That dog Zhao Gang – if he had snuck into either room that night, whether Sun Tian’s or Xiaolan’s, how could two young women have fared well?

Principal Sun was a cultured person, genuinely cultured, not just putting on airs. He embodied all the traits of a scholar: concern for face, noble-mindedness, and hatred of evil.

He had previously been so fond of Xia Ziyu, but once he learned she wasn’t as pure as she appeared, the deceived Principal Sun could instantly turn his back on her – another trait of scholars. Wasn’t Zhao Gang doing the same thing now? As a teacher at County First High, Zhao Gang was under Principal Sun’s leadership. Having such a person teaching at the school meant Principal Sun had failed in his duties!

He had nearly harmed his niece and a star student he had high hopes for.

Principal Sun had planned to proudly parade through Anqing wearing a red flower when Xiaolan got into a prestigious university. Zhao Gang had almost destroyed Principal Sun’s highest career aspiration – how could he let him off? Since the school couldn’t handle it directly, looking at Zhao Gang’s still-swollen face, Principal Sun knew he needed another reason to fire him, without causing citywide gossip.

“Fortunately, you had these two relatives.”

Principal Sun was more perceptive than Sun Tian. Though called relatives, they were quite respectful toward Xiaolan. But why would anyone show such respect to Xiaolan? Principal Sun knew her background perfectly well. Xiaolan was just an ordinary country girl – her father’s relatives were terrible, her parents divorced, and she lived with her mother… Principal Sun suppressed his confusion: “Don’t worry about this matter anymore. I’ll hand Zhao Gang over to Chief Liang.”

Though sharing the surname Liang, this Chief Liang had no relation to Liang Bing’an and was Zhuo Weiping’s former superior.

Chief Liang was worldly-wise and experienced. Though both punished wrongdoers, he was more diplomatic than Zhuo Weiping.

This was his third time handling a “case” involving Xiaolan – or fourth, counting the Zhang Erlai incident. Xiaolan was practically a regular at the police station. Chief Liang found some truth in the saying that beauty brings trouble, but he hadn’t lost his head and blamed Xiaolan for these villains’ repeated attempts to harm her.

What wrong had this girl done by being too beautiful?

Her grades were excellent too, and Principal Sun said she earned her own tuition. Chief Liang rather admired that.

Being a good student was like having an imperial sword. Xia Ziyu had once used this identity to do as she pleased, and now this “good student” status also protected Xiaolan, sparing her many troubles. Chief Liang deliberately ignored that Zhao Gang had been beaten to a pulp and imprisoned for two days. Would Xiaolan and Sun Tian, a good student, and a female teacher, falsely accuse Zhao Gang? Having booked a room at the guesthouse in advance and trying to pick a woman’s door lock at night – no one would believe Zhao Gang had simply gone to the wrong room.

The suite was on the top floor, while Zhao Gang’s single room was on the second floor, with the third floor between them.

Li Dongliang and Ge Jian had kept Zhao Gang’s lock-picking tools – various small metal pieces. Chief Liang was amazed that a teacher would have professional thief’s tools.

“I’ll take him away. Teacher Sun and Student Xia might need to come to the station to make statements. Don’t worry, the police station will keep this confidential – no one will gossip about it.”

Chief Liang looked carefully at Li Dongliang and Ge Jian.

These two simple-looking men just let him observe them.

If such outsiders had suddenly appeared in Anqing, they would have caught Chief Liang’s attention. Were they Xiaolan’s relatives? They seemed more like professional bodyguards for her.

Like Principal Sun, Chief Liang understood but didn’t mention it.

Zhao Gang was dragged away like a dead dog, and Principal Sun finally remembered the important matter:

“Student Xiaolan, how do you think you performed in the mock exam?”

The mock exam was quite easy to pass. Not just for someone of Xiaolan’s ability – even other County First High candidates had over 50% chance of passing. After all, County First High was the best high school in Anqing County. If most students were eliminated at the mock exam stage, what hope would other township high schools have?

It was those township high schools that should worry about mock exam results. While County First High could get eight university admissions yearly, it wouldn’t be surprising if township high schools got none!

That’s why Fengxian students looked down on county students – passing the mock exam was even easier for good Fengxian high schools.

Last year’s college admission line was 350 points; scoring 300 on the mock exam would pass.

Xiaolan answered honestly, “I didn’t find the questions too difficult. I think I did alright.”

Principal Sun was delighted as if he’d eaten a ginseng fruit. “That’s wonderful, wonderful!”

Xiaolan felt she’d done well enough to justify the accommodation expenses the school had provided. But Principal Sun remembered what Teacher Wang had reported – Xiaolan’s two “relatives” had treated First High students to meals for two days in Fengxian. He thanked Li Dongliang and Ge Jian, shaking their hands, but his doubts grew stronger.

If they weren’t Student Xiaolan’s relatives, who were they?

And was it Student Xiaolan who had treated the First High students to meals for two days?!

Xiaolan thought about the high temperatures these past few days. Now that the mock exam was over, she could go to Yangcheng with peace of mind. She couldn’t answer Principal Sun’s questions yet – after the college entrance exam, she would properly host a thank-you banquet for teachers.

By then, Principal Sun would understand everything.

For this trip to Yangcheng, Xiaolan had originally planned to go with just Li Dongliang and his companion.

However, since Lan Fenghuang had no clothes to sell and the shop wasn’t busy, she wanted to bring Li Fengmei and Liu Fen along. Before the college entrance exam, this would be Xiaolan’s last trip away, and she wanted Li Fengmei and Liu Fen to become as familiar as possible with the shop’s supply channels. Experience comes from seeing and choosing more.

The shop could be left in Ma Wei’s care, but what about Liu Zitao?

Missing two days of school wouldn’t actually affect studies much, especially elementary school courses being so simple. But Liu Zitao had just started school last year and hadn’t yet developed good study habits – it wouldn’t be right to let him miss school for an out-of-town trip.

They could take him traveling during summer vacation.

Hearing Liu Fen and Xiaolan discussing this, Grandma Yu voluntarily offered to help solve their dilemma:

“Just drop him off and pick him up? I won’t look after the child!”

Liu Fen was delighted, “Taotao is very well-behaved and won’t bother you. He can do many things by himself.”

Grandma Yu snorted lightly: “It better be so! Don’t look at me like that – I’m just soft-hearted… Let me be clear, you’ll have to cover his living expenses. Don’t try to trick this old lady into paying.”

If Xiaolan hadn’t unexpectedly come into money and directly given her 5,000 yuan, she wouldn’t have meddled in this!

This old lady – even doing good deeds, she had to act tough.

Xiaolan coaxed her like a child: “Of course, we’ll pay for his living expenses – whatever amount you say.”

The awkward Grandma Yu had her kind of charm. Their relationship had evolved from strangers to familiars, from her being guarded to actively helping – this was the best relationship possible between landlord and tenants.

As Grandma Yu’s attitude toward them changed, Liu Fen also became more concerned about the old lady. With everyone going away, she worried about Grandma Yu fainting again with no one knowing. Having Liu Zitao as the company would be good.