At dawn, just as the sky was beginning to lighten, there was still lingering mist in the air.

A high-speed train from Chengdu arrives in Shanghai.

As soon as she got off the bus, Zhuo Xia looked around, observing the city.

The dazzling prosperity of Shanghai was overwhelming for Zhuo Xia. The elites carrying laptops and the elegant beauties in exquisite high heels... ... were quite a shock to her.

"Xiaxia~~~"

A loud voice reached her ears. Looking in the direction of the sound, Zhuo Xia was overjoyed. She dragged her suitcase over and grabbed Chu Yi's arm, saying, "Yi Yi, it's been so long! Why do you look so pale? Did someone upset you? Tell me, and I'll get revenge for you, sister."

Chu Yi yawned and rolled his eyes: "You've messed with me."

Getting up early to pick up a childhood friend, coupled with thinking about how to persuade them, one can imagine the frustration in one's heart.

Zhuo Xia chuckled, realizing that leaving home for Shanghai right after her college entrance exams was a mistake. She then hugged Zhou Qiong beside her, saying, "Qiongqiong, I missed you so much..."

After picking up Zhuo Xia, Chu Yi called Liu Jia. Zhuo Xia reluctantly answered her mother's call. Liu Jia was still trying to persuade her daughter to go home and repeat her studies, but Zhuo Xia refused.

"Mom, I don't have a talent for studying. Just looking at the words in books gives me a headache. You yourselves don't have a talent for studying either, so why do you force me to study? This is double standards. I know that working is definitely a tough path, but it's my own choice, and I will persevere no matter how tough it is."

"I will prove to you that my choice was right. I will make a name for myself in Shanghai and take care of you two when I return home. Okay, phone calls are expensive, I'm hanging up now."

After saying that, Zhuo Xia hung up the phone.

Seeing this, Chu Yi sighed.

My childhood friend looks exactly like I did last year.

We truly are sisters.

They all made the same wrong choices.

Why don't we bring Zhuoxia into the factory? Let her experience the cruelty and ruthlessness of real society...

Chu Yi felt dizzy and took his childhood friend home. Along the way, Zhuo Xia looked out the window at the scenery and exclaimed in surprise.

Upon arriving at Zhonghai Mingyuan, I quickly registered my personal information and returned home.

As she entered, Zhuo Xia looked around the house: "Wow~~~, what a beautiful house! What river is that in Shanghai? Oh well, I forgot. You can see the Bund right away. This house must be very expensive. I never thought I, Zhuo Xia, could live in such a high-end house. I'm so awesome!"

As she spoke, Zhuo Xia started taking selfies.

Chu Yi twitched the corner of his mouth.

You're so great, it's me who's great, okay? No, it's not me who's great, it's Chu Lao Er who's great.

Why did you take all the credit?

Have you no shame?

Zhou Qiong went into the kitchen, placed the white porridge and steamed buns she had bought on plates, and then invited the two of them to eat.

While eating breakfast, Chu Yi said, "Xiaxia, are you really not going to study anymore?"

"I'm not going to study anymore." Zhuo Xia shook her head, her voice clear and crisp: "I want to work, I want to earn money with my own abilities, I want to prove to my parents that I may not be good at studying, but I can be successful in my career!"

"You can't even study properly, yet you expect to succeed in your career? Do you have a poor understanding of the world...?" Chu Yi rubbed his temples, his head throbbing, and said, "Then what can you do?"

"Um..." This question stumped Zhuo Xia. After thinking for a few seconds, she waved her hand and said, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. There's always a way out. The road will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge."

“... ..."

What a 'spirited' speech!

Chu Yi thought the same way at first, and ended up working in an electronics factory, earning less than twenty yuan an hour, doing nothing and his soul was almost worn away.

Seeing his childhood friend's high spirits for the future, Chu Yi couldn't bear to discourage him. He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything for a long time. Zhou Qiong whispered, "Xiaxia has come all the way to Shanghai. Don't rush to work. Have some fun first."

“Okay!” Zhuo Xia’s eyes narrowed.

Chu Yi glanced at Zhou Qiong, who shook her head.

These days, Zhuo Xia won't listen to anything. Too much advice will only annoy her childhood friend and make her want to escape. Once she leaves, Shanghai is so big, they won't be able to find each other. If something happens, they'll regret it.

It would be better to stabilize Zhuo Xia first, and then think of another way.

After finishing their meal, the three headed to school to pack up their belongings, including blankets, books, and other daily necessities.

Upon arriving at the school, Zhuo Xia's neck was almost bent at a 180-degree angle as she observed the school. The meticulously planned campus featured gardens, walking paths, recreational areas, a botanical garden, art sculptures... modern teaching buildings, abundant technological facilities, and diverse dining options...

There are even music rooms, dance studios, gyms, and even an indoor swimming pool...

"Wow!" Zhuo Xia couldn't help but exclaim, "Your school is so luxurious! How could I not get into a good university if I studied here? I could get into Fudan University!"

Are you coming?

That really won't work!

Beneath the school's seemingly luxurious exterior, its rules and regulations are quite strict, all with one purpose: academic performance.

Looking at the school, Chu Yi sighed with emotion, "How did I manage to get through this past year?"

"Waaah..." Zhuo Xia tugged at Chu Yi's arm, "Yi Yi, your school uniforms are so pretty, just like those in TV dramas."

"I have a few sets, do you want them?"

"Sure."

The three walked to the girls' dormitory and then went back inside. Inside, two girls were chatting and discussing how to spend their holiday, while several hired housekeepers were packing their personal belongings.

Upon seeing the two of them, someone said, "Yiyi, Qiongqiong, you've arrived."

Zhou Qiong smiled and nodded, packing her personal belongings, while Chu Yi introduced Zhuo Xia: "This is my childhood friend, her name is Zhuo Xia."

"Hello, you can just call me Zhouzhou."

"I am Chen Lingyu."

“... ..."

The two girls enthusiastically introduced themselves, while the usually carefree Zhuo Xia seemed somewhat timid and guilty.

What a beautiful girl, and she has such a great presence!

Looking at the two girls in front of her, who were the same age but dressed in very different styles—one mature and the other youthful—but without exception, they both exuded an elegant and noble aura. Compared to the two girls, Zhuo Xia suddenly felt as if she had fallen behind and lost her luster.

I am the ugly duckling, while others are the beautiful swan.

Furthermore, the way others spoke to her, as if treating her as an equal, only exacerbated Zhuo Xia's timidity.

"Are only the three of you packing? Where's the housekeeper?" the girl with the round face asked.

Chu Yi waved her hand: "I come from the countryside and I've been used to doing farm work since I was a child. Unlike you, who can't carry heavy loads, you are born to be pampered young ladies. I am born to be a laborer and don't need your help, Auntie."

"Yiyi, are you insulting us?"

Chu Yi nodded: "Yes."

"Yiyi, I don't like you anymore."

"whee... ...."

Listening to Chu Yi's conversation with the girls, Zhuo Xia felt a surge of admiration for her own son.

Yi Yi is amazing.

If it were her, she certainly wouldn't be so nonchalant.

Zhuo Xia blinked, realizing in less than a year that she had fallen behind her childhood friend.

"Oh, don't bother packing. I'll have my housekeeper help you pack, and we'll go shopping," Chen Lingyu suggested.

"No way, I'll be broke." Chu Yi refused outright.

Zhou Qiong suddenly spoke up: "Okay."