Chapter 34
On the other end of the phone, Cheng Xing's voice was furious: "Mom, the factory has been ordered to stop production."
"Why?"
"They said they would re-check the taxes."
"The factory didn't evade taxes, did it?"
Cheng Xing felt aggrieved: "How could I possibly do such a thing? Only when the country is good, everyone will be good. I still understand this truth."
Tao Zhi made a quick decision: "Then give the workers a holiday until they finish checking the accounts." She gritted her teeth and said, "Paid leave."
Cheng Xing was very decisive and carried out the order immediately. Ten minutes later, all the workers went back home.
Cheng Xing turned off the water and electricity, checked everything from beginning to end, and only after confirming that nothing was missed did she let Zhao Zihao take her back.
It was just dinner time, and Cheng Xing remained calm, eating, drinking and having fun with his friends and family as usual.
After returning to the room, he took off his disguise, threw himself onto the bed, and rubbed his face hard to loosen it.
Cheng Jinshi called her from outside the door at the right time: "Mom——" and interrupted her melancholy.
Tao Zhi didn't disturb Cheng Xing's parent-child time. She didn't have time to ask anyway.
Because Cheng Man's friends were leaving tomorrow, having two days off during their senior year was already a great favor. They wasted this precious vacation time with Cheng Man, and Tao Zhi was touched by their pure hearts.
While everyone was eating downstairs, Tao Zhi had a detailed conversation with Cheng Man. She explained Guo Ying's family background, why she had dropped out of school rather than taking a leave of absence, and the difficulties her family was facing.
Cheng Man pursed her lips the whole time, clenched her fists, and her fingertips turned white. It was obvious that she was extremely angry.
Tao Zhi gently massaged her, trying to help her relax. "I'm not telling you this to make you feel guilty, sad, regretful, or angry. If you do that, you'll be destroying yourself, and won't that just play into someone else's hands?"
Cheng Man raised her tearful eyes: "But this is all because of me..."
Tao Zhi interrupted her sternly: "The person who did the evil hasn't admitted his fault yet. It's not your turn to take the blame for others."
She softened her tone, "Manman, who's right or wrong in this matter isn't that important right now. Especially for you right now, it shouldn't occupy your mind at all, because you still have your parents here, and we will seek justice for you."
"What you should be focusing on right now is the upcoming college entrance exam. You need to give me a definite answer as to whether or not you're going to take it, and how you're going to take it."
"Mom, didn't I drop out of school? How can I have any choice?" Cheng Man was full of doubts.
Tao Zhi was confident of victory: "I will fight for you. But first, you have to give me a clear answer."
"I want to go to college." Cheng Man said firmly.
"So do you want to take the exam this year? Or do you want to take care of your health and wait until next year?"
"I'll take the test this year. I'm not stupid. The more people try to harm me, the higher I'll climb and piss them off to death."
"What are your plans and goals?"
"Mom, can I ask which school you plan to send me to?" Cheng Man said weakly.
"The most convenient and quickest way is to go back to the county high school."
"Ah——" She sighed inaudibly.
"Don't worry, I didn't ask you to go back to class."
Cheng Man raised her head suddenly, her eyes shining brightly.
"Of course, it depends on your goals. If any university is fine for you, then you can just review whatever you like."
Cheng Man was not convinced: "Mom, you underestimate me too much. I have always been at the top of the class."
Tao Zhi muttered quietly, "Who knows if his brain is damaged?"
Cheng Man put her hands on her hips and glared at her mother, almost pissing herself up like a pufferfish. "Mom, I heard everything."
Tao Zhi said confidently: "Who told you to keep it a secret from me? You never told me where you wanted to apply."
Cheng Man's eyes rolled around for a few times before she made up her mind: "I'll tell you after my classmates go back."
Tao Zhi felt regretful in her heart, but Cheng Man saw through her intention and wanted to use her classmates to teach her a lesson.
"Is it a deal?"
"It's a deal." Cheng Man stretched out her right hand and high-fived Tao Zhi to make an alliance.
"Do you have a review plan?"
"Mom, I've discovered that I'm much more efficient at studying at home. It's probably because it's quiet and there's no one to disturb me, so I can focus better on my textbooks."
Tao Zhi smiled. "They say mother and daughter are connected by heart. Here's what I'm thinking: I'll hire a few tutors for you, one-on-one lessons. You can focus on any subject you're weak in. Anyway, I'll do everything I can to improve your grades in the shortest possible time."
Cheng Man slapped her head and said, "I only thought of asking classmates, but I didn't expect to ask teachers. Mom, you are really smart."
Tao Zhi held her hand and said, "Watch your head. If you take more pictures, you'll be really stupid. If you agree to this plan, then we'll have to find a teacher."
"Mom, I'd love to. But I have a question."
"What's the question?"
"Won't the teacher have any objections if I don't go to school?"
"This is permitted by policy, you don't have to worry about it."
"That... ..."
"Just say what you want to say."
"My classmate, Liu Qingyue, is a transfer student. She can't keep up with the progress in school, and to make matters worse, she has to go back to her hometown to take the college entrance examination. I thought, since you got me out, could you help her as well?" Cheng Man finished speaking in one breath, lowering her head and hunching her shoulders, for fear that Tao Zhi would scold her.
"How can I help?" Well, the expected storm did not come, and Cheng Man was happy again in an instant.
"Teaching one is teaching, and teaching two is also teaching. Let Liu Qingyue accompany me. We can review together and maybe we can find out what we missed."
"There's only Liu Qingyue. Isn't that a little too few? How about asking other students?"
Cheng Man waved her hands hurriedly: "Mom, this won't do. They have good grades and are used to being in school. We must not do good things with bad intentions."
Seeing that her expression did not seem fake, Tao Zhi addressed Liu's question squarely.
"Have you asked Liu?"
"I must first obtain your consent."
Seeing her face full of anticipation, Tao Zhi thought back to the past two days, which had been her happiest days since she transferred to another school. Tao Zhi's heart softened: "I'll ask for you tomorrow."
"Mom, I knew you were the best mother in the world." Cheng Man flew over to hug Tao Zhi.
Tao Zhi dodged sideways and grabbed her, "I'm old, I can't stand your attack."
Tao Zhi felt that it was impolite to just make a phone call.
It just so happened that the old man had to take his driver's license test and was too busy to take his uncle and aunt home. So the next day, Tao Zhi got on the car and accompanied his uncle and aunt, along with their classmates, as they chartered the same car back to the county town.
If Liu Qingyue's matter could be settled, Tao Zhi would just bring her back.
After sending everyone home, Tao Zhi sent Liu Qingyue home last. As soon as she met Liu's parents, she was warmly invited to stay for dinner.
Tao Zhi's just-right praise made Mother Liu feel like she was an old friend at first sight, and soon the two began to call each other sisters.
After the meal, Tao Zhi knew everything about the Liu family's ancestors.
At this time, she began to complain, "Sister, you don't know, Cheng Man doesn't even dare to go to school now."
Mother Liu was startled: "Why?"
"It's easy to dodge a spear, but hard to guard against an arrow from the dark. My wounds haven't healed yet, and I'm afraid I'll get beaten up again if I go back."
"Don't the police care?"
“It’s scary that we can’t find out.”
Mother Liu was also terrified when she heard this. "What about studying?"
Tao Zhi sighed, "I found a retired teacher and a freshman from a prestigious university to tutor her one-on-one."
Mother Liu was envious: "That must cost a lot of money, right?"
"Yeah, you said it's more cost-effective to have more people. If I only teach her one, I'll lose a lot of money."
Mother Liu looked at Liu Qingyue, then turned to look at Father Liu. She gritted her teeth and said, "Sister Tao Zhi, please tell me, is it convenient for Qingyue to review with Cheng Man? I may not be able to afford the tuition, but can I use something else to pay for it?"
Tao Zhi clapped her hands and smiled. "Oh, sister, you reminded me. This is a really good idea. Why didn't I think of it? They are good sisters. With Qingyue by her side, Cheng Man won't be alone. There's no need for tuition. I've already paid it. But the bad guys haven't been caught yet. I'm afraid..."
Mother Liu patted her chest and said, "Don't worry, Sister Taozhi, Qingyue will protect Cheng Man. Right, Qingyue?" She said the last sentence to her daughter.
Liu Qingyue was stunned. This was a completely unexpected turn of events. She hadn't expected Aunt Tao to retreat in order to advance, causing her mother to fall into the trap. She nodded mechanically, "Yes."
When she realized what she had said, she saw Aunt Tao's mischievous eyes and her face blushed.
Anyway, Mom and Dad agreed and made an appointment with Aunt Tao to go to school tomorrow.
Tao Zhi and the principal are old acquaintances. She had made an appointment last night, and when the time came, she went straight to the principal's office.
She sat down and told everything without hiding anything. She also told the principal about Liu Qingyue's situation and pointed out that he would take her to the city.
The principal laughed at her: "Look, you went through so much trouble for nothing. In the end, you still have to review at home."
Tao Zhi stroked his forehead and said, "Every bite brings wisdom. This is truly beyond my expectation."
"I told you, it's better to be still than to move, but you didn't listen."
"I didn't expect that a change of environment would have such a big impact on Cheng Man."
"Other people would rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix, but you do the opposite. When Cheng Man is here, at least she can walk sideways. Who would mess with her? And bullying? There is no such thing in my territory." The principal was domineering and his words were loud and clear.
Tao Zhi begged for mercy: "I was wrong, I was really wrong. Look, I have no choice but to beg you."
"Don't worry, no matter how long their arms are, they can't reach me."
"You are the most trustworthy one." Tao Zhi praised the principal.
"You're even more worrying than Cheng Man," the principal glared at her. "She's already a nervous senior. Transferring schools sounds easy, but she'll have to adjust to everything from teachers to classmates, which takes up all her time and energy. Plus, when a stranger wants to fit in, should they study or socialize? It's a dilemma. You're the only one who does whatever you say, just by slapping your head. Old Cheng, on the other hand, lets you do whatever you want."
These words made Tao Zhi wilted, but when she thought of the little flame burning in Cheng Man's eyes, she laughed out loud with joy: "Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise."
"You, you, just keep talking tough. I have no problem with Liu Qingyue's matter. Ask the parents to write a disclaimer for me."
"Hey, you won't persuade me today?"
"Advising you not to do good deeds? I'm not that stupid. If she can get into a good university, our school will also benefit from it if we tell everyone about it."
"Don't worry, not to mention others, Cheng Man will definitely give you a surprise."
"You don't have to promise me anything. I will still keep my student status."
"Don't disbelieve me, I'm telling you the truth."
"Okay, okay, I'll wait and see."
Tao Zhi took Liu's mother to complete the formalities and returned to the city with Liu Qingyue on the same day.
Cheng Man had already immersed herself in intensive study, and Liu Qingyue immediately followed suit upon seeing this.
The third floor became the preparation area for the senior high school students. Others would not go there easily for fear of disturbing their studies.
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