Chapter 49, Chapter 59 (Part 2)

Another matter that drew everyone's attention was that all five siblings in their family were university students.

This consequently led to a completely unexpected situation.

Lin Yilan hoisted a woven sack onto her shoulder and walked downstairs, intending to wait for her eldest brother at the school gates.

"Classmate Lin, would you mind telling me which school your parents teach at?" Someone suddenly popped out and blocked Lin Yilan's path.

The corner of Lin Yilan's eye twitched slightly. "Was it the Fourth High School? Or maybe Sipin Middle School? I honestly don't remember anymore. They've transferred jobs a few times since they came back."

"Classmate, you know as well that we students usually only go home once a semester. To be honest with you, it's been a very long time since I last saw my mom and dad. So I really can't say for sure, sorry about that."

After offering an apologetic look, she covered her face and slipped away from right in front of the classmate like a wisp of smoke.

Good grief, which number was this already?

Who could have guessed that her parents would become famous at the University of Industry because of her?

Upon stepping out of the school gates, she spotted her eldest brother right away. Lin Yilan hastily pulled her hat down lower, shoved the woven sack into her brother's hands, and scrambled quickly into the car parked behind him.

Lin Ming followed behind in a daze, stowed Lin Yilan's luggage away, and then got into the driver's seat.

"Little Five, what's going on with you?"

Left with no choice, Lin Yilan gloomily recounted what had just happened to her eldest brother while giving his arm a nudge. "You should hurry up and drive away, just in case someone sees me and comes over to ask questions again."

What on earth was all of this?

Feeling completely baffled, Lin Ming was hurried along by Lin Yilan.

While waiting at a red light on the way, he quickly pressed her for details, asking anxiously, "How do the students at your university even know about our family's situation?"

Half-truthfully, Lin Yilan replied, "It's just that I accidentally let slip about our family background, letting everyone know that Mom and Dad raised five university students."

"You have no idea, I'm even more popular at school right now than the literary talents of the Chinese Department." She let out a melancholy sigh.

Lin Ming cast a skeptical glance at Lin Yilan. "Little Five, if anyone bullies you at school, you must tell us. You have four older brothers and sisters, you know—don't you dare be timid!"

Gaining a burst of spirit, Lin Yilan waved her fist and declared loftily, "Eldest Brother, don't you worry. I live by one simple principle: if they aren't convinced, take 'em on!"

Lin Ming deeply doubted the gold content of this "fierce threat." In his heart, Little Five was simply someone with a tough exterior and a soft heart.

"Shall I drop you back at Qichen's courtyard? Or go to Mom and Dad's dormitory?" Lin Ming turned the steering wheel and steered the car away from the entrance of the University of Industry.

Lin Yilan popped a candy into her mouth. "Go to Second Sister's courtyard."

"Don't you need to pick up Second Sister, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother?" She pulled the seatbelt from the right.

Lin Ming buckled his seatbelt as well. "None of them are going back; they plan to stay in the dormitories for the time being."

"Qichen seems to have found a job through his advisor, and Third and Fourth Brothers apparently saved up some money and are planning to go traveling."

Lin Yilan nodded and turned her head to look at her eldest brother. "What about you? Eldest Brother, what are your plans? You're about to graduate with your master's degree, aren't you?"

Lin Ming ruffled the top of Lin Yilan's head. "Little Five, are you still worrying about me? Once I graduate, I'll go back to work at the factory. However, your sister-in-law plans to pursue further studies."

Lin Yilan uttered an affirmative hum, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

"Come to think of it, it's a good thing Grandma and Grandpa can help us look after the children now, otherwise your sister-in-law and I would truly be overwhelmed.

Little Five, if you and Qichen have any plans for your careers and work, don't rush into marriage so early."

Your sister-in-law and I feel terrible right now, feeling like we've let our two children down." Lin Ming let out a heavy sigh.

Lin Yilan patted her eldest brother's arm. "Eldest Brother, during summer vacation I'll go visit Lingling and Ping'an, so you and Sister-in-law shouldn't overthink things."

Lin Ming smiled with relief. "All right, thank you."

Before long, the two of them arrived at the alley entrance outside Wang Qichen's courtyard.

After taking Lin Yilan's luggage down from the car, Lin Ming hurriedly prepared to leave.

"Little Five, my professor has a meeting with me later, so I need to go return the car first."

"If you need anything, call me from the post office at the entrance of the alley."

Holding her woven sack, Lin Yilan waved. "Got it, Eldest Brother. Drive safe on the way."

After giving an okay gesture with his hand, Lin Ming stepped on the gas pedal and drove away.

While Lin Yilan was busy cleaning inside her second sister's courtyard, Lin Ming did not go straight to return the car. Instead, he drove back along the same route toward the University of Industry.

After parking the car properly, he took his car keys and entered the campus.

Entering the University of Industry, Lin Ming located the male dormitory building where graduate students lived. After registering his information with the dorm supervisor, he found the fourth floor based on his memory of the location.

"Comrade Wang, long time no see." Lin Ming knocked open the dormitory door and greeted the person inside.

Comrade Wang stepped forward and shook Lin Ming's hand.

"Comrade Lin Ming, what brings you here? Right on time, later I can take you to try the food at our school cafeteria and see if the University of Industry's cafeteria is better than the one at your Iron and Steel Institute!"

Looking somewhat embarrassed, Lin Ming waved his hand. "Comrade Wang, I wouldn't want to trouble you, I have matters to attend to later."

"Coming over so abruptly like this, I actually wanted to ask you for a favor."

Comrade Wang looked somewhat surprised, but upon hearing Lin Ming's earnest and serious tone, he immediately收起 (withdrew) his playful expression.

"Comrade Lin Ming, come inside and sit down first."

After following Comrade Wang into the dormitory and sitting down, Lin Ming recounted what had happened in the car with Lin Yilan just moments ago.

"Comrade Wang, I hope you won't think I'm making a fuss over nothing. Little Five is the youngest child in our family, and the family certainly dotes on her, so her personality indeed has some aspects that might not be quite so stellar.

...

Yet she isn't the kind of person who would go around blabbing about her family's situation, so I'd like to ask for your help in finding out what happened to her at school."

With that, Lin Ming's expression grew increasingly worried. "I hope I'm just misunderstanding things. I'm simply worried that she might be getting bullied at school."

After listening, Comrade Wang nodded. "Don't you worry, Lin Ming. I will definitely help you find out all about your little sister's situation.

If she really is being bullied at school, I'll go find the professor and speak with the school on your behalf."

Flattered and taken aback, Lin Ming declined, saying, "Comrade Wang, I know you have a warm heart, but you really don't need to trouble yourself with our family's matters."

"It was already quite an intrusion to show up here today."

After the two of them chatted for a long while about matters concerning materials science, Lin Ming stood up to take his leave.

On his way back to the institute, Lin Ming let out a quiet sigh.

Nobody was allowed to bully anyone from their family!