[Lin Zhi Hua: Well, it’s good that you regret it.]

After sending this, Lin Zhi Hua felt something wasn’t quite right about the message, so he sent another—

[It’s almost March now, have you started preparing for the competition?]

Speaking of this, Xue Jiao immediately emerged from her regretful mood. Heaven and Earth might be big, but studies were the biggest priority.

She replied with a troubled expression—

[I feel like I’ve practiced all the competition content, but I don’t know what the third round’s competition format will be like, I’m completely in the dark…]

Lin Zhi Hua quickly replied—

[The first round is basics, and the second round tests learning ability and logical thinking. For math, now there are only the difficult problems that test research ability left.]

Research ability?

Xue Jiao was slightly stunned.

[Research ability?]

[Lin Zhi Hua: Yes, in my year, the third round had only two questions. The first was a celestial calculation problem that incorporated a large amount of physics knowledge, and the second was solving equations.]

Solving equations?

Wasn’t that basic knowledge?

So she asked—

[Isn’t solving equations the most basic?]

[Lin Zhi Hua: Yes, it’s basic, but the standard approach couldn’t solve it. We didn’t have induction problems in the second round, so in the third round, we first used mathematical induction to derive patterns and then used reverse reasoning. The calculation was very extensive, and the final result had nine decimal places.]

Xue Jiao was startled and exclaimed—

[So difficult?!]

There were very few question sets for the third round of competitions, and each year’s third round was different, with no connections between them. Therefore, there were no compiled question sets available on the market. Xue Jiao had never encountered the question Lin Zhi Hua described.

But it sounded extremely difficult.

Lin Zhi Hua replied—

[It was quite challenging. That year, only one person got it right.]

Xue Jiao instinctively asked—

[Who?]

The corners of Lin Zhi Hua’s mouth turned up slightly. His previously furrowed brows had unknowingly relaxed, making his expression much more natural and relaxed.

He tugged at his tie, feeling a bit hot, and finally took off the suit jacket he would normally remove as soon as he got home.

The desolation in the air had also disappeared without a trace.

Picking up his phone again, Lin Zhi Hua’s fingers lightly tapped a single character in response—

[Me.]

Xue Jiao: “!!!”

Oh right, Lin Zhi Hua had won a mathematics competition award!

[Your year’s competition only had one first prize???]

Lin Zhi Hua’s fingers moved even faster, with a hint of a smile in his eyes that he didn’t notice. His eager desire to show off now resembled a male peacock displaying his feathers to attract a mate.

His reply was calm as if his heart was equally calm—

[No, there were several first prizes.]

[I also won the special prize.]

That’s amazing!!!

Xue Jiao was stunned.

Special prize!! There was even a special prize!!!

[You’re so amazing!!!]

The corners of Lin Zhi Hua’s mouth curled up, then he tried to suppress it, keeping his tone casual—

[It was alright.]

Xue Jiao: “…” Are all big shots this modest?

After a moment, Lin Zhi Hua replied again—

[Although the third-round questions won’t repeat, with new ideas every year, I think it wouldn’t hurt for you to try some previous third-round problems. It’s always good to see more questions.]

Xue Jiao had seen Lin Zhi Hua’s business world status tonight and initially felt a distance between them.

But all the barriers disappeared amid his concern.

No matter what kind of person he was or what his status might be.

He still treated her the same as before, and he was still her… good teacher and friend.

Xue Jiao smiled and replied—

[Okay!!]

[Lin Zhi Hua: Third-round questions are hard to find on the market. I’ll find some for you tomorrow. Just try them out, there’s no need to focus too much on those specific questions, but you can look at other mathematical knowledge and comprehensive math problems. These days, the third round doesn’t purely test mathematical solutions anymore.]

Is he helping her find questions?

Xue Jiao was taken aback, then replied sheepishly—

[Ah? That’s not necessary. You can focus on your work, I’ll collect them myself! Don’t trouble yourself!]

Lin Zhi Hua replied directly, as if without thinking—

[My collection is more complete. You’d find it hard to find such a comprehensive set elsewhere. It won’t take long, I’ll send them to you tomorrow.]

Xue Jiao still felt a bit embarrassed. He was the boss of Lin Corporation…

Did he have time to compile these materials for her?

As if knowing what she was thinking—

[Lin Zhi Hua: Stop overthinking, go rest now. I have time.]

Xue Jiao firmly disagreed, but Lin Zhi Hua wouldn’t listen. With no choice, she could only say—

[Alright then… thank you!!!]

A moment later, Lin Zhi Hua replied—

[With so many questions, study them well. Try not to go out playing with anyone, it wastes time.]

Xue Jiao’s reply came quickly—

[Okay! I absolutely won’t!]

The corners of Lin Zhi Hua’s mouth turned up slightly.

For high school students, it was better to study more and date less.

With more questions to solve, there would be no time to go out and have fun with young people.

——

Lin Zhi Hua sent the question set as a document. Xue Jiao saw it when she woke up at six in the morning.

Her eyes lit up, but she still followed her study plan, first spending half an hour memorizing English, then half an hour on Chinese.

She only officially started working on math problems at seven-thirty.

Difficult!

Just looking at the first question, she could tell it was very difficult!

She took out her notebook and began to calculate.

By nine-thirty, she had only finished the second question.

“Jiao Jiao?” Behind her, Li Si Tong’s voice sounded puzzled.

Xue Jiao turned around: “Hmm?”

In the middle of winter, just solving two math problems had made her sweat, showing the difficulty of these questions.

“You’re studying?” Li Si Tong’s voice was surprised, her face showing disbelief.

“Ah, what’s wrong?” Xue Jiao looked bewildered.

Li Si Tong: “…”

She knew the current Jiao Jiao was serious about studying, but she never imagined she could be this serious!

Today was New Year’s Eve!

“New Year’s Eve… take a break…” Li Si Tong swallowed.

Jiao Jiao seemed truly… completely different from before…

In just half a year, she could barely remember what Xue Jiao looked like with her red hair…

Xue Jiao shook her head and said seriously: “I have a lot of study tasks, I can’t slack off even for a day.”

Li Si Tong: “…Alright.”

After a moment, she remembered the main reason she came: “By the way, Gu Jing Xu wants you to go to his place for New Year’s Eve dinner today.”

Xue Jiao blinked as if to say… and then?

“I told him you’re coming with us to the Cheng family’s old house for dinner tonight, but he disagreed.”

Xue Jiao: “…” Can I not go to either place?

She didn’t want to go anywhere; neither place was hassle-free.

Li Si Tong continued: “Later, after arguing with him a bit, you can go to the Cheng family tonight, but you must go to his place at noon.”

Xue Jiao twirled the pen in her hand, then asked: “Can I not go?”

Li Si Tong was startled for a moment and instinctively said: “I’ve already agreed—”

She stopped, suppressing the latter half of her sentence: “Then give him a call and tell him. He and I will argue…”

Xue Jiao understood.

Surely Gu Jing Xu insisted that she must come over for New Year’s Eve dinner, and after arguing back and forth, they reached an agreement—lunch with the Gu family, and dinner with the Cheng family.

“Forget it, I’ll go,” Xue Jiao said helplessly.

Since you’ve already agreed, if I cause more problems, you’ll just argue again.

“Remember to come back after eating. You must have dinner with the Cheng family tonight! Although your surname is Gu, you came with me to the Cheng family, so you’re also considered part of the Cheng family.” Li Si Tong rambled on.

Li Si Tong was a bit stubborn and old-fashioned. Xue Jiao didn’t want to listen anymore and quickly agreed—

“Okay, okay, okay, you go take care of your business first. I’ll do a few more problems and then go.”

“Then you should hurry up,” she paused, then added, “Dress nicely!”

Look better than Gu Shi Yun!

“Fine, fine, fine, please leave first.” Xue Jiao agreed to everything.

Li Si Tong left, and Xue Jiao slumped on the desk for a moment in frustration, then immediately regained her spirits and started working on problems again.

These people who wouldn’t let her study in peace—she wanted to curse at them!!!

At eleven o’clock.

“Jiao Jiao! Gu Jing Xu called to hurry you up!” Li Si Tong called from downstairs.

Xue Jiao’s hand stopped. She put away her pen, grabbed a small vocabulary notebook, and randomly picked up a down jacket before heading downstairs.

Li Si Tong looked up at her and was taken aback, “Oh my, why are you dressed so casually? You…”

Cheng Shuo interrupted her: “That’s enough, it’s not a big deal. Let Xue Jiao dress however she likes.”

Xue Jiao looked down at herself—a long down jacket covering most of her legs with leggings underneath.

What’s the problem?

Li Si Tong fell silent, only looking somewhat helpless.

For some reason, she used to find Xue Jiao’s wild style annoying, but now that Xue Jiao didn’t dress up, she still felt helpless.

Seeing that Li Si Tong had stopped talking, Xue Jiao didn’t care about the clothing issue anymore. She shouldered her bag and prepared to leave.

“It’s hard to get a taxi on New Year’s Eve. Jiao Jiao, I’ll drive you there,” Cheng Shuo said, putting down the remote and standing up.

“No need, no need, I’ll…”

Cheng Shuo smiled: “Jiao Jiao, let’s go quickly so you don’t miss lunch. Hurry and eat, then hurry back.”

Xue Jiao fell silent and followed Cheng Shuo outside.

This Uncle Cheng… was more like a father than her actual father…

——

At the Gu family home.

“Why does she have to come too?” Gu Shi Yun frowned.

Wu Wan Jun soothingly patted her daughter: “It’s all because your father remembered her. She’s living in the Cheng family now, and I don’t know what your father is constantly thinking about! Indeed, those far away seem more fragrant than those close by.”

Gu Shi Yun’s brows were also tightly knit. Why was Gu Xue Jiao everywhere?

She immediately felt resentful. Was her father’s heart still with Gu Xue Jiao? Why did he have to insist on calling her over even on New Year’s Eve?

“Fine, let her come. In the end, he’ll be the one getting upset!” Gu Shi Yun said.

Wu Wan Jun’s eyes lit up: “That’s right, on New Year’s Eve, if your father has a big fight with her, we’ll see if he still thinks about her in the future.”

Gu Shi Yun’s eyes also revealed a hint of amusement: “I have something I want to say too!”

At noon, Gu Xue Jiao arrived at Gu Jing Xu’s home.

She looked up at the front door, and many memories belonging to Gu Xue Jiao surfaced in her mind.

Before she was ten, she was a little princess loved by her parents, and this house was filled with her laughter.

After she turned ten, her grandfather passed away, and Gu Jing Xu and Li Si Tong divorced.

At that time, she cried and refused to leave the Gu family home. Gu Jing Xu held her hand and said—

This will always be your home. If you don’t want to leave, you can stay here forever. Dad will always be good to you.

Then Li Si Tong pulled Gu Xue Jiao away from the Gu family. Standing at this doorway, Li Si Tong said—

Jiao Jiao, from now on, you only have your mother. Don’t worry, even without a father, your mother will always be good to you!

Perhaps all divorced parents are like this.

They think, isn’t it just the parents separating? The child still has both a father and a mother, so what’s the difference?

Eventually, they each start new families, find new happiness, and all sorts of helplessness emerge.

Gu Jing Xu said: Your sister is so obedient, you should get along well with her. Dad loves both of you.

Li Si Tong said: You need to understand your mother. It’s not easy for me in the Cheng family, don’t cause trouble.

And later.

Gu Jing Xu said: Why do you always bully your sister? Why are you so inconsiderate?

Li Si Tong said: Can’t you stop causing me trouble? You’re so inconsiderate.

Xue Jiao never opposed divorced couples—if they couldn’t continue, they shouldn’t force it—but she only hoped that divorced parents could still provide a simple environment for their children.

Gu Xue Jiao’s misbehavior was the result of factors from both families.

Xue Jiao let out a soft sigh and stepped through the Gu family’s front door.

“Jiao Jiao is here!” Wu Wan Jun was the first to notice her, her voice sounding very happy.

“Jiao Jiao, come sit, come sit. Are you tired? Aunt Wan Jun will pour you some water!”

Wu Wan Jun’s voice was cheerful and surprised, yet polite, constantly reminding Xue Jiao that she didn’t belong there.

Xue Jiao almost wanted to laugh. The original Gu Xue Jiao might have felt hurt, but she truly didn’t feel anything, so she contentedly accepted Wu Wan Jun’s “service.”

“So you still know to come over. Do you still consider me your father or not?!”

Xue Jiao immediately replied: “No.”

“You—” Gu Jing Xu glared at her.

But it seemed he’d been angered by Xue Jiao so many times that he didn’t even find it surprising.

“Forget it, it’s the New Year, and I don’t feel like scolding you!” Gu Jing Xu placed the cup on the coffee table. “Let’s get ready to eat.”

“I’ll go serve the dishes. Xue Jiao, you rest!” Wu Wan Jun quickly said.

In the past, when Xue Jiao came over and Wu Wan Jun said something like this, she would immediately help serve the dishes.

“Oh, okay.” Xue Jiao went with the flow, sitting without moving.

Wu Wan Jun was taken aback. She looked at Gu Jing Xu, and seeing no reaction from him, she felt somewhat annoyed as she headed to the kitchen.

Gu Xue Jiao had indeed changed!

At this moment, Gu Shi Yun appeared from upstairs, smiling as she said—

“Sister, do you want to come to my room to play for a while? I have newly bought dolls, would you like to see them?”

In the past, whenever Gu Xue Jiao came, Gu Shi Yun would warmly invite her to her room.

Xue Jiao had lived in that room for several years, and seeing Gu Shi Yun living there naturally made her unhappy. After Gu Shi Yun provoked her a couple of times, it always ended with Gu Xue Jiao causing trouble and being scolded by Gu Jing Xu for being inconsiderate.

How many years had it been, and they were still using the same routine?

“I won’t go. I lived there for several years; there’s nothing special about it.”

After Xue Jiao said this, Gu Shi Yun’s face froze for a moment.

Gu Jing Xu also frowned tightly: “Xue Jiao, speak properly!”

“I’m telling the truth!”

“…”

Gu Jing Xu didn’t know what to say. Gu Shi Yun took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and then went downstairs to help Wu Wan Jun bring out the dishes.

Being New Year’s Eve, the meal at the Gu family was very sumptuous, with a table full of food.

Xue Jiao had worked on two difficult problems in the morning and was somewhat hungry, so she ate earnestly.

“Jiao Jiao, this was specially made by Aunt Wan Jun to welcome your arrival!” Wu Wan Jun said with a smile.

Xue Jiao’s fingers paused for a moment. Why did people keep preventing her from eating in peace?

“No wonder.”

“Hmm?” Gu Jing Xu, Wu Wan Jun, and Gu Shi Yun all looked up simultaneously, puzzled.

“No wonder there’s nothing I like to eat.”

“…”

Gu Jing Xu glared at her: “Gu Xue Jiao, eat your food properly!”

“Oh, fine.” She took a bite, suddenly remembering that Lin Zhi Hua had once said that one shouldn’t compromise oneself.

She was in the middle of solving problems, yet Gu Jing Xu insisted on having her come over to listen to these hypocritical words!

So she added: “Aunt Wan Jun.”

“Ah?” Wu Wan Jun’s heart tightened, feeling that she was about to say something unpleasant.

“It’s a bit salty. Next time, use less salt.”

“…” Wu Wan Jun was speechless.

The Gu family also had a housekeeper, but today being New Year’s Eve, she had personally cooked to show her enthusiasm. Yet Gu Xue Jiao spoke as if she would be cooking again in the future!

She needed to take good care of her hands; how could she possibly cook often?

“Eat properly!” Gu Jing Xu glared at Xue Jiao again.

Xue Jiao looked up, eating while saying: “I’m not criticizing you, but didn’t you used to say that Aunt Wan Jun was more virtuous and considerate than my mom? You used to complain that my mom didn’t know how to cook, and you married a woman willing to cook for you. How come now my mom cooks for Uncle Cheng, but Aunt Wan Jun doesn’t cook for you?”

Gu Jing Xu: “…”

“Don’t tell me!” Xue Jiao made an exaggerated expression. “Aunt Wan Jun doesn’t cook for you anymore?!”

Wu Wan Jun was about to cough up blood.

“I prefer the food made by our housekeeper, so my mom doesn’t cook much,” Gu Shi Yun stepped in to help her mother.

This was indeed a good excuse. Wu Wan Jun quickly added: “If your father likes my cooking, I will cook for him every day!”

Xue Jiao nodded seriously: “Then you should practice well. My mom now cooks better than you, cooking every day. You should practice more.”

Wu Wan Jun: “…”

She was almost angered to death. She looked up at Gu Jing Xu’s unpleasant expression and felt even more panicked.

Gu Jing Xu and Li Si Tong had a very bad relationship, and now Li Si Tong was “cooking for Cheng Shuo every day.” If she didn’t do the same for him, Gu Jing Xu would surely be dissatisfied with her!

How could this Gu Xue Jiao be so good at stirring up trouble???

Wu Wan Jun was too angry to speak. Xue Jiao lowered her head and earnestly ate her food.

Actually… this cooking level… was much better than Li Si Tong’s…

Xue Jiao quite admired her stepfather. No matter what Li Si Tong cooked, he would courteously eat it.

Li Si Tong herself knew that she didn’t cook much normally, at most helping the housekeeper with minor tasks, making some porridge or toasting some bread for breakfast.

After eating for a while, Gu Jing Xu suddenly asked—

“Jiao Jiao, I heard you ranked first in your grade again last semester?”

Xue Jiao nodded: “Yes, what about it?”

Gu Jing Xu looked suspicious: “How did your grades get so good now?”

“Hard work, of course.”

“Why didn’t you work hard before?” Gu Jing Xu instinctively asked.

Then Xue Jiao raised her head. Wu Wan Jun’s heart skipped a beat, feeling that this girl was about to say something improper again.

Sure enough, Xue Jiao said: “Because I’m farther away from your house now.”

There was a moment of silence, and then Gu Jing Xu’s suppressed anger couldn’t be contained anymore—

“How dare you speak like that?! Gu Xue Jiao, how have you become like this?!”

Xue Jiao tilted her head, confused: “Isn’t my current state good? Am I dressed like a ghost or are my grades not good?”

Gu Jing Xu: “…”

It seemed like she had indeed changed for the better…

“You don’t think you’ve been good to me, do you?” Xue Jiao blinked.

She originally didn’t want to be so confrontational, as if she’d eaten gunpowder, but today she had only solved two problems, with more than twenty even harder ones left. Yet at this time, Gu Jing Xu called her over for a meal, and Wu Wan Jun was being passive-aggressive. Since she couldn’t eat in peace, then no one would be at peace.

“I haven’t been good to you?!”

Gu Jing Xu was furious, slamming his chopsticks on the table.

Xue Jiao nodded, then said: “I used to come here often, and Wu Wan Jun and Gu Shi Yun would let me play with their phones, compliment my red hair, and say that studying didn’t matter. Now that I don’t come anymore, haven’t I improved?”

Gu Jing Xu was stunned, and then instinctively looked at Wu Wan Jun.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Wu Wan Jun quickly refuted.

Gu Shi Yun also put down her chopsticks: “Sister, how can you make things up? We used to encourage you to study hard. You liked to play around yourself, and my mom was afraid of upsetting you, so she hardly dared to say anything to you…”

Wu Wan Jun wiped the corner of her eye: “It’s hard being a stepmother. Jing Xu, how could I dare to discipline the child too much?”

“Is being a stepfather easy then?” Xue Jiao said. “So Uncle Cheng used to discipline me strictly, and I had a very bad relationship with him. Now I finally understand my stepfather’s true heart. True care means hoping the child does well. Hypocrisy is hoping the child gets worse and worse, after all… they’re not your biological child.”

Wu Wan Jun’s finger, which was wiping her tears, paused slightly, then she continued crying while saying: “I didn’t…”

Gu Jing Xu slammed his chopsticks on the table: “Everyone just eats! It’s the New Year, why all this crying?!”

Wu Wan Jun’s hand froze, and she quickly wiped away her tears, saying nothing more.

Gu Jing Xu… might have become somewhat suspicious of her…

Not only was Wu Wan Jun annoyed, but Gu Shi Yun was also very irritated. If only Gu Xue Jiao hadn’t changed for the better!

She used to be so easy to manipulate, but now she just causes trouble!

Xue Jiao ate while looking curiously at Wu Wan Jun.

Then, she mentally expressed her admiration.

She was crying!

That skill was quite impressive.

In the past, Xue Jiao didn’t want to deal with these people, but now these people had to provoke her during the New Year. Even a clay figure would have some anger.

But, Gu Shi Yun, having been upset, wasn’t going to let Xue Jiao off the hook.

“Dad, I remember you said last time you wanted to discuss some business with the Yi family?” Gu Shi Yun looked at Gu Jing Xu.

Gu Jing Xu only had one daughter by his side, and he would sometimes discuss business matters with her.

“Yes, what about it?”

Gu Shi Yun slightly bit her lower lip, looking hesitantly at Xue Jiao.

Gu Jing Xu followed her gaze and asked: “Why are you looking at your sister?”

“Yi Da Fa’s son, Yi Tian Yu, is sister’s boyfriend…”

“Pfft—” Xue Jiao almost spat out the soup she had just swallowed.

“What?!” Gu Jing Xu looked shocked.

Xue Jiao patted her chest, finally recovering, and looked at them.

Gu Shi Yun nodded: “That’s what everyone is saying, and… at the annual party… sister and Yi Tian Yu even snuck out together…”

Gu Jing Xu frowned and immediately looked at Xue Jiao: “What’s going on?”

“What do you mean, what’s going on? Someone’s falsely accusing me. Yi Tian Yu is my deskmate, nothing more.”

“But everyone says…”

Xue Jiao said: “Everyone says? Who is everyone? Tell me, I need to confront them. Making false accusations is called rumormongering and defamation.”

Gu Shi Yun was about to give examples; she was prepared and knew Gu Jing Xu well.

But Xue Jiao didn’t give her a chance to speak—

“Aren’t you the one dating my brother? Why are you falsely accusing me?”

Author’s Note: Lin Zhi Hua: Study, study! Do more problems!