95: Chapter 95 Xu Qian's Brother's Call

"Sister, what are you doing? I just tried calling you, but the line was busy the whole time…" As soon as the call connected, before Xu Qian could speak, her younger brother Xu Zilin's slightly childish yet urgent voice came through.

"Uh, nothing, I'm not doing anything…" A flash of embarrassment crossed Xu Qian's face, and she explained with a slightly unnatural tone, "I happened to be on the phone with a friend, so I didn't get yours." As she spoke, she unconsciously twirled a strand of her hair with her fingers, her eyes darting away.

"A friend?" Xu Zilin raised his eyebrows in curiosity. After a moment of thought, a hint of craftiness flashed in his eyes. "Hehe, Sister, that friend you were talking to, could it be your boyfriend? You've never talked to any friend for this long so late at night before… Confess, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Go away, you little brat, don't talk nonsense!" Xu Qian laughed and retorted, though her eyes inadvertently glanced at the time on the TV screen. It was 9:00 PM; she had actually been talking to Qin Yi for nearly half an hour, and the corners of her mouth lifted involuntarily.

"Tch, who's a little brat? I'm 18 already, I'm an adult, okay?!" Xu Zilin felt speechless and pouted in protest.

"Haha, so what if you're 18? As far as your sister is concerned, even if you were 28, you'd still be a little brat!" Xu Qian laughed even more brightly, her eyes full of doting affection. "Tell me, why are you calling at this hour?"

"Actually, it's nothing major. It's just that I have to go to school tomorrow to fill out my college application preferences. Mom is worried, so she insisted I call you to ask for your opinion again…" As Xu Zilin spoke, he looked tenderly at his mother, who was sitting on the sofa, wearing reading glasses and mending clothes.

Xu Qian and her brother's mother was not very old—not even fifty yet—but having raised two children on her own for so many years, she looked like an old woman of fifty or sixty. Her hair had turned white, and her eyesight had failed prematurely.

Thinking her brother was still worried about tuition, Xu Qian frowned slightly and emphasized again, "Didn't I tell you yesterday? Whatever school you want to apply to, I support you! You don't need to worry about tuition; your sister can afford to put you through university now."

"Hmm…" Xu Zilin nodded gently, but then hesitated. "Sister, was what you said yesterday true? Did you really earn a lot of money selling cars?"

"Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you? Your sister sold a lot of cars that day, and the bonus is very high. It just hasn't been paid out yet; I have to wait until the 20th. Don't worry, once the bonus is in hand, I'll cover your entire four years of university tuition. Tell me, which university do you want to apply to? What major?"

"Uh… I actually want to apply to Modu University for the Metal Materials Engineering major! I checked, the admission score for this major was 632 last year, and I got 666, so it should be fine."

"Modu, Modu University?" Xu Qian was a bit surprised. Her brother also wanted to go to Modu University; wouldn't that make him an alumnus of Qin Yi?

"Yeah, Modu University. Sister, is there a problem?"

"Uh, no, no problem. Modu University is quite good. It's just that I don't know much about this Metal Materials Engineering major. Why do you want to apply for it? Are you considering good job prospects in the future?"

"Yeah, I've asked around. This major has great job prospects, and the salary is high. You can get into some large state-owned enterprises right after graduation…"

"But do you like this major? Don't apply for a major you don't like just because you want to make more money… Your sister has money now, your own preference is what matters most, understand?"

"Yeah, Sister, I understand. But, Sister, I've grown up; I'm an adult. I can't always rely on you. I know how you've scrimped and saved to put me through school all these years. In the future, I want you to be able to rely on me too… Besides, this major is also a state-featured major in our Huaxia Dragon Kingdom, and the future employment prospects are very good."

"Zilin, you've grown up and become sensible. Since you've thought it through, your sister will naturally support you with everything I have."

"Hmm, thanks, Sister. Oh, by the way, is Modu University far from where you live? If it's not far, we can meet often… Once I'm done with things here, can Mom and I come to Modu to find you?"

"Sure, once your admission letter arrives, your sister will take you on a tour of Modu University in advance!"

"Hmm, it's a deal!" Xu Zilin said, looking at his mother, and handed her the phone. "Mom, why don't you talk to Sister too?"

His mother smiled and waved her hand, not taking the phone from Xu Zilin, her eyes full of smiles. "No need, there's nothing important, don't waste money on the phone bill. It's getting late, and your sister has to work tomorrow, let her get some rest…"

Xu Zilin took the phone back and said to Xu Qian, "Sister, Mom is worried about the phone bill again. I'm hanging up now. Get some rest early, I'll call you again in a couple of days."

"Hmm, you two get some rest early too. Oh, is there still money at home? If not, I'll transfer some more."

"No need to transfer, Sister. My homeroom teacher told me earlier that I did very well on the exam, ranking in the top ten of the school, and there's a bonus."

"Is that so? I didn't expect Zilin to start earning money too… Hahaha, not bad."

"Yeah, I've already decided. Once the bonus arrives tomorrow, I'll take Mom to the county seat for a good meal!"

"Alright, alright, all you think about is eating, hurry up and hang up the phone…" Hearing the siblings talking endlessly, his mother urged from the side.

Hearing this, Xu Zilin had no choice but to say, "Alright, Mom is urging again, so I'm hanging up now…"

"Hmm, okay, go ahead…"

After hanging up, Xu Zilin put down the phone, walked over to his mother, and gently massaged her shoulders. He smiled and said, "Mom, look at you, how many times a week do you talk to Sister… You don't say much."

"What's there to say… Your sister has been sensible since she was a child, feeling bad for me, and she sends money home every month. You actually believe her when she says she earned money? How long has she been doing that car sales job? How much could she earn? I think she's just doing it to let you apply for college without worries. When you become successful in the future, you must not forget your sister."

"Mom, I could never forget my sister, no matter what… But tell me, should I really apply to Modu University? The tuition is seven or eight thousand a year, and the cost of living in Modu is high. Living expenses will be at least ten or twenty thousand a year. Wouldn't that be too expensive? But if I apply to a slightly worse university, with my scores, I could get a full scholarship, which would take some pressure off you and Sister."

His mother pondered for a moment, put down the clothes in her hands, and seemed to have made a big decision. "Apply. Zilin, you are our family's hope. Your sister gave up the chance to go to university back then to let you study. You did very well this time, don't let her down. I've saved some of the money your sister sent home. Although it's not much, if we are frugal, it's enough for a year's living expenses. Besides, the school has subsidies for poor students and work-study positions. You can try those too. You've grown up now, and it's time to share the burden for your sister…"

"Hmm," Xu Zilin nodded heavily, then added, "Don't worry, Mom, I will. Once the admission letter arrives, I'll apply to the school…"

On the other side, Xu Qian was interrupted from her wild thoughts by her brother's call, and she could no longer calm down to consider whether to meet Qin Yi's parents. She immediately turned off the TV and went to the bathroom to wash up.

Before long, she lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. As time ticked by, Xu Qian gradually drifted into dreamland.

…

Meanwhile, inside the Nightlife Bar on Changle Street in Modu, Brother Dao sat in his luxuriously decorated office, his face full of sycophantic smiles, his body leaning slightly forward as if that would bring him closer to the person on the other end of the line.

He said in a nearly cloying tone, "Boss! You finally called, I've missed you so much… As soon as I hear your voice, I feel like I'm bathed in a spring breeze; it's simply the sound of nature!" That wretched look was a complete contrast to his usual arrogant and domineering demeanor in front of his underlings.

On the other end of the line came the cold and unbridled voice of a young man, seemingly completely unimpressed by Brother Dao's flattery. He coldly ordered, "Xiao Dao, I'm arriving in Modu tomorrow. Arrange a car for me at the airport!"

Upon hearing this, Brother Dao's eyes lit up immediately, as if he saw an opportunity to show his loyalty. He quickly said, "Oh, Boss, since you're coming to Modu, I must go to the airport to pick you up personally! Tell me which flight, and when you'll arrive, I'll definitely be there on time!" As he spoke, he even patted his chest to show his determination.

However, the boss's voice was even colder. "No! You arrange for someone to park the car in the airport's underground parking lot and then send me the location!"

Hearing the boss say this, the smile on Brother Dao's face froze immediately. He asked with confusion, "Wait, Boss, why is that? How can I not pick you up personally when you come here?"

"Why? You still have the nerve to ask why?" There was a hint of anger in the boss's voice. "Don't you know? Was your subordinate A-Qiang arrested by the police?"

Hearing this, Brother Dao's brows furrowed tightly, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He asked with some panic, "Uh… Boss, you really have such a Divine Ability, how did you know about this…" As he spoke, he wiped the sweat from his forehead with his hand, his eyes full of awe and unease.

"How I know, you don't need to worry about!" The boss's voice carried undeniable authority. "However, I heard that the police are already watching you. Before the matter with A-Qiang is resolved, I advise you to keep a low profile. Besides, I also need to avoid suspicion so as not to be targeted by those with ulterior motives."

Brother Dao nodded quickly like a chicken pecking at rice. "Uh… I understand… I will definitely keep a low profile, Boss, don't you worry!"

"Hmm, remember, the car must not be registered under your name." The boss's voice softened slightly. "I'll come to the Nightlife Bar to find you later tomorrow."

"Yes, yes, Boss, I will definitely arrange everything and wait for your grand arrival!" Brother Dao quickly agreed, the smile on his face piling up again, though this time with a bit more reluctance and unease.