Chapter 67: Sponsorship for Tuition Fees ①
But for her own future, she couldn’t stay in Class 10 any longer.
Living again… a new student… in her previous life, despite living a relatively satisfactory life, she wasn’t truly carefree. The lack of parental love had made her somewhat cold, never striving hard for what she liked or needed. Now, reborn into this life and receiving Nie Aifang’s mother’s love, she wanted to try harder, to more diligently piece together a future that belonged solely to her.
She wanted to teach, so… in this life, she wanted to be unafraid of societal judgment, uncompromised by money. She wanted to say what she wanted to say, teach what she wanted to teach…
If she had the opportunity, she also wanted to be like an ordinary woman, graduating from university, working, getting married, and having children… In the past, influenced by her parents, she had always strongly resisted marriage. However, when Nie Aifang gave her the necklace, the happy expression on her face repeatedly told her that there was also unwavering love in this world.
She admitted that she was very selfish. But… this was for their own good.
The way eagles teach their young to fly is by pushing them off cliffs. Although cruel, in the world of nature where the strong prey on the weak, this is the most effective method. She couldn’t always stand in front of them and lead them. After the current semester ends and the Senior High School Entrance Examination is over, they will go their separate ways: some to High School, some to Vocational High School, some will repeat a year of study, and of course… some will enter society. Her departure will only cause them temporary sadness.
After class, Nie Qiu went to the office. Teacher Yang smiled and handed her the transfer application form, “Congratulations, Nie Qiu. Getting into the top ten in the entire grade, your application to transfer classes will definitely be approved. To be honest, Nie Qiu, your previous grades were good in Class 10, but you were over 400th in the entire grade. I originally thought that with your recent effort, you might be able to get into the top 100 in the entire grade. I didn’t expect I underestimated you!”
Nie Qiu smiled and took the application form. Looking at the two-inch ID photo pasted on it, she smiled, “Thank you, Teacher Yang. I will work even harder!”
Teacher Yang waved his hand, “Go! Study hard, and after graduation, remember to visit your teacher at school often.”
Nie Qiu nodded, bowed to Teacher Yang, and turned to leave the office. When Nie Qiu walked into the classroom with the application form, the classroom fell silent again. A few of the more sensitive girls were already sitting there, wiping away tears.
Nie Qiu stood on the lectern, looking at the classmates in the classroom. She had spent over a month with these people, experiencing much unhappiness and much happiness. She couldn’t quite articulate what she was feeling, but she was certain that she was reluctant to part with them.
She looked at them like this, deeply, deeply, and then smiled, “I will be waiting for everyone in Class 1.” This encouragement was a bit weak, but Nie Qiu couldn’t say anything else. She walked down from the lectern and returned to her seat.
The class bell rang. No matter how reluctant or heavy their hearts were, everyone collected themselves and prepared for class. They didn’t want to let Nie Qiu’s expectations down, nor their own, and most importantly, they didn’t want to let their parents’ expectations down.
For Class 10, whether this day was happy or somber, they couldn’t tell. In a daze, the dismissal bell rang.
Li Kai’s home was an independent Western-style house with a long history. It was said to have been the property of a warlord before the liberation. Due to the area’s development, his home was surrounded by tall buildings and villas, but their value couldn’t compare to his old house.
When Li Kai returned home, a servant stepped forward to take his schoolbag. He took off his coat and threw it to the nanny who took his schoolbag. He walked into the living room, where his father, Li Shubai, was sitting and reading a newspaper. Upon seeing Li Kai return, he looked up and asked, “What were your grades on this monthly exam?”
“168th in the entire grade, 3rd in the entire class.”
“Not bad! This is your best result since starting junior high. Tell me, what do you want?” Li Shubai placed the newspaper on the coffee table and looked at Li Kai with some excitement.
Sinking into the sofa, Li Kai irritably ran his hand through his hair, “Dad, I’m very annoyed right now…”
“Annoyed? Tell me what’s bothering you. As long as it’s not a crime, no matter how big the problem, Dad will help you solve it. You…”
Li Kai sat up straight and slowly recounted what had happened in their class, including Nie Qiu’s words of encouragement for everyone to study hard. After finishing, he sighed, “I know, letting her go to Class 1 is for her own good, but Dad… I… we are all reluctant to part with her.”
Li Shubai chuckled, “Is it you who is reluctant to part with her, or is it all of you?”
He understood the students of Class 10 quite well, honestly. Both the boys and girls were mischievous and loved to play. Usually, such children weren’t very fond of studying and had poor grades. He didn’t expect them to make such significant progress as a class this time! ‘Do you want to become bums? Do you want to work as dishwashers?’ Honestly, if an adult said these words, they might have little effect. But if someone their own age said them, they would resonate deeply.
Every day, they started class early, and everyone progressed together. Each person could see their own gradual growth, and the person who had protected their growth was now leaving. Everyone would be reluctant to part.
“If you’re reluctant to part with her, then keep her here,” Li Shubai said with a smile. “I’ve been young too, and I understand the feelings at your age. But… A Kai, some things won’t be known if they aren’t said. Try it, perhaps you can persuade her to stay.”
“But… Dad, I can’t let our own selfish desires affect someone’s entire life.” Li Kai was very troubled. He sighed, stood up somewhat irritably, turned, and went upstairs, “I’m not eating dinner tonight!”
Li Shubai sighed. When did his son start thinking about others? He picked up his mobile phone from the coffee table and dialed, “Luo Sheng! Are you off work? Come with me to see someone.”
“I was just about to come to your house to find your son. My son is throwing a tantrum at home! He should be happy with such good grades, but he came home cursing, as if he was constantly scolding a girl named ‘Nie Qiu’. I thought I’d come to your place to ask A Kai what exactly happened at school.” Luo Sheng said this as he started his car and drove out of the garage, answering Li Shubai’s call.
“Heh heh, I’m talking about this girl, Nie Qiu. What do you say? Interested in meeting her?” Li Shubai asked with a smile.
“Old Li, you can’t be serious, can you? You’re going to join in the fun just because a kid is having a little spat?” Luo Sheng laughed heartily. “Honestly, I’ve never seen my son so angry. I am a bit curious about that girl. Where should we meet? Or should I come to your place?”
