Chapter Thirty: Cai Juying Pays a Visit

"Xiaoqin, how have Huanhuan's studies been going lately?"

On Sunday, after her tutoring session, Zhou Chen and his family asked Chen Xiaoqin to stay for dinner. Finding it hard to refuse, she agreed.

At the dining table, Zhou Chen brought up the subject of Huanhuan's schoolwork. Although his work had kept him incredibly busy lately, he had not forgotten his mission in this world.

Chen Xiaoqin replied, "Huanhuan is making rapid progress. This past month, I’ve been tutoring her from the basics, and she’s been able to grasp everything I’ve taught her. So, I’m planning to increase the difficulty a bit. By the way, Teacher Xia, I wanted to ask for your opinion on something."

"Oh? What is it? Go ahead."

Chen Xiaoqin had been tutoring Huanhuan for a month now, and the two got along very well. Huanhuan, who used to be reluctant to study, had now started to put in real effort. Though she still had many minor flaws, her progress was significant—a result that both Zhou Chen and Nan Li saw clearly.

"It’s like this, Teacher Xia. I’m planning to teach Huanhuan some Olympiad mathematics and have her take the competition exams."

Zhou Chen was surprised. "Olympiad math? Xiaoqin, we never expected Huanhuan to achieve anything major in Olympiad math, nor did we intend for her to place in any competitions."

Chen Xiaoqin quickly explained, "Teacher Xia, that’s not what I mean. I just think Huanhuan should give it a try. While Olympiad math isn't mandatory, it is certainly valuable for developing a student's critical thinking. Even if she doesn't win a prize, studying it in her spare time will be a great help to her regular mathematics."

"Really? I’ve heard that Olympiad math is quite difficult and can easily crush a student's confidence."

Zhou Chen didn't know much about it, having never studied it himself during his own school days; he had always felt it was unnecessary for daily life. He wasn't sure if it could improve one's analytical skills, but he suspected it was more likely to drive people crazy.

"Teacher Xia, it’s not as serious as you think. Olympiad math is still just mathematics. As long as we aren't aiming for awards, there's no need to struggle with the overly difficult problems. Studying it will definitely help her math skills, and participating in the exams is a form of practice in itself."

Zhou Chen didn't give an answer right away. His goal was for Huanhuan to get into Hanlin Junior High, but since she hadn't been with this tutor for long, he felt starting advanced Olympiad math now might be premature. He believed in mastering the fundamentals first. After all, a tall building starts from the ground up, and even though he wasn't a graduate of a top university, he understood that principle.

"Huanhuan, what do you think?"

Huanhuan spoke up, "Dad, I want to learn it. Most of my classmates are studying Olympiad math, and sometimes when they talk about it, I can't join in. Even Yan Ziyou is doing it. Teacher Xiaoqin says I have the ability, so I want to try."

Zhou Chen and Nan Li exchanged looks, both seeing the astonishment in each other's eyes. What was happening? Was this really their daughter who used to dislike studying? But since Huanhuan was on board, they certainly wouldn't object. It was rare for their daughter to show such initiative, and they couldn't dampen her spirits.

"Knock, knock!"

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, which surprised Zhou Chen. Who would be visiting during lunchtime?

"I'll get it."

Zhou Chen stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it, he was stunned. "Aunt Cai?"

Indeed, standing outside was Cai Juying. Seeing Zhou Chen, she looked visibly awkward. "It’s me. I hope I’m not interrupting your meal."

"No, not at all."

Although surprised, Zhou Chen welcomed her in warmly. "Aunt Cai, have you eaten? Where is Dad?"

"I've eaten, I've eaten. He didn't come; I came alone."

Nan Li was also surprised to see Zhou Chen bringing Cai Juying inside. They had no real relationship with her, so why was she here? Huanhuan and Chaochao, however, were delighted. "Grandma Cai! Grandma Cai!"

Seeing Nan Li, Cai Juying became even more reserved. "Li Li, you’re eating. I’m sorry to bother you."

Nan Li didn't know how to treat her. She was a guest, but their relationship was so complicated that Nan Li truly didn't know what to say.

Sensing Nan Li's discomfort, Zhou Chen took the initiative. "It's fine, Aunt Cai. What brings you here? Is something wrong with Dad?" He was genuinely confused; given their strained family dynamics, he couldn't imagine anything other than an emergency involving Nan Jianlong that would prompt a visit from her.

"No, no," Cai Juying said, waving her hands dismissively. She glanced at Chen Xiaoqin, looking embarrassed.

Chen Xiaoqin, being observant, immediately realized that her presence was making Cai Juying uncomfortable. "Teacher Xia, Sister Nan, I’m full, I’ll take my leave now."

Nan Li quickly said, "It's alright, Xiaoqin, stay and finish your meal. We can talk in the study."

"No, really, I'm full. I have things to do this afternoon. Thank you for your hospitality. Goodbye, Huanhuan, Chaochao."

After Chen Xiaoqin left, Zhou Chen asked again, "Aunt Cai, please, tell us what's on your mind."

Cai Juying spoke cautiously, "Li Li, Junshan, I came here today because I need your help."

"Help from us?" Zhou Chen asked, puzzled. "Aunt Cai, what could we possibly help you with?"

"It’s about Ziyou getting into the Gold Medal Class," Cai Juying replied.

Zhou Chen and Nan Li looked at each other, stunned. They never expected this to be the reason for her visit. They finally understood her intentions.

Nan Li asked, "Is there a problem with Ziyou getting into the Gold Medal Class?"

Cai Juying explained, "You both know that the teacher of the Gold Medal Class is Zhong Yi, whom Lanlan offended in the past. He’s deliberately making things difficult for her and won't let Ziyou into his class. Lanlan has already begged him, but he refuses and continues to humiliate her."

"Li Li, Junshan, we really have no other options. Lanlan says that Zhong Yi is your junior fellow student, and that you have a good relationship. Could you please help by persuading Zhong Yi to accept Ziyou? You know what a good boy Ziyou is. The grievances between adults shouldn't be taken out on a child."

Zhou Chen felt a headache coming on. These two women were truly something else.

"Aunt Cai, it’s not that we don’t want to help. Yan Peng already came to me about this, and I’ve already spoken to Zhong Yi, telling them to resolve it themselves. Since they couldn't reach an agreement, there’s nothing I can do. Even though Zhong Yi is my junior, our relationship isn't as close as you think, and I can't influence his decisions."

Cai Juying walked over to Nan Li, grabbed her arm, and pleaded, "Li Li, please, I’m begging you. You haven't seen how anxious and stressed Lanlan has been over this. For the sake of all the years we’ve known each other, please help Lanlan, help Ziyou. After all, Ziyou has called you 'Aunt' and 'Uncle' for so many years. Just think of it as helping the child."

Nan Li struggled to free her arm, but couldn't shake Cai Juying off.

"It’s not that we aren't willing to help, it's that we can't. Please, let go."

Zhou Chen rushed over and managed to pull Cai Juying away. Nan Li stepped back, startled; there were red marks on her arm where Cai Juying had gripped her, showing just how much force she had used.

Nan Li was furious. This wasn't a request for help—it was harassment and emotional manipulation, acting as if they were somehow failing the child if they didn't comply. Zhou Chen was surprised by Cai Juying's unreasonable behavior, but since she was his father-in-law's partner, he had to remain diplomatic.

"Aunt Cai, it really isn't that I don't want to help. As you said, we are Ziyou's aunt and uncle, and I am close friends with Yan Peng. If I could help, why wouldn't I? But my word carries no weight here. Zhong Yi is my junior, not my subordinate. If he doesn't want to accept the student, I cannot force him. You understand, don't you?"

"But Ziyou is such a good child, you can't just ignore him!" Cai Juying wailed.

It seemed she was determined to make this their problem. Zhou Chen had heard Nan Li talk about Cai Juying before—about how shameless and unreasonable she could be—but he hadn't fully believed it until now. Two sentences in, she had already resorted to creating a scene. It was worse than anything he had seen on television.

He glanced at Nan Li. Nan Li signaled for Huanhuan and Chaochao to return to their room, then walked out to the balcony to call her father. Since they couldn't deal with the relentless and unreasonable Cai Juying, they had no choice but to pass the problem on to Nan Jianlong.