Reborn in 2006, I met Mr. Zhou from the past.

Ning Xiaojun's eyes darted around, as if she had suddenly thought of something: "That's right, a lot of people want to do summer jobs after the college entrance exam. Tutoring students is easy, so there must be people willing to do it."

"Yes, I can also hear about their learning experiences. They're about the same age, so it's easier to communicate with them and there's less pressure in learning." Su Fengnan's eyes were filled with anticipation.

Suddenly, she stared at Ning Xiaojun, a half-smile playing on her lips: "You wouldn't be thinking of finding Li Hua, would you?"

Li Hua was Ning Xiaojun's ex-husband in her previous life. He was five years older than her, had repeated a year of high school, and was taking the college entrance exam this year. Their relationship was currently at most ambiguous, but in their previous life, after their marriage, he was a complete scumbag who frequented prostitutes and gambled. Su Fengnan sighed inwardly, wondering how to properly remind this naive girl.

Ning Xiaojun chuckled: "He's a science student, so tutoring him will definitely be no problem for him. Plus, I can get him to give us a discount."

Su Fengnan was speechless for a moment.

"Are you sure you're not just dragging me along to be a third wheel and watch you two be lovey-dovey?" she teased her with a laugh.

Ning Xiaojun was taken aback: "Dog food?"

Su Fengnan then realized that this term hadn't become popular yet.

"Uh... it means a light bulb." She reached out and gently poked Ning Xiaojun's arm.

"Wow, where did you learn that word? It's quite vivid."

"Okay, that's enough. Hurry up and do your homework, or you'll have to stay up all night again when you get back."

Su Fengnan, however, had already begun to plan how to gradually make Ning Xiaojun see Li Hua's true colors.

No rush, take it slow, deal with her as she goes, and you'll eventually be able to influence her.

Wednesday arrived quickly. In the evening, Su Fengnan went to her vocal lesson as usual.

Her teacher, Mr. Wang, was gentle and talented. When Su Fengnan arrived, Mr. Wang was teaching a junior student from No. 1 Middle School, so she consciously went to a corner, quietly practiced her breathing, and waited patiently.

Stepping into Teacher Wang's house once again, Su Fengnan felt a surge of reluctance, as if she had been separated from him for a lifetime.

Over the past two years, her teacher has provided her with meticulous professional guidance. Knowing her family's financial situation, the teacher charged her lower tuition than others and always had high hopes for her as an art student. The teacher would surely be very disappointed if they knew she wanted to give up.

As she was lost in thought, the piano accompaniment began, and her junior sister's clear singing voice flowed out.

Su Fengnan gazed at that small figure. At fourteen years old, he was professionally competent, with a clear voice, like a budding flower, full of infinite possibilities.

When the piece ended, it was time for get out of class to end. The teacher praised the junior student for her progress, assigned her a more difficult piece, and then let her leave.

Teacher Wang turned around and saw Su Fengnan in the corner. She called out to her and pointed to the chair next to the piano. Su Fengnan went over and sat down.

The teacher got up and went to the living room. When she came back, she was carrying two cups of chrysanthemum tea. She handed one to her and said, "Here, have some water first."

"Thank you, teacher." Su Fengnan quickly stood up to accept the gift, then lowered her head and took a small sip.

"Sit down and drink slowly, there's no rush to class," Teacher Wang said, picking up a printed sheet of music and handing it to her.

Su Fengnan was feeling uneasy about whether to bring up the important matter when her gaze fell on the sheet music and she was instantly stunned—this was the piece her teacher had originally planned for her to participate in a competition in her previous life, but she had left in a hurry and ultimately failed to obtain it.

She took the sheet music, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

No matter how reluctant I am, I have to make a clean break and not drag things out any longer.

Su Fengnan took a deep breath, looked up at Teacher Wang, and said softly, "Teacher, I might... not be able to participate in the art exam."

These words had been stuck in my mind since I entered the room, but I finally said them out loud.

Teacher Wang's hand, which was turning the pages of the sheet music, suddenly stopped: "What did you say?"

"I'm not taking the art exam."

The teacher put down the sheet music, her expression serious: "Have you encountered any difficulties? Tell me, and we'll figure something out together."

……

Half an hour later, Su Fengnan left her teacher's house and walked slowly along the old street, feeling empty inside. Tears blurred her vision, and her teacher's helpless and regretful voice echoed repeatedly in her mind.

"There's nothing I can do to help with your family matters... It's just such a pity, such a real pity."

"Thank you, teacher."

"What are you thanking me for? If you really want to thank me, get good grades. That would be the best way to show your gratitude. Sigh, maybe... this is just fate."

If it were Su Fengnan in her previous life, she would definitely be filled with regret for missing the path of art exams.

Having been reborn, she didn't feel any regret. She was genuinely reluctant to part with it, after all, it was something she truly loved. She had begged her father for a long time to allow her to become an apprentice, and she had devoted a great deal of time and energy to it.

But what's truly regrettable is that no matter how talented you are, if you lack the ability to support that talent, it's all just empty talk.

Su Fengnan was lost in thought, pondering the disappointment of giving up the art exam. Her steps were slow, and she was absent-minded the whole way. As she walked along the winding old street, she unknowingly arrived at the entrance of the East Street alley.

As night deepens, the dim streetlights along the streets gradually illuminate the area, casting a gentle, warm glow that softly illuminates the slender, swaying shadows of the trees. A gentle evening breeze caresses the face, causing the branches and leaves to dance lightly in the wind, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow. The surroundings are quiet yet imbued with the unique hazy solitude of the night.

Just as Su Fengnan was lost in thought, a figure suddenly rushed out of the dark alley.

It was too fast, and caught everyone off guard.

Su Fengnan had no time to dodge. With a muffled thud, the two collided violently. She lost her balance and fell straight onto the cold, hard cement floor.

A sharp, piercing pain instantly swept through her entire body, and Su Fengnan couldn't help but let out a soft cry of pain.

The person who bumped into her also tripped, got up, glanced back at her, hurriedly said "sorry," and ran away.

Immediately afterwards, several more men ran out of the alley and gave chase.

Su Fengnan, who had fallen to the ground, finally came to her senses. Looking down, she saw that her arm was scraped and bleeding, and her leg was so painful and numb that she didn't know if there were any abrasions. Her whole body was in a tense state.

She moved her arm, the pain almost making her cry, but thankfully it was her left hand; her right hand could still write. Luckily, her side wasn't injured because her schoolbag absorbed the weight.

Not far away, the man who bumped into her was being held down by two men and pinned to the ground, yelling, "Let me go! Let me go!"

"Young Master, what do you think we should do now?" the man in black asked.

The man addressed as "Young Master" glanced at Su Fengnan, who had fallen to the ground not far away, and replied, "You two take her back first, and I'll deal with her when I get back."

After saying that, the man walked over to Su Fengnan, squatted down, and asked, "How are you? Are you alright, young lady? Are you hurt?"

Su Fengnan was in so much pain that she didn't want to speak. She gritted her teeth and tried to prop herself up with her right hand.

Seeing this, the man quickly reached out to help her up, but Su Fengnan dodged his hand and, lacking the strength, fell back to the ground.

"what……"

"careful."

In his haste, the man's hand touched the spot where Su Fengnan was injured.

A sharp pain shot through her, and Su Fengnan felt like cursing.