The little one was looking up at her, her small face filled with earnestness as if trying to confirm whether this woman was her mother.

The identity of “mother” was foreign to Zhou Ke – she had only seen her in photos and heard her voice over the phone. Unlike the scenes portrayed on television where daughters rush into their mothers’ arms like returning swallows, this first meeting between mother and daughter was marked by Zhou Ke’s scrutinizing, examining gaze. Zhou Yi was overwhelmed with emotion seeing such complex feelings in a four-year-old child.

She hadn’t been a competent mother. She had brought Zhou Ke into this world rather hastily, then passed the burden to her parents. This situation would likely continue for several more years while she completed her studies and established herself in America. No matter how she justified it, she had missed Zhou Ke’s first words, her first steps… she had missed too much. Zhou Yi’s eyes welled up with tears.

But Zhou Ke had finished her examination and moved closer to her on her own: “You are my mother – you look just like in the photos.”

Four-year-old Zhou Ke spoke clearly and showed her logical reasoning.

Her unexpected closeness delighted Zhou Yi, who abandoned her suitcase to pick Zhou Ke up.

“Of course, I’m your mother!” Zhou Yi kissed Zhou Ke’s fragrant cheek.

Jiang Hong and Zhou Wenband lagged, carrying Zhou Yi’s luggage, watching as she enthusiastically rushed out of the airport with Zhou Ke in her arms.

Jiang Hong couldn’t hold back any more: “No wonder the old master always says Zhou Ke is clever.”

Zhou Wenband felt exhausted. The clever granddaughter was his, and the foolish daughter was also his – how could he not be tired? Even a four-year-old could manipulate Zhou Yi’s emotions; he wondered how she had managed to get into law school.

The family of four left the airport. At home, the small Pekingese barked at Zhou Yi, but she paid it no mind. She opened her suitcase and began distributing gifts. She had brought something for everyone in the Zhou family – nothing too expensive, but everything was purchased with her own money.

Most items were for Zhou Ke, nearly filling an entire suitcase of the two with toys and gifts!

“Thank you, Mama!” Zhou Ke’s voice was sweet like milk candy. Zhou Yi thought she hadn’t brought enough – she should have bought more. Her maternal love was overflowing; she found everything about Zhou Ke endearing.

She should give Zhou Ke the very best!

This thought suddenly surged through Zhou Yi’s mind.

Then she turned to look at her parents.

So this was how her father and mother had felt, wanting to give her the best.

It was she who had disappointed them.

Her father wasn’t young anymore, due to retiring in a couple of years. Zhou Yi’s heart ached as she blinked back tears: “I want to see Grandfather and Grandmother.”

Jiang Hong nodded, “Rest at home tonight first – you must be tired from the long flight. You can visit tomorrow. Everyone’s delighted to hear about your acceptance to law school.”

Everyone was not just happy but impressed.

After all, it was the story of an underachiever’s reversal.

So the next day, Zhou Yi met almost all her relatives.

Only Zhou Cheng and Xia Xiaolan were absent; everyone else had come.

Cheng Min, Second Aunt Zhou’s daughter, had already graduated and started working, while Second Aunt Zhou’s daughter Gu Siyan was in university. Both were very warm towards Zhou Yi.

When Zhou Yi had been making a mess of her life, neither cousin had wanted anything to do with her – no one wanted to associate with a seemingly brain-damaged cousin.

Thank heavens Zhou Yi had finally gotten her act together.

“It’s really hard to get into an American law school, Cousin, you’re amazing!”

Zhou Yi felt embarrassed, “I couldn’t get into Harvard Law School – my current school’s ranking is average. My foundation was too weak. I envy you both!”

She envied Cheng Min and Gu Siyan’s steady academic progress and their youth.

Zhou Yi now felt a sense of urgency. She needed a career after completing her studies – she had both older and younger family members to care for. How could she support her family without a career?

Although Zhou Wenband and Jiang Hong wouldn’t need her support – they would have good retirement benefits – Zhou Yi couldn’t use that as an excuse to lower her standards.

Old Master Zhou observed her, looking her over from head to toe. He found her entire demeanor different from before, which pleased him. Independent life in a foreign country had shaped her character. Abroad, the Zhou family couldn’t help her; Zhou Yi could only rely on herself, which was excellent training.

Studies were secondary – getting a degree was good, but what truly transformed Zhou Yi was the process of struggling in a foreign land.

Of course, it was even better that she could earn a useful degree and acquire professional knowledge for making a living.

“What are your plans?” the old master asked her.

Zhou Yi immediately responded carefully and seriously: “After graduating from law school, I want to work at an American law firm for two years before returning to China.”

She would eventually return to develop her career in China.

No matter how good America was, her parents and Zhou Ke weren’t there.

Even if she could take Zhou Ke abroad, what about her parents? How could they adapt to a foreign environment at their age?

Old Master Zhou nodded, his gaze falling on Zhou Ke, who was with his granddaughter Gu Siyan:

“Zhou Ke is a very intelligent child. You must nurture her carefully, don’t waste her potential.”

Zhou Yi hesitated, “I won’t be back for several years – regarding Zhou Ke’s education… do you want me to take her to America?”

Old Master Zhou glared at her.

“Can’t she be educated in China? I’m telling you to focus on your studies and career in America. Zhou Ke is your daughter, and you are Zhou Ke’s best role model. If you can’t even manage your own life well, how can you educate her to be ambitious!”

Excellent parents don’t necessarily raise excellent children.

But how can parents who make a mess of their own lives expect their children to be ambitious?

Old Master Zhou was tired of hearing parents tell their children not to compare clothes and food with classmates, but to compete in studies instead. While there’s no hierarchy in professions, whatever industry you’re in, strive to reach the top before expecting your child to excel.

Even as a farmer, while some are lazy and just get by, others carefully tend their land, constantly finding ways to increase their yield.

If a farmer is the best at farming within dozens of miles, they have the right to expect their child to bring home first place.

Zhou Yi received quite a lecture.

But she wasn’t upset.

She realized that the old master’s scolding meant he had expectations and demands of her.

Previously, he hadn’t even bothered to have expectations or want to scold her.

Zhou Yi was happy to be scolded. Grandmother Zhou held her hand tightly – the old lady had missed her too.

“Finish your studies quickly and come back soon. Don’t worry about home; we’ll take care of Zhou Ke.”

The old lady was still in good spirits, but she had aged since four years ago. Zhou Yi nodded with tears in her eyes.

“Please take good care of yourself and wait for the day I return with my degree!”

The news of Zhou Yi’s return to Beijing spread like wildfire through her old social circles.

In four years, many lives had taken different turns.

Even the wildest of their group had married and settled down. Those still unwilling to marry were prepared for a long battle.

Tong Lili was now in Beijing too. Her son was only a year younger than Zhou Ke, and she was living quite contentedly, spending most of the year in her husband’s city of employment and the remainder in Beijing.

Hearing about Zhou Yi’s return, Tong Lili wanted to meet up: “What do you think Zhou Yi is like now? The Zhou family has kept everything so secret – surely she hasn’t gotten married in America?”