Chapter 57: The Difficult Hurdle Part 1

Only when she saw Qian Feng hurriedly catch up to Qian Hao did Chu Ran finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She crouched down and carefully picked up the shards of the broken cup, tossing them one by one into the trash bin before heading upstairs.

The moment she stepped through the door, she heard the boys’ lively voices buzzing with excitement.

“Sis, what do you think of putting the TV here?”

“Sis, does the dining table look good in this spot?”

“Sis, should I move the sofa a bit more?”

The movers had finished bringing in the furniture that morning and left. Now Wang Li and the other two were helping to arrange everything in place.

Gu An’an sat in her wheelchair, directing them with her gentle demeanor. A soft smile always graced her face, and the three boys particularly enjoyed talking with her.

The atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

Chu Ran could tell that Gu An’an was genuinely happy, so she smiled too.

She headed to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks for everyone. Once she was done, Wang Li and the others sat down to rest.

Chu Ran asked about their Gaokao plans.

After the scores came out, she’d been busy with the lawsuit, and then Gu An’an had fallen ill and been hospitalized. She hadn’t had a chance to ask yet.

Wang Li said, “Among the three of us, Chen Hai has the highest score. He can get into an ordinary first-tier university, though he’ll probably need to accept whatever major they assign. Su Liang and I have similar scores—just enough for second-tier. We’ve talked it over and decided to all apply to schools in the Capital City. Chu Ran, do you have any good advice?”

The scores were better than expected. It seemed her earlier words had really sunk in.

Something stirred in Chu Ran’s heart. This meant she could share her thoughts without holding back.

“Wang Li, your family is in business, and you’re outgoing and good with people. For a safe path, study a versatile major and aim for a government job after graduation—steady life, no worries. If you want to take over the family business, go for business studies.”

“Su Liang, you’re into adventure, and your family doesn’t keep a tight leash on you. You won’t be stuck in a small city, so follow your interests. But I recommend learning a practical skill, like a foreign language or a hands-on profession.”

She phrased it tactfully. Su Liang’s home life wasn’t just loosely supervised—it was practically nonexistent. Among the three, he and Wang Li were classic left-behind kids, with only one or two elderly relatives at home. Their studies had been a complete mess, with no one to check on them.

Wang Li had it a bit better. His parents ran a business out of town and made decent money, so he’d never lacked for cash growing up.

But Su Liang’s parents were construction workers with no ambition. If he went with a generic major, finding a job later would be tough. Better to pick up a real skill.

Of course, whether he listened was up to him.

Su Liang looked a little embarrassed. Clearly, this wasn’t the advice he’d wanted, but after spending time together, he already admired Chu Ran deeply. So he asked sincerely, “That sounds a lot like what a distant uncle of mine said. Why do you suggest that?”

Chu Ran countered, “What does that distant uncle do?”

“He’s the only government official in our whole family. He told me to become a teacher or get a civil service job, but I hate that idea. So he said my best bet is to learn a skill. Honestly, it pissed me off.”

Su Liang looked defiant, staring at Chu Ran with reluctance.

Chu Ran said softly, “In your family, is there anyone more successful than that distant uncle?”

Su Liang thought it over, puzzled, then shook his head. “No. Why do you ask?”

Chu Ran replied calmly, “Would you rather take advice from someone ordinary with no real achievements, or from someone who’s clearly made something of themselves?”

Su Liang froze for a moment. Wang Li smacked the back of his head. “You don’t get it? Chu Ran’s saying, obviously listen to the successful ones. Losers who can’t even help themselves—what good advice can they give you?”

Su Liang suddenly looked enlightened.

Chu Ran turned to Chen Hai.

“Chen Hai, what are your own thoughts?”

Chen Hai blinked. “Me? I don’t have any strong ideas. I want to hear yours.”

Seeing he wasn’t being honest, Chu Ran cut straight to it. “You have the highest score. I think you want to climb higher—like pursuing a master’s or PhD. Once you reach that level, you’ll have plenty of options, and you won’t need my suggestions.”

Her sharp gaze made the usually quiet Chen Hai’s heart skip a beat. He felt completely seen through.

He did want to get out, to rise up. But his friends had no big ambitions, and he didn’t want to voice his plans in front of them, fearing they’d mock him.

He hadn’t expected Chu Ran to see right through him.

Wang Li and Su Liang immediately glared at him. “Chen Hai, you want to go to grad school? Are you nuts? Wasn’t the Gaokao exhausting enough? You want to keep studying? Have you lost your mind?”

They both figured getting into university was freedom at last—they planned to let loose completely.

Chen Hai’s face flushed red. He knew saying it out loud would get him ridiculed.

Chu Ran said, “People have different aspirations. Don’t force your ideas on others. You’re all friends—respect each other.”

Wang Li and Su Liang clearly trusted her word. They shut their mouths with a glance.

After hesitating, Chen Hai asked, “Chu Ran, which school do you think I should pick?”

“Look at your score line, compare the universities’ overall strength and grad school recommendation rates, then decide.”

She glanced at him. “If you can get a recommendation spot, that’s a big advantage.”

She was certain he’d go for grad school. Chen Hai’s eyes lit up. “Got it. Thanks. Once I decide, I’ll let you know.”

Chu Ran was fine either way.

As they left, she walked them to the stairwell.

Wang Li shooed Su Liang and Chen Hai ahead, lingering behind himself.

“Chu Ran, when you go to university, what about Sis? How about bringing her to stay at my place? My mom’s back for good now and can take care of her.”

Chu Ran hadn’t expected the offer. Warmth bloomed in her chest.

She gave him a genuine smile. “No need. I plan to take my sister to the Capital City with me.”

Wang Li’s eyes went wide. “You’re bringing Sis to university with you?”

Chu Ran shushed him quickly.

Wang Li lowered his voice. “For real? How will you live?”

Chu Ran said, “Rent a place.”

Wang Li got excited. “That’s perfect! My dad said once I start university, he’ll move the business to the Capital City to be near me and rent me an apartment. I wasn’t thrilled about him watching over me, but now… we could live together?”

He looked at her with pleading eyes, a bit nervous. “What do you think, Chu Ran? Us living together?”

Chu Ran had planned ahead. “I’m only considering places near the school. Too far is inconvenient for me.”

Wang Li deflated. He realized his second-tier score meant he couldn’t get a school close to hers anyway.

“Okay.” He was deeply disappointed but perked up. “Still, you’ll need to rent somewhere. I’m heading to the Capital City early to hang out—let me help you find a place, at least?”

Chu Ran thought it made sense and agreed.

After seeing Wang Li off, she returned to the apartment. Gu An’an was wheeling around the living room, clearly delighted today.

Hearing Chu Ran come in, she turned toward her at once, beaming, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Chu Ran smiled back instantly. “An’an Sis, we’re in our new home today. Shall we go out to celebrate?”

Gu An’an shook her head. “We already prepped the hotpot base at noon. Let’s just stay in and eat at home tonight.”

Chu Ran had worried her legs kept her from wanting to go out, but seeing her still smiling brightly, not downcast at all, she said, “Then I’ll order some ingredients. We’ll have hotpot tonight.”

Gu An’an happily agreed.

Chu Ran was thrilled. She wheeled her into the bedroom and started organizing the wardrobe and bedding.

The big furniture was set, but these small things needed time to sort properly.

As she worked, she thought it might be good to buy a few suitcases. They could pack all their daily items and clothes now, ship them to the Capital City later, and she’d just need to bring Gu An’an and their essentials.

A moment later, she sensed two warm gazes fixed on her.

Turning, she found Gu An’an watching her with a fond smile.

“An’an Sis, what’s up?”

Chu Ran touched her face, wondering if she had something on it.

Gu An’an looked deeply gratified. “Little Ran, I overheard you advising Wang Li and the others on their applications. I really feel like you’ve grown up—so capable now. I’m truly happy. And Wang Li seems like a good kid. When you go to the Capital City for school, having friends like him looking out for you will put my mind at ease.”

Chu Ran’s heart stuttered.

Was this her way of saying she wouldn’t come along anymore? That she planned to let go?

A bitter taste welled up inside her, aching fiercely.

However, she didn’t show it. She bent down and scooped Gu An’an into her arms, forcibly changing the subject. “Time’s up. Let me give you that massage.”

“Little Ran, I can prop myself up and sit on the bed by myself. You don’t need to…”

Chu Ran ignored her words completely.

Gu An’an wriggled a little before obediently staying put in her embrace.

With her face tilted up, she had a perfect view of Chu Ran’s sharply defined facial contours. At that moment, Chu Ran inexplicably exuded a cold, stern air.

She reached out and gently pinched her cheek. “See? Your wings have hardened. You won’t even listen to me anymore~”

Chu Ran said nothing, but in her heart, she wondered if having slightly harder wings was so bad. Sister An’an didn’t seem unhappy about it at all. Maybe she could make them even harder?