Time always passes a little faster when one is busy.
In the blink of an eye, two snowfalls had already occurred.
Amidst the whistling cold wind, this semester came to an end.
Students, for the most part, know that the end of the semester, with its final exams, is the busiest time for them.
Dormitory 314 was no exception; everyone had been busy reviewing these past few days.
However, in reality, although Su Xiaotian and the others had been busy earning money, they had not neglected their studies.
After a round of intensive review, their grades were quite good.
Besides the exceptionally talented Su Xiaotian who remained in first place, the others also performed very well in the class.
Finally, the exams ended, and all the grades were released, allowing the girls to finally put their worried minds at ease.
Their homeroom teacher, Huo Sinian, brought good news: in addition to Su Xiaotian, Zhao Hongmei, Qian Xiaobei, and Chu Yue had all received scholarships.
The scholarships were not large, but they were not insignificant either, amounting to eighty yuan.
Those who received the money were all very happy.
Although they were now each busy with their own ventures and had accumulated a considerable amount of money, receiving a scholarship held a different kind of significance. It was a source of pride for every student!
"Since all four of you received scholarships, shouldn't you be treating us?" Li Jianhong was the first to chime in.
"Alright, what do you want to eat? I'll treat today."
Su Xiaotian, holding her newly acquired eighty yuan, asked with a beaming smile.
"Let's go to the university food court. We haven't been there during the exams, and I really miss the taste of Mala Tang," Zhao Hongmei said gleefully.
"Look at you, so easily satisfied. With the wealthy boss Xiaotian treating, you're only thinking of Mala Tang?"
Chu Yue teased Zhao Hongmei with a laugh.
"Then what do you want to eat? Pig's trotters?" Zhao Hongmei retorted.
"Chu Yue really does like pig's trotters, and I wonder why she doesn't gain weight even after eating them!" Li Jianhong joined in the teasing.
"If you exercised like Chu Yue every day, you'd definitely be thinner too!"
The girls erupted into laughter.
In the end, they went to the university food court.
The food court offered a wide variety of choices, allowing everyone to find something they liked and then gather at one table to eat.
There was no issue with wanting meat either, with options like Roujiamo and Su Xiaotian's own Su Xiaolu!
By this time, some students were already preparing to go home, busy packing their luggage and buying train tickets, so fewer people were visiting the food court for a treat.
The business at the food court was noticeably slower than before. While not deserted, it was certainly not bustling with customers.
Su Xiaotian mused that perhaps, in two or three days, these stalls would all pack up and head home for the New Year.
Indeed, before long, Li Yuling arrived.
"Xiaotian, I've already bought my train ticket and plan to go home for the New Year. I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow."
"Auntie, why not stay in Beijing for a few more days? You could also buy some things then."
"I've thought about it. It's such a long distance; there's no need to buy things and bring them back."
Although Xiaocao was getting married to San Gong before the New Year, and as a mother, she should prepare a dowry, if she were to actually buy things to take back, she couldn't be sure how her two troublesome daughters-in-law would stir up trouble.
So, she decided against the formality. After the New Year, she would buy them directly and set them up at Xiaocao's home.
"Don't you need to bring some local specialties back for Uncle and the children?" Su Xiaotian asked again.
"Your sister Xiaocao is thoughtful; she's already bought them. She's also on holiday and will be returning home with me. We can't carry too much!" Li Yuling said with a smile, her joy evident.
Although she wasn't surprised that Su Xiaocao would be returning with Li Yuling, Su Xiaotian still felt that if Xiaocao returned with her aunt, Teacher Xie Nan would surely be lonely during the holiday.
As Su Xiaotian was pondering, she heard Li Yuling speak again.
"Sister Xie, she said that when we leave, she'll be accompanying us to prepare for Xiaocao's wedding."
Su Xiaotian understood almost instantly.
It seemed they had already discussed and decided this.
After all, most people in Nanling Village were unaware of Xiaocao's background. Suddenly announcing her marriage to Su Sangong would surely invite gossip.
However, with Teacher Xie Nan accompanying them, such issues would not arise.
She would be an adopted daughter, which would resolve any potential problems.
At that time, the villagers would not only refrain from gossiping but would likely be envious.
"That's perfect! Otherwise, it wouldn't be good for Teacher Xie Nan to be left all alone in Beijing!" Su Xiaotian nodded with a smile.
Teacher Xie Nan had lived alone for many years and was indeed quite lonely.
It would be better for her to go to the village, with Sister Xiaocao by her side every day, perhaps she could find more solace.
"Exactly. Sister Xie has had a difficult time these past few years. Fortunately, now with Xiaocao, she has finally seen some light."
As Li Yuling spent more time with Teacher Xie Nan, she felt even more sympathy for her.
Furthermore, after Su Xiaocao recognized her birth mother, she remained as filial to her adoptive mother as ever, which had completely resolved her emotional burdens.
After a few words, it was getting late, and Li Yuling began to pack up to go home.
Since she wouldn't be setting up her stall the next day, many items were washed and cleaned before being locked away in the storage room.
Su Xiaotian and the other girls also returned to the school, chatting and laughing.
Tomorrow, they would all begin preparing to go home, and they were already packing their luggage.
Just then, someone called out from downstairs for Qian Xiaobei, saying there was a letter.
When Qian Xiaobei heard about the letter, her heart sank, sensing it wouldn't be good news.
Nevertheless, she went down to retrieve it.
As soon as she opened the letter, her demeanor changed completely.
Her beautiful eyes welled up with tears, but they did not fall.
However, everyone in the dormitory could see her sadness and grief.
Could something have happened at home?
The girls thought to themselves, quickly stopping what they were doing and walking towards Qian Xiaobei.
"Xiaobei, what's wrong?" Li Jianhong asked, putting an arm around Qian Xiaobei's shoulder.
"Xiaobei, is something wrong at home? If there is, tell us, and we'll figure it out together," Zhao Hongmei said anxiously.
For Xiaobei to be like this, it must be something serious. Could a major event have occurred at home?
Su Xiaotian looked at Qian Xiaobei and felt that it was unlikely to be something at home.
Subconsciously, she thought of something, but then dismissed it as improbable.
After all, Xiaobei hadn't been home for two holidays; her family couldn't possibly miss her that much, could they?
"Jianhong, my family sent me a letter asking me to continue working in Beijing and send the money back after the New Year!"
As she spoke these words, Qian Xiaobei felt incredibly heartbroken. The tears that had been welling up in her eyes could no longer be held back and began to fall, drop by drop.
She had thought that her family would at least miss her a little, but it turned out to be her own wishful thinking.
In their hearts, she was merely a money-making machine, not truly a family member.
They said that the family had many debts and asked her to find ways to earn money during the holiday, saving the train fare to contribute to the family.
She hadn't been home for over a year, yet her family wouldn't let her return, only asking her to earn money.
Even if that were the case, why would they ask her to earn money without even a word of concern?
Even a simple greeting would have made her feel much better.