Chapter 2: No Way Out 1
Weekend, Yao family mansion.
In the spacious and tidy courtyard, the green leaves of the sycamore trees rustle.
The rockery fountain is located in the center of the courtyard. The sunlight shines down, dyeing the flying water into golden dots.
The quiet living room.
The hot steam rises up and the fragrance of tea is refreshing.
I picked up the teacup and looked at the old man sitting opposite me. His hair was gray and his forehead was covered with wrinkles, but his weathered face still showed his handsome appearance when he was young.
The old man sipped his tea leisurely, his smile was very light, but his eyes were shining with shrewdness and wisdom.
"Please tell me where my aunt is!"
I took a big sip of tea, put the cup on the table, and growled out in frustration.
This morning, I returned home from Dijing College. I didn't see my aunt, but I saw the servants of the Yao family standing respectfully at the door. You can imagine what happened next. I was forcibly taken to the Yao family mansion. The old man smiled and "threatened" me, asking me to patiently accompany him for tea, otherwise, I would never know the whereabouts of my aunt.
Okay, just drink tea, it’s not like drinking poison, why should I be afraid of him?
But……
I sat there stupidly for more than half an hour and had long forgotten how many cups of tea I had drunk. The damn old man was still sipping his tea as if nothing had happened and had no intention of speaking at all!
Am I just going to wait like this foolishly and wait for death?
No, no! I want to strike first and fight back!
"Tell me, what do you want?"
"My granddaughter, it's not good to get angry with grandpa." The old man waved his hand at me, signaling me to calm down. "You have the same impatient temper as your father , but you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry."
Huh? Hot tofu! As for me, the thing I dislike eating the most since I was a child is tofu!
"Tell me quickly, where is my aunt?"
The old man put down his teacup and said with a smile, "Don't worry, your aunt is fine. Isn't she a jewelry designer? I sent her to conduct research overseas. When she returns, I will let her work in the design department of Yao Jewelry Group. Qianqian, are you satisfied with Grandpa's arrangement?"
"I, I...it's up to you, as long as my aunt is safe."
I lowered my head slightly embarrassedly, feeling my cheeks getting a little hot. I secretly glanced at the old man, and seeing that he was still cheerful, I couldn't help feeling a little guilty.
In my consciousness, my grandfather is like a vague shadow, never clear.
My aunt told me that when I was just one year old, my father and mother died in an accident. My aunt brought me up with great difficulty. I love my aunt very much. She is the closest person to me in this world. I once swore that I would always stay with my aunt and take care of her for the rest of my life.
However……
Half a month ago, the sudden arrival of the old man from the Yao family completely shattered my peaceful life of so many years.
The old man claimed to be my grandfather and used a DNA test report to confirm the blood relationship between him and me. He hoped that I would go back to the Yao family with him and receive education and training from the upper-class family as the only heir to the Yao Jewelry Group.
I had a sense of unreality.
It’s unbelievable that the plot in the TV series would actually happen to me!
It turns out that Cinderella can really turn into Snow White overnight. Unfortunately, I am not the tragic Cinderella, but a wild rose with thorns!
I refuse to return to the Yao family! I refuse to be the heir of the Yao family! I refuse all the arrangements made by the old man!
However, my resistance only lasted two days before it ended in failure. The old man was kind on the surface and obeyed my granddaughter in everything, but secretly sent someone to take my aunt away, using her as a bargaining chip to suppress me and make me surrender.
In this way, I had to accept all the requirements put forward by the old man. Among them, the one that the old man insisted on most was that I must enter Dijing College to study.
"Qianqian? Qianqian?"
The old man's shout rang in my ears, and I quickly collected my thoughts. Only then did I realize that I seemed to have been absent-minded for too long.
"What are you thinking about, kid? I've called you several times."
"Ahem..." I coughed twice in embarrassment and pouted my lips in response, "Don't guess what a girl is thinking. I can think whatever I want to think."
"Okay, okay, you decide on your own affairs."
"Really?" I rolled my eyes and smiled slyly, "Can you please not let me study at Dijing College? My foundation is not good, and it is very difficult for me to attend classes with other students. If this continues, I may not be able to pass the Dijing College test in three years, let alone three months."
The old man didn't say anything, but just looked at me silently, and his face gradually became gloomy.
"You, you don't agree? I don't understand why you insist on letting me study there."
"The reason is very simple. You are my granddaughter!" The old man sighed quietly, his smile disappeared, and his sharp eyes looked straight into my eyes. "Qianqian, grandpa is old, and the Yao Group will eventually be handed over to you to manage. You may think that I am selfish and use my only precious granddaughter as a tool to expand the family, but you must become stronger and more independent!"
"I don't want to inherit your family business. I just want to live freely according to my own wishes." I looked away slightly and lowered my voice, "You don't have to leave the Yao Group to me. I may not be able to be an heir that you can be proud of. If you are willing, donate this wealth to charity to help those in need."
"Well, my granddaughter is a kind child."
The old man looked at me approvingly, nodded slightly, and his expression gradually became more solemn.
"Qianqian, your parents died young, and I feel deeply sorry and remorseful about this. At the beginning, I strongly opposed your mother's marriage to the Yao family, but your father broke off the father-son relationship with me, resolutely ran away from home, eloped with your mother, and has never been heard from since. They met with an accident and both died, but they didn't even notify me as a father, which shows how much they resented me. Qianqian, for so many years, grandpa didn't know about you and never took care of you. I'm really sorry... I finally got news about you from someone who knew you, and tried my best to find you. I decided to find you in my lifetime. I will give you everything I have. However, when your identity is revealed, you will have to face a completely different world. When Grandpa is alive, he can still indulge you and protect you, but Grandpa will not be with you for too long, and one day he will leave you. Qianqian, you should understand that everyone will encounter things that are beyond their control. Grandpa will not give in to your study. Dijing College is a school that trains heirs of upper-class families. You can learn a lot there, not only academic knowledge, but also improvement in all aspects, which will make you stronger, understand?"
I lowered my eyes in silence and didn't look at my grandfather's expression again. My heart felt bitter and I couldn't describe the feeling.
Yes, I never thought that my grandfather would care about me so much. His careful consideration, even if it was unscrupulous, was all for my sake.
This sudden discovery shocked me and made me feel overwhelmed. My heart was agitated and my emotions were tangled, as if many words were stuck in my throat, filling it up, but I couldn't say them out.
"Qianqian, just study at Dijing College with peace of mind. Grandpa will take care of other things."
I raised my head, pursed my lips, and looked at my grandfather hesitantly. Just when I was almost persuaded by him and was about to agree, my rationality suddenly returned.
"No! With my current level, there is no way I can pass the re-examination of Dijing College." I patted my forehead in frustration and sighed helplessly, "The result can't be changed anyway, why waste three more months?"
The old man shook his head nonchalantly, looked at me with a smile and said, "My dear granddaughter, you must have confidence in yourself. The potential of our Yao family is limitless!"
What? Unlimited?
I have already been belittled as a stupid girl by that guy Luo Zihan, what potential do I have?
Eh? Is my brain short-circuited? Why did I suddenly think of Luo Zihan? Delete! Delete! Delete immediately!
"I'm sorry, I still don't have the confidence. I can't do it."
This time, Grandpa's expression did not change. But I always felt that the look he gave me seemed to contain unpredictable meanings.
"It seems that this is the only way I can do." Grandpa said calmly, and he turned sideways to take out a few photos from behind the sofa and placed them neatly on the table. "Alas, people get confused when they get old. This must be my mistake. Some time ago, I was only concerned with finding the whereabouts of you and your aunt, but I actually missed another person who is very important to you. No wonder, this child is a star, and he changed his name after his debut, so it is not easy to find. Qianqian, Grandpa just wants to tell you that with the power of the Yao family, if they want to ban him..."
"Enough of your trouble! This is too despicable!"
I glared at him angrily, took a deep breath, and accepted the "declaration of war" without hesitation.
"I promise you that I will become a student of Dijing College! In exchange, you must promise to never hurt my loved ones!"
Grandpa nodded with satisfaction, and a smile slowly crept up to the corners of his eyes.
"Okay, Grandpa, you'll keep your word."
I stared at him with a questioning look, my heart filled with anger: Humph! This cunning old man always grabs my "weak spot" and won't let go. He keeps threatening me. This is too much!
I lowered my head, squinted my eyes, fixed my gaze on the table, and stared deeply at the handsome man in the photo.
The old man was right. He is a star, a star who is so beautiful that it makes people angry. Although he has only been in the industry for two years, his popularity has skyrocketed. His career is going smoothly. Maybe he will be a big star tomorrow.
Hehe, this big star is none other than my, Yao Qianqian’s childhood sweetheart – Choi Min Hyuk!
After returning to Dijing College, I started a vigorous "teacher-seeking campaign".
At this moment, I realized how far-sighted the chairman was. Looking at the entire Dijing College, the most suitable person to be my tutor and the one who can help me through the difficulties is none other than the genius boy Luo Zihan.
But……
The relationship between Luo Zihan and I is rather subtle. Whenever we meet, we become hostile to each other and neither of us is willing to make concessions. This is probably the legendary "repulsion of auras".
what to do?
Do I really have to put aside my self-esteem and beg that cold-blooded animal who looks down on me?
No, no, I don't want to do that. I'm really, really unwilling to do that!
C I spent the whole day in a daze, and spent most of the time in a daze.
When the school bell rang, everyone walked out of the classroom one after another, talking and laughing, having a great time.
I sighed quietly, hunched over my seat with a sad face, and while I packed my things lazily, I lamented my miserable fate.
Outside the window, the orange afterglow of the sunset dyed the sky red, and the warm and bright light was brilliant and dazzling.
I grabbed my schoolbag sullenly, walked quickly, and went straight to the chairman's office. At this time, only the chairman could help me with advice.
“Boom boom boom!”
Soon, a gentle and deep male voice came out: "Please come in."
"Hello, Uncle Chairman!" I gently pushed open the door, swept away the frustration in my heart, walked up to the Uncle Chairman with a smile, and said coquettishly, "If I disturbed your work, please forgive me."
The chairman looked up at me, was stunned at first, and then showed a helpless smile.
"What are you talking about, kid? You came to see me, of course you have something wrong, right?"
"Yes." I nodded quickly, propped my hands on the desk, and whispered, "Uncle Chairman, I...I would like to ask you to help me introduce me to some 'gifted students' from Dijing College. You are right, my grades are too poor, and I must have someone to tutor me. I promise you that I will study hard."
Hearing what I said, the smile on the chairman's face suddenly became brilliant.
"Qianqian, it's great that you think this way! But..." The chairman frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Based on your current academic performance, even if we arrange for the school's 'gifted students' to be your tutors, it may not be possible for you to pass the retest within three months."
"So what you mean is..."
The chairman looked at me and said slowly: "Zi Han! Zi Han is the only one who can help you."
Ah! I am completely helpless.
Is it possible that, apart from Luo Zihan, no one can save me, Yao Qianqian?
I smiled awkwardly, my feet felt light and I felt dizzy. I don't know why, but when I see the chairman's determined look, I always feel a chill in my heart.
Uncle Chairman, how could you do this to me? If I could convince Luo Zihan to be my tutor, why would I have to come here? Could you please recommend other "gifted students" to me?
"Uncle Chairman, you know that Luo Zihan rejected me last time."
"So what?" The chairman raised his eyebrows and encouraged me with a smile, "Qianqian, you have a lot of ideas, find a way to make Zihan agree."
Find a solution? What solution?
I have been thinking hard about it for several days. If I wasn't desperate, why would I bother the chairman?
"Uncle, I heard that Dijing College will recruit 'special talents'."
"Yes, that's right."
"Can you let me enter the school as a 'special student'?" I blinked my eyes, stared at the chairman with great expectation, and said excitedly, "I have studied comics for several years and have published some good works. Besides, no one knows that I am Mr. Yao's granddaughter..."
"Qianqian!" The chairman suddenly interrupted me and sighed, "You, don't try to take advantage of loopholes. Dijing College has a rule that no matter whether you are an 'ordinary student', a 'gifted student', or a 'specialty student', your grades must meet the school's test bottom line. In addition, I have to tell you that 'comics' are not part of the 'specialty range' for Dijing College's admissions. Qianqian, take the initiative to apologize to Zihan, he will forgive you and help you."
I am willing to apologize to everyone in the world, except Luo Zihan!
"Uncle Chairman, how can you push me to Luo Zihan again and again? He looks down on me and calls me a stupid girl. I..."
"Okay, Qianqian, let me tell you another insider information."
The chairman of the board let out a long sigh, looked at me meaningfully, and lowered his voice a few degrees.
"In fact, for every test conducted by Dijing College, the school council members will preview the test questions in advance. And the council members are none other than the owners of this school - the four major financial groups. More precisely, they are the heirs of the four major financial groups living in the Platinum Hall! Although those four young masters are studying here, they have already obtained degrees abroad and do not need to take the Dijing College exams. They only need to receive targeted training and education to become excellent family heirs."
Haha, I understand!
Although the chairman's long speech made me feel a little sleepy and I yawned several times in a row, I still accurately grasped the essence of his words: Luo Zihan has the right to know the test questions in advance!
In other words, if Luo Zihan became my extracurricular tutor, not only would I be able to improve my academic performance, but I might also be able to find out some test content from him.
Sure enough, old ginger is still spicy!
At the beginning, the chairman's arrangements were so thoughtful. I can only blame myself for being too impulsive and accidentally offending Luo Zihan, putting myself in a dilemma.
Now, what on earth should I do?
I clearly didn't want to see Luo Zihan the most and was most unwilling to accept his help, but I had no choice but to put aside my proud self-esteem, apologize to him and make concessions.
Royal View College Platinum Hall.
The afternoon sun is warm and bright, sparkling with a golden luster.
The Platinum Hall is a pure white palace-style building, resembling a 17th-century European castle. It stands proudly in the core area of Dijing College, giving people a distinct and unique visual impact.
Since its inception, Platinum Hall has belonged to the four major families that support the academy.
This is where the heirs of the "Four Major Families" study and live. It is also a heavily protected "restricted area" where other students are prohibited from entering or leaving without permission.
I stood in the open space in front of the Platinum Hall, looked up at the beautiful European-style building, sighed, and took a step forward unwillingly.
"Hello, Miss!"
Two guards at the entrance of Platinum Hall stopped me.
"Hello, brothers!"
I gave a pure and beautiful smile and nodded to the two guards.
"Excuse me, what can I do for you?"
The guard asked me respectfully, which made me feel a little embarrassed.
I narrowed my eyes and said cheerfully, "Well, I want to find Luo Zihan."
"I'm sorry, Master Luo went out and hasn't come back yet."
So disappointed!
I mustered up the courage to come here to look for him today, but he's not here!
