You Must Be Good 13

Chapter 13

◎She’s so smart, she wouldn’t turn her back on money.◎

Song Yang’s long-suppressed anger finally erupted. After finishing her tirade in one breath, she stared intently at Chu Xinrou’s reaction.

Chu Xinrou stood there quietly, her long dark hair falling over her shoulders, her delicate features looking exceptionally gentle under the light. Unlike other parents who would fly into a rage upon hearing such things, she seemed to be thoughtfully pursing her lips, and there was even… a faint, almost imperceptible smile?

This subtle expression made Song Yang’s heart tighten. She was about to take a closer look when Chu Xinrou had already composed herself, elegantly straightening up and clearing her throat. “Teacher Song, you’ve made a very good point. I will definitely have a talk with Xiaoxiao when we get home!”

Song Yang’s tense shoulders relaxed. She picked up her enamel mug and took a sip of the already cold tea.

Chu Xinrou said, “Xiaoxiao’s actions have indeed disrupted the school’s order. I completely agree with Teacher Song’s view on this.” She paused, her eyes filled with a sincere plea. “But fortunately, it seems that it hasn’t affected her academic performance yet.”

Not only had it not affected it, but according to Chu Xinrou’s knowledge, Qiao Xiaoxiao’s grades were currently skyrocketing. Her late nights of studying had not been in vain. In just half a month, she had improved her grade ranking by 12 places and was already a top student in Class 10.

This sentence was like a gentle, soft knife, hitting the vital point precisely. Song Yang choked on her tea and started coughing. Chu Xinrou was right. In a top high school where academic performance was king, as long as it didn’t touch upon matters of principle, it was all just minor mischief in their eyes.

“Teacher Song,” Chu Xinrou timely handed over a tissue. “Please take more care of Xiaoxiao. This child is smart but has a lot on her mind. But as long as you guide her slowly and talk to her, she will understand everything.”

Her gaze and tone were so sincere that it was impossible to resist.

Song Yang’s grip on the teacup unconsciously loosened. This gentle parent before her had, in a few words, turned a reprimand into a gentle game of wits, and she couldn’t find any room for rebuttal. She even thought to herself, no wonder Qiao Xiaoxiao’s mind is so sharp and her business is doing so well; it must run in the family.

Qiao Xiaoxiao paced back and forth outside the office, her nails unconsciously picking at the cuffs of her school uniform. Every second the clock on the hallway ticked felt like a heavy blow to her heart. What she feared most was not punishment, but the look of disappointment in Chu Xinrou’s eyes. That would be more unbearable than any punishment.

When the office door finally opened, Qiao Xiaoxiao’s head shot up, and she met Chu Xinrou’s calm gaze. “Let’s go.”

Two simple words, her tone as light as the thin frost of early winter.

Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heart plummeted. She followed behind, step by step, staring at Chu Xinrou’s straight back, her hands and feet cold.

Chu Xinrou, who was walking in front, suddenly stopped. Qiao Xiaoxiao almost bumped into her. As she hurriedly stepped back, she saw Chu Xinrou turn around. The corners of her mouth, which had been tense just a moment ago, were now slightly raised, her eyes twinkling with the mischievous glee of a successful prank.

Qiao Xiaoxiao looked at her in a daze.

Chu Xinrou said softly, “What? Scared now?” She raised her hand, wanting to smooth Qiao Xiaoxiao’s messy hair.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the ends of her hair, Qiao Xiaoxiao suddenly flinched, her arm shooting up reflexively to protect her head.

This sudden defensive action stunned them both.

Chu Xinrou’s hand hung in mid-air, the smile in her eyes gradually freezing, replaced by disbelief and heartache. She opened her mouth but couldn’t say anything.

Only then did Qiao Xiaoxiao realize her reaction. She hurriedly lowered her arm, her lips trembling as she squeezed out, “I’m… I’m sorry.”

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, her eyes darting away, not daring to meet Chu Xinrou’s gaze. Her heart had already sunk to the bottom.

After a suffocating silence, Chu Xinrou raised her hand again. This time, her movements were lighter and slower, filled with endless tolerance and gentleness.

“Silly child,” her fingertips finally touched Qiao Xiaoxiao’s hair. “In front of the teacher, you have to act the part.”

Qiao Xiaoxiao’s head shot up, her eyes still moist, but she was stunned when she saw the smile in Chu Xinrou’s eyes.

“But now…” Chu Xinrou suddenly leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “It’s time to confess—” she lowered her voice, a hint of playfulness in her tone, “How did you handle Wang Ying? And expand your business on the side?”

…

On the way back, the two walked side by side. Qiao Xiaoxiao found that she had unknowingly said a lot, and her mouth was dry.

She was indeed as Chu Xinrou had said; as long as someone gave her a little guidance, she could grasp the concept completely.

In fact, the first time she went to find Wang Ying, Qiao Xiaoxiao’s heart was also pounding.

The moment Wang Ying saw her, alarm bells went off, and her face was full of vigilance.

Qiao Xiaoxiao didn’t say anything, just silently poured out a dozen flattened soda cans from her bag and turned to leave.

Wang Ying was stunned, and only after Qiao Xiaoxiao’s figure disappeared at the end of the hallway did she slowly squat down to pick up the cans, her mind full of questions. What does this mean?

For the next three days, Qiao Xiaoxiao appeared before Wang Ying like clockwork, once at noon and once in the evening, each time just leaving the cans and walking away.

On the fourth day, when Qiao Xiaoxiao appeared again, Wang Ying’s gaze had softened. Qiao Xiaoxiao lowered her head and said in a muffled voice, “There’s a track and field competition for the second years this afternoon. It’s very hot, so there will be a lot of cans.”

Leaving this piece of intelligence, she turned and left again.

On the fifth day, when Qiao Xiaoxiao put down the cans and was about to leave, Wang Ying finally couldn’t hold back and grabbed the corner of her shirt. “Hey, don’t go.” Her voice held a hint of helplessness. “Let’s… talk?”

The sunlight streamed through the hallway window. Qiao Xiaoxiao stood with her back to Wang Ying, a smile secretly forming on her lips.

Hearing this, Chu Xinrou couldn’t help but ask, “How did you know she would eventually come to you?” She paused. “What if she was a greedy person?”

Qiao Xiaoxiao kicked a small stone at her feet. “It’s probably from the experience of being bullied since I was little. The first time she snatched my bottles, I saw a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.”

Her understanding of human nature was all accumulated from one disdainful look after another. She wouldn’t be wrong.

Chu Xinrou was silent for a moment after hearing this, then asked softly, “What about the delivery service?”

Qiao Xiaoxiao touched the ten yuan she had just earned today in her pocket and said in a small voice, “Jiejie, didn’t you tell me about a win-win situation? I walked around the cafeteria and the school store a few times and found that many students have cravings but are too lazy to move. They fit the criteria for a win-win.”

“Our Boss Qiao,” Chu Xinrou suddenly leaned closer, her eyes filled with a sparkling smile. “How much have you earned these past few days?”

At the mention of this, Qiao Xiaoxiao could no longer suppress the smile on her face. “Almost a hundred!” The number made her heart tremble. It was something she couldn’t have even imagined in the past.

Chu Xinrou praised, “So clever.”

When they passed the dessert shop, Qiao Xiaoxiao suddenly stopped, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. “Jiejie… can I treat you to some ice cream?”

Her voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the sound of traffic.

Chu Xinrou looked at her expectant and nervous eyes and nodded with a smile.

She had never been fond of these sweet, cold drinks, but in Qiao Xiaoxiao’s joyful gaze, the sweetness of the ice cream seemed particularly special. Right at the entrance of this small shop, Chu Xinrou taught Qiao Xiaoxiao an important lesson—everything must be done within the framework of the rules.

As expected, Qiao Xiaoxiao understood immediately. She decisively gave up the delivery service, which was explicitly forbidden by the school, and focused on her recycling business. Chu Xinrou had thought this was the end, but she had underestimated her keen business sense. A few days later, she saw Qiao Xiaoxiao on her tiptoes, shaking hands with the dessert shop owner and struggling to carry away a large box full of drinks.

It turned out that Qiao Xiaoxiao had discovered a new business opportunity—selling campus mobile phone cards and data plans. She had observed for a long time. Unlike the annoying method of other student salespeople who knocked on dorm room doors one by one, she had creatively set up a small stall downstairs and put up a sign that said, “Get a free drink with any plan.”

However, perhaps because the market was somewhat saturated in the early stages, her business was not good. Qiao Xiaoxiao was a little anxious. She could wait, but the drinks’ expiration dates couldn’t. To Qiao Xiaoxiao’s surprise, her first customer was Wang Ying.

“Hurry up and pick a good plan for me,” Wang Ying squinted as she fiddled with her phone. “Pick one that allows for long phone calls.”

At the end of the day, Qiao Xiaoxiao had only managed to sign up Wang Ying and two or three other students. When she got home, she studied dejectedly, constantly blaming herself for being too rash. She should have started with fewer drinks. She would try again at night.

Xiaoxiao thought that if she could earn a little more money this time, it should be enough for her normal expenses in the first year of high school. Then she would focus all her energy on studying.

After Chu Xinrou finished painting and saw her like this, she thought for a moment and went out.

The unfortunate Yang Feitang was dragged out of her music store by Chu Xinrou again. She grumbled, “I really owe you! I owe you! I just got a China Unicom plan, I don’t want to switch to China Mobile!”

Chu Xinrou held onto her arm and wouldn’t let go, smiling. “I’ll put a few of Xiaoxiao’s flyers in your music store later. Just hand them out to anyone who comes in.”

Yang Feitang gritted her teeth. “I’m a ‘scammer.’ Will your Xiaoxiao even talk to me?!”

Chu Xinrou said, “She’s so smart, she wouldn’t turn her back on money.”

Yang Feitang: …

Chu Xinrou said, “Don’t worry, she definitely won’t discriminate against you.”

Yang Feitang: !!!

Indeed, Chu Xinrou knew Qiao Xiaoxiao well.

When Yang Feitang stood before Qiao Xiaoxiao with a cold expression, she saw that Qiao Xiaoxiao had clearly recognized her as the “scammer” at first glance. But her expression only froze for a second before her eyes immediately lit up with the enthusiasm of welcoming the God of Wealth. “Jiejie, would you like to sign up for a plan? Come sit over here. It’s hot, isn’t it? Would you like a drink?”

【Author’s Note】

Yang Feitang: From then on, I became a part of their play…