Chapter 221: Chapter 214: The Examination

Xu Miaomiao sneakily glanced at Tang Yuxin, seeming to want to say something, but Chen Lidong held her sleeve, silencing her.

Xu Miaomiao bowed her head, understanding his hint. She decided to stay silent and confirm things with her mother when she returned home. Her mother had a close relationship with her Aunt Xiangcao, and should have the answers she needed.

Despite the drama Sang Zhilan caused, Tang Yuxin had no intention of involving her father. She had already resolved everything, and there was no necessity to pull him into these unpleasant matters.

Zhang Xiangcao agreed with her, and so, the issue was not brought up again.

Their day-to-day life remained the same as before.

The lessons for the third-year students became more and more intensive. The pressure the children felt was akin to that of the college entrance exam. However, without having experience of the exam, they didn’t understand that what they were facing was far from the actual intensity of that day.

Tang Yuxin had been through the entrance examination. The pressure was overwhelming, especially with her weak foundation. She pushed forward, determined to live as a normal person and escape from her dreadful home life.

These sleepless days terrified her in retrospect. So, in her second life, as soon as she commenced school, she knew the path she had to pursue. She was consistently preparing and working hard for it.

She wasn’t afraid of the middle school exams, just as she wasn’t afraid of the college entrance exam.

Wei Jiani, whenever she saw Tang Yuxin, looked at her as if she was a mortal enemy, her eyes mimicking Sang Zhilan’s. Indeed, she was her mother’s daughter.

That explained why Sang Zhilan only pampered Wei Jiani.

Resemblance is the reason, right?

During Yuxin’s middle school exam, Tang Zhinian returned home. Over the past year, he’d been dealing with his tape business, which had made him quite wealthy. With the bank account filled with several hundred thousand, the large family’s livelihood was ensured. The family’s land was leased out to others as Zhinian had no free time to till it himself.

Zhinian worked hard in the business during this time out of his desire to improve his family’s standard of living. If that did not happen, what would be the point of earning so much money?

Zhinian deposited all his earnings in Tang Yuxin’s bank account, earmarking it for her education. No matter what institute she wished to attend, he, as a father, would fulfill her wish.

On the day of the middle school exam, light rain was falling.

Tang Zhinian checked Tang Yuxin’s pencil box, “Have you got everything? Pen, eraser, ruler, wait, and your watch, have you brought all of them?”

“I have,” Tang Yuxin lifted her slender wrist, on which a new watch was strapped. The watch was a gift from her father during his trip to the South. Sisi also received one, a digital version, which she wore every day, brimming with happiness.

Satisfied, Tang Zhinian took out a thermos from his pocket. The thermos was warm from his body heat.

“Thank you, father,” Tang Yuxin accepted the thermos. The light rain dampened her clothes, making her shiver a little. But, reminiscing about the past, during her old life’s exam day in similar weather, she felt warmth in her heart. She had to face the exam alone then, while Wei Jiani, like a princess, was lovingly pampered by her father.

The stark contrast in their destinies felt unfair, but she had no choice but to accept it.

Now, she had someone to accompany her. Having a father was indeed nice.

Tang Zhinian ruffled Yuxin’s hair, “Do your best in the exam. Even if it doesn’t go well, we can use my connections to secure your admission in the best high school. With the money I have, nothing’s impossible.”

Not that he was being arrogant, but there was hardly anything he would not compromise or promise for his daughter’s sake.

As Tang Yuxin entered the exam hall, Tang Zhinian, with her backpack on one shoulder and an umbrella in his hand, watched her go. Even when someone approached him, he didn’t flinch. He turned to look, only to find Wei Tian and Sang Zhilan.

He barely reacted, gazing at the school gate unmoved.

Wei Tian noticed him and quickly pulled Sang Zhilan away to avoid any awkward encounters. After they walked away, Wei Tian realized his irrational behavior. Why did he feel threatened? He hadn’t committed any crimes.

No, he was guilty of theft and robbery, for he stole another man’s wife.

Tang Zhinian remained unfazed, indifferent to Sang Zhilan’s sight. There was a time when mentioning her name used to make his heart ache. But now, he felt no emotion, as if any affection for her had sunk to the deepest part of the sea, causing no ripples in his heart.

The rain continued to fall outside, while the parents waited patiently.

By the end of two exams in the morning, Tang Yuxin was exhausted. Despite her thorough preparation, predicting even some questions, she was certain about succeeding in this exam.

But, the tense atmosphere and the pressure almost suffocated her. After finishing two exams, she felt as though she’d emerged from the water, gasping for breath.

It was stifling and hot. She fanned herself with her hand, the water in her thermos barely consumed, for fear that she might need to use the restroom during the exam.

Right then, an umbrella appeared over her head.

She looked up and smiled at her father. Her joy radiated in her bright eyes, creating an image of pure beauty.

Tang Zhinian felt a surge of pride seeing his daughter growing up. The child he used to cradle in his arms had grown into a young woman.

“Let’s go, Uncle Chen has arranged lunch. Let’s join him” he suggested.

“Sure,” Tang Yuxin rubbed her stomach. Merely discussing food made her realize how hungry she was.

“Let’s go,” Tang Zhinian adjusted the umbrella to cover Yuxin more while he carried her backpack on his shoulder. He was prepared to get wet to ensure Yuxin remained dry during this crucial period—exam time.

Uncle Chen had reserved a table at a state-run restaurant which was full of parents who had accompanied their children for the exam. Despite it being just a middle school exam, urban parents were extremely involved. They had almost all arrived for the occasion, while rural parents who might be busy with their farm work or less engaged with their children’s academics, were less in number.

When Tang Zhinian and Yuxin arrived, the food was already served.

Xu Miaomiao and Chen Lidong had arrived earlier. They were cross-referencing their answers—joyful when they got them right, regretful when wrong. They blamed themselves for not being careful enough. Despite having attempted those questions before, they wondered how they managed to get them incorrect.