For a moment, Xue Jiao suspected that the two people in front of her might have mental problems.

Not letting them join the project?

Blocking their graduate school recommendation?

Xue Jiao narrowed her eyes and coldly uttered, “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

After saying this, not wanting to waste time on these two idiots, Xue Jiao turned to leave.

“Don’t you dare leave!” Ge Donglin grabbed her.

Anger flashed in Zeng Bin’s eyes as he resentfully said, “You did something and now you won’t admit it?! When I applied to join Chu Sheng’s project, he originally didn’t reject us. Did you say something that made him immediately turn us down?!”

Xue Jiao: “…”

Zeng Bin continued his accusations as if Xue Jiao had done something utterly outrageous: “And about the graduate recommendation, we had a very high probability of getting recommended to Professor Tan’s research group, but again, you interfered and caused the entire circle of advisors to reject us?!”

“Gu Xue Jiao, you’re truly despicable!” Ge Donglin glared at her with hatred.

Xue Jiao’s expression changed from completely bewildered to shocked, and finally to one that seemed to be looking at idiots.

Her attitude had always been rather mild, but now she really couldn’t help but retort—

“First of all, what makes you two mathematics students think you can so easily join a physics department project? Just because Chu Sheng didn’t agree, you conclude that I disapproved? Well then, I must formally tell you that now, I indeed strongly disapprove. Because I think you two not only lack ability but also have some issues with your thinking.”

“You—”

Xue Jiao interrupted him: “Secondly, what actions of yours do you think I’ve sabotaged? Your extreme personalities? Neglect of proper studies? Impure motives? Or your spreading of rumors?”

Zeng Bin’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Ge Donglin couldn’t help but retort: “What gives you the right to say we’re spreading rumors?!”

Xue Jiao looked at them and sneered, “Weren’t you the ones spreading rumors that I’m clinging to powerful people and being opportunistic? Besides, you accuse me of blocking your entry into the project group and obstructing your graduate recommendation without any evidence—these are all rumors.”

She stepped forward and said coldly, “Remember this is the last time. If you come to me again with such accusations, don’t blame me for sending you a court summons! Spreading rumors has consequences.”

Zeng Bin and Ge Donglin were suddenly stunned, staring at Xue Jiao foolishly.

At that moment, they suddenly remembered that Gu Xue Jiao was supposedly a rich, beautiful girl… and also the rising star Cheng Mingze’s sister.

Xue Jiao just gave them a cold glance, then turned and left with unhurried steps.

She simply didn’t want to bother with these mentally challenged people, but that didn’t mean she had no temper.

Suing them was certainly an option—Cheng Shuo’s company had lawyers, and Lin Zhihua’s company even had an entire legal department.

She believed that if necessary, Lin Zhihua would definitely be more than willing to let her borrow his influence.

Perhaps due to Xue Jiao’s threat, or because Zeng Bin and Ge Donglin were focused on pursuing graduate programs at other schools and dealing with college’s greatest hurdle—graduation—they never approached Xue Jiao again after this incident.

Xue Jiao had never been one to fixate on others; her attention had always been on herself and the people she loved and cared about.

These two somewhat annoying individuals to Xue Jiao quickly became mere passersby in her life, leaving almost no trace.

So much so that many years later, when she was invited to give a lecture at a certain university, and Zeng Bin managed to squeeze forward from behind the school leaders to shake her hand, she had completely forgotten his face. She merely showed a polite smile, which left the emotionally complex Zeng Bin unable to say anything before being pushed to the back by the crowd.

In the afternoon.

“Zhihua.”

“Hmm?” Lin Zhihua turned his head, looking at her tenderly.

Xue Jiao smiled and asked, “If I wanted to borrow your influence, would you let me?”

“Hmm?” Lin Zhihua’s mind went blank for a moment, though his hands still steadily controlled the steering wheel.

When Jiaojiao was in the car, he was always especially careful, fearing any mishap.

“To bully others with your power.” Xue Jiao’s eyes glinted mischievously, “I want to use your power to bully people!”

Lin Zhihua’s expression was one of astonishment as if he couldn’t believe what he’d heard.

But it was only for a moment before he smiled, a smile full of happiness and pride.

“Jiaojiao, you’re not borrowing my influence, it’s your influence.” His voice carried deep affection, “I am you.”

Xue Jiao blushed and glared at him in embarrassed anger.

The car soon entered the garage, and Lin Zhihua held her hand as he escorted her home.

“I wish I could take you directly to my home…”

Xue Jiao felt somewhat embarrassed. Today was supposed to be a date with Lin Zhihua, but Cheng Shuo had informed her to come home early for dinner. She didn’t spend much time having meals with her family, so she readily agreed.

Her eyes suddenly shifted, and she tentatively suggested, “Why don’t you come home with me today?”

Lin Zhihua responded without hesitation, immediately saying, “Sure.”

Xue Jiao: “…”

So when Cheng Shuo opened the door, he was greeted by Lin Zhihua’s face, which he found so disagreeable.

“…This is a family dinner, what are you doing here?”

Lin Zhihua’s lips curved slightly upward: “Precisely because it’s a family dinner, that’s why I’m here.”

Cheng Shuo: “…”

A tree without bark will surely die; a person without shame is invincible.

“Oh, Zhihua’s here too! Come in quickly!” Li Sitong’s delighted voice came from behind Cheng Shuo.

Lin Zhihua, holding Xue Jiao’s hand, strode in grandly and smiled, “Hello, Uncle and Auntie.”

Cheng Mingze, who was opening a bottle of red wine, glared fiercely at Lin Zhihua when he saw him.

Why had this shameless guy come?

But since he was already here, they couldn’t chase him out, especially since the two women in the family seemed to welcome this man very much.

The table was full of dishes, and red wine was poured.

Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong naturally sat on one side, while Lin Zhihua and Xue Jiao sat on the other. When Cheng Mingze sat down, he looked at both sides… and suddenly felt something wasn’t quite right…

“Today isn’t any special occasion, but recently we’ve all been busy with our things and rarely get together properly. I’ve been busy with company matters, Mingze has been busy with his startup, and Jiaojiao…”

Cheng Shuo paused for a moment, then continued, “Jiaojiao has been juggling studies and romance, with a very tight schedule. It’s been a long time since we’ve sat down together for a proper meal like this.”

“Dad…” Xue Jiao opened her mouth, feeling somewhat guilty.

It was at this moment that she suddenly realized she had given time to Lin Zhihua but neglected her family.

People are often like this—those closest to us, those most dear, can also become the easiest to overlook.

Xue Jiao’s mood suddenly became a little downcast. Lin Zhihua held her hand under the table, silently comforting her.

“No, Dad isn’t blaming anyone. Being busy is a good thing, and we’re all busy with important matters, as we should be. But from now on, let’s designate Saturday evenings as our family gathering day. No matter how busy we are, we should try to keep this evening free to have dinner together,” Cheng Shuo said with a smile.

“Alright,” Cheng Mingze immediately agreed.

Xue Jiao also nodded: “No problem.”

Cheng Shuo raised his glass and stood up: “Of course, most importantly—our family has achieved many great things in the year since we moved to Beijing. Mingze’s company was officially established a few days ago. Jiaojiao won the Chen Shengshen Mathematics Award and ranked first in her major last semester, receiving the highest scholarship. And Dad… Dad’s company has also advanced further, with the scale continuing to expand!”

“Congratulations, Dad!” Xue Jiao and Cheng Mingze exclaimed in unison, delighted.

“And congratulations to you both!”

At this moment, Li Sitong lowered her head slightly: “I’m the only useless one…”

“Nonsense!” Cheng Shuo immediately objected.

“Mom is the one who has contributed the most to our family, guarding our home front and supporting the three of us all by herself!”

Cheng Mingze quickly added, “Yes, Mom, you’re the most indispensable person in our family, planning our three meals every day and taking care of us meticulously.”

Their gazes shifted to Xue Jiao, and even Li Sitong looked at her nervously.

The relationship between this mother and daughter was indeed worrisome.

After deep harm had been inflicted, it was hard to know how long it would take to warm that once-loving heart.

Xue Jiao looked at Li Sitong, nodded with tears in her eyes, and simply said, “Thank you, Mom.”

Those three words encompassed everything she wanted to express.

Li Sitong’s eyes reddened, and she hurriedly rubbed them, nodding vigorously: “I should… I ought to…”

She suppressed the mist in her eyes and said softly, “Jiaojiao… Mom will make you happy forever!”

Xue Jiao nodded, something about to roll out of her eyes. Lin Zhihua reached around from behind and wiped away her tears with his hand.

There’s a saying—

The greatest sorrow for parents is becoming increasingly cautious in front of their children.

But the more they care, the more cautious they become.

Li Sitong cared deeply about Xue Jiao. In the past, her way of caring might have been wrong, perhaps even somewhat selfish.

But she still loved her, and after the Gu Shiyun incident, she painstakingly changed her attitude, becoming more understanding and caring toward Xue Jiao.

Xue Jiao had forgiven her long ago. Having left Gu Xue Jiao behind, she would probably also forgive her mother through their long-term interaction. She cared most about this mother.

Hopefully, that girl could still live well in another world, living freely and happily.

Cheng Mingze smiled and said, “Dad, didn’t you say you’d just earn enough for living expenses in the future? Why are you still working so hard at your age?”

“You brat! How dare you talk about your father like that? What do you mean ‘at my age’? I’m not old yet. What’s wrong with having ambition?!” Cheng Shuo glared at Cheng Mingze, appearing extremely angry.

Cheng Mingze raised both hands in surrender: “Alright, alright, you’re in your prime.”

Cheng Shuo glanced at Lin Zhihua from the corner of his eye, feeling complicated inside.

He didn’t need to work this hard, but the gap between Pengcheng and Lin’s company was truly too great. When Xue Jiao and Lin Zhihua got married in the future, there would inevitably be some gossip.

If Pengcheng could be just a little more powerful, it would at least make the gap smaller.

Perhaps Lin Zhihua and Xue Jiao didn’t care, but as a father, he always wanted to give the best he could offer.

At this moment, Lin Zhihua, who had been silent all evening, raised his head and suddenly spoke.