CHAPTER 484: CHAPTER 484: NEW PLACE, NEW LIFE

Gong Tao’s mood over the past few days has been great. He truly hadn’t expected that after Zhao Gang changed his mind a couple of times regarding Zhao Guangran’s education, his daughter would treat him so well.

Zhao Gang doesn’t care about Zhao Guangran’s resentment towards him. Anyway, the boy is easily dealt with; as long as he gets good food in Beijing, he won’t cause trouble.

Now Zhao Gang thinks it’s better not to be too high-profile since they’re just passers-by in Beijing.

In Zhao Gang’s view, they will just spend a few years studying in Beijing, waiting to be assigned jobs, even though they really want to stay and work there.

But many people who go to Beijing for university, don’t they want to stay too?

There are only a few spots to remain in Beijing, and Zhao Gang doesn’t believe heaven will favor them that much, so there’s no point in offending people.

The person sitting next to you in Beijing might unexpectedly be the offspring of someone important. While he doesn’t rely on children to build connections with big names, at the very least, he doesn’t want them to harbor hatred towards his child.

Zhao Gang sincerely feels thankful for having Renee, otherwise, he would have made a big mistake. Previously, he hadn’t thought to thank Renee, but this time he can’t casually let it slide; he must thank her.

As for how to thank Renee, Zhao Gang says it’s something that needs to be considered slowly and shouldn’t be rushed.

Renee, unaware of Zhao’s considerations on how to thank her, is quietly counting down the days to entering Beijing with happiness.

Even though there’s still some distance to Beijing, the driver’s message is that they will likely arrive by tomorrow afternoon at the latest, which makes Renee very happy.

This journey has been all about rushing, despite staying at guesthouses every night, they would set off early every morning and only lodge around eight or nine at night.

As a result, there’s nowhere to bathe, which is difficult for Renee who is used to daily showers.

"It’s winter now, Ni Zi, you can’t endure it now. What will you do when we take the train for days to the Northeast in summer?" Zhao Guangran, watching Renee being restless, chuckles inwardly.

Oh no, really? Renee is stunned; yes, she just forgot about such a serious issue. Can you bathe on a train?

This time they’re setting out in winter; not bathing is tolerable since there won’t be any odor on her. But going out in summer, the smell...

Thinking she might turn into a salted fish, Renee shivers, "It’s not easy to make money."

"You don’t have to go," says Zhao Guangran, as he’s already understood and voiced Zhao Gang’s latest orders. Whether Renee follows through is not his concern.

Though somewhat aggrieved, having come to terms with it, Zhao Guangran is also relieved. Even if Ni Zi scores well in the exams, it doesn’t matter; he’d have things to say if their parents are unsatisfied.

Wow, this kid really wants to climb over her head. Renee, who had been expecting him to plead just like before, is shocked by his showing of arrogance.

Now his remarks are so provoking. Ugh, kids in their middle school phase are troublesome. Renee really doesn’t want to see this side of Guangran.

"Why shouldn’t I go? Anyway, I’m financing it; you all work hard in the Northeast, and I’ll stay home to sort and package the goods for sale." Suddenly thinking she doesn’t necessarily need to go to the Northeast, Beijing is their headquarters; they need someone to stay back.

"If you don’t go, are you shameless enough to expect a share of the business?" Zhao Guangran says, indicating that just because Renee is a girl doesn’t mean she can take advantage of others.

Why would she be shameless? When it comes to money, Renee has always been quite bold-faced.

Besides, Renee doesn’t think she makes no effort, "I’m contributing too; I’ll stay at the headquarters. Otherwise, how will all the herbs be managed when brought to Beijing?"

"We can’t sell it all at once, right?"

"In summer when we go back, many people might save herbs for us, do you think the money we take will be a lot?"

"This time we have enough, that’s because mom and dad didn’t buy a house, so we have more money. But after they buy one, will they still have much left?"

What’s more, Zhao Gang soon won’t be doing the herb business; even if he helps find connections to sell, their money will be invested in buying mountain goods and rice.

Hmm, that’s an issue. Zhao Guangran indeed gets stumped by Renee’s critical question, "Um, um..."

"But it’s not good for a girl to stay in Beijing alone," Zhao Guangran recalls their mom mentioning that by summer, the whole family will return to the Northeast.

Not only to purchase herbs but because mom had once promised the villagers that as long as she studied and had holidays, she’d return to the Northeast to treat the villagers.

Yeah, they’ll all be gone; it’s impossible to leave a girl like Renee alone in Beijing, even if she’s intelligent, at the end of the day she’s still a child.

"I won’t be alone." Although Renee met the teacher Zhan Jing arranged for the twins, based on the teacher wanting them to live there, she knew he wouldn’t abandon them for the summer.

Renee says she’d just go stay at their place then; after all, she’s sweet-mouthed, can cheer up the elderly, and help them with chores.

Renee wouldn’t foolishly reveal this plan now; what if Guangran finds out and messes things up?

The talk was lacking any constructive points. Guangran notes that Renee must have her reasons for saying such things, but no matter how he probes, her answer remains the same, leaving him helpless.

It’s clear Renee hasn’t found any solution, or she wouldn’t be saying this, Guangran concludes that Renee definitely hasn’t devised a plan.

Guangran decides to let Renee continue pretending, as it’s already late February, and there’s not much time until the summer break at the end of June. He’ll find out her true intentions then.

Thinking about Renee experiencing setbacks, Guangran feels lifted, and enjoying his good mood, the young lad engages in playful banter with the twins.

At times, they sit in the carriage, watching the scenery flash by and commenting here or there. As they get closer to Beijing, the landscape isn’t just monotonous trees and snow-covered fields; buildings begin to appear.

Renee observes that the road conditions improve, and bumps no longer bother her bottom. Despite sitting on a pile of quilts with a thick layer of straw underneath, she still felt uneasy; the road conditions were genuinely terrible.

With everyone’s anticipation, they drive through increasingly bustling areas, especially upon seeing the Beijing boundary marker, which makes Renee thrilled.

If she weren’t worried about startling everyone present, Renee really wants to shout from the carriage, "Beijing, here comes Renee Gong!"

Although she’s just a child entering the city under adult guidance, Renee is confident she will leave her mark in this city.

If she ever gets the chance to write a memoir, Renee intends to document this day extensively, as it marks the day her fate changed.