Monday 10 October 2022

AKIT7 119




Chapter 119


Qiao Xiu Zhi, Xue Chuan, Qiao Zhen Jun, and Lin Hui came to send Da Qiao.

Because the shop was very busy, only Qiao Xiu Zhi and Xue Chuan stayed and waited in the end.

Right now, Good Lucky store was getting popular and more prosperous. They had opened another one in the town at the end of last year. Qiao Zhen Jun and Lin Hui were so busy that they eventually had to hire others to help.

After Qiao Family's second branch's store became popular, several similar stores opened in the town. Still, they couldn't compete with Qiao Family's in terms of variety or price.

In addition, Qiao Family sold dried flowers grown by Da Qiao. This alone can't be obtained by other stores.

As for all the proceeds from the sale of dried flowers, Qiao Zhen Jun and Lin Hui didn't pocket any earning from it. They helped Da Qiao deposit it in the bank.

Therefore, apart from the two real estate properties in the town and the capital, Da Qiao was a little rich woman with thousands of savings!

Qiao Xiu Zhi and Xue Chuan had came back a month before Da Qiao's college entrance examination.

During this year, the two of them took first branch to the capital to develop. With the help of Huo Family and Mao Family, first branch developed very smoothly in the capital. There were some things they had not thought of. And Huo and Mao Family had already done it for them.

Although Huo and Mao Family's helping hand was present, Qiao Xiu Zhi didn't get first branch to rent a shop first. Instead, a street food cart was bought. The father and son pushed it to sell the breakfast.

An Ping wasn't good at studying, but he excelled in eating aspect.

He had started to learn how to cook with his grandfather five years ag. Now he was ready to graduate. On top of that, he was willing to study new tricks and keep innovating in practice. It wasn't a problem to open a street food store right away.

However, Qiao Xiu Zhi was afraid due to the family not having done business alone before. So she made them start with selling breakfast.

First branch’s main was Xiaolongbao. Occasionally, other Chinese snacks were added, such as jujube mud cake, brown sugar sponge cake, etc.





These kinds of dim sum were ordinary. What's more, other breakfast stalls also sold this. At first, Wan Chun Ju weren't very optimistic about it. She felt that their breakfast would definitely not be sold.

But it turned out that it was okay for breakfast to be ordinary. The key was the taste!

The Xiaolongbao made by An Ping had a thin skin. Most importantly, the taste was so flavorful that people want to eat another after eating one!

Originally, due to their worry that they wouldn't be able to sell and have no customer, they only made two baskets on the first day. To their surprise, it was all sold out in less than an hour!

Some customers who came to buy it after hearing word of mouth recommendation could not buy it and complained on the spot; asking why they only made that bit to sell?

An Ping and Qiao Zhen Guo were both very good-tempered people. Occasionally when overly rude customer appeared, they won't get mad. Instead, they explained to others in a good tone.

Delicious food and good attitude bosses had many people become their repeat customers.

It wasn't easy to push a cart to sell breakfast. Before dawn, they got to get up and make the breakfast.. Afterward, they rush to the set up the cart before everyone goes to work.

Wind blew and sun shone. Within a month, the faces of Qiao Zhen Guo and An Ping's were several shade darker.

Despite the tiredness, it was fruitful.

Father and son had not only accumulated experience, like how to deal with people, but also attracted a large number of loyal guests.

When Qiao family opened a restaurant in the most prosperous area two months later, these guests became the first batch of repeat customers.

Now first branch established a firm foothold in the capital and their business wasn't bad. Continuing at this pace, they should be able to double the size of the restaurant by the end of the year!

Xue Chuan took out a handkerchief from his pocket and spread it out on the stone. Then he pulled his wife to sit down, "The child won't come out so soon. Come and sit."

Qiao Xiu Zhi looked at the handkerchief spread on the ground and said in distressed: "Actually, there is no need to spread the handkerchief. It took you a good few days to embroider the handkerchief. It's a waste to use it to pad the bum."

Xue Chuan smilingly said: "It's fine. Just wash it when it's dirty. Now that the children have stabilized, we can also go explore. I remember that you wanted to see the Yellow River before. Let's wait for Da Qiao to finish the college entrance examination and we'll go."

Qiao Xiu Zhi turned her head and smiled at him: "Okay. There are also Suzhou and Hangzhou, where you want to go."

Xue Chuan softly grinned: "Up is heaven, below is Suzhou and Hangzhou. I have long wanted to go. Unfortunately, there were many children at home and was inconvenient to go out. Now it's better. The country is prospering and the children don't need us to worry. We can finally do our own thing!"

Qiao Xiu Zhi nodded in delight and stuffed a dried plum into his mouth.

Xue Chuan ate the dried plums she gave. It was sweet and sour. Most suitable for summer.

——

Da Qiao entered the examination room. She didn't know any of the candidates who entered.

Though she didn't know anyone else, others knew her.

Putting aside the fact that she was no. 1 in junior high and high school for six years, her looks was more and more eye-catching. Others can't forget her no matter.

It may be due to poor nutrition in the past as not many people were tall these days. Da Qiao was 1.7 meters tall though!

She was tall and slender with straight and slender legs. Delicate facial features and fair skin! She was even more beautiful than the female stars in the pictorial. Many boys blushed when they see her from a distance.

Unfortunately, many boys' results weren't as good as her. And her height had them crushed. It was truly a situation of hero with lack of aura!

Of course, some people felt that she was too tall; thinking that girls who were too tall were ugly. It will definitely be difficult to find a partner in the future!

If Huo Chi knew what these people were thinking, he would have jumped out immediately and declare, "Don't worry about it. Her match had already been set!

Da Qiao noticed many people's eyes fell on her. The corners of her mouth pursed slightly and two small dimples instantly appeared on her cheeks. Chatter and discussion erupted everywhere.

The invigilator came over in a short while. Only then everyone took their eyes back and corrected their mentality.

Da Qiao sat in her seat; not nervous at all.

She had did all the preparation she needed to. With her strength, there is absolutely no problem in getting admitted to Jinghua University as long as there are no accidents.

Soon, the invigilator handed out the test paper. Da Qiao quickly browsed through the questions. Her thoughts was that there will be many sorrows after the exam.

The difficulty of this year's test papers had obviously increased compared to previous years. There were traps set up on many questions.

After Da Qiao reviewed the questions, she didn't dare to be careless. His mind became more and more concentrated.

The first subject was Literature with no additional questions. The total score was 100. The composition questions were somewhat unexpected and were topics that the teacher had never considered during revision.

In the draft, Da Qiao briefed the framework. After making sure there was no deviation, she started writing.

The most fearful thing about writing a composition was getting off-topic. Once it get off-topic, it became useless no matter how good the writing is.

When she wrote the last word, she raised her hand and looked at the watch on her wrist. There were still twenty minutes left before handing in the papers. Immediately, she flipped back to review the previous questions.

During this check, a small mistake was found. She quickly fixed it. The corner of her mouth pursed up in mini victory for recovering two points for herself.

Just as her review was finished, the bell for the submission of papers rang.

The invigilator told everyone to put down their pens with a solemn face. No more filling in was allowed. There was a small period of whine in the classroom.

After the invigilator took away all the test papers, everyone complained.

"What should I do? This time it's too difficult, I haven't finished it yet!"

"I did all of them, but most of them I waffled through. I didn't have time to review them!"

"Me too! And that composition. I have been reviewing the question for a long time and dare not write. I have a bad premonition. I might have gone off topic!"

Some people want to match the answer with the forever number one, Da Qiao. When they looked up to search for her, they didn't see her figure.

Actually, no matter whether it was a big test or a small test, someone will match answer with Da Qiao after the test. If the answer was the same as hers, they would be overjoyed. If the answer was different, they would become very depressed.

This time, the difficulty of the question had increased. There must be many people who didn't do so well in the exam. And this was only one subject. There were many subjects to be tested later. So in order not to affect everyone's mood, Da Qiao ran away as soon as the paper was handed in. .

Running out of the school, she found her grandfather and grandmother sitting under the pagoda-tree waiting for her in the distance.

She quickly trotted up: "Grandfather, Grandmother, didn't I say you don't have to wait?"

Qiao Xiu Zhi took out a handkerchief and wiped the beads of sweat from her forehead: "Even if we go back, we're still sitting to wait for you. It's better to wait here for you to come out. You don't have to worry, there's wind under the tree. Not hot at all! "

Da Qiao, like a well-behaved and docile little kittne, rubbed her face against her grandmother's hand. She softly spoke, "Grandmother is the best!"

Xue Chuan chimed in, "Only your grandmother is the best? Then Grandfather isn't?"

"Grandfather is also the best!" Da Qiao quickly added, "Grandfather, I'm hungry. Let's go back to eat!"

Xue Chuan quickly stood up: "Then let's go. Your mom should have prepared the meal for you at home!"

Hearing this, Da Qiao obediently smiled again.

Many people have told her before that stepmothers all over the world have black hearts and that they will abuse their stepdaughters.

But Lin Hui treated her wonderfully. So that over the years, she had almost forgotten that she had a biological mother.

She occasionally remember biological mother, Fang Xiao Juan. When she thinks of her, she will think of the 'missing' Xiao Qiao and wonder how she was now?

Godfather said that she was adopted by a rich man. If that was the case, she should also take the college entrance examination this year.

At this moment, Xiao Qiao, who was in Hu City, came out of the examination room and let out a fierce sneezed.

She had a gloomy expression on her face and exude an aura that blocked everyone out.

That's because her composition was only half-written when it was time to hand it in!

——

When she got home, her mom had cooked her a table full of delicious dishes; all of which she liked!

While clipping her food, Lin Hui asked with concern, "How was the exam? Was it difficult?"

Da Qiao's mouth was stuffed full. While chewing on the garlic ribs, she answered, "The questions are a little more difficult than before. But I don't have any problem. I've done it all!"

Lin Hui breathed a sigh of relief when she heard this: "It's good that you're done it all. Eat more, tell Mom what you want to eat tonight. Mom will make it for you!"

The corners of Da Qiao's mouth curved slightly and her dimples were revealed, "Anything is fine. As long as it's made by Mom, I love it!"

Lin Hui dotingly looked at her.

Xue An Xu flattered: "Elder Sister is the most brilliant. No matter how difficult the question is, there's no fear. This year's top scholar in the college entrance examination must be Elder Sister!"

Da Qiao stretched out her hand and pinched his tender face, "Don't go out and talk about this at will. If I fail the exam, everyone will laugh at me!"

Xue An Xu pouted, "No way, Elder Sister has always been first in the exam. Will definitely be first this time!"

Qiao An Jie's temperament was relatively introverted. He can't be so smooth and flattering like this.

But seeing his elder sister pinching Xue An Xu's face, he put his face close and spoke, "I also think Elder Sister will be first in the exam."

Da Qiao rubbed his head: "Then I'll thank An Jie first. If I'm first in the exam, Elder Sister will treat you to something delicious!"

Although Qiao An Jie didn't get pinched, his head was touched. He was satisfied and instantly pursed his lips into silent grin.

Da Qiao felt that the twins' personality differ the more they grew up. Still, their appearance remained alike.

Before entering the examination room in the afternoon, Da Qiao guessed that this year's mathematics will be raise to another level. Once the exam paper was handed out, it was as she expected.

Once the exam was over, the howling voices everywhere became louder this time. Some people burst into tears.

Most people weren't in a good mood. Da Qiao became more low-key. When someone asked her, she said she managed to finished it and didn't have a great grasp of the question.

Everyone felt a little better when they heard her say this.

After the final exam, Da Qiao walked out of the classroom with the crowd. Afterward, she saw a long-legged boy in a white shirt standing under the pagoda-tree.

The boy was tall and slender with strong and slender legs. From her direction, one can see his side profile; which was impeccable. The golden sunlight shone on him through the dense leaves, as if giving him a layer of gold sprinkle.

The passersby couldn't help but gaze at him. The girls who came out of the exam room blushed when they saw him.

The boy was slightly hunched forward to talk with her grandparents. There was a shallow curve on the corner of his mouth; so beautiful that one couldn't take their eyes off.

As if sensing the gaze behind him, he turned and grinned at her.

The smile on the corner of his mouth spread to the bottom of his eyes; completely filled with gentle warmth.

When Da Qiao saw the smile on the corner of his mouth, her heart skipped a beat. She walked over and greeted, "Elder Brother Huo Chi, why are you here? Is the school already closed for holiday?"

Huo Chi's deep black eyes stared at Da Qiao who was walking towards him. His eyes flashed with surprise.

He last seen her half a year ago. Still every time he saw her, he would be amazed by her again.

Seventeen-year-old Da Qiao was no longer the short little girl she used to be. She had grown into a young lady like a flower that bloom on the branch; delicate and soft. Once people's eyes fell on her, it can't move away.

He walked over and naturally took the stationery in her hand, "I came over as soon as the exam is over."
He didn't even go home.

Seeing his tired appearance, Da Qiao raised her brows, "It's such a long way. It can't be that you have driven here by yourself, right?"

Huo Chi smiled at her; the meaning was self-evident.

Da Qiao frowned angrily, reached out, and hit him on the arm: "It's just an exam. It doesn't matter if you don't come here!"

His arm was so hard that her hand hurt. Her mouth pouted.

The golden sunlight shone on her white porcelain face. Her long and dense eyelashes cast a shadow under her eyelids. While her pink lips pouted slightly, looking aggrieved.

Huo Chi's heart tightened, as if it had been squeezed hard; such a sour and sweet feeling.

He responded in a low voice, "Why doesn't it matter? As long as it has something to do with you, it matter."

Don't know if his eyes were too hot or because his words were too explicit, Da Qiao's face burned.

The man was handsome and the woman was pretty. The two standing together was quite a scenery. The passerby's eye gazed at this side more and more frequently.

Qiao Xiu Zhi coughed: "Don't stand there. Let's go back to eat. It's getting late."

It went without saying she and Xue Chuan watched the interaction between the two children. They neither assisted nor opposed. Everything went with the flow.

Huo Chi and Da Qiao were childhood sweethearts. It can be said that they grew up together. In fact, anyone with a discerning eye could see Huo Chi's affection for Da Qiao.

However, Da Qiao was a little ignorant. Whether she will have feeling for Huo Chi in the future, she can only find out by herself.

After being reminded by Qiao Xiu Zhi, both Huo Chi and Da Qiao felt a little embarrassed. Da Qiao didn't dare to look into Huo Chi's eyes along the way.

Back home, no one in Qiao Family was surprised when they saw Huo Chi.

Except for the summer when Huo Chi was admitted to college and didn't come, he would come no matter whether it was the summer or winter vacation.

During the summer vacation, Huo Family usually invited Da Qiao to the capital. Of course, every time Huo Chi came to pick her up. When the winter vacation came, Huo Chi would appear at Qiao's house. He won't leave until Huo Family come over to celebrate the Spring Festival and return.

To Qiao Family, Huo Chi was already half the member of Qiao Family.

In order to wait for the results, Da Qiao didn't go stay in the capital. Huo Chi stayed at Qiao's house.

——

By the end of July, the college entrance examination results finally came out under everyone's anticipation.

Compared with the education department in the town and the county, the education department in the provincial city was more well-informed. Due to the geographical relationship, they get the college entrance examination results earlier than the town and county.

Since the recovery the college entrance examination in 1977, this year was the seventh college entrance examination.

Schools in provincial city were better than schools in counties and townships in terms of educational resources and educational quality. Therefore, in the past six years, the top scholar in the annual college entrance examination had been from schools in provincial cities. Most of them were among High School One and High School Two.

Therefore, the provincial city's directors thought that this year's top scorer in the college entrance examination would naturally appear from these two schools. But when they opened the file and looked at it, they were immediately stunned.

What?

The top scholar in the college entrance examination was from Yunlai High School? !

What kind of place was Yunlai Town???

People from the Education department almost stared out a hole in the document. The words 'Qiao Nian Nian of Yunlai Middle School' remained on it.

"Hey, why does the name Qiao Nian Nian sound familiar to me?" someone suddenly said.

"Now that you said that, I seem to have a little impression. Ah, I remember. Didn't the entire provincial city have an unified examination last year? At that time, there was a student who was tied for first place with Xu Hong Ling from High School One. I remember this name!"

There were dozens of high schools in the entire provincial city. It wasn't easy to have an unified exam and papers. That's why, the unified exam took place once every few years.

At that time, they learned that there was a student in a town shared first place with Xu Hong Ling from High School One. At that time, many people were shocked. After that, everyone didn't take it too seriously.

Many people thought that she just happened to hit the jackpot to get good grades. After all, the educational resources in the town were too poor, let alone the county. So after the exam, everyone didn't pay attention to a student from the town.

No one would have thought that this student actually defeated the students in the provincial city and won the top spot in the college entrance examination!

This result was beyond everyone's expectations!

Some didn't want to believe it; thinking that the name may have been mistaken. So they used their personal connections to call to inquire. The inquiry result was there was nothing wrong.

The top scholar of the college entrance examination was Qiao Nian Nian from Yunlai High School!

When the education chief of Baocheng County received the news, he was so overjoyed that he almost dropped the phone on the ground: "You mean the top scholar in the college entrance examination is our Yunlai High School?"

Although it wasn't a school in the county city, Yunlai Town was under the jurisdiction of Baocheng County. So the top scorer in the college entrance examination was still theirs!

"That's right, it's from your side. By the way, according to the rules of previous years, the Education Department will send someone to do an exclusive interview with the student. You have to inform the student and let her get ready!"

The personnel from provincial city could hear his voice become a few decibels higher. He felt that the sourness was about to come out of his mouth.

The chief of education department in Baocheng County laughed until his mouth couldn't close: "Okay, no problem. I'll let someone inform her. No, I'll inform her myself!"

The man couldn't stand his chatter and hung up the phone with a snap.

Baocheng's education department's chief held the phone and laughed for a long time. When the director of the education department walked in and saw him like this, he was taken aback and thought he had suffered a stroke!

But once he learned about the top scholar of the college entrance examination, he joined in on the foolish merriment.

Come on, another crazy one!

Immediately afterwards, the 'crazy' people were expanded from the county education department to the Yunlai town education department to the board of Yunlai High School. This group continuously grew.

When Yunlai High School's principal rushed to Qiao's house on a broken bicycle, everyone was preparing dinner.

The principal shouted loudly. The people around him immediately heard it.

So soon everyone in the neighborhood knew that they had a college entrance examination's top scorer in Yunlai Town. This scholar was none other than Da Qiao of Qiao Family!

People were envious.

There was no one nearby who didn't know that Qiao Zhen Jun had a daughter who was well-behaved, good-looking, and can study. Usually everyone was envious, but no one would have thought that she was so astounding!

She actually defeated the students in the entire provincial capital and won the top spot in the college entrance examination in one swoop!

From what the principal conveyed, the provincial city would send someone to interview her. What's more, she would also be rewarded with a lot of money!

Simply envious to death. How could such a good child not belong to them?

So that night, sounds of people lecturing their own children rang from every household.

Once Qiao Zhen Jun and Lin Hui knew that Da Qiao had become the top student in the college entrance examination and their eyes went red with joy.

Especially Qiao Zhen Jun, who secretly hid to wipe his tears.

Back then, Da Qiao was a little stutterer. She had talked and walked more slower than ordinary children. He didn't know how worried he was. Later, he was paralyzed and thought this child would be very miserable in the future.

Unexpectedly, his paralyzed state was cured and Qiao Family became rich day by day. Da Qiao became the top student in the provincial college entrance examination.

He never dare to dream this day before!

After everyone gave their blessings dispersed, Huo Chi walked to Da Qiao's side.

She saw him take out a gift. Looking at her, he whispered, "Congratulations, little friend Qiao Nian Nian!"

2 comments:

  1. Awww, Zhen Jun and Da Qiao has come a long way! From such a miserable beginning. Thank you for the chapter!

    ReplyDelete