Chapter 17: You Are Not Welcome in Our Home

Zhang Yongfeng had no mother, only a father. After his father passed away a few years ago, he became an orphan. The cold and heartless faces of his relatives were deeply branded into his heart, and he could never let it go.

Now, the Hua family was his true home.

Hua Xiali smiled and patted Zhang Yongfeng on the shoulder, saying, "Don't worry, my sister isn't that kind of person. If it really comes to that, you'll be my brother for life, and we won't leave you to fend for yourself."

Hua Xiali knew Zhang Yongfeng's character better than anyone; it could be said that he was a rare, good man in this world.

"By the way, Xiali, the principal asked when you're going back to school to register. He wants you to bring a top-scorer title back for the school," Zhang Yongfeng said.

When Hua Xiali was in school, although she didn't get full marks every single time, she was always first in her class, leaving a deep impression on the principal.

Even though she had dropped out for three years, the principal still remembered her name and who she was.

Hua Xiali smiled sheepishly. "The principal is really overestimating me, wanting me to aim for the top spot. But I will consider it carefully. After all, my grades were pretty good back then; I should at least try to see if I can get into university!"

The high school they attended was an ordinary one in the town, and the only one at that. Its college entrance exam scores and admission rates couldn't compare to the two key high schools in the county seat. Very few people managed to get into first-tier universities each year. It was understandable that the principal wanted her to go back and aim for the top.

It was April now. Hua Xiali wanted to see how much money she could earn in a month. If she earned enough, she could indeed consider re-registering for high school at the end of August. She believed the principal and teachers would be especially welcoming to her.

Hua Xiali returned to her room to calculate the money she had on hand. Huo Beixi had lent her 1,500, she gave 800 to her eldest sister, leaving her with 700. Adding the compensation from the Wang family today, she had a total of 1,200. After setting aside 200 for equipment and paying her fourth aunt 6 for the bamboo shoots, she had 994 in capital left. The pressure instantly felt much lighter.

Through her own efforts, she would turn this 994 into 9,994, 99,994, or even more.

In the evening, Hua Xiali went to the yard to water the fruit tree saplings she had planted earlier. To ensure they would survive, she added a full bowl of spiritual spring water to each bucket of water.

After watering, she returned from the backyard and saw Hua Qiuli walking into the yard with her schoolbag. Their family used to have a bicycle, but they had sold it at a low price when they were in urgent need of money.

Fortunately, Hua Qiuli only came home once a week. It was fine for her to walk or catch a ride on a classmate's bike, but it would be too inconvenient if she had to walk to school every day.

Things were just difficult for the time being. Once she earned enough money, she could buy Hua Qiuli a new bicycle.

"Second Sister." Hua Qiuli called out to Hua Xiali, then carried her schoolbag and a change of clothes into her room.

The Hua family's living conditions had been quite good before. Even though they were all girls, each child had their own room, unlike other families where several children were squeezed into one.

Hua Qiuli was currently in a rebellious adolescent phase. The family tragedy had made her introverted and sensitive, and she spoke very little. Fortunately, she hadn't gone astray. Growing up, she would lead an ordinary life, but that was still much better than what Hua Xiali and Hua Chunli had faced. Therefore, Hua Xiali didn't intend to interfere too much in Hua Qiuli's life; she would just use the spiritual spring water to help regulate her health.

When everyone was eating dinner that night, Hua Qiuli asked curiously, "Mom, where's Eldest Sister? Why isn't she home?"

"Your eldest sister went back to school," Mother Hua said, placing a chopstick-full of stir-fried chives with eggs into Hua Qiuli's bowl. "The chickens at home have been laying eggs quite diligently lately, so we have plenty. Eat more, don't skimp."

Hua Qiuli asked in confusion, "Where did the money come from?"

"Your second sister lent it to us," Mother Hua replied.

Hua Qiuli froze for a moment, then said to Hua Xiali, "Second Sister, thank you."

Hua Xiali hadn't expected her to thank her suddenly and didn't react for a moment. Then, she smiled and said, "You just focus on your studies. I'll cover your university tuition in the future."

The spiritual spring water could improve one's appearance, regulate the body, and enhance memory. If Hua Qiuli drank it for a few years, getting into an ordinary university shouldn't be a problem, right?

If all three sisters could get into university, let's see who would dare to mock their parents for not having a son, and who would dare to look down on their family.

Respect isn't given by others; it's earned by yourself.

When you are strong enough, others will only have respect and awe for you.

"Me?" Hua Qiuli waved her hands and smiled awkwardly. "I... I can't do it."

She didn't even know if she could get into high school, let alone university.

"Just try. As long as you get into university, I'll cover your tuition and living expenses. If you don't get in, then you get nothing. Don't blame me for paying for Eldest Sister's tuition and not yours, and don't complain that I'm being unfair. I've given you the opportunity; it's up to you whether you can seize it." Hua Xiali raised her eyebrows playfully.

Hua Qiuli lowered her head and said nothing. She knew her own level; with only a year left, she really didn't know if she could make it.

Just then, a knock came at the door. Hua Xiali put down her bowl and chopsticks and went to open it. Seeing Sun Ping, the village electrician's apprentice, standing outside, she frowned in annoyance. "Sun Ping, what do you want by coming to our house again?"

"I don't want anything." Sun Ping pushed Hua Xiali aside and slipped in like a slippery loach. With his hands behind his back like a boss, he walked straight to the main room where they were eating. Looking at the stir-fried chives with eggs and the stir-fried greens on the table, he clicked his tongue. "Eating this, are you?"

"What we eat at home has nothing to do with you," Hua Xiali said, following him quickly and speaking sharply. "Please leave. You aren't welcome here."

Most people in the village were decent, but there were a few who weren't very friendly, and this Sun Ping was one of them. Ever since the incident with her father, he would come by every few days to cut off their electricity, leaving them in the dark at night.

Just because he had learned a few tricks from the electrician, he had become arrogant and bullied others at will.

"Hua Xiali, look at how stingy you are. I just came to take a look, I'm not eating your food. Why are you following me so closely?" Sun Ping turned to walk out, but suddenly, a pair of electrician's pliers appeared in his hand—he had likely just pulled them from his pocket.

Seeing this, Hua Xiali knew he was up to no good again. She turned and headed toward the backyard. In her past life, they had been afraid to offend anyone and had endured it, but she wouldn't be like that anymore.