During their second year of high school, Sheng Qianxue and A-Xin became even busier.
The two not only had to learn second-year textbook knowledge but also prepare for a series of matters related to going abroad. Shortly after returning, Sheng Qianxue raised with Sheng Wenbo the matter of studying abroad for university. As expected, Sheng Wenbo wasn't surprised—he was actually quite happy. He'd previously worried that their adult affairs would affect Sheng Qianxue's studies.
Now it seemed Sheng Qianxue wasn't affected at all—she was working even harder.
Once Sheng Qianxue got busy, she had even less time to communicate with Sheng Qianling. Sometimes Sheng Qianling wanted to find topics to discuss, but later hearing that Sheng Qianxue was preparing to study abroad, she didn't want to disturb her.
Thinking about her own grades—maintaining second from the bottom was now somewhat difficult—she also began putting her mind to studying.
Jiang Yanxi was very busy and had less time to find her. On weekends, Jiang Yanxi would go to Father Jiang's place. Only during school could the two meet.
Sheng Wenbo had once asked Sheng Qianling if she wanted to study abroad for university. As long as she was willing, even if her grades were a bit poor, he could still send her. Actually, Sheng Wenbo hoped both his daughters would go out and broaden their horizons, but Sheng Qianling refused.
She knew she wasn't cut out for studying and didn't have great ambitions. Most importantly, with Jiang Yanxi returning to the Jiang family, he definitely wouldn't go abroad. Going abroad meant several years—she couldn't guarantee what would happen during that time. Besides, she'd just adapted to living at the Sheng house. Going to an unfamiliar place where she knew no one—she found it hard to accept.
"Then forget it."
Sheng Wenbo thought about Sheng Qianling's situation. "Then Qianling, study well and don't push yourself too hard." Qianling wasn't like Qianxue after all—carefully cultivated since childhood. Her foundation was poor, but currently, it seemed getting into an average university wouldn't be a problem.
"Actually, staying behind is quite good. I can keep Dad company." Sheng Qianling said. "If I leave Dad alone in the country, that wouldn't be good either."
Sheng Wenbo was very happy. "Then fine. After you graduate from university, whether you want to enter the company or do something else, you can tell Dad." He'd figured it out—with Sheng Qianling's temperament, even entering the company, she'd probably just perform mediocrely and couldn't control the situation at all. Of course, he'd never thought of handing the company to Sheng Qianling. Just that if this daughter had ability, she could have a place in the company. Now it seemed his thoughts had been too optimistic.
He looked at Sheng Qianxue who was seriously eating on the side. "Qianxue, remember to come back after finishing university." He was afraid this daughter would be obsessed with learning, wanting to constantly upgrade her credentials. Then who would manage his company?
Sheng Qianxue looked up. "Dad, isn't it too early to talk about this?" She understood Sheng Wenbo's meaning—he meant after she finished university, she should return to work at the company. Honestly, she didn't value these things as much as initially. However, since Sheng Wenbo had spoken, she'd definitely take over. As for Sheng Qianling, she didn't care at all. If the other entered the company, she'd only be bullied by those veterans under her dad.
With Sheng Qianling's personality, she looked especially easy to bully.
"Not early, not early. Dad just wants to make it clear to you. If you study for five or six years, who'll manage Dad's company?"
Sheng Qianxue glanced at Sheng Qianling. Sheng Qianling quickly said, "I really can't manage the company." She shook her head. "I originally had no qualification to touch these things. My future dream is to own my own flower shop and dessert shop." She spoke truthfully. She truly couldn't adapt to various business competitions and scheming. She still hoped her life could be simpler.
Sheng Wenbo's face showed a smile. Qianling indeed wasn't suitable, and he'd never planned to let her take over the company anyway. When his eldest daughter grew distant from him, he'd already calmed down. He'd done many wrong things initially—if he gave the company to Sheng Qianling on top of that, then he'd truly be senile. For Sheng Qianling, he wouldn't shortchange her, but the person managing Sheng Corporation could only be Qianxue.
Qianling said she wanted to open a flower shop and dessert shop in the future—he'd support her in doing these things. Actually, it wasn't bad. This child Qianling wasn't greedy either—she didn't waste his affection for her.
Just that Qianxue... probably would never be as close to him as before. He'd thought of many ways to make amends, but not one could compensate for the harm to her. Looking at his two daughters quietly eating, with almost no communication between them—he no longer hoped for more, as long as they stayed quiet without fighting.
Sheng Qianxue didn't miss the complexity in Sheng Wenbo's eyes. For this, she had no particular feelings. Sheng Wenbo was her father—this she wouldn't forget. But wanting to return to before, as if nothing had happened—that was impossible.
Time flew by quickly, and second year of high school soon passed.
Sheng Qianxue and A-Xin's preparations for going abroad were also almost complete. This year, the Sheng household remained peaceful without causing any disturbance.
Instead, at the Jiang house, supposedly Jiang Yanxi had already gained Father Jiang's attention. Whenever Jiang Yanxi had time, he'd be brought along.
Bringing an illegitimate son openly into the company, even faintly treating him as an heir to cultivate—this wasn't surprising at all in the Jiang family.
Every time Sheng Qianling saw Jiang Yanxi, she could see he was different from before. In one year, Jiang Yanxi's changes were truly enormous. Now at school, Jiang Yanxi was no longer looked down upon, and no one would say he was a small-time thug.
Because Jiang Yanxi was valued by Father Jiang and had good grades, he'd just taken the college entrance exam. Scores weren't out yet, but with his usual performance, barring accidents, his score definitely wouldn't be low. The matter between Sheng Qianling and Jiang Yanxi gradually became known by many at school.
Due to Jiang Yanxi, no one dared say much. They only saw that occasionally when Jiang Yanxi picked up Sheng Qianling to hang out, it wasn't on an electric scooter but in a luxury car. They envied Sheng Qianling while feeling jealous inside. On the surface they didn't dare discuss anything, but privately they'd still say things about both being illegitimate children, saying no wonder they could get together—they were the same sort.
Occasionally Sheng Qianling inevitably heard these things. When Jiang Yanxi saw her unhappy, he'd ask why. Sheng Qianling had few friends. Whatever she wanted to say, she most liked talking to Mother Jiang and Jiang Yanxi. So this time, she still told Jiang Yanxi about some discussions she'd heard in the bathroom.
"I'm usually quite good to them. Never thought they'd talk about me behind my back like this." Sheng Qianling felt very wronged. "Whatever I have, I think of them first."
"Don't associate with these people anymore." Jiang Yanxi cupped Sheng Qianling's face, wiping the tear from the corner of her eye. "Don't worry. In the future, I won't let people talk about you like this. Just wait a bit longer." Once he became the true heir of the Jiang family, no one would dare say anything bad about her.
A few days later, Sheng Qianling suddenly discovered that several girls who usually sat near her hadn't come to class. At first she didn't pay attention, but later when almost a week passed with still no news of them, she couldn't help wanting to inquire. But these few girls were all she was familiar with—she couldn't really talk to others.
Just then she saw A-Xin walk in. Not seeing Sheng Qianxue beside A-Xin, she asked, "Ye Xin, do you know where they went?" Actually asking A-Xin, the other might not necessarily know. She was just asking—A-Xin was the class's most excellent student, perhaps she knew something.
A-Xin glanced at the several empty seats around Sheng Qianling. "They transferred schools."
"Transferred schools?" Sheng Qianling was somewhat shocked. "Why would they transfer schools out of the blue? Besides, second year is almost over." These few girls around her had decent grades. Transferring schools at this time and having to adapt to a new environment would seriously affect their studies.
"Their family companies had problems. They offended people. After bankruptcy, they were acquired by others. Their families can't afford Shenglan High School anymore." Shenglan High School was a high school under the Sheng family name. Its tuition was very expensive. With companies bankrupt, naturally they couldn't continue here.
Sheng Qianling's heart went cold. "Then do you know who acquired their family companies?"
"Who else could it be but the Jiang family? Recently the Jiang family's been making big moves. You don't know?" Sheng Qianxue walked in from behind, pushing A-Xin further inside. "Shorty, the moment I don't watch you, you're chatting." She grabbed A-Xin's arm, not bothering with the pale-faced Sheng Qianling, pressing the person into her seat.
"Shorty, why are you talking to her? You're not allowed to talk to her." Sheng Qianxue was extremely displeased. "If I see this again next time, you're done for."
A-Xin smiled and nodded. "Fine, I won't talk to her. But Qianxue, can we discuss something?"
"What thing?" Sheng Qianxue was suspicious. Shorty rarely bargained with her. She guessed what the other wanted to tell her.
A-Xin grasped Sheng Qianxue's shoulders. "Come, stand up."
Sheng Qianxue didn't understand but still stood up with A-Xin. At this moment, she suddenly discovered something was wrong. Because Shorty seemed to be taller than her!!
"Qianxue, can you stop calling me Shorty from now on?" A-Xin said with complete seriousness, even raising her hand to pat Sheng Qianxue's head. "Haven't you noticed that every time you call me Shorty, people around look at you strangely?"
Sheng Qianxue's eyes widened. A-Xin continued, "After all, I'm already half a head taller than you. You calling me Shorty is really inappropriate."
A-Xin smiled lightly. Sheng Qianxue's face flushed red. To see A-Xin's expression, she had to tilt her head back halfway. Because of this, her face grew redder and redder.
Shorty, how did you suddenly grow so tall?
She remembered A-Xin eating so much every meal. Her snacks were all prepared by her. Often afraid the other wouldn't eat enough, she'd instruct the housekeepers to make more.
So through her tireless efforts, Shorty had grown into a tall beanpole??
"Shorty!" Sheng Qianxue's face was red as she spoke through gritted teeth, pressing down on A-Xin's shoulders, forcing her into the chair. She said fiercely, "Starting today, you eat less."
A-Xin's expression showed some innocence. "Qianxue, that would make me hungry."
Sheng Qianxue felt conflicted inside.
She couldn't let her Shorty go hungry.
So frustrating.