An Jie took the white shirt with yellow flowers to show Anning.
Anning, do you like it? If you don't, I'll buy you something else.
Anning accepted the shirt, took a look, and softly said thank you.
She played her role as a kind-hearted girl who valued family and didn't hold grudges to perfection.
Seeing Anning forgive her so easily, An Jie had a look of triumph in her eyes and put more effort into winning over Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuixhua.
She brought out many things and placed them on the table. Dad, Mom, these are for you. I was wrong in the past. I was young and stupid, didn't recognize good intentions. I've been away for so long now and realized that no matter how good it is out there, it's not better than home. No one is closer than your parents.
While talking, An Jie lowered her head and began to wipe her tears.
Wang Cuixhua felt heartbroken seeing her like this.
She didn't look at Lin Aiguo but hurriedly got a cup of water for An Jie. All right, stop crying. You're my daughter after all; no matter what happens, I can't ignore you.
An Jie then wiped her tears and gave Wang Cuixhua a timid smile.
Lin Aiguo felt his heart soften too. Although he kept a stern face, there was some warmth in his eyes.
All right, after sitting for a while, go back to the Su family, and talk things over with Zhiqiang, don't let the two of you cause such a scene.
Okay, I've got it.
An Jie agreed with a smile.
She sat for a while longer then left for the Su family with her bag.
A couple of days later, An Jie went back to the Lin Family, and this time she focused on Anning.
Anning used studying as an excuse to not pay much attention to An Jie, so An Jie chatted enthusiastically with Wang Cuixhua.
When it was time to cook, An Jie, for the first time, went to help Wang Cuixhua with the fire. Adding wood, she softly spoke to Wang Cuixhua. Mom, I went to the county this time and learned a lot. People with good family conditions have their kids stay at the guesthouse in the county for the college exams. The guesthouse is really close to the exam center, just a few steps away, making it convenient for the students to eat well, rest well, and save travel time for study. I was thinking, should we let Anning stay at the guesthouse?
Wang Cuixhua paused while cooking a dish. Is the guesthouse expensive?
She was calculating how much money they had left, thinking if it wasn't enough they'd have to borrow some from Lin Hongjun.
An Jie waved her hand. It's not expensive, don't worry, Mom. I'll pay for Anning's stay at the guesthouse.
How can we let you pay? You're married...
Wang Cuixhua didn't want An Jie to pay. Your dad and I still have some money, and if worst comes to worst, your uncle won't just stand by and do nothing.
I said I'll pay.
An Jie was very firm. I was wrong before about Anning. I must apologize with actions this time. I've decided I'll accompany Anning to the county for the exams, and I'll take care of her during the days of the exams.
Wang Cuixhua felt warmed by this. That's the right way to think, after all, you're siblings, you always will be.
Mm-hmm.
An Jie nodded heavily. The college exams are very important for Anning. If she gets into university, it will make me proud, having a sister who's a university student. Let's see who in the Su family dares to bully me then.
Wang Cuixhua was especially happy to hear this. Smiling, she finished cooking the meal and asked An Jie to call Lin Aiguo for dinner.
During dinner, Wang Cuixhua told Lin Aiguo about what An Jie had said.
She looked at Anning. Anning, your sister's being thoughtful. I think your sister is right. We're quite far from the county. How much time we'd waste going back and forth. Plus, what if something happens on the way, isn't it better to stay in the county?
Anning nodded. I was thinking the same thing, just hadn't mentioned it to you yet.
If you've decided, you'd better book a room early.
An Jie didn't pay much attention to eating; she grabbed Anning warmly and talked. If we can think of this, others surely can too. If we book late, I'm afraid all the rooms at the guesthouse will be taken.
Then you should go book a room for your sister tomorrow.
Lin Aiguo got anxious when he heard this. I'll give you the money later.
An Jie quickly waved her hand. Dad, I said I'll pay. If you mention money again, I'll get angry.
All right then.
Lin Aiguo thought An Jie had gotten closer to Anning and was willing to do something for her; he should support this.
Besides, since An Jie was paying for Anning's room, if Anning got into university, she'd be grateful. It was part of their sibling relationship, and parents shouldn't interfere too much.
Thinking this way, Lin Aiguo didn't bring up the money again.
And Wang Cuixhua held An Jie's hand, giving her lots of advice, like how hot the weather was and Anning shouldn't be overheated. And don't let Anning eat cold things, pay attention while eating, and so on.
An Jie kept a smile on her face, seeming to listen seriously, but inside she was grinding her teeth in anger.
She thought it was Wang Cuixhua showing favoritism; Wang Cuixhua would only care for Anning and never paid attention to her, the eldest daughter.
Otherwise, why did Wang Cuixhua treat her better as soon as she mentioned helping Anning book a room and accompanying her to the county?
The same went for Lin Aiguo. These parents were simply selfish.
An Jie looked down and secretly clenched her fists.
She wanted to see if after Anning failed the college exams, Wang Cuixhua and Lin Aiguo would still treat her well.
Without passing the exams, Anning would have to return to farming, spending her life like that.
In the future, she'd become rich and easily trample Anning in the dirt. She would definitely make Wang Cuixhua regret her favoritism right now.
Anning lowered her head to eat, pretending not to see the gloominess in An Jie's eyes.
She understood in her heart that An Jie must be thinking of ways to hurt her.
She searched the original's memory and found something.
During the original's college exams, An Jie was there too. On the first day of exams, the original woke up late and almost missed the exam. When entering the test center, she didn't know if it was nervousness or lack of sleep, but she was dazed and couldn't focus.
The exams continued like this; the original felt sleepy while solving the papers.
It was only because the original was determined that she didn't fall asleep in the exam room, pinching herself occasionally to not sleep, persisting in finishing the test papers.
Even so, the original's performance was particularly poor in the last exam.
It could be said that the original didn't play to her usual standards during the college exams at all.
Anning glanced at An Jie.
The original didn't understand why it happened, but Anning did, knowing it was because of An Jie's trickery.
Anning decided to follow An Jie to the county guesthouse this time. She wanted to see how An Jie would play her tricks. Catching her in the act would be the best outcome.
If she could get evidence of An Jie sabotaging her, Anning believed that Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuixhua would also lose their affection for An Jie.