Chapter One
In previous years, the threshold for adult self-taught exams was too low, and the value of the degrees obtained was minimal, almost guaranteeing admission upon application. However, in the past few years, the situation has changed dramatically.
The bar for self-taught exams has been raised, and after passing, the further education period has been extended. Now, it's no longer just about getting a piece of paper; the graduation certificates are increasingly being recognized by companies.
The adult self-taught program at Haicheng University is one of the best. Many companies send their promising employees to the program to enhance their qualifications. The number of people signing up and paying fees is truly impressive, fortunately, they were divided into several groups.
Zoe and Luna squeezed their way through the crowd to pay their tuition and obtain their dormitory keys before floating down the stairs.
Just as they reached the stairwell, they heard a commotion. Luna curiously peeked out, "What's going on?"
A crowd had gathered in the corridor, seemingly to watch a spectacle.
At first glance, they only saw the back of a boy's head, while in front of him stood a girl. Her face was mostly hidden, but the visible half was strikingly beautiful and youthful.
In the next instant, that beautiful face raised its hand and slapped the boy hard, causing a loud, crisp sound.
The crowd immediately erupted in laughter and cheers.
"Nick, how does it feel?" someone shouted teasingly.
Zoe felt a sense of dissonance upon hearing the word "Nick."
Luna exclaimed, "A love triangle?"
As the crowd parted, the boy in the middle, wiping his lip, lazily lifted his eyebrows and walked towards them.
Another boy followed closely behind him.
Unexpectedly, their eyes met.
Zoe's head went blank, her thoughts exploding like thunder.
Nick was also startled, furrowing his brows as his long, narrow eyes seemed to be trying to recall...
Who was this?
Somehow familiar?
"Z... Z..." The boy next to him, Leo, pointed at Zoe with his slender finger, struggling to recall her full name.
Zoe immediately made a decision, turned, and walked away, quickly disappearing into the crowd.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Luna caught up with Zoe and silently peered at her.
Zoe walked along the lakeside, clutching the books in her arms, her thoughts wandering aimlessly.
It was only when Luna stumbled on an empty brick and Zoe reached out to steady her that she truly came to her senses.
Luna awkwardly smiled, "Almost fell flat on my face..."
"Are you okay?" Zoe asked with a smile.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"That's good. Do you know the guy earlier?" Luna asked tentatively. She couldn't help but notice how outstanding the boy was, handsome and striking, especially his long, narrow eyes, dark as ink, hiding a universe of stars.
"No." Zoe shook her head with a smile.
"Oh, okay."
Luna knew she didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't ask further. She was good at observing people's expressions.
"Damn, Zoe!" Leo finally remembered the rest of her name.
"What's she doing here?" he asked, glancing at the administrative office.
"Studying?" Nick raised his eyebrows in response to Leo's question.
Oh.
Zoe.
The girl who had chased him for three years, a rich heiress.
She had money to burn and was quite outspoken.
But it was said that her family had gone bankrupt, and after taking a break from school, she had disappeared without a trace. The 2.1 billion debt during the liquidation had even made the front page of the financial news.
"She really pursued you hard back then," Leo said.
"She sent you 999 roses."
"And booked the most luxurious private room at the Tian Shang Ren Jian for your birthday."
"But you just didn't like her..."
"You're blind."
"No, that's not it. You're not blind, you're shrewd. It was the right decision not to accept her."
Nick remained silent, taking out a cigarette and putting it in his mouth, lazily glancing at Leo. "Shut up."
"Alright."
Leo shrugged, caught up with his pace, and winked mischievously, "Aren't you going to go chase after your significant other?"Nick didn't respond, rubbing his lips with his fingertips and lowering his eyelids.Chase what?
They broke up.
Zoe and Luna went to check out the dormitory. Three years ago, Haida University had built a new dormitory building, located in an awkward position, smack in the middle of the male and female dorms, like a sandwich cookie.
Considering the development of young adolescents, in the end, this dormitory fell into the hands of adult self-study students with a social atmosphere.
Below the fourth floor were male dorms, and above the fourth floor were female dorms. It was just right. After all, the number of self-study students every year was still small, and one dormitory building could handle it.
Looking at the cramped dormitory, which would house four people, Luna was slightly disdainful: "There's even no toilet seat in the bathroom."
She worked in real estate and had her own house in Haishi, a ninety-square-meter apartment where she lived alone, extremely comfortable.
She wasn't used to such an environment.
Zoe chose the bed next to the window, put her books on it, and said, "You drive, so you can go home more often."
"That's true."
Luna nodded and chose the bed opposite Zoe, "But experiencing this kind of group life is also good, I feel like I'm young again."
Zoe smiled.
The management of this dormitory was much looser than other dormitories, as they were all adults.
Many of them were already independent in society, so the school was more lenient with self-study students.
Soon, two other roommates arrived.
One of them was around the same age as Luna, twenty-six, and the other was twenty-one, like Zoe, with a baby face and working as an online merchant.
The four greeted each other, chose their beds, and went out together.
They came early, as the official military training started on the third day, and they still had two days left.
Zoe and Luna picked up their military uniforms and left Haida University.
Luna's car was parked at the north gate, and Zoe couldn't refuse, so she took her ride to leave.
"You live in the old district of East China?"
Luna asked as she turned onto the road.
"Yes."
Zoe nodded.
"It's quite far, is it rented?"
Luna casually asked.
"It's my own house."
Zoe smiled in response.
Luna raised her eyebrows and looked at Zoe, "A hidden tycoon?"
Zoe chuckled and didn't answer.
If the old district could be demolished earlier, the family could at least breathe a sigh of relief.
When the family went bankrupt four years ago, Zoe's father had still hoped for this old house.
Unfortunately, luck was not on their side, and instead, the old district of South China was demolished.
This side of East China still hovered in the metropolis of Haishi.
"The traffic over there is not very good, so I won't drive in. Can you get off here?"
Looking at the congested roadway ahead, Luna said, Zoe had intended to do so, so she nodded, "Thank you for your trouble."
"Hey, what are you being so polite for?"
Luna waved her hand.
Zoe unbuckled her seatbelt, looked at the overturned bricks and stones, got off the car, and bowed to wave goodbye to Luna.
As the silver car drove away, Zoe turned and walked into the alley.
It was still as lively and chaotic as ever.
Trash cans strewn everywhere, unplanned lanes filled with cars, small stall carts almost spilling onto the road, bicycles scattered...
Zoe walked under the eaves with a blank expression.
After four years, she had gotten used to such an environment.
She went upstairs to take a shower. Just as she came out, the agency called, asking her to go for an interview.
Agent Zhang laughed, "Ranran, you're so lucky. This family lives in the new district of East China. You can go there directly."
Zoe nodded as she changed her clothes, "Thank you, Zhang jie."
"You're welcome, it's noon now, show them your skills."
Zhang jie's hearty laughter rang out on the other end.
"Okay."
After changing her clothes and hanging up the phone
Zoe picked up the knife and went downstairs.The new urban area of East China is opposite to the old urban area, separated by a main road. You can get there by walking on the pedestrian bridge.
Following the address sent by Zhang Jie, Zoe arrived at Building 8, Room 1606 in Area D.
She stood at the door and rang the doorbell. Soon, the door opened from inside, and a middle-aged woman in a gray shirt poked her head out.
Seeing Zoe so young, she was slightly surprised.
"Is this Xin Jia Home Service?"
Zoe smiled gently, "Yes."
"You're so young?"
Liu Ma looked Zoe up and down before opening the door and letting her in.
Zoe entered politely, changed her shoes under Liu Ma's instructions and gaze. Liu Ma also asked, "How old are you?"
Zoe: "Twenty-one."
"That's too young..." Liu Ma muttered, but didn't say much. Nowadays, there are many young housekeepers, and it's normal for chefs to be younger.
"You've come just in time. The owner of the house is here. I'll go call him."
Thinking that she couldn't make the decision, Liu Ma pointed to Zoe to stand in place and walked towards the study.
Su He nodded with a smile and stood obediently. The interior of the house was decorated simply with no excessive decorations, clearly indicating that it wasn't meant for a large group of people.
"Hmm?"
"How old is she?"
A man's voice came with footsteps, low and lazy.
Zoe's heart instinctively paused, as if she had heard it before.
"Twenty-one?"
"Is she still a student?"
The man chuckled with a casual tone, and Zoe couldn't help but look towards the direction of the study.
Then, her body stiffened.
Nick, with a cigarette in his mouth, also looked over.
The two of them locked eyes again.