Just when Zhao Guangran was trying every possible way to fight for his own benefits, Cao Na was standing in front of a deserted campus bulletin board.

Looking at the announcement, she couldn’t help but reach out to touch the lips in the photo, full of youthful vigor.

There was nothing but the coldness of the glass, no human warmth, and certainly no hand reaching out to touch hers, speaking hippie-like words with her.

"I regret it." Cao Na truly regretted it.

"Unfortunately, there’s no way back." Cao Na took a deep breath.

In the past, her elder sister said that Zhao Gang and the others leaving Yangcheng and offending the Wang Family was a loss for Zhao Gang and his people.

But seeing their business step up more and more, and their profitable land ventures in Yangcheng also thriving in other cities, life was quite good.

Although Cao Na didn’t know how much money they made, from the cars they drove, it was clear their days were unquestionably good.

As for the tutoring classes run by Gong Ruini and the others, the business was better than ever, requiring connections to get in, especially the classes taught personally by Gong Ruini and Zhao Guangran were highly sought after, nearly causing fights.

The Hot Spring Villa that was previously a loss and unattractive to visitors became the hottest spot near Beijing for hot springs at the end of last year.

People with cars would drive themselves, and those without would wait for weekend shuttles between the two places, making the business even more booming.

Unfortunately, such thriving business had nothing to do with her; the thought of her mother and elder sister’s displeased expressions left her feeling uncomfortable.

Why were they unhappy? Was it not because they felt she missed out on such good income?

Actually, what was more important was her elder sister and mother saying that as long as they got this money, it would be easy to reconcile with Zhao Guangran later and reclaim the shares, wouldn’t it?

Cao Na couldn’t even remember how she felt back then; over the past year, she realized she had changed a lot, at least when it came to family, she wore a mask.

Cao Na turned and slowly walked home. The entrance exam was in a few days, and there was no point thinking so much; it was better to think about how to improve her grades.

Especially the test papers that appeared on her desk a few days ago, she wanted to study them carefully, even if they might not be on the test, it was still beneficial to study more.

Seeing Cao Na return, Dai Yaning hurriedly tried to hang up the phone.

Seeing the situation, Cao Na didn’t even enter the house, "I’m going back to my room to study."

At home, anything was discussed and decided by her mother and elder sister before it was communicated to her, regardless of whether she agreed or not, it was simply conveyed.

Thank goodness her grandfather was still around; her mother and sister didn’t dare go too far. Cao Na really didn’t want to think about what would happen if her grandfather weren’t around.

Perhaps her mother and sister would be unable to restrain themselves.

Once she got into college, she could stay in the dorms; Cao Na couldn’t help but be thankful that the money she saved and the house she bought in the past year weren’t shared with her parents. After all, she had her ID card now, buying a house was quite easy.

After seeing her daughter leave, Dai Yaning picked up the phone again to chat with her eldest daughter in Yangcheng, continuously comforting her.

Cao Bin stood in the hallway listening for a long time, and over the past year, although it seemed the same on the surface, was it really the same? In fact, their family was just maintaining a facade.

"Alright, Cao Li is married with a child now, and has three houses in Yangcheng, living comfortably." Cao Bin wasn’t sure how much Cao Na knew, but seeing her increasingly fake smile, he understood she wasn’t unaware but chose not to speak.

Cao Bin went over and directly hung up the phone, making Dai Yaning angry.

"Talking about these things all day during work hours, why not just go to work?"

"Always complaining about the boss targeting her, coworkers excluding her, why not think about her own attitude, who would like that?"

"When she first went to Yangcheng, even without the Wang Family’s help, didn’t she handle things admirably?" Cao Bin really didn’t understand how, after so many years of development in Yangcheng, her path was narrowing.

"Xiao Li isn’t a local in Yangcheng, it’s normal for them to exclude her." Dai Yaning argued angrily, "Xiao Li said they planned to return to Beijing to develop."

Dai Yaning was worried, if it were before, arranging a decent job for Cao Li would be easy, but after falling out with the Zhao Family, Dai Yaning felt the pressure.

Gradually, people distanced themselves from them. Originally, Dai Yaning could self-righteously say it didn’t matter, but now, if she didn’t reach out to those people, what would happen to Cao Li? 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

There were still connections, but they were reserved for Nana by Old Master Cao; her future shouldn’t start at a low point when she entered this circle.

The more Dai Yaning thought about it, the more she felt the loss. The old man helped so many people in his life, but in the end, it all came down to arranging a job for Nana after college, really losing out at the in-laws’ house.

Dai Yaning knew it wouldn’t work to find her father-in-law for this, it was better to talk to Cao Na.

Listening to her mom talking non-stop about how hard her elder sister worked, Cao Na was really tired of it. Hearing the same thing for years, she really didn’t want to listen.

"I understand, arranging for my sister to come back is important." If she didn’t agree, her elder sister would definitely keep nagging, it was better to let her have the opportunity.

Up to now, Cao Na remembered that only her own efforts were truly hers. At this moment, she was immensely thankful that she majored in a foreign language, at least it was a skill that wouldn’t let her starve.

She could join the translation bureau in the future, or perhaps have a chance to enter the Foreign Ministry. Anyway, the job wouldn’t be bad, and now that there was a shortage of foreign language talents, as long as her skills were solid, she could earn extra money as a translator.

Dai Yaning originally thought it would take a lot of persuasion, not expecting it to be so easily agreed upon, "You won’t regret it?"

"I won’t regret it." When Cao Na told the old man she wouldn’t follow the path he arranged, she replied confidently to his questioning look.

"Ni Zi told me that after getting to college, I should work hard to learn a second foreign language, and then I can find translation work." Even facing her parents, Cao Na wouldn’t reveal her plan, but with her grandfather, she shared all her thoughts.

"When my sister returns, I’ll let them have the place I’m living in, I can stay at the school then." Cao Na foresaw that her sister would definitely want her to vacate an apartment for her upon returning.

In the past, Cao Na didn’t mind, since they were sisters, there was no need to be so calculative. But now, she really couldn’t help but calculate, otherwise, she might one day find herself unable to get the house back.

The old master looked at Cao Na for a long time and sighed inwardly, the daughter-in-law ultimately chose to support Cao Li, hoping she would not regret it in the future.

"When you’re on vacation, stay in the side room here." Even though Cao Na completely gave up the Cao Family’s connections, the old man still hoped to guide her a bit.

In the past, Cao Na would have been very happy, showing the old man’s fondness for her. But now, she was constantly worried about being targeted by her elder sister.

"If they have opinions, they can move out." The old master said domineeringly, "This is my house, don’t I have the right to arrange it as I please?"