Old Master Lin was slightly stunned, almost unable to believe his ears.

What did this girl say?!

No qualifications?!

“You—” Old Master Lin raised his hand, pointing at Xue Jiao with an expression of disbelief.

Old Master Lin was very angry. He had come here to warn Gu Xue Jiao.

Because he knew his grandson was already beyond his control, he decided to approach this girl instead.

He hadn’t expected to see Gu Xue Jiao right at the school gate, and coincidentally, his grandson was there too.

He had hoped to avoid confronting his grandson, but seeing this composed grandson running to the school gate for a little girl made him angry.

But what angered him more was—how dare this girl speak to him like this?!

Xue Jiao raised her chin, her expression unchanged.

“You’re insolent! I am his grandfather. Why don’t I have the right?!” Old Master Lin angrily stomped his foot, his face full of resentment.

Xue Jiao looked at him and said very seriously, “I believe you don’t deserve to be a grandfather. When you stopped treating your grandson as your flesh and blood, you ceased being his grandfather, and naturally lost the right to interfere in his affairs.”

“Insolent—” Old Master Lin’s cane struck the ground repeatedly as he breathed heavily. “You are insolent!”

Xue Jiao looked at him coldly. In her previous life, she had never met her own relatives, never experienced familial love. But that old man had raised her, providing care and love. Looking back at this life, she realized that was indeed family affection—kinship without blood ties.

An old man with no blood relation had given her familial love, while her biological parents in her previous life had brought her into the world but were unwilling to raise her. Xue Jiao hadn’t understood family relationships before. She had thought only blood relations constituted family.

But in this life, she discovered that people without blood ties could still share family bonds, while those with blood ties didn’t necessarily have familial affection.

This man gave Lin Zhihua no familial love, yet demanded Lin Zhihua show him respect due to a relative.

What logic was this?

“You raised Lin Zhihua, so when you committed a grave mistake, Lin Zhihua still ensured you lived well with good food, providing you with a comfortable life. He has already been more than fair to you, yet you’re ungrateful and still want to interfere in his life.”

Xue Jiao’s eyes were cold. “Who he likes, who he wants to marry, has nothing to do with you. Don’t meddle in his affairs under the pretext of having his best interests at heart. It’s not needed.”

Old Master Lin was so angry he was breathing heavily, one hand clutching his chest, his eyes wide.

“You—you—”

“I’m speaking the truth. Did you ever truly love Lin Zhihua? Did you ever consider his life? You even aided the wrongdoers. During that car accident years ago, did you ever think about what uncontrollable events might occur?!” Xue Jiao questioned, raising her voice, enunciating each word.

If she hadn’t transmigrated, in that car accident, this seemingly most capable, best man in the world would have lost his brilliance.

No one in this world would have known how extraordinary this man was, nor what kind of splendor he would have created.

Just thinking about such a scenario made Xue Jiao distressed.

He still thought he was Lin Zhihua’s grandfather, but he was also someone who had once nearly caused this man’s death!

“You haven’t fulfilled your obligations, so don’t presume to exercise your rights!” Xue Jiao’s voice became sharp and angry, showing a sharpness unlike any she had displayed before.

Lin Zhihua stood behind Xue Jiao, staring at her in amazement.

Was Jiaojiao protecting him?

This wasn’t the first or second time—the old master getting angry, commanding, fuming…

Even his parents would only stand aside, or even submit to the old master, and then join in lecturing him.

Lin Zhihua previously couldn’t be bothered with them, preferring to keep them out of sight and mind.

His solution was to confine the old master and send his parents abroad.

But today, this small, thin girl, whom he wanted to protect with open arms…

This girl suddenly stood in front of him, speaking those words that showed how much she cared for him.

She questioned the old master, for his sake.

Even in such a situation, Lin Zhihua’s lips curled into a gentle smile, his eyes filled with tenderness.

His Jiaojiao.

Old Master Lin was extremely angry, nearly blacking out. The middle-aged man immediately supported him. The old master steadied himself and pushed the man away.

Then, with a devouring gaze, he looked at the two of them, his voice trembling. “Lin Zhihua, you’re just going to let her speak to your grandfather like this?!”

Old Master Lin’s eyes questioned, glaring fiercely at them both.

Lin Zhihua’s lips curved slightly upward. “I think she’s right…”

“You—”

Xue Jiao grabbed Lin Zhihua’s sleeve and took a deep breath. “Let’s go.”

Lin Zhihua’s eyes showed his smile. “All right.”

Xue Jiao pulled him away, not wanting to see the old master anymore.

From behind came Old Master Lin’s angry roar—

“Stop right there!”

No one paid him any attention.

Xue Jiao was angry. She couldn’t tell anyone that Lin Zhihua had almost been killed, and that was exactly what had happened in her previous life.

She wasn’t even sure if, after telling him, that stubborn-looking old master would care that he had caused his grandson’s death.

Lin Zhihua completely disregarded the old master. After this incident, he wouldn’t let him cause trouble again.

But because… Xue Jiao was protecting him, he even found the old master’s antics endearing.

“Jiaojiao…” Lin Zhihua looked at where she was holding his sleeve, his voice soft.

His voice carried complex emotions that Xue Jiao didn’t understand. Right now, she had no time to care about these things, as her anger-heated brain gradually cooled down.

She released her grip and stopped walking.

Lin Zhihua looked at her released hand, feeling slightly disappointed.

Xue Jiao turned around, looking at Lin Zhihua with sympathetic eyes. “You… don’t be sad…”

Lin Zhihua was startled for a moment, then shook his head with a smile. “I’m not sad.”

He was used to such things; what was there to be sad about?

But Xue Jiao still felt sorry for him. She took a deep breath and said, “Lin Zhihua, you taught me that we shouldn’t care about those who don’t care about us. For people you don’t care about, there’s no need to let them dictate your life. Whether you want to get married, or when you get married, that’s your own business, not the concern of these relatives who have hurt you.”

Lin Zhihua looked at the serious face of the young woman before him and nodded gently. “All right.”

He greatly enjoyed the feeling of being cared for by her in this moment. This would become a memory he would find difficult to forget.

The warmth of this moment, that feeling spreading from deep within his heart, was both comfortable and joyful.

“We shouldn’t be troubled or obstructed by these words. You are so excellent; you should live the life you want to live.” Xue Jiao looked at him firmly, her eyes encouraging.

Lin Zhihua smiled lightly and nodded. “All right.”

After a moment, he added, “Jiaojiao, you’ve grown.”

Xue Jiao was startled and then looked at him blankly. “Huh?”

“Thank you for what you just said.” Lin Zhihua continued with a smile.

Xue Jiao smiled bashfully, somewhat embarrassed. “What’s there to thank? We’re friends. You’ve always been good to me, so of course I should be good to you!”

Lin Zhihua: “…”

He was silent for a moment, then smiled helplessly.

He had just said she had grown up, but she was still the same, not having gained any insight into emotions.

His gratitude and friendship would never be so calculated.

This was love.

——

Lin Zhihua sent Xue Jiao back to the Cheng family. Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong were sitting on the sofa, discussing something while holding a list.

Xue Jiao was changing her shoes when she asked with curiosity, “Dad? Mom?”

“Jiaojiao is back.” Cheng Shuo smiled. “We’re looking at the guest list for your graduation celebration.”

Xue Jiao was surprised, suddenly remembering that her graduation celebration and coming-of-age ceremony would be held together.

In her previous life, her eighteenth birthday had passed uneventfully. In this life, she was going to have a coming-of-age ceremony. Just thinking about it made Xue Jiao feel a bit embarrassed.

“Oh…”

Cheng Shuo beckoned her over. “Your mom and I have drafted a list, all business friends.”

Xue Jiao walked over, nodding obediently.

Cheng Shuo had mentioned before that this was an opportunity to connect with potential business partners in Beijing, and Li Sitong would use this chance to communicate with other wives.

“Dad and Mom just want to know which friends you’d like to invite. We originally thought about holding your coming-of-age ceremony and graduation celebration separately…”

Xue Jiao shook her head, smiling indifferently. “It’s fine to hold them together to avoid trouble. I don’t have many friends.”

Cheng Shuo looked somewhat helpless.

Xue Jiao carefully thought and went through her list of friends…

“I want to invite Jiaxue, Chu Sheng, Xi Junyang, and Lin Zhihua…” She paused, not mentioning Yi Tianyu.

She shouldn’t appear before him.

Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong exchanged glances, clearly also thinking of Yi Tianyu, but they didn’t ask further.

Cheng Shuo just smiled. “Are there any other friends you want to invite?”

Xue Jiao thought carefully, then shook her head.

It seemed that apart from these four people, she had no other friends she could invite to Beijing for her birthday celebration.

Cheng Shuo also realized that she had few friends and smiled. “Now that you’re in university, you’ll have much more free time, Jiaojiao. You can try to make more friends.”

Xue Jiao nodded, responding softly, “Alright.”

“Well…”

“Hmm?”

Xue Jiao looked puzzled.

Cheng Shuo withdrew what he was about to say and only said, “Nothing.”

Lin Zhihua was one of the few friends in Jiaojiao’s heart. He couldn’t prevent Lin Zhihua from attending Jiaojiao’s coming-of-age ceremony because of his concerns.

“By the way, Jiaojiao, Mom bought you a formal dress. Come, come, let me show you.” Li Sitong suddenly stood up, saying happily.

Xue Jiao was startled for a moment, then reluctantly followed her into the room.

——

Xue Jiao’s coming-of-age ceremony was held half a month after she received her Tsinghua University admission letter.

Her eighteenth birthday.

In her previous life, Xue Jiao didn’t know her birthday. The old man had marked the day he found her, and every year on that day, he would close his stall early and buy her a small cake.

She would then share half with him, despite his reluctant expression.

A child’s happiness is so simple—just that small, sweet cake.

For her education, both the old man and Xue Jiao lived frugally. The small cake was only bought on her birthday.

As for the old man’s birthday… Xue Jiao didn’t know, and he never celebrated it.

Later, after the old man passed away, no one bought Xue Jiao small cakes anymore, and Xue Jiao herself wasn’t willing to buy one.

In her previous life, she had only lived to eighteen, about a month earlier than now. She spent that day working.

Like every other day, there was nothing special about it.

But in this life, after becoming Gu Xue Jiao, she had a grand and elaborate eighteenth birthday.

On this day, in the morning, she and Li Sitong went to get their hair done and makeup applied. In the early afternoon, she put on a beautiful formal dress and hurried to the hotel.

As the hosts, they arrived early to wait for the upcoming guests.

Jiaxue, Chu Sheng, and Xi Junyang were all in City C, quite far away, so they would arrive early.

Everyone thought they would be the first to arrive, but not long after they reached the hotel, the first to arrive, unexpectedly, was—Lin Zhihua.

Cheng Shuo: “…”

Lin Zhihua first smiled at Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong. “Uncle Cheng, Aunt Li.”

“Hi!” Li Sitong responded promptly.

Cheng Shuo, however, grunted without saying a word.

“Why did you come so early?” Xue Jiao’s eyes widened slightly. “The banquet doesn’t start until seven!”

“I wanted to come early.” Lin Zhihua smiled. When he smiled, he looked very handsome. That attractive face smiling was particularly eye-catching, as if under a spotlight, there was only this one person.

Xue Jiao shook her head helplessly. “Then have a seat first.”

Lin Zhihua nodded, his eyes fixed on Xue Jiao without blinking.

Xue Jiao was wearing makeup today. Due to past memories, Li Sitong strongly disliked Xue Jiao wearing makeup, and of course, Xue Jiao herself didn’t like it either.

But today was different. Li Sitong said she was now an adult, marking a dividing line from her adolescent years. On such an important day, she should present herself most beautifully.

Therefore, for the first time, Xue Jiao appeared before Lin Zhihua wearing makeup.

She was already very beautiful. Originally a stubborn white rose, after makeup, she was like a gorgeous red rose.

The teardrops at the corner of her eyes had been accentuated, like a cinnabar mole that pierced the heart.

When her thick eyelashes fluttered, they stirred waves of emotion in one’s heart.

Her white chiffon long dress showcased her slender waist and tall figure.

The dress had a large exposed area at the back, but her cascading long hair covered it, creating an alluring effect.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem.” Cheng Shuo coughed darkly.

Lin Zhihua withdrew his gaze and said with a light smile, “Jiaojiao, happy birthday. Congratulations, you’re eighteen now.”

He had been waiting for this day for over a year.

He gently reached out and embraced her, his movements very light.

Xue Jiao was surprised for a moment, then smiled. Lin Zhihua quickly released her.

His heart was beating fast, and he breathed silently, steadying his breath.

Then he took out a small box from his bag and handed it to Xue Jiao.

For a moment, Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong thought he was going to propose.

But when the box opened, it contained a delicate little necklace.

It held a pair of small silver wings. Xue Jiao was slightly surprised.

Lin Zhihua’s voice sounded in her ear—

“Jiaojiao, this is my gift for your eighteenth birthday. May you have a pair of wings in the future, free to soar.”

Xue Jiao’s eyes brightened, and she looked up at him with delight.

After a moment, Xue Jiao reached out and voluntarily hugged Lin Zhihua. “Thank you… I like it…”

Her voice carried joy. This was the gift she was most satisfied with.

Cheng Shuo stood nearby watching, his face darkening slightly.

For some reason, he felt that Lin Zhihua seemed more like Xue Jiao’s… father than he did.

Cheng Shuo: “…”

This thought made him smile, and he looked at Lin Zhihua. “Mr. Lin, please go sit over there for a while.”

“All right.” Lin Zhihua wasn’t awkward about it and followed Cheng Shuo to sit and chat.

They appeared harmonious and friendly, but their conversation was—

“Mr. Lin, you’re so caring toward my daughter, more like a father than I am.”

“Uncle Cheng, rest assured, I will cherish Jiaojiao like a daughter for my entire life.”

“…I’m not very reassured.”

“You can be reassured.”

“Mr. Lin, I heard your family is urgently pushing for marriage. My daughter is still young.”

“I can wait. Ten years, eight years, I can wait.”

“…”

——

“Happy birthday!” Liu Jiaxue reached out and hugged Xue Jiao tightly.

Xue Jiao smiled. This was her friend. In the future, they might not often meet, but true friendship doesn’t fade with distance.

That unbreakable friendship means that even without regular contact, when you meet again, everything is as it was before—you’re still someone who matters to me.

Chu Sheng also came, wearing a suit and bringing a gift box.

“Classmate, happy birthday.”

He called her classmate because, in the future, they would still be classmates.

“Classmate, thank you.” Xue Jiao smiled ambiguously.

“I heard you’re already in Professor Tan’s office?” Chu Sheng gave a thumbs up. “You’re one step ahead.”

Xue Jiao rolled her eyes. “You make it sound like you won’t catch up. Do you have a target?”

Chu Sheng pretended to be dramatic. “You could tell?”

Xue Jiao shook her head with a smile. After arranging for Chu Sheng and Liu Jiaxue, she was led by Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong to receive the arriving guests, who were all Cheng Shuo’s business partners.

“Mr. Xu! Welcome, welcome!” Cheng Shuo smiled, looking very happy and enthusiastic.

Mr. Xu’s attitude was more reserved. His business status was higher than Cheng Shuo’s. His attendance at this banquet was purely a favor.

“Haha, congratulations, Boss Cheng. You have both a son and a daughter, and they’re both outstanding!”

It must be said that even these guests who came as a favor, though higher in status than Cheng Shuo, had to admit that Cheng Shuo had raised his children well.

Good-looking, strong capabilities, and upper-class demeanor.

Because of such children, even unfamiliar people would look at Cheng Shuo with more respect.

“Not at all, they’re just bookworms.”

“Your children…” Mr. Xu’s voice paused, his gaze stopping at a corner of the hall.

After a moment, he rubbed his eyes in surprise.

“Is that… Lin Zhihua?”

Cheng Shuo’s smile froze.

Mr. Xu suddenly became enthusiastic, grabbing Cheng Shuo’s hand warmly.

“Boss Cheng, that’s not fair. You’re acquainted with Mr. Lin, yet you didn’t give any indication at all.”

Cheng Shuo smiled. “We’re not that familiar.”

Mr. Xu had a “don’t try to fool me” expression, then said, “Not familiar? Would he come if you weren’t? Everyone in the industry knows how difficult it is to invite Lin Zhihua. Brother, I consider you a brother, you must be sincere!”

Cheng Shuo smiled, his expression unreadable.

Mr. Xu continued to be enthusiastic for a long time, as if they had an excellent relationship, before finally leaving with a smile and heading directly toward Lin Zhihua.

He wasn’t the only one like this.

They never imagined that they would see Lin Zhihua at the event of a small company’s boss.

This was also why Cheng Shuo didn’t want Lin Zhihua to come. If they weren’t familiar, benefiting from Lin Zhihua’s presence would have made him happy.

That’s how business works—those concerned with face don’t last long.

But now, with Lin Zhihua having designs on his daughter, gaining from his presence made Cheng Shuo somewhat uncomfortable.

It was Cheng Mingze who comforted him. “Dad, don’t be so awkward. If Lin Zhihua wants to come, we can’t stop him. As for him and Jiaojiao, we certainly won’t easily agree.”

Cheng Shuo looked at Jiaojiao in the distance, being pulled into pleasantries by other bosses’ wives, and nodded, thinking it was indeed so.

No matter what!

He wouldn’t easily agree unless Jiaojiao herself was willing!

Thus, Cheng Shuo, who already wanted to establish a foothold in Beijing, found that just because of Lin Zhihua’s presence, it was as if he had been given the green light.

Sometimes it’s just like this. Even if others don’t know exactly what his relationship with Lin Zhihua is, because there is a relationship, they won’t make things difficult for Cheng Shuo.

Although they might not be willing to help, just not making things difficult is the biggest help.

Pengcheng, from today onward, officially put down roots in Beijing.

On this night, Xue Jiao officially became an adult. The banquet was very successful. Because of Lin Zhihua, Cheng Shuo’s business partners were all overflowing with enthusiasm.

And Xue Jiao’s few friends were all very sincere people.

The lively atmosphere continued until after nine o’clock when the banquet was considered over.

“…Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend my daughter’s graduation celebration. Thank you!”

Cheng Shuo gave his final speech, then smiled as he saw off each “enthusiastic” business friend.

Xue Jiao also arranged for Jiaxue and Chu Sheng to stay in hotel rooms. Xi Junyang couldn’t come today due to some matters but had sent a message of congratulations.

This is how it is after graduation. There will be various commitments, leading to missing one gathering, and then the next meeting.

With time, feelings that weren’t deep to begin with gradually fade, eventually leaving only formal pleasantries.

Everyone had left, and Cheng Shuo turned around with satisfaction. “Jiaojiao—”

His eyes noticed Lin Zhihua still standing there. Cheng Shuo raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t left yet?”

How can we give our surprise if you don’t leave?!

Lin Zhihua straightened his clothes and moved closer. “There’s no rush.”

We may not be in a rush, but we are!

Cheng Shuo was frustrated for a while, then said, “Our family still has some matters to attend to, you…”

Hearing “our family,” Lin Zhihua was even less inclined to leave.

Li Sitong was quite satisfied. She felt that Lin Zhihua had perfectly matched her image of a son-in-law.

Now he was… even more satisfied.

“It’s fine, let Zhihua stay,” Li Sitong spoke up, and Cheng Shuo didn’t say anything more.

Cheng Mingze also gave Lin Zhihua a somewhat dissatisfied look.

Xue Jiao was completely bewildered. “What are you all being so cryptic about?”

Cheng Shuo immediately ignored Lin Zhihua and smiled at Xue Jiao. “Jiaojiao, turn around.”

“Huh?” Xue Jiao was confused. Turn around?

She turned around bewilderedly.

“Bang—” Flowers and streamers burst open, the lights dimmed, and a previously concealed red curtain fell, revealing a floral arrangement that spelled out words.

Jiaojiao, Happy Birthday.

Xue Jiao was stunned, turning her head stiffly.

Then she was shocked again.

Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong were pushing a cake, while Cheng Mingze held a pair of large wings.

“Jiaojiao, today is your eighteenth birthday. Our family…” Cheng Shuo’s voice paused as he thought of Lin Zhihua, who wasn’t family but refused to leave…

After just a brief pause, he continued, “Our family all hopes that our treasure will always be happy and have a memorable eighteenth birthday.”

Li Sitong’s eyes were slightly red. The baby she had once held in her arms had now grown so big.

“Jiaojiao, Mom… wishes you would never grow up, that you would always be happy.”

Cheng Mingze handed her the wings. “But time doesn’t stop just because we want it to. You’ll gradually grow up, start having your troubles and awkwardness, and begin to have your dreams. We are your relatives, your family, and will always be your support.”

Cheng Shuo and Li Sitong had now reached Xue Jiao. “Jiaojiao, you’re eighteen now. Hereafter, you’ll be like a little bird leaving the nest where you grew up, going out to spread your wings and soar. Dad doesn’t ask that you be great, nor that you achieve significant accomplishments. As long as you’re happy every day, that’s enough…”

Toward the end, Cheng Shuo’s voice choked up, and Xue Jiao’s eyes reddened.

“Dad… Mom… Brother…” Xue Jiao was in tears.

Having such relatives was her fortune in this life.

Gu Xue Jiao, I don’t know where you’ve gone, but I wish you happiness too.

Thank you for all of this. Thank you.

I am very happy.

“Come, Jiaojiao, put on these big wings!” Seeing Xue Jiao crying, Cheng Mingze waved the wings, smiling to comfort her.

Lin Zhihua interjected, “Such big wings might not be easy to fly with. Better wear the small wings I gave you.”

“Pfft—” Xue Jiao couldn’t help but laugh.

Cheng Shuo: “…”

Whoever you are, why are you everywhere?!