inexpensive.

No wonder... She hardly used skincare products, always saying, "Youthful looks are enough."

No wonder... While others were enjoying their carefree college days, she was constantly running around, enduring hardships in the open air.

Xiaoxiao had carried the hopes of many on her slender shoulders, never boasting about it, only striving to live with a clear conscience.