A mobile phone—the latest version, rose gold color, with a large screen and a novel design.
She didn't need to open it to know it must already be loaded with various social media, shopping apps, and games. After all, Gu Xuejiao used to receive such gifts every year.
Xuejiao looked up at the couple standing in front of her.
"What's wrong?" Gu Jingxu asked, surprised. "Are you so happy with Aunt Wanjun's gift? You always liked her gifts the most."
Xuejiao continued to stare at them, half-smiling. "Dad, do you think I look happy?"
"Didn't you always like Aunt Wanjun's gifts the most?"
Xuejiao closed the lid of the box and replied with a faint smile, "Dad, Uncle Cheng has already bought these things for me. I don't lack them."
Gu Jingxu's eyes widened. "What do you mean, 'Uncle Cheng'? You have a father! Why would you need anyone else to buy things for you?"
Xuejiao blinked, then calmly replied, "I was naive before. But now I've bet Cheng Mingjiao—our Cheng family's shining star—that I'll beat her in academics."
"Academics?" Gu Jingxu looked at her in confusion, unsure if he'd heard correctly. Despite not paying much attention to her studies, he was well aware that her grades had always been at the bottom.
"Yes, I have to beat her. I can't let her look down on me. Dad, didn't you say you'd give me anything I wanted?"
"Of course!"
"In the past, I didn't know what was important, so I always asked for things unrelated to studying. But now, I want to work hard." She handed the two boxes back to Wu Wanjun, then turned to Gu Shiyun and added, "I want the same gift as Gu Shiyun—a house near the school."
"What?! No way!" Wu Wanjun exclaimed, her eyes widening as her voice rose.
No. 7 Middle School was a prestigious high school, and the property prices in the neighborhood near the school rivaled those in the city center. Buying a place like Gu Shiyun's would cost millions—an amount neither Gu Jingxu nor Wu Wanjun could justify spending.
"Why do you need a house, Zizania?" Gu Jingxu's expression darkened.
"To rest during lunch breaks, like Gu Shiyun does."
Wu Wanjun couldn't help but interject, "Jiaojiao, buying a house just for lunch breaks is—"
"Didn't Gu Shiyun's house serve the same purpose? Didn't you say you'd give me anything I wanted, Dad?" Xuejiao asked softly, looking a bit forlorn.
Wu Wanjun was momentarily at a loss for words. She wanted to say that Gu Shiyun had earned it with her excellent grades, unlike Xuejiao, but the words caught in her throat.
"If you don't want to buy me a house, I could just stay at Gu Shiyun's place during lunch breaks," Xuejiao suggested innocently.
"No!" The usually gentle Gu Shiyun reacted immediately, her face darkening for a split second before she composed herself. Smiling softly, she said, "Sister and I might not be used to living together. Sometimes I study and recite at noon. If Sister comes over, it's better for her to rest in the classroom."
"Exactly!" Wu Wanjun added quickly, her smile strained. "Shiyun sometimes has friends over, and it could disturb Jiaojiao. It's better for her to stay at school."
Gu Jingxu immediately thought of Xuejiao's "friends"—those rowdy girls she used to hang out with. The idea of them influencing Shiyun gave him pause.
"Yes, it's better for the two of you not to live together."
Xuejiao tilted her head. "Then, will you buy me a house, Dad?"
"This…" Gu Jingxu's face turned sour. After a brief hesitation, he suddenly snapped, "Why are you being so unreasonable?"
"Unreasonable? You don't care about me at all! You only buy me things that ruin my studies. Gu Shiyun is treated so much better than me! I just want the same treatment. If you don't want to give it to me, don't bother coming to see me again!"
Xuejiao's voice cracked with emotion as she finished. Without waiting for a response, she turned and ran.
"Jiaojiao…" Gu Jingxu made a move to chase after her, but Wu Wanjun stopped him.
"Jingxu, she's angry right now. If you force her, it'll only lead to more conflict."
Gu Jingxu froze, considering her words. After a moment, he muttered, "She said we only buy her things that affect her studies…"
Wu Wanjun quickly adopted a pitiful expression, taking his hand. "Being a stepmother isn't easy, especially with Jiaojiao. I don't dare to discipline her because she's already living with her stepfather. All I can do is give her gifts to please her…"
Gu Jingxu's expression softened as he listened.
Seeing her opportunity, Wu Wanjun continued, "I'll see if there are any houses for sale or rent…"
"No, she only needs a place to nap at noon. She doesn't need a house!" Gu Jingxu's tone was firm.
Wu Wanjun was secretly relieved but masked her satisfaction.
After a moment's thought, Gu Jingxu said, "Give Jiaojiao the key to Shiyun's place. She can go there at noon. Shiyun can lock her own room to avoid being disturbed."
Gu Shiyun's face twitched briefly, but she quickly put on her usual gentle smile. "Of course. Jiaojiao and I can support each other as sisters. If she needs help with her studies, I'll tutor her."
Gu Jingxu beamed. "You're such a good girl, Shiyun. If she causes you any trouble, let me know."
"Okay." Shiyun's voice was sweet, but her clenched fists betrayed her true feelings.
Wu Wanjun and Gu Shiyun left the conversation feeling defeated. Sharing her space with Gu Xuejiao was a nightmare scenario, one that Shiyun deeply regretted inviting.
Xuejiao walked through the streets with her headphones on, relieved to be free from the unpleasant dinner plans. Her mood lightened as she spotted a row of claw machines, her eyes locking on a panda doll holding bamboo.
Her steps quickened, and she exchanged ten coins to try her luck.
Despite her efforts, the machine seemed rigged to fail, the loose claw dropping the panda each time. Frustrated, she sighed deeply.
"You're aiming three centimeters off to the right," a calm voice said from beside her.
Startled, Xuejiao turned and froze. Standing next to her was none other than Lin Zhihua, his tall frame impeccably dressed in a tailored suit.
"It's you…"
Lin Zhihua's expression remained serious. "Hello. We meet again."
"Hello…" she replied, feeling slightly awkward.
"Go ahead," he prompted.
Flustered, she inserted another coin and tried again, failing once more.
"Why don't you give it a try?" she asked, stepping aside.
Lin Zhihua hesitated for a moment before nodding. He rolled up his sleeves, moved the joystick with precision, and pressed the button. The claw moved directly above the panda's head, gripping it firmly—only for the loose mechanism to release it halfway.
Xuejiao burst into laughter. "Ha! Even you can't win against this machine!"
Lin Zhihua's expression froze briefly before he turned to her. "This machine isn't designed for success."
Xuejiao checked her watch and smiled. "I should go. See you next time, sir."
She paused a few steps away. "By the way, can I add you as a friend?"
Lin Zhihua nodded immediately. They exchanged contact information, and she left, her spirits lifted.
Watching her leave, Lin Zhihua turned to his assistant. "Contact the mall manager. Tell him to fix this machine."
Chen Yan nodded. "And the machine itself?"
"Move it to my home," Lin Zhihua said calmly, leaving his assistants stunned.