Chapter 190: After My Sister Graduates and Comes of Age

After returning from Shenzhen, life returned to its usual rhythm.

Ding Heng didn't inquire further about what happened next in the Lin family drama, and Lin Man didn't bother to mention it either.

It is said that because debt collectors came to his door, Lin Kaihui was made the scapegoat, and the others were each punished with three cups of wine, thus covering up the family scandal.

As June arrives, the summer heat intensifies, the camphor trees at the foot of Yuelu Mountain gleam with green, and the cicadas sing louder each day.

While college students are counting down the days until the end of the semester, another group of people are facing the first major hurdle in their lives.

College entrance examination!

On the afternoon of June 8th, the last English class ended.

Outside a test center in Changsha, parents blocked the entire street.

Some people held flowers, some held banners, and media outlets of all sizes squatted at the door with their cameras and microphones, ready to "arrest" the first examinee to leave.

Ding Heng parked his Mercedes at the intersection and leaned against the car door, scrolling through his phone listlessly.

The bell rang, the school gates opened, and a flood of people poured out.

He put away his phone and searched the crowd with his eyes.

Bai Ma's height of 1.5 meters was really inconspicuous. Ding Heng stood on tiptoe and searched for a long time before he found her moving out with the crowd.

She wore a cream-colored short-sleeved shirt and a light blue pleated skirt, revealing a section of her fair calves. Her hair was tied into two braids that hung down in front of her chest, making her look well-behaved and cute.

"Brother!"

Upon seeing Ding Heng, Bai Ma accelerated and sprinted forward.

"How did the exam go?"

"It'll have to do."

Bai Ma shrugged: "Anyway, I guessed everything I could, and filled in all the answers I didn't know. The results should be worthy of the sweat and hard work I put in every day."

Ding Heng was both amused and exasperated. He opened the passenger door and said, "Get in."

Baima didn't go inside immediately; her gaze was fixed on the distance.

A girl rushed into her mother's arms, and the mother and daughter embraced, both crying their hearts out.

A boy accepted the flowers from his family, scratched his head shyly, and his father patted him on the shoulder, his eyes a little red.

Baima sighed softly.

"What's wrong?"

Ding Heng followed her gaze.

"It's nothing."

Baima withdrew her gaze, bent down and climbed into the passenger seat, feigning sorrow as she sighed, "I suddenly feel like an abandoned child."

"Thump."

Ding Heng gently tapped her on the forehead.

"Ouch!"

Baima covered her forehead, looking aggrieved.

Ding Heng got into the driver's seat: "Didn't Aunt Qu Zhen call you? Something came up and she couldn't get away, so she asked me to bring you a bouquet of flowers."

He gestured with his chin, indicating that Baima should look at the back seat.

Baima turned around, and a bouquet of champagne roses lay quietly in the back seat.

She reached out and hugged it, then sniffed it.

"A bouquet of flowers is all you're going to do? This is the college entrance exam, a major life event!"

"So what do you want? To have her fly back to be with you?"

"No need for that..."

Baima leaned back in her chair, resting her short legs on the center console.

She said casually, "Anyway, I'm just going through the motions... A good junior college is no worse than Tsinghua or Peking University, don't you think, brother?"

Ding Heng was drinking water and almost choked: "You're really going to go to a junior college?"

Baima blinked: "Otherwise what? With my grades, do you think I could get admitted to a 985 university through a special exception?"

Given Qu Zhen's current net worth, why would her daughter want to attend a junior college?

Ding Heng found it all rather abstract.

"Didn't your mother think of any other options for you?"

"I've thought about it."

Baima counted on her fingers: "Going abroad, studying art, pursuing sports specialties, Sino-foreign joint programs, studying in Hong Kong and Macau, even having me take some international standardized test to apply to overseas schools... I've thought of everything I can think of."

"and then?"

"Then my mom went to ask the master again."

Baima rolled her eyes: "The master said that I'm not destined to travel far from home and should stay in the mainland. My mom let me choose for myself, and I said I'd go to a junior college, it's close to home and convenient."

Ding Heng's lips twitched.

"So you're still planning to choose a junior college in Changsha?"

"Yeah, it's right next to your school, so I can often come over for meals."

Baima spoke with confidence and without the slightest embarrassment.

Ding Heng remained silent for two seconds, then let out a long sigh.

"Whatever makes you happy."

"Hehe! Anyway, my mom only has one requirement—don't go astray!"

"This request is quite difficult for you."

"That's why I chose a school close to you, so you can keep an eye on me."

"I... fine!"

Ding Heng resigned himself to his fate, and his car slowly merged into the traffic.

The June sun shone through the windshield, making people feel lazy.

Baima reclined the chair back and relaxed.

"Brother."

"Um?"

What are your plans for summer vacation?

"I haven't decided yet."

Ding Heng looked straight ahead: "What, you have plans?"

"I want to get my driver's license first, and then we can go out and have fun together when you and your sisters-in-law are on vacation."

Baima pleaded expectantly, "Brother, you'll definitely take me with you, right? Right? Right!?"

Ding Heng raised an eyebrow: "We haven't decided where to go yet, what good ideas do you have?"

"have no idea."

Baima shook her head and emphasized again, "You absolutely cannot abandon me!"

"We'll see how things go then."

"Brother~!!!"

Baima swayed her short legs up and down, constantly throwing a tantrum.

"Sit still!"

Ding Heng reached out and pressed down on Bai Ma's swaying legs; they were smooth and soft.

I have to say, this girl has really good skin...

The car drove into the villa's garage.

The two went upstairs, where Sister Jiang was waiting at the door. She took the car keys from Ding Heng and smiled at Bai Ma.

"Pema's back? How did the exam go?"

"It's alright, it's alright."

Baima waved dismissively, changed into her slippers, and went inside: "Where's Xiaoshu?"

"Upstairs, the new tutor just arrived and is giving a lesson."

"A new tutor?"

Baima paused, turning back to look at Sister Jiang: "What about the one from before?"

"The previous one had some family issues and resigned. This is the new one we found, and this is her first day here."

Bai Ma said "Oh" and ran upstairs.

The study door was ajar, and Baima poked half her head in.

Wen Shu sat at her desk with an English exercise book open in front of her.

Hearing the noise, she turned around and smiled at Pema.

"Have you finished your exams?"

"Just finished the exams! Free now! Unlike some people who have to study hard for another year!"

Baima pushed open the door, plopped down on the bed, and looked smug.

Ding Heng followed him in, his gaze falling on the other side of the desk.

The woman was in her late twenties, with a dignified posture, delicate features, gentle eyes, thin-rimmed glasses, and her hair tied in a low ponytail, exuding an intellectual and gentle temperament.

Seeing Ding Heng enter, she quickly put down the textbook in her hand and stood up.

"Hello, are you Wenshu's brother?"

She gave a slight bow, her smile polite: "I'm Shen Ruoqing, the new tutor. I'm in charge of Wenshu's English and Chinese."

Her voice was soft and clear, with a slight southern accent.

Ding Heng nodded politely: "Hello, Teacher Shen, thank you for your hard work."

"It's not hard work."

Shen Ruoqing shook her head and looked at Wen Shu: "Wen Shu has a good foundation. With a little extra help, her grades can improve."

Wen Shu put down her pen and looked at Ding Heng with a grin: "Brother-in-law, this is my new teacher, what do you think?"

Brother-in-law?

Shen Ruoqing was taken aback, and an awkward expression flashed across her face.

"Sorry, I thought it was..."

She quickly turned to Ding Heng, her tone apologetic: "You don't look like you're getting married, so..."

"fine."

Ding Heng waved his hand: "My relationship with Wen Shu won't affect your teaching."

Shen Ruoqing nodded and sat back down.

"Wenshu, is that all for today?"

"Okay, teacher, then the same time next week?"

"OK."

Shen Ruoqing got up, tidied up the textbooks on the table, and put them into a light gray canvas bag.

Ding Heng turned to the door and called out, "Sister Jiang, see Teacher Shen off."

"No, no need."

Shen Ruoqing waved her hand, picked up her bag and walked out. She nodded slightly as she passed Ding Heng, then quickly went downstairs.

The footsteps faded into the distance.

Baima jumped off the chair, walked to the door and peeked out. Only after confirming that Shen Ruoqing was far away did she turn back.

She said seriously, "Wen Shu, I don't think this kind of upbringing is acceptable!"

Wen Shu asked, puzzled, "Why? I think it's fine."

Baima, hands on her hips, said earnestly, "She's quite pretty. Didn't you know she has a man in her family?"

Wen Shu froze for a second, her lips twitching slightly.

"screw you."

She grabbed an eraser from the table and threw it at Baima: "Brother-in-law isn't that kind of person, right, brother-in-law?"

Ding Heng smiled awkwardly and glared at Bai Ma with annoyance.

Baima caught the eraser and chuckled, "I'm serious! You should try two more, compare prices before buying!"

"Okay, okay, I'll try again."

Wen Shu gave a perfunctory answer, neatly stacked the workbook and put it aside, then asked, "How did you do on the test?"

"Why do you keep asking the same question? Isn't it annoying?"

Baima sat back down in her chair: "In short—going to a junior college is the safest bet!"

Wen Shu was both amused and exasperated.

She spent more than half a year in a private high school. There were many students from wealthy families who were not good at studying, but no one had ever considered the path of junior college.

"Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious."

Baima retorted confidently, "What, you look down on college graduates?"

"It's not that I look down on you..."

Wen Shu carefully chose her words: "I just feel that with your family's good financial situation, you should at least..."

"Get what?"

Baima interrupted her, her tone relaxed: "My mom doesn't care about me, why are you worrying?"

Wen Shu shook her head and didn't try to persuade her any further.

Baima jumped off the chair, walked up to Wenshu, and patted her on the shoulder.

"Stop nagging, come with me somewhere tonight."

"Where to?"

"A place only adults should go, where adults should do things."

"Sorry, I'm not an adult yet."

Wen Shuyi spoke with righteous indignation!

Ding Heng couldn't stand it anymore and demanded, "What the hell are you planning to do?"

"Brother, don't be so fierce."

Bai Ma turned to face Ding Heng, blinking her big eyes: "I just want to go to an internet cafe for the whole night."

"Why stay up all night?"

"Playing games, what else would we do?"

"Don't we have a computer at home?"

"I just wanted to give it a try."

Pema pouted: "I haven't been to an internet cafe since I left Tibet... I kind of miss it."

Ding Heng: "..."

Is this something to reminisce about?

Also, how old were you when you were in Tibet? What kind of internet cafe did you go to?

Seeing that Ding Heng wouldn't budge, Bai Ma immediately went over and gently shook his sleeve.

"Brother, please come with me!"

"How old are you? Do you need someone to accompany you to an internet cafe?"

"I'm scared to go alone~"

Baima continued to whine, her voice soft and sweet: "Just think of it as accompanying your little sister to experience life, okay~"

Ding Heng, unable to resist her shaking, finally relented.

"Alright, alright, go ahead."

"yeah!"

Baima cheered and turned to run upstairs: "I'm going to change my clothes!"

Wen Shu watched Bai Ma run away into the distance, then turned to look at Ding Heng.

"Brother-in-law, you really spoil her."

"Otherwise what?"

Ding Heng sighed, "What can I do with a sister like this?"

…………

In the evening, Ding Heng sent a message to Wen Jing and Zhao Yanxi, informing them that he would be spending the evening online with Bai Ma.

At 9:30, Ding Heng drove to an internet cafe near the university town.

Upon entering the private room, Bai Ma immediately plopped down in the gaming chair, her short legs dangling in mid-air.

She nodded in satisfaction: "Wow, not bad, not bad."

Ding Heng sat down and turned on the computer, puzzled, "This lousy internet cafe, can it be as comfortable as your e-sports room?"

"It's mainly about creating a festive atmosphere!"

Baima is used to playing games without shoes. After sitting down, she immediately kicked off her sneakers, revealing two small feet wrapped in white silk.

They also rubbed their toes lightly with their hands in a very unhygienic manner, sometimes opening their toes and sometimes curling them up.

Ding Heng glanced at them briefly, then casually asked, "Are you planning to hire a few companions?"

"I won't look for it."

Why?

"Because you're my best playmate, brother!"

"I?"

"Don't worry... they'll pay for the companionship."

Why would I earn that little bit of money from your companionship?

"Brother, don't be so vulgar. Of course, the fee for accompanying someone can be something else."

"for example?"

"Like my sister's overflowing love!"

She suddenly pounced on him, wrapped her arms around Ding Heng's neck, and gently kissed his face.

"Pop".

The sound was crisp and clear.

Baima stepped back slightly, raising an eyebrow smugly: "This 'entertainment fee' is quite substantial, isn't it!"

Ding Heng reached out and touched his cheek, full of doubt.

Who taught this girl to do that?

Lin Man?

"Play games, play games."

Ding Heng turned around and logged into Valorant.

Bai Ma instantly selected the Duelist, and Ding Heng filled in by selecting the Vanguard.

In the first round, Baima rushed faster than anyone else, engaging in gunfights with anyone he saw, and shouting "Big cripple, big cripple" when he died.

Ding Heng followed behind her, helping her finish off enemies and casting skills for her, like a full-time nanny.

A safe and sound victory.

In the second game, the opponents were clearly a level stronger, and Bai Ma's gunfight win rate plummeted; he couldn't even fire a shot several times...

She started to get impatient.

"Is that Jetpack guy over there cheating?"

"no."

"Then how come he kept shooting me in the head?"

"Because you're standing still."

"I wasn't standing still!"

Bai Ma retorted defiantly, pounding her fingers even harder on the keyboard: "What garbage internet cafe peripherals! The feel is awful!"

In the end, they were crushed 13-2 by their opponents.

Bai Ma slammed her headphones on the table, huffing, "These teammates are terrible! Especially that Reina, who is she?!"

Ding Heng remained calm: "They killed at least twenty people, so you, who came in last, should just shut up."

"Brother! Whose side are you taking!"

"Am I not telling the truth?"

"Even the truth can't be told!"

Bai Ma turned back angrily and put her headphones back on.

"I'm not fighting anymore, brother, you fight me one-on-one."

"OK."

Ding Heng let her have her way and created a custom room.

In the first round, Ding Heng deliberately let the opponent win.

In the second round, he let the opponent off the hook again.

……

Finally, Bai Ma's kill count reached 39, just one more kill away from ending the game.

She swaggered around with her small, white-stockinged feet, beaming with pride.

"Brother, you're so weak! Your gun is so soft and slow. How about we make a bet?"

"What are we betting on?"

"The loser becomes the winner's servant for a month."

Baima smiled slyly: "You must obey unconditionally during this period."

"OK."

Ding Heng sat up straight and moved his wrists slightly.

Bai Ma confidently controlled her character to charge forward.

Then—the screen went gray.

She was stunned.

Resurrected, and flushed again.

It's grayed out again.

Resurrected, and flushed again.

Gray again.

A human head.

two.

Three.

Five.

……

Bai Ma's gunplay is getting worse and worse, and his actions are becoming increasingly chaotic.

Ding Heng toyed with Bai Ma like a cat playing with a mouse, each kill precise and composed, rarely allowing Bai Ma to fire a shot.

40 kills achieved.

Bai Ma slid her hands off the keyboard and mouse, slumped into her chair, her eyes vacant: "How...could this have happened..."

Ding Heng took off his headphones and asked with a smile, "You're my servant now, right?"

Baima mechanically turned her head: "Brother... we were just joking, right?"

"I also agreed to go on a trip during the summer vacation."

"No, no, no!"

Baima quickly sat up straight, clasping her hands together: "Brother, just tell me your request! I'll do whatever you say!"

Ding Heng moved closer, looking down at Baima from his elevated position.

"It's a little difficult for you, just bear with it!"

The next morning.

"Brother... I really can't go on anymore..."

"Brother... slow down..."

"Brother... please, please let me go..."

The girl's heavy breathing was accompanied by Ding Heng's stern reprimand.

"No, continue!"

"Hurry up, get moving!"

On the running track in the villa community garden, Ding Heng, dressed in dark gray sportswear, walked steadily with even breathing.

Baima followed behind him, wearing the same pink and white tracksuit, panting and staggering.

Its two short legs moved incredibly fast, but it just couldn't catch up with the tall figure in front of it.

"The last lap."

Ding Heng didn't turn his head.

"I...I can't run anymore..."

"Even if you can't run, you have to run."

Baima gritted her teeth and used the last bit of strength to rush forward.

Finally, Ding Heng stopped at the finish line.

Baima took two more steps forward, but her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

"Huff... huff... huff..."

She lay on her back, her chest heaving violently, her sweat-soaked sweatshirt outlining the youthful, innocent silhouette of a young girl.

Ding Heng walked over and looked down.

That's all for today.

Baima closed her eyes, not wanting to speak.

"Get up, go back and wash up, the teacher will be here soon."

Baima opened one eye.

"What teacher?"

"Your posture teacher."

Baima suddenly sat up, her eyes wide open.

"Why did you hire a posture coach for me?"

"Look at you, you have no proper sitting or standing posture."

Ding Heng, hands in his pockets, said in a flat tone, "Aunt Qu Zhen said that you must correct your posture."

The rules he set for his "servant" Pema were very simple:

First, correct your sleep schedule. Stop staying up all night and get up at 6 a.m. sharp every day.

I run two laps after getting up, and then do two hours of posture training from 9 to 11 a.m.

I'll have driving lessons in the afternoon, and then swim for an hour after I get back.

I run two laps after getting up, and then do two hours of posture training from 9 to 11 a.m.

I'll have driving lessons in the afternoon, and then swim for an hour after I get back.

Then you can rest freely, but you must go to bed before 10 p.m.

Baima turned her face away, resigned to her fate: "Go ahead and kill me!"

Ding Heng asked, "If you don't learn to swim, how will you come to the beach with us?"

Baima turned around: "To the beach?"

"Where else to go in the summer if not the beach?"

"Didn't you already go to Hainan Island?"

"Can't we go somewhere else? Are you coming or not?"

Baima quickly got up from the ground and dusted herself off.

"Go! Go! Go!"

She obediently followed Ding Heng back, but after a few steps her legs started to ache and she slowed down.

"Brother... my legs hurt..."

Ding Heng sighed and squatted down.

Baima immediately understood, climbed onto his back, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Ding Heng stood up, carried Bai Ma on his back, and walked back.

Bai Ma rested her chin on Ding Heng's shoulder, her two short legs dangling and swaying at his waist.

"Brother."

"Um?"

"Have you noticed that Mom and Uncle Ding have been spending more time apart lately?"

Ding Heng didn't stop walking.

Why are you worrying about adults?

"I'm just curious."

Baima asked worriedly, "They've been dating for over a year, won't they get tired of each other and want to break up?"

"Fine, let's break up then."

Ding Heng said casually, "They're both over forty. Isn't it normal for them to break up after a relationship?"

"What if they break up... will you still be my brother?"

"No."

Bai Ma immediately became agitated and raised her voice.

Why?!

"I don't want a disobedient sister like you."

Baima pursed her lips, and her voice softened.

"Then I'll behave and be obedient. Will you still be my brother?"

"I'll reconsider after you perform."

"Oh……"

Bai Ma responded softly and buried her face in Ding Heng's shoulder.