Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 233: Chapter 216: Choices in Life

The scores were quickly estimated, and Lin Jiayou was very satisfied with his own results – it was the highest he had achieved since he started studying.

Lin Xu generously declared that the children should decide their own futures, handing over control like An Zilan. Lin Jiayou’s change since he lived with the Luo siblings was clear to his father, who also agreed not to intervene in his child’s decisions. This included that An Zilan would not interfere in any choices Luo Shufan or Luo Qianqian made in the future.

”Jiayou Brother, with these scores, getting into an average first-tier university shouldn’t be a problem,” Luo Shufan, who had learned a bit about the college entrance examination, said, as he would soon be taking it himself.

”Jiayou Brother, see what major you like... or if your decision hasn’t changed,” Luo Qianqian knew that Lin Jiayou had attended an interview and medical examination, wanting to apply to a military academy.

”A first-tier university, huh? My dad seems quite keen on me attending a prestigious one, to give him something to brag about, let those who look down on me see that I can shine too. But the thing is, your sister-in-law’s scores aren’t that great,” Lin Jiayou hesitated.

”Jiayou Brother, first of all, you shouldn’t choose a university that’s beneath your qualifications just because of your sister-in-law’s scores. You’d not only be letting yourself down but also your uncle and your brother, who tutored you for over a year!” Luo Qianqian closed the book of university choices, her face stern. ”If you choose the same university as your sister-in-law, and something unexpected happens, you’ll regret it too late.”

Lin Jiayou nodded, ”I know, I won’t, don’t worry.” He had seen too many breakups over the past year, even those forced by pressure or because of studying abroad, under Luo Qianqian’s various sermons. He was devoted to his girlfriend but wouldn’t recklessly pursue love.

”That’s right, Jiayou. You know, many things can happen if you’re not in the same university. If you joined the military, it would be even harder to keep things under control. University has way more temptations than high school,” Bai Yizhu said earnestly, his face showing his world-weariness.

”Zhuzi, you’re even younger, don’t butt in,” Luo Qianqian looked at Bai Yizhu with disdain.

”Yes, yes, you’re the biggest, you’ve even laid out all the requirements for a future husband – how can I compare?” Bai Yizhu expressed more disdain, assuming he didn’t know? Tall, handsome, gentle, smart... The list goes on, more complicated than a current university girl’s requirements. Despite his youth, Zhuzi had had a dozen girlfriends, no one in their university cohort saw things clearer than him.

”Why do I feel like you aren’t advising me on where to go to college but warning me to be wary of your sister-in-law potentially changing her heart?” Lin Jiayou said helplessly. ”Don’t worry, guys. Your sister-in-law is really nice, she wouldn’t do that.”

”Why don’t you give your girlfriend a call and ask for her opinion? See what she thinks?” Bai Yizhu suggested.

”That makes sense.” Lin Jiayou hesitated, then took out his phone and moved away from the gossip-hungry group to make the call.

”Seriously, you’re all in your senior year, stop being so nosy!” Luo Qianqian immediately looked disgustedly at Bai Yizhu and Luo Shufan, He Wenyu remarked.

”Stop, you’re also in junior high, don’t act like you don’t know?” Bai Yizhu retorted immediately.

”No, no, no.” Luo Qianqian quickly waved her hands, objecting. ”We haven’t even taken the junior high exams yet; we are still kids. You guys are practically seniors now.”

”Speaking of which, I just realized next year you guys will be in freshman year, and I’ll already be in university?” Luo Shufan looked concerned.

”That’s a problem for next year. Right now, the problem is Zhuzi’s grades,” Luo Qianqian shook her head, a look of disdain on her face.

”Don’t look down on me, Xiao Yu’s grades aren’t much better,” Bai Yizhu immediately jumped up, pointing at He Wenyu, defending himself against Luo Qianqian.

Luo Qianqian helplessly looked at He Wenyu, who turned his face away, smoothing things over, ”He’s younger, he can repeat a year; can you?”

”Yeah, I can repeat a year; can you?” He Wenyu glared at Bai Yizhu, a proud look on his face.

”I’m not complimenting you.” Luo Qianqian rolled her eyes and then saw Lin Jiayou frowning as he returned.

”What’s wrong?” Luo Shufan also noticed Lin Jiayou’s troubled expression.

”It seems there really is an issue.” Lin Jiayou gave a bitter smile, ”You see, if I go to a very mediocre school...”

”So, your girlfriend wants you to go to school with her?” Bai Yizhu asked directly.

Lin Jiayou paused, then chuckled and nodded.

Luo Qianqian, however, showed understanding, ”I can sort of get her thinking—she’s worried that if you attend a good school and meet a better girl, you might leave her or something, so her wanting you two to be together is understandable.”

”No way.” He Wenyu frowned, ”What if one of you changes your heart and you don’t end up together? It’d be Jiayou who suffers, right? Obviously, he could have a much better future.”

”While I don’t agree that education defines everything about a person, bro, you can’t joke about your own future.” Luo Shufan also counseled, considering if you abandon a first-tier university for a very mediocre one, the temptations in college are many...

”How about this, you tell her that for the sake of your future together, that’s why you need to work even harder, and why you need a better future, so you two cannot go to the same school. See how your sister-in-law reacts?” Luo Qianqian suggested with a blink of her eye, sacrificing your future for someone is just too foolish, it’s better to advise both to step back a little.

”I’ll ask.” Lin Jiayou started to fiddle with his phone.

”So, Xiao Yu, you’re planning on repeating the year?” Luo Shufan asked incredulously, ”Then become Qianqian’s junior?”

”Ah? No way.” He Wenyu shook her head decisively, repeating the year was one thing, but becoming Qianqian’s junior was unacceptable.

”Hey hey, why not? I will take good care of you as your senior.” Luo Qianqian patted He Wenyu’s shoulder.

Luo Shufan, however, fell into thought. If only his sister was left, he wouldn’t feel at ease. Perhaps he should also consider repeating the year or attending a local university? There’s also a nationally ranked university in the city.

”No need, I’ll talk to my mom tonight about signing up for an extracurricular class,” He Wenyu decisively shook her head, a look of determination on her face.

”Speaking of which, it seems only my brother has been insisting on going to Grandpa Zhang’s, although I also go there two out of three times as usual, you hardly ever go anymore.” Luo Qianqian looked at He Wenyu with a teasing smile, knowing the reason—He Wenyu wanted to date Zhao Wenxuan, but Zhao Wenxuan often canceled, although he would make it up later, a consolation nonetheless.

”If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten. There’s a physics competition next week, I paid double the fee, don’t forget to come with me,” Luo Shufan slapped his forehead and told Luo Qianqian.

Luo Qianqian looked surprised, ”You didn’t even discuss it with me?”

”Discuss what? It’s just a test, as common as a household meal,” Luo Shufan yawned.

”She said, she respects my choices, but I can’t do anything to betray her.” Lin Jiayou’s voice came with a hint of surprise, ”Xiao Fan, help me pick a university in the Capital City that I’m sure to get into, and help your sister-in-law pick one too, her grades are approximately...” Lin Jiayou dragged Luo Shufan aside to talk.

The remaining three exchanged helpless smiles and laughed—it was good that it turned out this way. No one was disappointed; as much as it wasn’t the place Lin Jiayou wanted to go, it was better than ending up at the same school.