My Taoist buddy has practiced surrogacy

Chapter 1456 Discussion
Sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, scattering across the campus paths like scattered gold dust. Zhou Xing strolled along with a leisurely gait, his tall, handsome figure and expensive casual attire further emphasizing his distinguished air. As a second-generation rich kid, he had enjoyed a privileged life since childhood, consistently achieving top grades and earning him the reputation of a model student and a heartthrob among his classmates.

That day, the homeroom teacher led a new student into the classroom. She was a small, thin girl, wearing a faded old school uniform, her hair simply tied in a ponytail, and her eyes revealed a hint of timidity and unease. "Everyone, please be quiet. This is Ling Xue, our new transfer student. She will be a member of our class from now on. I hope everyone will take good care of her," the homeroom teacher said.

Ling Xue lowered her head, nervously twisting the hem of her clothes with her hands, and introduced herself softly: "Hello everyone, my name is Ling Xue, it's nice to meet you all." Her voice was very soft, almost drowned out by the surrounding chatter. Zhou Xing glanced at her, secretly disdainful, thinking that this girl from the countryside was unsophisticated and from a completely different world than himself.

After class, the students gathered around, staring at Ling Xue. Some asked curiously where she was from, while others pointed at her tattered clothes. Ling Xue's face flushed red, and she lowered her head even further. Zhou Xing sat in his seat, observing everything coldly. He thought this scene was perfectly normal; the weak deserved such stares.

However, a math test changed his opinion of Ling Xue. When the test papers were handed out, Zhou Xing, as always, scored high marks, but he was surprised to find that Ling Xue's score was second only to his. Watching Ling Xue's back as she diligently solved the problem, Zhou Xing felt a strange mix of emotions, including displeasure at the perceived threat to his position and curiosity about the girl's hidden abilities.

From then on, Zhou Xing began to pay attention to Ling Xue. He noticed that she was always the first to arrive at the classroom and the last to leave, making the most of every spare moment to study. While others were laughing and playing at noon, she would sit quietly in a corner reading and doing exercises; after school in the evening, she would often stay in the classroom to review the day's lessons. Her diligence impressed Zhou Xing and also ignited a competitive spirit within him, a desire to surpass her.

One day, Zhou Xing deliberately showed off his newly bought limited edition fountain pen to Ling Xue: "Look, this pen is a special model with only a few hundred pieces made worldwide. Most people can't even buy it." He thought Ling Xue would show envy, but to his surprise, Ling Xue only glanced at him indifferently and then continued with her own work. This annoyed Zhou Xing; he felt that Ling Xue was pretending not to care to hide her inner desire.

The school organized a speech contest, requiring each class to nominate a representative. Zhou Xing thought it was a sure thing, given his excellence in all aspects. However, to his surprise, the homeroom teacher chose Ling Xue. Zhou Xing confronted the teacher, demanding, "Why her? I have more experience and confidence in winning." The teacher smiled and said, "Zhou Xing, you are indeed very talented, but this time I want to give Ling Xue a chance. Although she comes from a rural area, she has unwavering faith and tenacious perseverance. I believe she can shine on stage."

Zhou Xing felt deeply resentful. He decided to secretly observe Ling Xue's preparation process to see just how capable this country girl really was. In the library, he watched Ling Xue revise her speech again and again, practicing her expressions and body language repeatedly in front of the mirror. Her forehead was covered in sweat, but she showed no sign of letting up. At that moment, Zhou Xing was deeply moved. He began to reflect on whether he had been too arrogant and narrow-minded.

On the day of the competition, the auditorium was filled with teachers and students. Ling Xue, dressed simply, walked onto the stage, her voice trembling slightly at first, but she quickly regained her composure. Her voice was clear and strong as she spoke of her dream—to change her destiny through knowledge, to leave the mountains, and to give back to her hometown. Her words were sincere and moving, earning rounds of applause. Zhou Xing, sitting below the stage, listened intently, and couldn't help but feel ashamed of his previous prejudice.

After the speech, Zhou Xing approached Ling Xue and sincerely said, "Congratulations, your speech today was excellent." Ling Xue looked at him with some surprise, then smiled brightly and said, "Thank you for your recognition." From then on, their relationship gradually improved.

As time went by, Zhou Xing grew to appreciate Ling Xue's character more and more. Once, the school organized a volunteer activity to visit the elderly at a nursing home. Ling Xue actively participated, patiently chatting and playing chess with the seniors, cleaning their rooms, and performing for them. Zhou Xing went along too, and seeing how Ling Xue treated the elderly with the same care and consideration as her own family, his respect for her deepened even further.

They also began to help each other with their studies. Zhou Xing excelled in physics, while Ling Xue was very good at Chinese. They would discuss difficult problems together and share learning methods. Zhou Xing discovered that Ling Xue was not only intelligent and eager to learn, but also quick-witted and often offered unique insights. Under her influence, Zhou Xing's attitude towards learning also became more serious and rigorous.

However, the peaceful life didn't last long. One day, rumors suddenly started circulating at school, saying that Ling Xue was deliberately getting close to Zhou Xing in order to curry favor with him. These rumors spread rapidly like a virus, putting a lot of pressure on Ling Xue. She became taciturn and was no longer as cheerful and confident as before.

Zhou Xing was furious when he found out. He found the classmates who spread the rumors and sternly reprimanded them: "Don't talk nonsense! Ling Xue is a kind and hardworking girl. She has never thought of relying on anyone. If you dare to spread rumors again, I will never forgive you!" With his efforts, the rumors finally subsided.

However, one problem after another arose. Ling Xue's family suddenly faced a crisis when her father fell ill and was hospitalized, requiring a large sum of money for medical treatment. This was undoubtedly a double blow to their already impoverished family. Ling Xue faced the prospect of dropping out of school, her eyes filled with despair and helplessness.

Zhou Xing saw this and was anxious. He secretly took out his savings and gave it to Ling Xue: "This is the pocket money I've saved up. Take it and use it to treat your uncle's illness." Ling Xue was moved to tears: "Thank you, Zhou Xing. I don't know how to repay you." Zhou Xing smiled and said: "You're welcome. We are classmates and friends. We should help each other at this time."

To encourage more people to help Ling Xue's family, Zhou Xing initiated a fundraising campaign in his class. His classmates responded enthusiastically, some donating their New Year's money, others contributing their saved allowances. With everyone's combined efforts, the surgery costs were quickly raised. Ling Xue's father successfully received treatment and is gradually recovering.

After this incident, Ling Xue cherished her hard-won learning opportunity even more. She studied even harder, and her grades improved steadily. Zhou Xing also grew through his interactions with Ling Xue; he learned to care for others, understand his parents' hard work, and was no longer as willful as before. With the college entrance exam approaching, a tense atmosphere permeated the entire campus. Zhou Xing and Ling Xue devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their studies. They encouraged and supported each other, spending countless nights studying together.

The day of the college entrance examination finally arrived. Outside the examination hall, Zhou Xing looked at the confident Ling Xue and silently cheered her on. After the exam, they smiled at each other, as if all their hard work had been released in that moment.

On the day the results were announced, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue both received acceptance letters from their dream universities. They hugged each other excitedly, tears of joy streaming down their faces. At that moment, all their hard work had paid off, and the difficulties and setbacks they had faced had become valuable assets on their path to growth.

At the graduation ceremony, Zhou Xing, as a student representative, spoke: "Dear students here, we all come from different places and have different backgrounds. But in this campus, we grow and progress together. Just like Ling Xue, who came from a poor family but never gave up on her dreams; and I was once arrogant and conceited, but her perseverance and hard work taught me humility and tolerance. I hope that everyone can stay true to their original aspirations and bravely pursue their dreams in the future."

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience. Ling Xue looked at Zhou Xing, her eyes filled with gratitude and respect. She knew that without Zhou Xing's help and support, she wouldn't have made it this far. And Zhou Xing understood that Ling Xue's presence had made his life more complete and meaningful.

Years later, Zhou Xing and Ling Xue both achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. Zhou Xing inherited the family business and expanded it; Ling Xue became an excellent teacher, returning to her hometown to teach and nurturing generations of children with her knowledge and love. Whenever they recall their youthful student days, they are filled with emotion—a beautiful memory of growth, friendship, and dreams.

Winters in the capital are always exceptionally harsh. Large, fluffy snowflakes drifted down, blanketing the entire Marquis's mansion in white. Ling Xue stood quietly by the window, gazing at the red plum blossom standing proudly against the snow in the courtyard, her thoughts drifting far away. Her husband, the heir of the Marquis's mansion, had died defending the border, leaving her alone to support this vast mansion.

From the moment she received the devastating news, Ling Xue's world crumbled. But she knew she couldn't collapse. She was the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, with elderly parents-in-law to care for, young brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law to look after, and numerous servants who depended on her for their livelihood. She suppressed her grief and shouldered all the responsibilities with her frail shoulders. In those days, she learned to handle the intricate household affairs, personally managing everything from accounts to personnel arrangements; she also learned to cope with external pressure and doubts, deflecting all the covetous glances and whispered gossip.

At dawn, before the first rays of sunlight had completely dispelled the morning mist, Ling Xue was already up and busy. First, she would pay her respects to her parents-in-law, help them wash and eat, and then check that everything in each household was in order. During the day, she would sit in her study, carefully checking the household's income and expenditure accounts to ensure that every expense was reasonable and compliant. Occasionally, when elders of the clan came to discuss matters, she would respond calmly and eloquently, maintaining both authority and credibility. At night, only after everyone had fallen asleep would she return to her room alone, shedding her weariness. Sometimes, looking at her increasingly haggard face in the mirror, tears would well up in her eyes, but she would quickly wipe them away and tell herself to be strong.

To ensure the future development of the Marquis's mansion, Ling Xue decided to expand into other businesses. She discovered that bookstores in the capital were thriving, with a high demand for books and cultural products. Therefore, she used her own savings to open a bookstore called "Moxiangzhai" in a prime location. On the opening day, she personally stood at the entrance to greet customers, smiling and introducing the store's featured books and cultural products to each person who entered. Her elegant demeanor and graceful manners attracted considerable attention, gradually making "Moxiangzhai" famous.

That day, Ling Xue was organizing the bookshelves in the bookstore as usual. At that moment, a man dressed in a plain robe, with a refined and scholarly air, entered. He was none other than Zhou Xing, the current Prime Minister. Zhou Xing had happened to be passing by and was drawn in by the tranquil and elegant environment of "Moxiangzhai." He casually browsed the books, his gaze inadvertently falling on Ling Xue, who was intently organizing the shelves. She had delicate, arched eyebrows and eyes as clear as autumn water; her every gesture exuded gentle grace. A slight stirring in Zhou Xing's heart, he stepped forward and began to speak with her.

Seeing that someone was interested in the books in her shop, Ling Xue responded enthusiastically. The two chatted about poetry and literature, as well as classics and historical texts, finding themselves increasingly compatible. Zhou Xing was amazed that the woman before him possessed not only beauty but also talent, with an encyclopedic knowledge of various classics and insightful perspectives. Ling Xue, in turn, was impressed by Zhou Xing's erudition; his demeanor exuded a calm and wise strength that inspired her respect.

After that, Zhou Xing frequently visited "Moxiangzhai" (Ink Fragrance Studio). Each time he came, he would chat with Ling Xue for a long time, discussing matters of governance or exchanging insights on literature and art. Gradually, the two became close friends. Zhou Xing learned that Ling Xue had a difficult time supporting the Marquis's household alone, and his admiration and pity for her grew even stronger. He began to intentionally or unintentionally recommend some suitable official vacancies for women to the court to Ling Xue, encouraging her to use her talents to seize opportunities for officialdom.

At first, Ling Xue hesitated. After all, in the social context of the time, it was extremely rare and difficult for a woman to enter politics. But thinking of the future of the Marquis's mansion and the value she wanted to realize, she finally decided to give it a try. With Zhou Xing's help, she meticulously prepared a detailed personal resume and a policy outline, which she presented to the emperor. The emperor was greatly impressed after reading it and made an exception by summoning her for an audience.

In the imperial court, the officials expressed their doubts and opposition to a woman's desire to hold an official position. However, Ling Xue remained undeterred. She clearly articulated her views on government affairs and her management experience, and put forward many practical reform suggestions. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and decisiveness impressed the emperor, who ultimately decided to give her a chance, appointing her as a female official in the Shanggong Bureau, responsible for managing certain affairs within the palace.

Upon entering the palace, Ling Xue faced new challenges. The palace was a complex web of relationships, with various factions vying for power.