Xiaoxiao stood in front of Xiao Xingxing, her expression defiant as she said to Alva, "Dad, I want to stay and study at Brother Xingxing's school. I will study hard and graduate with excellent grades to prove myself worthy of that Duke."
Alva instinctively objected, "No, how can you study at a school like this? Come back with me..."
An Jing interrupted him, "The school Xingxing attends is a top-tier aristocratic school, attended by the children of many world-renowned figures. If Xiaoxiao graduates from this school with excellent grades, it will bring honor to your family."
"Based on her?" Alva said disbelievingly. "I hired the best tutors for one-on-one instruction, and she still couldn't learn well. Do you think she'll do better at school?"
An Jing replied, "Doesn't that show that one-on-one instruction at home isn't suitable for her? A different approach might be better. I believe the Duke you wish for Xiaoxiao to marry isn't someone who only values appearance and lacks substance. Otherwise, you wouldn't be so strict with Xiaoxiao's studies and training."
Alva's attitude softened.
Xiaoxiao quickly added, "Dad, if you don't believe me, you can let me try for one semester. At the end of it, if my report card doesn't show an A in every subject, you can take me back, and I won't complain."
Xiao Xingxing, standing nearby, felt a pang of sadness and remained silent. He disliked Alva's condescending demeanor, as if he were deciding Xiaoxiao's fate.
Alva glanced at Xiao Xingxing, then at An Jing, and said, "It's fine for her to try reading at the school here for a semester, but what if she runs away on her own again? Who will be responsible?"
"I can guarantee that. I don't want her to be a girl wandering alone outside," An Jing said. "I will have people keep an eye on her near the school."
"If Xiaoxiao disappears again, I'll hold you accountable, and your family will have no peace," Alva said, still uneasy. He then looked at Xiao Xingxing and added, "But this kid has designs on Ilena. What if he abducts Ilena..."
"I can guarantee that too!" An Jing interrupted. "I've watched Xingxing grow up, and you've met his parents. They are influential figures in Lancheng and would never do such a thing. Xingxing and Ilena have been like siblings since childhood. They attend the same school, and Xingxing, being a top student, can help her improve."
Alva frowned, looking at Xiaoxiao's expectant face, then at An Jing and Xiao Xingxing. He finally nodded, "Alright, then let's try for one semester. At the end of the semester, your grades in all subjects must be first in the class, otherwise, I will come and take you back."
Xiaoxiao immediately said, "It's a deal. I will definitely be first in the class."
Xiao Xingxing felt relieved when Alva agreed, but he was still unhappy that Xiaoxiao's fate was not in her own hands.
Seeing Xiaoxiao's bright smile, Alva hadn't realized how beautiful his daughter looked when she smiled naturally.
Since Xiaoxiao had come to him, he had never seen her so happy. His paternal affection surged, and he said gently, "If you are willing to truly change and work hard, I will go to the school tomorrow and complete the enrollment procedures for you."
"Thank you, Dad," Xiaoxiao said politely, suppressing her joy.
Alva also wondered if agreeing to her was the right decision. He had always felt that his daughter lacked discipline and that they had no emotional connection, so he had resorted to strict methods to control and educate her.
However, in recent years, his methods had only made her fear him, without achieving the desired results. Instead, she seemed to become more difficult to manage. He hoped that by granting her wish this time, she might genuinely mature.
This time, he had heard from someone named Wood that Ilena had stolen something from school and given it to him to repay a debt, which had infuriated him. He was afraid the child might go astray.
Now, if Xiao Xingxing, as Xiao Anjing suggested, could keep her focused on her studies and guide her onto the right path, that would be good.
...
In the afternoon, Susu was in the office of Mrs. Yu's charity foundation, discussing with Mengqi about establishing a special fund with the remaining donations when she received a call from Tianyi.
She learned that Alva had agreed to let Xiaoxiao study at that school, provided that Xiaoxiao's grades were excellent. She felt relieved, believing this would be the best for Xiaoxiao's growth.
She put down her phone with a smile. Mengqi asked, smiling, "Did your husband call? What good news makes you so happy?"
"He was telling me about the children," Susu said, looking back at the donation data.
Mengqi added, "You and President Qin have such a good relationship. You've been married for many years, haven't you?"
Susu recalled their marriage, saying, "Over ten years. It feels like it passed in the blink of an eye. You and President Yao also have a good relationship. He seems very attentive and caring towards you."
"It's alright, but we haven't been married for long," Mengqi said with emotion. "It's very important for a woman to marry the right person. Meeting Old Yao was also a matter of luck. But Mengyao wasn't as fortunate as I was. Alas, she shouldn't have married Hong Jiaxi in the first place."
"Didn't Mengyao and Hong Jiaxi already divorce? She's with Dr. Song, such a gentle person, she'll surely be happy," Susu said, still feeling indignant about her sister's previous marriage.
Mengqi said indignantly, "That Hong Jiaxi is simply not human. Even after divorcing, he won't let Mengyao go!"
Susu realized something had happened again and asked, "Did Hong Jiaxi do something to harm Mengyao again?"
Mengqi became angry thinking about it. She calmed herself and said, "The police have arrested Hong Jiaxi. Song Jiaping's car accident, and the incident where someone almost removed his breathing tube while he was unconscious, were all orchestrated by Hong Jiaxi."
"Ah," Susu exclaimed, finding it unbelievable. "Song Doctor's car accident wasn't an accident? But the traffic police investigated that female driver. She was just an ordinary white-collar worker with no connections, and no prior disputes with Song Doctor or anyone else."
"That female driver indeed had no grievances with Mengyao or them, but she had borrowed money from loan sharks and couldn't repay it. The lending company was owned by Hong Jiaxi's grandfather. Hong Jiaxi colluded with his grandfather's subordinates and obtained information on some borrowers, selecting that woman. He arranged for her to deliberately cause a car accident to repay her debt, making it untraceable and undetectable."
Susu felt a chill down her spine and said, "That tactic is both brilliant and vicious."
Mengqi continued, "But that female driver was scared when she was about to hit Song Jiaping, so she didn't dare to accelerate, only injuring him. Hong Jiaxi then sent people to the hospital to try and kill Song Jiaping. If he hadn't tried to be so thorough, perhaps no one would have ever known the truth about that car accident."
"The heavens' net is vast. Hong Jiaxi's feelings for Mengyao are not love, but a possessiveness that is almost paranoid and extremely selfish," Susu thought, relieved that such a person had been caught.