QTMWSFC Chapter 9

Xia Qingmeng didn’t plan to stay long because high school studies were tight. After her school uniform was washed, dried, and changed back into, she requested a day off from school and went home.

Xu Xinghe was still worried, so he escorted her all the way to her front door before leaving.

Xia Qingmeng stood at the entrance for a while, watching his figure ride away on his bike before finally going inside.

“Meng Meng, why are you back so early today?” An elderly woman with graying hair walked out of a room, her steps slow and aged.

“Mmm… I wasn’t feeling very well, so the teacher let me come home to rest.” As she spoke, Xia Qingmeng rubbed her forehead.

Seeing her granddaughter looking tired and her eyes slightly reddened, she indeed looked unwell. She quickly went over to help her granddaughter to bed.

But Xia Qingmeng just shook her head. “Grandma, I’m fine. I’ll be okay after some sleep. I can do it myself.”

With that, Xia Qingmeng put the packed food into the fridge and went into her room.

Grandma Xia sighed softly and didn’t say anything more, but her heart was full of mixed feelings.

She could only blame herself for being old and unable to help her grandchild much. Not only could she not take care of her granddaughter, but her granddaughter had to take care of her instead. All she could hope for was to hang on for a few more years, collect a little more pension, and at least last until her granddaughter could stand on her own and support herself after graduation.

Grandma Xia opened the fridge and saw all those containers packed with food. She felt puzzled, but after pursing her lips, she decided not to ask.

Xia Qingmeng had always been a sensible child. Besides, the girl was grown and had her own thoughts. Whatever she wanted to share, she would share eventually. No need to pry. Still, she wondered who had bought all these foods. A kind-hearted person, for sure…

Xia Qingmeng took a shower before lying down in bed. Although she didn’t suffer any serious physical injuries, she was utterly exhausted emotionally.

Touching her new phone, she fell into deep thought.

She originally wanted to finish high school quietly and then work hard to get into her dream university. So why was her life becoming more and more messy?

If Xu Xinghe hadn’t been there today, what would happen to her?

Xia Qingmeng didn’t dare think about it nor did she want to. There were so many “what ifs” in the world. The fact that none of them happened was already the greatest luck. She needed to find a way to properly thank Xu Xinghe.

Actually, after all these days of getting along, Xia Qingmeng had realized just how harmful her old stereotypes had been.

Xu Xinghe might have bad grades, but he was a good person. Kindness and loyalty were among his strengths. In fact, he was very smart. He just didn’t like studying. If he really put his mind to it, he could be far more outstanding.

Xia Qingmeng rolled over on her bedsheets a couple of times.

There weren’t any holidays or special occasions coming up. Would giving a gift feel too abrupt? But she just wanted to say thank you. She didn’t need to wait for a holiday, right? Still, Xu Xinghe wasn’t short on money, so what would be a good gift? The thought behind the gift mattered more than the gift itself. She had to give something sincere.

For once, Xia Qingmeng found herself in a dilemma.

Back in his rented room, after tidying himself up, Xu Xinghe decided to call his older brother.

Chu Xi’s revenge was too vicious. He decided to wipe out the Chu family once and for all.

With such a powerful family background at his disposal, why not use it? Take out Chu Xi and be done with all future trouble. Wouldn’t that be great?

So Xu Xinghe dialed Xu Nian’s number without any psychological pressure.

“Hello? Why did you suddenly think of calling me? Need me to help with something again?”

Xu Nian’s tone on the other end of the line was teasing but with a hint of affection, which made Xu Xinghe feel a bit emotional and envious. He had never had family members this good to him in his previous life.

“No one knows a younger brother better than his older brother. I do need your help with something, bro. But I’m not asking for a free ride, I’ll give my brother something good in return.” Xu Xinghe’s voice sounded as confident and flamboyant as ever.

Hearing his younger brother’s familiar voice, Xu Nian nodded subtly and the corners of his mouth curved upward. From the sound of it, his brother was doing well. That was enough to put his mind at ease. He just wanted his brother to be happy. He could handle any troublesome matters himself.

“Oh? Since when did you learn to pay me back? We’re family, there’s no need to be so formal.” Xu Nian laughed, not really expecting Xu Xinghe to actually take out anything. What could a high school student possibly come up with?

“Bro, I’ve already sent you the stuff. I explained the favor I need in there too. The rest is up to you.”

“Sent it? I’ll go take a look. When did you get so mysterious?”

Xu Nian hung up the phone and immediately checked what Xu Xinghe sent him. He started off in a relaxed and amused mood, but the more he read, the more shocked he became. His expression grew increasingly serious.

After going through everything, Xu Nian immediately called back, his breathing slightly rushed. “Xu Xinghe, where did all this come from?”

His older brother’s reaction was no different than what he had guessed.

Xu Xinghe smiled smugly. “Underestimated me, didn’t you? But since we’re family, I’m giving these to you for free. My only condition is that you help me deal with the Chu family.”

Xu Nian was speechless.

Well, well. He had thought his little brother was just wasting his time every day. Turns out he’d been spending all his time studying systems.

Who said he was an academic scumbag? He was clearly a genius!

And this data was clearly just a prototype, but it already blew every security software on the market. Calling it groundbreaking wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

So he was pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, and now he was going all out for love?

Xu Xinghe’s request was so simple that Xu Nian agreed without hesitation. “Alright, no problem. The Chu family is nothing, not difficult at all. We’re family, no need for formalities. But now I’m even more curious. Do you actually know how to chase a girl? Remember to keep your temper in check and not scare her.”

Xu Xinghe: “Someone who’s still a bachelor himself is not qualified to talk about others.”

Xu Nian: “…”

Was he old? He was only twenty-five this year! Was that old?!

But Xu Nian couldn’t be bothered to argue with his dear little brother. Compared to the surprise Xu Xinghe had brought him, everything else was trivial.

Looking at the prototype system in front of him, Xu Nian was already mapping out how the Xu family should develop next. He couldn’t let his brother’s work go to waste.

After hanging up the phone, Xu Xinghe twirled his phone in his palm a few times with satisfaction before going back to grinding away at the system.

He had noticed that the current world he was in wasn’t developing as fast as his previous life. It just so happened that in his past life, he worked in information technology and the internet, and now he even had the system’s boost to his computer skills. Xu Xinghe didn’t mind advancing this small world’s technological progress a little ahead.

Still, having money and power sure made things easy…

Xu Xinghe couldn’t help but feel a bit wistful.

Didn’t this solve the problem, that is, taking down a small family with just a phone call and a few words?