Chapter 87 Graduation Assignment The roar of the plane engine gradually...
The roar of the plane's engine gradually faded away, and it landed steadily at the Capital International Airport.
Hao Zhenzhen pulled Cheng Xin and walked briskly towards the exit, with uncontrollable excitement on her face: "Xu Chi must be waiting for us! I'll introduce him to you later. He's a very nice guy, but sometimes a little silly..."
Before she finished speaking, Hao Zhenzhen's eyes were already searching eagerly among the crowd of people waiting to meet them at the airport. Soon, she locked onto that familiar tall figure. Xu Chi was wearing a clean white shirt, with an upright posture and a gentle smile on his face, waving at them.
"Xu Chi!" Hao Zhenzhen's eyes lit up, and she pulled Cheng Xin and rushed over.
However, the next second, her smile froze on her face and her steps stopped.
Next to Xu Chi stood a girl with delicate makeup and a charming appearance—Xiao Ya! She was holding Xu Chi's arm intimately, leaning slightly towards him, looking at Hao Zhenzhen and the others with a sweet smile on her face.
A feeling of depression instantly blocked Hao Zhenzhen's chest, and her excitement disappeared without a trace, leaving only loss and unhappiness. The person she least wanted to see appeared here, and stood next to Xu Chi in this posture.
Cheng Xin instantly noticed her friend's sudden change in mood, and her eyes fell on Xiao Ya.
"Zhenzhen! Here!" Xu Chi's voice was filled with joy, and he walked towards her quickly, trying to pull his arm free without making a sound, but Xiao Ya held it even tighter.
Hao Zhenzhen forced a smile: "Xu Chi, thank you for coming to pick me up. This is Cheng Xin, my best friend and my roommate for a year abroad." She turned to Cheng Xin, "Xinxin, this is Xu Chi."
"Hello, Comrade Cheng Xin, thank you for taking care of Zhenzhen while she is abroad." Xu Chi said sincerely with gratitude.
"Hello, Comrade Xu Chi, I often hear Zhenzhen mention you." Cheng Xin responded politely, her eyes calmly sweeping over Xiao Ya who was clinging to Xu Chi.
Xiao Ya took a half step forward, her voice so soft that water could drip out, her smile sweet, with an imperceptible provocation: "Sister Zhenzhen, long time no see! I heard that you were coming back today, so my brother and I came to pick you up! This is Sister Cheng Xin, right? You've worked hard all the way, welcome to the capital!"
Hao Zhenzhen only felt that her voice was extremely harsh. She responded coldly, "Oh." She stopped looking at them and lowered her head to push the luggage cart. "Let's go, get out first."
The atmosphere was dull on the way to Hao Zhenzhen's house. Xu Chi sat in the passenger seat and turned back several times to chat with Hao Zhenzhen, asking about their study and life abroad.
Hao Zhenzhen either turned her head to look out the window or just dealt with it perfunctorily, obviously not wanting to talk more.
Xiao Ya sat next to Hao Zhenzhen and interrupted from time to time. The topic revolved around how Xu Chi was doing recently and where Xu Chi had taken her. She tried her best to exaggerate the intimacy of her daily interactions with Xu Chi.
Cheng Xin listened quietly and watched coldly. She saw Hao Zhenzhen's hidden irritation, Xu Chi's frown and helplessness when Xiao Ya interrupted her, and Xiao Ya's seemingly innocent but actually treacherous performance.
Arriving at the compound where Hao Zhenzhen's family lived, Cheng Xin was secretly amazed by the armed guards standing guard at the door. For the first time, she truly felt the extraordinary family background of Hao Zhenzhen.
Hao Zhenzhen's grandparents warmly welcomed Cheng Xin. Her father was busy with official business and her mother was abroad. The home was decorated warmly and elegantly, full of bookish atmosphere.
For the next two days, Hao Zhenzhen mustered up her energy and took Cheng Xin to tour the capital, where they visited the Forbidden City, climbed the Great Wall, and ate roast duck and various special snacks.
Cheng Xin felt that she was absent-minded and not in a good mood. Especially when Xu Chi called the home landline, or Xiao Ya appeared near them inadvertently, Hao Zhenzhen would be obviously depressed and even a little irritable.
While strolling in the park, Xiao Ya met them again.
She took Xu Chi's arm and walked in front of Hao Zhenzhen, her voice still soft and weak: "Sister Zhenzhen, what a coincidence, my brother and I also came here for a walk. Sister Cheng Xin, the parks in the capital are pretty good, right?"
Then, she changed the subject: "Brother, do you remember when we went boating in the North Sea last week and I almost fell into the water, you were so nervous and you grabbed me!" After saying that, she glanced at Xu Chi shyly.
Xu Chi pursed his lips, and impatience flashed in his eyes. Xiao Ya's hand was still on his arm. If he pulled away at this moment, it would seem like he had something to hide, and he was even more afraid that Hao Zhenzhen would think too much.
He had no choice but to explain to Hao Zhenzhen: "She is just like that, don't take it to heart."
Hao Zhenzhen's face completely darkened.
Cheng Xin watched this scene, and several images flashed through her mind. This was very similar to the method used by her cousin Chen Ying who loved to sow discord in her memory!
In the dream, this behavior seems to be called green tea watch?
Cheng Xin is not a naive little girl, she has personally experienced and has long understood the core of this green tea routine. Using the convenience of identity to deliberately create a false intimacy, attack the people you really care about, and satisfy your twisted possessiveness or destructive desire.
Xiao Ya's attachment to Xu Chi, which goes beyond the boundaries of siblings, makes her regard Hao Zhenzhen as a thorn in her side, and she constantly annoys and alienates her in seemingly harmless but actually vicious ways.
After Xiao Ya and Xu Chi left, Hao Zhenzhen sat on the bench sullenly, not saying a word.
Cheng Xin sat next to her and said calmly, "Zhenzhen, don't be fooled by Xiao Ya's performance."
Hao Zhenzhen looked up, with a look of grievance and confusion in her eyes.
Cheng Xin looked her straight in the eyes, calmly and clearly analyzing the situation for her: "Think carefully about what Xiao Ya did just now. She kept glancing at you while she was talking. Did Xu Chi respond to her? She was just talking to herself from beginning to end. She didn't want Xu Chi's response, she wanted your reaction. She wanted to upset you, force you to lose your temper, and make you back down."
Hao Zhenzhen was stunned, recalling Xiao Ya's usual behavior.
"I've seen this kind of people before," Cheng Xin continued, her tone full of insight. "In order to achieve their own goals, they can pretend to be weak, tell lies, and stab in the back. Xiao Ya may not even be able to explain her feelings for Xu Chi, but she is definitely full of malicious jealousy towards you. She uses her identity as a sister to perform in front of you unscrupulously, just to annoy you and destroy your relationship with Xu Chi."
Cheng Xin held Hao Zhenzhen's hand and said firmly, "You have seen Xu Chi's attitude. He is helpless and even resists Xiao Ya's intimacy. The person who tied the bell must untie it. Feeling alone is not enough. Instead of imagining it here, why not ask Xu Chi in person and have a frank talk. Tell him directly about Xiao Ya's actions and your feelings! Don't let Xiao Ya create misunderstandings and estrangement between the two of you, and don't let her show succeed. It's not worth it to miss someone who is truly worth cherishing for such a person!"
These words were like a revelation, instantly dispelling the fog and frustration in Hao Zhenzhen's heart. Yes, she, Hao Zhenzhen, was upright and honest, so why should she be controlled by a villain like Xiao Ya?
Hao Zhenzhen was awakened by Cheng Xin, and fighting spirit ignited in her eyes: "You are right, I will go to Xu Chi to explain it clearly!"
"Xu Chi! What do you mean? Bringing Xiao Ya to pick me up, do you think this will make you look impressive?" Hao Zhenzhen asked angrily as soon as they met.
Facing Hao Zhenzhen's questioning and grievance, Xu Chi felt distressed and annoyed: "Zhenzhen, I'm sorry, I made you feel wronged. She insisted on coming with me to pick me up at the airport, and I couldn't stop her. She said she missed you after not seeing you for a long time, and I can't tie her up at home."
Xu Chi scratched his hair in annoyance. "The whole family went boating in Beihai Park. My dad was also on the boat. She didn't sit firmly and almost fell off. I pulled her up. If she had fallen off, our boat would have capsized."
"Miss me?" Hao Zhenzhen rolled her eyes. "She and I have been at odds since we were young. She misses me? This is simply the funniest joke of the year!"
Xu Chi said with disgust: "Her mother had a sterilization operation in order to marry my father. She can no longer have children in this life. The mother and daughter bowed their heads in front of my father, and I just entertained my father. I have always had a nominal brother-sister relationship with her, without any extra feelings. I know her little thoughts and her behavior of acting in front of you. I have also told my father, but my father always feels that he owes them mother and daughter, and asked me to be more tolerant..."
He held Hao Zhenzhen's hand, his eyes open and affectionate, with grievance: "You are the only one in my heart, from beginning to end. Don't pay attention to her, don't fall into her trap, okay?"
The misunderstanding was completely resolved, and the awkwardness in Hao Zhenzhen's heart disappeared. Looking at Xu Chi's face so close to her, she thought about how she almost confessed her feelings, and her face became hot and she became embarrassed.
She lowered her head, rubbing her toes against the ground, and her voice was as quiet as a mosquito's hum: "Then...then...do you miss me?"
It was rare for Xu Chi to see her shy, and he was stunned for a moment. Then a gentle smile spread in his eyes, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise.
He took a step closer, his voice filled with longing: "I miss you, very much. I wanted to buy a plane ticket and fly over there several times, but unfortunately I couldn't get a visa." His eyes were focused and passionate, filled with undisguised longing.
Hao Zhenzhen's heart felt as if it had been soaked in a honey pot, so sweet that she couldn't help but laugh out loud and gently hit his shoulder: "Idiot!"
Xu Chi just looked at her and smiled. The sunlight shone through the leaves onto the two of them, and the air was filled with silent throbbing and sweetness.
Cheng Xin guessed the result from Hao Zhenzhen's bright smile and occasional silly smile after she came back. Knowing that the two of them were in love and only needed a formal confession, she was sincerely happy for her friend.
Before leaving, Hao Zhenzhen wanted to pack up all the delicious food in the capital for Cheng Xin to take away. In addition to giving her a lot of Daoxiangcun cakes and various special snacks, she sighed regretfully: "It's a pity that the roast duck will go bad on the way, otherwise I really want to bring you a few so that your uncle and aunt can taste it. Cheng Xin, you must come to the capital again, and I will come to see you during my holidays!"
Cheng Xin was stuffed with snacks by her: "Don't worry, I will definitely come again. But next time I will be the host and take you to taste our local specialties. Longjing new tea with Dingsheng cake before Qingming Festival, Wushan butter cake, steamed shad, and sweet osmanthus candied lotus root from a century-old brand. By the way, my mother is best at making braised duck tongue and Dongpo pork. Every time we have guests at home, we have to rely on these two dishes to keep the atmosphere going."
Hao Zhenzhen's father was very impressed with Cheng Xin. He enthusiastically suggested: "Xiao Cheng, you are good at foreign languages and have studied abroad. You have extraordinary abilities and knowledge. If you want to continue your studies, you must consider coming to the capital for graduate studies. The resources and platforms here are better. We welcome you to visit us at any time!"
Cheng Xin thanked him gratefully and said she would seriously consider it, but she had not yet made a clear decision on whether to pursue graduate studies.
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Cheng Xin returned to school and completed her final studies.
As an outstanding student who returned from government-sponsored overseas study, the school held a small symposium for her.
At the meeting, Cheng Xin shared her experiences at King's College, her thoughts on studying Business English and international business, and her observations and thoughts on Western corporate management and technology applications.
Her insightful speech won praise from school leaders and teachers. Her graduation thesis, which combined international business theory with the practical exploration of domestic township enterprises, received an excellent rating.
The graduation certificate and dispatch letter brought a perfect end to her eventful study abroad career and opened a new chapter in her life.
In the midsummer of 1986, the campus of Hudan University was filled with the fragrance of gardenias.
In dormitory 302, Cheng Xin, Guan Shengnan and Chen Yuan were busy packing their luggage, and the air was filled with the sadness of parting.
Hou Feifei's bed had already been emptied. After receiving the dispatch form from the street office, she moved out in a hurry, not even bothering to say goodbye to the villagers.
The three of them came to a familiar small restaurant for their farewell party.
Guan Shengnan was in charge of the atmosphere. She pried open the cap of the soda and filled each person's cup: "Sisters, cheers to finally getting rid of the source of noise pollution and to the three of us running towards a bright future. Cheers!"
"Shengnan, tell me about your bright future." Chen Yuan drank half a glass of soda in one breath, her face full of curiosity.
Guan Shengnan smiled brightly and announced the good news: "My job has been decided. I've been assigned to the Foreign Trade Bureau!"
"Wow!" Chen Yuan exclaimed sincerely, "That's a golden rice bowl! The job is decent, and you are in contact with large foreign projects. The future is limitless!"
"Congratulations! What a great company." Cheng Xin raised her glass with a smile, genuinely happy for her friend.
Guan Shengnan waved her hand and said with her characteristic frankness: "Thank you! But don't guess blindly that it was my grandfather who did it. Who am I, Guan Shengnan? I hate relying on connections! This time it's purely because of my strong professional skills, good performance in the interview, and good luck!" The pride in her bones forced her to emphasize this point, even though she knew very well that the invisible halo brought by her family background is difficult to erase.
Cheng Xin joked, "If our factory introduces foreign equipment in the future, we will inevitably ask you for help."
"Leave it to me!" Guan Shengnan patted his chest and promised, then looked at Chen Yuan eagerly: "Yuanyuan, announce your good news again, let us be happy again!"
Chen Yuan's face flushed and her eyes were as bright as stars, filled with excitement and pride that her hard work had finally paid off.
She took a deep breath and said, "I was admitted to the graduate school of English linguistics at this university and received the acceptance letter last week!"
Cheng Xin and Guan Shengnan cheered in unison, happy for her from the bottom of their hearts.
Guan Shengnan was so excited that he grabbed Chen Yuan's hand across the table and shook it vigorously: "You really made us proud! You will be a master's degree holder in the future. If you stay in Shanghai, you will piss off some people to death."
Cheng Xin smiled and said, "I knew you could do it. You can stay in a Shanghai university or work for a foreign company. You have a promising future."
Chen Yuan nodded vigorously: "Thank you! Especially Xinxin who always encouraged me and always dragged me to the library. Shengnan always ordered extra dishes in the cafeteria, saying that he couldn't finish it and put it in my bowl. I understand."
Her voice was lowered with relief: "I still remember Hou Feifei pointing at me and scolding me in the bathroom, saying that Shanghai was not a garbage dump for outsiders like us. That night, I swore that I would be admitted as a graduate student and stay in Shanghai! I will use my admission letter to slap her in the face! Prove that country people can also gain a foothold in this city through their own efforts!"
After Cheng Xin went abroad to study, Chen Yuan became the target of bullying by Hou Feifei in the dormitory. Hou Feifei did not use physical violence, but verbal violence was equally hurtful.
"You won this battle so happily!" Guan Shengnan clapped his hands in admiration, and then a very ironic smile appeared on his face, "Guess where she went?"
Cheng Xin shook her head indifferently, and Chen Yuan showed an expression that showed she was willing to hear more details.
"The XX District Subdistrict Office! It basically handles trivial matters in the hutongs, from mother-in-law and daughter-in-law conflicts to street hygiene management. There are so many things to do, and the salary is not high. You can only slowly gain experience. The highest promotion you can get is the director of the Subdistrict Office."
Cheng Xin rarely showed a hint of sarcasm, and her tone was mercilessly clear: "With her personality, can she really settle down and work at the grassroots level? If she wants to become a director, she will probably have to wait until her next life."
Chen Yuan let out a long sigh, her face showing a calm after the dust had settled: "That's good, let her train at the grassroots level and experience the difficulties of ordinary people. Maybe it can cure her problem of being arrogant."
Cheng Xin took out an envelope from her bag and gently pushed it to Chen Yuan's hand: "Congratulations on your success in the college entrance examination. This is a gift from Shengnan and I. If you consider us your friends, you must accept it!"
Chen Yuan's family was in financial difficulty, and she had to spend money as a graduate student. There was eighty yuan in the envelope, which was enough for her to buy the professional books and necessary daily necessities she needed for her graduate studies, or as an emergency reserve.
Chen Yuan couldn't hold back her tears at last and she clutched the envelope tightly: "Xinxin, Shengnan, thank you! Without your encouragement and support, I wouldn't have become so outstanding." The humiliation she suffered at the hands of Hou Feifei turned into the warmest motivation and support from her true friends.
Guan Shengnan patted her shoulder soothingly, then looked at Cheng Xin and asked with concern: "What about you? Where were you assigned? I heard that you rejected the intention of staying in school and the ministry. Are you really going back to your hometown?"
Cheng Xin nodded, her expression calm: "Yes, I will go back. I won't know the specific work until I report back. Director Chen of the Provincial Industrial Bureau talked to me and hinted that I might have to go to a... more difficult state-owned factory."
"It's also possible that I could go to the county, or directly join the factory management. Building my hometown has always been my goal."
Guan Shengnan's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she immediately showed her acumen as a foreign trade talent: "Factory? Xinxin, if you go to a factory related to production and technology introduction, then we will have more opportunities for cooperation in the future!"
She leaned forward, with enthusiasm for work: "I'm in the Foreign Trade Bureau, and I'm in charge of the introduction of electromechanical equipment and technology! If your factory needs to introduce advanced equipment and technology from abroad, or if you want to export your products to earn foreign exchange, come to me! I can help you make connections, coordinate foreign exchange quotas, and strive for the best policy! Ensure efficiency!"
Although she disdains to use her grandfather's identity to exercise privileges, this invisible network of contacts is destined to allow her to thrive in the Foreign Trade Bureau, easily obtain key information and channels, and quickly achieve results. Naturally, her path to promotion will be a hundred times smoother than that of others.
Cheng Xin's heart moved, and she immediately understood the weight of Guan Shengnan's words and the possibilities for the future.
"Shengnan, I may have to trouble you soon! With you in Shanghai, I feel more confident. Come, let's have soda instead of wine. I wish us a smooth cooperation in the future!"
"It's a deal!" Guan Shengnan clinked glasses cheerfully, "Cheers to our sisters' great achievements in our respective battlefields in the future and mutual success!"
Chen Yuan also smiled and raised her glass to congratulate: "I wish Xinxin great success in her hometown! I wish Shengnan a steady promotion in the Foreign Trade Bureau! I will join your grand plan after I graduate from graduate school!"
The three of them looked at each other and smiled.
The fork in the road of fate gradually becomes clear at this moment.
Guan Shengnan is destined to rise to the top with his platform, abilities and invisible resources; Cheng Xin is rooted in industry, facing both challenges and opportunities, and with both skills and connections, he is destined to be extraordinary; Chen Yuan has a promising future with further academic studies; and Hou Feifei can only gaze at the stars and the sea of her former roommate from the grassroots trivialities that she once despised the most.
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