Ever since she mentioned the plan to go abroad after graduation that day, Gong Ruini noticed the looks people gave her.

"Going abroad? Can she secure a state-funded abroad study?"

"How is that possible? Even with good grades, you need a background."

"There are so few spots nationwide each year. Even if her mom is a teacher at Jing University, so what."

"You guys are naive. Does she need to apply for state funding to study abroad? It’s not like her family is broke."

"Yeah, her dad’s in business and she’s in business too. How could they be short of money?"

Everyone sighed one by one. At that moment, they truly felt all sorts of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

They originally thought they started from a similar point, only to realize there’s a large gap. They had to aim for state-funded spots to go abroad.

Some people, on the other hand, simply pay their own way to study abroad. That’s a gap they can’t possibly chase after.

"Actually, Zhao Xuran also has money. Even if Gong Ruini didn’t have money, as long as Zhao Xuran was willing, it would work."

How could they forget this point? Gong Ruini and Zhao Xuran are a couple; if they study abroad, wouldn’t Zhao Xuran pay for it?

This news suddenly gave some lamenting girls a glimmer of hope.

They couldn’t change their birth nor make their parents rich, and couldn’t make money like Gong Ruini to go abroad themselves.

But they could find a wealthy man to financially support their study abroad.

Gong Ruini knew this talk would eventually spread, but didn’t expect such a dramatic reaction. People were discussing this openly in front of her.

Though most of what they said was correct, Gong Ruini wanted to point out that she hadn’t considered using Zhao Xuran’s money to study abroad. It’s not like she didn’t have money; why would she need a man to spend on her?

But the onlookers were more excited than she, the person involved, discussing it all with such certainty.

Xu Huijuan had some rough days lately. She directly embarrassed Zhao Xuran, making her position in the student council a bit shaky.

At home, her cousins and brothers gave her a good scolding, which made the usually prideful and pampered little girl quite indignant.

Xu Huijuan always wanted to teach Gong Ruini a lesson, to show her who’s boss.

For example, by meddling with her future job assignments or evaluations.

Hmph, don’t think she couldn’t mess with Gong Ruini just because she’s not in the student council.

Xu Huijuan heard that Gong Ruini planned to pursue further studies. Looking around, there are not many schools better than Jing University.

So she certainly intended to give Gong Ruini a hard time but unexpectedly heard such news.

"Impossible, impossible. How could she go abroad?"

"Don’t know foreign study takes a lot of money?" Even if Xu Huijuan racked her brain thinking about studying abroad, it was just a dream.

No matter how much her family doted on her, they wouldn’t send her abroad disregarding the family’s financial situation. Would her brothers and aunt agree?

"Why not?" Xu Huijuan’s cousin, Xu Guangxuan, knew about this news and understood his cousin would be upset, so he rushed back from work anxiously.

Coming home, he heard her complaining about this, and he was relieved.

Listening to Xu Huijuan’s continuous complaints, he felt a moment of frustration.

He understood her thoughts, but was Zhao Xuran so easy to deal with?

Though he seemed gentle and quiet, hasn’t he acted decisively over the years? 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Hasn’t he caused enough people to suffer?"

"They won’t get the spot." Xu Huijuan was startled by Xu Guangxuan’s voice.

Turning to see her brother’s displeased expression, she just wanted to retreat.

But she couldn’t back down, "Am I wrong? Even if Gong Ruini has good grades, she can’t get a state-funded overseas spot."

For many, going abroad means securing that spot, but Xu Guangxuan didn’t think the Gong or Zhao families would skimp on such expenses.

"Their family has money; they can pay to study abroad themselves," Xu Guangxuan said helplessly.

Before, he might offer some advice, but not now. Some people just can’t be reasoned with, no matter what you say.

Pay for themselves to study abroad? Oh my, suddenly remembered Zhao Guangran went abroad last July. The Gong and Zhao families have similar conditions. If the Zhao family’s son could go abroad, it should be easy for Gong Ruini too.

"Brother, I also want to go abroad." Hmph, isn’t it about studying abroad? Xu Huijuan didn’t want to lose.

Studying abroad? Does this girl have the ability to secure a state-funded spot?

Xu Guangxuan doubted Xu Huijuan’s ability to earn such a spot. It’d rely on family connections.

Is walking these connections easy? Many second and third generations want that spot. The Xu family has some influence but won’t waste its connections over this.

Pay herself to go abroad? Does the Xu family have such resources? Even if they did, they wouldn’t spend it on Xu Huijuan.

"I can’t make this decision," Xu Guangxuan finally said helplessly.

Then, he immediately left, abandoning the thought of lecturing Xu Huijuan.

He realized once his cousin got stuck in her bias, she wouldn’t come out.

Not able to decide is just not wanting her to go abroad. It does require all kinds of connections and money.

The family’s resources aren’t vast; her brothers need to get married and have children, and they need to progress. All these require money.

"This is growing up." Xu Huijuan suddenly muttered.

But just giving up like that? Xu Huijuan wasn’t willing; she had failed so badly this time. Though the student council election hadn’t started, she knew her era was over.

Staying in the student council just like that, how could she accept it? No matter who became the president, they all despised her.

As for her former followers, they long stopped listening to her, seeking new alliances.

"Only going abroad can change the minds of those who look down on me."

Xu Huijuan could loudly proclaim she would work hard, but how to work hard?

Not to mention her grades were average, and ever since she developed feelings for Zhao Xuran, she diverted much attention to the student council.

As a result, her academic performance declined, though she didn’t care initially.

Even with significant regression, it didn’t hinder her from obtaining a degree.

With a degree, eventually, she’d land a good job; with some family support and personal effort, and an impressive degree, she believed she’d climb up.

But now, she didn’t want to follow the path her parents planned. She must show she’d thrive outside the Xu family.

But why couldn’t she realize this goal? No, she needed to discuss it with her parents.

Then talk to the old man; studying abroad is a trend; more people going abroad is the future. The Xu family shouldn’t fall behind.