Chapter 98: College Entrance Exam Crisis

As time went on day by day, the weather gradually warmed; the spring clothing designed by Su Ruo and her friends sold out immediately upon release, especially the parent-child outfits Su Ruo had made for trial, which reached a state of demand exceeding supply.

Moreover, Bai Xinya used her cousin's connections to sell their clothing in Hai Shi and Kyoto.

Even Su Ruo couldn't help but remark that having connections and relationships is advantageous; if she and Li Zhaodi relied only on themselves, no matter how hard they worked, they could not have developed so quickly.

Due to the expansion of production, the number of female workers Li Zhaodi employed increased from ten to over thirty; if it weren't for Su Ruo's impending move to the Imperial Capital after university admission, she would have wanted to build a factory here.

Li Zhaodi now has an unprecedented enthusiasm for making money, and after gaining wealth she has become more mature and confident.

During this period, Li Zhaodi's parents, upon seeing her earn money, came to her, but she coldly turned them away at the door.

Li Zhaodi said: "From the moment they thought of selling me, I ceased to be their daughter."

If one day they become old and unable to walk, out of consideration for their having raised me, I will support them, but beyond that, there will be nothing else.

They want to keep bleeding me dry, making me pay to support Li Jinbao—that is absolutely impossible.

After all, this is Li Zhaodi's family matter; Su Ruo did not comment, but she felt that Li Zhaodi had done a lot, and given her parents' nature, once she gave in this time, there would be a next time, then more and more, their appetite growing until they drained Li Zhaodi completely.

If one wants to completely cut off this trouble, it would be better not to give anything from the start; if they see no benefit, they will not cause trouble.

Indeed, seeing no benefit, Li Zhaodi's parents stopped playing the family card and immediately began to scold her, calling her a heartless white-eyed wolf who should have been drowned at birth.

Li Zhaodi paid no attention, continuing with what she needed to do; even facing the villagers' strange looks, her expression showed no change.

Su Ruo initially worried that Li Zhaodi would be upset, but Li Zhaodi advised her: "Master, don't worry; I will no longer be saddened by their actions."

Perhaps this is my fate—I was never destined to have a bond with parents—but what does it matter? I no longer need their love, for I will love myself doubly.

I will strive to live better, to prove them wrong—that girls are in no way inferior to boys.

Moreover, I now have my master, An'an, and Xinya elder sister—that is enough.

Su Ruo looked at the calm and composed Li Zhaodi and felt that her girl had finally grown up, no longer the timid little girl she once was.

Happy people heal their whole life with childhood; unhappy people heal childhood with their whole life. Li Zhaodi's kindness to An'an—making her many beautiful clothes and foods—is nothing if not compensation for her own past.

But it's fine; Su Ruo firmly believes they will only get better.

Li Zhaodi is right: in this world, even if no one loves us, we must love ourselves.

After the final batch of goods was delivered, each of them received ten thousand yuan; even though Su Ruo had been mentally prepared and knew their clothing would sell well, seeing the money in her hands still filled her with great surprise, for being a ten-thousand-yuan household is extremely rare nowadays.

No wonder people later said this is an era full of opportunities; as long as one dares to dream and is willing to work, one will surely make money—this truly is an age of gold everywhere!

Su Ruo and her friends were pushed forward by the tide of the times, and this time they also enjoyed the benefits of the era.

Su Ruo now counts as a wealthy woman; she decided that after the College Entrance Exam, regardless of whether she passes, she will go to Kyoto to buy a house—if she fails this year, she will simply stay in Kyoto, earning money while preparing for next year's exam.

Bai Xinya and Li Zhaodi, however, have great confidence in Su Ruo, as if they have already decided that she will surely pass.

In May, the College Entrance Exam, long awaited by countless students, finally arrived.

Because Su Ruo needed to take the exam in the county town, Zhou Feng specially booked a guesthouse for her.

In fact, Bai Xinya wanted Su Ruo and her friends to stay at her home, but she feared Su Ruo would feel uncomfortable, so she did not insist.

On the day before the College Entrance Exam, Zhou Feng personally drove Su Ruo and her friends to the guesthouse; to let Su Ruo prepare peacefully for tomorrow's exam, Bai Xinya left taking An'an with her.

An'an usually clings to Su Ruo, but this time she did not protest; Bai Xinya smiled and praised: "Our An'an has grown up, knowing not to delay Mama's exam."

Su Ruo felt Bai Xinya and the others were perhaps overly nervous, but knowing their good intentions, she did not refuse.

At night, Li Zhaodi feared Su Ruo might upset her stomach, so she dared not make anything too greasy; she prepared clear broth noodles with two eggs for Su Ruo, all ingredients she had specially brought from the village.

Li Zhaodi could not help Su Ruo with studies, but when it came to food and drink she dared not be the slightest bit careless.

After finishing her meal, Su Ruo returned to her room, read a bit, then went to sleep; she had expected to suffer insomnia that night, given that across two lifetimes this was her first College Entrance Exam, but she was surprised to find her sleep exceptionally peaceful.

The room Zhou Feng arranged for Su Ruo had no one on either side, so although she stayed in a guesthouse, she was not disturbed at all.

Su Ruo slept soundly and woke up feeling exceptionally refreshed; in contrast, Li Zhaodi had spent a sleepless night worrying, waking with large dark circles, and prepared breakfast for Su Ruo.

Su Ruo looked at Li Zhaodi and found it rather amusing—clearly it was she who was taking the exam, yet Li Zhaodi acted even more nervous than she; Su Ruo wanted to comfort Li Zhaodi but didn't know how, yet this concern warmed her heart.

As Su Ruo went out, a light drizzle fell; Li Zhaodi handed her an umbrella and rain boots, repeatedly asking if she had brought everything, urging her not to get wet.

Su Ruo repeatedly said: "Mm, I've brought everything, don't worry!"

Seeing Li Zhaodi still wanting to escort her to the exam hall, Su Ruo quickly stopped her: "Don't worry—I can go on my own; if you come with me I'll only worry about you, so wait obediently at the guesthouse, and I'll return right after the exam."

Only then did Li Zhaodi cease insisting.

Su Ruo walked alone in the rain, with students continually passing by; under the influence of this atmosphere, she felt a sense of youth for the first time.

Although Su Ruo is only eighteen, her body houses an aged soul; only now did she feel youthful, and she couldn't help exclaiming, "Youth is truly wonderful!"

Because youth means infinite possibilities, allowing one to look forward to the future with anticipation and longing.

But just as Su Ruo was about to reach the exam hall, several burly men suddenly blocked her path.

"What do you want?" Su Ruo stared at the men blocking her way, her face icy.

The leading man laughed and said: "Little sis, don't be afraid; we won't hurt you—someone just doesn't want you to take the exam. As long as you cooperate, we'll release you right after the exam ends."

Upon hearing this, Su Ruo's face grew colder; she didn't know who had sent these people, but for her now that didn't matter—what mattered was how she could escape.

Su Ruo replied with an icy expression: "What if I refuse?"

The man's face instantly darkened: "Then don't blame us!" After saying that, several people simultaneously drew knives and slowly surrounded Su Ruo.

"Little sis, we don't want to hurt you, but if you insist on forcing your way through and accidentally get injured, it won't be our fault."

"You say you have such a pretty little face; if you were accidentally cut and left with a scar, what a pity."

"Knives and swords have no eyes; I advise you to be sensible—we'll let you go right after the exam ends."

Su Ruo knew these men had come prepared; if it were another time, even if they had knives, with her skills she would not fear a fight.

But for Su Ruo now, the most important thing is to reach the exam hall as quickly as possible; she has no extra time or energy to waste on these people.

Su Ruo pondered ways to escape in her mind; finally, after communicating with 001, she exchanged points for a high-voltage electric baton, but just as she was about to draw it, a car horn suddenly interrupted her.

Zhou Feng stepped out of the car, walked a few paces to Su Ruo's side, and with a stern gaze at the thugs blocking her, demanded: "What are you doing?!"

The leading man, upon seeing Zhou Feng alight from a small car, instantly changed his face; after all, in this day and age ordinary people could hardly afford a small car, and Zhou Feng's bearing made it clear he was no ordinary person.

The man realized today's plan was surely foiled; he immediately signaled his men to put away their knives, smiling apologetically: "Just a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding—we were merely passing by, we're leaving now."

After the man finished speaking, he and his subordinates immediately scattered and fled; Zhou Feng chased a few steps then stopped, knowing that the most important thing now was to send Su Ruo to the examination hall, and as for these people, they could wait until Su Ruo finished her exam before being investigated slowly.

Zhou Feng walked up to Su Ruo and asked, "Are you alright?"

Su Ruo shook her head at him, indicating she was fine.

Seeing everyone had fled, Bai Xinya then carried An'an down from the car, her face full of worry as she said, "I was scared to death; fortunately today we listened to An'an's words and came to see you off, otherwise we wouldn't know what would have happened. These people are utterly lawless, daring to wound someone with a knife in broad daylight."

Su Ruo looked at the worry in Bai Xinya's eyes, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

On the contrary, An'an was the most composed; she scrunched her little face and said, "Those people can't hurt Mom!"

Su Ruo smiled, reached out and pinched her little cheek, praising, "Our An'an is still the smartest."

Bai Xinya was about to say more when Zhou Feng interrupted her: "All right, whatever you have to say can wait until you're in the car; the most important thing now is to first send Su Ruo to her exam."

Bai Xinya also came to her senses, quickly saying, "Yes, yes, yes, the exam is most important; let's go to the examination hall first."

In the car, Bai Xinya continually comforted Su Ruo, fearing that the recent incident would affect her mood.

But she was completely overthinking it; just a few petty thugs, Su Ruo hadn't even taken them seriously.

When Su Ruo reached the gate, many examinees were entering the venue, and she immediately spotted Li Shiruo standing at the entrance.

Li Shiruo saw Su Ruo, and surprise flashed in her eyes, followed by bewilderment and disappointment, but in an instant she withdrew her gaze and turned to walk toward the examination hall.

Su Ruo frowned slightly; it seemed the previous lesson hadn't been enough, as Li Shiruo dared to provoke her again. If this matter was indeed done by Li Shiruo, Su Ruo wouldn't mind giving her an unforgettable lesson for life.