Chapter 7: Studying at Raocheng No. 1 High School

As he asked, Elder Jiang suddenly paused, speaking as if he had more to say: "Niannian, I heard you took a year off from school. You're about to start your third year of high school, right? Have you thought about which high school you want to attend? Is there any school you like?"

High school. School.

Qiao Nian had been burying her head, drinking her soup listlessly. Upon hearing this, she lowered her eyelashes, concealing the look in her eyes.

If the old man hadn't brought it up, she wouldn't have even thought about school.

To her, high school and university were nothing more than diplomas; she had long since stopped needing such things.

But at this moment, Qiao Nian pondered for a moment, then raised her eyes and shook her head. "I haven't thought about it yet."

Jiang Xianrou mistook her hesitation for poor grades and sneered inwardly. If you can't get into high school, you can't get in—why pretend you haven't decided? And Grandpa, really, asking her which school she likes!

Can you just go wherever you like?

Ye Wangchuan glanced at the girl eating obediently, stretched out, and leaned back against his chair, speaking in a seemingly casual tone: "Raocheng No. 1 High School is not bad."

"Raocheng No. 1 High School?" Elder Jiang had originally intended to bring Qiao Nian back to Beijing for her studies. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately remembered that Qiao Nian had another identity: Ye Wangchuan's fiancée! Beijing was crowded and complex; if Niannian returned to Beijing so openly, he might not be able to protect her. After a brief thought, he agreed: "Raocheng No. 1 High School is indeed not bad; the quality of education is decent. Niannian, what do you think?"

Raocheng No. 1 High School?

Qiao Nian pursed her lips. She didn't really want to stay in Raocheng.

But when she looked up and met the old man's expectant gaze, she didn't know why, but she nodded almost instinctively: "Whatever, I don't mind."

"Then it's Raocheng No. 1 High School."

He was recuperating in Beijing, and Zongjin also worked in Beijing. If Qiao Nian were to stay in Raocheng, he would have to let the second branch of the family help look after her.

His gaze swept over Jiang Xianrou and the others, and he frowned slightly. "Your second brother has a house in Raocheng. For your final year of high school, besides being at school, you can temporarily stay at his place."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the second branch family—excluding Jiang Li—became rather unpleasant.

Jiang Li did have a separate house outside, but what did the old man mean by so blatantly arranging for her to stay there? Was he guarding against them?

Jiang Xianrou was young after all, and she immediately pouted, showing her dissatisfaction.

Jiang Zongnan was alright, just a bit awkward. Tang Wanru, sitting elegantly to the side, wiped her mouth, seemingly disdaining to participate in such matters.

Ye Wangchuan said calmly and composedly, "I will also be staying in Raocheng for a while; I can help look after her."

Qiao Nian suddenly looked up toward him, her gaze colliding directly with his.

That look...

She nearly choked on the soup in her throat and averted her eyes.

……

In the outer compartment.

Qiao Chen, Qiao Weimin, and the others had eaten their meal absent-mindedly, constantly pondering their encounter with Qiao Nian earlier, losing their train of thought several times while speaking.

Fortunately, He Yujuan and Tang Wei were close, and in the end, it was confirmed that she could enter the People's Art Theater after the college entrance exam.

Only then did Qiao Chen's agonizing heart feel a little better.

The meal finished, and the guests were satisfied.

He Yujuan, Qiao Weimin, and Mrs. Fu were seeing off Tang Wei and her daughter, and Qiao Chen followed behind.

After exiting Shuixiexuan, Fu Ge saw her pale complexion and distracted state. He walked beside her and asked in a low voice, "What's wrong?"

Seeing his firm, resolute features, Qiao Chen bit her lip, shook her head, and replied delicately: "It's nothing, my head just feels a bit uncomfortable."