Back to the 70s: My Childhood Sweetheart Spoils Me Rotten-Chapter 852 - 854: Tempering

Zhao Guangran went back and vented his anger by recounting to Gong Ruini what the classmates had said about her.

"Ni Zi, this time you absolutely cannot be polite."

"No, it’s not just this time. You can never be polite."

"Aren’t they trying all sorts of ways to get first place?"

"Let them know that they can never expect to be first in their lives."

"And don’t even think about being first in the college entrance exam," Zhao Guangran commanded Gong Ruini.

Gong Ruini was quite angry too, knowing that those classmates hoped she would stay back a year, so they could have a shot at being first, but wishing ill upon her was too much.

"Looks like I must be first in the exam."

"Mom, if I get first place this time, I don’t want to go to school anymore." Gong Ruini had initially thought attending Beijing’s top schools would help her meet more people.

Deepen friendships with classmates because business friends met after college may not be as reliable as those from school days due to too many considerations with the former.

Knowing their true colors now, or rather knowing how they view her, Gong Ruini didn’t want to compromise herself for so-called classmates’ sentiments.

Even if Gong Ruini could endure it and pretend not to know what these classmates thought of her and continue helping those who sought her guidance, would these people be grateful?

No, definitely not. They would just think she’s easy to bully and look down on her.

Might as well claim her health isn’t good, take time off, and study at home.

"Not going to school." Cai Meina was furious; she had never been so angry before, especially since some of these classmates were also Ni Zi’s junior high friends who had visited their home.

Cai Meina remembered how some were warm while chatting with Gong Ruini, but one illness revealed their true faces, Cai Meina even advised Gong Ruini not to associate much with them.

Yet, her daughter didn’t plan to attend classes, which was serious, "You don’t want to go to class?"

Gong Ruini responded with a "Hmm," "I can read at home." With such simple topics, if not worried about scaring everyone or seeming too high-profile, Gong Ruini would’ve participated in the exam next year.

For now, she decided to stay put and make herself a figure they fear when they recall high school.

"But at home reading, can you grasp it?" Cai Meina knew her daughter used to study at home in Northeast China with Zhao Xuran tutoring her.

But that was elementary, subjects weren’t heavy, and Gong Ruini would surely keep up. High school had much more to learn; it’s not suitable for her alone to study at home.

Studying at home, Zhao Guangran was eager, he truly didn’t want to see those faces.

Thinking of those people made Zhao Guangran feel sick; staying home allowed more personal time, avoiding aggravation.

"Don’t think like that," Zhao Xuran directly told Zhao Guangran not to entertain such thoughts, "You go to school, or else how will Ni Zi know where the teacher reached?"

Ah, no way, does this mean big brother approves of Ni Zi skipping school, but he has to go? That’s too biased, isn’t it?

Zhao Guangran expressed his discontent, feeling unhappy, "Brother..."

Gong Ruwen also disagreed, "Not going to school isn’t good."

"Exactly, even if you don’t want to see them, Ni Zi, just ignore them." Gong Tao disagreed too, "You can’t avoid attending just because you don’t want to see someone annoying."

"You’ll eventually find there’ll be plenty of people like that," Gong Tao was concerned about Ni Zi developing a habit that she might carry into the workplace after graduation; can she evade them every time?

"Even in business, you’ll meet such people."

Cai Ming considered and agreed with Gong Tao’s view, "Think of it as tempering your character."

Though Gong Ruini didn’t show much, Cai Ming sensed she wasn’t inclined to interact much with others; since relocating to Beijing, apart from family, she’s only close to Cao Na.

Others were really just whatever, while Zhao Xuran and the others at least had trusted friends, and Gong Ruzhi and Wan Yihui, those two kids, had many more friends.

Even Ban Xia and Zisu, two obsessed with Chinese medicine, they also had a few friends; occasionally, they would play sports together on weekends.

Though Cai Ming hadn’t thought much about it before, now she realized Ni Zi indeed lived lonely.

"Is my character bad?" Gong Ruini didn’t think there was an issue with her character; though temper isn’t great sometimes, she couldn’t be without any temper.

See, no problem, "You’re too aloof," Cai Ming pointed out.

Aloof? Is she such a person? Gong Ruini didn’t understand why Cai Ming said that; is she someone cold to family?

"You have a good relationship with family, but no friends."

"I have friends." Doesn’t Cao Na count?

"But apart from Cao Na, who else?" Casting the topic wide open, they addressed it thoroughly.

Who else? Gong Ruini didn’t even need to think, "No one else."

"I think having too many friends isn’t necessary; what’s important is connecting well."

Gong Ruini felt there were few she could relate to at school; she found them quite childish.

Gong Ruini could engage in conversations about topics they liked, never letting interactions turn cold.

But maintaining such friendships seemed exhausting to Gong Ruini; given time to maintain them, why not pursue interests?

Like drawing, practicing calligraphy, reading; Gong Ruini believed valuable time could be spent doing things she’s interested in.

Listening to Gong Ruini, everyone suddenly became serious, including Zhao Xuran, who previously thought staying home for studies was fine but had since reconsidered.

"I think you should go to school."

"I think so too."

Oh, no way, Gong Ruini didn’t understand how Cai Ming’s few questions elicited a few honest words that persuaded those initially supportive of her home-study to change their minds.

What’s going on, Gong Ruini felt lost, "I..."

Gong Ruini wanted to explain further; if Zhao Xuran would support her, it would be enough.

"Let’s settle this matter." Gong Tao didn’t want Gong Ruini’s persuasion to change his mind.

Though those kids were rather annoying, seeing them might upset his daughter; like Cai Ming said, take it as a trial.

Perhaps those kids said such things due to her usual attitude towards classmates.

Maybe when she spoke with classmates, her tone unintentionally felt distant, making them feel discomfort.