There's Something Wrong With My Little White Flower - Chapter 45

Chapter 45: Elder Sister of a Brother-Obsessed Family X University Professor

Hearing that voice, Ruan Jiyun’s anxious and helpless heart instantly settled. She turned to Jiang Peifeng, her eyes filled with tears, looking like the last child abandoned at the kindergarten gate who finally sees their rescuer.

Jiang Peifeng’s heart softened as she walked over. Her tone was gentle: “Everyone here is a teacher. I understand your focus on high-achieving students. If possible, please let her speak for herself first.”

The teacher from CST was the first to nod and express his stance: “We welcome student Ruan to apply anytime. Please feel free to speak, student Ruan.”

The teachers from Normal University exchanged confused glances, then followed suit: “That’s right. Tell us what you are thinking. We can see if we can accommodate.”

They vaguely felt that the situation was different from what they had initially understood. According to Ruan’s mother, Ruan Jiyun was willing to stay local, which was why she chose their school. The university greatly valued high-scoring candidates like her, which was why they had eagerly rushed here.

Jiang Peifeng offered Ruan Jiyun a handkerchief, letting the little white flower wipe her tears, then said encouragingly: “Tell the teachers which university you want to attend and what you want to study.”

Her words gave Ruan Jiyun courage. She looked at the people in the room and said with conviction: “Thank you, teachers. I have always had a goal. I am interested in scientific research and want to study Computer Science, aiming to continue with postgraduate studies in the future, and contribute to the development of artificial intelligence in our country’s industrial and technological fields. I know this path is long, but I want to take this challenge!”

“Through studying, I have seen a broader world…” The girl’s voice trembled slightly but clearly echoed in everyone’s ears. “I want to get closer and take a better look at this world.”

Her breathing was slightly rapid, and her cheeks flushed involuntarily. The girl’s shy yet determined gaze moved the people present.

The old school principal, who had just been informed and came over, spoke first: “Good child, what ambition!”

He firmly encouraged her: “Studying isn’t just about getting a good job in the future; it should be about shouldering responsibility and revitalizing the nation! For you to have this kind of aspiration at such a young age, your teacher is very pleased.”

With the old principal making a definitive statement, the other teachers quickly understood. The teachers from the Normal University admissions office discussed it among themselves. The female teacher leading them smiled and said: “It seems we misunderstood. We thought Xiao Ruan had decided to attend Normal University.”

“Wait a minute!” Ruan’s mother saw the Normal University teachers ready to back down and immediately rushed forward: “You can’t just listen to a child’s nonsense! What Computer Science, what postgraduate studies… We, as her parents, have not agreed!”

She stared anxiously at Ruan Jiyun, her eyes practically trying to devour her: “If you won’t consider yourself, you must consider your mom and dad! We worked so hard to raise you until you were eighteen. Don’t you want to contribute to the family?”

Ruan Jiyun was frightened by her mother’s burning glare and flinched back, but she still bravely said: “I will contribute to the family… I will work part-time at university! And I will try to spend as little money as possible…”

“Now is the time for you to contribute to the family!” Cheng Nuoe cut her off. “Teachers, she is just a child. You cannot let her make the decision. We will apply to Normal University!”

“Auntie Cheng…” Seeing her so stubborn, Jiang Peifeng finally spoke up in defense: “You are also a teacher. How can you say such a thing?”

“Your daughter scored nineteenth in the entire province. I believe everyone here understands what that ranking means better than I do. Not only is she diligent, but she also has a rare, innate talent. Which family, blessed with such a child, wouldn’t cherish and cultivate her? Yet you are asking her to give up her dream for a little immediate benefit.”

“You have money, so of course you don’t care!” Ruan’s mother, blinded by rage, blurted out: “I have two children! The older one is being senseless, and the younger one needs this money to continue high school! Can she just look out for herself and ignore her brother?”

“She is your child, just like her brother! And she is only eighteen,” Jiang Peifeng countered. “Why should her brother’s care be the sister’s responsibility?”

The conversation reached this point, and even those who were previously unaware mostly guessed the whole story. Several teachers from Normal University showed signs of pity and quietly began to discuss.

“Teacher Cheng…” the female teacher said hesitantly. “Since the child has clear intentions, we will withdraw from this competition and let the child choose the path she wants.”

She looked regretfully at Ruan Jiyun. Nineteenth in the province! But as a woman herself, seeing Ruan Jiyun’s ambition at such a young age, she felt a bias. She couldn’t help but speak for Ruan Jiyun: “Girl, think carefully. If you truly want to go to CST, we will withdraw our admission offer.”

Ruan Jiyun said emotionally: “Teacher, I truly want to go to CST.”

The moment she finished speaking, Cheng Nuoe’s face instantly darkened, looking like it might drip water.

“For a student with such excellent scores, Senior Brother, do you have any preferential policies?” Jiang Peifeng, who had been observing Ruan’s mother’s expression, timely interjected.

Teacher He had already been specifically briefed by his junior schoolmate about this matter. Hearing her question, he said cheerfully: “Yes, we do, we do. Parents, why don’t we find a separate place to discuss this?”

Ruan’s mother’s ears caught the phrase “preferential policies,” and she looked up in confusion: “You also offer scholarships?”

Teacher Qin was thoughtful. Seeing signs of concession from Ruan’s mother, she immediately arranged for the group to meet privately in a smaller conference room. After introducing the university and the majors to Cheng Nuoe and Ruan Jiyun, Teacher He proposed: “We offer different levels of scholarships for high-scoring students. Ruan Jiyun’s score qualifies her for the first-level academic scholarship of 8,000 yuan annually.”

Cheng Nuoe mentally calculated the amount but was ultimately a little disappointed: “Normal University waives the tuition fee entirely…”

“Teacher Cheng… it’s all the same, it’s all the same,” the principal consoled from the side. “We value excellent students like Ruan Jiyun very highly. In fact…” He smiled and introduced, “The representative from Yucheng Group, Mr. Jiang, is here. Their group sponsors scholarships for their alma mater every year.”

Jiang Zhiyu interjected: “Yes, Auntie Cheng. My father instructed Peifeng and me to handle this. For students like Xiao Yun, we offer a one-time sponsorship scholarship of thirty thousand yuan. With this, the child basically won’t have to spend any money during university. You can rest assured.”

“Thirty thousand?” Cheng Nuoe’s eyes lit up. “Are you really giving this money?”

Seeing her expression, which completely lacked the earlier desperate rage and was replaced by visible eagerness, Jiang Zhiyu finally understood why his sister was so determined to personally oversee the scholarship matter this year. Dealing with such terrible parents, Ruan Jiyun was truly unlucky.

He nodded: “We are truly giving it. If you don’t believe me, ask the principal. Our company allocates this money every year.”

Because Jiang’s father once taught in Z City, and even after becoming successful, he never forgot the students in his hometown, the fund established by Yucheng Group was specifically for financially disadvantaged students with excellent academic records. Every year, they sponsored a batch of high-achieving students from various middle and high schools in Z City who faced difficulties with further education.

Ruan Jiyun’s situation was actually a little far from genuine poverty, but since this time the money was secretly funded by Jiang Peifeng herself, and since it was her father’s company, the teachers present tacitly kept silent about the specifics.

Jiang Peifeng knew that to deal with someone like Ruan’s mother, she absolutely couldn’t let her think her daughter was too valuable to negotiate with. Therefore, the scholarship amount was benchmarked against Normal University, and she didn’t allow her brother to offer a higher figure.

She needed to save money to take care of the little white flower later.

With the admissions matter smoothly concluded, Jiang Zhiyu left for A City first, while Jiang Peifeng drove Ruan’s mother and Ruan Jiyun home.

If Cheng Nuoe had thought Jiang Peifeng was a troublemaker earlier, her attitude now made a complete 180-degree turn. She sat in the car, full of envy, and actively started a conversation: “Xiao Feng, your car is really nice. It must have cost a fortune, right?”

“This car belongs to my brother. He lent it to me for a few days,” Jiang Peifeng answered patiently. “It’s too hot, so driving home helps us cool down.”

“Yes, the weather is unbearably hot,” Ruan’s mother agreed. “In our old, broken-down building, the cold air dissipates so quickly. The electricity bill just shoots up when we use the air conditioner!”

She glanced at her silent daughter beside her: “This time, Mom respected your choice of school. You must study hard from now on. Mom is waiting for you to earn a lot of money and buy us a big house so we can enjoy life.”

Ruan Jiyun blushed and said: “I will work hard.”

She still felt a little dazed. She had almost thought she wouldn’t be able to go to CST, but when she made that phone call to Jiang Peifeng, the older woman only paused for a few seconds before gently comforting her not to worry about anything.

Not only did she come in person, but she also solved what Ruan Jiyun saw as an impossible problem. As Ruan’s mother excitedly chatted beside her, Ruan Jiyun quietly looked up at Jiang Peifeng.

Her hair was neatly tied back, revealing the graceful curve of her neck. The sleeves of her white shirt were rolled up to her elbows, and her slender, fair fingers rested on the steering wheel, appearing completely at ease. Suddenly, as if sensing her gaze, Jiang Peifeng quietly looked up and met her eyes in the rearview mirror.

Caught off guard by the gaze, Ruan Jiyun frantically looked away, but in her periphery, she saw those phoenix eyes narrow slightly.

Jiang Peifeng gave her a smile.

Her heart suddenly started beating uncontrollably, as if a secret had been uncovered.

She lowered her head, twisting her fingers together, and Jiang Peifeng’s voice reached her ears.

“I’ll be here for a few days, and I have another favor to ask of Auntie Cheng,” she mentioned casually while turning the steering wheel. “Xiao Yun did a great job organizing my documents last time. Would you let her help me out again?”

Cheng Nuoe certainly didn’t want to offend Jiang Peifeng, the daughter of a benefactor. She readily agreed: “Of course! She’s just idling around at home all day now. Feel free to take her and put her to work!”

The result was that before Ruan Jiyun even fully realized what was happening, Jiang Peifeng, having gotten out of the car, took her hand. She waved goodbye to Ruan’s mother with a composed expression and casually led the little white flower back to her own home.

“Are you going to write another paper when you get back?” The moment the lock clicked shut, Ruan Jiyun felt like a huge burden had been lifted from her heart. In her opinion, even helping Jiang Peifeng organize documents was a million times better than staying at home. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the person in front of her: “My exams are over, I can help!”

However, Jiang Peifeng only reached out to press the air conditioner remote and settled back comfortably on the sofa, finally letting out a relaxed sigh.

“I was only saying that to trick your mother,” she raised her eyelashes and winked mischievously at Ruan Jiyun. “Otherwise, how could I steal you away?”

“We’re not working for the next few days. I’m taking you out to have fun. This is a good reward for our Xiao Yun!”

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