Chapter 99: The Gates of Destiny
The next morning, when Bai Xia woke up, Chu Sun was already waiting for her to get ready. Even though she was worried about her daughter's health, she also knew that this exam was extremely important. She had already prepared Bai Xia's school uniform neatly and placed it on the chair beside the bed.
Bai Xia slowly sat up, her head still feeling a little heavy, but her eyes were clear. Today was a turning point. No matter what, she had to attend this exam.
She quickly changed into her uniform, washed up, and followed Chu Sun outside. The morning air was cool and fresh. They had breakfast in a small restaurant nearby, simple food, but it was warm and filling. After that, they went straight to the exam center.
At the entrance, the gate was already packed with students. There were not many cars—most of the vehicles belonged to extremely rich students. The cars were parked neatly at the side. When Chu Sun's car stopped and Bai Xia stepped out, some people glanced at them curiously. After all, they had arrived in a car, and most of the parents here looked poor and clearly came from other schools.
The students were still standing outside the hall. Some were holding their books tightly, reciting under their breath. Others looked nervous, their hands clenched, faces pale. The atmosphere was tense.
Bai Xia, however, was calm. She and her mother simply stood by the side of the car quietly, waiting for the time to enter. Chu Sun observed her daughter secretly, seeing that Bai Xia was not panicking, and her heart calmed a little.
As they stood there for a long time, they suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Chu Sun, Xia'er, long time no see."
Bai Xia and Chu Sun both turned their heads and saw Mu Yen, her uncle's wife, walking toward them along with Bai Gin and Bai Gan.
"Mu Yen, how are you?" Chu Sun immediately ran over and hugged her warmly. This was her only good sister-in-law, the one she truly got along with.
"I'm fine," Mu Yen smiled. "I've told Bai Ling many times that I want to go to your house, but whenever I try to leave, I become scared and return. City people are really different from village people."
Bai Sung had given his brother Bai Ling a job as a manager. He was making decent money now, and his family also looked better than before. Mu Yen was dressed in clean, nice clothes and even wore some jewelry. Bai Gan stood behind her mother, dressed like a little princess. Bai Gin also looked good—she had a new, neat school uniform, her hair tied up properly. She still looked extravagant.
She had a gentle beauty, but Bai Xia couldn't notice it at all—because Bai Gin was too scheming.
Bai Gan ran over and hugged Chu Sun tightly. Chu Sun lifted her up with a laugh.
"Has Gan'er missed Auntie?" Chu Sun asked warmly.
"Yes, Auntie, I've missed you! We have a new house now, come and see us in the future! I have a lot of snacks, I'll give you some!"
"Oh, our Gan'er is so generous," Chu Sun laughed. "Then I'll definitely come and freeload."
Bai Gan laughed loudly. "Auntie, you're not freeloading! I'm inviting you!"
Everyone laughed together.
Bai Gin, however, dared not laugh loudly. She was scared of Bai Xia noticing her. But Bai Xia completely ignored her. Instead, she looked at Bai Gan, whom Chu Sun had just put back on the ground. Bai Xia's eyes were shining strangely.
In her past life, this Bai Gan had been a famous idol. Her girl group was known throughout Asia. Bai Xia had met her before in her previous life, but Bai Gan hadn't recognized her. At that time, Bai Xia was just an insignificant nobody.
Now, Bai Xia's heart moved.
If she could recruit Bai Gan and some other talented people, make celebrities like actors, idol stars, and musicians, then she wouldn't have to spend huge money on promotion in the future. They would just post on social media, and all their fans would become loyal customers.
In Bai Xia's eyes, Bai Gan was already a living piggy bank.
Bai Gan felt a little frightened by her cousin's stare and subconsciously hid behind her sister. Bai Gin also noticed Bai Xia's gaze. She immediately stepped in front of Bai Gan nervously.
"Bai Xia, what is it? Please, we can settle our differences later. Don't go for my family."
Mu Yen and Chu Sun were deep in conversation and didn't notice this small commotion.
Bai Xia's eyes twitched slightly. Was she really such a monster in Bai Gin's eyes?
She pushed Bai Gin away lightly and looked at Bai Gan again. Then she took Bai Gan's hand gently and led her forward to Mu Yen.
"Auntie, how old is Bai Gan this year?" Bai Xia asked.
"Oh, Bai Gan is going to be ten by the end of the year," Mu Yen replied.
Bai Xia smiled. Just nice. By next year, she would open her entertainment company, and Bai Gan would be ten by then.
"Auntie, didn't Gan'er like to sing and dance at home? Why don't you register her for singing and dancing classes?" Bai Xia said calmly.
Bai Gan's eyes immediately lit up. She had thought Bai Xia wanted to cause trouble, but it turned out to be this. She quickly looked at her mother in excitement.
Mu Yen was a little hesitant. "Well… Gan'er is still young. I wanted to register her for just singing classes first."
"Auntie," Bai Xia said seriously, "I'm venturing into a new part of business, and I recently put up recruitment for models so I can establish my own entertainment company under XB. Bai Gan has a great singing voice and she dances very well. If she could be nurtured and given proper training by professionals, she will definitely be a big star in the future. At that time, she will become rich, travel the world, and be the pride of our country."
Mu Yen barely heard anything else. The only words echoing in her heart were—professionals, become rich, travel the world, pride of our country, and big star.
Her eyes lit up immediately. Their family had a television at home, and she often watched different shows. She imagined her daughter becoming like those beautiful people on screen. Her heart was already filled with joy.
"I'll definitely talk to her father," Mu Yen said excitedly. "We will definitely get her into the classes!"
Bai Gan was so happy. She always danced and sang to songs at home. When she imagined herself becoming as beautiful as those people on television, she felt extremely excited.
Bai Gin was also happy for her sister—but a trace of jealousy crept into her heart. Why couldn't it be her?
She turned to Bai Xia and smiled sweetly. "Xia'er, why don't you recruit me as a model too? I can do it."
Bai Xia looked at her expressionlessly. "If you want, then come over. But I won't give you any special treatment just because you're my cousin."
Bai Gin wanted to complain, but she endured it. She decided she would just show them with her modeling skills.
Bai Xia turned back to Mu Yen. "Auntie, the construction is still pending, so I'll inform you later. After everything is done, Gan'er will be a trainee for a year before she can debut."
Mu Yen nodded repeatedly. "That's good, that's good."
Bai Gan tugged at Bai Xia's sleeve. "Cousin, is it true I'll be able to dance on TV?"
"Yes, it's true," Bai Xia smiled faintly. "At that time, you must not forget to make elder cousin some money."
"Yes! I'll definitely work hard!" Bai Gan nodded seriously.
She didn't really understand what all of it meant, but she knew that if she sang and danced a lot, she would be able to get money for her cousin and herself. She ran toward Chu Sun happily.
"Auntie, when I get money, I'll buy you some treats!"
Chu Sun laughed and patted her head affectionately.
Mu Yen pretended to be jealous and said playfully, "Gan'er, you've forgotten your mother. I'm so sad."
Bai Gan quickly ran back and hugged her mother. "You too, Mother!"
Everyone laughed. The scene looked harmonious and warm.
Only Bai Gin stood slightly aside. She felt like an outsider in this warmth. But she didn't care much anyway. In her heart, it didn't matter who got the money—as long as she had nice things, she would be happy.
Just as they were chatting, the announcement for students to head into the hall rang loudly in the air.
Bai Xia and Bai Gan both straightened.
"It's time," Chu Sun said softly, her eyes full of worry.
Bai Xia nodded and turned to her mother. "Don't worry about me."
Then Bai Xia and Bai Gan quickly entered the building along with the other students, while Chu Sun and Mu Yen stood outside, waving them goodbye with worried hearts.
At that moment, none of them knew that today was not just an exam—but the beginning of a completely different destiny.