Chapter 10, I am here

Kong Feiran let out a sound of "uh": "I understand now, my mother and the others didn't tell you, did they"

The end of winter marks the arrival of the winter vacation, and time passes very quickly. After half a semester of graduate student life, Tang Mi finally has her winter break. She returns to Ninghai and goes to her uncle's house— for her, it does not matter where she spends the New Year, as long as her grandmother is there, it feels like home

Kong Feiran furrowed his brows and thought for a moment, not quite understanding the meaning of his cousin's words. He decided not to discuss such a complex issue with her any further and instead took out his phone and shook it: "Cousin, could you give me your contact information?"

Having lived in the school for many years, she unconsciously developed the habit of eating very quickly. By the time she put down her bowl and chopsticks, the others at the table were still savoring their food.

It is truly hard to imagine, and when did all of this begin?

Li Zhixing smiled and said, "There is no need to be afraid, I am here."

The meal was quickly finished, and the final outcome was that all three of them were eager to settle the bill. Guo Jiaying stated that the Tang siblings were still students and had not earned any money, so they should pay for themselves; Tang Minglang believed that he was the one who invited them out, and besides, it is unreasonable for a girl to pay; Tang Mi, on the other hand, considered herself the host and felt that it was only right and proper for her to treat them.

Ninghai is not in the north; even in winter, it remains lush with greenery. Countless cypress trees stand tall, and the tombstones quietly rise beneath them, enhancing the solemn atmosphere. Just a few days ago, Ninghai experienced rain, which has washed the tombstones clean.

The next morning, Ms. Fu arrived downstairs at the agreed time. Tang Mi got into the car, and then Ms. Fu instructed the driver to start the vehicle

This is not the case. Your mother, like you, loves reading very much, and she has always regretted not being able to attend university. At that time, she was working at a hotel in Ninghai, planning to save money for a few years before attending night school. I helped her obtain a library card from a classmate so she could borrow books from the university library. As she visited the school more frequently, by chance, she met your father. " Tang Weidong sighed softly, "I am not quite sure how their relationship developed into a romantic one, as I have never asked them about it. However, as a university student, you should understand what love is all about. " As she visited the school more frequently, by chance, she met your father. " Tang Weidong sighed softly, "I am not quite sure how their relationship developed into a romantic one, as I have never asked them about it. However, as a university student, you should understand what love is all about.

At the age of twenty-four, it could have been a time to create an infinite future

The matter of going abroad has been settled; pondering over the difficulties is merely a futile lament. From any perspective, spending six months abroad for an exchange program is a good thing. She does not worry about the issues of not being able to adapt or falling behind in her studies—rather, it is the presence of Li Zhixing that is the source of her anxiety

During the New Year, it is nothing more than visiting relatives and friends. Tang Mi and her grandfather have no roots in this city, and her uncle has also gone through a divorce. It is essentially the same as in previous years, with the three generations of the family sitting together to celebrate.

Because I do not know what to say

Yes

As far as I know, pursuing a graduate degree in the United States is somewhat more demanding than studying for an undergraduate degree

As the discussion reached an exciting point, the two of them began to speak in a flurry of English. Tang Mi picked up a pen and paper to calculate, while Grandma watched the uncle and nephew, shaking her head and smiling.

Tang Mi walked up to Tang Minglang

With everyone gone, who still cares about pollen allergies? Her father passed away early, and she is his only daughter. Any flowers she brings will likely be accepted with joy.

He certainly knows that this niece is very intelligent. Of course, she has inherited the genes of Tang Xue and Jiang Lingbai, so it is impossible for her not to be smart. However, he realizes that he has still underestimated Tang Mi. With so much data, she only needs to look at it once and listen to it once, without the need for a computer, to accurately identify the trends of increase and decrease in various data points and make predictions that are about eighty to ninety percent accurate. Moreover, she directly pointed out that several pieces of data might have issues.

Truly youthful, with skin devoid of any wrinkles, the clear and refined features reveal a hint of the unique vitality characteristic of young people

Tang Mi, calm and composed, sat beside and casually replied: "A few days ago"

To my surprise, it was actually Li Ze Wen who facilitated the Jiang family in seeking me out

Even the deepest sorrow, through the passage of time, will inevitably and gradually fade away

What would you like to eat? Tang Mi said, "I will treat you."

We visit our uncle twice a year... Kong Feiran's curiosity about Tang Mi far exceeded other feelings, so he continued to ask, "You must be feeling very complicated, right?"

She cannot be said to have any "friendship" with Li Zewen, and her understanding of him is quite limited.

Tang Mi has never been the kind of person to indulge in self-deception regarding feelings, nor does she often contemplate the so-called "emotions". However, if the other party is Li Zhixing, the matter is quite different.

What you said, Teacher Xiao Guo, is correct

The result, however, took her by surprise. In mid-March, the university office notified her that she had been selected for the exchange student quota

She is still not quite accustomed to it; she wishes to return to the village

Tang Mi nodded slightly; she could imagine the shock. When she first entered Xuanzhou Middle School, she was also dazzled by her classmates' various electronic products, and that feeling was quite similar to that of Liu Laolao arriving at the Grand View Garden

Tang Mi said: "Time will accumulate from little to much"

But what does she have to repay his contributions

The business school at Berkeley is one of the best business schools in the United States, and the requirements for exchange students are quite high, such as GPA and GMAT scores. Tang Mi was surprised to find that she completely met the hardware requirements.

Kong Feiran laughed in surprise: "Is it really that exaggerated? How much time can this save?"

The aunt is bringing out the stewed soup and various dishes. Tang Mi takes a seat at one end of the long table. The meal is extremely lavish, with the large table filled to the brim with an array of plates. Looking around, one can see a wide variety of delicacies from land and sea, with each dish exquisitely crafted to the point of being considered a work of art

Kong Feiran took a step forward and held Tang Mi's hand: "Cousin, hello!"

By the time it was midnight on Li Zhixing's side, after the two had chatted about their daily lives for a few moments, Tang Miqiang ended the video call

The only change during the winter vacation was the unexpected arrival of guests at Tang Weidong's home two days before New Year's Eve

"Amu, give it a try; I wonder if it suits your taste," Ms. Fu said with a smile

Tang Mi had never known where her father was buried, and she did not want to think about this issue much.

She looked at the handsome young man on the tombstone and thought, the person is already dead

You seem to be rather reserved in conversation

Tang Minglang exclaimed in surprise: "Yes! Cousin, did you notice? I have grown two centimeters in this year and a half in the United States!"

Einstein believed that mass and energy are one and the same, and that time and space are also one and the same. The concept of "father" is distanced by time and space, fading into an indistinct shadow.

Indeed, it is not difficult to imagine. The romantic relationships between young men and women can be categorized into two possibilities: love at first sight and love that develops over time

He emphasized in the end: "If there are any questions you do not understand, feel free to call me at any time"

Those American students, regardless of gender, are quite foolish. Tang Minglang said, "They don't even understand the basic knowledge of mathematics and are slow at memorizing. During group assignments, many of them slack off, tsk tsk."

Kong Feiran found it hard to believe: "Goodness, cousin, are you still living in the primitive society?"

Almost every week, Li Zhixing would make a phone call to her, sometimes via video and sometimes just a voice call. They would chat about their recent situations—however, Li Zhixing did not inform her about his upcoming internship.

Tang Dong told her to go out: "It is not that you cannot learn anything in your home country, but fields such as finance and economics are, after all, products of Western society. Experiencing the training system of Western business schools and understanding their way of thinking will be beneficial for your future development"

Tang Minglang was at a loss for words. Three seconds later, he decisively waved goodbye to Zhou Yuan and quickly left, pulling Tang Mi by the wrist.

The sum of money that Tang Weidong gave her back then was 100,000. Not only is this amount still intact, but it has also increased. She tried her hand at stock trading a few times and made a small profit, which was enough to offset the inflation over the years. This amount covers the round-trip airfare and living expenses in the United States for four to five months, which is completely sufficient

The two siblings walked and talked, and Tang Mi looked up and said, "I say ... ... "

The hardware requirements for the exchange program to Berkeley are quite high, and it is estimated that no more than 5% of the students can meet this standard. Additionally, I will also provide a recommendation, so you have a good chance. " Zhang Bin said, "In this industry, having an overseas background is more beneficial for development. You should go and see how business schools in the United States operate, after all, reading thousands of books is not as valuable as traveling thousands of miles.

Yes, I have already called her. Cousin, you don't mind, do you

Her ability to emerge from such a remote mountain village through diligent study and hard work, reaching her current level, is a testament to a level of effort and sweat that ordinary students cannot compare to or even imagine. The words she spoke naturally carried the weight of truth, leaving Kong Feiran speechless and hesitant to respond

Tang Weidong listened clearly from the side—he could have imagined that the Jiang family had always been preparing to establish a connection with Tang Mi, but he never thought that this matter would be easy. He did not expect the other party to directly resort to a tactic such as "tomb-sweeping." This truly is a trump card.

Ms. Fu smiled and said, "Please wait a moment, there are others coming in another vehicle."

At that time, the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren had already finished dinner. The three were in the living room, with the grandmother watching television, while the uncle and nephew, as usual, discussed various economic developments and global financial trends

The image of the young person, which only existed in photographs, suddenly comes to life.

As she grew older, she finally stopped dreaming and forcefully severed all possibilities related to "father" from her mind with exceptional self-control. For her, life was an endless war that required all her time and energy to win, and she did not wish to contemplate anything unrelated to her grandmother or her studies

Tang Mi was suddenly taken aback

The scenery outside the window flashed by, and Tang Mi pressed her lips together, softly uttering an "mm".

She has always known that she does not need to worry at all about life and social issues in the United States; there is no need for her to say anything, as Li Zhixing will handle all her troubles. He will help her adapt to school and arrange everything for her abroad, so she does not need to worry about anything. To exaggerate, even if she takes no money to the United States, she probably would not need to worry at all

Tang Mi bent down and gently placed the flowers in her hand. The cool white lilies reflected on the black-glossed tombstone, creating a striking contrast between white and black. Every year during the New Year, she would visit her mother's grave to pay her respects—the grave was located on the back mountain of Tangjia Village, with a simple stone tablet inscribed with her mother's life. Her mother's final resting place faced the lush green mountains and the clear river, where wild grass grew in endless cycles, impossible to eradicate. Every year during the New Year, she would visit her mother's grave to pay her respects—the grave was located on the back mountain of Tangjia Village, with a simple stone tablet inscribed with her mother's life. Her mother's final resting place faced the lush green mountains and the clear river, where wild grass grew in endless cycles, impossible to eradicate.

"Indeed, we are not outsiders." Ms. Fu put down her chopsticks and smiled apologetically at Tang Mi, "Your aunt is right, eat more."

As for whether the development of such a story ends well or poorly, no one knows anymore

After seeing off Ms. Fu, the uncle and nephew sat down again in the living room. Tang Weidong softly remarked, "It is good to go and pay respects at your father's grave."

Minglang, have you been waiting long?

It seems that the high-calorie food in the United States also has its advantages. Tang Mi wondered if Li Zhixing had grown taller in the past six months

It is acceptable

It is indeed very complicated she remarked

It is not a certainty, the academy has given me an opportunity to exchange, but I am still considering it

Zhou Yuan smiled and poked Tang Mi, eager to showcase her presence: "This is ... ... "

When did that happen

The cemetery is located on the outskirts of Ninghai City, in a very secluded area. As the year comes to an end, the area outside the cemetery is relatively lively, with vehicles lined up in long queues on the streets and pedestrians walking in small groups. However, Ms. Fu does not have to worry about this issue, as the driver dropped the two of them at the entrance of the cemetery and went off to find a parking space.

I think so too; you, as a person, will not encounter difficulties in your studies

The Jiang family's carefulness was something she felt one hundred percent; they treated her as if she were a porcelain vase. She thought this attitude was not bad at all

Tang Mi. "Li Zhixing did not utter a single word of nonsense, 'Are you coming to Berkeley?'"

Tang Mi's thoughts were somewhat stuck: "Is there something wrong?"

I am in the second year of high school. Kong Feiran was very pleased that she had changed the subject, but I have little chance of being admitted to Peking University. My parents said they would send me abroad instead.

Grandmother has also stayed in Ninghai for a year and a half. When it comes to getting used to it, it is really hard to say; after the cessation of heavy physical labor, her aging process has not slowed down, and sometimes her spirits are not as good as before

During your undergraduate studies, you had a very good relationship with him, often studying together. Everyone in the department knew about this, how could I not be aware of it

Due to her employment, Guo Jiaying's attire appears somewhat professional, featuring a suit dress paired with an overcoat, and she wears a pair of brown knee-high boots. Her demeanor seems significantly more mature compared to her university days

Tang Weidong patted his niece's head and laughed, "Your expression is quite similar to what we had back in the day. Just imagine a scene where a crane stands among chickens, and you will understand what the atmosphere was like at that time."

The relationship between Guo Jiaying and Tang Mi has never been considered "good"; however, when discussing their academic situations, there is a strange sense of "mutual understanding"—perhaps this is the resonance of top students.

"It is better to go to a slightly nicer place," Tang Minglang said earnestly, "and it's not just the two of us; I still need to invite others."

After a heated debate, it was still Tang Minglang who settled the bill. He was strong and tall, and the two girls were simply no match for him

... ...

But why

She stared blankly at the detailed document displayed on the screen

However, during the holiday period, Tang Mi was not idle. In the days since her return, she has been discussing various practical financial and economic issues with Tang Weidong. Although Tang Weidong comes from an engineering background, after many years as a senior executive in a company and now serving as a civil servant in the Asset Management Association, he possesses an extensive understanding of various industries. His detailed analyses that combine political and social factors have greatly benefited Tang Mi. Currently, she has an abundance of theoretical knowledge in her mind, but struggles to apply it practically. With the various cases and data provided by Tang Weidong, her understanding of the economic and financial environment of society has reached a new level. Having such an uncle is truly a luxury that should not be taken for granted. Economic and financial studies fall within the realm of social sciences, where the greatest scarcity is case studies—whether successful or failed, any case is valuable. Only with case studies can one identify problems and further elucidate them. The financial stakes involved in these cases often reach tens of millions; such amounts are not easily given away. Even among her professors and peers, it is not an easy task to have a meal with a manager of Tang Weidong's caliber. Whether during her undergraduate or graduate studies, how many of her classmates have access to such resources?

Ms. Fu linked her arm with her husband's and said, "Let's go"

Yes. One level higher than me

Tang Minglang patted Guo Jiaying and pointed to the building one hundred meters away: "Teacher Guo, let me take you back. I drove here, and my car is in the garage of the building across the street"

"The other party is indeed your grandmother, and denial is not an option." Grandma stood up, "I am going to rest"

Teacher Xiao Guo

Are you busy with work now? Tang Mi asked Guo Jiaying

Grandmother is unwilling to meet the other party and can only avoid it

I have money. " Tang Mi shook his head, " The money you gave me when I graduated from high school is still there.

I do not know what it feels like," Tang Mi said, "I have no tangible feelings

Are there still good students? asked Tang Mi

Tang Minglang said with great spirit: "At first, it was a bit difficult, the language barrier was hard to overcome, but after half a semester, it got much better. I don't think studying is that hard."

Grandmother shares the same view, stating that one must seize opportunities when they arise. She mentioned that Tang Xue had no chance to pursue education back in the day, so how could she possibly give up now that the opportunity has presented itself?

On the square black marble tombstone, a name is engraved—Jiang Lingbai. Above the name, the photo is not large, but the person in the photo appears so young and so handsome

The other party presented a mountain of gold into her palm, yet she pretentiously expressed her refusal. For Li Zhixing, this was likely a form of hurt as well

Ms. Fu smiled and said, "I apologize for the interruption. May I come up?"

Tang Mi returned to school to continue her studies after spending this precious winter vacation, filled with strange doubts

I have already reserved a place. " Tang Minglang looked at Tang Mi with a peculiar gaze, " Cousin, you are quite poor, so let me treat you.

At this moment, the person who is speechless and choked with emotion has transformed into Tang Mi

Yes

I will consider it

Well, I think so too. Since everyone is going out, it seems that I have no choice but to go out as well

I believe you should apply and see. Chen Zhuohang said seriously, "You are the smartest and most diligent person I have ever met. I have no objections to losing to you, but I certainly do not want this great opportunity to be taken away by others"

"You can also undergo plastic surgery," Tang Mi reminded him

Tang Weidong, exuding an impeccable demeanor of a host, invited the guests to take a seat. Even if one were to concede that the other party was older and thus a senior, the etiquette must not be neglected. Tang Mi retrieved some tea leaves that had been gifted to Tang Weidong, brewed them, and poured the tea into a porcelain cup, which she then placed in front of Mrs. Fu while sitting beside her.

Guo Jiaying was clearly taken aback and shook her head: "It's fine, you can take Tang Mi instead."

The elderly often feel nostalgic. I too frequently think of the past. Ms. Fu smiled with deep emotion, her gaze shifting to Tang Mi as she asked her, "When do you have winter break?"

This matter is indeed significant, and Tang Mi finds it difficult to make a decision. Although the hardware conditions are met, going out is not that simple. Just writing two or three articles for the learning objectives is required, and if selected, there will be numerous troublesome matters, such as handling various procedures, finding accommodation, exchanging currency, and preparing for interviews.

Tang Mi pondered carefully in the sofa and asked, "Uncle, you mentioned that my father is your senior?"

Before I got to know him, I had already heard quite a bit about his accomplishments. He usually rides an imported mountain bike to class. Ha, thirty years ago, most students were riding ordinary, worn-out bicycles. While I was still wearing patched clothes, he was dressed in styles I had never even seen before. He also owns a motorcycle, and once I happened to see him leaving the school on it, stirring up a gust of wind.

Not bad, working from 9 to 5, the work pressure is not too great, and I have adapted quite well. " Guo Jiaying replied with a smile, " How about you? "

Kong Feiran curled her lips, expressing her disbelief with a facial expression that seemed to say, "I know you are just comforting me." Prior to this, she had already heard from her own mother about Tang Mi's various remarkable achievements, fully aware that this cousin was undoubtedly the most outstanding type of academic achiever.

Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Yuansheng walked at the front carrying a fruit basket, followed by Tang Mi, and behind them were the two elderly individuals, walking hand in hand at a leisurely pace

Studying abroad for four months! This is truly a significant event in her life. She took the time to return to Ninghai to consult with Tang Weidong about this matter

This is not just a matter of moving from one province to another said Li Zhixing from the other side of the screen It is, after all, studying abroad, and the procedures will not be few

Her roommate and classmate Zhou Yuan was greatly surprised: "When did our college have such a dazzling boy?"

Chen Zhuohang carefully reviewed the requirements and expressed regret: "I do not have the GMAT score. However, Tang Mi has taken it?"

Jiang Yuansheng also asked: "Is it that it doesn't taste good or that you are not used to it?"

Guo Jiaying is currently opening a mobile app to book a ride, as the rented apartment is a considerable distance from here. Public transportation is not particularly convenient, and hailing a taxi seems to be quite difficult. In the capital city at around 8 PM, traffic is the most troublesome issue.

Compared to Tang Mi, Guo Jiaying is much more composed, after all, she has been the tutor of Tang Minglang for nearly two years and has a considerable understanding of his learning attitude and abilities

Tang Mi did not intend to act as her teacher to educate her, but instead asked: "Which grade are you in?"

Tang Mi was momentarily taken aback; she truly did not expect that the request put forth by the other party was such an unimaginable and unavoidable one

So, what is my father really like

But that's going to America... I don't know if I can get used to it

Tang Mi was just about to explain when Tang Minglang interrupted, saying: "Oh, I am her younger brother"

Indeed it is

During your freshman summer vacation, after learning about this matter, your grandfather and I went to Tangjia Village to look for you

If you are short on money, I have some here said Tang Weidong

After exchanging pleasantries with Tang Mifan, Guo Jiaying turned to the central figure of the table, Tang Minglang, and asked with a smile, "Minglang, how do you feel about studying at university in the United States? Please elaborate."

Tang Mi nodded slightly upon hearing this, indicating that studying abroad does have its benefits, as even Tang Minglang has managed to acquire some life skills

Tang Weidong pressed the door button, watching Ms. Fu disappear from the display screen, and said to Tang Mi: "Since we are all here, we cannot send her away."

"Indeed, why do you want to buy flowers?" Kong Feiran pointed to the flowers in her arms and said, "Uncle is allergic to flower pollen. You see, we didn't buy any flowers either, that's the reason."

Tang Minglang was dressed in a double-breasted wool short coat and black slim-fit pants, with a pair of long leather boots on his feet, giving him a broad shoulder, a slim waist, and long legs. His hair was cut relatively short, revealing a smooth forehead and a high, straight nose. Standing outside the entrance of the School of Economics and Management, he attracted the attention of every passing girl and most boys. Although Tang Mi always felt that her younger brother had a bit of a narcissistic quality, at this moment, she genuinely thought that he indeed had the capital to be a 'narcissist'.

It cannot be considered as such

We have just arrived as well. "Tang Minglang handed the menu to Guo Jiaying, saying, 'Teacher Guo, please order. We have already placed our orders.'"

As night fell, the winter grew increasingly cold. The three of them left the warm restaurant and stood at the entrance. Tang Mi reminded her younger brother, "Ming Lang, remember to go back and visit Uncle."

Thank you

"Alright. We have arrived." Kong Feiran put away his phone and pointed to the tombstone ahead, "Cousin, Uncle is here."

Kong Feiran was once again astonished: "Cousin, you eat so quickly!"

How unbelievable it is that such a wonderful young person should die in an accident under any circumstances

Mr. Kong smiled as he gently stroked his daughter's hair

Tang Mi instantly grasped the sensitive words: "Zewen? Li Zewen?"

It was not mentioned

Once, we encountered a very serious difficulty that we simply could not resolve. He took me home to use the computer to search for information. It was the first time in my life that I saw a computer, which was then called a microcomputer. It was also at your father's house that I first heard about the Internet

Tang Mi was taken aback and looked up at Chen Zhuohang

On the train back to Beijing, she received a call from Li Zhixing

During my senior year, I took the exam casually and scored slightly higher than the required grade

Twenty-four years old, just one year older than her current age

All the facts truly made her doubt whether Li Zhixing still liked her

Ms. Fu stood up with satisfaction: "Then I will come downstairs to pick you up at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning"

During the summer vacation of her freshman year, her interactions with Li Zewen were almost nonexistent, and she was completely unaware of her own background, while Li Zewen was already fully aware. However, this may not be surprising. Given Li Zewen's capabilities, he might be able to uncover the truth of all matters, provided that he is willing to do so

Ms. Fu was in a good mood and replied with a smile: "Yes. The eldest son of the Li family, you should know him, right? His younger brother, Li Zhixing, is your classmate."

The taste of this meal is quite good—slightly better than that of the university cafeteria, but not as good as my grandmother's cooking

I understand, Father". Kong Feiran clung to Mr. Kong's arm and acted coquettishly

Indeed, this is the case. Tang Mi instinctively tried to swallow her grandmother's attitude, but her grandmother's aged face displayed no expression, only a slight sigh.

The young life of twenty-four years was exchanged merely for five years of imprisonment for the perpetrator

That means she is approximately six years younger than herself and a little younger than Minglang

"Child, your daughter has come to see you." Mrs. Fu gently stroked the porcelain statue and said softly, "I am truly sorry for bringing her to see you only after so many years."

Cousin not only studies, but also works. Tang Minglang said, "I contacted him before returning to the country; cousin has just found an internship for the winter break and is preparing to go to a company in Silicon Valley"

Her talent is so exceptional that it is truly the only one I have ever seen in my lifetime.

Tang Mi agreed in a hesitant and submissive manner, yet still showed some reluctance

Mom, let Xiao Tang serve himself. " Jiang Yuansheng said with a smile, " Xiao Tang is not an outsider.

Ms. Fu raised her teacup and took a sip: "I see, how has the elderly person's health been recently?"

Ms. Fu pushed various dishes towards her and attempted to use the communal chopsticks to serve her food. Tang Mi glanced up at her. She was reminded of her grandmother, who, during mealtimes at home, would push the dish of food towards her, even though the table was so small that she could easily reach the dishes. Yet, her grandmother would not stop until the plate was nearly touching her bowl.

Tang Weidong smiled at her encouragingly

A group of people walked along the tree-lined path for a few minutes, and as far as the eye could see, there were rows of neatly arranged tombstones.

"Back then, we drove away your mother; it was truly an outrageous mistake." Elder Jiang spoke slowly, "Amo, do not hate us."

How impressive, you must be very accomplished in your studies

Indeed, the university students of today cannot be compared to those of thirty years ago, as nearly thirty years have passed. However, in Tang Mi's lifetime, he has never seen anyone in real life truly wear a tailcoat, such a grand attire! Even Li Zhixing has never worn such a thing!

What kind of emotions and thoughts did the enigmatic elder brother Li Zhixing have in connecting the Jiang family with himself?

Life at school is essentially monotonous, though occasionally unexpected events occur. On the eve of New Year's Day during her first year of graduate studies, Tang Minglang returned to the country for a holiday and came to Beijing to see her

Tang Mi's mind was in a state of confusion for a moment, but her exceptionally high intelligence allowed her to quickly regain her composure and respond: "Yes. Was it he who mentioned me to you?"

Of course there are still some. " Tang Minglang said proudly, " but the proportion is not high.

She thinks that her parents could not be together in life, and even in death, they are still buried in different places, which truly reflects their lack of fate.

Tang Mi let out a sigh of relief: "That's good."

Tang Mi gazed at the photograph on the tombstone

Then there is nothing to worry about, go and give it a try. If you don't venture out, how will you know how high the sky is

Tang Mi said: "Hello to you all"

Your father usually keeps to himself, and those who know him say that he has a cold demeanor and does not like to interact with others. I hesitated for a while about whether to seek his advice, but after much consideration, I decided to ask for his help. It was then that I discovered he is not entirely the aloof person others describe. He patiently answered my questions, and if he could not provide an answer, he would research the information with me.

How did you perform on the exam?" Zhang Bin glanced at Tang Mi

Kong Feiran was defeated and said: "If there isn't, then forget it... Cousin, I heard that you are studying for your master's degree at Kyoto University?"

I do not have these things

Zhou Yuan exclaimed: "Handsome men and beautiful women! Your family truly has excellent genes"

I met your father only in my second year of university. At that time, I often sought advice from the professors in my department. The professors were busy with their work and did not have the time to provide complete answers, so they suggested that I consult a senior student, who is your father. At that time, your father was assisting the professor in translating a foreign textbook.

After enduring so much time and space, she finally stood before her father's grave

She has not been in contact with Li Zewen for a long time and does not know how to reach him, completely unaware of his recent circumstances. However, Li Zewen has selflessly spent his time helping her resolve those embarrassing troubles, for which she has always been grateful. Over the past few years, her experiences have also increased, and upon carefully recalling the few encounters she had with Li Zewen, she increasingly feels that he is a person of profound depth. He would never act without purpose.

Jiang Yuansheng smiled as she introduced her husband, then pulled over a girl of about fifteen or sixteen beside her: "This is my daughter, Kong Feiran"

Tang Mi is not someone he can control, but he still tactfully offered a suggestion: "If you have nothing to do tomorrow, you should go to your father's grave to pay your respects."

Your uncle called to tell me

Tang Mi's laughter and tears: "This is how university is; what do you expect to change?"

Upon returning to school, she immediately began preparing the remaining materials. Two weeks after resubmitting them to the college office, the college notified her that she could start preparing her passport and visa. She had no experience with going abroad, and during her exploration phase, Li Zhixing sent a lengthy email of several thousand words, densely packed with all the precautions she needed to take, such as how to respond to the visa officer and what documents and luggage to bring to the United States. She had no experience with going abroad, and during her exploration phase, Li Zhixing sent a lengthy email of several thousand words, densely packed with all the precautions she needed to take, such as how to respond to the visa officer and what documents and luggage to bring to the United States.

Kong Feiran had a lively personality. She walked a few steps beside her mother, then deliberately lagged behind a few steps, approaching Tang Mi and striking up a conversation with her. She was slightly shorter than Tang Mi, allowing them to walk side by side.

Jiang Yuansheng arranged the fruit plate and looked up at Tang Mi: "Aren't you going to say something to your father?"

The grandfather and grandson got out of the car. Tang Mi looked around; she was never familiar with Ninghai and, after surveying her surroundings, found no clues.

In the time that followed, Tang Minglang enthusiastically chatted with the two about his experiences in the United States, such as how peculiar his first roommate was, how he obtained his driver's license, and how he learned to live independently. He can even cook simple meals now; furthermore, he shared stories from university and anecdotes about his classmates—when young men and women are together, there is always much to talk about, and the atmosphere at the dining table is lively and animated, with little concern for whether the food is visually appealing or flavorful.

Generally

How is graduate study?

Kong Feiran occasionally turned his head to look at her: "So you are the legendary cousin... You are truly beautiful; I thought my mother was exaggerating."

"I was imprisoned for five years," said Ms. Fu

What was the final outcome for that driver from back then? she asked in the end

Tang Mi pressed her lips together, contemplating how her uncle's words were surprisingly not very strict

Both individuals were somewhat surprised, as the duration of the graduate program is quite short, and exchange programs are generally not easy to implement, even when there are limited spots available. This collaboration project is one that the school and the partner university have just negotiated, making it a rare opportunity

Tang Mi shook her head, not explaining words like "I do not hate you." She looked at the two elderly people in front of the tombstone and suddenly felt that, compared to the summer vacation a few years ago when she first met them in Tangjia Village, they had aged as well

After all, Guo Jiaying has been a tutor for Tang Minglang for more than a year, and their relationship is quite special—however, Tang Mi still finds it both amusing and exasperating, oh, it turns out that she is once again Tang Minglang's second interviewee

Returning to the city, it was already noon. Ms. Fu suggested on the way back that Tang Mi go to the Jiang family for lunch and then be taken back to Tang Weidong's place. Once she got into the other party's car, there was no way out. After thinking for a moment, Tang Mi could only agree to this proposal. The Jiang family's house is a villa, located within the inner ring of the city. The ability to own a villa in the city, given the housing prices in Ninghai, fully demonstrates the Jiang family's financial strength and status

Tang Mi was startled: "How did you know?"

Indeed. Ms. Fu reminisced slowly, "A few years ago, we met him at an event, and he mentioned you to us. That was when we realized that we had you as our granddaughter. Otherwise, we would have had no idea how long Li Ruqin would keep this from us."

"Cousin, I just arrived a little while ago as well," Tang Minglang surveyed his surroundings and inexplicably sighed, "Peking University hasn't changed at all."

There are many outstanding talents in the world. Tang Mi pointed to her flashy new smartphone and said, In your view, fun mobile games are merely tools to pass the time, but for some people, they are not games, but algorithms and formulas; for example, when faced with a complex problem, you spend five minutes coming up with a strategy, but for truly exceptional individuals, five minutes is enough for them to devise ten strategies and select the best one.

Ms. Fu's appetite was not large; she put down her chopsticks and looked at the harmonious family, feeling a rare sense of satisfaction. While chatting at the dining table, she said, "It is indeed rare for the whole family to be together, and we must thank Ze Wen for this."

What?

"There are occasionally some." Tang Mi said ambiguously

As Ms. Fu entered the living room with a smile, Tang Mi also raised her gaze. Ms. Fu greeted Tang Weidong with a smile, inquiring about his health, and instructed the accompanying driver to set down a large basket of fruit she had brought, her demeanor warm and natural

"Also, tell me everything about your Moments and Weibo." Kong Feiran said with great enthusiasm

Elder Jiang looked at Tang Mi and said, "You can take the flowers over."

Opportunities are rare, and I believe your mentor has mentioned this to you as well. In previous years, very few exchange students from Peking University have come to top-tier institutions like Berkeley.

Tang Mi did not feel that she was weak enough to require someone to see her off, so she echoed, "It is only right, please do not be polite."

Tang Mi lowered her head to look at the lily in her arms and suddenly smiled

Ms. Fu did not stop her: "Go ahead."

At that moment, Tang Mi was gazing at the scenery outside the high-speed train, contemplating the pros and cons of being an exchange student abroad. She noticed a strange string of numbers on her phone and answered the call. Over the past six months, the two had maintained contact without interruption, mostly through video chats, though there had been a few instances of direct phone calls.

It is acceptable

Tang Mi glanced at her. She remembered that Guo Jiaying indeed had thoughts of going abroad, but later she abandoned this idea and chose to enter the workforce instead

At that time, Western ideologies were very popular. Once, the academy held a masquerade ball. Tang Weidong laughed at himself, not knowing what a masquerade ball was, and foolishly dressed in colorful clothes to attend the event. However, your father was dressed in a tailcoat

Her smile was cool and serene, almost blending seamlessly with the atmosphere of the cemetery. Kong Feiran was taken aback and directly asked, "Is this really funny?"

Tang Mi's face froze: "Tailcoat?"

Alright

"Minglang, have you grown taller again?"

Tang Mi could not possibly set the grand goal of becoming an exchange student based solely on Chen Zhuohang's statement, but in order to comply with her teacher's wishes, she also began to prepare the necessary materials—she was merely going to give it a try. It is said that there are several eligible candidates in the college who have all submitted their applications, and even if she competes, it is not guaranteed that she will be selected.

Gone for a break

Tang Mi shook his head: "I am not being modest; there are quite a few people in the school who are more outstanding than I am"

It is like this. Tomorrow we are going to pay respects at your father's grave, and I would like to ask if you have time to join us.

Guo Jiaying listened attentively, when Tang Minglang suddenly asked: "Teacher Xiao Guo, you mentioned before that you were preparing to go abroad, why did you give it up?"

"Internship..." Guo Jiaying suddenly realized, "This does seem like something Li Zhixing would do"

What is there to say

Tang Mi informed the other party of her mobile phone number and email address, and Kong Feiran skillfully saved her number. Tang Mi noticed her flashy phone, with a desktop featuring anime characters and a brilliant phone case adorned with a two-dimensional handsome guy that Tang Mi did not recognize

Going abroad is also quite good

Tang Mi shook her head: "I do not know how to describe it to you"

Unbeknownst to herself, she had become connected to the "legend". Tang Mi twitched her lips and offered her a faint smile

None of that matters, I have gotten used to it. If I finish my meal earlier, I can return to the classroom sooner to study

Tang Mi's goal is the flower shop. The flower shop outside the cemetery, due to its special nature, has the most varieties of chrysanthemums, but there are also quite a few roses and lilies. Tang Mi has not studied the language of flowers, and after some thought, ultimately chose a bouquet of lilies. Chrysanthemums are too desolate, roses are too intense, and only lilies are suitable.

The sudden arrival of guests left Tang Weidong with mixed emotions, yet he found it difficult to turn them away. He was well aware that the purpose of the Jiang family’s visit was certainly not for him.

There is no need to see off my cousin, as she lives on campus. You live a bit farther away

At that moment, the doorbell rang—Tang Mi walked to the entrance and looked at the visual intercom, instantly rendered speechless

It is indeed understood—such an extraordinary existence, no wonder it could deceive mother into being utterly devoted.

I know your father; it has been nearly thirty years since I last met him. Tang Weidong sat on the sofa, reminiscing about the past. You know our family's situation; at that time, my conditions for attending university were even worse than yours. The tuition fees were raised by the entire village, and I didn't even have a piece of clothing without patches. At school, in today's terms, I was completely a 'country bumpkin.' Fortunately, the other students were not much better off than I was; in our class, half of the students came from towns and small counties. However, your father was different

Given Li Zhixing's conditions, there are countless admirers who are unaware of his feelings. Even if we assume, for the sake of argument, that his standards are too high for ordinary girls, he at least has Yu Xibai, who is recognized by his parents, by his side. After being rejected by her, three years have passed, and he has not had a girlfriend since then

Thus, the three naturally went their separate ways. Tang Mi returned to school and walked a few steps towards the school gate. After a moment of contemplation, she turned back and unexpectedly saw Tang Minglang's hand gently resting on Guo Jiaying's head. Guo Jiaying, however, did not seem angry; she looked up and smiled brightly at Minglang.

Guo Jiaying, without hesitation, quickly ordered several dishes and returned the menu to the waiter

Then... alright. Guo Jiaying pressed her lips together

"I came this time to ask if you have time tomorrow?" Ms. Fu gently traced the edge of her teacup with her fingers, her demeanor very casual

What she said was sincere, yet it left Kong Feiran perplexed: "What do you mean by that?"

Kong Feiran was at a loss for words. In fact, she did not fully understand her cousin's words, listening with a sense of partial comprehension. However, she was certain that the "excellence" her cousin spoke of was entirely on a different level from her own.

Kong Feiran murmured softly, "You must not be too modest"

Of course, appearance is primarily determined by genetics Tang Minglang said proudly, without any modesty at all

What does that mean? Is your mood not complicated?

Of course I need to see my dad" Tang Minglang said, "I have already booked a flight to Ninghai for tomorrow

That, your cousin, Li Zhixing is also at Berkeley, right

She returned to the dormitory slowly, harboring such strange thoughts

She followed Kong Feiran directly into the dining hall. The dining hall was spacious, and through the glass of the hall, she saw a beautiful garden, with lush trees and blooming flowers, which seemed completely out of place for this season

Guo Jiaying changed the topic: "By the way, Minglang, when you were in the United States, did you meet Li Zhixing?"

Tang Mi did not mind waiting and said, "Then I will go buy some things first"

This cousin, who is quite familiar, is taller with a well-proportioned figure. The combination of a rabbit fur coat and a short skirt for winter attire makes her appear very cute. This feeling can probably be described as "adorable." Kong Feiran's features do not resemble Jiang Yuansheng very much; rather, she looks more like her father.

Tang Mi asked: "Is this how I met my mother as well"

Your father is very special. Students like us, who come from rural towns and counties, have very limited exposure and are almost completely ignorant of the world and the country, unable to even speak Mandarin well. Attending university was our first time traveling far, and it was also our first encounter with a train. However, your father is entirely different from us. He comes from a privileged background; your great-grandfather and great-grandmother were once students in the United States and held significant status in society; your grandparents are also highly educated intellectuals.

I later felt that going abroad was not very meaningful Guo Jiaying's expression slightly darkened

"Even if I am poor, I can still treat you to a meal. Besides, do you think I would take you to some extravagant place?" She glared at him

She originally thought she was going to be the denominator, but unexpectedly became the numerator, leaving her completely stunned

Apologies for keeping you waiting for so long. She unfastened her coat and scarf, smiling as she greeted the brother and sister.

This matter is rather strange. If the roles were reversed, and a younger boy were to touch her head like this, she would certainly not be pleased, and it would be impossible for her to smile, let alone smile so contentedly. Tang Mi's emotional intelligence is not particularly high, but that does not mean she is unaware. It is only at this moment that she begins to suspect that the relationship between Guo Jiaying and Tang Minglang may extend beyond a "teacher-student relationship"

Oh, is that so...

She hopes that Tang Weidong can see the current Tang Minglang, see his progress, and will surely feel gratified

Mr. Kong tapped his daughter's head and said, "Did you hear that? This is why your studies are not as good as your sister's. You need to learn more from your sister."

Under the gaze of the crowd, she began to eat with a seriousness akin to that of doing homework

Tang Mi was shocked. This was the first time she had heard Minglang say "studying is not difficult"—she had only seen Tang Minglang frowning and discussing his academic situation, never had he been this confident.

Tang Minglang curiously looked at Tang Mi and asked, "Cousin, has cousin not been in touch with you?"

Ms. Fu smiled and thanked her, then looked at the owner of the house: "Wei Dong, where is your mother?"

Our college has a six-month exchange student program with Berkeley this year said Zhang Bin There is only one spot available, so you can give it a try

I see. Tang Mi, while surprised, also fell into deep thought

Your father is the kind of person who appears cold on the outside but is warm on the inside. He indeed has few friends, but once he has friends, he is extremely sincere. Tang Weidong said, "The books he lends me to read are all newly published English materials and books from Europe and America, which are not available in the school library. Back then, it was really difficult to find information compared to now."

It was only then that I noticed that the Jiang family indeed did not bring any flowers, with only Jiang Yuansheng holding a fruit basket in his hand

Although the atmosphere was sorrowful, she did not shed any tears

She thought that being called a "primitive person" by her cousin back then, and now being referred to as a primitive person by her younger female cousin, could be seen as a fitting bookend, a complete cycle from beginning to end

Is it Guo Jiaying

Tang Weidong's speech is not fast, but the slightly elevated tone fully conveys the shock of that year

This type of project naturally requires selecting the most outstanding students, and you are truly deserving of it. Zhang Bin was not surprised at all, saying, "If my students cannot be selected, then who else can be? Go ahead and write the exchange program proposal.

Li Zhixing once explicitly confessed his feelings to her, but after being rejected, he returned to the position of a friend

Not the same

In the first week after the start of the next semester, following a regular meeting with the advisor, Qin Bin retained Tang Mi and Chen Zhuohang, handing them a document.

In his lifetime, Tang Mi had the most exquisite meal during his junior year when he interned at Guotou, dining with the department leaders in a private room of a beautifully decorated and elegant high-end restaurant. Most of the dishes on the table were unfamiliar to Tang Mi. Surprisingly, that meal at that time was still lacking compared to the present.

Tang Mi has gained a lot and feels satisfied, yet what is even more surprising is Tang Weidong

In her childhood, she would occasionally dream about her father. In the dreams, her father's features were indistinct, yet he would always appear at the entrance of Tangjia Village with candy, toys, and gifts, walking towards her with a smile, only for her to awaken before she could clearly see his face.

Of course, I wouldn't mind

Tang Mi was already somewhat hesitant, and with Tang Weidong's persuasion, she finally relented

Tang Mi nodded: "Alright"

Tang Mi felt quite fond of her cousin who had flown in—she was innocent and lively, with her thoughts clearly written on her face, her gaze devoid of any scheming, and lacking the pretense often exhibited by the Jiang family. Tang Mi did not mind having one more sister like this.

Who is it

Kong Feiran's lively participation gradually dispelled the gloom brought by the tomb-sweeping from everyone's consciousness

I told you at that time, as long as you put in a little effort, studying abroad will definitely not be a problem

Tang Mi hesitated slightly: "Is it possible?"

The image of her father in Tang Mi's mind has always been that of a cultured and composed man, yet her own father surprisingly rides a motorcycle

"That is a very good result," Zhang Bin nodded in satisfaction. "Now, you should prepare the materials and submit them to the college by the specified date. Once the college approves them, I will write you a recommendation letter."

The dining location was ultimately chosen to be a reasonably upscale restaurant outside the campus. Shortly after the two sat down, Guo Jiaying also arrived. After completing her undergraduate studies, Guo Jiaying chose not to pursue a master's degree and went directly into the workforce. She is currently working as a so-called programmer at a large multinational IT company, which is not far from the university, making it very convenient for her to come to the vicinity of Jingda for meals.

Ms. Fu approached the grave and wiped the tombstone clean with a towel

The season was special, and there were quite a few people at the flower shop checking out. Tang Mi waited for a while for the shopkeeper to wrap up the flowers. She paid and hurried to leave—outside the cemetery gate, the Jiang family had all gathered, with the exception of Old Man Jiang, and the Jiang Yuansheng family of three stood prominently beside them.

After all, it is not unreasonable for Guo Jiaying, having been Tang Minglang's teacher for such a long time, to express some respect

However, living in Ninghai, you should have gotten used to it by now

She left the office with some hesitation, and Chen Zhuohang glanced at her, seemingly deep in thought

Tang Mi originally intended to say that she could go by herself, but she had never known the location of her biological father's grave, so she nodded

I have only seen him once. Before the autumn semester began, he came to Los Angeles to see me. However, we have had little contact in the past few months; whenever I occasionally call him, he is always busy

She has already worked very hard to excel in her major courses, so where would she find the time to attend to these trivial matters