Chapter 251: The College Entrance Exam

Jinghuayuan.

Evening had just fallen. Lights blinked on in homes throughout the neighborhood.

Hardworking housewives bustled in their kitchens.

Children played in living rooms.

The warm glow of everyday life filled the air.

Ding-dong~

Gao Jing pressed the doorbell for apartment 1001.

After a short wait, the door opened.

The girl who answered wore a bright smile. “Brother.”

Gao Jing nodded. “Hm.”

Gao Yuanyuan swiftly brought him slippers—the oversized ones specially kept for him.

Once the door was shut, the girl spoke softly, “Brother, this morning… I felt like someone was following me again.”

Gao Yuanyuan’s College Entrance Exam was just months away. This was the busiest, most critical time in her studies. Yet this unsettling feeling meant she couldn’t focus, her peace of mind shattered.

Usually, she’d be at school for evening self-study sessions.

But for safety, she’d followed Gao Jing’s advice and requested two days’ leave from her teacher.

“It’s taken care of.”

Seeing his little sister’s anxious face, tenderness stirred in Gao Jing’s heart.

He couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her hair. “This matter is resolved. No need to worry.”

“Really?”

Gao Yuanyuan’s eyes sparkled with joy. “So… so I can go back to evening self-study?”

“Yes.”

Gao Jing gave another nod. He pulled a necklace with a wooden pendant from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Wear this. Keep it on at all times. It will keep you safe.”

This wooden pendant necklace was no ordinary trinket.

It was a Witch Artifact with protective powers. A true Talisman, it could shield its wearer from one fatal strike.

Gao Jing himself possessed a similar Talisman, crafted by Old Shaman Shan Yan.

But the two items were worlds apart in quality.

Comparatively speaking, if the Talisman of Protection made by Old Shaman Shan Yan could withstand a tank missile…

This one from Wuzhi Abyss City was only strong enough to deflect a rifle bullet.

Still, for Gao Yuanyuan, it was more than enough.

Gao Jing had bought this Talisman from Zhiqi.

The price had been steep.

“Hm.”

Gao Yuanyuan trusted her brother completely. Even though this necklace looked like a five-dollar trinket sold at a street stall—utterly plain and cheap.

She happily hung it around her neck anyway.

“Ah, Gao Jing’s here.”

Hearing them in the living room, Ge Guizhi leaned out from the kitchen, beaming. “Sit, sit! Yuanyuan, get your brother some tea. Dinner’s almost ready.”

“Aunt Guizhi.”

Gao Jing waved a hand. “No need to rush.”

This was Gao Jing’s second meal here.

Though it wasn’t truly his home, it offered him a glimpse of family warmth and belonging.

He took the tea his sister offered and took a sip. “How are your studies lately?”

Gao Yuanyuan’s cheeks flushed lightly. “Last week’s mock exam… I ranked 25th in my year. Not great.”

She felt embarrassed.

“It’s alright,” Gao Jing reassured her. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. There are still three months. Keep pushing.”

Truthfully, with Gao Jing’s wealth and connections, even if Gao Yuanyuan’s grades were a mess, the slightest overflow from his resources could ensure she lacked nothing her whole life.

But Gao Jing wanted more for her.

He longed to see Gao Yuanyuan carve out her own happiness through her own grit and effort.

“Hm.”

Gao Yuanyuan nodded firmly. “I will try my best.”

“Yuanyuan does study hard,” Ge Guizhi chimed in, carrying a freshly cooked dish. She’d heard their conversation. “She just got thrown off track earlier by… those troubles. Everything’s settled now. If her grades don’t climb back up? Unacceptable.”

Gao Jing asked, “Aunt Guizhi, the debt collectors… they haven’t come back, have they?”

“Gone, all gone,” Ge Guizhi replied quickly. “Thanks to Manager Zhang stepping in. It’s resolved.”

Years ago, Gao Jing’s father, Gao Hongbo, had failed in business. Deep in debt, he fled overseas.

His flight left Ge Guizhi stalked by collectors, plaguing mother and daughter with fear.

Ge Guizhi had divorced Gao Hongbo long before. Those debts had nothing to do with her.

Gao Jing, likewise, wouldn’t pay them.

But he had rebuilt their lives.

After all, Gao Yuanyuan was his blood sister.

Thanks to Zhang Ying’s arrangements, Ge Guizhi and Gao Yuanyuan now had this new home.

Ge Guizhi even worked at the Provincial Capital branch of Fuli Group, with steady income.

As for the creditors?

Bullying defenseless women and children, they were fierce and threatening without mercy.

But faced with Fuli Group? They folded.

Particularly one thick-headed individual. After being arrested for “disturbing the peace,” given a few days to cool off in jail?

Not a single collector dared bother Ge Guizhi again.

“That’s good.”

Gao Jing smiled at his sister. “Yuanyuan, if you do well on your entrance exam? I’ll reward you.”

“Hm!”

Gao Yuanyuan’s eyes lit up, clearly looking forward to her brother’s promise.

“Ah, right,” Ge Guizhi suddenly remembered. “Gao Jing, any thoughts on where Yuanyuan should apply?”

The entrance exam was in July. Choosing a university now was early.

But Ge Guizhi asking him to decide? She meant to strengthen their bond.

To bring Gao Yuanyuan and her brother closer.

Gao Jing thought for a moment, turning to his sister. “What are your thoughts?”

Gao Yuanyuan bit her lip. “I… I want to get into Yuncheng University.”

“Yuncheng University?”

Gao Jing rubbed his chin. “The bar’s a bit low. Aim higher. Jiangnan University. Or Huhai University.”

Yuncheng University was a good university.

But Jiangnan University and Huhai University were far superior.

Funny enough, those were Gao Jing’s dream schools long ago.

Fate hadn’t been kind.

Gao Yuanyuan had talent. She was diligent.

Gao Jing very much hoped she could fulfill the dream he’d once held.

As for other universities?

His choice wasn’t random. Jiangnan University and Huhai University were both nearby.

Easy to watch over her should need arise.

“Well… I’ll try,” Gao Yuanyuan mumbled shyly.

It might not sound confident, but the spark in her eyes? It had become steel. She wouldn’t let her brother down!

“It’s settled then,” Gao Jing declared with a smile. “Over to you. Now, let’s eat.”

Ge Guizhi had nearly finished serving.

The three sat down to eat. They chatted as they enjoyed the meal, full of simple happiness.

After the warm dinner, Gao Jing didn’t linger.

He offered a few more words of encouragement to his sister, then left.

He drove toward Huhai.

Liang Zhiqiang, the troublemaker, might be dead.

But Gao Jing wasn’t done. Not yet.

The one pulling the strings wouldn’t get away.

Otherwise, if Liang Zhiqiang left, a Zhang Zhiqiang or Li Zhiqiang would just take his place.

The nightmare would never end.