Chapter 25

When Tao Xi returned to the dormitory that night, Pan Yan grabbed him and said angrily: "Xi Da, when did you make a friend like Lin Qinhe, and you have such a good relationship with him, and you didn't even tell me!"

"Friends" and "good relationship" made Tao Xi couldn't help laughing, but she said hypocritically: "It's okay."

"You call this okay?!" Pan Yan's eyes widened. "That's Lin Qinhe! Not only does he have great grades and is handsome, okay? Did you know that his grandfather was the party secretary of our city, his uncle is the current secretary general of the provincial party committee, his father is the chairman of Ruize Group, and his mother is a pianist. With this background, not to mention the students, many teachers want to curry favor with him, okay?"

Tao Xi was stunned.

Although Lin Qinhe exudes the temperament of a wealthy man, he never thought that Lin Qinhe's family background would be like this.

So out of reach.

Tao Xi couldn't help but start to worry. Can he still catch up with Lin Qinhe?

"Xi Da, why do you look so scared? Do you not know it yet?" Pan Yan thought that Tao Xi had deliberately put a lot of effort into establishing Lin Qinhe's connection.

Xu Ziqi, who had been silent with a gloomy face, suddenly snorted and said sarcastically: "People who curry favor with the powerful and try to curry favor with the rich and powerful, wouldn't they know these things clearly?"

Pan Yan was worried about not being able to find anyone to challenge, so he sneered and said, "Hey, who was it that was trying to get close to Lin Qinhe every day last semester? In the end, apart from Yang Duole who gave him some face, Lin Qinhe never even looked at him."

Cathy Xu's face turned livid.

Tao Xi glanced at Xu Ziqi and smiled: "You are right, I just want to climb up the dragon and attach myself to the phoenix."

Xu Ziqi stared at him, perhaps she didn't expect there would be such a shameless person.

The next day during lunch break, Tao Xi was called over by Zhou Qiang. He thought that it must be Jiang Lei who came to find Zhou Qiang and wanted to scold him.

In the end, Zhou Qiang didn't even mention it, and went straight to another matter: "Tao Xi, remember the funding project I told you about last time? All your tuition and subsidies at Wenhua No. 1 Middle School come from the funds given to the school by this project, and the school has been distributing them to you."

Tao Xi nodded and immediately became nervous, subconsciously thinking, is this project going to be stopped?

Seeing Tao Xi's nervous expression, Zhou Qiang smiled knowingly and spoke in a more gentle tone:

"Recently, the sponsor of this project asked the school to adjust the funding plan. Taking into account the current living and study costs, the subsidy will not be paid monthly in the future. You will be given 50,000 yuan first, and another 50,000 yuan in the next semester. If your family is in difficulty, you can apply for more subsidies."

"???"

Tao Xi looked at Zhou Qiang in shock, unable to believe her ears.

However, Zhou Qiang hadn't finished speaking: "In addition, your future college fund, that is, the cost and subsidy for attending college, is also included in the fund of this project. I didn't tell you before, mainly because I was afraid that you would have too much psychological burden, but now I want you to study steadily and at ease, and not be distracted by other things."

Tao Xi hadn't recovered from his shock yet. He was stunned for a while and couldn't help asking, "Can you tell me who this sponsor is?"

In his mind, he pictured an old grandfather with white hair and a kind face. This is what the philanthropists in newspapers usually look like.

But is this charity?

This is simply raising him as a son!

Zhou Qiang did not reveal any specific information, just like last time: "The sponsor does not want to disclose his name. Don't feel too stressed. Just concentrate on your studies. For example, if you work hard to get into the top 50 in the midterm exam and stay in Class 1, isn't that a good reward?"

Tao Xi knew that he couldn't get the answer, so he didn't insist and nodded, "I will definitely be in the top 50 this time!"

There was a firmness in his eyes that even Zhou Qiang was slightly stunned.

Zhou Qiang patted Tao Xi on the shoulder and encouraged her: "Good boy, I believe in you!"

Tao Xi walked out of Zhou Qiang's office. Her mood had not yet calmed down and her eyes were a little red.

He thought that he actually had very good luck.

Although his life was replaced, he still met Lin Qinhe through the remote live classroom, and had such a generous and kind sponsor who helped him study at Wenhua No. 1 Middle School and even paved a broad road for his future.

Those difficult problems seemed to be solved instantly.

He thought that he must be admitted to the best university in the country like Lin Qinhe, then thank the kind sponsor and pass on this kindness to more people like him.

I just don’t know whether Lin Qinhe wants to go to Tsinghua University or Peking University?

Tao Xi walked back to the classroom in a daze and found that Lin Qinhe was already sitting in his seat. He couldn't help but excitedly threw himself on the seat and said to Lin Qinhe with shining eyes:

"I think I can treat you to a nice meal right now! The school suddenly gave me a lot of money!"

Lin Qinhe glanced at him indifferently and said nothing.

Tao Xi suddenly thought, for Lin Qinhe, what delicious food has he not eaten?

But he just wanted to treat Lin Qinhe to a meal.

Tao Xi hesitated for a while, then mustered up the courage to say to Lin Qinhe, "Are you free on Sunday? I want to treat you to a meal. Thank you for helping me out yesterday."

He looked at Lin Qinhe anxiously, but Lin Qinhe refused without hesitation: "I have something to do on Sunday."

"Well, I'll treat you when you're free later."

Tao Xi couldn't help feeling a little disappointed, but he thought that there was still a long time to come, and he would always find a chance to ask Lin Qinhe out.

He didn't say anything else, picked up his pen and started to do the test paper. After a while, Bi Cheng flew over and asked, "Brother Xi, are you free after the holiday on Sunday? I have a basketball game with some junior high school buddies. Can you help me play? There are many girls coming to watch."

Tao Xi refused: "No, I have homework to do on Sunday."

Midterms were coming up, and he didn't want to waste any time except on Lin Qinhe.

Bi Chengfei had a sad face, but suddenly an idea flashed in his mind. He leaned over to Tao Xi's ear and said, "Didn't you ask me how to chase someone last time? I have a buddy who is really awesome. He chased after the cool and beautiful girl in their high school."

Tao Xi paused as expected.

Bi Chengfei continued whispering, "That school beauty is incredible. Her father is a high-ranking official, her mother is an artist, and she comes from a real scholarly family. Many boys can't get her, but my buddy did. He must be very experienced!"

Tao Xi couldn't help but feel a little moved. This situation was so consistent with Lin Qinhe.

Bi Chengfei felt like he was being stared at by an unfriendly gaze. He sat back in his seat and stopped biting Tao Xi's ear, but he continued to persuade her: "Besides, you can make more friends. My buddies are all very good, and they will definitely like you."

"What time on Sunday?" Tao Xi asked Bi Chengfei.

He thought that playing basketball for an hour or two was nothing, but just as he finished speaking, he heard Lin Qinhe say in a deep voice:

"Aren't you going to treat me to dinner on Sunday?"

This rhetorical question sounds like an affirmative sentence.

Bi Chengfei and Tao Xi were both stunned.

Tao Xi said uncertainly: "Didn't you say you had something to do on Sunday?"

"It's okay." Lin Qinhe said without changing his expression.

Tao Xi was not angry at his inconsistency. Instead, her eyes sparkled and her tongue was tied with joy: "Okay, okay, then I'll go find out which restaurants have good food."

Bi Chengfei wanted to say that they could still play basketball after dinner, but when Lin Qinhe looked at him, he was unable to say anything.

Tao Xi was excited the whole day because she could treat Lin Qinhe to dinner. In the evening, she went home and searched for good restaurants on her mobile phone for a long time. She also had a lively discussion with Pan Yan, who knew the most about food.

The Lin family's old house was also very lively that night. Old man Lin Weiliang was very particular about tradition and had the habit of holding family banquets regularly. No descendants of the Lin family could be missing on the day of the family banquet. Lin Qinhe directly took a day off for evening self-study.

Lin Jixuan was talking to her father, Lin Zeqiu, and her five-year-old son, Tang Nan, was beside her, getting very annoyed. She shouted angrily, "Go tell your uncle a story."

She had agreed with Lin Qinhe that he would help take care of their son this Sunday so that she and her husband could attend a very important meeting, but Lin Qinhe just broke his promise to her.

Lin Zeqiu had just returned from the provincial government. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Qinhe is the same as Zeshi. How can they tell stories to children?"

Tang Nan was sent away by his biological mother. He ran to Lin Qinhe who was sitting on the sofa with his short legs, pulled Lin Qinhe's pants and said, "Uncle, Mom wants you to tell me a story."

Lin Qinhe was reading a comic strip. He picked up Tang Nan with one hand and put him on his lap, and asked casually, "What do you want to hear?"

Tang Nan was attracted by the comic book in Lin Qinhe's hand. He reached out to grab it, but Lin Qinhe folded it up.

Tang Nan pouted, grabbed Lin Qinhe's clothes on his chest and said coquettishly, "Uncle, I want to see this."

No one in the Lin family can do anything about his coquettish behavior.

"No." Lin Qinhe refused directly.

"Why?"

"Because it's mine."

Lin Weiliang, who was reading a newspaper at the side, could not bear it any longer. He glared at Lin Qinhe and waved to his beloved great-grandson, saying, "Nannan, come to Grandpa. Grandpa will tell you a story."

Tang Nan jumped off Lin Qinhe's legs and ran to Lin Weiliang's legs to tell tales: "Uncle is so stingy."

"Yes, too stingy!" Lin Weiliang cursed and told Tang Nan the story of the Red Army crossing the grassland. Tang Nan fell asleep while listening.

After a while, Lin Zeshi finally arrived at the old house. As soon as he entered the living room, his father scolded him: "Your brother is not as busy as you when he works at the provincial party committee. You might as well eat at the company!"

Lin Zeshi lowered his head and endured the scolding honestly.

The family finished their dinner in silence, except for Tang Nan who spoke from time to time and was covered by Lin Jixuan's mouth.

After the meal, Lin Zeshi was scolded by Lin Weiliang again.

"Are you planning to live separately from Luo Zhengyin for the rest of your life? Why don't you just get a divorce? It's not like I disagree, and Qin He certainly won't object either." Lin Weiliang said to Lin Zeshi after scolding him.

He had a brilliant life and his two sons were both outstanding men, but the only thing he regretted the most was the marriage of his youngest son, Lin Zeshi.

At the beginning, he arranged a marriage for Lin Zeshi to marry Luo Zhengyin, the daughter of his old friend Luo Zhongyun. It was only much later that he found out that the two had agreed so readily because they had actually conspired to get married long ago. The couple did not interfere with each other's private lives. Even their only son, Lin Qinhe, was conceived through in vitro fertilization because both parents pressured them too much.

For more than ten years, the two people have been separated for a long time, but the strange thing is that Lin Weiliang has never seen Lin Zeshi have any lover. His private life is completely clean and he only works.

Lin Zeshi said to Lin Weiliang without hesitation: "If she doesn't say divorce, I won't divorce."

Lin Weiliang sighed: "This is your business anyway. You may be worthy of yourselves, but you will definitely be sorry for Qin He."

Lin Zeshi fell silent after hearing this.

Luo Zhengyin suffered from depression after giving birth, and Fang Sui's death aggravated her condition. Fearing that she would be upset, Lin Zeshi did not dare to let Luo Zhengyin contact his son for the next five years. Lin Qinhe was raised in the home of his brother Lin Zeqiu.

It was not until the child from the Fang family named Yang Duole called Luo Zhengyin "Mom" that Luo Zhengyin gradually came out of her depression. She took Lin Qinhe back and let the two children grow up together.

However, the mother and son never developed a close relationship. They were so polite and distant, as if there was always something between them. It was far less intimate than the one between Luo Zhengyin and Yang Duole.

Lin Zeshi walked out of the study and looked for his son whom he had not seen for a long time. The father and son walked to the courtyard outside the old house and chatted under the pavilion.

After an autumn rain, the night sky was clear and a bright moon hung in the corner of the pavilion.

"Is your mother okay lately? I heard she caught a cold last week?" Lin Zeshi asked. He looked at his son and found that he was almost as tall as him.

Lin Qinhe said, "She's fine now." He paused, "If you care about her, you can go see her directly."

Lin Zeshi took out a cigarette, thought about it, and put it back, sighing: "Forget it, it's meaningless. I saw her at the charity art exhibition for Fang Sui last month. She looked very good."

Luo Zhengyin might never realize in her lifetime that her nominal husband, with whom she had an agreement to marry, had fallen in love with her a long time ago, but Lin Zeshi knew from the beginning that Luo Zhengyin only had one woman in her heart who had been gone for many years.

Lin Qinhe said nothing.

Lin Zeshi knew that Lin Qinhe didn't like to mention the dead woman, so he began to care about his son's college: "Have you decided which school in the United States you want to apply to?"

"It's not confirmed yet. I may go for some interviews at the end of the year." Lin Qinhe said calmly.

Lin Zeshi stopped worrying about it, or rather, his son had never been a cause for concern for him since he was young, and he rarely asked him for anything. He asked instead:

"I forgot to ask you last time why you wanted to sponsor the number one student in Qingshui County to study in your school? I did it for your mother, but why did you? I thought you wouldn't be interested in these things."

The Qingshui County distance learning project has always been followed up by his assistant Su Yun. At that time, the plan was to fund live broadcast equipment for all high schools in Qingshui County, but there was never any plan to fund the first student to study at Wenhua No. 1 Middle School.

After he learned about this from Su Yun, he was surprised for a while. Today, he also learned that there had been changes in the project targeting the first place in Qingshui County, and the funds for the project had always come from Lin Qinhe himself.

He was really curious why his son, who had the same cold personality as him, did this.

for what?

Lin Qinhe looked at the bright moon hanging high outside the pavilion.

In fact, he never believed that there would be someone in this world who would be willing to run towards another person regardless of everything.

But he knew that some people regarded him as the moon in the sky and would cross mountains and seas to come to him.

He was never expected to do anything well, because he could always do it well, and he never expected others to do anything for him, not even his parents, because he didn't like to owe anyone.

He looked upon all relationships in the world, including parental love, as indifferent.

But when he couldn't help opening those letters that traveled thousands of kilometers, he saw the clumsy handwriting carefully disguised as a girl's, burning like fire with a hot and pure yearning for him.

It seemed as if he was the only one in the world.

It seems like I can burn everything for him.

He didn't know what made him endure the influx of letters, nor did he know when he started to go from initial annoyance to habit, and then to the development of a little hope that he had never had before.

He suddenly wondered, if he threw a rope, which was insignificant to him, into the deep well, would that fool who had said with certainty that he was the light that walked out of the darkness and vowed to walk to him, who thought he was smart but was exposed early, grab the rope he gave and try to walk to his side.

Qiao Yitang teased him that he was playing a development game, but only he knew that he was not.

He is not a handout, nor is he a game.

What was his original intention?

Seeing his son staring at the moon in a daze, Lin Zeshi asked again in the night breeze:

"Could it be that you are doing this for your mother as well?"

Lin Qinhe came back to his senses, smiled lightly, his eyes seemed to be softened by the moonlight, and said slowly:

"No, I just saw a man walking very hard at night, and I couldn't help but want to light him up."

He just wanted the person who worked hard to come to him to have a better and less difficult life as he wished.

It was easy for him.

This was just his original intention.

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