Chapter 304: Going Separate Ways

Chapter 304: Everyone Goes Their Own Way

"Maybe we should go back. We’re all broke. You wanna just sit here and starve?"

Wang Jiao was already full of regrets. To save money, they had to take a train to the south.

But on the train, they encountered a thief who stole her money. The group chased the thief off the train and missed its departure.

Though Xu Jiale and the others still had some money, it wasn’t nearly enough to buy new tickets.

They had no choice but to stay at a sketchy motel in Jiangcheng.

Proper guesthouses required identification, which they didn’t have.

They’d been eating scraps and barely sleeping, and the thief was never found. Wang Jiao just wanted to go home.

"So what if we’re broke? There are so many of us. We’ll go out tomorrow and find some work. We can at least feed ourselves."

The drummer was a cocky rich kid whose family had money, someone who had never faced real hardship and was still wet behind the ears.

"Get a job? Hell no. I’ve never even worked at home," Wang Jiao said.

The drummer shot her a glance. "Not grunt work, obviously. We’re musicians. Jiangcheng is just as big-time as Beijing. Even if we didn’t make it to the south, we can still make our mark here."

Wang Jiao nudged Xu Jiale. "Is that what you think too?"

Xu Jiale: "Zhang’s got a point. We came out here to make our mark. How can we give up halfway? If you want to go back, go alone. Don’t rope me into it."

Wang Jiao was furious, but she couldn’t go back by herself.

She was the band’s ‘lead singer’—in name only, not because she was particularly talented, but because the band needed a female member.

Usually, she just sang a few lines casually—she was mostly there for show.

Now that the band was planning to find work, Wang Jiao was torn between bailing and sticking it out.

...

The postings for Room 206 were gradually finalized.

Since their grades were all good, their placements were in the capital, though in out-of-the-way spots.

He Jing scored the best gig—working at the Xicheng Maternal and Child Health Hospital. After all, she was one of the top students in her year, had won scholarships, and the counselor and teachers were well aware of her situation.

Med students had jobs handed to them these days, so there was no big hurry.

Still, a good starting point was something everyone hoped for.

When move-out day came, Ye Xiaoxiao swung by to help haul their stuff.

Wang Jiao’s parents had already cleared out her things.

"Want a ride?" Ye Xiaoxiao asked.

"We’ve got it covered," Xia Li waved her off. "Besides, I’m not going there yet. I’m bouncing home first."

He Jing: "I’m bouncing home first too."

It hit Ye Xiaoxiao then—they were traveling light.

"Okay then."

Since they didn’t need her help, she would head to Chunfeng Road first to check on the progress of the courtyard renovation there.

If the renovation was done, she could have her family over to stay for a few days.

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t worried that Miao Cuifang wouldn’t come—since she was about to get married, they’d be thrilled and would definitely attend.

As she left the school, Ye Xiaoxiao waved goodbye to her school.

However, she still had plans to go to grad school. She had already discussed it with Professor Sun, who was very supportive and even suggested she could start right away this year.

But Ye Xiaoxiao still needed to go back and prepare—she hadn’t even cracked open a book yet.

If she got into the grad program at Jinghua University, she wouldn’t have to leave at all.

Driving to Chunfeng Road, she found the area still under construction, though the courtyard was already taking shape.

Ye Xiaoxiao was impressed by the progress in just one month.

The construction foreman didn’t recognize her when he saw her.

"Miss, this is a hard hat area—stay back for safety."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "I’m the owner of this property."

The foreman suddenly understood. "Oh, you’re President Han’s friend! Here, put this on."

He handed her a hard hat.

After putting it on, Ye Xiaoxiao entered the courtyard.

The foreman said it would take about half a month to finish, then comes the windows and interior work—that’s a whole other job.

Lu Hanchuan had left everything to Han Xing, so Ye Xiaoxiao would likely need to discuss the interior design details later.

The site was all dirt and dust, so Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t stick around long before leaving.

It was near Master Song’s place, so she went straight to his home to rest.

"So, now that you’ve graduated, you won’t have to go back to school, right?"

Song Guangjing asked.

Ye Xiaoxiao nodded. "Yes, we’re officially working adults now."

Song Guangjing continued, "Do you still plan to go to grad school?"

If she focused solely on learning, mastering everything Song Guangjing knew, Ye Xiaoxiao could become a top-tier TCM doctor.

A grad degree would just be a bonus.

"Maybe next year. I’ve got other things going on this year."

Ye Xiaoxiao’s thoughts aligned with Song Guangjing’s—skills matter more than the degree.

Nobody was happier about Ye Xiaoxiao’s break than Song Guangjing.

"Good. You’re welcome to stay here from now on. I heard your place is getting renovated—does that mean you’ve decided to stay nearby? That’s great."

Ye Xiaoxiao bent slightly and leaned closer to Song Guangjing, whispering, "Shifu, I'm about to get married."

"Has Lu Hanchuan mentioned this?"

"He's already filed our marriage paperwork with the army. It should be this month. I plan to register first and have the wedding reception after the courtyard here is finished."

By then, we can bring all the family over, and there will be plenty of room for everyone to stay.

Song Guangjing felt conflicted. "Even after marriage, you'll still be my disciple. If you ever face any grievances, you must come to me. I'll have your back."

"Thank you, Shifu," Ye Xiaoxiao said, touched.

Being able to meet a Shifu like Song Guangjing was her lucky break.

In the evening, Ye Xiaoxiao called Ye Changning.

She had contacted him when she first returned, but when she called his big house, the person who answered said Ye Changning hadn't come back yet.

"Third Brother, are you back in the capital?"

Ye Changning: "Just got back. I was abroad closing a major deal the past few days. So, have you finished your internship?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I graduated, okay?"

Ye Changning laughed on the other end. "My mistake, I forgot our Xiaoxiao is a graduate now. Where are you? I'll pick you up tomorrow."

"I'm staying with Shifu. I'll stay here for now—it's closer to Rende Pharmacy, more convenient for work."

"Why jump straight into work right after your break? You should rest for a few days."

Ye Xiaoxiao knew Ye Changning wanted her to stay at his place, but the back-and-forth would be a hassle. Even though she had a car, she didn’t want to wake up early.

Ye Changning: "Sheng Ge'er is on summer break too, right? I'll have him come to the capital. It's been a while since you two saw each other."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Great! Did Fourth Brother get into grad school?"

Ye Changning: "Of course. He's the most studious in our family—might as well study a few more years."

Now that the family's financial situation had improved, Ye Changning wired him funds every semester, so Ye Changsheng didn’t have to work before finishing school.

Free from financial worries, he excelled in his studies.

Last winter, while Ye Xiaoxiao was interning, he had already taken his grad school exams.