Chapter 170: Whispers of Youth

The homeroom teacher spoke honestly: “Lin Zheng Ran has his own ideas. He said he has no interest in Stanford University and wants to attend a university here in China.”

Jiang Qian frowned slightly. Actually, a few days ago, her father had come to the school once to discuss university choices with the teachers.

In the end, they basically decided that Jiang Qian would go to Stanford. But after her father left, she went back to talk to the teachers again.

She told the homeroom teacher: “Teacher, if you talk to Lin Zheng Ran about his choices next time, please recommend Stanford for him. It’s the best option for him, and I’ll help out too. Of course, if he doesn’t want to, that’s fine.”

The homeroom teacher chatted briefly with Jiang Qian back then. She didn’t understand what was going on between Jiang Qian and Lin Zheng Ran.

Still, recommending a reputable school was part of her job as homeroom teacher. And Stanford would be a great opportunity for these two top students.

That’s how the earlier scene happened.

But now, as the homeroom teacher clearly stated:

“Lin Zheng Ran has no interest in Stanford. I already recommended it, but he turned it down flat out. So, Jiang Qian, you’re still set on Stanford, right? If you want, I can handle the recommendation letter and…”

Jiang Qian didn’t hear the rest. She just replied: “I want to think about it some more.”

“Uh, you still need to think?”

“Yes, I’ll think about it.”

Soon after, Jiang Qian left the office. The homeroom teacher watched the figure of this second daughter of the Jiang family.

As an adult, she could sense something. She muttered to herself: “Is Jiang Qian dating Lin Zheng Ran? But I vaguely remember Lin Zheng Ran always has a few female classmates around him?”

The homeroom teacher shook her head slowly: “The lives of these top students are so complicated, like something out of a TV drama.”

After leaving the office, Jiang Qian’s expression stayed cold, but her eyes held a flicker of unspoken anger. She returned to the classroom.

She went straight to Lin Zheng Ran and stood there: “Class monitor, I have something to ask you.”

Lin Zheng Ran turned and met Jiang Qian’s intense, cool gaze.

Jiang Qian frowned: “Why not choose a better, bigger platform? With your abilities, you’d achieve so much more there. Why limit yourself here? Is it because of those girls?”

“Huh?” Lin Zheng Ran looked up at Jiang Qian.

In the distance, Fang Meng stared blankly at Jiang Qian’s expression.

The class bell rang.

That evening, after evening self-study, the Rolls Royce arrived at the gate as usual to pick them up.

Fang Meng followed Jiang Qian to the car.

Once the door closed, they headed back to the villa. In the car, Fang Meng gazed out the window then turned to the silent Jiang Qian.

Suddenly, a message popped up on her phone. It was from the eldest miss, saying she’d be home for dinner tonight and sending two pictures of ingredients.

Fang Meng was about to tell Jiang Qian when, while swiping through the photos, she stumbled upon an old one.

It was a photo of her and Jiang Qian from when they were kids. She looked at it often because some things always lingered in her heart.

She felt a wave of nostalgia.

She and Jiang Qian had met in second grade, and now, in the blink of an eye, so many years had passed.

It all seemed like a dream. When Fang Meng first met Jiang Qian, she was warm and outgoing, always helping others and caring for her classmates. She had lots of good friends back then, and though her family was wealthy, it wasn’t as luxurious as now.

In contrast, Fang Meng had been quiet and a bit withdrawn as a child.

Their friendship started when Fang Meng fainted in class from low blood sugar, and Jiang Qian ran to get the teacher.

Jiang Qian even figured out that Fang Meng hadn’t eaten that morning and went to the school store to buy something for her.

That’s how they became friends.

Once Fang Meng recovered, she asked curiously: “How did you know I had low blood sugar? And what’s low blood sugar anyway?”

Jiang Qian blinked her pretty eyes: “My grandfather was a military doctor, so I learned some things from him. Low blood sugar basically happens when you skip breakfast.”

“Oh, you’re so amazing.”

When Fang Meng was little, her family fell into debt from business troubles. They couldn’t borrow money anywhere, and surprisingly, Jiang Qian ended up helping them out.

Fang Meng had casually mentioned her family’s situation to Jiang Qian, and once Jiang Qian learned about it, she pestered her mom to help Fang Meng’s family.

The amount wasn’t huge, but since they weren’t relatives, no one else would lend it.

Somehow, Jiang Qian convinced her family, and they really helped out Fang Meng’s family.

Even Fang Meng’s parents were shocked that their daughter’s elementary school classmate had saved them.

The two families became closer friends after that.

Fang Meng and Jiang Qian spent their days playing and hanging out, just like any close girlfriends.

A few years later, in sixth grade, the Jiang family hit a major crisis and needed a lot of money to get through it.

Jiang Qian’s mom, with no other options, even asked Jiang Qian:

“As long as we get past this, things will get better! Qian Qian, your dad and I are out of ideas—help me out. You’ve helped your friends before, so ask them now. Get them to lend us some money. Their parents might help.”

Her dad added: “What’s the point of telling her? Her friends are just kids!”

But Jiang Qian’s mom was desperate: “We’re out of choices. Maybe their families can pitch in.”

Before her dad could respond, Jiang Qian, already aware of the situation, said maturely:

“It’s okay, Dad! I get along great with my classmates. I’ve helped them with studies or when they messed up, so asking their parents for a loan should be fine. I’ll talk to them at school tomorrow!”

She finished with a confident smile, like she had it all figured out.

The next day, Jiang Qian went to school.

At first, things went smoothly. She approached her good friends and even those she’d helped before.

She asked if they could talk to their parents about lending her family some money, promising they’d pay it back.

Most agreed to ask.

Fang Meng was one of them.

But when the third day came for updates, Jiang Qian found out only Fang Meng’s family was willing to help.

No one else.

Jiang Qian asked: “Did you all talk to your parents?”

They glanced at each other and said: “We did, but our parents just ignored us.”

The smart Jiang Qian knew this was serious, so she comforted them:

“That’s normal—we’re kids asking for loans. But keep pestering them a bit. Tell them I’m your best friend, and my family will pay it back for sure! Even a little would help!”

Everyone looked uncomfortable.

For most kids, if their parents said no, that was it.

No one had pestered their parents like Jiang Qian had for Fang Meng back then.

Jiang Qian urged: “If your family ever needs money later, I’ll get my parents to help. Please, just try again tonight!”

Fang Meng, standing nearby, tried her best to help Jiang Qian borrow money, but it was like throwing water on a fire.

And with Jiang Qian’s constant pushing, not only did they not get the loans, but some friends who were close to her started avoiding her, feeling annoyed.

One girl she’d helped even snapped:

“You’re so annoying! I told you my parents said no! And my mom asked, if we’re lending you money, would you lend us some if we needed it?”

“I already said, if you have troubles later, I’ll ask my mom!”

“Who knows if that’s true? Besides, we need money now—lend us some, and I’ll tell my mom to lend you.”

“What did you say?”

“See? That’s why no one’s lending you anything.”

Jiang Qian stared at her, remembering how she’d helped this girl with a stomachache during study hall, rushing to get the teacher. They’d been friends for years.

Jiang Qian grabbed her collar in anger and shouted: “How can you say that? We’re supposed to be friends!”

“Who wants to be friends with a goody-two-shoes like you? My mom said your family might not even afford food soon—who’d hang out with someone like that?”

“Shut up!”

Jiang Qian’s eyes widened as she slapped the girl hard, leaving her cheek bright red.

The classmates froze. The girl cried and tried to fight back, but Fang Meng jumped in: “Jiang Qian!”

Later, the school called the parents, and things escalated after that.

During a break, Jiang Qian asked Fang Meng: “Xiao Meng, if I hadn’t gotten my mom to lend your family money back then, would you have helped me this time?”

“I…” Fang Meng paused, because back in second grade, she never expected Jiang Qian to be the one to help.

In that moment of hesitation, Jiang Qian’s eyes softened: “I get it. I really am just a fool for being so nice. But anyway, thanks for helping this time. We’re still good friends.”

“Jiang Qian…”

Coincidentally, the Jiang family got through their crisis thanks to an unexpected windfall. It turned out Jiang Qian’s grandfather and his old comrade with the surname Lin made money from antiques, pulling them out just in time.

From there, the Jiang family soared, but with their rise, Jiang Qian’s personality changed.

She stopped helping others and focused on building her own strength, which adults saw as the right path. But her intense drive and talent made her a bit extreme.

She grew colder and more isolated.

Until she met Lin Zheng Ran. Unable to outdo him, she saw the friends he made and it reminded her of her old self.