Time passed, and before long, it was the end of May. The day of the final internship was drawing ever nearer.

However, Lin Feng was more concerned about Lin Jie's college entrance exam.

That evening, the two brothers had a video call. They talked for a long time, with Lin Feng mostly telling Lin Jie not to put too much pressure on himself. All roads lead to Rome; life is full of choices. Success is great, of course, but there's no need to be discouraged if you don't succeed. No matter the outcome, the family would always be his rock.

"Bro, I know," Lin Jie said, his eyes turning red. "I'll do my best and give it everything I've got."

Lin Feng nodded and ended the call.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the college entrance exam arrived, landing on a Saturday. Banners with encouraging words for the students were hung up everywhere. The cars on the streets fell silent. The busy figures of traffic police officers could be seen all over Yangcheng. Even if you weren't a participant, you could feel the tense atmosphere in the air. Hopefully, every student would perform well and achieve excellent results.

The news that day was filled with stories about the exam. Some students had overslept, others had forgotten their exam permits, and many were late for various reasons. Heartwarming stories also emerged: a delivery driver giving a student a ride to the exam site, police officers providing an escort, and a taxi driver speeding to get a student to their test on time. Everyone was doing their small part, contributing what they could.

The college entrance exam was more like a battlefield, a final chance to hand in a satisfactory answer sheet representing years of hard study.

***

June arrived, bringing summer with it, along with news about Zhang Yuxi.

She had received a promotion and a raise, and she had also secured an opportunity to study at Peking University for a month. It was a done deal, just waiting for the end of the semester to be announced at the faculty meeting. This was a sign of the school's trust in her abilities and an affirmation of her hard work.

Zhang Yuxi sighed. "After the summer vacation ends, I'll be off to Peking University for a whole month. I'll miss you all."

"The babies and I will come keep you company," Lin Feng soothed her.

Zhang Yuxi's face lit up. "Really?"

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Of course, it's true. Did you think I was joking?"

Zhang Yuxi threw her arms around him. "Honey, you're the best!"

Lin Feng smiled, a hint of anticipation on his face. "I called Xiao Jie. He and his teacher estimated his score, and if all goes well, he should be able to get into Jingcheng Affiliate University. His three friends also did well and are likely to go with him. If that happens, we might all be able to go to Jingcheng together."

Zhang Yuxi knew Lin Jie had really outdone himself this time, but they still had to wait for the final results.

"Lin Jie also wants to bring his friends over to hang out for a week. What do you think?"

"Of course!" Zhang Yuxi had no objections. She was quite fond of Xiao Jie, and his friends seemed like good kids, too.

This would be Lin Jie's first time visiting them here.

"Why don't we take the whole family to the aquarium?" Zhang Yuxi suggested.

Lin Feng was all for it. "Great idea. We'll take them and the babies out and have a great time. Lin Jie did so well on his exam, I'll get him anything he wants."

Zhang Yuxi nestled in Lin Feng's arms. "Honey, you're going to be the kind of dad who spoils his babies rotten."

Lin Feng laughed. "In that case, I'll play the loving father, and you can be the strict mother."

Zhang Yuxi put on a serious face. "When am I ever strict?"

"Teacher Zhang is famous at our school for being strict," he teased.

Zhang Yuxi pouted at her husband's teasing. "They aren't my husband or my children. Why should I be gentle with them?"

"Yes, yes. Whatever my dear wife says is right."

***

「Meanwhile.」

Lin Jie and his three friends had already bought their tickets. They planned to travel together and head to Yangcheng the next day to visit Lin Feng.

Chen Miaomiao was in his room packing his bags when Chen Jianguo came in, his face etched with worry.

"Son, I'll have the housekeeper go with you."

"There's no need, Dad. I can manage on my own. Besides, I'll be with my second, third, and fourth brothers."

Although Chen Jianguo thought his son's whole 'sworn brotherhood' thing was a bit juvenile and ridiculous, he had to admit that was when his son started to change. He couldn't help but feel gratified. But this was his son's first time traveling so far from home. How could he not worry?

"How about I go with you?"

Chen Miaomiao put down the clothes he was holding and turned to face his father with a very serious expression. "Dad, I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself."

Chen Jianguo knew that, but he just couldn't help his anxiety.

"How about this?" Chen Miaomiao offered. "I'll keep in touch with you the whole time I'm gone."

Chen Jianguo hesitated for a long while before finally nodding in reluctant agreement.

Chen Miaomiao beamed, then tried to comfort him. "Look, I'm about to start university. I might even get into Jingcheng University. Are you going to follow me there, too?"

Jingcheng University? Chen Jianguo didn't want to crush his son's spirit. Don't I know my own son's capabilities? Getting into Jingcheng University? In his dreams! Still, he couldn't bring himself to dash his son's confidence.

In that last month before the college entrance exam, his son had worked himself half to death, losing fifteen pounds in the process. It had scared him so much that he'd immediately hired a nutritionist to look after his son every day, but he still hadn't gained the weight back.

After finishing his packing, Chen Miaomiao double-checked everything and decided to bring a power bank. The high-speed train ride was only two and a half hours, so it would be quick.

Chen Jianguo had met the families of Lin Jie and the other boys and had paid a visit to each of their parents. They were all good people, and he was happy his son had found friends like them.

"Dad, you should go back and get some sleep."

"Do you have Lin Jie's brother's phone number?"

Chen Miaomiao was instantly on alert. "What are you planning to do?"

"What could I possibly do?" Chen Jianguo said. "I just want to call and thank him. This trip is an imposition on him, after all."

Chen Miaomiao was skeptical. "Dad, Big Brother is a good person and has taken great care of us, so be polite. Besides, he's a man of considerable means; he's not short on cash. Don't get any funny ideas."

"I really don't mean anything by it, son," Chen Jianguo quickly explained. "I just want to give him a heads-up."

"Fine," Chen Miaomiao said. "Call him from here, on speakerphone. I'm listening."

"...Alright."

Chen Miaomiao glanced at the time. It was after nine; he wondered if Lin Feng was already asleep.

BEEP... BEEP... BEEP...

"Who is this?"

"It's me, Chen Miaomiao."

Lin Feng paused for a second, then a smile entered his voice. "Oh, it's you. Are you all packed?"

"You don't need to bring much, you know. Just a change of clothes or two will do."

"Mhm, I'm all set," Chen Miaomiao replied obediently.

"That's good. Don't forget your phone, keys, and ID when you leave."

"I won't."

From his tone, it was clear Lin Feng treated Chen Miaomiao like a younger brother.

"Um... Big Brother, my dad has something he wants to say to you."

"Sure."

The call was still on speakerphone. Chen Miaomiao handed the phone to his father. "Here, Dad." He gave his father a look that clearly warned, *Don't say the wrong thing.*

Chen Jianguo was at a loss for words for a moment.

"Hello, this is Chen Miaomiao's father, Chen Jianguo."

"Hello, Mr. Chen. I'm Lin Jie's older brother, Lin Feng."

Lin Feng had heard from Lin Jie that Chen Jianguo was a widower who doted on his son.

"I just wanted to call and thank you," Chen Jianguo began. "My son is going to be staying with you, and I feel bad for troubling you."

"You're being too formal. He and Lin Jie are classmates and such good friends. I see him as a little brother," Lin Feng said before adding, "Please don't worry, Uncle. I'll take good care of him, and I'll contact you immediately if anything comes up."

"Thank you, I'll entrust him to you then. It's getting late, so you should get some rest."

After hanging up, a smile finally appeared on Chen Jianguo's face. He had only met Lin Feng briefly once before and recalled a handsome young man. Now, after speaking with him on the phone, he felt Lin Feng was a genuinely good person.

"Son, I'm transferring some money to your card," he said. "When you get there, try not to be a burden."

With that, he transferred 50,000 to Chen Miaomiao's card.

Chen Miaomiao nodded. "Don't worry, I won't cause any trouble. We're just going to have some fun."

"When you get to the station, buy some fruit or something to take with you. Don't show up empty-handed."

Chen Miaomiao hadn't actually thought of that. "Okay, Dad. I will."

"Don't be afraid to spend it. If you run out of money, just tell me, you hear?"

"I know!" I'm just going away for a few days to have some fun. Why is he so worked up about it?

Though the parents of Meng Liang and Yang Zheng hadn't given such an extravagant amount, they each still gave their sons 5,000. The grueling college entrance exam was finally over. It was time to let them go out and have some fun with their friends.

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