Nobody suspected the association between Qian Tao's drowning and Yu Jiajia's discontinuation of school.
That afternoon, Qian Tao, Gu Tong, and Zhao Xinmei were having lunch together and were talking about this issue. Nobody except Qian Tao was concerned about it. As Gu Tong was from a different class and not close to Yu Jijia, it was only natural that she was not concerned about her. However, the coldness of Zhao Xinmei and her other classmates made Qian Tao feel sick.
They had been together for quite some time but nobody seemed to care about Yu Jiajia's sudden disappearance, as if they had not been in the same class before.
"Tao, what's the matter with you?" Gu Tong suddenly noticed that Qian Tao didn't look well and was clutching her chest. She seemed unwell.
"Nothing…" Qian Tao shook her head. "It's probably just indigestion. I just feel a little tightness in my chest."
"I have medicine, do you need some?" One of her friends searched her bag immediately.
"No, thank you. I'll take it easy."
Before the group dismissed, Gu Tong asked her in private, "Are you worried about Yu Jiajia?"
"Yup…" Qian Tao pressed a hand against her chest and in a low voice, she muttered, "I don't feel good. When I think of Yu Jiajia, I think of myself. I can't escape my current lifestyle and I'm afraid that I'll lose my extravagance one day. Will I be the next Yu Jiajia?"
The empathy Qian Tao had for Yu Jiajia was not without reason.
Gu Tong hugged her, "Everything will be alright, Tao. No matter what happens in the future, I will always be your best friend! Whether you are poor or rich, I'll stand by your side!"
***
A month later, the Qian family and the Xiao family were busy with Qian Churui and Xiao Yuanhang's wedding.
The company had just gone back on track and Su Ye did not agree to an early wedding. However, Qian Churui announced her pregnancy the previous week. Su Ye could do nothing but to hurriedly arrange for the wedding.
Qian Tao didn't want to see them both. So, she used her practice for a Christmas drama as an excuse to go out early and return late. She seldom met them and was not concerned about the progress of the wedding.
They were getting married and she herself would be Mrs. Li soon. Hence, she wanted to forget this man quickly and marry Li Hengzhi with a pure heart or it wouldn't be fair to him.
Today, Qian Tao returned home early and was summoned to the study room by Qian Chenhai.
"Have a seat, Tao. I have something to discuss with you." Qian Chenhai was heartbroken looking at his daughter getting thinner recently. "Tao, it'll be your sister and Yuanhang's wedding in two days. You will attend, won't you?"
"Of course I will." Qian Tao smiled and said, "Churui is getting married, how could I, being her sister, not attend? I've prepared gifts for Churui and Yuanhang, with the gifts bought with the money I've earned. Although they are not expensive, they represent my well wishes."
"Why do you go to work?" Qian Chenhai said strictly, "Didn't I tell you before that if you don't have enough money, you can get some from me? You don't have to go to work! You've even lost weight! Tell me frankly, are you worried that I don't love you anymore after I have Churui?"
"No!" Qian Tao smiled and hugged Qian Chenhai. Holding his hand, Qian Tao assured him, "You treat Churui and I equally well. I have money and a credit card with a high credit limit. I work because I feel bored and I'd like to accompany Tong Tong as it's too dangerous for her to go alone at night."