The next morning, everyone was busy once again. The two children and the old man were left at home. Qin Jiao could have taken Xiao Shi with her to North City University, but with her aunt and uncle both needing to work at the factory, she decided against it. Plus, Xiao Cheng wasn’t very familiar with Mr. Du yet, and having Xiao Shi around would make things easier.

Before she left, Qin Jiao told her younger sister, "Xiao Shi, I’ll buy you some fried chicken when I get back!"

"Okay! But sis, you have to take me to see your school next time. That way, I can study hard and try to get into your school too!"

"Okay."

Getting to North City University from the courtyard house required two subway transfers and a short walk.

Qin Jiao confidently led her aunt, Sun Li, and her cousin, Qin Xiaolan, onto the subway. Qin Xiaolan looked all around, finding everything new and exciting. Sun Li, however, said earnestly, "Xiao Jiao, I feel like you’ve really grown so capable. I remember when you first came to town for high school, I spoke too harshly once and it really startled you."

’Before I knew it, that little girl had grown up. She can stand on her own two feet now, and she’s even helping our whole family live better and better lives.’

Qin Jiao smiled and said, "I was just young and didn’t know any better back then. I used to think you were very strict, Auntie, and that our other aunt, who was always smiling, was the easygoing one. But after getting to know you, I realized you just have a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You’re the most understanding person I know. As for that other aunt... it’s best we don’t speak of her."

’She’s in prison now, anyway.’

Everyone loves a compliment, and besides, Sun Li had already decided she wanted to stay on good terms with Qin Jiao’s family. She said, "I’m so envious of Xiao Na and her husband. They just decided to move to Beicheng to build a career, and they did it. But your uncle and I have stable, secure jobs. The pay isn’t that high, but the stability is a huge plus, and the holiday benefits are excellent."

"Your job and my uncle’s are both very stable; you shouldn’t quit them lightly. Besides, in another decade or so, you’ll be reaching retirement age. If Xiao Lan also gets into a university here in Beicheng and stays after graduation, you two can move here when you retire."

"Yes, that’s our plan as well. But whether she can get into a university here is all up to this girl herself."

Qin Xiaolan, who had been looking all around, stuck out her tongue and said, "I know, I know! I’ll definitely study hard and aim high!"

They all laughed.

This was also the first time in this life that Qin Jiao had come to North City University. The semester hadn’t started yet, so the campus wasn’t crowded. But even so, the sight of the vast campus, the large man-made lake, and the tall library building left Qin Xiaolan completely awestruck.

"I want to get into North City University too! WAAAH! It’s so beautiful here."

Sun Li was swept up in the excitement as well. She said emotionally, "If you get in, I’ll sell our house to pay for your education!"

Although Qin Jiao appeared calm on the surface, the corners of her mouth lifted into a faint smile. In her previous life, she had come to North City University many times, gazing at the students with incredible envy. But in this life, her dream had finally come true—she was now one of them. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

’All the effort I’ve put in since my rebirth has been worth it!’

Qin Jiao led Sun Li and her daughter on a tour of the campus for over two hours, and then they went to look around a few other nearby universities. Qin Xiaolan’s top-choice school kept changing, but one thing remained constant: she was now dead set on studying hard enough to get into a university in Beicheng.

Around noon, they went to eat roast duck together. Afterward, Qin Jiao bought many things for her aunt and cousin, because their train back to Ping’an Town was that evening.

Finally, Shen Yi, who was just coming back from the factory, arrived. The two of them saw Sun Li and Qin Xiaolan onto the train together. After the train began to move, Qin Jiao murmured, "I remember in my past life, my aunt and uncle got divorced. I don’t know why. I hope they’ll be okay in this life."