Chapter 22
Two days passed quickly.
The last exam of the Jin Chu Wan session ended at 4:35 PM.
Because she never had the habit of checking her work, Jin Chuwan checked her name and examination number after finishing the paper and then left the examination room.
Not many people left at this time, but there were already two or three people standing outside each classroom.
"Do not linger in the corridor after leaving the examination room—"
Hearing the proctor urge her to leave, Jin Chuwan quickly slung her backpack over her shoulder and left.
In any case, everything will be over after today.
She will soon have her own life.
Thinking this, Jin Chuwan's steps became much lighter. Over the years, she had secretly saved some money, so she planned to talk to her parents about traveling to relax tonight.
Although she hasn't decided where to go yet.
As Jin Chuwan approached the first floor, she heard a murmur of conversation downstairs. She slowed her pace slightly and peered out curiously.
Although it's a world of online novels, apart from a few rare elite high schools, the teaching buildings in other places are no different from the ordinary schools that Jin Chuwan remembers.
The same dark green wainscoting, lime-colored stairs, polished wooden handrails, and dimly lit corridors adorned with various famous quotes and slogans encouraging learning.
And then there's Jiang Chen, leaning against the wall, lost in thought.
Jin Chuwan saw several girls looking at him excitedly and cautiously, but they hesitated to approach him because of his aloof and silent demeanor.
The sun was still very strong at this time, and Jin Chuwan took an umbrella out of her bag.
The slight noise seemed to startle Jiang Chen. He walked over as soon as he saw Jin Chuwan, and then Jin Chuwan felt a lightness on her shoulder as her backpack fell onto Jiang Chen's shoulder.
"Let's go, Uncle Jin and the others are still waiting outside."
Jiang Chen's actions indeed caused the girls who witnessed the scene to misunderstand. Jin Chuwan frowned slightly as she watched their disappointed departure.
"...I can carry it myself."
Jiang Chen listened without being moved. He glanced down at the girl holding the umbrella, then suddenly bent down and rushed under the umbrella.
“My father called me last night and said that after I graduate, he will arrange for me to go to the head office to help him. It should be done in the next day or two…”
Because of the boy's intrusion, Jin Chuwan had to raise her umbrella higher. She paused slightly upon hearing Jiang Chen's words.
The news was indeed somewhat sudden, but Jin Chuwan wasn't surprised for long. After all, it was a family company, and supporting the future successor was only natural.
The sun was shining obliquely, and Jin Chuwan's small umbrella was clearly insufficient to shield the two of them. She could even imagine how ridiculous they looked, but Jiang Chen showed no intention of backing away.
"Don't you think it's a bit cramped?"
Jin Chuwan nudged the boy next to her with her elbow, but the boy didn't budge.
Jiang Chen smiled.
"Yes, a little."
Jin Chuwan frowned as she looked at the other person's gaze that had suddenly turned towards her.
"But I can manage."
In Jin Chuwan's memory, Jiang Chen belonged to the category of those who were precocious. Even when he was very young, he rarely played around like his peers, and most of the time he gave people a very reliable feeling.
Although sometimes Jin Chuwan felt that he was just lazy, other times she felt that he seemed to have something on his mind.
They weren't the kind of people who could confide in each other, so Kim Cho-wan had just been quietly observing them.
Are you in a good mood today?
It was just an exam, nothing to be happy about, but the fact that the two of them were standing so close made Jiang Chen's chest pound slightly.
Although he knew it was childish, he refused to accept control of his body.
So Jiang Chen gave up.
He glanced at Jin Chuwan beside him indifferently, then nodded lightly.
"……I guess so."
Perhaps because the college entrance examination was over and Jin Chuwan had completed her planned activities, she felt relaxed and subconsciously tried to understand Jiang Chen's feelings from her own perspective.
He was able to take over the family business as soon as he came of age, and his future was bright.
Any guy would feel excited, right?
The thought that Jiang Chen, the male protagonist of a romance novel, was starting to focus on his career gave Jin Chuwan a strange feeling. She quietly glanced at Jiang Chen.
Does this mean he's going to follow the path of becoming stronger found in male-oriented novels?
Suddenly, a jumble of random words flashed through Jin Chuwan's mind, such as "God of War," "King," "Harem," and "Richest Man."
Thinking this, Jin Chuwan suddenly stopped in her tracks.
...Probably not?
At this moment, Jin's parents, who had been waiting outside the examination center, saw Jin Chuwan and Jiang Chen come out together and quickly waved.
"Young Master, Wanwan, over here—"
Upon hearing her parents' voices, Jin Chuwan folded her umbrella and ran over quickly.
The sun was very strong, and after just a few steps, a thin layer of sweat accumulated on Jin Chuwan's forehead. When Jin's mother saw this, she quickly fanned her and wiped away the sweat.
"How are you feeling? Are you confident?"
As soon as Mrs. Jin finished asking the question, Aunt Hui, who was standing next to her, stopped her.
"Why are you asking so many questions when the child just finished the exam? Didn't we agree not to put pressure on the child?"
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Jin chuckled and said, "I'm just a little anxious..."
Then she said to Jin Chuwan, "Then just pretend Mom didn't ask. My baby, are you tired today? Is there anything you want to eat?"
As Mrs. Jin was speaking, she was interrupted by a slightly helpless voice.
"Let's stop talking here and get in the car first."
That's Butler Jiang's voice.
Jin Chuwan glanced around in surprise. As expected of the final exam, almost all the adults in the villa had come. Jiang Chen was also surrounded by Butler Jiang and the driver, who were asking him about the situation.
Outside the already crowded school, other parents started asking questions as soon as they saw students coming out. However, because Jiang Chen was accompanied by a bodyguard, most of the parents gathered around Jin Chuwan.
"How difficult is it?"
How are your grades usually?
How many points do you think you'll get?
Jin Chuwan stepped back slightly before giving a unified response.
"It's relatively easy, I should be able to get into K University."
K University is the top-ranked university in the country.
It's also the school that Jin Chuwan expected the main characters to attend.
Of course, she didn't think she was incapable of getting in, but deep down she still preferred to go to D University.
Sometimes Jin Chuwan couldn't tell whether her obsession with D University stemmed from her plans for the future, her memories of her past life, or perhaps a bit of both.
However, as soon as Kim Cho-wan said this, the crowd exclaimed in admiration, and Kim's mother was overjoyed.
"Really, Wanwan? Is the K University you're talking about... that K University...?"
Jin Chuwan didn't answer this time, but instead hid in the car. She rarely acted so flamboyantly, and trying it out suddenly was still a bit unusual for her.
The girl's slightly flushed cheeks caught the boy's eye. Jiang Chen smiled faintly, his eyes seeming to gleam with gold in the sunlight.
It seems he's not the only one in a good mood today.
--
The Jiang family villa was unusually lively tonight.
After the two children finished their exams, Jiang's father called home and told the housekeeper to have a good celebration, promising to reimburse all expenses.
With Jiang's father saying these words, everyone was naturally even happier.
Housekeeper Jiang even voluntarily gave up her beloved garden, while Aunt Hui and Mrs. Jin talked about the future of their two children.
For example, Jiang Chen is the president, and Jin Chuwan is the president's secretary.
Or perhaps Jin Chuwan would be the president's secretary, and Jiang Chen would be the group's president.
...
Jin Chuwan turned and left halfway through the conversation.
She doesn't want that kind of future.
If she were given a second chance at life, she would want a more relaxed and free job. She's working so hard so that she won't spend her whole life as a corporate slave.
Yang's older sister isn't home these days because her adoptive parents just passed away, and she has to go back to her hometown to handle some matters. Originally, her mother was going to go with her, but since Jin Chuwan is taking the college entrance exam these days, she decided to wait until Jin Chuwan finishes the exam before going to visit her eldest daughter.
Back in her room, Jin Chuwan pulled out a stack of envelopes from her wardrobe. Inside were all the money she had saved over the years, totaling about ten thousand yuan. While this amount might not seem like much twenty years from now, it was a considerable sum at this time.
Kim Chu-wan began to think about where she should go for fun.
Border town? Seaside? Or resort/amusement park? Or maybe go to all of them...
Just then, her phone rang.
Kim Cho-wan glanced at the screen; it was Lee Sung-eun.
They haven't seen each other since the training camp started, and they've only exchanged a few text messages. They don't know how he's doing lately, or if they've caught that stalker.
Kim Cho-wan had many questions she wanted to ask, but she didn't have a chance to say them after the call connected.
Because the other party spoke first.
"I miss you……"
The boy's voice sounded somewhat low. Jin Chuwan heard a car horn behind him and guessed that he was on the road.
"Xing...Xing En? What's wrong? What happened?"
In my memory, Li Xingen has always been a reassuring child. Even when Lily was 'sick', he never panicked.
"Doesn't my aunt miss me at all?"
The boy in the dark school uniform looked up at the brightly lit villa in the distance. His collar was a little loose, which was very different from his usual appearance.
The evening sun was no longer so hot, and the evening breeze that brushed against his face was also very gentle. The boy looked up at the window on the second floor of the villa.
That's where I saw Kim Cho-wan last time.
It seems that if he doesn't take the initiative, she will never come looking for him. Even if he's angry, she won't know, and might even forget him someday.
"It's been so many days, doesn't your aunt worry about me at all? How did the exam go? Which school are you going to? Are you still being followed?"
The boy was tall and handsome, with captivating gray eyes that seemed to hold a hint of danger.
"Of course I'm worried!"
Jin Chuwan, who was sitting in the room, quickly stood up.
"I was just about to ask you... never mind, let's not talk about that now. Xing'en, what happened to you? Tell me, I'll come find you right away!"
Kim Cho-man was certain that something must have happened.
Li Xing'en is acting very strangely today. Thinking about the child being in danger, Jin Chuwan felt extremely regretful. She should have called the police that day!
"...I'm downstairs from you."
The voice on the phone seemed a little gentler.
Jin Chuwan opened the window in surprise, and on the road not far away, the boy was waving at her with his phone in hand.
Seeing that Li Xing'en seemed to be unharmed, Jin Chuwan breathed a sigh of relief. She waved at the window and then ran downstairs.
The adults were still chatting in the garden, and Jiang Chen was changing clothes in the bathroom. No one noticed Jin Chuwan's anxious expression.
The boy stood quietly at the end of the road. The sunset on the horizon was as brilliant as fireworks, but the boy had no interest in it whatsoever.
"Li Xing'en—"
Jin Chuwan ran over with all her might, her white dress turning crimson in the sunset.
The driver, who was waiting by the roadside, looked at the young master with surprise, who had tricked people out with just a few words.
"what happens--"
Because of a lack of exercise, Jin Chuwan was already out of breath after just a few steps. She stood for a while, supporting herself on her knees, and then pressed down on the boy's shoulder to examine him carefully.
"Was it that damn stalker who attacked you?"
This was the first time Lee Sung-eun had seen Kim Cho-wan so angry. He stared at her silently without answering.
Jin Chuwan took a deep breath and then pulled Li Xing'en back.
"Let's go call the police!"
But the boy didn't move. Jin Chuwan looked back in confusion and saw Li Xingen with his head down, looking somewhat forlorn.
"Not a stalker..."
Because he hadn't expected Kim Cho-wan's reaction to be so strong, Lee Sung-eun's eyes flickered imperceptibly. It seemed he needed to come up with another reason.
"Because I'm not feeling well today, the exam results might not be very good."
Jin Chuwan didn't expect Li Xingen to say this. Because they were the child of the male and female protagonists, Jin Chuwan never thought that Li Xingen would fail his exams. But... Li Xingen was not the protagonist after all. In this world, he was just a flesh-and-blood boy.
However, she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard it was Jin Chuwan.
"Well, the college entrance exam is essentially a path for people from poor families to rise in society. Even without a degree, you'll still inherit the family business..."
Jin Chuwan racked her brains trying to persuade him, but was immediately rejected.
"That's not necessarily true. My dad is very strict."
"Well... that seems to be the case, but you only feel like you failed. Maybe that's not the case? Anyway, at least wait until the results come out before you feel disappointed, right?"
As she spoke, Jin Chuwan raised her hand and touched the top of the boy's head.
"You weren't such an easily saddened child before."
Does growing up mean becoming more sensitive?
The young man chuckled softly, then clenched the hands that were resting on the top of his head.
"First of all, I'm not a child anymore, and then..."
"Don't let my appearance fool you, I'm easily hurt, especially by my aunt."
Seeing Jin Chuwan's surprised look, Li Xing'en continued, "Since our last meeting, I've made twenty phone calls, but my aunt hasn't answered a single one..."
"But I explained it to you later, didn't I?"
"It was just something I said casually in a text message; it wasn't sincere at all..."
Perhaps Lee Sung-eun's unusual behavior today really frightened Kim Cho-wan, so Lee Sung-eun then made her promises to many people.
For example, if you see a missed call from him, you must call him back; you must send him a greeting text message every day; you must not assume that telling Lily is the same as telling him; if there is anything that you haven't contacted for a long time, you must tell him privately; and so on...
"You must miss me."
The young man slightly raised his chin, and when Jin Chuwan noticed his gaze shifting slightly, she immediately crossed her arms.
So this is how boys act when they feel guilty?
“I admit it was my fault for not telling you I was in training camp in time, but I apologize now, and I have already exceeded your expectations. Let’s leave it at that.”
If Li Xingen hadn't come looking for her today, she wouldn't have known that this child was so dependent on her.
Of course, she and Lily are very close, but...
“Xing En, although you always call me Auntie, we are not related by blood. In fact, I am only half a year older than you. You will be an adult soon. It may not matter when you are in school, but it will be strange if you still have an aunt like me when you grow up and enter society.”
Jin Chuwan was an adult, and considering the future, she thought for a moment and continued.
"From now on, if we're out together, please call me by my name."
Ideally, you should make more friends in the future, communicate more with those around you, and not rely too much on one person.
Even if they've known each other for a long time and gone through some tough times together, people have to look forward; dwelling on the past isn't good.
However, Kim Cho-man did not say what came next, because Lee Sung-eun was acting strangely today.
Let's talk about it another time.
"Then, Jin Chuwan?"
As darkness fell, the boy's gaze was hidden in the fading light.
Jin Chuwan smiled upon hearing this and patted Li Xing'en on the shoulder.
"Okay, that's settled then. You should go home early too, Lily will worry if it's too late."
After saying that, Jin Chuwan waved to the boy and then walked back.
Since nothing serious had happened, she was relieved.
--
Although Jiang Chen had already said he was going to his father's company headquarters, Jin Chuwan didn't expect him to leave the next day.
Having gotten used to waking up early, she bumped into Jiang Chen, who was adjusting his tie in front of the mirror.
The boy was dressed in a suit and tie, looking completely different from his usual self.
Jin Chuwan looked up at Jiang Chen, who seemed to want to loosen his collar. Even though he was still a few months away from adulthood, he already looked like a man.
Whether it's her tall and slender figure or her aloof and indifferent face.
Their eyes met in the mirror, and after thinking for a moment, Jin Chuwan greeted him.
"I heard the headquarters is in K City. Looks like you'll be there for a long time?"
Jiang Chen loosened his collar while looking at Jin Chuwan in the mirror.
"So...I'm leaving. You seem happy?"
The boy's voice was calm, and no emotion could be seen in his expression in the mirror, but Jin Chuwan still denied it outright.
"I'm only happy for you because you're going to inherit the family business."
It's not because of leaving.
Jiang Chen listened and smiled faintly.
"Uncle Jin said you want to go out and clear your head?"
Jin Chuwan was taken aback for a moment upon hearing this, but she still nodded.
"Because... I've been studying really hard all this time, so I want to go out and have some fun."
Jin Chuwan only told her parents about the trip last night, but she didn't expect Jiang Chen to find out so quickly.
However, Jin Chuwan did not expect her parents to agree so readily, only saying that they should keep in touch, and her father even secretly took out his private savings.
"Then have fun."
As Jiang Chen spoke, he took out a black card from his pocket and handed it to Jin Chuwan.
"If it's a hotel owned by the Jiang family, you can check in directly with this. Consider it my graduation gift to you."
After the boy finished speaking, he left. Jin Chuwan looked at the black card in her hand, and then at the boy's departing figure. For some reason, she felt that he seemed to be sulking about something.
Later, when Jin Chuwan told Cheng Ya about the trip, she thought Cheng Ya would want to go with her, but unexpectedly Cheng Ya cried and said that she also wanted to go and help her older brother.
Including Ran Min and Ran Xian.
Suddenly, it seemed that the main characters and supporting characters, who were originally carefree on campus, all started to focus on developing their careers.
Only Kim Cho-wan went against the grain, choosing to go to the sunny beaches and be ignorant.
But before leaving, Kim Cho-wan received several more black cards.
The Cheng family owns resorts and theme parks, while the Ran family owns holiday hotels and private beaches.
In short, all of this made Jin Chuwan sigh once again that this was indeed the world of online novels, where the families of both the main characters and supporting characters were incredibly wealthy.
But, except for her.
For a moment, Jin Chuwan was a little curious. Why did the author have to make such a 'weak' Jin Chuwan the villain? She simply didn't have the ability to fight against the other main characters on a level playing field.
Is it based solely on feelings?
His friendship with Cheng Ya, and his gratitude towards Jiang Chen?
That's absolutely absurd.
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