Xia Xiaolan had been shuttling between school and hospital these past few days.

Tang Hong’en was recovering well after surgery. With a care worker looking after him, Xia Xiaolan just came to chat. She didn’t even need to prepare food since Tang Hong’en had to fast for 2-3 days, after which he would be on a liquid diet.

“Sweet foods, milk, and soy milk – these liquid foods that cause bloating aren’t allowed either. The doctor says you’re recovering very well, Uncle Tang.”

Tang Hong’en indeed looked to be in good condition.

Though still in recovery, he no longer showed the vulnerability displayed the night he first met Ji Jiangyuan. He appeared once again to be the impenetrable Mayor Tang. Now he just wanted to recover quickly and return to work!

With Tang Hong’en’s life experience, he certainly didn’t need Xia Xiaolan’s comfort.

He even complained about her frequent hospital visits, saying it was just a minor surgery and she needn’t come twice daily.

Neither mentioned the name “Ji Jiangyuan.” While he had told Xia Xiaolan about the situation initially, constantly discussing such matters wasn’t something Tang Hong’en would do. Why would he need a young girl’s comfort?

To Tang Hong’en, Xia Xiaolan was just a young girl – though cleverer than her peers, she still wasn’t mature enough.

Xia Xiaolan viewed Zhou Cheng’s cousin the same way.

What else could a ninth-grader be but a young girl?

Gu Siyan came to find her at Hua Qing on Wednesday. When Xia Xiaolan came downstairs, she saw Gu Siyan kicking at a twig with her head down. After a while, she picked up the twig and threw it in the trash. Xia Xiaolan thought she was just bored from waiting, but upon getting closer, she noticed Gu Siyan looking around anxiously, seeming rather unsettled.

“Si Yan, have you been waiting long?”

“Ah, no, no! Sister Xia, I came to return your money.”

Gu Siyan took out five crisp bills, their corners neat without creases. This child had a good upbringing. Compared to Zhou Cheng’s cousin, Cousin Gu was almost too adorable.

Xia Xiaolan accepted the money without protest. While helping in an emergency was fine, she was still a student herself, and the Gu family wouldn’t appreciate her privately giving money to their ninth-grade daughter. It wasn’t right to indulge other people’s children with money, though treating Gu Siyan to a meal would be acceptable.

“Did you come right after school? Let me treat you to dinner before you go back.”

Gu Siyan shook her head distractedly, her troubled thoughts written on her face. Xia Xiaolan couldn’t pretend not to notice. What troubles could a young girl have? Perhaps her classmate’s illness was serious?

That was all Xia Xiaolan could guess.

“How’s your classmate doing? Nothing serious, I hope?”

Gu Siyan panicked, “You mean He Jia? She’s fine, just had an upset stomach. Sister Xia, I should go now…”

Xia Xiaolan found this strange.

As Gu Siyan was about to ride away, Xia Xiaolan called out “Be careful on the road,” and Gu Siyan suddenly braked, falling off her bicycle.

What was this girl so panicked about?

Xia Xiaolan hurried to help her up, but before she could speak, Gu Siyan burst into tears:

“Sister Xia, I’m in trouble. You’re so smart, could you please help me?”

Xia Xiaolan let her speak slowly. Once Gu Siyan let go of her hesitation, she completely broke down and dropped a bombshell – He Jia, the classmate who went to the hospital that day, wasn’t suffering from an upset stomach, but was pregnant!

He Jia was in ninth grade like Gu Siyan. Both girls were frightened when the pregnancy was discovered. When the doctor, knowing they were students, wanted to notify their parents, He Jia pretended to use the bathroom and secretly fled the hospital.

He Jia begged Gu Siyan not to tell teachers or parents.

Gu Siyan, panicked at the time, agreed when He Jia cried, but had been under immense psychological pressure these past few days. Though He Jia was the one pregnant, Gu Siyan had been distracted in everything she did.

If they couldn’t tell teachers or parents, who could they tell?

Xia Xiaolan happened to be there by chance. Her academic brilliance was so dazzling that Gu Siyan believed she could solve any problem, and Xia Xiaolan had seen Gu Siyan and He Jia at the hospital that day… When Xia Xiaolan showed extra concern today, Gu Siyan couldn’t help but reveal this huge secret!

Gu Siyan wasn’t betraying her friend; she was seeking help.

While shocked, Xia Xiaolan knew this wasn’t the time to scold Gu Siyan.

“Are you sure the test wasn’t wrong? Without telling your parents, what do you plan to do? He Jia is your classmate, you’re both barely teenagers – is she planning to drop out and go home to have the baby?”

Xia Xiaolan’s questions only made Gu Siyan more confused.

Drop out to have a baby?

Gu Siyan’s education had always focused on studying hard; she’d never considered the possibility of dropping out in ninth grade. Helping He Jia hide this from parents and teachers seemed impossible now – He Jia’s belly would grow day by day, and eventually, they couldn’t keep it secret.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t ask for details, just highlighted several key points for Gu Siyan to consider:

“You’re both too young. Whatever decision is made now, you won’t be able to handle the responsibility later. Following He Jia’s wishes isn’t helping her – it’s making things worse… If she can be honest with her parents, she might get beaten and scolded, but her future life might not stray too far from its proper course.”

Gu Siyan was convinced, muttering:

“He Jia’s mother is so fierce, she’ll kill her. If only He Jia hadn’t gone to those tutoring classes. It’s terrible!”

Tutoring classes?

Xia Xiaolan grew alert. Hadn’t Xia Ziyu started a tutoring program? According to Zhou Cheng, it was quite substantial. Could it be the same tutoring program?!

…

“Jianhua, congratulations!”

Xia Ziyu spread out the newspaper, her joy is genuine.

The newspaper article reported on Wang Jianhua, a student at Jingshi Institute, who had organized tutoring classes with fellow students, helping middle school students eager for knowledge while providing practice for university students preparing to become teachers. The tutoring program wasn’t profit-driven; the fees collected were to support these participating “teachers.” Wang Jianhua’s actions were praised as a positive example of modern university students’ innovative thinking, using their knowledge to earn living expenses and reduce the state’s burden, a new exploratory model… The article was full of praise for Wang Jianhua, clearly written by Wang Guangping.

“Ziyu, this tutoring program was originally your idea and organization. I just helped a little.”

Wang Jianhua felt very uncomfortable.

He knew why this article appeared but couldn’t accept it with a clear conscience.

The article completely erased Xia Ziyu’s existence, presenting the tutoring program as Wang Jianhua’s initiative. Wang Guangping wanted to pave the way for Wang Jianhua, building his reputation as an exemplary modern university student, minimizing his age disadvantage, and helping him stand out at Jingshi Institute.

Though the tutoring program was Xia Ziyu’s creation, Wang Jianhua was receiving the recognition.

Xia Ziyu seemed completely unbothered:

“I agree with Uncle’s approach. Let’s promote you first, we’ll discuss my involvement later. We’re in this together – I’ll only do well when you do! With these articles, your Party membership and other selections will be much easier… Jianhua, I’ve always believed you’ll achieve great things!”