Page Sixteen: Strategy Meeting
Although Uncle Lei Lao said, “Let’s go back and continue eating!”
Who could still be in the mood for food after something like this happened?
Well, there were still some who did. When we returned to the private room at the Sichuan restaurant, most of the dishes on the table had already been eaten by Xiao Lei.
“I’ll take Xiao Qian back first. I’ll treat the god envoy for dinner another day.”
Lei Miaomiao and Sister Qian planned to leave earlier, perhaps having dispelled their doubts. Lei Miaomiao even patted Xiao Lei on the head when she stood up.
Seeing that Sister Qian was still somewhat dazed, I comforted her.
“Sister Qian, you should smile now. Isn’t everything good?”
She lifted her head and forced a bitter smile.
Her emotions were still unstable. Uncle Lei Lao had caught the loan shark gang, and Sister Yuan Yue helped her pay off the debt. Although these were all good things, the gratitude was too heavy, and she didn’t know how to face Lei Miaomiao anymore.
She used to be petty and held grudges, but she also remembered others’ kindness.
It would depend on whether Lei Miaomiao could do a good job of ideological work with her when she got back.
Once they left, only five people remained, making the small room feel much emptier.
“Is this the happiness obtained through the blessing of a deity?”
Fei Jie, who had been staring at the leftover food, suddenly spoke up.
She was talking about Sister Qian’s situation. After a moment of thought, I replied, “Perhaps, but blessings are too abstract. Would you attribute winning another bottle of soda to a blessing?”
It wasn’t because of blessings that she became happy, but because she became a kind-hearted beautiful girl. It wasn’t about judging by appearance, but if Sister Qian was still that mohawk chubby girl, maybe she would have been dismissed like the other juniors in the bar. After all, her personality was once petty back then.
“Kai Chan, I am very happy every day~”
Linhua chimed in with a smile, then looked at Xiao Lei, who hadn’t put down her chopsticks yet.
“Speaking of which, can the god envoy help Senior Li Jianlian?”
Linhua said this, and Xiao Lei, holding a bowl, glanced at me before saying slowly, “I do have such plans.”
Who wouldn’t want to help? But Li Jianlian’s problem was complicated.
“I’ve discussed this matter with the god envoy long ago, but the senior’s situation is hard to handle. Let me give you a brief explanation, and hear your opinions.”
I placed an empty glass in front of Zhao Zhao, who understood and filled it with cola for me.
After clearing my throat, I continued, “From what I understand, he has seven siblings, all biological. He is the second oldest. His father is seriously ill in bed, and his mother and sister support the family.”
Zhao Zhao and Xiao Lei weren’t surprised since I had mentioned this to them before. Fei Jie was more reserved, but Linhua was visibly shocked.
She exclaimed, “Seven? And he’s the eldest? No wonder he worked despite breaking school rules. He’s both a brother and a father.”
I couldn’t help but sigh, “Just this would be fine, but his mother wants him to start working right after high school.”
Fei Jie interjected, “Does he want to further his education?”
“Yes, so he works part-time while saving money for college.”
Everyone fell silent.
“If he doesn’t go to college locally, his family might…” Linhua immediately thought of the consequences.
“It might become even harder? Although selfish, the senior is also thinking about his future. He wants broader horizons. Is it reasonable to sacrifice his education and future to support his younger siblings? I think his plan isn’t unreasonable; he has already done enough.”
The senior’s comprehensive abilities were strong. Regardless of what job he did, he was dedicated. Such a person, if he completes his education and enters society, will surely achieve great success.
“That can’t be said, family is important too!”
Xiao Lei surprisingly disagreed with me… It made sense. This fool had little hope of furthering his own education, so naturally, he would value family more.
Thinking about family reminded me of Sister Qian’s situation.
“In fact, the senior himself believes that family is important. Qian Jie had contact with him before and advised him to run away from home and complete his studies, but looking at his demeanor, he clearly doesn’t intend to abandon his family.”
“Abandon his family? That’s not right!”
Xiao Lei knocked on her bowl excitedly, and Zhao Zhao echoed her, as if they were one voice.
“Abandon his sick parents and siblings? That’s not right! The senior’s actions are exactly what a good man should do.”
Tsk, these two fools are typical cases of “ignorance.” Every family has its own difficulties. Like Sister Qian, she wouldn’t have thought of running away if she hadn’t almost died from being beaten.
A waiter brought in a plate of watermelon, supposedly a complimentary dish.
“The key now is how to help the senior. I don’t think the power of the goddess of beautiful girls can help much.”
“Senior, how are his grades?” Fei Jie interjected again. Though she seemed calm, she was quite enthusiastic.
Linhua recalled for a moment and answered, “I haven’t paid much attention to the senior year students’ grades, but he’s at least in the top ten. I’ve seen his name several times.”
Wow, working every day and still maintaining the top ten?
Another top student, just like Fei Jie. Apart from Zhao Zhao, who was somewhat less privileged, everyone else seemed to be thriving—“Uh? Chairman, why are you looking at me?”
Nodding after hearing Linhua’s response, Fei Jie seemed to have an idea and opened up the conversation.
“Since his grades are decent, it’s easier to manage. Let him reduce his part-time jobs and focus on his studies, aiming to get into a good university next June. That way, not only will he save on tuition, but better universities offer higher scholarships. With grants and scholarships combined, he might even have extra money to support his family. Besides, universities allow students to work part-time. Just tell his mother this.”
So, top students can earn money in college…
Xiao Lei tilted her head, seemingly confused, “So, the deity doesn’t need to help anymore?”
“No, it’s still useful. What I’m suggesting, he might have already thought of and told his mother, but failed to convince her. If that’s the case, we’ll need to use Plan B.”
“Plan B?”
“Although the details are unclear, this transformation state can be reversed, right?”
“Oh, could it be!”
Linhua instantly understood Fei Jie’s intention, and I also sensed it, but Xiao Lei and Zhao Zhao looked puzzled, munching on watermelon.
“You want the senior to complete his studies as a woman, and claim he’s working elsewhere, right?”
Returning to the city each time changes back to male identity, easing suspicions while keeping the family unaware of any university news.
“Exactly. In that case, after graduation, she would have to live as a woman, since the diploma will indicate female.”
Fei Jie’s Plan B was bold and meticulous, but deceiving the family for four years is no small feat.
But in this case, the senior wouldn’t be suitable as a reference.
For me, it seems like a loss…
“If attending college requires being a woman, she would need to take the college entrance exam as a woman, right?”
“Don’t worry about that, I can handle it. It took me just one day to transfer to a girls’ school. Faking a new identity isn’t difficult.”
Because she was so approachable, I almost forgot she was now a genuine rich young lady.
We discussed some details afterward, and it was already past eight when we headed home. My old dad lectured me for coming back late, but I didn’t stay downstairs long and went straight upstairs.
Opening the door, Xiao Lei, still wearing her girls’ school uniform, had climbed through the window and was kneeling in front of my closet, searching for her clothes. It seemed she was planning to take a bath.
“Why are the curtains drawn so tightly? Are you trying to be a vampire at home?”
“There’s a reason… Wait, why are you alone? Where’s Zhao Zhao?”
“He didn’t come up. I sent him back. I’m staying here tonight.”
“Huh? Did you guys split up?”
That sounded odd.
“I’ll go back tomorrow morning. Can’t I enjoy one more night of freedom?”
“But I need the bookmark too.”
“What are you going to do with it?”
“To wipe myself.”
“This small task, let me handle it!”
My situation seemed somewhat dangerous, especially regarding my chastity.
[Side note: Nothing happened in the end.]
