Chapter 22: Pure Friendship

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

When the neighbors heard Mo Lanhu say that her son had failed in the college entrance examination, they all showed expressions of astonishment, with a hint of gloat in their astonishment.

“Aunt Mo, are you serious? Xiaonian’s grades always rank first in the school and he wins scholarships every year. How is it possible that he failed in the college entrance examination?”

“Yes, Aunt Mo, are you kidding us?”

Everyone craned their necks, waiting for Mo Lanhu to respond.

Mo Lanhu sighed. “Alas… maybe this is fate. My son only got 533 points on the exam this year, which is 10 points less than the minimum passing score of second-tier universities. I tried to persuade him to retry the exam next year, but he didn’t listen to me and insisted on finding a job. He’s grown up and has a mind of his own. I can’t force him to obey me, so I simply let him make his own choice. Hope he won’t regret it in the future.”

Getting an affirmative answer, the neighbors all felt relieved.

In the entire Xinyue Community, Aunt Mo’s son was a household name. He was not only considerate to his parents, but also performed very well in school. Compared with Li Xiaonian, their own children were just like a bunch of waste, which always made them feel ashamed for their failure in child education.

This was simply a torture to every parent in this community.

Somehow, the news that Li Xiaonian failed in the college entrance examination gave them some comfort. Look, the bubble burst. In the end, that model kid failed in the college entrance examination.

Immediately, everyone aimed at Li Xiaonian.

“Xiaonian, you did so well in your studies. It would be a pity if you don’t give it another try.”

“Yeah, listen to your mother and retake the exam next year. Try to overcome the exam nerves. As long as you perform normally, you’ll definitely be able to get into a prestigious school next year.”

“Xiaonian, have some faith in yourself. You just failed in the college entrance examination once, right? Don’t give up on yourself.”

…

Looking at the babbling neighbors, Li Xiaoyue was upset. She pouted. “It’s not that Li Xiaonian has exam nerves. He lost his admission ticket and missed the Chinese-language exam.”

Huh?

Everyone was silent in an instant. Li Xiaoyue’s words, like a head-on blow, left everyone stunned.

If he missed one exam but still got this high score, he would definitely be admitted to a top university if he performed normally.

It turned out that Li Xiaonian didn’t have any “exam nerves”, so the neighbors hurriedly changed their words.

“If so, all the more reason to try it again.”

“Yes, yes, you really should retake the exam next year. Then you’ll definitely be the top pick in the college entrance examination.

“Aunt Mo, I don’t mean to offend you, but how can you just leave him? Xiaonian’s grades are so good. He’ll definitely be the top pick if he takes the college entrance examination next year. It’ll get him nowhere if he goes to work now.”

“Exactly, if he doesn’t have a degree, what good job can you get?”

At this time, Li Xiaonian had loaded the entire luggage on the truck.

Mo Lanhu looked at the “enthusiastic” neighbors and smiled. “I decided to just let it be. Actually, he’s fine to be out working now. You know my family’s condition. We have no choice.”

“Alas…”

Everyone then put on a pitying expression.

Suddenly, Aunt Chubby couldn’t help asking, “Aunt Mo, what kind of job did Xiaonian do? Is the salary high?”

“Well…”

Mo Lanhu looked hesitant but still said, “He was lucky to gain a big boss’s favor. The annual salary should be around two million yuan.”

Her son made 2,000 yuan in the game in half a day, and this income was stable. At that rate, making 2 million yuan a year should not be a problem, and even that figure was an underestimate.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The excitement on the neighbors’ faces disappeared.

When they were still talking about monthly salary, others had already started to earn an annual salary. They couldn’t help but swear in their hearts: how can a brat who has just graduated from high school get an annual salary of 2 million yuan? Is his boss blind?

“Congratulations, congratulations.”

“Aunt Mo, you have had the bitter, but now finally comes the sweet.”

…

Helpless, Li Xiaonianly watched his mother acting and showing off to her heart’s content. In order to avoid her mother being beaten up by the jealous neighbors, he said, “Aunts, we have to go now. Let’s chat next time.”

With that, Li Xiaonian hurriedly carried his mother into the car and folded the wheelchair into the trunk.

Her sister sat into the co-pilot excitedly and gave a sweet smile to Ling Baifei. “Thank you, Brother Bai.”

Ling Baifei rubbed Li Xiaoyue’s head. “You honey-lipped little girl. Fasten your seat belt.”

Mo Lanhu said sincerely to Ling Bai who was driving, “Bai, you are so handsome. I bet you’ll have a beautiful girlfriend in the future.”

“Hahaha… Auntie, you are so insightful.” Ling Baifei grinned from ear to ear and cast Li Xiaonian a provocative stare.

After playing “Star Wind” for a day, his mother became much more cheerful. Li Xiaonian was very happy to see that, ignoring Bai’s triumphant eyes.

After a pause, Mo Lanhu continued, “Thank you for giving us three virtual helmets. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known that “Star Wind” could be so fun.”

“Well…”

Ling Baifei gave Li Xiaonian a puzzled look and got a wink from Li Xiaonian, so he took the credit readily and said ambiguously: “Not at all. Xiaonian is my best friend. Auntie, just treat me as your son. It’s perfectly justified for a son to give presents to his mother.”

Knowing that the virtual helmet was obtained by her brother, Li Xiaoyue looked at Ling Baifei unhappily, “Brother Bai, liar liar, pants on fire.”

“Haha…” Ling Baifei laughed awkwardly.

The friendship of Li Xiaonian and Ling Baifei started three years ago.

Ling Baifei was a study slacker, while Li Xiaonian a curve wrecker.

In order to curry favor with Ling Baifei’s father, the headteacher arranged for Ling Baifei to be at the same table with Li Xiaonian, who had the best grades, hoping that Ling Baifei’s grades could be improved.

Three years ago, Ling Baifei was only fifteen years old, still very naïve. What he despised most were nerds.

Looking down on Li Xiaonian who was always silent and knew nothing but study, he often provoked Li Xiaonian.

He knew that Li Xiaonian’s family was poor and couldn’t afford to buy him snacks, so in self-study classes, he either purposely ate cakes or chocolates in front of Li Xiaonian, or did small tricks, trying to piss him off.

In short, he tried every possible means to provoke Li Xiaonian.

Li Xiaonian endured him for half a semester.

On one weekend, being picked on by Ling Baifei again, Li Xiaonian couldn’t bear it any longer and gave Ling Baifei a good beating.

Ling Baifei didn’t expect that he couldn’t beat Li Xiaonian who looked so thin and weak.

Angrily, Ling Baifei used his pocket money to hire a gangster to teach Li Xiaonian a lesson.

Although being beaten by the gangster and knowing the culprit was Ling Baifei, Li Xiaonian could only refrain from getting even with Ling Baifei for the sake of his family.

Ling Baifei thought that the matter would end this way. However, after knowing that Ling Baifei was rich, the gangster kept harassing and blackmailing him.

When threatened with a dagger by the gangster, Ling Baifei who literally grew up in a greenhouse was so scared that he didn’t dare to call the police or tell his family at all. He didn’t expect that it was Li Xiaonian who gave him a hand.

He still remembered that day when the gangster slapped him a few times and searched him for money, Li Xiaonian suddenly showed up with a brick and smashed the gangster’s head with it. Then he picked up the jerk’s dagger and shouted at him to scare him away.

Then Li Xiaonian called the police and walked away, not even looking at Ling Baifei in the whole process.

Ling Baifei was stunned at his action, and later he asked Li Xiaonian, “Why, why did you help me? You’re supposed to hate me.”

Li Xiaonian’s answer was very simple. “Although you are annoying, we are classmates after all.”

After the gangster incident, Ling Baifei’s attitude towards Li Xiaonian was a complete U-turn. From bullying him, he turned to try to make friends with Li Xiaonian and even share his best things with him. This naïve child even saved hundreds of thousands of yuan and wanted to give this money to Li Xiaonian.

Unfortunately, Li Xiaonian just ignored him and refused him flatly.

Nevertheless, Ling Baifei didn’t give up. In order to get closer to Li Xiaonian, he tried every means and in the end, he found that only when he asked Li Xiaonian about math problems would he answer him. However, his attitude was still very cold as if he was helping a stranger.

Their frosty relationship lasted until the first semester of the second year of high school.

The deferment of Li Xiaonian’s scholarship left him with no money to eat, but he was too proud to borrow money from anyone. Every day, he just hid in the corner, eating plain rice and drinking water.

Ling Baifei immediately discovered Li Xiaonian’s predicament. This time, he learned to behave, and instead of directly throwing money at Li Xiaonian, he handed Li Xiaonian a hundred yuan bill. “This 100 yuan is my loan to you, remember to return it.”

Li Xiaonian refused several times, but unfortunately, the scholarship was still delayed. In the end, he accepted Ling Baifei’s kindness.

From then on, the two became friends.

Ling Baifei had a lively character but was naive. Under the influence of Li Xiaonian, he had gradually become mature.

And Li Xiaonian, though he performed well in studies, was introverted and taciturn. He gradually became more cheerful as he was influenced by Ling Baifei.

Those who knew you best were your enemies. Just because the two knew each other, once they became friends, their relationship was most reliable and pure.

The car drove on.

After an hour, they finally arrived at the Dream City villa area.

Looking at the gate of the luxurious residential complex, Mo Lanhu frowned. “Bai, is this villa area your family’s?”

She was willing to move out of the Xinyue Community, but she couldn’t accept such an expensive gift from others. This villa was obviously very luxurious and expensive at first glance.

Compared to here, she preferred to live temporarily in a small basement.