True youth belongs only to those who always strive to excel. The college entrance exam is a stepping stone to change one’s fate, the starting point of dreams. It is also a crossroads in life—some walk toward higher places, while others head downhill. Only the unknown future is worth pursuing with all one’s might.
The Original Host’s wish was to get into a good university, so Gu You could only bury herself in her studies, reviewing late into the night every evening before sleeping.
In the last monthly exam before winter break, Gu You finally achieved first place in her class and tenth in her grade. Although there was still plenty of room for improvement, Gu You herself was quite satisfied.
Gu You’s rapid progress in just a few short months also caught the attention of her homeroom teacher, who urged everyone in the class to learn from Gu You and work hard to unlock their own potential.
After the monthly exam came winter break. The teachers tirelessly reminded the students again and again that they must review seriously during the break and not just run around playing—there would be plenty of time to play once they got into university. What these high school seniors didn’t know was that heavy major coursework would be waiting for them in university too.
Even during winter break, Ning Ning didn’t travel like she had in previous years. Instead, she came to the Lin household every day to study with Gu You. When Ning Ning’s parents found out, they were deeply grateful to Gu You—if it weren’t for following Gu You’s example, their daughter would never have become so diligent.
That afternoon, after finishing just a few pages of practice problems, Ning Ning grew restless. She had been studying for an entire week, so she said to Gu You, “Youyou, why don’t we go out for a stroll? I’m about to grow moldy staying at home.”
Gu You suddenly leaned in to examine Ning Ning’s face and chuckled. “Where’s the mold? I don’t see it.”
Just then, Mother Lin walked in carrying afternoon tea. She nodded in full agreement. “You two really should get out for a bit. Youyou, I happen to have an appointment with Ning Ning’s mother for a beauty treatment. Why don’t you two come along? It’ll be a good chance to relax.”
Ning Ning’s eyes lit up instantly, and she shook Gu You’s arm. “Youyou, let’s go together! I haven’t had a beauty treatment in ages.” She even touched her own face afterward, as if her skin really had gotten a bit worse than before.
“Alright, let’s go with Mom then.” Gu You nodded in agreement.
The three of them arrived at the beauty salon together and pushed the door open. Ning Ning’s mother was already sitting on the sofa by the front desk, waiting for them.
This was Gu You’s first time meeting Ning Ning’s mother. She greeted her with a smile, “Hello, Auntie.”
“Oh, so this is Youyou. What a well-behaved young girl—unlike my Ning Ning, who’s just a wild child.” Mother Ning walked over, patting Ning Ning’s head as she spoke.
Ning Ning glared and pouted. “Mom, what kind of behavior is that? If you’re going to compliment someone, fine, but don’t put me down to do it.”
Gu You, arm in arm with Mother Lin, watched the two of them, and mother and daughter both burst out laughing.
This salon offered a full range of services, all performed with professional technique. After finishing a facial and a Thai back massage, Gu You felt more relaxed than words could describe. In her past life, she had been busy with work every day and rarely enjoyed life the way other young ladies from wealthy families did.
She decided that from now on, as long as it didn’t interfere with her Missions, she would travel across the land, see the mountains and seas of every world, and taste all the delicacies the world had to offer.
They had just gotten home from their spa treatments when Father Lin and Lin Yan arrived back from the company. Seeing Lin Yan’s somewhat gloomy expression, Gu You asked with concern, “Ge, what’s wrong? Did something happen at the company?”
“The Jiang family has gone too far. They snatched several of our projects by undercutting us on price,” Lin Yan said, his voice tinged with anger.
Gu You knew exactly what the Jiang family was like—petty and vindictive. When the Lin family had canceled the engagement, the Jiangs had suffered a loss, and now they were undercutting the Lins at any cost, hoping to get other companies to isolate the Lin family.
“Ge, don’t be angry. Frowning will make you ugly. The Jiangs doing business at a loss was never a sustainable strategy—they’re just draining their own resources.” Gu You poured him a glass of water and handed it to Lin Yan, comforting him gently.
Father Lin looked at Gu You with gratification, then turned to Lin Yan. “Did you hear your sister? What’s the rush? If the Jiangs keep pulling stunts like this, we won’t even need to deal with them—Jiang Corporation will collapse on its own.”
Lin Yan reached out and ruffled Gu You’s hair. “I know. I was just angry for a moment. Thanks for caring, little sister.”
After the family finished dinner, Gu You finally returned to her bedroom and opened her laptop, planning to look into Jiang Corporation. The company’s cybersecurity was decent, but Gu You’s hacking skills ranked among the top in the world. It only took a little time before she successfully infiltrated the Jiang Corporation president’s computer.
Well, well—her search turned up evidence that the Jiangs had been bribing government officials. This was extremely important material; it would definitely come in handy when it was time to bring down the Jiang family. She immediately saved it to her own computer, then wiped all traces of her browsing.
【Youyou, the male and female leads slept together tonight.】Xiao 8, silent for a long while, finally reappeared to report on the leads’ situation.
【Okay, got it. Xiao 8, please keep watching them for me.】
Gu You had actually anticipated this outcome. After all, Jiang Hao was now living on his own, and Li Qiuman kept coming over to cook for him and tidy up his place. A man and a woman alone in one room—nothing happening over time would have been the real surprise.
Meanwhile, in Jiang Hao’s apartment, the soft lighting added a touch of warmth to the night. A few articles of clothing lay scattered by the bed, and the air still carried a lingering, intimate atmosphere. Jiang Hao held Li Qiuman in his arms, rubbing his chin against the top of her head, his face full of tenderness. “Manman, I will never fail you in this lifetime.”
“Mm, I believe you,” Li Qiuman said softly, her eyes lowered.
She hadn’t originally planned to give herself to him so soon, but with the two of them alone here together every day—two young people full of youthful vigor—they had gradually gotten carried away during their kisses and embraces.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get my family to accept you as soon as possible. Once the college entrance exams are over, we’ll get engaged.” Now that he could finally hold the one he loved completely, Jiang Hao’s heart was full of hope for the future.
The very next evening, Jiang Hao called the family driver to come pick him up. When Mother Jiang heard from the butler that Jiang Hao was coming home, she was overjoyed and told the kitchen to make several of his favorite dishes.
At first, Father Jiang assumed Jiang Hao had come back to bow his head and apologize. But now, looking at Jiang Hao kneeling before him, the veins at Father Jiang’s temples bulged as he gripped the armrest of his chair, struggling to control his emotions. He truly wanted to slap this unfilial son to death—but Jiang Hao was his only son.
Jiang Hao knelt on the ground, head lowered as he pleaded, “Dad, Mom, please just give your blessing to Manman and me. I promise I’ll study hard from now on, and I’ll run the company well in the future too. I won’t let you down.”
Seeing her son pleading so humbly, Mother Jiang ached with sympathy and reached out to pull Jiang Hao up. But Father Jiang shot her a cold glance, and with a dry cough, she withdrew her hand.