Qin Jiao recalled that in a little over a decade, a farmstead resort would be developed next to their old house. The property’s value would increase twenty-fold if they sold it then. So, she urged her mom, "The house may be old, but the land it’s on is in a good location. Let’s not sell it. Who knows, it might appreciate in value later on."

"How much could it be worth? But if you say so, Xiao Jiao, Mom will listen to you."

Su Yun didn’t really care how much the value would increase. In her mind, it was a few hundred yuan at most, maybe doubling to a thousand.

Of course, that would be many years in the future anyway.

She was just in the habit of thinking her daughter was always right. Besides, even if the land just sat there, she would never let her third brother-in-law and his wife get their hands on it for cheap!

The floodwaters outside slowly receded, leaving the entire street soaked and muddy. A fishy smell hung in the air.

Qin Jiao and Shen Yi had arranged to go check on the school together. They both wore their backpacks, with Shen Yi pushing his bicycle.

Qin Jiao suddenly remembered her own rickety little bike. "The water was so high last night. My bike was probably submerged."

She had only left her bike on some high ground. She figured the first-floor classrooms in the academic building must have been flooded and wondered if the students’ books were all right.

As seniors, Qin Jiao’s classes were on the third floor, so they wouldn’t be flooded. The campus itself, however, was a total mess. All sorts of random debris had been washed onto the grounds.

As Qin Jiao passed a small puddle, she saw a thumb-sized little fish flopping about in it.

There was very little water in the puddle, and under the hot sun, it would likely dry up soon.

Qin Jiao reached down, scooped up the little fish, and placed it in a nearby ditch. The fish seemed stunned for a few seconds before coming to its senses, joyfully flicking its tail as it swam away.

Shen Yi stood to the side. Though his face was impassive, his eyes were filled with a gentle warmth.

’Look at that,’ he thought. ’My Jiao Jiao is so gentle and kind.’ 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Then he heard Qin Jiao sigh and say, "It’s a shame it was so skinny. Otherwise, I could have taken it home to make soup. I just heard from my dad that the fish from the local pond got washed out and ended up in someone’s yard."

Shen Yi was speechless.

’Well,’ he thought, ’his Jiao Jiao’s way of thinking was certainly unique. But no matter what, she was just adorable.’

He said, "If you want to eat fish, we can go fishing together again once we’re on break."

"Never mind. Let’s wait until after the Gaokao. It’s not a good idea to be hanging around reservoirs or riverbanks right before a big exam. My dad wouldn’t take us anyway."

Qin Jiao started thinking about her little bike again.

With less than two weeks left until the Gaokao, and taking out the weekends, there were only a few days left. It really wasn’t a good time to buy a new bike.

Shen Yi tried to keep his tone as casual as possible. "There are only a few days left anyway. It’s fine, I’ll give you a ride."

"Let’s not. What if our teachers and classmates get the wrong idea about us?"

"What kind of relationship do we have?"

The arch of Shen Yi’s brows was actually quite sharp. Qin Jiao remembered the him from her past life, who always looked at people with icy shards in his eyes, as if the entire world were made up of villains.

But the him of this life looked at people with great intensity. His eyes were jet-black and incredibly focused, and from time to time, they would reveal a hint of gentleness.

Out of the corner of her eye, Qin Jiao saw Chen Feng on his bicycle with Lin Nian riding on the back. She couldn’t hear what Lin Nian was saying, but it looked like she was being coquettish, even resting her cheek against Chen Feng’s back. Chen Feng’s brow was slightly furrowed with impatience, but he remained silent.

Qin Jiao quietly averted her gaze. "It’s nothing," she said. "Let’s just get to school."

Shen Yi had seen the other two as well. He grunted in acknowledgement, but his hand pushing the bicycle tightened its grip slightly.