This is too risky.
Most importantly, in Jiang Quâs memory, it seems there was never any mention of his grandma falling ill and being hospitalized.
By next year, He Xingâs factory should be built. Two years later, he should appear on TV, and in another year, he could become one of the cityâs outstanding talents.
But what about now? He is heavily in debt, with additional burdens, and the factory wonât be able to open next year!
Jiang Qu doesnât know whatâs gone wrong, and sheâs increasingly uneasy, with more doubt in her eyes when looking at He Xing.
"He Xing, even if you do this, you might not be able to save grandma. Grandma wouldnât want to see you sacrificing so much!"
He Xing silently looked at Jiang Qu.
His eyes were pitch black, carrying a strong, cold light within.
Many things from the past surged into his mind again. He had always known that Jiang Quâs intentions toward him might not be pure.
But he also felt that she truly loved him.
After all, the admiration and love in her eyes didnât seem fake.
But now, he was more clear-headed.
That the girl in front of him wasnât as simple as he had imagined.
"Grandma fell because she was bringing you something. No matter what, I will do my best to save her."
Jiang Qu couldnât help but furrow her brows.
So it was because of her that He Xingâs original trajectory was altered?
What should she do now?
Just watch as he misses this great opportunity for development?
How many years would it take to catch such an open opportunity again? Now, opportunities were everywhere, especially with He Xing currently planning to do trade business.
This winter shouldnât be spent like this. At the very least, they should go to the warm south, discussing business while enjoying the warmth and flowers of the south.
Jiang Qu remained silent.
He Xing didnât say anything further.
"You can go back, and Iâll take care of things here."
"You go ahead with your work, Iâll take care of grandma."
Unexpectedly, Jiang Qu suddenly said something that moved He Xing for a moment, but then she added.
"Your friend is already waiting for you to set off together. You go, and Iâll handle whatâs next. You donât need to worry about grandma."
He Xing got up and left, leaving a cold remark behind.
"Iâll take care of my own grandma. Iâve postponed all my commitments for the next month."
"Postponed? So youâre not purchasing the machines? Do you not know that the bankâs interest rates are increasing every day?"
"Let it increase; it doesnât matter."
"He Xing, youâre only thinking about your grandma. Have you considered my feelings? Weâre about to get married. Canât you even provide me with a decent wedding?"
He Xingâs figure turned stiff.
This indeed was a case of him going back on his word.
He had promised to give Jiang Qu a grand wedding so that everyone in the village could witness their marriage. But now? If he really didnât go, he might struggle financially for the coming year, let alone getting married; he might not even be able to gather the bride price.
With a sense of responsibility, He Xing thought hard for a long time and finally decided to take a trip out of town and buy the machines first, no matter what.
A slightly recovered Grandma He heard their conversation and struggled to sit up, instructing He Xing.
"Go and do your work well. You donât have to worry about me here; with Xiao Qu around, who is attentive and caring, Iâll be fine."
He Xing paid another half-month of hospital fees and left more than a hundred yuan for Jiang Qu, asking her to buy some nutritious food for grandma during her visits.
Jiang Qu agreed repeatedly and promised she would take good care of the elderly lady.
He Xing set off, and over the next week, Jiang Qu visited Grandma He every day, bringing chicken soup and bone broth. After feeding the elderly and finishing the meal, she stayed to chat.
Soon, it was time to collect the end-of-term results.
On this day, all the students returned to school to receive their report cards.
The results of the senior yearâs selection exams were also out, displayed on small blackboards right at the schoolâs entrance, with the names and scores of the students who passed.
When Jiang Lai arrived at the school gate, she heard loud commotions from the senior high section, with laughter, crying, and someone crazily rushing forward to erase more than half of the names on the blackboard.
Erasing them didnât change the results; soon, the names were written back again.
In a more forward position, Jiang Lai saw Jiang Quâs name.
Ranked around the top fifty in her grade, with a selection exam score of three hundred and ninety-eight points.
This score could steadily get her into an undergraduate program, even if it was just a third-tier one, but it was enough to bring honor to the Jiang Family.
Further down, the selection exam scores stopped short of those who didnât reach the vocational college entrance score threshold.
After pausing for a moment, Jiang Lai departed. When she arrived at her class, many people were already seated, and the classroom was noisy, with many girls actively approaching Jiang Lai for a chat.
The conversations largely revolved around the senior yearâs selection exams.
"Jiang Qu is your sister, right? Both of you are impressive. Your sister passed the undergraduate line in the selection exam!"
In this era, getting into a vocational school means guaranteed government-assigned work after graduation, with a lifetime of secured living.
Getting into an undergraduate program meant an even brighter future.
"But I heard from the seniors that your sisterâs scores dropped significantly. She used to aim for first-tier undergraduate programs, but it seems she underperformed this time."
Jiang Lai smiled and nodded.
"Yes, sheâs not been in the best mood lately."
"Is it because..."
Someone was about to say something but was quickly stopped by others from continuing.
After all, the incident of Jiang Qu falsely accusing Jiang Lai of reading extracurricular books had spread not only among seniors but also among freshmen.
Jiang Lai almost got expelled because of this.
Jiang Qu was penalized to write a reflection, which is now posted on the bulletin board at the school gate.
To falsely accuse her own sister, it was utterly embarrassing, no wonder she dropped so many ranks this exam.
"Oh right, why havenât I seen Zhou Juan today? Usually, sheâs the one asking how everyone did after exams, right before grades are announced."
"I heard she transferred classes, sheâs not in ours, she moved to the neighboring class."
"Transferred? Why?"
Everyone soon found out why, because when all students and teachers had reported to school, the campus speaker broadcasted Zhou Juanâs voice reciting her reflection.
"Here, I solemnly apologize to Teacher Hu and Jiang Lai. It was my mistake to assume Teacher Hu gave Jiang Lai special treatment without understanding the facts, deeply hurting both Teacher Hu and Jiang Lai..."
An 800-word reflection, the first half was read emotionlessly, while the latter part became choked and sobbed with laughter from othersâa mix of remorse and guilt among other emotions.
"Sheâs really fond of reporting, just like Li Huihui from our class."