Chapter 26

The reinstatement of the college entrance exam caused a nationwide sensation. He Yirou looked out the window at the sunlight, a faint smile appearing on her face.

At the Zhiqing settlement, the educated youths were all preparing for the exam. This was a rare opportunity, and for a while, everyone was immersed in their studies.

In the family courtyard, Gu Nian was confident about the exam. What surprised her, however, was that Li Pandi also planned to take it.

Aunt Xu, upon learning that both of them would be taking the exam, was delighted.

“This is great! Our family courtyard is going to produce two university students!”

“I’m just giving it a try. I don’t even know if I can pass,” Li Pandi said humbly. It had been years since she graduated from high school, and she was only trying her luck.

“Work hard, you two! You’ll definitely pass!”

“Alright!”

With only a month left until the exam, Gu Nian lent Li Pandi some of the books she had already studied.

“Gu Nian, have you read all of these?”

“Yes, I even marked the key points for you. Just focus on those.”

Li Pandi was touched and hugged Gu Nian tightly.

“Gu Nian, you’re so kind!”

From then on, the two of them fully immersed themselves in their studies, spending all their time reading.

Two days before the exam, Gu Nian and Li Pandi set off for Beijing. Jiang Huaijing and Liu Chuan wanted to accompany them, but the two women insisted they could manage on their own.

Li Pandi repeatedly assured Jiang Huaijing that she would take good care of Gu Nian. Seeing her determination, the men had no choice but to let them go.

They first traveled to the city by bus and then took a train to Beijing. Upon arrival, they checked into a guesthouse near the exam venue, which was filled with other students taking the test.

At lunchtime, Gu Nian and Li Pandi were eating in the guesthouse cafeteria when they unexpectedly ran into two acquaintances.

Jia Xueli was surprised to see Gu Nian there. Since they were all familiar with each other, the four of them sat together. Jia Xueli looked radiant with happiness—it was clear that Zhao Liyan treated her very well.

“Gu Nian, He Yirou is also taking the college entrance exam.”

Gu Nian wasn’t surprised. Someone like He Yirou wouldn’t pass up this opportunity. But whether she could pass or not was another matter.

After the meal, they returned to their rooms. On the exam day, Gu Nian and Li Pandi were assigned to different test rooms.

Looking at the questions on the paper, Gu Nian smiled confidently and began writing.

After the exam, Gu Nian briefly greeted Jia Xueli before heading back to the family courtyard with Li Pandi.

The moment they arrived, Aunt Xu rushed up to them, looking anxious.

Li Pandi teased, “Aunt Xu, I know you’re excited to celebrate with us, but you don’t have to rush so much! Look, you’re sweating!”

“Forget the celebration for now! Quick, come with me! Someone came looking for you. They claim to be Xiaoni’s biological parents and want to take her away! I already sent Huaijing to get Chuan.”

Hearing that someone wanted to take Xiaoni, Li Pandi couldn’t sit still. She quickly instructed Aunt Xu,

“You and Gu Nian walk slowly—I’ll go home first!”

“Alright.”

Li Pandi ran back home and saw a man and a woman standing in the courtyard, while her three children huddled in a corner.

While she was away for the exam, she had entrusted Aunt Xu with the children’s care, and Aunt Xu had done a great job. But these two strangers had clearly frightened them.

Seeing Li Pandi return, the three children burst into tears. Xiaoni, in particular, was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe.

Li Pandi turned to the strangers.

“Xiaoni is my daughter! Why do you want to take her away?”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Xiaoni is my daughter! If you don’t believe me, let’s go to the hospital and ask Dr. Liu!”

Li Pandi was stunned. The woman didn’t seem to be lying.

Could Xiaoni not be Li Zhaodi’s biological daughter?

What was really going on here?