Chapter 122122 A Coward's Roundabout Confession

Jiang Lili didn't forget to share the test paper sent by Lu Hongzhe with her classmates. When Song He took her to the printing shop to make copies, she met Ji Mingyue again. The test paper in her hand was the same as theirs. It seemed that Lu Jiaze had made the same decision as her. It is better to share happiness with others than to enjoy it alone. Let's all soar in the sea of ​​questions together.

Lu Hongzhe was true to his word. Every month, Jiang Lili received a new package, mostly study-related items, with the occasional stress-relieving toy prepared by Jiang Liangbo and the others. That year, Jiang Lili lived a fulfilling life. In the blink of an eye, it was the eve of the college entrance examination. Staring at the mountain of test papers in her room, Jiang Lili smiled at Jiang Qitong and said, "Tongtong, these will be left to you from now on."

Jiang Qitong stared at the wall of test papers that was almost as tall as her and whispered, "Can I refuse?"

"Of course, I'll buy you a new one when the time comes." Jiang Lili said, smiling and winking at her mischievously. The hard high school life was about to end, and the next step was to test the results.

"Relax, just treat it as your usual baseline test." Jiang Yulan said gently.

Cheng Yuntian and Lu Hongzhe, who were far away in Beijing, called to cheer her up.

That morning, as Jiang Yulan was escorting Jiang Lili to the exam center, she unexpectedly ran into Ji Mingyue, who was riding her bicycle to the exam center alone. Jiang Yulan quickly looked away. Although she knew the child was innocent, she couldn't forgive Ji Mingyue for deceiving her when she thought she had treated her sincerely.

"Mom, I'm going in. You go back. No need to wait here, it's hot." As Jiang Lili spoke, she saw Ji Mingyue over there. While the plot had completely collapsed, her ill-fated relationship with Ji Mingyue hadn't stopped. With so many classmates in the grade, they were assigned to the same exam room. She'd barely paid any attention to Ji Mingyue that year, but she couldn't resist the constant chatter from Song He, the little megaphone beside her. She'd assumed her grades would improve with Lu Jiaze's help, but her scores hadn't fluctuated much on the previous placement test. Others were puzzled, but Jiang Lili knew the reason. Her previous good grades were due to her protagonist aura. Since that aura wore off, this was her true performance. As for her lack of improvement despite always being by Lu Jiaze's side, the reason was even simpler. She stayed close to him, not for the grades, but for the strategy, so it was understandable that her grades hadn't improved.

"I understand. Please go in quickly." Jiang Yulan urged after seeing many candidates going in.

After Jiang Lili went in, Jiang Yulan did not leave. She found a shady place nearby and waited for her to come out.

Ji Mingyue, who was alone, saw that the candidates around her were all accompanied by their parents. It would be a lie to say that she was not envious. In her previous life, her parents also accompanied her to the examination hall for the college entrance examination. This time, no one was with her. The gap was too great and she found it difficult to accept it for a while. However, when she thought that she could use this to win some sympathy in front of Lu Jiaze, she quickly let it go.

For Jiang Lili, the college entrance examination was not much different from any other exam. She adjusted her mentality and tried her best to perform her best. Until the bell rang, she stood up with other candidates to end the exam. When she arrived at the school gate and saw Jiang Yulan standing in the crowd, she knew that she did not listen to her.

Without waiting for her to speak, Jiang Yulan handed her a bottle of water and then spoke first: "Let's go, your grandpa made your favorite dishes at home. Eat and rest for a while, you have an exam in the afternoon."

During the days leading up to the college entrance exam, Jiang Lili felt like she was being treated like an emperor. When she finished her last exam, she smiled and joked with Jiang Yulan, "Now that the exams are over, shouldn't the special treatment of these days also end?"

"It's time to end. I've taken a few days off and have to go back to work. What are your plans?" Jiang Yulan asked casually.

"Relax first, and then go out and play with your classmates for a few days?" Jiang Lili's tone was a little uncertain. Before the exam, Ke Sisi and the others had suggested going out to play together, but no one had discussed the specific time and arrangements.

"Okay, tell me in advance when you decide to go out and have fun." Jiang Yulan also understood their thoughts. After being tense for a year, they were finally free and had to have a good time.

"No rush. We just said it casually at the time. We need to discuss whether to go or not." Graduation trips were not as common as they were in later generations, so she was not sure whether everyone could go.

"Then make it yourself, or take your grandpa and aunt to play with them. Otherwise, once you go to Beijing, you'll be stuck in the factory every day." Jiang Yulan said with a distressed look on her face.

"I feel happy when I make money." Jiang Lili said with a smile.

After the college entrance examination, it was a day of partying for everyone. Ke Sisi, Song He and her discussed going to Jincheng to play for a few days, and they would go alone. Jiang Lili readily agreed, as it was a farewell to her high school career. After all, everyone would soon go their separate ways.

Although Jiang Qitong usually loved to follow her, she knew this trip was for people their own age, so she didn't make a fuss about going along. She just kept reminding her, "Sister Lili, don't forget to bring me a gift."

"I know, you've told me eight hundred times." Jiang Lili looked at her helplessly.

"I'm just afraid that you'll forget." Jiang Qitong said confidently.

"Don't worry, I won't forget. Just finish your homework these days. I'll take you to Beijing to play when I come back." Jiang Lili planned to finalize the house issue when she went to Beijing this time. Of course, this time, she didn't plan to pay the full amount and buy the house with a mortgage. She had another use for the remaining money.

"Really?" Jiang Qitong didn't expect such a pleasant surprise.

"Of course it's true, so you should work hard on your homework these days." Jiang Lili said and patted her head.

"Great, Sister Lili, you are so nice, I love you so much." Jiang Qitong said while hugging her arm and shaking it.

Glancing at the others' puzzled looks, Jiang Lili cleared her throat and said to them, "I plan to buy a house in Beijing."

They had already told the Jiang family that Jiang Yulan was planning to go to Beijing with her. Jiang Jianyi wasn't surprised to hear that she was planning to buy a house. He just frowned and asked, "What about the house in Jincheng?"

"We are collecting rent every month now, and we can sell it when the price is a little higher. Besides, Grandpa, I plan to let you go to Beijing with us." Jiang Lili felt that this matter probably required a family meeting.

"I won't go." Jiang Jianyi shook his head. All his circles are here, and he probably won't be able to adapt to the new environment.

"I didn't ask you to go right away. You can live in both places. Beijing has better educational resources and medical environment than here." After Jiang Lili finished speaking, she looked at Jiang Aiguo and his wife. They had stable jobs now, so they didn't have to move for now. After she and Jiang Yulan had settled everything in Beijing, they could also consider developing in Beijing. Of course, this was a decision they needed to make.

"I'm in good health now. Once you've settled down, I can come and play for a few days." Jiang Jianyi waved his hand, still refusing.

Jiang Lili knew it would be difficult to convince him, so she wasn't in a hurry. She just wanted them to be mentally prepared in advance. Zhou Qingfen's eyes moved after hearing her words. She was indeed tempted, but she also knew that this matter needed to be considered carefully. Her job was okay, but if Aiguo resigned, he might not be able to find such a job in Beijing. Thinking of this, she began to waver again.

"Since Lili said that, Dad, just listen to it. You can bring Tongtong here anytime when the time comes. It would be even better if Aiguo and the others want to develop in Beijing." Although Jiang Yulan also wanted to be with her family, she went to Beijing because of Lili. Aiguo and his family were all here. Going to Beijing would require a big decision, so she didn't force them.

"Sister, you're right. Let's take it one step at a time." Zhou Qingfen did not hide her excitement. She also hoped that Tongtong would have a better starting point.

"Aunt, if you want to come, you can start with the tutoring class. Parents in big cities care more about their children's grades." Zhou Qingfen's math tutoring class is already well-known, and it will take a long time for the tutoring industry to decline, so Zhou Qingfen can completely consider directly engaging in the teaching and training career.

"Okay, after you and your mother are settled, I will come to investigate on the spot." Zhou Qingfen said with a smile. She has saved some money from tutoring classes in the past few years, and she also wants to go out and try her luck and experience the environment outside of school.

"You're welcome anytime," Jiang Lili said earnestly. She was genuinely looking forward to their arrival. The education and training industry had been booming in recent years, and Zhou Qingfen was perfectly capable of handling the situation, so why not give it a try? Of course, this was just her idea; the final decision rested with Zhou Qingfen, depending on whether she preferred a stable life or a chance to venture out.

Jiang Aiguo remained silent. He wasn't ambitious, believing a stable job was enough. But Jiang Lili's description of the educational resources and medical facilities gave him a sudden shock. Yes, he was content with his current life, but shouldn't he also consider Tongtong? At that moment, his mind began to waver.

"Okay, you haven't even been to Beijing yet, but you're already making promises to your uncle and his family. We'll talk about the rest later. First, discuss going to Jincheng with your classmates." The atmosphere suddenly became a little dull, and Jiang Yulan spoke up to break the dullness.

Although others quickly skipped over this topic, everyone felt a little more yearning for Beijing.

*

According to the results of these few baseline tests, Lu Jiaze had a basic idea of ​​his college entrance examination results. There should be no problem for him to go to the school he wanted to go to. School was his dream since he was a child. The only drawback was that it was not in Beijing. He suddenly wanted to meet Jiang Lili. There were some things he wanted to tell her in person, but unfortunately when he found Jiang's house, he got the news that she and her classmates went to Jincheng.

Jiang Yulan caught a glimpse of his suddenly gloomy expression and said with a smile, "They probably won't be playing for a few days. They'll be back in a few days."

"I understand. Thank you, Aunt Jiang." His original courage seemed to disappear at this moment, and he returned home a little disappointed.

"Why do you look so dejected?" Glancing at his expression, Qiu Shaoli asked with concern.

Lu Jiaze shook his head and said nothing. He was a little confused. His previous angry behavior now seemed too childish, and Jiang Lili didn't seem to be affected at all. Instead, he was often affected by this matter. It was at this time that he realized that he did all this just to get her attention, but obviously, he failed.

"Are you afraid that you won't be in the same city as Lili when you go to college?" Qiu Shaoli quickly guessed the crux of the matter as she knew her son best.

"I guess so. This is just my one-sided worry. She never seems to care about these things." Lu Jiaze couldn't help but laugh at himself after saying this, as if the child marriage agreement only trapped him and he was the only one who took this matter seriously.

"The changes in the family have made Lili grow up early. The child marriage back then was just a joke between your Aunt Jiang and me. Jiaze, you are eighteen years old now and an adult. If you like Lili, then tell her your love openly. Whether she agrees or refuses, it is her freedom. Although the college entrance examination is over, college is also very important. You have to prioritize, okay?" Eighteen years old, in Qiu Shaoli's eyes, is an age to fall in love, but love and studies need to be prioritized. Besides, she can see that Lili has no other feelings for him. She encouraged him to confess, but she also wanted him to give up. Of course, it would be better if he could figure it out and give up on his own.

Lu Jiaze looked at Qiu Shaoli in surprise: "I thought you were happy for us to be together."

"Of course I'm happy. We all see Lili's excellence, but this isn't something we can just agree on. Her wishes are the most important, don't you understand?" In the past, Qiu Shaoli might have taken the initiative to bring the two together, but over the past three years, she's clearly seen that they're not suitable. Lili is too outstanding, and his personality can't accept her being better than him. Even if they were together, they would still have disagreements over this issue.

Lu Jiaze lowered his eyes. How could he not understand this? He just couldn't understand why two people who had made a promise to be together as children would end up separated in the end? It turned out that he wasn't as magnanimous as he thought. She was getting better and better. While he was happy and proud of her, he couldn't help but secretly want to surpass her. He seemed unable to accept the fact that she was better than him.

"Ever since your aunt Jiang got divorced, Lili's personality has changed from being easygoing to being strong. You look gentle and casual, but deep down you are not willing to be inferior to others. If you are together, then someone must always compromise. Who of you do you think is willing to compromise? Even if you can compromise for a while, can you compromise for a lifetime? There is actually nothing wrong with the current situation. What do you think?" Qiu Shaoli said in a gentle tone. Ever since Lu Jiaze started junior high school, they have been getting along as friends.

Lu Jiaze thought, even if he was willing to compromise now, what about the future? Would he be willing to compromise for the rest of his life? No, he gave the answer almost instantly. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Seeing that he looked thoughtful, Qiu Shaoli gave him some space to think calmly.

In the kitchen, Lu Liangjun, who was rarely busy, saw him come in and couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "Didn't you like Lili very much before? Why are you trying to persuade him to give up now?"

"You also said that it was in the past. Who doesn't like a child like Lili? But you know your son's personality very well. He seems to be indifferent to everything, but in fact he is very competitive. Do you think he will be willing to succumb to Lili's halo? Of course, the most important thing is that Lili looks down on him." Qiu Shaoli said the last sentence in a low voice.

Lu Liangjun was stunned for a moment, then nodded helplessly: "That's right, this kid has always been so eager to get things done since he was a kid. I guess Lili only sees him as a playmate."

"It's better to let him face the reality as soon as possible, so that he won't make trouble and affect our relationship with Yulan." Qiu Shaoli saw it very clearly.

"That's right. You two shouldn't have joked about child marriage back then. This joke has trapped Jiaze." Lu Liangjun said and glanced at the people in the living room.

"Come on, do you think this wouldn't have happened without this joke? Look at the kids of the same age as theirs in the cotton mill's staff quarters, which one doesn't like Lili?" Qiu Shaoli rolled her eyes at him unhappily.

"I just said it casually. Let him figure it out slowly. Our two families will have to have long-term interactions in the future." Lu Liangjun said as he started to wash the vegetables.

"He will figure it out." Qiu Shaoli said with certainty, but it just takes time for him to figure it out.

*

After spending almost five days in Jincheng, Jiang Lili and her friends finally boarded the train back home. The next step was to estimate their scores and fill out their college applications. No matter what, they had to face this day. Ke Sisi and Song He performed poorly, and their college applications weren't in Beijing. They each hugged Jiang Lili's arms, "Lili, we'll miss you."

"Missing me is not a simple matter, it's just a matter of a train ticket." Jiang Lili smiled and livened up the atmosphere. Perhaps she had certain plans for the future. She was not opposed to going to Beijing at all, and was even looking forward to it.

"We are already adults, and college is relatively freer than high school. You are welcome to come to Beijing to visit me during the holidays." Jiang Lili's eyes were determined to get into a school in Beijing. She had no problem getting into National Tsinghua University based on her usual test scores, and she vaguely felt that she performed better in this college entrance examination.

"That's right. How about we get together once every six months?" Song He said as she stretched out her hands to the two of them. The three of them clasped their hands tightly together and then released them. Then everyone laughed out loud. This was a promise made during youth.

*

In her previous life, Ji Mingyue went on a graduation trip with her classmates after the college entrance examination. This time, she was not so lucky. She had to go home to take care of Ji Xingyue. Ji Yushu would frown and ask her how things were going. She was a little annoyed, but she couldn't show it.

"Why are you in such a hurry? He's just an adult now." Ji Mingyue's face turned unhappy when she thought about the fact that the attack value above Lu Jiaze's head had remained at 20%.

"I forgot about this. Are you sure you can go to the same school as him?" Ji Yushu said with a burp. After his business went bad last year, he began to indulge in alcohol to escape reality.

"One school probably won't work, as his dream is to go to a military academy, but one city should be fine." Ji Mingyue felt a little proud when she said this. She knew that Jiang Lili's dream was to go to Beijing, so in the next few years of college, they would no longer be in the same city with Jiang Lili.

"One city is fine, Mingyue. You have to work harder and get together with Lu Jiaze as soon as possible. Then you will see what Jiang Yulan is so proud of. The marriage she arranged for her good daughter was arranged by you." Ji Yushu smiled happily as if he saw that day.

"Dad, things must be kept secret. You can't tell anyone about this, especially grandpa and grandma." Ji Mingyue reminded them again that the reason he told them this was to get them to support him in going to school and to take good care of Ji Xingyue.

"Of course we know this. Don't worry, we won't hold you back." Ji Yushu patted her shoulder to express his encouragement. Ji Mingyue's eyes flashed with disgust. She and Lu Jiaze hadn't seen each other since the college entrance examination. Tomorrow is the time for everyone to go to school to get their diplomas and graduation photos. Maybe she can make good use of this time.

It has been a week since the college entrance examination. Today is the time for everyone to go back to school to get their diplomas and graduation photos. However, in just one week, the students who have been suppressed for three years have changed a lot. Many girls have permed their hair and put on makeup. Everyone seems eager to prove that they have grown up by looking like adults.

Jiang Lili still remembered that in her previous life, after the college entrance examination, she had done the same as them, specially perming her hair, dyeing it her favorite color, and wearing makeup to attend the teacher appreciation banquet? This time, her mentality was that of an adult from beginning to end, so she did not do these things to emphasize the change of status.

After two years of being together, everyone will soon go their separate ways. Everyone is expressing their reluctance to leave in their own way. Many classmates even brought cameras to school to take photos with other classmates. As the top student in the class, Jiang Lili was extremely popular at this moment. She was constantly being pulled by different classmates to take photos. She thought that the corners of her lips were stiff from smiling, so she found an excuse to escape from the enthusiasm of her classmates.

She was a little surprised to run into Lu Jiaze behind the flower bed, and then she smiled and greeted him: "What a coincidence, Lu Jiaze."

"Unfortunately, I've been looking for you." After Lu Jiaze thought about it for the past few days, he felt that perhaps he should put an end to his obsession over the years.

His words made Jiang Lili stunned for a moment, then she asked, "What do you want to talk to me about?" "Are all your aspirations in Beijing?" Lu Jiaze asked.

"Yes, all in Beijing." Jiang Lili nodded.

"My favorite school is in Nanshi. If you like, I can also choose Jingshi." After Lu Jiaze said this, he couldn't help but laugh at himself in his heart. Lu Jiaze, you are such a coward. Even your confession is so roundabout. Or maybe he actually knew the answer a long time ago, but still wanted to give it a try.

"Lu Jiaze, everyone is responsible for their own choices. I can't carry your dreams on my shoulders, and I don't think it's a great thing to give up my dreams for others. Do you still remember what I said to you when you went to Jincheng that year?" Jiang Lili said in a light tone.

Lu Jiaze was stunned for a long time before he remembered that year when he followed his parents to Jincheng. When she and her family came to see him off, she told him loudly, Lu Jiaze, we will always be best friends. Thinking of this, he nodded: "I understand what you mean." It turned out that she had told him the answer at that time.

"Lu Jiaze, you must remember that no one is more important than your own dreams. It is stupid to give up your dreams for others. As a friend, I hope you can realize your childhood dream." Jiang Lili's tone was full of sincerity.

"You are right. I hope you can realize your wish. I also hope that your branch factory can be developed in Nanshi." Glancing at the seriousness in her eyes, Lu Jiaze suddenly felt relieved at this moment and also sent her the most sincere blessing.

"Then I'll take your good wishes!" Jiang Lili's tone also became relaxed.

"Then can I have a photo with Boss Jiang in advance?" Lu Jiaze thought of the family album. There were many photos of them when they were children, but very few photos of them growing up. Perhaps after today, he would no longer have a reason to take a photo with her. This photo would be regarded as a farewell.

The two stood side by side, looking at the camera with a smile, and with a click, their smiles were frozen in this moment.