After being reborn, the school beauty's entire family knelt down to repent.

Aunt Chen chimed in, "That's right! You unfilial son! You spendthrift! You're going to drive us crazy!"

Uncle Chen pointed at Chen Ming and cursed, "Look at you! Don't you have any remorse? Four million! How are we supposed to pay it back? You're dragging our whole family down with you!"

Other elders also joined in the condemnation, each offering their own words, their scolding rising and falling like a swarm of angry bees buzzing.

"Alright, stop arguing." Chen Ming waved his hand impatiently, his tone tinged with impatience.

"I borrowed this money to start a business, not to gamble or squander. Besides, I didn't ask you to pay it back, so what are you worried about? I'll pay it back when I make money."

Grandpa Chen stared at Chen Ming with suspicion, his tone full of doubt: "Make...make money? How do you make money? With your abilities? You can make four million?"

The other elders also cast skeptical glances, clearly not believing Chen Ming's words.

Chen Ming offered no explanation, turned and went into his room, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.

Chen Ming returned to his room, locked the door, and shut out the noise from his relatives downstairs.

A bitter feeling welled up in his heart.

In his previous life, he was seriously ill, and these so-called relatives avoided him like the plague, fearing they would be a burden to him.

Now, with this four million debt, they are all crying and wailing, as if the sky has fallen.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suppressed the bitterness in his heart.

When I opened my eyes again, they were clear.

In this life, he'll see what other tricks they can pull.

……

With the college entrance examination approaching, Chen Ming's grades have consistently ranked first in his grade, which has caught the attention of the principal.

It was a sunny and cloudless day.

The principal adjusted his glasses, went to Chen Ming's classroom himself, and gently knocked on the door.

The homeroom teacher quickly stood up and respectfully welcomed the principal in.

"Chen Ming, the principal wants to see you," the homeroom teacher said softly as he walked to Chen Ming's seat.

Chen Ming got up and followed his homeroom teacher out of the classroom to the principal's office.

The principal gestured for Chen Ming to sit down, smiled kindly, and said, "Chen Ming, please sit down."

"Chen Ming, your grades have always been excellent. Have you decided on your college application yet?"

The principal asked kindly, holding a steaming cup of tea in his hand.

Chen Ming pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then said:

“Principal, my goal is Tsinghua or Peking University. If I don’t get into either of those universities, then Shantou University will be my next choice.”

Upon hearing this, the principal adjusted his glasses, a smile of approval spreading across his face, and said:

"Yes, not bad, very ambitious! Young people should have this kind of drive and goals. I will do my best to help you get a recommendation spot, so keep up the good work!"

Zhao Rou, who happened to be passing by, caught a glimpse of this scene and stopped in her tracks.

She stood at the office door and heard every word of Chen Ming's conversation with the principal.

A slight, disdainful sneer curled at the corners of her lips as she silently mocked herself.

"Chen Ming? A country bumpkin like him, dreaming of getting into Tsinghua or Peking University? What a pipe dream!"

"He should take a good look at himself in the mirror. Someone like him wants to get into a top university? It's utterly ridiculous! I'd like to see how he manages to get into Tsinghua or Peking University. Dream on!"

After leaving the principal's office, Zhao Rou lingered in the corridor for a while, pondering how to strike up a conversation with Chen Ming.

She saw Chen Ming come out of the principal's office, and walked towards him with light steps, her face showing just the right amount of concern, as if it were a chance encounter.

She walked up to Chen Ming, stopped, and asked with feigned concern, "Chen Ming, I think I just saw you coming out of the principal's office. Did the principal want to see you about something?"

Chen Ming stopped and turned to look at Zhao Rou, replying calmly, "It's nothing. The principal was just concerned about my studies and college application."

Zhao Rou feigned surprise, covering her mouth and exclaiming exaggeratedly, "Wow, the principal is personally concerned about your college application choices! It seems the school values ​​you a lot! Have you told the principal about your choices?"

Chen Ming nodded calmly: "I did."

Zhao Rou pressed further, "Which university are you planning to apply to?"

Without hesitation, Chen Ming answered, "Tsinghua or Peking University."

Upon hearing Chen Ming's answer, Zhao Rou feigned surprise, widening her eyes and exclaiming dramatically, "Tsinghua and Peking University? Isn't that a bit... too high a goal?"

She paused, then covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling, and said with feigned concern:

"Chen Ming, I'm not trying to be mean, but while your grades are good, Tsinghua and Peking University aren't easy to get into. What if you don't get in? Wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

Chen Ming shrugged and smiled nonchalantly, "Awkward? Why should I feel awkward?"

"Based on my grades, even if I don't get into Tsinghua or Peking University, I can only choose other top universities. There are plenty of opportunities in the world, not just Tsinghua and Peking University."

He raised an eyebrow, a relaxed smile playing on his lips, and asked in return, "But you, Zhao Rou, putting aside your grades, you seem quite concerned about whether I can get into university?"

He paused for a moment, his tone slightly teasing.

Are you worried that I won't pass the exam?

"Or are you actually hoping I fail the exam?"

"It's not like you're taking the exam, so why are you so nervous?"

Zhao Rou quickly waved her hand and explained, "Chen Ming, don't misunderstand. I just think... with your grades, it might be a bit difficult. After all, Tsinghua and Peking Universities only admit a limited number of students nationwide each year, and the competition is extremely fierce."

She added, "Besides, the admission scores for Tsinghua and Peking Universities are also very high. Are you sure you can get such high scores?"

Instead of answering her question directly, Chen Ming countered, "Zhao Rou, are you showing concern for me, or are you questioning me?"

Zhao Rou covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling, and said, "Of course I care about you! I'm just worried that your goals are too high, and you'll be discouraged if you don't pass the exam."

She paused, then said, "After all, the college entrance examination is a major event in life. If you fail, it will affect your future development."

Chen Ming smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, I will try my best."

Zhao Rou's expression changed slightly, and her smile froze for a moment, but she quickly recovered and skillfully concealed her inner turmoil.

She waved her hand casually, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm: "I'm just kindly reminding you not to be too ambitious. If you fail the exam, don't blame me for not warning you."

After saying that, she swayed her hips and walked away.

Chen Ming silently watched Zhao Rou's departing figure, his gaze gradually turning cold, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.