Zhang Cui painfully withdrew five thousand yuan from her bank savings and handed it to Xia Ziyu.

Seeing her mother’s reluctance, Xia Ziyu smiled: “What are you afraid of? I have ways to help you earn thousands, and naturally will find ways to earn even more in the future.”

Zhang Cui was skeptical and turned to discuss the shop’s business: “None of the students or teachers came to eat today. Ziyu, if this continues long-term…”

There were very few workers eating, and with the senior students no longer coming, Zhang’s Snack Shop was practically empty. As if to spite the Xia family, people were crowding into Huang Sister’s Fast Food across the street. When comparing the two, even occasional passersby, seeing one shop empty and the other packed, would assume Huang Sister’s food tasted better.

They’d rather wait in line for the supposedly better-tasting food at Huang Sister’s.

After just one day, everyone at Zhang’s Snack Shop was affected by the situation.

Having taken the money, Xia Ziyu had to show some effort, so she said she would visit Principal Sun. But the result was terrible – Principal Sun’s wife simply said he wasn’t home, and Xia Ziyu couldn’t even see him.

Was he not home?

Xia Ziyu hid around the corner downstairs for just half an hour before seeing Principal Sun escort guests down.

They weren’t even giving her a chance to explain.

Xia Ziyu felt deeply frustrated. You can’t force things, and with Principal Sun still angry, she was considering trying to repair their relationship through letters. Written words could sometimes be more powerful than spoken ones. While Principal Sun refused to see her in person, making her silver tongue useless in changing his mind, surely he wouldn’t refuse to read her letters.

After reading one letter, there would be a second, and gradually, she could soften his attitude.

The county high school principal didn’t mean much to Xia Ziyu anymore – she was going to Beijing Normal University. Even if she became a teacher after graduation, the chances of being assigned back to Anqing County No.1 High School were slim. If not assigned to a school in the provincial capital Shangdu, at least it would be a Fengxian city-level institution. However, according to Xia Ziyu’s plans, she was determined to stay in Beijing.

Because Wang Jianhua would stay in Beijing!

Principal Sun couldn’t determine Xia Ziyu’s fate, but he could determine Zhang’s Snack Shop’s fate. The shop earned at least several hundred yuan monthly, supporting not only Xia Ziyu’s parents but also her uncle’s family while providing her with working capital. Otherwise, how could Zhang Cui have produced 5,000 yuan for her from farming in the countryside?

Xia Ziyu knew that without giving her parents a stable livelihood, they would depend on her. Not just supporting her parents, but also her younger brother Xia Junbao – such family burdens could wear her down completely.

After Principal Sun went upstairs, Xia Ziyu turned to leave but saw two people approaching.

One was Sun Tian, and the other was Zhao Gang.

Xia Ziyu hadn’t interacted with Sun Tian, the new teacher, but yesterday Sun Tian had stood up for Xiao Lan, which greatly annoyed her.

As for Zhao Gang, Xia Ziyu had quite an impression of him. Her mind working, she continued hiding.

Zhao Gang sidled up to Sun Tian, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I joined you for dinner at the leader’s home?”

Sun Tian gently shook her head, “I haven’t mentioned it to uncle and aunt beforehand, it wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Zhao Gang was slightly displeased.

Though all colleagues knew they were a couple, Sun Tian refused to officially acknowledge it. Zhao Gang wanted to visit Principal Sun’s home as Sun Tian’s boyfriend, but she wouldn’t allow it.

He persisted for a while, but Sun Tian, though shy in personality, maintained her boundaries.

Although she had been forced to accept Zhao Gang’s attention, she was hesitant about dating him. They were both teachers at No.1 High School – if things didn’t work out, future encounters would be awkward. Let alone bringing him to her uncle Principal Sun’s home. Sun Tian hadn’t even mentioned at school that she was the principal’s niece, how could she ask Principal Sun to promote Zhao Gang?

After Sun Tian went upstairs alone, Zhao Gang dropped his eager expression and kicked the flower stand hard.

“Teacher Zhao, long time no see.”

Xia Ziyu appeared with a bright smile, and Zhao Gang’s eyes lit up.

Zhao Gang was naturally lecherous, trying to “harass” any attractive woman around him. He wasn’t above pursuing female students, but Xia Ziyu had clear goals – why would she date a mediocre high school teacher? When Zhao Gang had previously shown interest in Xia Ziyu, she had taught him a harsh lesson.

But like a dog that forgets pain after healing, Zhao Gang was thick-skinned. Seeing Xia Ziyu actively greet him, he approached to chat.

Xia Ziyu wasn’t bad-looking, on par with Sun Tian.

Zhao Gang was interested in both, but compared to Xiao Lan, Xia Ziyu’s looks weren’t quite enough.

“Ziyu, you’ve grown distant from your teacher since getting into university. Could what your cousin said yesterday be true?”

Xia Ziyu had even stolen her cousin’s boyfriend, yet acted properly in front of him, making him hesitant to take liberties.

Zhao Gang’s gaze at Xia Ziyu grew bolder.

Suppressing her anger, Xia Ziyu said, “My cousin isn’t any good either. Now she’s trying to change her image to be a good student. Look how everyone at home despises her – anyone could easily have their way with her… Never mind, why am I telling you this? Teacher Zhao, do you have a new pursuit?”

Xia Ziyu changed the subject, much to Zhao Gang’s regret.

He wanted to hear more about Xiao Lan – anyone could have their way with her?

Zhao Gang was seventy to eighty percent convinced since Xiao Lan looked provocative.

But Zhao Gang wasn’t stupid. Xia Ziyu telling him this – wasn’t she trying to get him to pursue Xiao Lan? The cousins had openly fallen out yesterday, so Xia Ziyu surely had ill intentions. Zhao Gang remained wary – he had been burned by her before!

“Ziyu, after half a year, you’re still so purposeful in your actions. You don’t want your cousin to get into university, right? Afraid she’ll steal your boyfriend? He’s just a sent-down youth – what’s worth fighting over? You’ve seen the wider world in Beijing now, clinging to a male sent-down youth doesn’t seem like your style.”

Zhao Gang had seen Wang Jianhua yesterday – slightly taller and more handsome than himself, admitted to the same university as Xia Ziyu. Was he worth Xia Ziyu being so nervous?

Such boyfriends might be hard to find in Anqing County, but wouldn’t there be plenty in Beijing?

Xia Ziyu sneered: “Teacher Zhao, you’d better mind your own business first. I see the principal’s niece isn’t easy to pursue! If people knew you still frequently harass female students at No.1 High School, becoming the principal’s nephew-in-law would be even harder… Should I put in a good word for you with Principal Sun?”

Zhao Gang’s expression darkened.

Principal Sun currently had no goodwill toward Xia Ziyu – wouldn’t her speaking up do more harm than good?

“Xia Ziyu, I won’t beat around the bush. Just tell me what you want me to do!”

Xia Ziyu smiled: “I don’t want Xiao Lan to participate in this year’s college entrance exam. Of course, it would be even better if she couldn’t take future exams either.”