Chapter 421
"Okay." Wanqing nodded in agreement, but there was one sentence she didn't dare say.
No matter what the final result of her parents' discussion was, she had made up her mind to go abroad to study.
She was not stupid, she just always lacked a little ambition, and this time, even though she wanted to use leaving to avoid some things, it also strengthened her determination to study hard and make progress.
Those who talked about her behind her back didn't do so because she was wrong, only because she was not yet outstanding enough.
She wanted to stand at the top so that everyone would look up to her, so that when they saw her, they would definitely not think of those messy dirty things, but of her excellence, her ability.
Adults always said that time was the best medicine to forget something, but she didn't think so.
Things that have already happened, even if they are forgotten over time, will still be reviewed and criticized more severely if there is even a tiny mistake.
She had to work hard to let her own aura cover the impact others had on her. This was the best way to solve the problem.
Children are constantly growing up through setbacks. Flowers raised in a greenhouse are delicate and beautiful but cannot withstand wind and frost. Wanqing, who had gone through this setback, would certainly become even more outstanding, admired by all.
When Pei Jing received the call, he was not surprised.
He returned home at the fastest speed and asked Wanqing, "Have you decided?"
"Yes." To make up her mind to leave home, Wanqing was very reluctant in her heart, but this incident also let her see that no one could protect her for a lifetime. There were some things she had to take on herself. "Dad, I will take good care of myself, just agree, and although I'm going abroad, can't our family still get together in cyberspace?"
Although she said this, when one was really busy, who would still care about getting together!
Just like Chenye, it was only last time that Zhixia went to the Capital City to see him. Now he was busy doing something with his supervisor. Zhixia didn't ask for details, but you could see his fatigue from his face.
"Since you've decided, don't wait for the school's arrangement. The school's quotas are already sponsored by your mother. If you take up one, in this environment, who knows what else people will say about our family." Pei Jing said.
"I've thought about this too. Anyway, we don't lack this bit. Wanqing shouldn't take up this quota. We can also self-fund her study abroad. It will be the same." Hearing Pei Jing's intention to agree, Zhixia quickly said, "But mom has to exhort you one thing, Wanqing. I've never asked you to do anything before. Now I only have one requirement of you."
"Mom, tell me. I will definitely listen." Wanqing was immersed in joy.
"It's said that social mores are open abroad, but you're still young. Don't be in a hurry for love affairs. Also, no matter what you do abroad, don't be impulsive. If it's not convenient to go in and out of cyberspace, write a PingAn letter and put it inside." Zhixia carefully exhorted.
Wanqing didn't feel impatient at all and agreed to everything.
When it was just the two of them, Zhixia finally dropped the smile she had been forcing on her face. She became tired.
Pei Jing moved closer to her. In fact, he was also very helpless in his heart.
It wasn't his fault, but Pei Shuangshuang was also a member of the Pei family. It couldn't be denied that Wanqing was implicated by her.
He couldn't even complain to them, because from his standpoint, his elder brother who was like a father and brother was also a pitiful man, but his wife and daughter were even more innocent.
After Pei Shuangshuang's affairs were exposed, it wasn't only Wanqing who was ridiculed. Zhixia was probably also talked about a lot in business circles.
But she was an adult who could withstand pressure better.
Besides, those people only dared to gossip behind her back for now. So far, no one really dared say it to her face.
"Sorry." After thinking about it for a long time, Pei Jing felt that he should still say an apologetic word to her.
Zhixia smiled understandingly. "What are you apologizing for? It wasn't your fault."
It wasn't his fault, but it was because of his relationship on both sides that things turned out this way.
Pei Jing wearily got up. "I'm going to the hospital to ask if there's anything to pay attention to when going abroad. When Wanqing is ready to leave, I'll take her. After she's settled in over there I'll come back."
It was his daughter's first time going so far away. She wasn't easygoing. How could he let her go with peace of mind?
"That's good too. Since she's decided to study abroad, operate it as soon as possible. It will also spare the child the embarrassment of staying at school. Ask clearly so we can make preparations early too. It would be chaotic if we were busy at the last minute." Zhixia said, helping him put on a coat to go out.
The weather had turned cold with a piercing wind.
Pei Xiang came over with her husband and children, holding a basket in her hand. "Auntie, our unit gave out frozen pears and oranges. I brought some for you to try."
"Keep them for your children to eat. Why bring them here?" Zhixia said to her.
"The two of us were each given two baskets. There's plenty to eat." Pei Xiang looked around inside and out, then asked, "Isn't my uncle back yet? How come he's not here?"
"He went out. Your information is quite updated." Zhixia took the basket from her and handed it to Sister Zhang. Sister Zhang took it inside.
The two little ones sweetly called her Grandma. Zhixia quickly led them in to give them treats.
"You came at just the right time. Stay for dinner tonight. Your uncle will be back too. I'll go buy some groceries." Zhixia said to them.
Pei Xiang looked at her husband, then said, "Then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll help with the cooking later."
Sister Zhang cut in, "You can't do that. If you take my job, what will I do?"
"I'll help you, Sister Zhang. I haven't seen you in so long. I want to drink your hot and sour soup." Pei Xiang and Sister Zhang were old acquaintances. She spoke without any politeness.
Sister Zhang coaxed her, "Fine, it's just soup, isn't it? I'll make you a bowl later."
When Zhixia went out to shop, Pei Xiang wanted to go with her but Zhixia found an excuse to refuse her.
Their family usually ate things produced from cyberspace. Only occasionally when she was too busy to go out would Sister Zhang buy groceries.
If not for this, she would have handed over all grocery shopping to Sister Zhang to save trouble.
But things from cyberspace were indeed different from the outside world, not just in flavor but in quality too.
Even Pei Jing said that after eating the meals at home for a long time, it really nourished people. Sometimes when his skin was chapped from sun exposure out, it would normally take 1-2 months to heal, but as soon as he returned home, the cracked skin would turn better in just a few days.
It took Zhixia a while before coming back from shopping. When she got home, Pei Jing was already there.
Sister Zhang came to take the groceries and marveled, "I always feel the vegetables you buy back are more juicy than the ones I buy, even though I pick the best too. The meat is also fresh."
Zhixia said, "Sister Zhang, don't joke. We buy them at the same market. I just happen to have better luck and go when someone has just brought in fresh produce."
"Forget it, I'll go cook. You all go talk inside."
Pei Xiang had wanted to help in the kitchen but was refused by Sister Zhang.
The two went into the living room and saw Pei Jing already chatting with Pei Xiang's husband.
From their conversation, Zhixia was surprised to ask her, "You're also leaving Jin City?"
The use of "also" indicated they were definitely not the first.
Pei Xiang thought she was talking about Pei Shuangshuang and instantly showed a disgusted expression. She said, "It's all because of Pei Shuangshuang. One bad apple ruins the whole bunch. I was up for promotion and evaluation this year. I could have led students in the future. But with this mess, I've become a laughingstock for the whole Propaganda Group. And some are up to no good..."
Pei Xiang found it so disgusting she couldn't contain her agitated mood.
Zhixia soothingly patted her arm and asked, "Did someone make a move on you?"
“Of course, last night......” As Pei Xiang said, she shuddered at the memory, “Thankfully these past days he’s either been with me or coming to pick me up, otherwise I dare not imagine the consequences. My parents and I had already discussed this, my older sister lives far away and who knows when she’ll be back, he has many brothers at home so one less doesn’t matter, we’d decided to stay in Jin City and look after my parents. But with this mess, both our careers are affected, and some nasty people have come to humiliate us, I’m so afraid......”
Pei Xiang had deliberated with her family for many days before making this decision. If she didn’t get away from these idle gossipers, their words would torment her to death.
Since the second room had no son, Pei Xiang had always been strong-willed, she absolutely could not stand this kind of thing. Just in the Propaganda Group, she had clashed with others several times already.
Her eyes were red as she forcibly held back her tears, “Auntie, I’ve already told our director that even if I leave, Jiao Yan can continue cooperating with the Propaganda Group, he will accommodate you.”
“That’s no problem, but what about the person who stopped you last night?”
“He’s been taken to the police station, he will face consequences for his actions.” Pei Xiang said viciously.
Ever since they started selling Jiao Yan, the Propaganda Group had put in a lot of effort, but Know Asia had not shortchanged them either, handling every aspect thoroughly.
She was not worried about their partnership.
Jiao Yan was currently the biggest skincare brand domestically, and had built up some reputation internationally. They didn’t even need any promotions at this point, everyone already knew about it. The only reason they still engaged the Propaganda Group was out of sentiment for their initial partnership and to give Pei Xiang face.
Plus in recent years the domestic TV market had gradually expanded, and many households had purchased TVs. Wu Lei’s side was already planning to shift to a TV advertising model. Wanqing had suffered similarly in this matter, so upon hearing Pei Xiang’s words she empathized even more, and the two chatted animatedly.
Know Asia listened in without interjecting, wanting to understand the true circumstances her daughter had faced at school recently.
Ever since she stopped living on campus and insisted on coming home every day despite the cold, Know Asia had guessed that her child must have heard a lot of idle gossip in this time, but what surprised her was that there were many sordid occurrences on campus that she could never have imagined, listening to it made her scalp tingle.
They had talked at the door, so Pei Jing had not heard. It was only after dinner when he saw Know Asia’s awful expression that he asked her, “What’s the matter?”
Know Asia relayed Pei Xiang and Wanqing’s conversation, then said, “Pei Jing, I know you pity big brother, and I won’t stop you two from interacting, but I hope that woman Pei Shuangshuang never appears in my home again for the rest of her life.”
Know Asia rarely addressed someone so formally, which showed her solemn attitude.
After listening, Pei Jing could barely restrain his anger as he nodded in agreement, “I’ll go to Wanqing’s school tomorrow and have a chat with her classmates.”
This was already an insult to others’ integrity, Pei Jing could not even imagine Wanqing enduring this environment for months.
No wonder she was so eager and enthusiastic about studying abroad.
Wanqing had skipped two grades in primary school, and enrolled early, so she was younger than many classmates. Those words like vixen and slut, and even more offensive terms, targeted at a girl of only fifteen or sixteen, if she was slightly weaker she might have been tormented to death.
“No need to talk to them, I already went to her school when the Pei Shuangshuang incident first came out, and met with several teachers, even specifically going to her classroom to give gifts to each classmate, just to prevent them from ostracizing Wanqing. Now it seems those efforts were all in vain, I was too polite which only encouraged their arrogance.”
“Then don’t let the child go to school tomorrow. I’ve asked third uncle, the formalities can be expedited. Let’s get her abroad as soon as possible.” Seeing Know Asia’s awful expression, Pei Jing tentatively asked, “Or you can come along, we’ll get Wanqing settled in, play with the child for a few days, distract and vent. What do you think?”
This time Know Asia did not refuse, “Then hurry with the formalities. I’ll arrange things at the company, and ask the few kids. Occasionally I’ve asked them before if they were affected, and they all said no. Those brats, each more mischievous than the last. But they wouldn’t take it lying down. Go inquire more, don’t wait until something happens before we find out.”
Know Asia was not too worried about them. Plus they had PingAn, the five of them were at the same school. As long as they didn’t actively provoke others it should be fine, probably no one would dare provoke them either.
A parent’s heart is like this, afraid the child is too unruly and will bully others, afraid the child is too meek and will be bullied by others. No matter what, there will always be regrets.
Pei Jing nodded and went to ask.
Afraid they wouldn’t tell him directly, he could only probe tactfully from the sides.
After all, the young can’t outwit the old. He finally found out that in the beginning, some people did want to cause trouble. But the victims were Little Sixth and PingAn. When the triplets found out, it was five against four. And all of them had training, the other people didn’t even dare go home and tattle after being beaten up. Later when they saw the triplets they directly took a detour to avoid them, so this matter never reached the teachers and parents. At the same time, they had also established their authority in front of everyone.
If Pei Jing didn't ask, he wouldn't have known that these five fellows had become thorny existences within the school, but only among the students. In the eyes of teachers, they were still mischievous but diligent and outstanding model students.