Before even leaving, Xia Qingtian overheard her counselor saying angrily, "You two still want to compete with Xia Qingtian! Did either of you participate in this essay contest! I won't sign your sick leave notes. If you truly fail, you'll just have to retake the exams honestly!"
Hearing the counselor's words, Jiang Yingying and her friend felt even worse. This time, the two of them truly started crying out loud.
This wasn't their previous pretense of being fragile and crying softly, but genuine, loud sobbing.
That day, the two had no choice but to plead with the old professor. After a round of crying, the old professor, with a headache from their wailing, agreed not to cancel their exam scores, and only then did it cease.
A week later, seeing the notice on the bulletin board that Xia Qingtian's essay had won the school's departmental gold award, with a prize of 2,000 yuan, and the counselor's public praise and an additional 10 academic credits, Jiang Yingying and her friend were once again angered to tears.
Xia Qingtian, on the other hand, used the 2,000 yuan to treat Li Xiaoxiao to a barbecue, spending 300 yuan.
After all, if Li Xiaoxiao hadn't told her about the essay contest, she wouldn't have wanted to participate to earn credits, nor would she have won.
With 1,700 yuan remaining, Xia Qingtian, noticing that autumn was approaching, bought five scarves of similar styles and complementary colors to bring back to the Xia family.
That evening, all the Xia family members received the gifts Xia Qingtian had brought them.
Xia Qingyu, upon seeing the scarves, was momentarily stunned before reaching out to accept them. "Who wears scarves these days? But... but if the temperature drops, since you've already bought them, I'll reluctantly accept."
Xia Shang seemed surprised to receive a gift from Xia Qingtian. He took it without a word, but his earlobes turned red.
Aunt Liu stroked the scarves repeatedly, then smiled and took photos to post on her Moments, carefully folding them afterward and treasuring them.
Xia Father, while telling Xia Qingtian to keep up the good work and not get arrogant, took the scarf the next day and headed to work.
It was still a bit early to wear scarves. Seeing Xia Father's delighted expression, someone immediately asked him knowingly, "Mr. Xia, that scarf looks like a really nice style."
"Does it? It's a very ordinary style," Xia Father chuckled. "Qingtian, that girl, participated in some essay contest at school and won a gold award. She got some prize money and bought me a gift. It's nothing valuable, but it's a small gesture from her. Sigh, I'm not really one to wear such things."
"Oh, that's wonderful! If my child knew to buy me something like this, I'd be laughing in my dreams!"
"Indeed. Young people are rarely so sensible and filial these days, and so capable too. Mr. Xia, you won't have to worry in the future."
Everyone immediately started praising Xia Qingtian, making Xia Father beam with joy.
Unbeknownst to them, someone suddenly changed the topic, saying, "The eldest daughter is truly beautiful and kind-hearted. She even saved Song Junhan's life before!"
Upon this reminder, everyone else also recalled the sensational event and immediately began praising her volubly.
Song Junhan's smile froze on his face.
He had finally waited for this matter to die down, for no one to force him to acknowledge Xia Qingtian's so-called life-saving kindness anymore.
And now?
Xia Qingtian merely gave Mr. Xia a scarf, and these people were bringing up that damned old issue again!
If it weren't for Xia Qingtian, how could he have been so severely injured!
"In two or three months it will be winter break. Will the eldest daughter be coming to work again then?" Someone recalled Xia Qingtian's experience working during the summer and immediately asked.
"Around then." Xia Father nodded. "When the time comes, let's head to the conference room first."
Everyone gathered around Xia Father, walking towards the conference room, still praising Xia Qingtian.
Song Junhan, left behind, recalled the humiliation Xia Qingtian had inflicted on him before, his lips forming a thin line.
No, he had to resolve that matter before Xia Qingtian returned to Xia Corporation!
He hadn't been able to prevent the cooperation between Gu Corporation and Xia Corporation, and the other party was already extremely dissatisfied.
If he hadn't had the car accident, they would have barely given him a second chance.
Thinking of this, Song Junhan clenched his fist at his side, making up his mind.
This time, he would only succeed, never fail!
Handing the documents in his hand to a colleague, Song Junhan went straight to the Human Resources department and tapped a colleague's desk. "How is the review of the old classmate I referred last time going?"
"We definitely trust anyone you refer, so let him come in to work tomorrow." The colleague from HR gave him an OK gesture.
"Thank you, I'll treat you to a meal another day." Song Junhan smiled and waved, but the smile gradually faded as he turned away.
The first step of the plan had gone very smoothly.
"Hiss..." At the same moment, Xia Qingtian, who was taking notes in the classroom, suddenly shivered for no apparent reason, vaguely feeling a sense of foreboding.
"What's wrong?" Li Xiaoxiao, next to her, asked in a low voice.
"Nothing." Xia Qingtian shook her head and continued taking notes.
She thought it might be because the duet performance by Suisui and Ling Fenghan for the anniversary celebration was airing that night, and she was a bit nervous.
In fact, the recording that day had gone very smoothly. Ling Fenghan had been in excellent form, and she had also felt very inspired.
The live broadcast evaluation that day had been very positive, but because the TV station would also be broadcasting it later, the online streaming aspect was not entirely comprehensive.
Tonight was the official broadcast date of that anniversary celebration program.
Speaking of which... Xia Qingtian tilted her head, thinking carefully. It would be Xia Corporation's anniversary in two weeks...
In her past life, something seemed to have happened on this day...
Xia Qingtian couldn't quite recall.
At that time, she hadn't even been discharged from the hospital, and she was completely controlled by Song Junhan. Her only connection to the outside world was a laptop and a phone on which only Mo Jianing would call or text to check on her.
Back then, she seemed to have seen news reports stating that an accident had occurred during Xia Corporation's anniversary celebration, directly causing Xia Corporation to lose a lot of money, its stock falling for seven consecutive days, its controlling shareholder being taken in for questioning, and Xia Corporation's business and reputation suffering severe blows.
At that time, she was very worried and wanted to call Xia Father to ask what had happened, but Song Junhan stopped her.
"Qingtian, Uncle Xia is very busy right now, and the company is in chaos. Contacting him at this time... wouldn't it just add to his troubles?" Song Junhan's gaze fell on Xia Qingtian's legs.
"I believe that after this busy period, Uncle Xia will definitely come to see you. You can ask him directly then."
"Qingtian, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things at the company, and I'll tell you if anything happens."
"And I will always, always be with you."
...
Recalling this scene, Xia Qingtian felt a pang of distress.
Song Junhan had already joined Xia Corporation by then. That so-called accident was most likely orchestrated by Song Junhan in collusion with an insider within the company.
Xia Qingtian's eyes darkened, feeling even more strongly that the lesson she had taught him last time was far too lenient.
This time, she was determined to make Song Junhan disappear from Xia Corporation and be ruined!