Chapter 195

Page Fifty-One Powerless Persuasion

[November 22, Friday, 6:32]

After waking up, the delicate Lin Hua, the young lady, caught another cold.

Because she had caught a chill from the cold wind yesterday, her fever rose to 38.4 degrees again. With such a high fever, it seemed impossible for her to go to school.

“Mmm, feels terrible… I don’t understand, why is it always me?”

She complained while sniffing, to which I retorted, “Don’t you have any clue about this yourself?”

Wearing only a single-layer autumn coat in such cold weather, it’s no wonder she got sick!

“Ugh, it was just because I ran out of hand warmers yesterday. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten sick.”

She continued to make excuses, while Xiao Lei chimed in, “It’s been only a few days since your last cold. Generally, one doesn’t get sick back-to-back like this. Your health is really poor, Lin Hua!”

The idiot verbally teased Lin Hua but then proactively brought hot water to help her wipe down. They skipped their usual morning run and had just finished attending to her. Their relationship had improved over time. The idiot might not have thought much about it, but was subconsciously influenced by Lin Hua’s “broad-minded” thoughts. After all, there was nothing more conducive to deepening bonds than sharing a bed together!

Old Dad brought nourishing porridge and a bedside table, solving Lin Hua’s meal problem. Then he asked, “Shall I take leave to take care of Lin Hua at home?”

Xiao Qinglan stood on tiptoe at the bedside and raised her hand, “Fan Ni can also take care of her! After all, she’s coming to pick me up soon!”

“There’s no need to be so troublesome! Uncle should also go to work every day!”

Lin Hua choked Old Dad, then patted the quilt beneath her, saying with renewed vigor, “Besides, I can take care of myself. It’s just 38.4 degrees, not even a high fever. I’ll just sleep well during the day, and I’ll be fine at night!”

Old Dad said, “Lunch is in the refrigerator. Just heat it up when you want to eat. I’ll head to work now. Take care of your illness.”

Why do I have to take care of my illness in my own room?

Of course, I wouldn’t say such an inappropriate thing. I suggested instead, “How about Cherry Sauce stays to keep Lin Hua company? I can go to school alone.”

“I didn’t plan to go to school with you anyway, but I have my own plans today. I’m going to walk around the village and look for traces of Mysterious Girl A… Sorry, what’s happening here right now is more important.”

The latter part was addressed to Lin Hua.

“Understood! Since it involves Qian Xia, I’m fine with it.”

“Then rest well. We’ll come back as soon as we can after school.”

“Alright!”

————–

I arrived at school early and put my backpack away before heading to the neighboring class to find someone.

“Senior Tao!” I greeted outside the door.

The ordinary-looking, brown-haired girl glanced at me as if she didn’t recognize me, then turned back to continue chatting with her classmates.

Hey, ignoring me?!

“Senior Tao!”

I called out again, still receiving no response. So I rushed in and grabbed her arm.

“Senior Tao, come with me for a moment. I have something very important to tell you!”

Of course, I couldn’t pull her.

How could my mediocre physical abilities compare to Senior Tao, who used to be a delinquent?

She shook off my hand, annoyed, “Didn’t I say not to bother me until the end of the month?”

“The matter I have to tell you is important to both you and the Long family. Please listen to me. If it weren’t urgent, I wouldn’t trouble you.”

I pleaded while enduring the gazes of other students. Senior Tao reluctantly lowered her face.

“Alright, let’s clarify it before class starts.”

There was no suitable place to talk in the teaching building, and it was almost time for the first lesson. Finally, we went to the relatively less crowded fourth-floor bathroom and set up a soundproof barrier.

“Huh, Senior Tao, you don’t need to look so stern, do you?”

She placed her hands on her hips and said, “I haven’t forgiven you and AJ! You know what I mean, yet you still helped that person. Isn’t that just defying me?”

“Senior Tao, your father… Sister Yi Ji is also very regretful. She hopes to earn your forgiveness, which is why she is working hard to livestream and please those fans, even lowering her own principles.”

Seeing such a Senior Tao, I couldn’t help but offer some comforting words, but received a frustrated rebuttal.

“She should feel regret, but no matter how much she regrets, it won’t bring my mother back. Xiao Ling Meng, you’re helping her out of sympathy, but have you ever thought that the suffering she’s going through now, the estrangement and abandonment, is just our everyday life? My mother had me out of wedlock, and those so-called relatives looked on indifferently. She raised me alone but died in sorrow… Even so, she never told me these things before she passed away.”

Senior Tao lifted her head, her eyes already moist with suppressed emotions.

She asked, “Do you know why?”

I answered with the obvious answer.

“Because your mother has always believed in the man who abandoned her.”

Senior Tao nodded, “That’s what I think too, but falling in love with such a man is pretty foolish, isn’t it?”

“Senior Tao… calm down for a bit.”

I really didn’t know how to console her.

As an outsider and observer, I had no right to advise her to let go of anything.

“The matter we discussed over the phone yesterday, Cherry Sauce and I talked about it. If Sister Yi Ji continues to livestream, those people from the livestreaming unions will not only cause you trouble but may also spread information detrimental to the Long family… That is, the fact that your father abandoned you and your mother.”

“Mm, then what?”

Senior Tao responded coldly, “Should she give up just because of this level of threat? Or is this just an excuse for her failure to achieve her goal?”

I reaffirmed, “Senior Tao, she’s worried about you.”

“I’m fine, no need to worry.”

She was still somewhat confused, unable to sort out the pros and cons.

“What about the reputation of the Long family? Senior Tao, the Long family, known for teaching and nurturing countless students, would suffer greatly if such a person as your father were exposed.”

“…The old man said he’s willing to bear the consequences.”

Senior Tao showed a momentary hesitation. She didn’t want her capriciousness to cause damage to the entire family.

“But this is avoidable. I have a strategy to minimize negative impact… but it requires your support, Senior Tao.”

Senior Tao leaned against the sink with her back to me, deep in thought. Only when the pre-bell for the morning class rang did she raise her head as if startled.

“As long as she shows determination and works hard to reach her target of 200,000 followers, I can handle any external factors. If I were to ask her to stop, wouldn’t that mean I’ve lost? Tell me your plan, Xiao Ling Meng. What do you want me to do this time?”

She convinced herself in her heart, willing to give Sister Yi Ji another chance.

I replied, “It’s simple. Prepare a press conference that can be held at any time.”

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