Lin Anjie appeared at the entrance of Xiaogou Village in a small sedan. The car stopped at the village entrance, and Lin Anjie, wearing a bright red dress, stepped out.
It had been some time since they last saw her, and Lin Anjie seemed like a completely different person.
Her hair was curled into big waves, she wore a figure-hugging dress and high heels, and she even donned a pair of sunglasses on her nose.
Her appearance undoubtedly attracted countless stares.
Lin Anjie's lips curved into a smile, showing off her particular sense of triumph.
Several women cast strange looks at Lin Anjie when they saw her.
Some looked down on Lin Anjie's flamboyance.
Yet it was plain to see that Lin Anjie had struck it rich, and while they were curious about what Lin Anjie did to earn the money, they also felt somewhat embarrassed to ask.
Lin Anjie did not show a hint of embarrassment.
Along the way, she greeted everyone she met, and when she encountered people from Xue Feng's family, Lin Anjie appeared particularly proud. She deliberately flipped her long hair and curled the corner of her mouth in a scornful gesture, achieving a perfect display of disdain.
This truly infuriated Xue Feng's mother.
Upon returning home, Xue Feng's mother complained to Xue Feng, who also felt some distress.
He and Lin Anjie had been dating for nearly two years. They definitely had feelings for each other, and even knowing what kind of person Lin Anjie was, those feelings couldn't just be completely let go.
But seeing Lin Anjie now, it seemed she looked down on him, and Xue Feng felt a complex mix of emotions.
Lin Anjie first returned to the Su family's house, where she was thoroughly scolded by Liu Erni.
After a few harsh words from Liu Erni, Lin Anjie pulled out some money from her bag: "Mom, this is what I earned outside."
The thick stack of banknotes in her hand shocked Liu Erni.
Smiling, Lin Anjie placed the money in Liu Erni's hand: "I found a way to make money, and from now on, our family's days will surely get better."
Liu Erni, feeling the constraints of poverty, softened her attitude greatly upon receiving the money.
However, Su Zhiqiang's attitude towards Lin Anjie never really changed. He remained cold and indifferent, not caring when Lin Anjie left, nor offering a smile upon her return.
Although Lin Anjie was irked by Su Zhiqiang's demeanor, she knew she was in the wrong this time and so she chatted up Su Zhiqiang with a smile.
Su Zhiqiang responded halfheartedly.
Once Lin Anjie had pacified the Su family, she carried a bag and headed to the Lin family's house.
She called out at the entrance, and just then Wang Cuixhua came out to see her. Seeing Lin Anjie, Wang Cuixhua's face fell: "What are you doing back here?"
"Mom."
Lin Anjie smiled: "Well, I've made some money, so I wanted to come and see you and Dad, and also to leave you some money as a token of filial piety."
"No need."
Wang Cuixhua got angry just looking at Lin Anjie, and waved her hand: "No matter how much money you make, it has nothing to do with us. We don't want your money."
The smile on Lin Anjie's face faltered.
She internally cursed Wang Cuixhua for being biased, only knowing about Anning and not really considering her as her own daughter.
"Mom."
Lin Anjie called out: "I know I've made mistakes, but… I am still your biological daughter. Can't you forgive me?"
As she spoke, she tried to reach out and grab Wang Cuixhua's hand, but Wang Cuixhua quickly dodged, leaving Lin Anjie with an embarrassed expression: "Mom, I realize my faults. I dare not do it again. I came back to apologize to Anning. I've been suffering and earning money outside, and I thought to use this money for atonement, after all Anning needs it for university. I..."
Lin Anjie lowered her head as she spoke, a glint of tears shimmering in the corner of her eyes.
Wang Cuixhua watched Lin Anjie with suspicion.
Lin Anjie nodded emphatically: "Mom, everything I'm saying is true..."
She was about to say more when voices came from outside: "This is Lin Anning's house."
Another voice called out: "Anning, are you there?"
Wang Cuixhua couldn't concern herself with Lin Anjie anymore, she quickly ran out to see a crowd had gathered at her doorstep, and there was a jeep parked outside.
"This, this…"
Wang Cuihua was terrified, her face ashen.
Just at this moment, Lin Aiguo happened to come back home and was also startled by the scene.
He wiped the mud from his hands onto his clothes and hurriedly approached the jeep, smiling and talking to the person who clearly looked like a leader, "You are... What brings you to my home?"
The leader smiled, "Mr. Lin, hello, I'm from the County Education Bureau, and I've come especially to visit our province's top scorer in the national exam... who should also be our country's top scorer, student Lin Anning."
"What?"
As soon as these words were said, the crowd of onlookers at the Lin Family's doorway was about to explode.
Lin Aiguo was also at a complete loss.
Wang Cuihua's body swayed twice: "Leader, what did you say?"
The Education Bureau's leader understood the feelings of Lin Aiguo and Wang Cuihua very well, so he explained kindly, "The national exam scores are out, and student Lin Anning has scored 708 points, truly deserving the title of the nation's top scorer. She really has brought glory to our county."
He stepped forward and shook Lin Aiguo's hand, "Thank you for raising such an outstanding young comrade for the country."
At this point, Lin Aiguo came back to his senses, his face full of surprise as he gripped the leader's hand tightly, "What you said is true? My daughter Anning is the top scorer in the national exam?"
The leader nodded affirmatively.
"Aiguo, hurry and invite the leader inside," someone called out.
Somehow, Lin Hongjun was asked to come over, he immediately instructed Lin Aiguo upon arrival and also chatted with the leader, inviting all the leaders from the county and local area into the home.
The whole family was visibly delighted, not to mention the Lin Family, but there was not a single villager in Xiaogou Village who was not happy.
With Lin Anning becoming the top scorer in the national exam, these villagers also felt proud by association.
They gathered in groups to spread the news far and wide, and some even ran to find Lin Jiugen to pass on the message, taking the opportunity to congratulate him.
Of course, with the exception of Lin Anjie.
Once Lin Anjie heard that Lin Anning was the national exam's top scorer, her face visibly turned sour.
Pale-faced, with a hint of fear in her eyes.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to her, Lin Anjie quickly shouldered her bag and made her escape.
She didn't dare return to the Su family's house, so she left Xiaogou Village and quickly took a vehicle to flee.
Her departure was hasty and panic-stricken, and it so happened that Xue Feng saw her.
Xue Feng didn't know what Lin Anjie was up to, but he took note of her demeanor.
He wondered if Lin Anjie had done something wrong again, which was why she looked so scared.
Meanwhile, the Education Bureau's leader was sitting in the Lin Family's main room, praising Anning profusely in front of Lin Aiguo and Lin Hongjun.
"It's wonderful how well you've raised your child. In such a small place like Baishi County, to have produced a top scorer in the national exam, that's the glory of the entire county and brings much honor to our education department as well."
"Oh, you're too kind," Mr. Lin modestly responded after a few words, but the corners of his mouth, almost reaching his cheeks, betrayed his joy.
Wang Cuihua still felt like she was dreaming. She and Lin Hongjun's wife were busy boiling water and brewing tea, looking dazed.
Lin Hongjun's wife enviously looked at Wang Cuihua, "I never imagined our Ningning would be the top scorer in the national exam, the national top scorer at that. It's just like becoming a top scorer in ancient times. Our old Lin family has produced a top scorer, our ancestors' graves are probably sprouting green smoke with pride."
"Ningning said she did well, but I never thought she'd do this well..."
Because Anning took the national exam this year, Wang Cuihua was somewhat familiar with the policies.
She knew Anning took the sciences, which had a full score of 710 points, and Anning had scored 708 points, which meant Anning only lost two points, something that was simply inconceivable.
Just when Wang Cuihua was busy boiling water, Anning and An Ping came back.
Wang Cuihua hurriedly pulled Anning into the house.
Upon seeing Anning, the leaders from the county and local areas were full of praise once again.
Anning was young and had a rural background, and education in Baishi County was not top-rated, but she still managed to become the top scorer. This showed that the child was smart and had also studied diligently, a child with such a bright future won't be easily offended by the leaders.
Moreover, with Anning's high score, they too benefited from the reflected glory, so of course, they were willing to heap more praise on Anning.