Chapter 4: Why So Much Homework?

Cheng Yuan’s mind was a mess. She had always believed her father remained unmarried because of her own immaturity. But now, she realized — even without her “immaturity,” her father might never have married at all.

Mother.

Cheng Yuan closed her eyes. From the moment she could remember, she had never called anyone “Mother.” No matter how she tried to search her memories, her mother’s presence remained a blank void.

At the doorway, Cheng Huaien stood silently, words catching in his throat.

“Yuan Yuan,” he finally said, “why don’t we transfer you to Second High?”

If not for the changes he had noticed in her recently, he wouldn’t have dared to bring it up.

Cheng Yuan frowned. “The college entrance exams are next year. I’m not transferring.”

Her middle school grades had been good enough to earn her admission to the county’s First High School. Unfortunately, her performance had dropped steeply once she entered high school.

“Yuan Yuan…” Cheng Huaien hesitated, thinking of the bullying she had suffered at First High. He began listing all the benefits of transferring to Second High.

Forget it. At this point in my third year, I should just focus on getting into a good university… Even so, Cheng Yuan shook her head. “Dad, I’m not transferring. I want to stay at First High.”

She gave Cheng Huaien a puzzled look. Her father had always been indifferent about her affairs — why was he suddenly so concerned about her school?

“Dad, is something wrong?” she asked softly.

In the past, she would have simply put on a stony face and accused him of not being able to speak properly. But now…

“Second High—”

Before Cheng Huaien could finish, Cheng Yuan cut him off firmly, “Dad, First High is the best school in the county. I want to stay.”

Her lips pressed into a determined line; her gaze left no room for argument.

Seeing her resolve, Cheng Huaien sighed and gave in. “Alright, alright. Just get some rest.”

His retreating figure seemed to carry a rare loneliness.

“Dad!” Cheng Yuan called after him.

“My grades aren’t good right now. Even if I wanted to transfer, Second High probably wouldn’t accept me. Besides…” she smiled faintly, “you fall where you stand. I’ll improve my grades. I promise.”

Cheng Huaien paused, turning back in surprise. Looking at his daughter’s serious face, a wave of emotion surged through him. She’s grown up, he thought proudly. She used to never explain herself like this.

Since she was a child, Cheng Yuan had been stubborn as a mule. Once she made up her mind, even nine oxen couldn’t drag her back. And she had always hated talking to him — their conversations usually ended in arguments after just a few words.

Trying to soften his stern expression, Cheng Huaien forced a smile. “But that accident a few days ago… I’m worried.”

“Dad, that was just an accident. It won’t happen again,” Cheng Yuan reassured him.

“I really like First High, and I want to apply to Sea University in the future,” she said calmly. Her peach blossom eyes were clear and steady, brimming with hope — longing for his approval and support.

Cheng Huaien nodded heavily. “Good.”

After a pause, he added, “Even if you don’t get into university… there’s always vocational school.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted them. He hurried to explain, but stumbled, unable to find the right words.

In the past, Cheng Yuan would have glared at him, thinking he looked down on her. But now, looking at his worried face and his clumsy attempt at reassurance, she only felt warmth in her heart.

She understood — he didn’t want to pressure her.

“Dad, I know you’re just trying to ease my burden,” she said gently.

Cheng Huaien immediately nodded, moved almost to the point of tears. “Yes, exactly.”

“Dad, do you trust me?” Cheng Yuan asked.

Those simple words echoed in his mind long after the conversation ended. Later, in his room, Cheng Huaien couldn’t stop smiling, his grin almost splitting his face.

Yuanyuan smiled at me. Yuanyuan’s smile is so beautiful.

He carefully replayed their conversation again and again in his mind, savoring every word. At last, he and his daughter could sit together and talk without arguing. He vowed silently: I must protect this newfound harmony.

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Cheng Yuan poured all her energy into her textbooks.

The first-year notes were still readable, but from the second semester of first year onward, her books looked pristine — as if she had just bought them from a bookstore.

After so many years, she had forgotten most of her high school knowledge. Wanting to apply to Shanghai University was a noble goal — but wishful thinking alone wouldn’t make it happen.

In her past life, she hadn’t learned much during high school. Later, she attended a vocational school’s teacher training program, where graduates were promised direct job placements.

But midway through, the system was abolished. After graduation, she found herself struggling to find work.

In the end, despite her father’s objections, she left for Hai City to work. She served tables, washed dishes, worked in electronics factories — painfully aware that without education, she was worth so little.

After working herself to exhaustion, she could barely make ends meet.

Determined, she gritted her teeth and picked up the textbooks again.

Because of her good looks, she had once attracted the wrong kind of attention. Some men had tried to take advantage of her. If she hadn’t been lucky enough to escape, she might have been ruined back then.

After that, she spent all her savings learning self-defense at a martial arts club. No ordinary man could lay a hand on her now.

Later, she entered the clothing business — buying wholesale at markets, selling goods on the street. It was exhausting, but at least the money was decent.

Years passed. She opened her own shop, hired employees, and saved steadily to buy a house in Hai City.

When she found she was still short on funds, her father secretly gave her all his savings to help her — without telling her he was seriously ill.

By the time she learned the truth, it was too late for surgery.

After burying her father, she finally uncovered the life he had hidden: How he ran a lonely little restaurant, often skipping meals; how he supported the Cheng family without a word of complaint; how he spent his life searching for her missing mother; and how every penny he had left, he gave to his “unfilial daughter.”

No matter how bitter her tears, it was too late to undo the past.

Cheng Yuan clenched her fists around her pen, her heart steeled.

Dad, this time, I won’t let anything happen to you.

She pushed aside all distracting thoughts and focused on the National Day homework. She had to get into Shanghai University. She wanted her father to be proud.

Flipping through the papers, she found five exam sheets and three workbooks — all blank. Not even her name was written.

She bit the end of her pen, her heart collapsing in despair.

“Why is there so much homework?” she muttered helplessly.

Sighing, she decided to start with the Chinese test — her best subject. Even though ten years had passed, she still remembered most of the basics.

Only the memorization parts… might be a challenge.