Chapter 357

Sure enough, just as Xia Ruoan had expected, the news that Zhao Han had not been successfully selected as an academician spread throughout the academy at an astonishing speed like a storm.

You know, Zhao Han returned with honor due to his outstanding contributions. Both in terms of personal ability and qualifications, he is outstanding.

What a pity, it was precisely in his character that an irreparable flaw occurred, which abruptly blocked his path to a higher level of promotion.

Originally there were a few professors who felt deeply sorry for Qiao Xin's experience, but now, their attitudes have changed 180 degrees, and they are full of dissatisfaction towards Qiao Xin.

In the eyes of these professors, Qiao Xin not only ruined her own bright future, but also caused Zhao Han to fall into such a difficult predicament.

At this moment, Wen Qing was staring at his favorite student with complicated eyes.

Xia Ruo'an looked thoughtful and dazed. He couldn't help but sigh softly, and then he advised helplessly: "Okay, Ruo'an, don't pay attention to those people's gossip."

"The fact that Zhao Han failed to be elected as an academician this time cannot be completely blamed on Qiao Xin alone. He himself also has a major responsibility that cannot be shirked."

Wen Qing paused for a moment, then changed the subject and continued, "By the way, did you receive this invitation?"

As he spoke, he handed the invitation in his hand to Xia Ruoan.

Xia Ruoan quickly stretched out his hands to take it.

When I opened it, I found out that it was actually the wedding invitation of Qiao Xin and Zhao Han!

She was silent for a moment before she slowly answered, "Well... I have already received this invitation."

After saying that, she handed the invitation back to teacher Wen Qing.

"Really? I originally thought you hadn't received the message, so I wanted to ask you to make this trip in my place, but looking at the current situation, I guess I can't ask you to do it."

As Wen Qing spoke, he slowly turned his gaze towards her, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"To be honest, I always thought she wouldn't come to see you."

"You should know that in this academy right now, you and she are two extremes, forming an extremely sharp contrast."

"But there are always some boring guys who like to compare the two of you all day long."

"But how can they be compared? After all, everyone makes different choices, and the paths they take are naturally different."

"These are entirely decided by you, and every step is taken by yourself." Wen Qing looked at Xia Ruoan quietly and continued in a gentle tone.

At this moment, Wen Qing seemed to have suddenly thought of something, and continued: "There is an old saying that is very good - 'You reap what you sow.'"

"It's like planting a bitter melon seed. You can't expect it to grow into a sweet and delicious melon."

"So you really don't need to care too much about what happened between them." When saying this, Wen Qing suddenly remembered that Xia Ruoan used to have a good relationship with Qiao Xin, so he couldn't help but remind her.

"Besides, this is the path Qiao Xin chose herself. As for the emotional issues, that's even more true. As the saying goes, only the person who drinks the water knows whether it's hot or cold. No matter what the final result is, it's something she needs to face and bear herself."

"So, you don't need to feel remorse or guilty about this." Wen Qing knew that Xia Ruoan had a kind heart and her mood would be easily affected by other people's affairs.

At the same time, he had more or less heard about the fact that Xia Ruoan had previously asked her eldest brother to treat Zhao Han's daughter.

"Teacher, I am very clear about this. Everyone will face different situations and opportunities and make their own decisions, so I will never interfere too much in other people's choices."

"Besides, I have already told Qiao Xin all the reasons and suggestions that should be made without reservation. As for how things will develop next, it all depends on what Qiao Xin herself decides to do."

Xia Ruoan paused, then asked with a puzzled look on his face: "But teacher, what do you mean by what you just said? Does that mean you are not going to attend Qiao Xin's wedding banquet this time?"

Hearing the student's question, Wen Qing nodded slightly to show his affirmation, and then slowly said: "Indeed. This is unfortunate, the date of this wedding banquet just happened to coincide with the time when I accompanied your teacher's wife to get acupuncture."

"If the acupuncture treatment is postponed, then we will have to wait another month. I made a promise to your master's wife before that I would always be with her no matter what happens."

When he said this, Wen Qing's tone was particularly firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

After hearing this, Xia Ruoan nodded slightly, indicating that he could fully understand the teacher's decision.

Because in the teacher's mind, in addition to doing his best to cultivate outstanding talents, the first thing that comes first is his love and care for his wife.

So, let alone Qiao Xin's marriage, even if it were me as the teacher's last disciple, it would probably be difficult to make the teacher change his mind.

Thinking of this, Xia Ruo'an couldn't help but smile slightly, looked at Wen Qing with a very determined look and said: "Senior Qiao will definitely sympathize with your difficulties and understand your decision."

"Well, although I can't be there in person this time, I must send the gift money! I'll trouble you to help deliver it."

Wen Qing gazed at her tenderly and spoke slowly in a calm and gentle tone.

"No problem, leave it to me." Xia Ruoan nodded without hesitation.

At this time, Wen Qing subconsciously looked around and found that more than ten minutes had passed.

But he still didn't see Ningning, and he couldn't help but feel a little worried, so he asked, "By the way, where is your Ningning now? Why can't I see her for such a long time?"

Xia Ruoan quickly explained: "He is in the base, and he said he wants to learn how to grow vegetables."

"I have specifically told him that he doesn't need to water or fertilize the plants himself, and that the brothers will be watching over him."

"Oh? So that's how it is... Well, since you're here, I'll just take you to see how those radishes I planted are growing."

After listening to Xia Ruoan's words, Wen Qing nodded slightly to show his understanding, then smiled and extended an invitation.

Then, the two of them walked towards the radish field together.

However, when they were about to get closer, they saw a shocking scene - Ningning was squatting on the ground, happily pulling radishes out of the soil one by one, humming a little tune: "Fried shredded radishes, stewed radishes, I love radishes the most..."

Wen Qing widened his eyes, unable to believe what was happening before his eyes. These were radishes that he had grown with great effort and sweat.

Xia Ruoan on the side was also astonished and couldn't help but gasp, because she suddenly realized that these radishes seemed to be precious varieties cultivated by the teacher!

The two senior brothers who were originally responsible for looking after Ningning were arguing about something heatedly and did not notice the movement nearby at all.

However, at this moment, a clear and pleasant children's voice came into their ears.

The two of them were startled and raised their heads from their heated argument at the same time, looking in the direction where the sound came from.

In the vegetable garden not far away, little Ningning was bending over, grabbing a thick radish top with both hands, and trying with all her might to pull it out.

As she moved, the surrounding soil was loosened little by little, and the radish gradually revealed its huge body.

"Ningning, what are you doing? Stop it, you can't pull it out!" Gao Liang was the first to react and shouted anxiously.

His face turned pale instantly, and even a layer of fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, as if the sky was about to fall.

Ningning was startled by the sudden shout, and her already unstable feet suddenly lost her balance.

With a loud thump, she fell heavily to the ground along with the radish she had just pulled out, and landed heavily on her butt.

Gao Liang rushed to Ningning in two steps and quickly reached out to pick her up.

Looking at the little guy in front of him with an innocent face and tearful eyes, he felt angry and distressed.

I wanted to scold her, but when I saw Ningning's pitiful appearance, I couldn't bear to say anything.

I want to give him a light slap as punishment, but I'm worried that it will scare the child.

For a moment, Gao Liang stood there in a dilemma, not knowing what to do.

At the same time, another senior brother, Tang Yuan, saw the figure of the mentor walking towards them from afar, and suddenly felt his legs go weak and he almost fell to the ground.

He secretly complained in his heart: This is terrible!

So many radishes have been pulled out. Will they still survive if we plant them back?

Besides, Ningning is so young. If the tutor blames him, how can he withstand the beating and scolding... Thinking of this, Tangyuan wanted to faint.

"Uncle Gao, eat the radish." Ning Ning had no idea that she had caused such a disaster. Instead, she happily raised the big radish covered in mud in her hand and said in a baby voice, and handed the radish to Gao Liang.

Gao Liang looked at the innocent child in front of him and felt really at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

He shook his head helplessly, sighed deeply, and muttered to himself: "Ah, what is this all about..."

"Ningning! Didn't I tell you not to touch the vegetables here?" Xia Ruoan turned his head in panic and looked at the teacher standing not far away, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.