Lin Jicheng's expression turned somewhat grave. She hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Qiao Lingyuan sighed deeply, looking at the joyous and lively scene in the courtyard, and said listlessly:
"Sigh, I thought that after what happened with Huang Tianci, my parents would realize that arranged marriages and other people's rich kids are unreliable. I also thought that my grades and hard work in university would make them take me seriously. I didn't expect that they would still be too stubborn and insist on their own opinions..."
"Even if Huang Tianci is gone, there's always another Li Tianci, Chen Tianci, waiting for me behind him!"
Qiao Lingyuan's expression was somewhat gloomy:
“Whenever I expressed even the slightest reluctance to cooperate, they would fly into a rage, as if I had committed some heinous crime, and would constantly accuse me of being selfish and not considering the Qiao family…”
"well……"
Lin Jicheng and Qiao Lingyuan sighed almost simultaneously. Qiao Lingyuan seemed to suddenly come to her senses and, a little embarrassed, took Lin Jicheng's hand.
"Oh, Ji Cheng, I'm so sorry, I was lost in my own thoughts. I shouldn't have talked to you about this today, I've disturbed everyone's happy New Year's mood..."
Don't say that!
Lin Jicheng grasped Qiao Lingyuan's hand in return:
"If you're feeling down, just say it. It's so painful to keep it inside!"
"But how old are we? I feel like I just turned 18 not long ago. Why are your parents already in such a hurry to marry you off? Isn't it a bit too early?"
"Who can argue with that...?"
Qiao Lingyuan's voice sounded very down:
"I'm still in school, and they've already arranged a whole bunch of 'young talents' for me to meet every weekend when I go back home! Judging from my parents' attitude, they probably won't let me get married now. They just want me to choose a few people to get to know better. But once I graduate from university, they'll definitely start preparing for the marriage and make sure I get married as soon as possible!"
"Actually, I wish I could dedicate all my free time to Chengxin Technology and improve my true abilities... In addition, I already disliked my parents' actions, so I made excuses not to go home every weekend."
"To tell you the truth, Jicheng, we had a bad New Year's holiday because of our argument... My refusal to cooperate with my parents' blind date arrangements already caused a huge uproar, and what's worse is..."
Qiao Lingyuan took a deep breath:
“Since my brother took over the company after graduating from university, he has shown both business acumen and nepotism, creating a chaotic atmosphere within the company. Our company’s profits and sales have been declining year after year, and this year, we’ve lost so much that we’re practically broke…”
"If it weren't for my parents robbing Peter to pay Paul and selling off several ancestral properties to cover his debts, those creditors would have come knocking on our door to vandalize, loot, and burn!"
"But even so, my parents never changed their minds about making it their heir..."
Qiao Lingyuan seemed to have no other choice:
"None of these people in my family give me any peace of mind, sigh..."
Lin Jicheng patted Qiao Lingyuan on the back sympathetically:
"Sigh, it's so sad that even the closest people don't understand what I'm thinking..."
"However, if you can relax a little here, you can stay as long as you like!"
"Thank you, Jicheng..."
Qiao Lingyuan was somewhat moved. Lin Jicheng thought for a moment and then carefully analyzed the situation for her:
"Since you said your parents will start preparing for the arranged marriage by the time you graduate at the latest, then I think the next three years of university life will be very important for you—"
"This is a window of opportunity for you. During this period, you must continuously improve your abilities and accumulate the strength to stand up to your parents! Only in this way can you forge your own path!"
"you're right……"
A glimmer of hope ignited amidst Qiao Lingyuan's depression:
"No matter what, I must complete my studies at Jinghua University well, and I must make good use of the Chengxin platform!"
"I'm not resigned to this... I must forge my own path, I must become a strong woman!"
Qiao Lingyuan spoke with unwavering conviction, her tone shifting from low to firm and resolute!
"Wow, what are you guys talking about? I just heard something about 'strong woman'?"
Lin Jicheng and Qiao Lingyuan were chatting quietly in a corner of the courtyard, which quickly caught the attention of An Xinmeng, who was running around throwing snowballs in the yard. She ran up to the two of them.
"Why did I hear something about 'strong women'? Are you guys talking about the future, your ideals, and making wishes? Well, I want to make a wish too!"
An Xinmeng seemed to have heard something, and she pulled Xu Qingning to sit down next to them:
"Speaking of which, isn't the New Year just around the corner?"
"A new year brings new beginnings, this is a great time to make a wish!"
An Xinmeng gazed wistfully at the snowflakes dancing in the sky over the capital, landing on the elegant eaves and brackets, contrasting beautifully with the red lanterns under the eaves, transforming the snowfall into a dreamlike, warm wonderland.
"I... well, I actually have a completely open mind about the future..."
An Xinmeng clasped her hands together and made a wish facing the romantic snow scene:
"I want to fully experience and enjoy life during my three-plus years of university life, until I find the lifestyle I most want to experience, and then I'll move forward without looking back!"
"I want to make a wish too!"
Xu Qingning had drunk a couple more glasses tonight, and her voice was a bit louder. Looking at the beautiful scenery before her, she seemed to have become more ambitious.
"It's another new year, and I'm determined to study hard and, like this semester, get first place in the class!"
"Not only that, I want to continue doing scientific research! I want to prove to my parents who look down on me that girls can also excel in science and make a name for themselves!"
"Great!! That's very ambitious!"
"Qingning University's top student, I believe in you! We can definitely do it!"
Hearing these bold words, Lin Jicheng and the others quickly applauded for Xu Qingning!
As for me...
Qiao Lingyuan chimed in, raising her delicate chin, her eyes burning with fighting spirit:
“Well said! To be frank, my wish is to take my family’s lousy company away from my brother! I want everyone to know that I have ambition, desire, and the ability to take my family business to heights they can’t even imagine!”
"That's right, our 622 dorm has that confidence!"
The other three people in the dormitory applauded again!
"By the way, Jicheng, you're the only one who hasn't made a wish yet!"
Qiao Lingyuan said that An Xinmeng and Xu Qingning also turned their gazes to Lin Jicheng, who had been smiling and silent all along:
"Ji Cheng, what about you? What are your New Year's wishes?"
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