After the busy start of the school year, Shu Jia Er finally found herself able to relax.
No more family dramas, social gatherings, or endless introductions to new, shallow friends from her social class. Her main concerns now were simply what to eat for her three meals and where to go on dates with Huo Chao.
High school was indeed hectic, but she sensed that, in the future, she would remember this busy time as both relaxing and sweet.
Meanwhile, the little fragrant pig she’d brought home had grown stronger and more affectionate by the day.
At first, her younger brother Shu Qiang wasn’t too fond of the pig, thinking it was smelly, ate too much, and made a mess. But after a few months, Shu Qiang became the pig’s biggest fan. He adored the little creature and would spend any free moment hugging, kissing, lifting, and feeding it treats.
As for Shu Jia Er, the pig’s real owner, she hardly needed to do anything for it.
Time flew by, and soon enough, winter had turned into spring and then summer. Before they knew it, June had arrived.
June meant two major exams: the college entrance exam for her boyfriend Huo Chao and the high school entrance exam for Shu Ya.
As a thoughtful girlfriend, Shu Jia Er made sure to bring Huo Chao a bowl of refreshing mung bean soup every day since the start of June. She didn’t ice it, worried that too much cold could upset his stomach, so it was served at room temperature.
Seeing this, Huo Chao’s brothers, Xu Chen and Zhao Zhifeng, were a bit envious.
Zhao Zhifeng, sitting next to Huo Chao, said with a hint of jealousy, “All those snacks and fruit milks you bought her weren’t for nothing. Your efforts are really paying off.”
While it seemed simple to bring soup every day, both of them knew how hard it was to keep it up long-term.
Xu Chen, eyeing the enticing mung bean soup in Huo Chao’s hand, looked almost pitiful.
Zhao Zhifeng sighed dramatically, “I’ve had plenty of girlfriends, yet none treated me like this.”
Huo Chao drank his soup slowly, giving Zhao Zhifeng a smirk. “Your girlfriends? Please. They’re more like rentals.”
Zhao Zhifeng had a history of short relationships, with none lasting more than three months.
Seeing the smug look on Huo Chao’s face, Zhao Zhifeng couldn’t help but think that he, too, wanted a stable relationship for once.
An idea struck him, and he turned to Shu Jia Er, who was still there. “Hey, Xiao Shu Er, Xu Chen and I chipped in for your bag too. Isn’t it only fair that we get some soup as well?”
Xu Chen jumped in, “Yeah! We pulled some late nights with Ah Chao for that bag. We all worked hard.”
Smiling, Shu Jia Er took two more bowls of mung bean soup from her box. “I haven’t forgotten you two. Here, I prepared these for you.”
Xu Chen grinned, “Xiao Shu Er is the best!”
Zhao Zhifeng echoed, “Xiao Shu Er is the best!”
Even though she had changed her name a while back, both of them still call her “Xiao Shu Er” out of habit. It sounded more familiar that way.
After they finished their soup, Shu Jia Er took the empty lunch boxes and returned to her classroom.
Over the following days, Shu Jia Er continued to bring them treats, alternating between mung bean soup and white fungus soup so they wouldn’t get tired of it.
As Zhao Zhifeng enjoyed a bowl of white fungus soup one day, he sighed, “Xiao Shu Er, with all this, I can’t afford to do poorly on the exam.”
Xu Chen poked fun at him, “As if you could do well, even if you tried.”
Zhao Zhifeng rolled his eyes, “It doesn’t matter how we do. We’re just the side act. As long as Ah Chao does well, that’s what counts. Right, Ah Chao?”
With his girlfriend’s loving and nutritious soup every day, surely he’d do exceptionally well on the exam, right?
Huo Chao ignored them, drinking his white fungus soup in silence.
A year ago, he might not have cared much about the college entrance exam.
Being born into the Huo family, Huo Chao knew he would never struggle financially. Even if he didn’t inherit the family company or surpass his brother, his life would still be far more comfortable than that of most hardworking people. The annual dividends and the properties left by his mother ensured he could live freely.
But now, things are different.
He wanted to give Shu Jia Er the best, earned by his own efforts.
There was something he hadn’t shared with Shu Jia Er. Once, he had seen her at a shopping mall by chance. He considered approaching her, but she was just about to leave. She had been with a group of girls, some of whom looked vaguely familiar—likely from their social circle. Yet, there was one girl in particular who was the center of attention: Ji Rou, the fiancé of Fu Mingqian.
Even Huo Chao knew Ji Rou. Recently, she has become one of the most celebrated figures in the elite social circles of Beijing. She wore jewelry purchased at auctions by her fiancé, and everyone gravitated toward her. If she disliked someone, that person would be instantly sidelined or even excluded from the circle entirely.
In that group, Shu Jia Er stood on the outskirts with another girl, staying clear of the center. Ji Rou was surrounded by admirers, while Shu Jia Er and her friend lingered at the edge, unnoticed.
Scenes like this were common. Ji Rou’s family background and future connections made her a valuable figure to support. Although the Shu family held some influence, in comparison, it was overshadowed. Whenever Ji Rou was around, everyone’s attention naturally shifted to her.
Huo Chao felt a surge of discomfort.
How could his little princess be relegated to the sidelines?
How could she be overlooked, treated as if she didn’t belong?
In his mind, she should be the one admired and surrounded by others.
Unaware of Huo Chao’s thoughts, Shu Jia Er had long accepted the social dynamics. The Shu family wasn’t top-tier in Beijing; they didn’t even crack the top ten. She was used to being overlooked and didn’t mind it. Many of the so-called “friends” in these circles had two faces—charming in Ji Rou’s presence and gossipy behind her back. Few genuinely respected her.
Such was the nature of their social circle: pragmatic, self-serving, and always mindful of social positioning.
Though Ji Rou currently enjoyed the limelight, Shu Jia Er had no desire to join her inner circle. She was content as a bystander at gatherings, preferring her own company. If anyone did bother her, she was certainly no pushover.
She had no idea that Huo Chao was troubled by this. To her, it was just part of life.
Looking over at him, Shu Jia Er propped up her chin and said softly, “Brother, do your best in the college entrance exam tomorrow. I’m giving you all my luck for the year. I hope you succeed.”
Xu Chen immediately burst into excitement. “Wow, wow, wow!!!”
Zhao Zhifeng joined in, “Oh, oh, oh!!!”
Xu Chen continued, “I’m so jealous!!!”
Zhao Zhifeng, “I’m so jealous!!!”
Their loud exclamations interrupted any tender moment, and Huo Chao couldn’t help but smile as Xu Chen’s head got closer. With a playful shove, he pushed him away, “Enough from both of you.”
Xu Chen chuckled, “Not enough! Never enough.”
Zhao Zhifeng raised his hand, declaring, “I’m calling dibs on the best man spot! When you two get married, I’ll be the best man and no one can snatch it from me!”
Xu Chen quickly raised his hand too, “One best man is definitely not enough! I’ve reserved the spot too!”
Their classmates, who had chosen to stay and review for the upcoming college entrance exam, glanced over at the lively scene. At this point, with the exam so close, relaxing had become the priority; trying to cram in last-minute knowledge wasn’t likely to make much difference.
The school had given high school seniors a few days off before the big exam. Only a handful of students had stayed in the classroom, and even fewer were studying intently.
Hearing all the commotion, those around them broke into applause.
Shu Jia Er watched with a smile, unbothered by the marriage jokes. She was hardly the type to blush over such teasing—especially from classmates who’d been witness to her and Huo Chao’s relationship. Generous as always, she accepted their good-natured blessings without a trace of embarrassment.
Standing up, Shu Jia Er gathered the three lunch boxes she’d brought, raised a fist, and called out, “Everyone, let’s do our best tomorrow!”
Xu Chen threw his hands up, shouting, “Let’s go!”
Zhao Zhifeng cupped his hands like a trumpet and cheered, “For a happy tomorrow!”
One classmate joined in, “For a brighter future!”
Another chimed in, “To marry a beautiful and wealthy woman!”
And yet another, “To become a CEO and reach the top of life!”
When Huo Chao’s turn came, he quietly thought to himself, ‘For the future of me and Shu Er Er.’
The long-awaited college entrance examination finally arrived.
On the mornings of June 7th and 8th, Shu Jia Er woke up early to prepare breakfast for Huo Chao, Xu Chen, and Zhao Zhifeng. She also packed lunch for them, putting extra care into each meal. Although her cooking couldn’t quite match the chef’s, the food was filled with her love and sincerity.
As she handed out the lunches, Shu Jia Er refrained from asking how the exams were going. There was no point in reviewing or rehashing answers between sections; knowing what they might have missed would only add unnecessary stress before the next part of the exam.
The two days flew by, and soon, the college entrance exam was over.
Shu Jia Er waited outside the school gate along with the families of other students. Her youthful face stood out among the middle-aged and elderly crowd, making her quite noticeable.
Curious older ladies couldn’t resist asking questions. “Little girl, are you here waiting for your brother?”
‘Brother?’ She considered. It wasn’t entirely wrong, but nodding would only lead to misunderstandings. Shu Jia Er shook her head, opting for honesty. “No, I’m waiting for my boyfriend.”
One elderly woman’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Boyfriend! And so young, too.”
Shu Jia Er simply smiled.
The waiting wasn’t dull, as people continued to chat with her, filling the time with stories and gossip.
Finally, as the last subject ended, the exam was complete
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