Chapter 447| Chapter 448| Chapter 449
Chapter 447: The Results Are Out!
“Sister-in-law, please don’t think of it as something so extravagant,” Sheng Wanyan replied with a warm smile. “You’ve been the one looking after our elders at home these past few years. Tingxiao and I were so far away in the Bing City that we couldn’t help you carry the burden. If you don’t accept these, we truly won’t feel at ease.”
Eldest Sister-in-law’s face softened into a touched smile. Even though her third brother’s wife had been thousands of miles away, she had clearly recognized and appreciated her quiet sacrifices.
It was a stark contrast to Wang Chunmei. Living right here in the Capital, the fourth brother’s wife had always taken Eldest Sister-in-law’s labor for granted. In Wang Chunmei’s eyes, caring for the elders was strictly the duty of the eldest son’s wife and had absolutely nothing to do with the fourth branch. Whenever there were family perks to claim, Wang Chunmei would rush over to show off, but whenever there was hard work to be done, she was nowhere to be found.
“Wanyan is right, it’s only fair that we share the responsibility,” Sheng Wanyan added gently. In this world, very few things are truly guaranteed by obligation, but there are always those who quietly give their all without complaining.
Mother Gu beamed as she watched her daughters-in-law converse so harmoniously. Nothing brought her more joy than seeing peace and unity under her roof.
“You’re being far too modest, Third Sister-in-law,” Eldest Sister-in-law said, her shoulders finally relaxing. “But now that you’re back, we can take care of Mom and Dad together.” Ever since she found out she was pregnant, she had been struggling to manage the entire household the way she used to. Having Gu Tingxiao and Sheng Wanyan back in the capital was an immense relief, and she couldn’t be more grateful. “Alright, I’ll accept them. You and the third brother can stop worrying.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded, and the two women pivoted to discussing the current socio-political landscape in the Capital. Working within the Education Bureau, Eldest Sister-in-law possessed a wealth of insider knowledge. She shared everything she could, ensuring Sheng Wanyan would have a clear understanding of the local landscape.
“Third Sister-in-law, did you list our military compound as the return address for your university admission letter?”
“Yes,” Sheng Wanyan replied. “The registration form originally listed the Bing City base, but I had it updated before we departed.”
“And which institution did you target as your top choice?”
Sheng Wanyan had wavered between several elite institutions before finally setting her sights on the prestigious Peking University. She had initially considered a specialized foreign language institute, but those colleges focused strictly on linguistic studies, leaving their broader humanities departments somewhat lacking. Since she was already completely fluent in eight major languages, wasting time on basic language acquisition was pointless. Instead, she had applied for the Russian major at Peking University.
In the late 1970s, Russian fluency was highly prized, often commanding a greater diplomatic premium than English. Furthermore, upon formal enrollment, students were permitted to declare a second major. As a professional translator, she possessed total mastery over foreign texts; when the time came, her flawless English wouldn’t surprise anyone.
“I chose Peking University,” Sheng Wanyan stated.
Eldest Sister-in-law nodded in approval, though she secretly marveled at her younger sister-in-law’s absolute certainty. Was the third brother’s wife truly that confident she had passed the grueling examination?
The historical record would soon prove that Sheng Wanyan’s unshakeable confidence was entirely justified. Back in Bing City, her examination scores had just ignited an absolute sensation.
The standardized examination evaluated candidates across five core subjects, with each subject carrying a maximum value of one hundred points. Thanks to a thirty-point bonus awarded for her flawless foreign language section, the maximum potential score sat at 530 points.
When the final tallies were published, Sheng Wanyan’s name stood defiantly at the very apex of the scroll. She had scored a staggering 510 points.
Though she was currently thousands of miles away in the Capital, her name sent shockwaves reverberating through the entire northern province. She had officially claimed the title of the Top Scholar of the Bing City. Everyone who knew her was deeply moved, especially the military wives back at the family compound. They had always recognized that Sheng Wanyan possessed a brilliant mind, but no one had anticipated she would achieve such a historic triumph. To claim the absolute number-one spot across the entire region was an incredible, towering honor.
At the municipal bulletin boards, Sheng Wanze and Pan Yue were fighting through the dense crowds, eagerly scanning the long rosters for their names. Father and Mother Sheng had accompanied them, their hearts hammering against their ribs with sheer anxiety.
The moment Father Sheng’s eyes locked onto the very top of the premier scroll, tears instantly spilled over his eyelids.
“Is that our Yan’er? Is our Yan’er really listed as number one?”
The elder couple could scarcely believe their eyes. They had privately prayed that their daughter would simply secure a passing score to enter a respectable college, yet she had bypassed the entire population to claim the crown.
“Yes! It’s my little sister’s name!” Sheng Wanze bellowed, his voice thick with emotion. “Mom, Dad! Look at the score—510 points! She’s the provincial top scholar!” He couldn’t help but let out a breathless laugh. He truly hadn’t expected his sister to retain such a razor-sharp intellect after being out of the academic circuit for so many years.
“Is this real?!” Father Sheng stammered. He stepped closer, staring at his daughter’s name commanding the apex of the list. His eyes turned red, and a fierce, unyielding pride swelled within his chest. “Good… magnificent!” He couldn’t find the words to articulate the depth of his joy.
Beside him, Pan Yue was growing increasingly anxious. She was genuinely thrilled for her sister-in-law, but she hadn’t managed to locate her own name yet, and her palms were sweating.
“Hurry, let’s find Xiaoyue’s name,” Mother Sheng urged, gently nudging her husband out of his celebratory daze.
Father Sheng’s eyes went to work like a high-powered radar, methodically cutting through the blocks of text. “Right here!” he shouted.
Pan Yue had secured the 24th rank with an exceptional score of 352 points. To put her achievement into historical perspective, the second-place candidate in the entire province had only scored 409 points. It wasn’t that the general candidate pool lacked talent; it was simply that Sheng Wanyan belonged to an entirely different tier of genius. Pan Yue’s stellar score was more than enough to grant her entry into any elite academy in the capital.
“Ahhh! I passed! I actually passed!” Pan Yue cried, her eyes brimming with tears as the grueling months of sleepless nights and endless review sessions finally yielded their reward.
“Wife, you did it! You’re amazing!” Sheng Wanze beamed, his chest swelling with pride. His wife was officially a certified university student; the honor reflected onto him completely.
“Aze, I really passed,” Pan Yue wept, laughing through her tears as she hugged her husband. “Mom, Dad, I’m going to university!” She could finally enter the historic halls of the institution she had dreamed of for years: the Peking Dance Academy. She could continue to refine the art she loved.
Standing amidst the cheering crowd, Father and Mother Sheng felt an immense sense of validation. They could finally hold their heads high before their ancestors.
“Magnificent! Absolutely brilliant! Hahaha!” Father Sheng burst into a booming, unchecked laugh. By his calculation, between Sheng Wanze’s military academy credentials and the two girls’ university acceptances, their household boasted three elite scholars under one name. What a glorious legacy!
“Quick, Wanze, go back to the office and place a long-distance call to the Capital to notify Yan’er,” Mother Sheng ordered efficiently, her maternal instincts kicking into high gear. “Xiaoyue and I are going straight to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy premium provisions. We are going to celebrate tonight!”
Mother Sheng grabbed her daughter-in-law’s hand and sprinted toward the market stalls, leaving the two men to carry out their respective missions with grins on their faces.
The festive cheering wasn’t contained to the Sheng household. Across the military compound, Comrade Xu Guihua was currently throwing a celebration of her own. At this exact moment, she felt a fierce urge to sprint all the way to the Capital just to prostrate herself at Sheng Wanyan’s feet in gratitude.
She had claimed the 50th rank in the province. With those metrics, she could easily secure admission into any elite university in the region. While the Bing City sat far from the traditional cultural heart of the country, its local institutions boasted world-class academic faculties that rivaled the premier universities of the capital. Given her high marks, Xu Guihua could have easily transferred her registration down to the Capital, but she had chosen to remain closer to her roots. Sure enough, the local admissions departments were already clamoring to welcome her.
Xu Guihua had finalized her decision: she was enrolling in Bing City University, majoring in corporate finance.
Furthermore, Captain Wang’s intellectual wife, Yang Wanshu, had also successfully secured a placement at the Bing City Normal University. Ever since the state had announced the reinstatement of the examinations, she had quietly locked herself away, studying furiously while keeping her ambitions entirely under wraps. It was a textbook example of working diligently in the shadows to shock the world; the revelation completely electrified the neighborhood compound.
To top off the compound’s historic haul, Political Commissar Xie’s youngest son had successfully won admission into the prestigious Tsinghua University. Through his own grit and unyielding effort, the young man had earned his legal path back to the city, carving out a brilliant future.
When Political Commissar Xie received the official dispatch, his proud laughter could be heard across the headquarters. His son had claimed the prize entirely on his own merit, refusing to rely on a single shred of family influence or political nepotism. The youngest boy, who had once been his greatest source of parental anxiety, had safely navigated his way back to civilization and won a seat in the nation’s capital. The old commander’s excitement was simply too vast for words.
Chapter 448: The Gu Family Was Shocked To Learn Her Score
Fearing that his youngest son’s youthful impetuosity might make him an easy target for scheming locals in the countryside, Political Commissar Xie swiftly arranged for a vehicle to bring him home.
It had to be said that the political commissar possessed incredible foresight. The moment the villagers discovered that Xie Zhenghui had been admitted to the prestigious Tsinghua University, they suddenly became very invested in him. The unmarried girls in the village scrambled for a way to tie the knot with him. Unfortunately for them, before they could even set their plans in motion, Xie Zhenghui had already been whisked away in a specially dispatched car.
It was only then that the villagers realized this usually low-key sent-down youth actually came from such a powerful background! Why hadn’t they noticed it earlier? If they had known how exceptional his family was, they would have married their daughters off to him no matter the cost!
“Uncle, how are my parents doing?” Xie Zhenghui asked the guard from the passenger seat of the car.
“The political commissar and your mother are both doing wonderfully,” the guard replied with a warm smile. “When they found out you got into Tsinghua University, they were so thrilled they couldn’t stop grinning. The timing is perfect to bring you back. Everyone is waiting to celebrate the New Year together as a family.”
Xie Zhenghui’s lips curled upward. He had seen and experienced a great deal during his two years in the countryside, giving him a profound appreciation for his parents’ hard work and sacrifices. “I actually ranked first in our city,” he admitted quietly. “I haven’t even told them yet.”
The guard was stunned. Good heavens, that was incredible! But then again, Xie Zhenghui had always been a top-tier scholar. His grades had been exceptional since childhood; even on a bad day, he had never dropped below fifth place in his class.
Political Commissar Xie had naturally hoped all his children would enlist in the military, but this youngest son was the family’s sole outlier. He had zero interest in joining the army; his only passion was making money. But in the current era, such ambitions weren’t exactly permitted! No matter what anyone said, he refused to listen, a stubborn streak that frequently infuriated his father.
But now, even Political Commissar Xie couldn’t hold him back. After all, the nation’s policies were shifting, slowly opening up to private enterprise. Moreover, the political commissar was a shrewd man. If the country was relaxing its grip on business, didn’t that mean it desperately needed talent and development in that sector? This brat was certainly born with perfect timing!
Meanwhile, back at the Gu estate in the Capital, Sheng Wanyan was busy making a thousand-layer sweet cake for the children when the telephone rang. As soon as Grandpa Gu picked it up and recognized Father Sheng’s voice on the other end, he immediately guessed that the exam results had been released.
Hearing the formidable old patriarch’s voice, Father Sheng instantly grew nervous. He didn’t dare speak out of turn. “Elder Gu, how are you doing?”
“I’m doing well, doing well. You’re looking for Wanyan, aren’t you?” Grandpa Gu asked eagerly. “Are the results out?” The old man was burning with curiosity, but he knew his granddaughter-in-law needed to hear the news directly.
“Yes, they are,” Father Sheng replied respectfully.
“Hold on a minute, I’ll go get her.”
“Thank you, Elder Gu. Sorry to trouble you.”
Sheng Wanyan stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her flour-dusted hands on an apron as Grandpa Gu waved her over.
“Dad?”
“My girl! The results are out!” The moment Father Sheng heard her voice, his excitement bubbled over. His voice was literally trembling.
“Really? What was my score?” Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu immediately leaned in close, practically pressing their ears against the receiver to catch the muffled voice on the other end.
“My girl, you are absolutely incredible!” Father Sheng boomed. “You scored an astonishing 510 points! You are the top scholar of the entire Bing City!”
His voice was so loud that the staff at the post office couldn’t help but turn their heads. Sheng Wanyan had always been confident in her abilities, but hearing the official confirmation finally allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.
“And it’s not just you! Xiaoyue passed the exam too!” Father Sheng babbled on happily, recounting the family’s triumph.
Hearing that her sister-in-law, Pan Yue, had also succeeded lifted another weight off Sheng Wanyan’s shoulders. With Pan Yue heading to university, the chances of her parents relocating to the Capital were now practically guaranteed.
“Really?”
“Yes, really! Your sister-in-law ranked 24th in the province!”
A bright smile bloomed on Sheng Wanyan’s face. Father Sheng’s booming, passionate voice was so loud that both Grandpa and Grandma Gu heard every single word crystal clear.
“That’s wonderful, Dad!” Sheng Wanyan cheered. “That means you and Mom will be able to come to the Capital soon.”
Father Sheng was far too swept up in the joy to fully grasp the logistical weight of her words. He simply assumed she meant the family would be able to visit each other more often. “Of course, of course! Alright, I won’t keep you on the line. I have to run back and tell your grandparents the good news! The admission letter should be on its way, so keep an eye out for it!”
“I will.”
The moment she agreed, the line clicked dead as Father Sheng hastily hung up.
Back at the post office, Sheng Wanze stood by the phone booth with his mouth half-open. Was I not even worthy of congratulating my own little sister on getting into university?
“What are you just standing there for? Hand over the money to pay for the call!” Father Sheng snapped, shooting his son an irritated look. His daughter was so brilliantly smart; why did his son have to be so dense? He honestly had no idea how the boy had managed to get into the military academy. Were the recruitment officers blind?
Sheng Wanze: “……”
Wordlessly, Sheng Wanze paid the clerk. He followed his father to track down his mother and wife so they could all head home together to deliver the glorious news to his grandparents.
Meanwhile, the exam results in the Capital had also been posted. Fourth Brother Gu Tinghao and his wife, Wang Chunmei, had both sat for the college entrance examination. As for their scores, the family would have to wait for them to check the bulletin boards themselves.
Grandpa and Grandma Gu were absolutely ecstatic to learn that Sheng Wanyan had claimed the title of top scholar. Grandpa Gu was so pumped up that he wanted to march right out the front door and brag to the entire compound.
“Where do you think you’re going? The official admission letter hasn’t even arrived yet!” Grandma Gu scolded, quickly putting an end to his parade.
Her words served as a stark reminder. Realizing he needed to safeguard the admission letter to ensure no one maliciously tried to steal her spot, Grandpa Gu immediately marched back to the phone to call his contacts at the Education Bureau.
Even without Grandma Gu’s prompting, Eldest Sister-in-law, who worked directly within the Education Bureau, had been keeping a close eye on Sheng Wanyan’s file. Naturally, she already knew the astonishing score. After all, candidates ranking at the very top of their provincial lists were heavily monitored. The top three scorers from every major city were currently being aggressively courted by all the prestigious universities, each institution waiting to swoop in and claim the talent for themselves! Coordinating that exact administrative process was part of Eldest Sister-in-law’s daily workload.
When she had first seen Sheng Wanyan’s name at the absolute peak of the northern roster, she had been thoroughly stunned. She had verified the name and return address several times before it finally clicked. No wonder her third sister-in-law had been so unshakeably confident!
Oblivious to the logistical frenzy her score was causing, Sheng Wanyan calmly finished slicing the thousand-layer cake and served it to the children. Gu Jingjing fully understood what being a “top scholar” meant, and she knew exactly how monumental it was to be admitted to a university. When she looked up at Sheng Wanyan, her eyes sparkled with pure, unrestrained admiration.
“Third Aunt, you’re amazing,” she breathed.
“Jingjing will have to study very hard so she can get into her dream university in the future, too,” Sheng Wanyan encouraged gently.
Jingjing nodded earnestly. Little Yiyi, on the other hand, had absolutely no concept of how incredible her mother was; she was far too busy happily chewing on her sweet pastry.
By the time everyone returned from work that evening, the glorious news had spread throughout the entire household. Gu Tingxiao, who had been out in the compound gathering updates, rushed upstairs the moment he heard of his wife’s historic achievement. He pulled her into a tight, lingering embrace in their bedroom.
“Wife, I am so incredibly proud of you,” Gu Tingxiao murmured, refusing to let her go. His brilliant wife never ceased to amaze him.
Mother Gu had eagerly wanted to take Sheng Wanyan out to celebrate, but seeing her third son immediately whisk his wife away to their room, she happily let them be.
Downstairs, Grandpa Gu looked at the door. “How did the fourth boy’s grades turn out?”
Just as the words left his mouth, Gu Tinghao walked in, leading Gu Jinmin by the hand. Wang Chunmei was noticeably absent. After seeing her own dismal exam results earlier that day, she had thrown a massive, bitter tantrum and locked herself away at home.
“Well? How was it? Did you pass?” Mother Gu asked, hurrying forward.
Gu Tinghao let out a breath and gave them the update. He had successfully been admitted to Renmin University, though his score had just barely scraped past the minimum cutoff line.
Chapter 449: Scouted Real Estate
This academic milestone would provide a massive boost to Gu Tinghao’s career. With a degree from such a prestigious institution, he could avoid future professional bottlenecks, and his position within his government department would be fully secure.
Wang Chunmei, on the other hand, hadn’t even scraped a passing score. She felt so thoroughly humiliated that she refused to show her face at the family estate, desperate to avoid becoming the target of everyone’s mockery.
The Gu family had already predicted her academic failure. Her approach to preparation had been the textbook definition of casting a net for two days and drying the sails for three. Every time she sat down with her textbooks, she would instantly whine that the material was far too difficult to grasp. She routinely claimed that the intense pressure of studying was damaging her health, using it as an excuse to go on long shopping sprees to relax. Because she spent all her time running around the city malls, she never carved out a dedicated routine for her studies. It would have been a miracle if she had managed to pass.
“Hmph. With that lazy attitude of hers toward education, it’s a wonder she even had the audacity to sit for the exam,” Grandpa Gu scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain.
Gu Tinghao kept his head low, unable to offer a single word of defense. Her failure was entirely of her own making; she had no one else to blame.
“My younger brother placed a call to the base today,” Father Gu interjected, shifting the topic to spare his son further embarrassment. “He wanted to let us know that Tingying has officially been accepted into a normal university down south.”
Father Gu had received the long-distance dispatch from his second uncle earlier that afternoon. With Gu Tingying successfully winning a seat at a southern academy, their branch of the family would finally be reunited under one roof instead of living across provinces.
“Excellent! Every single one of them is proving worthy of the Gu family name!” Grandpa Gu boomed, his chest swelling with pride. The lingering anxieties he harbored over his children’s futures finally dissolved into pure satisfaction.
The main estate was practically vibrating with joy and celebration that evening, presenting a stark contrast to the bitter resentment festering inside Wang Chunmei’s household across town.
When Sheng Wanyan finally made her way downstairs later that afternoon, she shot a sharp, warning glare at Gu Tingxiao. This man was truly exasperating; given how long he had kept her locked away in their quarters, she could only imagine what kind of assumptions the rest of the family was making about them.
“Wanyan! Come over here, quickly!” Mother Gu called out warmly, patting the cushion beside her. She eagerly beckoned her daughter-in-law over to share in the family’s collective triumph.
Mother Gu had always known that her third daughter-in-law possessed a modest, refined temperament, and she worried the young woman might feel awkward or shy if the family teased her too much about her perfect score. Sheng Wanyan walked over with a graceful smile, listening intently as the family recounted the latest dispatches. She was genuinely thrilled to hear that both Gu Tinghao and Gu Tingying had successfully secured their paths to university.
Sitting on the adjacent armchair, little Gu Jinmin couldn’t stop his mouth from watering as he stared at the remaining plates of thousand-layer sweet cake arranged on the coffee table. However, the boy was terrified of Father Gu’s stern aura and didn’t dare reach out to take a piece.
Mother Gu quickly clocked his longing looks. Shaking her head gently at his clear greed, she plated two generous slices of the pastry and handed them to her grandson. It was Gu Jinmin’s very first time tasting a confection that was so pillowy, light, and perfectly sweetened. He fell in love with the flavor instantly, devouring the slices in a matter of seconds.
Mother Gu went all out for dinner that evening, preparing a lavish spread to mark the occasion. Even though Wang Chunmei’s seat remained conspicuously empty, the atmosphere around the long dining table was filled with uninhibited joy and laughter.
Before Gu Tinghao gathered his son to head back to their apartment, Sheng Wanyan stepped forward to present him with the packaged toy pistol she had secured at the shopping center. Young boys were naturally obsessed with military toys, and Gu Jinmin clutched the sleek prop to his chest, his eyes shining with absolute delight.
The moment father and son crossed their own threshold, Gu Jinmin raced down the hall, holding up his new treasure to share the excitement with his mother. Wang Chunmei always made an effort to maintain a soft, doting demeanor in front of her precious son, but the very second she discovered the toy was a personal gift from Sheng Wanyan, her expression contorted into pure rage. She snatched the plastic pistol from his hands and slammed it violently against the floorboards, shattering it into pieces.
“Mommy?!” Gu Jinmin shrieked, bursting into an immediate flood of tears.
Wang Chunmei stared down at the broken plastic fragments on the floor, her eyes burning with a venomous hatred. “Listen to me, son,” she hissed, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Your Third Aunt is a deceitful, calculating viper. You are never allowed to accept a single scrap from her hands! She’s only trying to buy your affection now so she can leach off your inheritance and steal what belongs to you in the future! If it weren’t for that wretched woman spinning webs around the elders, your mother would still hold her rightful place of honor in the Gu family estate! Do you hear me?! Have you engraved it into your mind?!”
Terrified by her wild eyes and frantic breathing, Gu Jinmin nodded vigorously, his little chest heaving as he whimpered in compliance. Seeing her son’s raw terror, Wang Chunmei’s manic episode slowly subsided. She pulled the trembling boy into her arms, smoothing his hair and coaxing him back to a calm state with soft, sugary murmurs.
But later that evening, when Gu Tinghao coldly informed her of the provincial rankings and revealed that Sheng Wanyan had claimed the ultimate title of top scholar, Wang Chunmei’s psychological defenses shattered completely.
How was this historically possible? Sheng Wanyan was nothing more than a girl from a simple, working-class background—how could she possess the academic caliber to bypass the entire population and claim the premier crown? If that woman entered the elite halls of university, wouldn’t she look down her nose at her even more than before? Didn’t this mean Wang Chunmei would be permanently forced to bow her head and eat dirt in her presence for the rest of her life?
She gripped the edge of the dresser, her mind spinning into absolute chaos. “Impossible… this has to be a mistake…”
She desperately tried to reject the reality, unable to accept that a woman she viewed as a commoner possessed such staggering talent. Yet deep down, she knew she had to face the brutal truth; Gu Tinghao would never fabricate an official Education Bureau report.
Now, her own husband was a certified college student, meaning she would have to rely heavily on her status as a factory’s corporate financial director just to maintain an equal footing within her marriage. But her most hated adversary had just captured a brilliant, golden path to the future. Did this mean she would be forced to offer sycophantic compliments every single time they crossed paths in the compound? The more Wang Chunmei mapped out the future dynamics, the more her internal jealousy twisted her features. Still, she retained enough survival instinct to know she couldn’t risk provoking the old patriarch’s wrath a second time.
Disgusted by the hideous, manic expression twisting her face, Gu Tinghao didn’t waste another breath on her. He scooped up his son and retreated to the bedroom to rest, leaving his wife alone in the dark.
That same night, back at the main estate, Sheng Wanyan pulled Gu Tingxiao into a quiet corner of the upstairs hallway to interrogate him regarding their real estate search. Gu Tingxiao had spent the better part of the afternoon working his connections across the capital, and he had managed to compile a comprehensive list of properties.
“How did the scouting go?” she whispered eagerly. “Did any of your contacts find independent courtyard houses hitting the market?”
“Yes,” Gu Tingxiao replied, keeping his voice low. “There are two separate families living near the Peking University campus who are looking to liquidate their properties immediately. Both estates feature standard, single-courtyard layouts.”
Sheng Wanyan’s eyes sharpened with focus. Since the properties were meant strictly for their immediate family units, a traditional, single-entry courtyard house provided more than enough square footage; they had absolutely no need for a massive, multi-tiered estate. In fact, if a residential compound was too vast and sprawling, she wouldn’t feel entirely secure staying there alone with Yiyi whenever Gu Tingxiao was pulled away on military maneuvers.
The availability of two adjacent or nearby properties matched her grand strategy perfectly: one standalone courtyard house could be reserved for their small family, while the second could be purchased for her parents. This layout would allow her and Pan Yue to commute to their respective university campuses with seamless efficiency while ensuring the two households could easily look after one another.
“There is also a prominent, two-story commercial building available within the urban center, though the asking price is substantial,” Gu Tingxiao continued. “It sits roughly a thirty-minute commute from our military compound and enjoys prime proximity to the main supply and marketing cooperatives.”
Sheng Wanyan’s face lit up with entrepreneurial excitement. Being positioned right next to a high-traffic supply and marketing cooperative was a goldmine for retail traffic! It would make logistics and customer acquisition incredibly smooth.
“And finally, my contacts flagged a third single-courtyard property located within the southern district of the city. The pricing on that one is considerably lower.”
“What about independent retail storefronts?”
“No standalone commercial shops have surfaced just yet, but I’ll have the guys broaden their search radius tomorrow.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded in agreement. There was no immediate rush to secure the commercial storefronts for her clothing line, but establishing a permanent, secure residence for her family was an urgent priority. “What are the exact asking prices for the courtyard houses?”
“The properties located near the university district belong to local suburban residents. They are demanding a flat rate of one thousand yuan for a single-entry courtyard.” Gu Tingxiao detailed the financial metrics calmly. “The single-courtyard property in the southern district is entering the market at twenty-five hundred yuan, while the premium two-story commercial building in the city center is commanding a steep five thousand yuan.”
The financial figures fell entirely within the realm of historical reason, but Sheng Wanyan knew she couldn’t rely strictly on paperwork; she needed to inspect the physical infrastructure and neighborhood layouts before releasing her capital. “Can we coordinate a physical walk-through of the properties tomorrow morning?”
“I can arrange it,” Gu Tingxiao nodded. “The landlords are all facing liquidity crunches and are anxious to close the sales as quickly as possible.”
Sheng Wanyan gave a firm nod. It was perfect timing; Mother Gu was scheduled for an administrative day off tomorrow, meaning she could easily look after Yiyi at the estate while they conducted their real estate operations. “Then we’ll execute the inspections tomorrow morning. If the structures are sound and the layouts are clean, we’ll buy them on the spot.”
“Alright. I’ll place a call to my contacts first thing in the morning to cement the appointments.”
The thrill of impending real estate ownership kept Sheng Wanyan’s mind racing, rendering sleep entirely impossible for the first few hours of the night. Ultimately, it was Gu Tingxiao who deployed his physical stamina, thoroughly exhausting her until she finally drifted into a deep sleep against his chest.
The next morning, Gu Tingxiao rose before dawn, quietly slipping out of the apartment to finalize the logistics with his comrades. Seeing her third son navigating the foyer at such an ungodly hour, Mother Gu stopped him to demand an explanation.
When Gu Tingxiao calmly revealed that they were hitting the streets to purchase private real estate, Mother Gu stood frozen in the hallway, utterly flabbergasted. The third branch wants to relocate out of the family estate? There was more than enough room within the main compound to accommodate them comfortably—why on earth were they wasting good capital to live elsewhere?
Hearing the commotion in the foyer, Grandpa and Grandma Gu emerged from their quarters, their expressions instantly turning dark as they pinned Gu Tingxiao with sharp, demanding glares. Recognizing that subterfuge was pointless, Gu Tingxiao stood his ground, mapping out their long-term arrangements with absolute clarity.
“Wanyan and I can easily look after Yiyi right here at the estate!” Grandma Gu protested fiercely, her voice tight. “When the semester commences, Wanyan can simply live in the university dormitories during the week and return to the compound on weekends! There is absolutely no reason to fragment the household!” Both family patriarchs were unyielding in their opposition; the family fortress was anchored right here, and moving out felt like an unnecessary disruption to the lineage.
Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law walked out of their room, their brows furrowing as they digested the news. The square footage of the main estate was substantial, and they couldn’t fathom why the couple felt compelled to establish an independent household elsewhere.
“Third Brother, we have more than enough space under this roof to coexist happily,” Eldest Brother Gu reasoned gently. “What possible benefit is there to purchasing a separate property outside?”
Gu Tingxiao was a man of action rather than elaborate explanations. He possessed no talent for diplomatic silver-tongued arguments; his internal compass was anchored to a singular, unshakeable truth: his wife’s peace of mind and long-term happiness overrode all other operational parameters.
He met his grandfather’s furious gaze with absolute military steadiness. “Grandpa, Wanyan and I have already finalized our decision.”
Chapter 449: Scouted Real Estate
This academic milestone would provide a massive boost to Gu Tinghao’s career. With a degree from such a prestigious institution, he could avoid future professional bottlenecks, and his position within his government department would be fully secure.
Wang Chunmei, on the other hand, hadn’t even scraped a passing score. She felt so thoroughly humiliated that she refused to show her face at the family estate, desperate to avoid becoming the target of everyone’s mockery.
The Gu family had already predicted her academic failure. Her approach to preparation had been the textbook definition of casting a net for two days and drying the sails for three. Every time she sat down with her textbooks, she would instantly whine that the material was far too difficult to grasp. She routinely claimed that the intense pressure of studying was damaging her health, using it as an excuse to go on long shopping sprees to relax. Because she spent all her time running around the city malls, she never carved out a dedicated routine for her studies. It would have been a miracle if she had managed to pass.
“Hmph. With that lazy attitude of hers toward education, it’s a wonder she even had the audacity to sit for the exam,” Grandpa Gu scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain.
Gu Tinghao kept his head low, unable to offer a single word of defense. Her failure was entirely of her own making; she had no one else to blame.
“My younger brother placed a call to the base today,” Father Gu interjected, shifting the topic to spare his son further embarrassment. “He wanted to let us know that Tingying has officially been accepted into a normal university down south.”
Father Gu had received the long-distance dispatch from his second uncle earlier that afternoon. With Gu Tingying successfully winning a seat at a southern academy, their branch of the family would finally be reunited under one roof instead of living across provinces.
“Excellent! Every single one of them is proving worthy of the Gu family name!” Grandpa Gu boomed, his chest swelling with pride. The lingering anxieties he harbored over his children’s futures finally dissolved into pure satisfaction.
The main estate was practically vibrating with joy and celebration that evening, presenting a stark contrast to the bitter resentment festering inside Wang Chunmei’s household across town.
When Sheng Wanyan finally made her way downstairs later that afternoon, she shot a sharp, warning glare at Gu Tingxiao. This man was truly exasperating; given how long he had kept her locked away in their quarters, she could only imagine what kind of assumptions the rest of the family was making about them.
“Wanyan! Come over here, quickly!” Mother Gu called out warmly, patting the cushion beside her. She eagerly beckoned her daughter-in-law over to share in the family’s collective triumph.
Mother Gu had always known that her third daughter-in-law possessed a modest, refined temperament, and she worried the young woman might feel awkward or shy if the family teased her too much about her perfect score. Sheng Wanyan walked over with a graceful smile, listening intently as the family recounted the latest dispatches. She was genuinely thrilled to hear that both Gu Tinghao and Gu Tingying had successfully secured their paths to university.
Sitting on the adjacent armchair, little Gu Jinmin couldn’t stop his mouth from watering as he stared at the remaining plates of thousand-layer sweet cake arranged on the coffee table. However, the boy was terrified of Father Gu’s stern aura and didn’t dare reach out to take a piece.
Mother Gu quickly clocked his longing looks. Shaking her head gently at his clear greed, she plated two generous slices of the pastry and handed them to her grandson. It was Gu Jinmin’s very first time tasting a confection that was so pillowy, light, and perfectly sweetened. He fell in love with the flavor instantly, devouring the slices in a matter of seconds.
Mother Gu went all out for dinner that evening, preparing a lavish spread to mark the occasion. Even though Wang Chunmei’s seat remained conspicuously empty, the atmosphere around the long dining table was filled with uninhibited joy and laughter.
Before Gu Tinghao gathered his son to head back to their apartment, Sheng Wanyan stepped forward to present him with the packaged toy pistol she had secured at the shopping center. Young boys were naturally obsessed with military toys, and Gu Jinmin clutched the sleek prop to his chest, his eyes shining with absolute delight.
The moment father and son crossed their own threshold, Gu Jinmin raced down the hall, holding up his new treasure to share the excitement with his mother. Wang Chunmei always made an effort to maintain a soft, doting demeanor in front of her precious son, but the very second she discovered the toy was a personal gift from Sheng Wanyan, her expression contorted into pure rage. She snatched the plastic pistol from his hands and slammed it violently against the floorboards, shattering it into pieces.
“Mommy?!” Gu Jinmin shrieked, bursting into an immediate flood of tears.
Wang Chunmei stared down at the broken plastic fragments on the floor, her eyes burning with a venomous hatred. “Listen to me, son,” she hissed, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Your Third Aunt is a deceitful, calculating viper. You are never allowed to accept a single scrap from her hands! She’s only trying to buy your affection now so she can leach off your inheritance and steal what belongs to you in the future! If it weren’t for that wretched woman spinning webs around the elders, your mother would still hold her rightful place of honor in the Gu family estate! Do you hear me?! Have you engraved it into your mind?!”
Terrified by her wild eyes and frantic breathing, Gu Jinmin nodded vigorously, his little chest heaving as he whimpered in compliance. Seeing her son’s raw terror, Wang Chunmei’s manic episode slowly subsided. She pulled the trembling boy into her arms, smoothing his hair and coaxing him back to a calm state with soft, sugary murmurs.
But later that evening, when Gu Tinghao coldly informed her of the provincial rankings and revealed that Sheng Wanyan had claimed the ultimate title of top scholar, Wang Chunmei’s psychological defenses shattered completely.
How was this historically possible? Sheng Wanyan was nothing more than a girl from a simple, working-class background—how could she possess the academic caliber to bypass the entire population and claim the premier crown? If that woman entered the elite halls of university, wouldn’t she look down her nose at her even more than before? Didn’t this mean Wang Chunmei would be permanently forced to bow her head and eat dirt in her presence for the rest of her life?
She gripped the edge of the dresser, her mind spinning into absolute chaos. “Impossible… this has to be a mistake…”
She desperately tried to reject the reality, unable to accept that a woman she viewed as a commoner possessed such staggering talent. Yet deep down, she knew she had to face the brutal truth; Gu Tinghao would never fabricate an official Education Bureau report.
Now, her own husband was a certified college student, meaning she would have to rely heavily on her status as a factory’s corporate financial director just to maintain an equal footing within her marriage. But her most hated adversary had just captured a brilliant, golden path to the future. Did this mean she would be forced to offer sycophantic compliments every single time they crossed paths in the compound? The more Wang Chunmei mapped out the future dynamics, the more her internal jealousy twisted her features. Still, she retained enough survival instinct to know she couldn’t risk provoking the old patriarch’s wrath a second time.
Disgusted by the hideous, manic expression twisting her face, Gu Tinghao didn’t waste another breath on her. He scooped up his son and retreated to the bedroom to rest, leaving his wife alone in the dark.
That same night, back at the main estate, Sheng Wanyan pulled Gu Tingxiao into a quiet corner of the upstairs hallway to interrogate him regarding their real estate search. Gu Tingxiao had spent the better part of the afternoon working his connections across the capital, and he had managed to compile a comprehensive list of properties.
“How did the scouting go?” she whispered eagerly. “Did any of your contacts find independent courtyard houses hitting the market?”
“Yes,” Gu Tingxiao replied, keeping his voice low. “There are two separate families living near the Peking University campus who are looking to liquidate their properties immediately. Both estates feature standard, single-courtyard layouts.”
Sheng Wanyan’s eyes sharpened with focus. Since the properties were meant strictly for their immediate family units, a traditional, single-entry courtyard house provided more than enough square footage; they had absolutely no need for a massive, multi-tiered estate. In fact, if a residential compound was too vast and sprawling, she wouldn’t feel entirely secure staying there alone with Yiyi whenever Gu Tingxiao was pulled away on military maneuvers.
The availability of two adjacent or nearby properties matched her grand strategy perfectly: one standalone courtyard house could be reserved for their small family, while the second could be purchased for her parents. This layout would allow her and Pan Yue to commute to their respective university campuses with seamless efficiency while ensuring the two households could easily look after one another.
“There is also a prominent, two-story commercial building available within the urban center, though the asking price is substantial,” Gu Tingxiao continued. “It sits roughly a thirty-minute commute from our military compound and enjoys prime proximity to the main supply and marketing cooperatives.”
Sheng Wanyan’s face lit up with entrepreneurial excitement. Being positioned right next to a high-traffic supply and marketing cooperative was a goldmine for retail traffic! It would make logistics and customer acquisition incredibly smooth.
“And finally, my contacts flagged a third single-courtyard property located within the southern district of the city. The pricing on that one is considerably lower.”
“What about independent retail storefronts?”
“No standalone commercial shops have surfaced just yet, but I’ll have the guys broaden their search radius tomorrow.”
Sheng Wanyan nodded in agreement. There was no immediate rush to secure the commercial storefronts for her clothing line, but establishing a permanent, secure residence for her family was an urgent priority. “What are the exact asking prices for the courtyard houses?”
“The properties located near the university district belong to local suburban residents. They are demanding a flat rate of one thousand yuan for a single-entry courtyard.” Gu Tingxiao detailed the financial metrics calmly. “The single-courtyard property in the southern district is entering the market at twenty-five hundred yuan, while the premium two-story commercial building in the city center is commanding a steep five thousand yuan.”
The financial figures fell entirely within the realm of historical reason, but Sheng Wanyan knew she couldn’t rely strictly on paperwork; she needed to inspect the physical infrastructure and neighborhood layouts before releasing her capital. “Can we coordinate a physical walk-through of the properties tomorrow morning?”
“I can arrange it,” Gu Tingxiao nodded. “The landlords are all facing liquidity crunches and are anxious to close the sales as quickly as possible.”
Sheng Wanyan gave a firm nod. It was perfect timing; Mother Gu was scheduled for an administrative day off tomorrow, meaning she could easily look after Yiyi at the estate while they conducted their real estate operations. “Then we’ll execute the inspections tomorrow morning. If the structures are sound and the layouts are clean, we’ll buy them on the spot.”
“Alright. I’ll place a call to my contacts first thing in the morning to cement the appointments.”
The thrill of impending real estate ownership kept Sheng Wanyan’s mind racing, rendering sleep entirely impossible for the first few hours of the night. Ultimately, it was Gu Tingxiao who deployed his physical stamina, thoroughly exhausting her until she finally drifted into a deep sleep against his chest.
The next morning, Gu Tingxiao rose before dawn, quietly slipping out of the apartment to finalize the logistics with his comrades. Seeing her third son navigating the foyer at such an ungodly hour, Mother Gu stopped him to demand an explanation.
When Gu Tingxiao calmly revealed that they were hitting the streets to purchase private real estate, Mother Gu stood frozen in the hallway, utterly flabbergasted. The third branch wants to relocate out of the family estate? There was more than enough room within the main compound to accommodate them comfortably—why on earth were they wasting good capital to live elsewhere?
Hearing the commotion in the foyer, Grandpa and Grandma Gu emerged from their quarters, their expressions instantly turning dark as they pinned Gu Tingxiao with sharp, demanding glares. Recognizing that subterfuge was pointless, Gu Tingxiao stood his ground, mapping out their long-term arrangements with absolute clarity.
“Wanyan and I can easily look after Yiyi right here at the estate!” Grandma Gu protested fiercely, her voice tight. “When the semester commences, Wanyan can simply live in the university dormitories during the week and return to the compound on weekends! There is absolutely no reason to fragment the household!” Both family patriarchs were unyielding in their opposition; the family fortress was anchored right here, and moving out felt like an unnecessary disruption to the lineage.
Eldest Brother and Sister-in-law walked out of their room, their brows furrowing as they digested the news. The square footage of the main estate was substantial, and they couldn’t fathom why the couple felt compelled to establish an independent household elsewhere.
“Third Brother, we have more than enough space under this roof to coexist happily,” Eldest Brother Gu reasoned gently. “What possible benefit is there to purchasing a separate property outside?”
Gu Tingxiao was a man of action rather than elaborate explanations. He possessed no talent for diplomatic silver-tongued arguments; his internal compass was anchored to a singular, unshakeable truth: his wife’s peace of mind and long-term happiness overrode all other operational parameters.
He met his grandfather’s furious gaze with absolute military steadiness. “Grandpa, Wanyan and I have already finalized our decision.”
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