A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

After paying the tuition, Gui'er was thinking about going home, but Sha Yanxiao stopped and said to her, "You haven't seen your classmates for a semester? Do you miss them? If you meet someone you get along well with, you can go and chat with her."

Gui'er felt puzzled, and just then she saw He Ruizhu coming out. She came alone to pay tuition, so Gui'er walked over to greet her.

He Ruizhu's face was filled with worry. Gui'er asked, "What's wrong with you? Is there any problem paying the tuition?"

He Ruizhu said, "No, but my father said that after I finish this year, I might not be able to continue studying."

Gui'er was very surprised. He Ruizhu's father, Manager He, worked under Tong Yujun's father, Boss Tong, and was in charge of two businesses. In modern terms, he was a corporate executive, and he was a long-time employee with a quite high salary. She had heard He Ruizhu say once before that their family had an economic crisis because his mother had a difficult birth when giving birth to their third baby brother. However, this happened a long time ago, and she thought He Ruizhu's family had overcome the difficulties.

She asked He Ruizhu, "If you don't continue after this year, you'll only have an elementary school education. Why? Does your father not want you to study because you're a girl?"

He Ruizhu said, "No, my father said that the boss has suffered a major change and may have to close all the businesses in Jiangcheng and Fengcheng."

Gui'er was surprised and asked, "Why?"

He Ruizhu frowned and said, "I don't know either. My father came home recently and told us about it. Our whole family was so worried that we couldn't sleep all night. He also asked us not to tell anyone else. We are good friends, so it doesn't matter. But you must not tell anyone else."

Gui'er quickly nodded and agreed, and then He Ruizhu went home first.

Gui'er always felt that this matter was related to what Sha Yanxiao had discussed with Boss Tong last time, so she hurried to find Sha Yanxiao.

As soon as he found Sha Yanxiao, he saw Boss Tong leading Tong Yujun out of the teaching building after paying the tuition. Sha Yanxiao said with a smile, "Boss Tong, it's been a long time since we last met. You're here with your daughter to pay tuition? You're such a good and hands-on father."

Boss Tong saw Sha Yanxiao looked a little flustered. He glanced around and found no one was paying attention. Then he said with a smile, "Young Marshal also brought his sister here to pay tuition. It's rare to meet here, why don't we go have a cup of tea together? The Mingxianglou in front is very good."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said, "Okay, since Boss Tong recommended it, it must be good. I'll go and try it."

Then they each took a car to Mingxianglou. Boss Tong arrived first. He stood at the door with a smile on his face. He looked at Gui'er and said to Sha Yanxiao, "We adults don't need children to follow us when we're talking. Let them go play. The last time we talked, they were so engrossed in listening that they lost their appetite."

Sha Yanxiao glanced at Gui'er, nodded, and said to Boss Tong with a smile, "Boss Tong is really thoughtful."

So he asked the store to open another small room for Gui'er and Tong Yujun, and arranged some small desserts and flower tea suitable for children.

Seeing that Tong Yujun also had a worried look on her face and seemed to be hesitant to speak, Gui'er asked, "What's wrong? Aren't you happy that school is about to start?"

Tong Yujun sighed and said, "Actually, my father has been very restless these past few days."

"Why? Is it because of the Eighth Concubine's matter?"

"...Not entirely, Auntie. We definitely have to save them, but because the Young Marshal has proposed handing over management of the mine, my father is hesitant. It's not that he doesn't want to, but he's afraid that if he does, his other businesses won't be saved."

Gui'er was confused: "Why?"

Tong Yujun's face showed a maturity and sadness that was inconsistent with her age. "I know what kind of person you are. I'm not afraid to tell you straight. My father is worried that this is just the beginning. After taking over the mine, he will gradually ask for other businesses. And some businesses are only partnered with our family because of our family's reputation for owning this mine, so..."

Guier understood that the Tong family was afraid that Sha Yanxiao would become too aggressive, and on the other hand, they were also afraid that outsiders would notice and affect their business.

So she said to Tong Yujun, "You know I'm just an adopted daughter and don't have much say, but I can help you ask my brother what he thinks."

Tong Yujun nodded gratefully and said, "I know I'm sorry to put you in a difficult position, and I don't want to cause trouble to my friend, but there is really no way. I can't ignore my aunt." Then he took out two gold bars and handed them to Guier.

Gui'er then realized that it was Boss Tong's idea from the beginning. She was a little overwhelmed and said quickly, "No need. Didn't you give me a bag of silver dollars when I was in trouble before?"

Tong Yujun was a little embarrassed. She remembered how she had refused to help Gui'er and said awkwardly, "You should take it. My father actually regrets rejecting your help. He was very touched when you were willing to help my aunt last time. He said that your situation isn't good either. It might be better for a child, but as you grow up, you'll probably have to be more cautious. So it's good to have some extra money on hand, and it's best not to let anyone else know."

Gui'er was stunned. She hadn't expected Boss Tong to act this way. She couldn't tell for a moment whether it was genuine or fake. She lowered her head and thought for a moment before accepting the two gold bars. "Then I won't refuse. Thank your father for me," she said.

Tong Yujun breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she had accepted it. She nodded and said, "You're welcome. We should thank you. Father said that if you have any news from your brother, you can tell me."

Guier nodded and said, "I understand."

Seeing that he had finished what he wanted to say, Tong Yujun stood up and said to Gui'er, "That's it for today. I still need to tell my father that he definitely won't dare to make any promises to the young marshal now."

As he spoke, he swiftly pulled Gui'er to the room where Sha Yanxiao and Boss Tong were discussing something. He knocked on the door and the Tong family's housekeeper opened it. Gui'er and Tong Yujun walked in and saw Boss Tong sweating profusely, standing timidly beside the table with his back bent. Sha Yanxiao sat there with his legs crossed and an impatient look on his face, holding a cup of tea in his hand.

Seeing the two of them come in, Boss Tong seemed to be relieved and said to Sha Yanxiao hesitantly, "I need to think about what the young marshal said again."

Sha Yanxiao had a stern face, but when he saw Gui'er, he softened a little. After hearing what Boss Tong said, he nodded and said, "Then you better hurry up. Of course, if you can find someone else to help, that's fine too."

Upon hearing this, Boss Tong hurriedly waved his hands and said, "Young Marshal, you're overthinking it. How could I not know what your position is in the Marshal's Mansion? You're the perfect fit. I only ask for two more days."

Sha Yanxiao smiled and said nothing more, and both sides went back.