Chapter 368

On the day of Xiao Qi's holiday, the weather was very clear.

The sky was cloudless, a blue canvas as vivid as a painting.

After ranking first in her grade on the final exams, Xiao Qi received a scholarship of ten thousand yuan.

Wei Cheng ranked third and received six thousand, beaming with delight, her mouth unable to close. The shy girl's smile radiated happiness.

Though Enhua was known as a prestigious private school, it was fair in this regard. As long as students were willing to work hard, there were ample opportunities and generous scholarships.

Xiao Qi initially considered driving home, but having just obtained her license less than a year ago, she couldn't take the highway. Lacking experience with long-distance driving, she decided against it. Her car remained parked in Mrs. Su's garage, a reminder not to indulge in impulsive purchases. Such purchases didn't merely waste money but left behind lingering problems. Having possessions one neither cherished nor enjoyed only diminished one's quality of life, preventing one from traveling light and progressing unencumbered.

Many people were like this, advancing boldly when they had nothing, but becoming immobilized by their burdens when they acquired too much.

During the holidays, Xiao Qi's coach Steven also took time off, traveling abroad to meet old friends.

Steven embodied a carefree spirit, going wherever he pleased with just a bag in hand.

Xiao Shengzhou had generously granted his staff a holiday as well.

On the first day of the break, Yun Shu left first, picked up by her family's driver who also gave Wei Cheng a ride.

Mi'er took the noon train, while Xiao Qi's was at three in the afternoon, leaving her the last to depart.

In the dorm at that moment, the chubby and round Xiao Bao'er sat on a small chair, chattering incessantly.

On the other side, the exceptionally handsome Li Weijin, who had been allowed in against the rules by the dorm auntie, struggled to interject.

He had come with a large backpack, intending to accompany Xiao Qi home.

Xiao Qi: ...

"My parents would be startled if they saw you. It won't work."

Xiao Bao'er chimed in mischievously, "If Weijin-gege goes, I want to go too. Hmph, I even brought my favorite dolls, so I'm ready to leave."

Li Weijin: ...

The student council president's sister was so annoying, not cute at all. It was the last day, yet she was vying for Xiao Qi's attention.

With the chubby child around, he felt too self-conscious even to hold Xiao Qi's hand.

The president must have done this on purpose. Xiao Bao'er had also received a painting from Xiao Qi, which she proudly framed in an oversized frame and displayed in the living room, ensuring everyone saw it the moment they entered.

Upon hearing that Xiao Qi would be going home for the holidays, Xiao Bao'er insisted her brother bring her to bid farewell. She bought a large bag of assorted candy canes, claiming she had used her own savings.

She also gifted Xiao Qi numerous hair clips, including a box from her grandmother containing an agate bead. As soon as Xiao Qi touched it, the year flashed in her mind - over 900 years old, from the Tang Dynasty.

Since working part-time at an auction house, Xiao Qi had developed a keen interest in antiques. During her visits to the library, she often read books introducing ancient artifacts. Her memory had become exceptional, recalling nearly everything she had seen.

This agate bead, black with white stripes circling it, was called a "Tianxhu" or "Celestial Pearl."

Contemporary versions were mostly artisanal, but antique pieces could fetch exorbitant prices, with some reportedly selling for over a hundred million yuan. Based on her research, Xiao Qi estimated this small, single-eyed "Tianxhu" to be worth around two million yuan.

"This is too precious. I cannot accept it. Please thank your grandmother and return it to her for me," Xiao Qi said, having almost overlooked the unassuming box among the shiny candies and hair clips. Her heart was too generous.

Xiao Bao'er shook her head adamantly, "No way! Grandma said it's for you. She really adores you and has several more. She said they offer protection. Thank you for painting for me; she loves it and secretly wants one too."

Li Weijin: ... You call that a secret? You're blatantly saying it, you little brown-noser.

Unable to dissuade the child, Xiao Qi messaged Xiao Shengzhou instead.

Xiao Shengzhou was surprised that his grandmother favored Xiao Qi enough to part with her prized Tianxhu beads, which she usually showed off to old friends. She herself wore one, not an inexpensive item.

However, he had attended Xiao Qi's art exhibition, which reportedly remained a crowded affair. Many people wanted her paintings of horses, further enhancing the renown of his stables.

"Grandma likes you, so please accept her gift. I'll come pick up Bao'er later," Xiao Shengzhou replied.

Li Weijin was delighted to hear the president would be picking up his sister, thinking he might have Xiao Qi to himself. But Xiao Bao'er wasn't sent away, and the president unexpectedly joined them for lunch too.

He was on the verge of tears. After lunch, Xiao Qi would be leaving to catch her high-speed train. The president was utterly inconsiderate, lacking even a glimmer of understanding.

Xiao Qi didn't outright refuse, nor did she forcefully decline. She now understood the principle of reciprocity - if one only gave without receiving in return, people wouldn't respect them. Instead, it would become expected, diminishing the relationship. Mutual, equal exchange was the key to lasting friendships.

After lunch, Xiao Shengzhou finally took his sister home for her afternoon nap.

Only Li Weijin remained with Xiao Qi.

The butler drove Miss Qi to the station.

The two sat in the back.

"Can't I come with you? I promise I'll behave," Li Weijin pleaded, his parents having given their consent. His brother didn't approve, but that didn't matter.

The butler silently drove, pretending not to hear.

"No," Xiao Qi firmly refused, unable to imagine bringing a boyfriend home from school, especially one as handsome as Li Weijin. The villagers would undoubtedly gawk, and her rural hometown lacked proper amenities like flushing toilets or showers. It was the difference between a primitive society and the modern world. Xiao Qi lacked the courage to subject Li Weijin to such an experience, feeling it would be like putting him through an extreme makeover.

So she steadfastly declined, ignoring Li Weijin's days of pleading.

"It's not fair. You've been to my house," Li Weijin complained.

Xiao Qi paid no heed to the forlorn Li Weijin. As good-looking as he was, even his puppy-dog eyes couldn't sway her. She had changed, but her hometown and family had not. She didn't believe Li Weijin could adapt to such a household.

At the station, as she was about to enter, Xiao Qi felt a pang of reluctance to leave. Apart from her parents, Li Weijin was perhaps the closest person to her, despite their initially having no connection or expectation of one. Yet they had indeed grown close, studying and progressing together daily. This was different from her late-night study sessions with Liu Shaowei in high school, which carried an air of furtiveness and guilt.

With Li Weijin, Xiao Qi felt only joy, free of shame or anxiety. Her studies had improved, and she openly experienced the sweetness of young love, with only occasional bouts of insecurity, regret, or pique - all out in the open without pretense.

It was time to go home, and Xiao Qi was feeling a little anxious. She was worried that her girlfriend would end up like those scenarios she had witnessed before, where her girlfriend got a boyfriend during the break and then suddenly broke up with him for no apparent reason.

Xiao Qi didn't want to be sad about something that hadn't happened yet.

As she was about to enter the station, she turned around and embraced Li Weijin.

Li Weijin also embraced her.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman, both young in appearance.

In front of the bustling station with people coming and going.

Their embrace was open and unrestrained.

Very gentle, very beautiful.

"See you next semester," Xiao Qi said, then released Li Weijin and strode into the station.

She exerted her strength, actually pushing him away.

Li Weijin stood at the entrance of the station, feeling empty and lost, watching Xiao Qi enter the station and disappear into the crowd.

He didn't know why, but he felt very anxious.

Xiao Qi said that the signal at her hometown was poor, so it would be hard to stay in touch. She gave him the phone number of a neighbor's house.

He was used to studying with Xiao Qi every day. The first thing he did after waking up was to video call or chat with her on WeChat for a few minutes before getting out of bed. At night, he wouldn't fall asleep until he saw her "good night" message.

He felt that he had changed a lot over the past six months. He had clear goals and motivation in life. Every day felt fresh and new. But suddenly, with Xiao Qi's departure, he felt deflated and lost, not knowing what to do.

The butler stood by silently and invisibly.

The depressed young master was a little unaccustomed to this.

Previously, the young master was like a hollow, embroidered pillow without a brain, drifting through life in a carefree manner.

Ever since he started dating, the young master suddenly had a heart and a mind filled with purpose. He began to study hard, much to the butler's relief. After all, the butler had been working for the Li family for more than ten years, even before the young master was born.

With the Li family prospering and an heir to carry on, the butler felt at ease with his work.

However, having a heart also meant feeling sadness and loss. The butler took out a handkerchief and dabbed his eyes.

Once on the train, Xiao Qi also felt a little down.

Looking at the passing scenery outside the window, her spirits lifted again.

After all, she was going home, and it had been a long time since she had seen her parents.

After gazing out the window for a while, she took out her Portuguese textbook and started studying.

With tuition fees of 800 yuan per lesson, not studying would be a waste of money.