Yang Lili had practically dedicated all her spare time to the library these past few days. Her spoken English had an accent, giving her no advantage over Jiang Yuwei and Chen Lishu. She hoped to outshine them in the written exam, though that, too, was a daunting prospect.
Yang Lili knew that to stand out, this was an opportunity she absolutely had to seize. Even if it meant sacrificing sleep and meals, she was determined to give her utmost effort to secure a spot for studying abroad.
As long as she could go abroad, her destiny would be completely rewritten. She wouldn't have to obsess over every cent and penny anymore, nor would she have to fear being looked down upon.
With the class time approaching, Yang Lili picked up the books she had just borrowed, stuffed them into her satchel, and turned to leave the library.
The path from the library to the teaching building led through a large flower bed newly built by the school last year, with a rockery at the back. In the evenings, many couples would sit there.
Yang Lili passed by this spot as usual. Unintentionally, she suddenly overheard two familiar voices behind the rockery. Her steps faltered, and after a moment of hesitation, she crept closer.
“Are you serious?” Sun Ling asked Jiang Yuwei, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Jiang Yuwei nodded. “I know you know a lot of people. Once this is done, I’ll definitely have my dad arrange a respectable job for you. I always keep my word.”
Sun Ling hesitated before finally nodding.
If she could get a respectable job, she wouldn’t have to worry about being looked down upon anymore, especially by those neighbors who constantly gossiped about her family. Perhaps she could even forget the past and start anew.
Fearing she might be discovered, Yang Lili turned and hurried away before the two could finish their conversation.
Even though she had only overheard a few sentences, Yang Lili had grasped the general idea of what was happening.
She never expected that Jiang Yuwei, who always carried herself with such high regard, would have such an unsavory side.
Not long after Yang Lili left, Jiang Yuwei and Sun Ling also emerged from behind the rockery. Seeing no one else around, they exchanged a glance. One walked towards the classroom, while the other headed off campus.
Yang Lili returned to the classroom, her gaze falling on Chen Lishu, who was engrossed in her reading. She began to wrestle with the decision of whether or not to tell her what she had heard.
Although her nature was always to avoid unnecessary trouble, the thought of Chen Lishu’s usual kindness towards her came to mind. Knowing she was short on cash, Chen Lishu would deliberately treat everyone to meals to save her from losing face. When they were sharing a dorm, Sun Ling had tried to make things difficult for her, and Chen Lishu had stepped in to defend her.
Recalling Chen Lishu’s many kindnesses, Yang Lili hesitated for a long time before standing up. Just as she was about to leave her seat to tell Chen Lishu what she had heard, Jiang Yuwei suddenly entered the classroom.
Yang Lili froze, her foot that had already stepped out retracting.
Her biggest competitors for this overseas opportunity were Jiang Yuwei and Chen Lishu. If it weren’t for them…
The thought struck Yang Lili, surprising even herself.
She looked towards Chen Lishu, her lips moving a couple of times. In the end, she sat back down in her seat.
She was different from the other two; she couldn't afford to lose.
…
Time passed quickly, and it was the day of the overseas exam. The test center was not on their campus; all the students taking the exam had to travel to the provincial Industrial University at a designated location.
After breakfast, Zhao Qiuyue sent Rui Rui off to school. Chen Lishu tidied herself up, double-checked the items she needed for the exam, and then also left.
The provincial Industrial University was some distance from the provincial Normal University, requiring a bus ride of six or seven stops.
As she exited the community and headed towards the bus stop, she suddenly heard the urgent ringing of a bicycle bell behind her. Chen Lishu turned around and saw a young man on a bicycle speeding towards her. Instinctively, she retreated a couple of steps into a nearby alleyway. Just as she was preparing to let the cyclist pass, a hand suddenly reached out from behind, covering her mouth and nose tightly with a handkerchief.
Chen Lishu was filled with shock and fear, never imagining that someone would be so brazen in broad daylight. She struggled desperately a few times, trying to call for help, but felt a strange scent from the handkerchief. Her limbs gradually grew weak, and soon, darkness enveloped her vision as she fainted.