"She said she accidentally fell into the lake."
Xu Nian'an explained how he had rescued Ji Ying, adding, "I don't see her as the kind of person who would give up hope. Mom, I know we are poor, and being a man, it's not a big deal if I study a little less. I still have plenty of strength. I can work at the brick factory just like my older brother to support myself and help the family live a little better, but Ji Ying cannot."
Xu Nian'an looked at Ji Ying, her little face flushed red like a ripe red apple. He said, "Ji Ying has been frail since she was young. What will she do if she doesn't pursue more education?"
"Nian'an."
Ji Ying felt guilty as she looked at Xu Nian'an. Shaking her head, she said, "No, you need to study. Your grades are so good; it would be a waste if you didn't study."
The eldest son, Xu Nianji, hadn't caught a good break; he had gone to work at the brick factory after middle school. When the college entrance exam was reinstated, Xu Nianji stubbornly refused to participate and continued working at the brick factory. Now, with the younger son, Xu Nian'an scoring well, he was sure to pass the upcoming college entrance exam.
"Mom, I definitely won't pass," Xu Nian'an thought about the questions he had intentionally left blank. Even if a deity intervened, he was destined to miss out on college.
"Why?"
As soon as Ji Ying asked, she realized her question was redundant; he had evidently decided to give his study opportunity to his sister.
...
Ji Ying was groggy, dreaming of her relatives leaving her one by one. She felt heartbroken, but ultimately, it all traced back to the Gu Family, especially Gu Mingzhu, whom she blamed for their misfortunes, filling her with intense anger.
The raging fire burned incessantly, and Ji Ying felt as if she were trapped in a sea of fire with no escape.
"What's happening?"
No sooner had Ji Ying changed Ji Ying's clothes than she noticed the distressed expression and continuous tears on Ji Ying's face.
"Good child, don't cry anymore."
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you get an education."
"You are my daughter, even if I have to pawn everything, I'll support your schooling."
Ji Ying was reluctant to see her son stop his education, just as she did not want her daughter to stop hers.
Ji Ying's gentle voice comforted her, as if coaxing a child, gently patting Ji Ying's shoulder. Sure enough, the painful expression on Ji Ying's face faded, and the tears at the corners of her eyes slowly stopped.
...
'Clang'
The enamel cup fell to the ground, clanging loudly. Xu Zhong glared at Xu Qinghe with a furious expression, saying, "A girl studying, reading books - why bother?"
"She didn't pass herself and wants to study another year? Do you think the Xu family's money comes from the wind or falls from the sky?"
"If anyone should go to school, it should be a boy. A girl spending so much money, it's good enough if she finished high school. You better not even think about college," he continued.
Xu Zhong was furious, his chastisements coming out in rapid succession, pausing not even for a moment.
"Old man, don't be angry," Grandma Xu soothed while patting Xu Zhong's back, trying to calm him down. She signaled to Xu Qinghe, saying, "Qinghe, don't blame your dad. We're already poor and Zhiyuan is about to enter college. We really can't afford to educate so many children."
"He was born to infuriate me," Xu Zhong felt immediately relieved as his wife helped calm him down. He then summed up his decision, "Ji Ying will stop studying. As for Nian'an, if he passes, he can study; if he doesn't, then he won't."
"Let him follow his older brother to work in the brick factory. He can make thirty yuan a month," Xu Zhong added.