C11 Xu Xiao

Zhao Lei recognized the voice instantly and couldn't help but frown, muttering to himself, "Xu Xiang, what does this guy want with Lee Qian?"

Xu Xiang was two years Zhao Lei's junior and one of the two college students from their village. When Zhao Lei decided to drop out, Xu Xiang became the sole college student in the village.

But unlike Zhao Lei, who had aced the city's college entrance exams, Xu Xiang's academic performance was lackluster. He hadn't even managed to make the cut for third-tier universities, barely scraping into a community college.

This was why Xu Xiang harbored both envy and jealousy towards Zhao Lei, often claiming behind his back that Zhao Lei had an easy set of exam questions or that he had just gotten lucky to be the city's top scorer. He simply couldn't accept it.

Unaware that Zhao Lei was just outside, Xu Xiang was busy bragging to Lee Qian, who was preoccupied with cooking. "Sure, the county town is bustling, but it's nothing compared to the big cities. If you ever get into college and run into any issues, just come to me. I'll make sure they're taken care of!"

At this, Zhao Lei couldn't suppress a chuckle. So Xu Xiang was trying to impress Zhao Jing by showing off. The guy was only a community college student; what kind of problems could he possibly solve for Lee Qian? His audacity was almost admirable—apparently, there was no tax on boasting!

With these thoughts, Zhao Lei stepped into Lee Qian's home and immediately spotted the young woman engrossed in her cooking, while Xu Xiang was beside her, chattering away and sneakily eyeing her graceful figure.

Lee Qian's pretty face showed a hint of impatience with Xu Xiang's rambling, but she was too polite to voice her annoyance.

As Zhao Lei entered, he greeted her warmly, "Qian, I'm here!"

Lee Qian quickly set aside her task and welcomed him with a smile, "Mr. Zhao Lei, what brings you here?"

Zhao Lei casually set the bamboo basket against the wall, grinning as he replied, "I accidentally took your basket earlier, so I've brought it back for you."

Lee Qian quickly interjected, "Oh, I'm so sorry, you should have just told me, and I would have gotten it myself."

"No trouble at all, just lending a hand," Zhao Lei said with a smile. "You're quite busy yourself. I wouldn't want to get in the way of your work."

Lee Qian nodded in appreciation, at a loss for words.

Xu Xiang, overhearing the conversation, looked visibly uncomfortable. He was, after all, the very person Zhao Lei was referring to as a distraction to Lee Qian's work.

In the past, Xu Xiang wouldn't have dared to contradict Zhao Lei, especially given his status as the city's top scorer in the college entrance exams and a student at a prestigious university.

However, upon learning that Zhao Lei planned to drop out and return to the village to farm, Xu Xiang felt emboldened. He gave a forced smile and said, "Zhao Lei, it's been a while."

"Oh, Xu Xiang is here too?" Zhao Lei feigned surprise as if noticing him for the first time.

"I've been here quite a while, just catching up with Qian!" Xu Xiang claimed, trying to appear close to Lee Qian. He then added with feigned concern, "I heard you dropped out? Knowledge is power in today's world, and without a diploma, it's tough to get anywhere. What were you thinking?"

He paused, then with a knowing look, continued, "Ah, I get it now. You must have been expelled, right? Who would willingly leave such a great school?"

Zhao Lei, uninterested in justifying himself to Xu Xiang, simply ignored him and offered Lee Qian a gentle smile. "I've delivered the bamboo basket. If there's nothing else, I'll head back."

To Xu Xiang, Zhao Lei's reaction was a clear sign of his guilt. He turned to Lee Qian with a grave tone, "Qian, let me remind you of something. Don't assume that just getting into university is enough. You must apply yourself and study hard. Otherwise, you risk expulsion, and all your hard work will be for naught, ruining your life."

Lee Qian couldn't fathom the idea of Zhao Lei being expelled from school. With a displeased furrow of her brows, she insisted, "Mr. Zhao Lei is a good person; the school wouldn't expel him!"

"People can be deceptive," Xu Xiang retorted with a cold laugh. "Polytechnic University is a top institution in the country. If you were admitted, would you just drop out? Some people, they make mistakes but are too proud to admit it."

Lee Qian was at a loss for words. The young girl turned to Zhao Lei, seeking a persuasive response from him.

Zhao Lei had simply intended to deliver a bamboo basket to Lee Qian and had no desire to stoop to Xu Xiang's level. Yet, Xu Xiang's repeated insolence and thinly veiled jabs left Zhao Lei unwilling to let it slide.

Instead of addressing Xu Xiang's skepticism, Zhao Lei redirected the conversation with a smile. "Qian, you're heading into your senior year of high school, right? How are your grades?"

"I'm about average for my class," Lee Qian murmured.

"Being average in a competitive school like the county's top high school is quite an achievement," Zhao Lei remarked calmly. "Still, you need to push yourself to climb higher. Aim for a second-tier university score at the very least. Even if it's not as high, make sure you can secure a third-tier score. Settling for a diploma program... might as well not bother with the exams!"

Xu Xiang, who was enrolled in a diploma program, was seething at Zhao Lei's comments but found himself without a comeback, nearly bursting with frustration.

Casting a glance at Xu Xiang, whose face was beet red, Zhao Lei added coolly, "For most people, dropping out of Polytechnic University would be a shame. But as the city's top scorer on the college entrance exam, I could reapply and get back in anytime. It's really not that big of a deal."

Xu Xiang was inwardly squirming with discomfort. He had hoped to belittle Zhao Lei, who had once overshadowed him, and maybe even impress the lovely Lee Qian to win her affection. But Zhao Lei's sharp retort had left him utterly humiliated.

Xu Xiang was merely a freshman and couldn't bear the embarrassment any longer. He hastily concocted an excuse and scurried away.

Watching his awkward retreat, Zhao Lei smirked to himself: You're in over your head trying to compete with me, kid!

Once Xu Xiang was out of sight, Lee Qian giggled and teased Zhao Lei, "Mr. Zhao Lei, you're so naughty!"

Realizing that Lee Qian had caught on, Zhao Lei affectionately ruffled her hair and advised, "Even though I said those things to get under that guy's skin, there's some truth to them. You need to take your studies seriously, got it?"

"I got it!" Lee Qian replied, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "But there are so many questions I can't figure out. What should I do?"

Her charming naivety made Zhao Lei chuckle. "Just come to me with any questions you have in the future. I may have decided to drop out, but tutoring a senior high student is still well within my capabilities."

After promising to tutor Lee Qian, Zhao Lei departed from her home. He had intended to visit her father, Lee Jianguo, but since he was already asleep, Zhao Lei decided to leave it be.

After Zhao Lei had gone, Lee Qian went to store the bamboo basket and was surprised to discover several pieces of polygonum multiflorum and ginseng inside. Realizing Zhao Lei must have intentionally left them for her, she couldn't help but beam with joy.

Unaware of how much his thoughtful act had delighted Lee Qian, Zhao Lei returned home and started preparing to cultivate Dendrobium officinale.