Fang Xiaoxiao initially thought so too, but after observing Xu Xiu for a while, it seems that he has really let go.
Moreover, the things Xu Xiu said earlier sounded like he was doing it reluctantly, and to others, it gave off a feeling of keeping people at arm's length.
Fang Xiaoxiao didn't realize that she cared about Liu Qianxue at all. Liu Qianxue suddenly seemed to have transformed from a cold goddess into someone obsessed with love.
In the following days, Liu Qianxue would take her exercises or test papers to Xu Xiu whenever she had the chance. Xu Xiu was annoyed by her, but he couldn't offend her on the surface.
Li Hansong said that if Xu Xiu didn't help, he would move him back to Liu Qianxue's side.
There was nothing one could do but bow one's head when under someone's roof. Xu Xiu already had a guess in his mind: most likely, some people were just being unreasonable and would leave once he let go.
Some people, however, refused to let go and instead became more proactive.
The following days were like an eternity for Xu Xiu, who eagerly awaited the arrival of the college entrance examination. Finally, in the last mock exam, Liu Qianxue returned to second place in the grade.
Xiao Ruoyan ranked third in the grade, only one point behind Liu Qianxue. Wang Mengqi and Ning Bufan also made it into the top 100 in the grade.
Looking at his report card, Li Hansong's smile was genuine. With about a week left until the college entrance examination, this mock exam was practically a sure thing.
Ultimately, the outcome of the college entrance examination depends on the questions, the students' performance on the day, and their overall condition.
On the last weekend before the college entrance examination, Xu Xiu invited Xiao Ruoyan, Wang Mengqi, and Ning Bufan to his home for dinner to discuss how to fill out college applications.
Xu Xiu was mainly worried that Xiao Ruoyan would choose a university closer to home rather than a better one, considering factors such as her family situation.
Xiao Ruoyan's hometown is close to Hangzhou, so her first choice is probably Hangzhou University. And as long as she doesn't underperform in the college entrance examination, there shouldn't be any major problems. It's not impossible for her to get into Tsinghua or Peking University.
Ning Bufan said he wanted to go to the University of Science and Technology because he liked to tinker with software all day. Wang Mengqi said she wanted to go to the Normal University because her dream was to become a teacher and educate people.
As expected, Xiao Ruoyan said she was going to Hangzhou University. Although she knew that with Xu Xiu's grades, he would definitely go to Tsinghua or Peking University, she really wanted to go with him, but due to her family situation, she didn't want to be too far away.
On the other side, Liu Qianxue was already considering her college application. She naturally assumed that Xu Xiu's first choice would definitely be Tsinghua or Peking University, and that as long as she performed normally, she should also be fine.
A week has passed in the blink of an eye, and the moment that will determine everyone's fate has arrived.
After four days of college entrance exams, Xu Xiu felt good about himself. He was confident that Tsinghua or Peking University would be a good fit, but he didn't really care, since he hadn't planned to go anyway.
Wherever the silly go, I'll go. Besides, I have experience from my past life; it doesn't matter which top university I go to.
However, Xu Xiu was worried after the college entrance examination ended. Xiao Ruoyan continued to live at school and was also planning to take a summer job.
It wasn't good for Xu Xiu to keep staying at school every day. He figured that since Xiao Ruoyan was going to work anyway, it didn't matter where she worked.
Just a few days after the college entrance examination ended, Xu Xiu gathered a four-person study group, ostensibly to start a business together and get rich together.
In a private room at a teahouse, Xu Xiu began to boast.
"Don't wait for opportunities, create them! Only entrepreneurship can change your destiny!"
"What kind of entrepreneurship is it that's not about success, but about growth and realizing your own value!"
Ning Bufan: "......"
Wang Mengqi: "......"
Only Xiao Ruoyan looked at Xu Xiu with admiration and occasionally offered her support; the other two were just there to have tea and snacks.
After Xu Xiu finished speaking at length with great enthusiasm, the scene was unusually quiet.
At this moment, Wang Mengqi broke the silence and asked, "President Xu, what is the purpose of starting a business?"
"In order to realize my self-worth..."
Xu Xiu sounded a little guilty as he spoke, not even believing his own words. He recalled being brainwashed in the same way during his university years in his previous life.
In the end, they lost everything. They had originally wanted to help their parents with some of the burden, but in the end, their parents had to clean up the mess, which indirectly hastened the time when their parents' factory went bankrupt.
So Xu Xiu chose the same brainwashing method as before, but apart from Xiao Ruoyan who seemed to understand but occasionally showed some support, the other two were completely unmoved.
Wang Mengqi continued, "How can you prove that you have realized your self-worth?"
Xu Xiu: "......"
"Mr. Xu, let me explain. If you succeed in starting a business, you can make a lot of money and rise to another level."
"Money can prove your success, and once you have money, what you say becomes more reasonable, and others are more willing to listen to you, so it also reflects your self-worth."
Xu Xiu was dumbfounded. What was going on...?
Xiao Ruoyan tugged at Xu Xiu's sleeve and whispered, "Mengqi's father... seems to be a university professor... who studies economics."
Xu Xiu thought to himself, feeling frustrated, "Is economics really this straightforward?"
Finally, he stared at Ning Bufan as if he were a savior, but Ning Bufan blurted out, "Old Xu, I don't have any ambitions. Starting a business is too tiring."
"I just want to have a stable job and not have to worry about food or clothing."
Xu Xiu: "......"
Finally, Xiao Ruoyan stood up and slowly said, "Xu... Xiu, I really want to start a business with you..."
"Starting a business... requires capital... I... I don't have any money."
Xu Xiu didn't respond, but sat down in the chair and said with a sigh, "I'm tired. Let it all end."
After a moment of silence, Xu Xiu decided not to joke with them anymore; the atmosphere was already warm enough.
"Alright, I'm not kidding anymore. You all know my family owns a clothing factory, and now the factory is facing some problems and we need your help."
Wang Mengqi quickly replied, "I have no money!"
Ning Bufan asked cautiously, "How much does Lao Xu want? I'll ask him when I get back tonight?"
Xu Xiu: "......"
Xiao Ruoyan lowered her head and took out her somewhat worn-out little wallet from her pocket, from which she took out a few weathered banknotes.
With the prevalence of mobile payments nowadays, young people rarely use paper money anymore and basically don't carry cash when they go out.
Looking at the several hundred yuan on the table, which was probably all of Xiao Ruoyan's savings, Xu Xiuzhen wanted to slap himself for calling Wang Mengqi and Ning Bufan over.
When Wang Mengqi saw the money on the table, she quickly told Xiao Ruoyan to put it away, saying, "Ruoyan, this little bit of money isn't even enough for the private room fee today."
"Wow...it's so expensive."
Xiao Ruoyan basically never left the school during her three years of high school. At most, she would buy things near the school or go to the bank next to the school to send money home.
I have absolutely no idea about the price levels in the city.
Xu Xiu couldn't stand it anymore and quickly stopped him, saying, "Wang Mengqi, you're not happy unless you're going against me for a day, are you?"
Did I say I wanted to borrow money?
"I just plan to use the summer vacation to help my family's factory develop online channels and sell to different groups of people."
"I need help, so I'm asking you for your help. Of course, I won't let you help for free; I will pay you."
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