"..."
Zhu Jinzhao felt a little suffocated by his overwhelming aura. She fidgeted with her fingers and unconsciously shrank back.
"Big brother has always trusted you." Zhu Xingye reached out and gently patted Zhu Jinzhao's head. Zhu Jinzhao was afraid of his touch and couldn't help but tremble twice.
"Keep studying." Zhu Xingye stood up from his chair, moved his hand down, and gently patted Zhu Jinzhao's shoulder.
"Don't study too late, get some rest."
Zhu Jinzhao forced a smile: "Okay, brother, get some rest too, goodnight."
"Good night." Zhu Xingye suddenly softened his tone.
"Click!"
A moment later, the sound of the door lock closing came, and Zhu Jinzhao slumped into the chair and let out a long sigh of relief.
Zhu Xingye's aura was too oppressive; every time she was alone with him, she felt so tense that she couldn't breathe...
After listening to today's lessons, she did two more practice questions. When it was almost time, she turned off her tablet and went to bed.
She had a full day of classes the next day and didn't have time to do part-time work, so she lost a day's earnings.
She was finally able to sneak out of school to earn money when she had no classes on Thursday afternoon.
She still remembered Zhu Xingye's instructions and had come up with a reason to deal with Zhu Mingyue before leaving. However, she did not expect that Zhu Mingyue had already left and there was no sign of her in the classroom.
Zhu Jinzhao breathed a sigh of relief and quickly pulled Jiang Jingwen towards the mall.
Zhu Mingyue got home very early today.
School ended at noon, and she got home a little after 1 p.m. When she got home, Zhu Qian was just about to leave.
"Mingyue's back." Zhu Qian, wearing a military green trench coat, greeted her as he came down the stairs.
"Second Brother." She smiled gently, looking up at him from the doorway, "Are you going to the hospital, Second Brother?"
Zhu Qian replied softly, "Yes. There's a surgery this afternoon, and my second brother has to rush to the hospital for a meeting beforehand."
Zhu Mingyue took off her schoolbag and hugged it to her chest, saying, "Second brother, you've worked hard."
"It's not hard work." Zhu Qian turned and walked down the stairs, striding towards her. He reached out and touched her cheek. "Why are you going home alone? Where's Chaochao?"
“Zhaochao…” Mentioning Zhu Jinchao, Zhu Mingyue’s smile became somewhat downcast. “Zhaochao and her friends seem to have gone out to play. When I walked to the school gate with my schoolbag, I saw her get into a taxi. I don’t know where she was going.”
"Hmm?" Zhu Qian frowned. "Didn't they call you when Chaochao went?"
Zhu Mingyue lowered her head awkwardly: "She must have called me. I went to the teacher's office after class, and Chaochao probably called me then, but I didn't hear it."
Zhu Mingyue phrased it tactfully, but Zhu Qian understood immediately. He clicked his tongue, his face darkening, and said unhappily, "That brat… it's not like I don't have your WeChat, or I can't find you, so why did she run off to play by herself?"
"It's okay." Zhu Mingyue shook her head and said sensibly, "Chaochao and I have only just met, so it's normal that we don't get along. There aren't such high-end shopping malls where I grew up. Even if she invited me, I probably wouldn't understand how to play, and I would only be disappointed."
"Nonsense." Zhu Qian couldn't bear to hear her say such things. Because of that misunderstanding, Zhu Mingyue had been stranded in the Northwest for twenty years, suffering hardship. Zhu Qian already felt indebted to her, and hearing her say these things was like being stabbed with a knife.
“Mingyue would never be a spoilsport.” He bent down, making his gaze level with Zhu Mingyue’s. “Mingyue is beautiful and academically excellent. Every time your second brother mentions you to others, he feels incredibly proud. You are something your second brother can boast about, not a spoilsport.”
Zhu Mingyue pursed her lips, her eyes slightly moist: "Thank you, Second Brother."
Zhu Qian pinched her cheek: "It's your second brother who should thank you. Thank you for forgiving us, thank you for returning to the Zhu family."
Zhu Mingyue: "You are my family, of course I am willing to come back."
Zhu Qian straightened up, opened his arms, and hugged her tightly: "Mingyue is such a good girl. Second brother has no plans for tomorrow. After you get out of school tomorrow, second brother will take you out to play, okay?"
Zhu Mingyue's eyes widened, her clear pupils gleaming with intense joy: "Great! I really want to go out and play with my second brother!"
Zhu Qian: "Then will your second brother pick you up tomorrow?"
Zhu Mingyue: "Mm!"
Meanwhile, Zhu Jinzhao was still working hard, completely unaware that someone had reported him for wrongdoing.
The afternoon was long, and she and Jiang Jingwen worked for five hours before leaving. The store manager was very satisfied with their performance and gave them a lot of free bread when they left.
"125 yuan received!" Zhu Jinzhao looked at the transfer on WeChat, happily accepted the money, and then transferred it to Jiang Jingwen, "Jiang Jiang, please keep it for me."
Jiang Jingwen immediately accepted the money: "No problem."
She wouldn't be able to get a bank card until next week, so she could only temporarily keep the money Zhu Jinzhao transferred to her in her own account. Only after withdrawing Zhu Jinzhao's salary did she go to collect the money the store manager had transferred to her, and then secretly moved the money into the card Zhu Jinzhao had deposited.
"I've deposited it for you." She looked at the balance in the card with satisfaction and said happily.
Zhu Jinchao, munching on free bread, said, "Thank you, Jiang Jiang!"
...
The next day was Friday, and there was only one class in the afternoon.
After class, Zhu Jinchao packed her bag and went to another shopping mall.
She's not going to work as a waitress at the bakery today; she's going to be a Hanfu model at the bubble tea shop.
This job is interesting and pays well; Zhu Jinzhao has been looking forward to it for several days now.
Unfortunately, Jiang Jingwen couldn't accompany her this time due to other commitments.
But that's okay. She's never shy when she's working, and even if she's alone, she can still get her wages smoothly.
The mall was a bit far, and the event was about to start when she arrived.
She had prepared Hanfu (traditional Han clothing) and a wig in advance, and as soon as she arrived at the store, she quickly went inside to change and get her makeup done. After she came out, she and two other girls who were also working part-time stood at the store entrance.
This milk tea shop is a nationwide chain with a wide reputation. As soon as the event started, many young people came over to interact with them.
May you wear a smile today and strive to serve every guest well.
"Miss, can I take a picture with you?"
A boy came out of the store after buying milk tea, and cautiously walked up to Zhu Jinzhao, holding up his phone and asking.
Zhu Jinzhao: "Of course."
She raised the prop fan in her hand and immediately struck a pose. The boy adjusted his glasses, opened his phone's camera, and backed away to approach her.
She cooperated and took a few pictures, thinking the boy was about to leave, but unexpectedly he changed direction and came closer again.
"Miss, let's take a few more pictures."
Zhu Jinzhao did not refuse: "Okay."
The boy put down his milk tea, switched his phone to his other hand, and leaned slightly closer to Zhu Jinzhao. At the same time, his free hand quietly rested on Zhu Jinzhao's waist.
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