At the entrance of Huaqiao University, Chen Ni waited outside with her lunchbox. Students came out one after another, and she craned her neck to wait.
Groups of two or three people walked and talked. She couldn't understand anything else, but she could tell they were talking about her brother.
"Hey, haven't seen Ye Luo for several days now. Do you know what's going on between her and Chen Zhong?"
"This is quite embarrassing to talk about. They were caught having an affair in the classroom, and the scene... was too explicit. It's said that Ye Luo's underwear was hanging on Chen Zhong's lap at the time..."
Wow, that's incredibly daring!
"That's not all. These two weren't satisfied with just playing around at school, so they rented a place outside. Some people said they were doing *that* in the rented apartment, and the Ye family caught them red-handed. Ye Luo's parents lost all face, and now no man wants to marry her."
"According to you, wouldn't Ye Luo end up benefiting that brat Chen Zhong? That's the Ye family, he'll cling to them no matter what, won't he?"
"Is that even a question?"
"Tsk tsk... These two are truly astonishing. They really know how to do things without any bottom line."
"Hahaha……"
Hearing these words, Chen Ni felt very uncomfortable. She gripped the lunchbox tightly in her hand and waited for about fifteen minutes before Chen Zhong finally arrived. She hurriedly went to greet him.
"elder brother!"
She called out, and Chen Zhong, hearing the sound, rushed over and pulled her away.
What are you doing here?!
He's been in the spotlight a lot lately; whether the comments are good or bad, most people know him.
Chen Ni's arrival immediately attracted a lot of attention, and some people whispered among themselves.
"When did Chen Zhong have a younger sister? Didn't he always say he was an only child and an orphan?"
"Tch, who knows? Maybe this sister isn't the same as that sister."
"Oh, I get it, I get it."
"Brother, you're pulling me too hard."
Chen Ni, who was pulled to a secluded spot, was very dissatisfied with his reaction. Her face showed a lot of grievances, and she had tears in her eyes.
"You haven't visited me and Mom in a long time. Mom asked me to bring you some food. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble."
Since the last time she and her mother caused a scene in China and were taken away by Jiang Xiu at the guesthouse, she gradually learned that her brother had changed his name and was living a different life, and that the presence of her and her mother would affect him.
But because the newspapers have been full of bad news about him lately, she came to see if it was really true.
Chen Zhong impatiently took the lunchbox, frowning.
"I have food at school, so you guys just need to take care of yourselves. Why do you have to come looking for me?"
"Brother, Mom asked me to ask you... is it really true that you and that Miss Ye... um..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Zhong covered her mouth, looking at her with displeasure and scolding her.
"This is none of your business! This is Beijing, not my hometown where you can gossip all you want. Are you trying to get me killed?! My relationship with her... isn't what you think. The Ye family can help me reach higher positions, so don't hold me back!"
The tone was almost accusatory, which made Chen Ni feel very uncomfortable. She lowered her head and twisted her fingers in self-consciousness.
"Brother... what about me? Our bond has lasted since childhood..."
"Ni'er! What nonsense are you talking about!" Chen Zhong interrupted her.
She stubbornly looked up at him: "What nonsense am I talking about? Everyone in the village knows I'm not your biological sister. I was adopted by Mom, and I was raised as your child bride. You..."
"Alright, alright! Are you out of your mind? I told you this isn't the village, don't tell anyone else about this! Otherwise, you'll be sorry! I'll find you a suitable partner, don't waste your time on me. And Mom, why didn't she explain this to you clearly? She's just wasting your time!"
He knew perfectly well that his family wasn't wealthy. When his mother found Nier, who had been abandoned, she thought that if her son ever became a bachelor, she would have someone to rely on, someone who could take care of things like laundry and cooking, and someone to support her in her old age.
But the situation is different now. He has better options. He never thought much of his younger sister before, but he made do with her because she could help take care of the family. Now, he just wants to establish himself in the Beijing area. He is already quite patient with a younger sister who can't help him at all.
Chen Zhong was calculating in his mind. He couldn't afford to have a burdensome mother who needed Ni'er's care right now. After thinking it over, he reached out and hugged her, offering perfunctory comfort.
"My feelings for you are something no one else can surpass. It's different. Don't worry, just focus on taking good care of Mom. Even if I have relationships with other women, it's not out of love, it's just using them. It's all for my sake, so that you and Mom can have a better life. Do you really want to go back to that backward village?"
Chen Ni shook her head and wiped away her tears: "I don't want to. Everything is good in the city. I can see the world and make money."
“That’s right. I’ll marry a city woman, leverage my father-in-law’s influence, and with my current education, I can get a government job, establish myself, and then dump the person I don’t like. I’ll take good care of you and Mom. Isn’t that great? We’re still young. No matter what we do, establishing ourselves is the most important thing. You too, work hard at the factory and earn more money. I need your help.”
He patted Chen Ni's head, like he was coaxing a stray dog. Although she felt bad about what he said, she couldn't refute him because of her eloquence, and could only sigh silently.
"It's all my fault for not being able to help you..."
"I don't blame you. Go back now. Remember, don't mention my past to anyone, okay?"
"Okay, I understand."
She was still sent away, and on the way back she was dejected. She had a vague feeling that marrying Chen Zhong was impossible. Her adoptive mother had raised her, and she couldn't have any other complaints.
With her head down, she returned to Xiuli Factory. When she was still some distance away, she bumped into someone. She looked up and was so frightened that she immediately tried to run away.
"Hey! Why are you running? Did you get hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
It was Jiang Wanqing. She had been squatting here on purpose today, and finally, the person she was waiting for had arrived.
"No need, I..." Chen Ni covered her face with her clothes.
"You look so familiar. Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" Jiang Wanqing feigned surprise: "Ah! I remember now. Weren't you the one I gave you directions to when you and your mother were looking for someone at Huada University last time? Comrade, what a coincidence!"
She grabbed Chen Ni, forcing her to face her, leaving Chen Ni speechless.
"I...I..."
I wanted to say no, but I was too tongue-tied and stammered for a long time without being able to utter a coherent sentence.
"I'm sorry I bumped into you. Oh dear, your clothes are torn. Why don't you come to my place and I'll get you a new one? Otherwise, I'll feel really bad about it."
Upon hearing this, Chen Ni looked down and saw that her top really did have a hole in it. If she went back to the factory like this, she would be laughed at to death. Jiang Xiu said she was taking care of her, but she was actually very difficult to talk to. She bit her lip.
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