Chapter 23: Can I Avoid Studying at No. 1 High School?

Only after Qiao Weimin and the others had left did his face turn cold, and he walked toward Qiao Nian with a dark expression.

"Niannian."

Qiao Nian was fully focused on the hospital's promotional brochure; although the medical knowledge inside was common, the inclusion of illustrations made it unexpectedly interesting.

She looked up to see Qiao Weimin approaching aggressively. She raised an eyebrow, put the brochure back, tucked her hands into her pockets, and asked indifferently, "Is something wrong?"

Qiao Weimin was infuriated by her defiant attitude. His expression shifted slightly as he suppressed his anger and said, "I have something to ask you."

Before Qiao Nian could answer, he interrogated her as if seeking accountability: "Are you planning to stay in Raocheng for school?"

Qiao Nian narrowed her eyes. Her eyelids were thin and her skin was pale, making her pupils appear exceptionally dark and bright; when she stared at someone, it created a strong sense of pressure.

Feeling unnerved by her gaze, Qiao Weimin explained, "I was outside Shuixie Xuan and heard your Aunt Tang say you were also planning to attend Raocheng No. 1 High School, so I wanted to ask."

"Isn't your grandfather from Luohe County? Why did you decide to stay in Raocheng for high school? The province provides educational support projects for Luohe County every year, and the local education level is decent. There's no need to insist on staying in Raocheng for high school. As long as you work hard, I believe you can get into university no matter where you are..."

Qiao Nian sneered inwardly.

Everyone in C Province knew that the best educational resources were in Raocheng. Generally, the city rankings in Raocheng were equivalent to the provincial rankings, and only a few people from other districts made it into the top 200.

Even in Lin City, a second-tier city, very few students made it into the provincial top 200.

Let alone a poor county like Luohe.

Qiao Weimin was truly skilled at lying through his teeth!

Just then, her phone rang. Qiao Nian glanced at the caller ID—it was Ye Wangchuan, likely calling her to come up. She looked up, meeting Qiao Weimin's eager gaze, and said coldly, "If you have something to say to me, just say it directly. Don't beat around the bush."

It was exhausting for everyone to dance around the issue!

Qiao Weimin didn't hold back and immediately said, "Niannian, can you please not go to Raocheng No. 1 High School?"

He really had the nerve!

Qiao Nian looked at him with cold eyes: "Why?"

Though it was difficult for him to say, Qiao Weimin spoke up: "Your sister has already been guaranteed a spot at the Academy of Fine Arts after the Gaokao. You going to Raocheng No. 1 High School will have a bad influence on her... the students in her class have all heard about our family's situation, and it's inevitable that there will be gossip."

Qiao Chen was guaranteed a spot at the Academy of Fine Arts?

Qiao Nian curled her lips in a mocking smile, wanting to laugh.

She knew Qiao Chen's grades. Relying on the Qiao family's money for private tutors and asking her to predict exam questions every final term, Qiao Chen barely managed to stay at the tail end of the top 50 in her grade. Aside from No. 1 High School, Raocheng had seven or eight other high schools; Qiao Chen's city ranking was low, so unless she took the path of an art student, she wouldn't be able to attend a prestigious school!

"Dad thinks the nearby Yingcai High School is also quite good. If you really want to stay in Raocheng to study, I've discussed it with your mother and grandmother. How about we pay for you to attend Yingcai High School?"

Fearing she wouldn't agree, Qiao Weimin added as if he were looking out for her, "Yingcai High School is similar to Raocheng No. 1 High School; they are both good schools!"

"Yingcai is a private high school, so the tuition is much more expensive than Raocheng No. 1. I heard the food and lodging are also good. Your grandfather will eventually have to return to Luohe County; even if he used connections to let you study at Raocheng No. 1, they don't have a house in Raocheng, so they couldn't stay here to accompany you. Since you're studying either way, it's better to find a school with better facilities."

(End of Chapter)