Daily life of working as a substitute bride for a wealthy family

Sheng Yang looked at her and sighed, "I went to Qingluan County and Qingluan Middle School before the New Year. I saw your file and photos.

Xiang Ran, you've changed a lot since you grew up.

So when I first saw you I didn't recognize you in time.

But, you must have recognized me a long time ago, right? "

Xiang Ran's eyes became moist.

Sheng Yang's voice seemed to float from afar: "That year, I went to Qingluan County with my cousins. Firstly, I was a little averse to this kind of revamping resume for charity, and secondly, that event delayed my other plans. So my attitude at the time may have seemed a little unhappy, but it wasn't directed at anyone.

That day, when it was my turn to speak, I said something without thinking.

But when I saw you being laughed at on the stage, I regretted it.

When the event ended, I saw that your eyes were red.

My cousin asked me to go and comfort you.

But the interview process tripped us up.

I went to see you in the afternoon, and your head teacher said you were in the dormitory.

Later, when I went to the dormitory, your classmate told me—

You climbed over the wall and went to the hill behind the school.

So, I painted this picture on the hillside.

It has been hanging in my study for a long time. On the one hand, I think its composition and color scheme are beautiful. On the other hand, it reminds me to be cautious when criticizing others.

Xiang Ran bit her trembling lips, her eyes sore.

She turned her eyes away gently.

Afraid that he would notice his embarrassment.

"In my heart, the magnolia of hope is you—always you, never anyone else."

Every word Sheng Yang said struck her heart.

Xiang Ran's tears finally rolled down...

At the end of the day, he cast a glance at me.

She still remembers it clearly to this day.

But at that time - she was too sensitive and too self-deprecating, and mistakenly thought his look was contempt.

So she hated him at that time.

I hated that he had caught my sensitivity and tears.

I hate him for making me, a poor person, feel inferior.

She hated him for making her see clearly that the speaking opportunity she had won through her competitive efforts was nothing but a laughing stock in the eyes of the rich.

After they left, she complained about him for a whole semester.

The classmates were all surprised at her "hatred" for him.

In her words, he was described as the most arrogant playboy.

The enemy of the poor and a megalomaniac.

And she was sure that his face was ugly under the mask.

But only she herself knew how shocking his stunning temperament and overseas study background were to her at that time.

So much so that later on, studying abroad became her obsession and yearning without her realizing it.

It was not until many years later that she understood that a girl's admiration was more or less tinged with inferiority, sensitivity, and the tendency to slander others if she couldn't get what she wanted.

Xiang Ran said with difficulty: "Later, English became my best subject in middle school.

Also, my Mandarin passed the second-class test - I completely got rid of my accent.

My spoken English is pretty good now, isn’t it? "

Sheng Yang nodded gently: "Yes."

"Before leaving Qingluan County, I actually looked for your class teacher. I don't know if she told you, maybe not—maybe you've forgotten."

His voice was deep and powerful, "But today I want to repeat what I said more than ten years ago.

Although you haven't left Qingluan County yet, believe me—in the future you will definitely leave the mountains and see the great rivers, the great lakes, and the sea. You will visit many, many places and many countries."

Xiang Ran said with tears in her eyes, "She said it—Teacher Ge told me so! But I... I didn't know it was you who said it!"

Sheng Yang reached out and touched her short hair: "Don't cry, I told her not to mention me."

"After you left that day, I secretly made up my mind that if you come again next time, I will definitely not let you down." Xiang Ran lowered her head and sobbed softly, "I actually studied very hard.

But I still disappoint you.

I didn’t get into a “985” or “211” university in my senior year of high school, and only went to a non- or non- university.

Due to family reasons, I gave up the postgraduate entrance examination in my senior year.

Because I want to start working early.

I worked many part-time jobs throughout college. I didn't eat, drink, or have fun, and I didn't even have a relationship.

But unfortunately, I became unemployed right after graduation.

In order to stay in this city, I accidentally went astray and did a wrong thing.

In fact, during that period, I lived on thin ice, full of self-blame and guilt all the time.

I thought about leaving and ending it, but for some reason, I failed to do so several times.

If I had mustered up the courage to say 'no' earlier.

Things might not turn out this way.

sorry!

Have I become a disappointment?"

Tears were flowing down Xiang Ran's face.

Tears fell drop by drop onto the mirror frame.

She bit her lip and held her breath as she uttered her belated apology.

“No, you’ve been doing great.

I said that your existence itself is hope.

Last winter, I went to the mountain village where you lived, walked the road you took out of the village, and went to the elementary school you attended.

Meet your neighbors,

I even met your adoptive parents..."

Xiang Ran opened her eyes wide and looked at him in horror: "You——"

“Don’t worry—I didn’t tell them who I was.

So, I know how difficult it is for you to get to where you are today.

If I lived there, I might not be able to do as well as you are doing today.

Everyone has occasional deviations.

Because we are all human.

It is unfair to blame a person without considering her starting point, the difficult road she has taken, and the harsh living environment.

You don’t have to feel guilty about the past anymore.”

Sheng Yang reached out and handed over the tissue on the table.

Xiang Ran took it.

She held the paper ball in her hand after wiping.

It seems like there is a solution.

He handed it over again.

She thought it was another tissue, so she lowered her head to take it, but found it was a brown paper file bag.

Sheng Yang: "Country E has a very rainy climate, and its reputation as a study abroad destination has declined in recent years. The CW university you applied to isn't even in the top 500 on the QS rankings, and Country E is a food desert."

My suggestion is - why not go to Country X?

Country X's economy and public security are decent, and the food is similar to that in China. Most importantly, it's only a five-hour flight, making it convenient to get there.

Xiang Ran knew all this very well.

She simply said silently, "The requirements for admission to several universities in Country X are quite high. With my GPA and the university I graduated from, it's difficult to apply to those public universities."

Sheng Yang: "In the briefcase are the recommendation letters and internship certificates I found for you. S University in Country X is well-ranked. You might consider the Master's programs in Education and Business."

There is a business card enclosed in the letter of recommendation. You can contact Mr. Li according to the information on the business card and he can help you secure the offer."

Xiang Ran held the file bag and looked up at him.

Momentarily speechless.

The man's usually sharp features were especially gentle tonight. "I've rented an apartment for you near S University. The rent has already been paid. You can come over anytime. The apartment address and contact information are also in the file bag."

Also, there is a card inside...it's to thank you for your hard work in Jinxiu these days.

But that card was originally yours."

Xiang Ran guessed that the card he was talking about was probably a family fund card that paid out money every month.

Before she went to Country T, there was more than one million in that card.

"No, I don't need it. I don't need your help in applying to S University again, or renting an apartment, or money. I already owe you a lot." She looked at him pleadingly, "I have money to go to school, I can rely on myself now!"

"Silly girl, relying on yourself is a false proposition."

"In our country, as long as you are a man, whether you are rich or poor, even the worst man can inherit a homestead and a dilapidated house at home. If it is really not possible, there are still parents who work like cows and horses for you, washing clothes and cooking for you.

But they kept silent about it and just told women to be independent.

Let me ask you – haven’t you always relied on yourself?

What did you inherit? The family house or the car?

What did you get?

Is it the parents’ labor? Emotional value? Positive motivation? Network resources?

No.

Nothing at all.

Want you to walk the bustling and tempting social road,

But they don’t give you any travel expenses or start-up capital.

Even the three acres of land in your hometown is not yours, leaving you with no way out.

The road of socialization in the pursuit of fame and fortune is full of forks and detours that seem to be shortcuts.

However, no one tells you what the right path is.

Silly girl, you have always relied on yourself.

Even when you have to take a detour, you are making the choice alone.

I think you must have been confused and hesitant at that time.

It’s just that maybe you didn’t even have anyone to discuss it with at the time.”

Xiang Ran stood there at a loss, listening quietly.

Sheng Yang stood up with his hands behind his back and walked towards her.

He felt a little reluctant: "Don't have any psychological burden. Uncle Zhou's son went to study in the United States with the money paid by the Sheng family. Even Aunt Zhang's daughter's admission fee to a key high school was paid by grandpa.

Even if you are teacher Tina, you can accept my help with peace of mind.

Besides, you're not just Tina, right?

You are this smart guy.

Prestigious schools are structural holes that are common all over the world.

Information exchange, resource exchange, and credit endorsement can all be carried out through the platform of famous schools.

If you have a choice, of course you would choose a university with a higher ranking, right?

Others have people supporting them and paving the way for them.

And behind you - there is me.