The Wellness Center.
In Qin Mei’s room, an open suitcase lay on the floor as she packed with her daughter.
As she folded clothes, Huo Mian chatted with her mother. “Mom, I saw in the local Pucheng news that the people behind ‘Breaking Cocoon’ have all been arrested. You won’t get dragged into this, will you?”
Qin Mei gave a soft laugh. “No. I only recorded a few videos for them designed to stir up people’s emotions. Once I handed over the recordings, I had nothing to do with the rest of the process.”
“Besides, I didn’t make up anything I said about denying parent-child relationships, emotional blackmail, or NPD parents. I got all of it from psychology textbooks. I never lied to anyone, and I never joined their scam operation.”
“Even if they expose me, I can say that I was simply working as a regular psychological counseling consultant. Whatever they did with my analysis afterward, I knew nothing about.”
Huo Mian was still a little worried.
Qin Mei said coolly, “In fact, the people who fall for scams do so because their own perspective and understanding are lacking.”
“They clearly have emotional problems, yet they’re unwilling to spend money to see a doctor at a legitimate hospital. Instead, they’d rather read toxic feel-good nonsense online and listen to all those half-true, half-false theories. They’re even willing to place their trust in strangers on the internet.”
“They’re the ones who expose their weaknesses on public platforms. Anyone with a little life experience can manipulate them with ease.”
Huo Mian nodded. Yes, they had only themselves to blame.
She closed the suitcase. “Mom, I’m done packing.”
Qin Mei stood up. “Let’s go.”
But at that moment, Huo Mian hesitated again. “Mom, you’re taking all these elderly people away, and a few of them are among the clients A-Ning needs to win over for the renewal contract… Will Yu Zhining really lose the competition?”
Qin Mei remained calm. “Taking them away is also helping you. If Yu Zhining doesn’t want to lose, he’ll have to follow us.”
“If he does, you’ll have a chance to spend time with him.”
“There are elderly people on the road, and all kinds of emergencies could happen. The two of you will have to handle any crisis together. Under that kind of pressure, the bridge effect may make him mistake his feelings for love.”
“Besides, dealing with emergencies naturally activates a person’s sense of responsibility and protective instincts. At such a time, he’ll also develop trust in the person helping him.”
Huo Mian began to look forward to it, but she was still worried. “What if he doesn’t come?”
Qin Mei replied, “If he doesn’t come looking for us, that means he doesn’t care about renewing the contract—or about winning or losing. Why should you worry about it for him?”
Huo Mian thought that made sense.
Mother and daughter walked out of the room, one following the other.
Several elderly people were already waiting by the elevator, luggage strapped to their backs.
Qin Mei immediately joined them. “Ms. Xu, that scarf looks lovely on you today. Did your daughter buy it for you?”
Mrs. Xu sighed. “I bought it myself. My daughter hasn’t cared about me in a long time. She’s nothing like your filial daughter.”
Qin Mei consoled her, “That’s right. There aren’t many good, conscientious children left these days.”
Another elderly man joined in. “There’s nothing you can do about it. You have to accept that people these days are cold and indifferent. Filial sons and daughters are rare.”
Qin Mei turned to him as well. “Mr. Gu, you’re truly very perceptive.”
Qin Mei handled herself effortlessly among the elderly.
They all knew that Qin Mei treated her daughter poorly, often beating and berating her, yet her daughter remained devoted to her.
By comparison, their own children seemed even more worthless.
So why leave their assets to their children? They might as well spend the money traveling or invest it in themselves!
Soon, the elevator arrived, and the group went downstairs.
A luxurious minibus was already waiting outside.
A line of eye-catching words was pasted across its side:
“Journey to Restart Your Life.”
—
Friday arrived before long.
A coach bus was parked outside Shengde.
The selected students stood beside it, excitedly discussing the upcoming trip to Qizhi.
They had been enrolled for so long, yet this was their first chance to take part in something like this!
Lu Yanzhao had already arrived. Holding the attendance list, he was calling out names.
The head count was soon complete. Everyone had arrived except Yu Xiaxing.
Just then, a lazy voice came from the side.
“Lu Yanzhao.”
Lu Yanzhao looked up and saw Yu Zheng’s luxury car parked by the roadside. Through the car window, Yu Zheng greeted him.
“I’m driving there myself first. Take care of my sister on the way.”
Lu Yanzhao had not expected this. He walked over to the car window and asked, “Fifth Young Master, you’re going too?”
Yu Zheng nodded. “Yes. It’s rare for my sister to ask me for help. As her brother, of course I have to take care of it properly.”
“…”
Lu Yanzhao did not really understand what he could possibly do.
After the two of them chatted for a few moments, Yu Xiaxing arrived as well.
She was wearing Shengde’s school uniform and the pair of plain, youthful-looking glasses. She walked toward them.
When Yu Zheng saw her, he took out his phone and snapped a picture.
Lu Yanzhao saw it and could not help asking, “What are you doing?”
Yu Zheng sighed with emotion. “I never got to attend school with my sister, so I missed out on so much of her childhood. I never thought I’d get to see her looking like a student now.”
“…”
Lu Yanzhao still did not understand how this man managed to be a brother.
Yu Xiaxing greeted the two of them before boarding the bus as well.
As soon as she got on, Jiang Tinglan saw her.
“You’re going too?”
Yu Xiaxing answered frankly, “Yes.”
Jiang Tinglan’s expression grew complicated. “You haven’t dropped out either?”
Yu Xiaxing replied without changing expression, “No. My parents and I have made up.”
Jiang Tinglan pursed her lips and said nothing more.
She still held a grudge against Yu Xiaxing for running away at the last moment on the road, but the final outcome had been a good one. She loved the way she and her mother got along now, so she had no intention of arguing with Yu Xiaxing.
She turned around and began chatting with the classmate on the other side.
Yu Xiaxing took the empty seat behind her and listened to the others talking.
“Oh, right. Isn’t the chairwoman coming today?”
“I don’t know. I heard the chairwoman personally negotiated the partnership with Qizhi. She should be coming, right? I really want to see what that legendary chairwoman looks like!”
“Me too!”
Jiang Tinglan was also eager to meet her. If it had not been for the chairwoman, she and her mother would probably have done nothing more than be persuaded to reconcile by the school administrators. Her mother would have remained overbearing, she would have continued swallowing her grievances, and the whole family would have gone on suffering.
With admiration and anticipation in her voice, she said, “It would be wonderful if we could meet her today. I’ve always wanted to know what such an impressive woman looks like.”
Yu Xiaxing listened expressionlessly.
Thanks.
The person herself is right here.
Keep a low profile. Keep a low profile.
Unfortunately, only the handsome male assistant boarded the bus, and none of the students got to see the chairwoman herself.
Assistant Lu said, “Students, Board Director Yu had something else to attend to today and couldn’t come. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”
The students were a little disappointed, but they soon accepted it. The chairwoman was busy, after all. It was only natural that she could not come in person.
Everyone began looking forward to the Qizhi trip ahead!
