The words “retaking the college entrance exam” momentarily left Su Mulan’s mind blank.
For her, this was something from a distant past.
In her previous life, when she discovered she hadn’t passed the university entrance exam, she felt as if the sky had fallen. She was determined to retake the exam.
But with the unexpected turn of events—getting married soon after and starting work—the possibility of retaking the exam vanished.
During difficult times, she would sometimes wonder what her life would have been like if she had gone to university.
However, that thought disappeared after she opened her 200-square-meter restaurant. As her career grew increasingly successful, the regret of not attending university gradually faded.
Now, reborn at the moment her university spot was stolen, her mind was filled with thoughts of revenge, never once considering returning to study.
The knowledge her teachers had imparted had long been forgotten. If she were to retake the exam now, she had no idea how many years it would take to pass.
“Mom, there’s no rush about retaking the exam. I want to wait until Zhao Zhenhua’s outcome is clear.”
For now, she didn’t want to alert anyone. She planned to wait until Zhao Zhenhua’s matter was settled, then directly confront Su Huilan at her university, catching her off guard and leaving her no chance to recover…
Song Yumei had met Zhuang Chuntao today and heard several people at the factory analyze that if the Zhao family really pulled some strings, Zhao Zhenhua might avoid jail time.
She worried her daughter wouldn’t be able to accept such an outcome, which was why she decided to send her daughter to retake the exam, regardless of Su Guoqiang’s opinion.
Even if Zhao Zhenhua were released, her daughter would have a new hope to cling to, preventing her from falling into despair.
Unexpectedly, for Zhao Zhenhua’s sake, her daughter was willing to set aside even her long-cherished dream of retaking the exam.
“Mulan, why don’t you think it over again?
I have the money to support your studies. Don’t worry about your father—if it comes to it, I’ll divorce him!”
Hearing this, Su Mulan smiled sincerely.
Retaking the exam was unnecessary, but divorce was definitely necessary.
“Mom, I’m not considering him. His opinion doesn’t matter at all.
I’ve had some ideas recently. Let me sort them out first. Once I’ve figured things out, I’ll definitely tell you right away.”
Song Yumei reached out and tucked the stray hair behind her daughter’s ear, her smile tinged with helplessness. “You’ve always had a mind of your own since you were little. Once you set your heart on something, not even eight oxen could pull you back.
I won’t try to persuade you anymore, but remember this: no matter what happens, I’ll always be on your side.”
Warmth filled Su Mulan’s heart. She tilted her head and leaned against Song Yumei’s shoulder. “Mom, thank you. I promise to work hard in the future so you can live a good life.”
“Having a daughter as wonderful as you is already a good life for me.”
These words made Su Mulan’s heart feel as sweet as if she had drunk honey. She chatted with her mother in the outer room for a while longer before returning to her bedroom to contemplate her next steps.
She needed to hurry things along with Zhao Zhenhua’s situation.
She also had to prepare two backup plans in case Hu Mingjie proved useless, leaving all her efforts in vain.
Fortunately, Hu Mingjie didn’t disappoint her. The following evening, she met Liu Jianye, Zhang Zhigang’s competitor, at a private restaurant.
Liu Jianye was somewhat plump, with a round, smiling face that made him look very amiable, like the friendly uncle next door.
“Xiao Su, Mingjie gave me a rough idea of your situation, but that boy is clumsy with words and didn’t explain it clearly. Could you go over it again for me?”
Su Mulan didn’t think too much about it and carefully repeated the sequence of events: “Zhao Zhenhua had previously told me about his family’s relationship with Zhang Zhigang. Yesterday, Zhao Zhenhua’s mother thought everything was settled and deliberately came to boast in front of me, also mentioning Zhang Zhigang.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Jianye felt both disappointed and angry: “As public security officers, it is our duty to uphold the law and justice. There must be no favoritism or cover-ups within our ranks!
Comrade Su, rest assured, if what you said is true, we will never let you suffer injustice.”
Su Mulan knew Liu Jianye was just making a grand statement, and she was happy to play along: “Having a leader like you who enforces the law impartially is truly a blessing for the people.”
Since Liu Jianye had nothing else to discuss, Su Mulan recounted the events once more and left.
As soon as Su Mulan left, a hidden door behind Liu Jianye opened, and a tall man walked out.
Liu Jianye asked with a smile, “Xiao Mo, in your opinion, is what Su Mulan said true or false?”
Xiao Mo was sparing with his words: “True. Except for the last sentence.”
Liu Jianye pondered for a moment before understanding: “What do you mean? Am I not a good official who upholds the law?”
Xiao Mo didn’t respond to that: “I’ve repaid the favor I owed you.”
“I just mentioned it casually!” Liu Jianye was taken aback. “I didn’t ask you to verify whether what she said was true or false.
We agreed—you owe me a favor, and this time you must take the blind date I arranged seriously!”
This brat, getting him to go on a blind date was like forcing him to hang himself. It was infuriating.
Xiao Mo didn’t respond at all. He turned his back, waved his hand, and slipped out the door in a flash.
Liu Jianye wanted to chase after him, but Xiao Mo had already jumped from the second floor. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from the entrance of the restaurant.
“That little rascal!”
Liu Jianye watched Xiao Mo’s retreating figure, feeling his head swell.
When the girl arrived later, how on earth was he supposed to explain…
Meanwhile, Xiao Mo had only taken a few steps out of the restaurant when he spotted Su Mulan buying an ice pop.
It had been half a year since they last met, and he could clearly sense a change in Su Mulan’s demeanor.
If she had once been a sunflower growing freely under the blazing sun, now she was like a silent waterweed deep in a cold pond, untouched by sunlight, leaving only a bone-chilling coldness.
He was certain it wasn’t because of the incident with Zhao Zhenhua.
Given Su Mulan’s personality, she would only think about sending Zhao Zhenhua to prison. Such a drastic change was unlikely.
Thinking of the bright and radiant girl who had once even illuminated him, he couldn’t help but quicken his pace.
If she was truly facing an insurmountable difficulty, he was willing to help.
But to his surprise, Su Mulan seemed not to recognize him. Her gaze swept over his face, and then she walked straight past…