Chapter 60 "If you believe me, then I will give it my all..."

This year, Nie Qingqing learned from her experience in the middle school entrance examination and booked a hotel near the examination venue well in advance. She stayed there the night before the exam, and the examination venue was a ten-minute walk away, so there were no traffic problems.

Today is the first day of the college entrance examination. She didn't say a word. Before leaving, she checked the admission ticket one last time and sent it to the outside of the examination room. Only after Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan entered the examination room did she dare to show her nervous expression.

She was reluctant to leave, so like other parents, she sat on the roadside under the shade of a tree, staring blankly at the closed gates of the examination hall. Three years of junior high, three years of senior high—the children had reached the best age of their lives, the prime of their lives.

What about her? If it weren't for Song Zhao's initial encouragement, what would she have done after Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan finished their college entrance exams?

She would probably start with the same worry as she is now, then the joy of finishing the exams, and then, after the children leave home, she would fall into a long period of loneliness and helplessness, not knowing what to do.

But not now. After Tangyuan Xiaoyuan finishes her exams and takes her long vacation, she will have a new job. In her new job, she will gain recognition and financial rewards, and then she will use that money to do things that make her happy.

As she thought about it, she couldn't help but feel happy.

Song Zhao fanned her with a fan. Seeing her smile, he knew Qingqing must be very satisfied with her current state, not worried about the future at all, which was why she was showing a genuine smile at this moment. He smiled too.

Nie Qingqing asked him, "Why do you laugh when I laugh? Do you even know what I'm laughing at?"

Song Zhao: "I don't need to know. Your happiness means I've been nurturing you well all these years. The flowers you've grown are still in full bloom. How could I not be happy?"

Yes, Song Zhao was like a gardener, taking good care of her. Nie Qingqing was content; she recovered and also raised the children and him very well.

...

Xiaoyin bought some iced soda. Her parents had always had such a good relationship and never schemed against each other. This wonderful family was her family. She envied her parents' relationship. She and Meng Kaiyang would never reach that point.

Even without her parents saying anything, Tangyuan already knew about Meng Kaiyang's performance over the past two years from his chattering mouth.

Before returning to China, Meng Kaiyang's arrangements had already disappointed her. After listening to Tangyuan's account and Xiaoyuan's supplement, and recalling the six months of cold war before she went abroad, she realized that Meng Kaiyang had already torn off the shackles of repression and revealed his true nature a long time ago.

Before they had even met since returning to China, Song Xiaoyin decided to give Meng Kaiyang three chances once they met.

"Mom and Dad, have some soda."

Xiaoyin hid her emotions and casually handed them the soda, comforting them, "Mom, they're in a good mood. It's almost time. Let's go to the restaurant we agreed on, order some food, and wait for them. They must be hungry after focusing on their brains all morning."

When Nie Qingqing checked the time, she realized there was still an hour left before the morning session ended. She jumped up with a "Oh dear!" and exclaimed, "Thank goodness Xiaoyin is here! We should go to the restaurant, order our food, and eat early so we can go back and take a nap."

...

The restaurant had also been booked in advance in a private room. Many parents shared the same idea. Fortunately, it was booked in advance, and soon the restaurant was full of parents who had come to order food in advance.

What they ordered first was served first: four vegetarian dishes and four meat dishes, fish, shrimp, meat, and chicken, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables. At this point, she wasn't worried about wasting food and made sure the two children ate their fill.

The timing was perfect. Just as all the dishes were served, Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan came in noisily. Smelling the aroma of the food, they picked up their chopsticks and started eating: "Mom, let's not be fussy today. I don't eat very well."

Nie Qingqing: "These days you and Xiaoyuan are the most important, so what are you being so particular about? Eat whatever you want."

Fearing it would affect their upcoming exams, Nie Qingqing didn't dare ask how they did.

It was Tangyuan himself who said that after wolfing down his food for a while, he finally slowed down and waved his hand confidently: "Mom, I feel like I did pretty well, don't worry, eat more!"

Nie Qingqing: "It's not my exam, so why am I worried? Go ahead and eat. After you finish, go back to the hotel and get some sleep. You have an exam this afternoon."

...

Nie Qingqing, Song Zhao, and Xiaoyin all stayed at the hotel instead of going home. Song Zhao said, "You should get some sleep too. I'll wake you up when it's time."

Nie Qingqing shook her head, "I really can't sleep. I can't relax until they finish their exams, estimate their scores, submit their applications, and receive their acceptance letters."

Song Zhao didn't go to the factory these past two days. After the exams, the two kids slept soundly at home all day. Three years of high school is indeed very tough. He didn't even call them for dinner. They only got up to eat when they woke up hungry.

Next came the score estimation. Tangyuan's estimated score was indeed high enough for the first-tier university admission line. Nie Qingqing was overjoyed and told him, "Just apply to the university you like. As long as your score is high enough, you can apply. I have no objection to what major you want to study."

No matter what Tangyuan studies, he can't help but think about making money, so why not let him study what he likes?

Xiao Yuan's estimated score was better, so he listed Shanghai Jiao Tong University as his first choice. Tang Yuan also applied to a university in Haishi. Both of them listed Haishi as their first choice.

Good news also came from Tang Gao's side. Her estimated score was good, and she applied to the Police Academy as her first choice. Nie Qingqing was very proud. Now it depends on whether the three of them can be successfully admitted to their first choice.

...

Tanggao's notification came first, followed by Xiaoyuan's and Tangyuan's. Nie Qingqing was finally relieved and immediately went to the temple with He Shumei to fulfill her vow.

Looking out at the blue sky and white clouds, I felt content and sighed to Shumei, "I've finally completed the first phase of my mission."

He Shumei was truly envious and joked, "My one is still a long way off. Aren't you just making me jealous?"

Nie Qingqing comforted her, "Once you enter junior high school, the years will go by very quickly. You'll be busy and the years will pass by in no time. Don't rush."

...

Once I receive the admission notice, I need to hold a graduation banquet. I've made many friends and colleagues in Shenzhen over the past few years, so I need to hold one banquet and another one when I go back to my hometown. It's a good opportunity to have Tangyuan, Xiaoyuan, and Tanggao at the same time.

After the graduation banquet, Xiaoyin had to go for an interview at her new workplace, the animation studio where Meng Kaiyang worked. However, she didn't go with Meng Kaiyang; it was her best roommate from college who introduced her to the job.

Nie Qingqing still had half a month of vacation left. After discussing it, they decided that after the banquet, they would go directly from their hometown to Haishi and stay at a chain hotel in Haishi. Song Zhao would also go, and he would come back after a few days of sightseeing.

Before setting off, Nie Qingqing privately asked Xiaoyin, "Since our whole family is going this time, will Meng Kaiyang organize a meeting and a meal for the two families?"

Xiaoyin said, "He came to pick me up from the station and said that the Qi family had gone on a trip, so we'll have to eat next time."

Nie Qingqing wasn't in a hurry. After arriving at the station, she saw Meng Kaiyang on the platform. His clothes and hairstyle had changed since the last time they met. He was increasingly showing the energetic spirit of a young leader, and he was even wearing glasses.

He was polite, helped carry her bag, and chatted warmly with Tangyuan without any awkwardness. A person like that can thrive in any situation, depending on whether he wants to or not.

The last time they met, he wasn't wearing glasses yet. Nie Qingqing asked Xiaoyin from behind, "When did he become nearsighted?"

Xiaoyin scoffed: "Plain glasses. People say wearing glasses makes you look more profound."

Nie Qingqing couldn't understand it.

...

After having lunch, Meng Kaiyang made an excuse that he was busy at work and had to go back. He also said, "Xiaoyin, if you're not busy, you can go to the company for the interview a day earlier. I'm going on a business trip the day after tomorrow, so if you go the day after tomorrow, you'll be at a disadvantage in the interview."

Xiaoyin said, "I arranged the interview time with my friend, specifically when you were away on a business trip, so that people wouldn't say I got in through connections."

Meng Kaiyang nodded: "You've thought this through very well. Well then, Uncle and Aunt, Tangyuan Xiaoyuan, Uncle and Aunt, Grandma, I'll be going now."

Tanggao was squatting on the ground tying her shoelaces when she heard this. She looked up and muttered, "Who is this person? Don't they know how many people came today? Can't they see us and don't they say hello? Don't they have a bad memory?"

Tangyuan encouraged her, "If you have any objections, speak up!"

Tanggao pushed him away: "Stop stirring things up, I won't fall for your tricks."

...

When Xiaoyin was in college, the Oriental Pearl Tower was under construction. Now that it's finished, the whole family went to visit it this afternoon.

The next day, Xiaoyin went for an interview and passed. She started work the following Monday and went back to her own home to rest.

Song Zhao's factory couldn't do without him, so he stayed for two days and then went back. Nie Qingqing's project was also nearing completion, and he would be able to return to Pengcheng after it was finished.

On August 26th, I went to school early to register. First, I went to Tangyuan's school, and then to Xiaoyuan's school. Because of this delay, Tanggao came directly to meet them and said that we wouldn't be able to see each other after the military training started.

After military training ended, the three kids spent the weekend at Lehan's family's chain hotel, talking about interesting things that happened in college, how their roommates were, and whether the food in the cafeteria was good. Nie Qingqing occasionally asked a few questions, truly envying their college life.

Lehan bought cosmetics for them all, saying, "Now that military training is over, you'd better get your fair skin back."

Tangyuan gave her share to Tanggao: "I don't need it, you can have it."

Xiao Yuan said to Nie Qingqing, "Mom, I don't need it either."

Lehan: "Your two are for men, don't be so fussy, take them home and use them."

Tangyuan: "No way! I'm a man. If I use bottles and jars, my roommates will laugh at me."

Nie Qingqing said, "Forget it, I'll take it back for your dad and your Uncle Yu."

...

Although they all live in Haishi, and the children have their own lives and social interactions, Nie Qingqing doesn't actively seek them out. Her work is fulfilling, so she doesn't feel empty or lost. When she has some free time, she calls Song Zhao, her mother, her brother and sister-in-law, and Shumei.

Xiaoyin has been working for a month now, from the time she passed the interview to the time she started working. She's been very busy. I met her once; Xiaoyin came with her best roommate from college. The two are now colleagues. Having a good friend by her side made Nie Qingqing feel a little more at ease.

Xiaoyin's best friend is very talkative and dares to say anything. When Xiaoyin went to the toilet, she deliberately didn't go and complained to Nie Qingqing about Meng Kaiyang.

"Aunt Qingqing, I don't like Xiaoyin's boyfriend. He actually offered to cancel his rented apartment and move into Xiaoyin's house, paying Xiaoyin the rent instead. Luckily, Xiaoyin resolutely refused."

Nie Qingqing was displeased upon hearing this. Did they have marriage plans? He considered the Qi family as half family, and it was inappropriate for them to make this suggestion when their parents hadn't even formally met and eaten together.

She quickly said, "You and Xiaoyin are really close; she tells you all these things."

“Aunt Qingqing, actually, Xiaoyin talked to you, her lovely family members, the most. She didn’t tell you about Meng Kaiyang because she was afraid you would worry and lose sleep. She said she could handle it, so please don’t ask her about it. We all have to trust her!”

Nie Qingqing certainly wouldn't betray her so easily, and assured her, "Definitely not. Xiaoyin is back, let's not talk about this."

...

Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao had no secrets between them. After she told Song Zhao about it, Song Zhao slammed his fist on the table in anger on the other end of the phone: "He's not even talking about marriage, yet he wants to move in with his girlfriend. What kind of behavior is that? Kaiyang is really making me lose my impression of him. Why hasn't Xiaoyin broken up with him yet?"

Nie Qingqing advised him not to rush: "Think about it, Xiaoyin just came back and she's already talking about breaking up. If Meng Kaiyang were outside and said that Xiaoyin changed her mind after being away for two years, everyone except our family would believe him."

When it comes to reputation, men may be ridiculed for a while, but for women, reputation is a huge burden.

Song Zhao asked, "Qingqing, do you mean Xiaoyin wants Meng Kaiyang to break up with you first? Does breaking up have to be so complicated?"

Nie Qingqing gradually came to her senses: "Ordinary people definitely don't need it. Kaiyang is so cunning. He's only been working for two years and he's already a mid-level manager. Even with the Qi family's help, he still has to be able to scheme on his own. Alright, let's trust Xiaoyin."

...

Song Xiaoyin and Meng Kaiyang have feelings for each other, but they are too rational and too calculating. They both hope that the other can become the person they want to be.

Xiaoyin hopes that Meng Kaiyang can be a reasonable person like her parents; otherwise, she is unwilling to get married.

Meng Kaiyang hopes that Song Xiaoyin can put aside her own ideas and focus on her family before getting married.

What he needs is a wife who can take care of the family. If the wife has a good career, will the education of the children and the logistical support of the family be left to a nanny?

He couldn't bear to give up Xiaoyin. Xiaoyin was outstanding and beautiful, and had never been unreasonable. If she could understand and sacrifice a little of her career for the family, she would be the perfect partner. Besides, Xiaoyin was his first love, and he loved her very much.

...

Nie Qingqing never understood what love was. She used to think that Yun Li and Ji Chengtian's relationship was love, but they got divorced.

Xiaoyin and Kaiyang's crush on each other in high school and their first love in college should have been love, but it turned out like this.

She felt that if love and happiness were synonymous, then she and Song Zhao were truly in love. But that man would occasionally ask her if she loved him. More than ten years had passed, and he still asked such a silly question. If she didn't love him, who else could she love?

After thinking about it for several days without figuring it out, Nie Qingqing gave up on the idea.

...

As of now, only three units remain in Shanshui Residence: one mid-level duplex show flat and two unfinished units.

Only two colleagues remained on duty in the sales department to receive customers who occasionally came to view the properties.

It's the weekend, and two groups of customers came in at once. The sales staff went to greet them, and then a third group arrived. Coincidentally, they were people Nie Qingqing knew—the family Meng Kaiyang was fostering.

She didn't keep them waiting and came to greet them personally.

Meng Jinsi graduated from junior college and was assigned to work here. Her parents thought about buying her a house here.

Putting everything else aside, Meng Jinsi's parents treat her very well; they really raised her like a little princess.

I felt a little embarrassed and thought I'd leave without looking any further.

Nie Qingqing said generously, "Our model house is very nice. Just think of it as a look at the decoration. Wherever you buy a house in the future, you'll have to decorate it, right? Take a look, I'll take you there."

Nie Qingqing's warm reception made Meng's father feel respected, and he apologized for his past actions: "My child was young and didn't know any better before, but we have been teaching her well these past few years."

Nie Qingqing glanced at Meng Jinsi, who had kept her head down and remained silent the whole time, and thought to herself that the little girl was still feeling awkward. She smiled and said, "What child isn't naughty? She'll be fine when she gets older."

...

Nie Qingqing gave them safety helmets and took them to the construction site. They first looked at the two remaining unfinished houses, which had already been topped out. After checking the location of the unfinished buildings, they went to see the model houses.

She said, "Currently, Shanshui Residence only has this European-style decorated mid-level duplex model apartment left, and the two unfinished apartments we just saw. There aren't many options left."

Meng Jinsi's mother really liked the interior design of the mid-level duplex model apartment and asked, "Do you really sell these model apartments?"

Nie Qingqing said, "These are the last few units left. We will definitely sell them. I haven't heard of any leader wanting to use these model apartments as a favor. If you want them, I can help you apply for them, but are you sure you want to buy this model apartment?"

Meng Jinsi already harbored prejudice against Nie Qingqing, and no matter how harmonious Nie Qingqing's conversations with her parents were, she felt uncomfortable.

She became suspicious: "Wouldn't the decoration of this prefab house be shoddy, so you're just trying to trick us into buying it?"

Meng's father immediately scolded, "How did I teach you? Don't interrupt when the adults aren't asking you anything!"

Meng Jinsi immediately shut up and stopped talking.

Nie Qingqing wasn't angry: "It's okay. Many potential clients have asked us the same question. The purchase contract for the model house has a clause that if the buyer is not at ease, they can demolish any part of the decoration after purchasing the house to check the materials of the hidden works. However, they have to restore what they demolish themselves. We can guarantee that the decoration will not be fraudulent or shoddy."

If they dare to make such a guarantee, the quality must be able to withstand the test.

Mr. Meng was puzzled: "Manager Nie, there are no quality issues with the house, so why are you repeatedly asking us if we are sure?"

...

Some things are unspoken but understood by everyone. As a salesperson, Nie Qingqing naturally had to ask to find out.

She had already been very subtle. Could it be that she misunderstood? Did the Meng family really not know that the Qi family had bought the model apartment downstairs?

Nie Qingqing asked, "Do you know who bought this lower-level model apartment?"

Even Meng Jinsi was curious now, and asked, "Aunt Qingqing, I was rude just now. Who bought the lower stack?"

Nie Qingqing asked, "In Meng Kaiyang's workplace, there's a leader surnamed Qi who's his godfather. Are you familiar with him?"

The mother said, "We both knew that when Kaiyang's parents entrusted him to our family, I was wondering why they didn't entrust him to his godparents' family?"

Nie Qingqing said, "This lower-level duplex model apartment was sold to the Qi family by Kaiyang, who came to me. I acted as a go-between, and Attorney He made the decision. If you buy the middle-level duplex, you will become neighbors with the Qi family, living upstairs and downstairs."

The mother was stunned. This was a matter that was neither too big nor too small, so why was it not mentioned at all?

They raised Meng Kaiyang, and his parents paid him in advance. But after living together for seven or eight years, don't they have any feelings for each other at all?

Meng's father felt a chill in his heart: "To be honest, Kaiyang is so outstanding, we did have selfish motives and wanted to treat him like our own child, but he didn't have that idea, so we let it go. How come after living here for seven or eight years, our relationship is not even as good as that of ordinary people?"

Meng Jinsi didn't think so. She looked at the interior design of the middle unit again and said, "What does this have to do with us buying a house? I like the interior design and the layout. Mom and Dad, let's buy this one."

Meng's father hesitated and said he needed to go back and think about it. Meng Jinsi was unhappy and kept silent.

Nie Qingqing gave them a way out, saying, "Buying a house is such a big decision. If you hesitate, be sure to calm down for a few days, go back and think it over carefully, compare different options in the surrounding area, and don't rush. I can hold it for you for a few days, so you can decide after you've thought it through."

Now that she had gained both face and substance, Mrs. Shan was very grateful: "Manager Nie, you are so generous, thank you."

Nie Qingqing: "Don't say that. Business is business. I have to fulfill my responsibilities every day I work here. Besides, we didn't have any grudges before. It's all about the children."

...

Meng's father agreed to go back and think about it for three days, saying that he would give an answer after three days, regardless of whether he bought it or not.

Nie Qingqing thought that her family probably wouldn't buy this middle-level apartment. Sure enough, three days later, Meng's father called and said that after thinking it over, he decided to take another look.

Nie Qingqing was very understanding and said, "With such a large expenditure, you definitely need to buy something you like. If you hesitate, it means there are things you're not satisfied with. There are plenty of houses available, so take your time to choose. She just graduated and started working, so there's no need for you to rush things."

Mrs. Shan was very happy. She was such a good talker; her words were pleasing to the ear. She even said that if there were any good properties available in the future, she should let her know. Nie Qingqing agreed.

...

Soon, the remaining three units were sold out, the sales were complete, and with nothing else to do, Nie Qingqing prepared to head back to the Pengcheng project site to relax.

After learning about her thoughts, Attorney He advised her: "Qingqing, now that Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan have gone to university, you'll be going back to Pengcheng and going back and forth between work and home every day. How boring will that be?"

Nie Qingqing understood; this meant there was another important, pioneering project.

She was interested too, and asked, "Attorney He, what project have you taken a fancy to this time? As long as it's in Shenzhen, I'm fine with it. I won't be traveling to other places anytime soon."

Attorney He said, "Then it's settled. It'll be in Shenzhen, but it's not a residential project. This time it's a commercial real estate development."

Commercial real estate? I've never dealt with that before. Is it feasible?

Nie Qingqing was afraid she couldn't handle the responsibility: "This is the first time Yuanda has ventured into commercial real estate, and I'm in charge of it. I don't even have the confidence myself."

Attorney He encouraged her: "When you first worked on a residential real estate project, you had no experience either, but you still did very well. This time, the project team is composed of professional project managers. It's good that you don't know much about it; they can listen carefully to opinions from all sides and won't make decisions based on their own preferences."

It sounded reasonable, and Nie Qingqing wanted to give it a try.

Attorney He liked her drive, and now he offered her a reward she couldn't refuse.

"As payment for this, I'll reserve a shop in the best location at the mall entrance on the first floor for your Tangyuan to open a fried chicken restaurant."

Nie Qingqing was startled and quickly said, "His fried chicken king isn't famous at all. How can we give him such a good spot on the first floor?"

Attorney He laughed and said, "Reputation is something you build up. He got a good spot, and as long as the food is good, why worry about not being famous? It's all because he has a mother like you who's so close to him."

Then there was no need to hesitate. Nie Qingqing accepted the offer: "If you believe in me, then I will give it my all."