Rebirth: He Decides to Lie Flat
Chapter 468 - 468 463 Heartlessly Moved

Chapter 468: Chapter 463: Heartlessly Moved Chapter 468: Chapter 463: Heartlessly Moved “Uncle Hong, I know that with Tie Yiming’s education and family background, he’s not a worthy match for Hong Jing.”

Before Hong Jing’s dad could even process his awkward thoughts, Jiang Yan cut straight to the chase, his tone displaying an experience beyond his years and a gravity that unexpectedly resonated with Hong Jing’s dad, prompting him to interject, “Actually, the family background is secondary. It’s mainly about education. Jingjing attending Beicheng University may not compare to your Beijing University, but it’s still a reputable university she worked hard to get into. Even if she doesn’t pursue a master’s degree, compared to someone like Xiaotie, who hasn’t even finished high school… the difference is substantial, right?”

Jiang Yan nodded, “Right, a temporary attraction, a short-term relationship might be fine, but if they get married and live together, I’m afraid they’ll run out of things to talk about as time goes by.”

At this statement, the feeling of resonance grew stronger.

“That’s exactly what we’re worried about….”

“Uncle Hong,” Jiang Yan interrupted him, “Actually, you’re not the only one concerned about this. Xiaotie is worried too. That’s why he’s studying hard and taking the high school equivalency exam. On one hand, he wants to be worthy of Hong Jing, and on the other, he doesn’t want the gap between them to be too wide.”

Of course, now was not the time to quibble over whether Xiaotie took the high school equivalency exam before or after he started his relationship with Hong Jing. That detail didn’t matter.

“You wouldn’t believe how fiercely he studies. He used to get a headache just hearing the word ‘English.’ Later, for the sake of the exams, he would recite essays and English phrases every day, hitting himself and pinching his thighs whenever he couldn’t focus. Once he studied for three straight hours one night and had such a swollen face the next day he barely looked human.”

While saying this, Jiang Yan couldn’t help but touch his own face, thinking about how merciless he had once been to himself. How had he ever managed it?

Xiaotie, secretly listening from outside, felt a rush of emotions. He had never imagined his brother would assign his own experiences to him, but he couldn’t deny it, it did sound quite inspirational.

Hong Jing’s dad was also profoundly shocked. Was all this… for Hong Jing?

But then Jiang Yan sighed, “It’s just a pity, this fool doesn’t realize that the degree from the high school equivalency exam is still somewhat inferior to a regular university degree. Even if he graduates and pursues further studies, his diploma won’t compare to Hong Jing’s bachelor’s degree…”

Upon hearing that, Hong Jing’s dad immediately waved his hand, “No, no, no, Xiaojiang, that’s not how you should see it. The high school equivalency diploma does carry some weight. In our organization, when someone gets promoted to a certain level, a low academic qualification can be a hindrance. That’s when self-improvement courses at the cadre college or a self-study program to obtain a higher academic diploma can help. This self-study program is quite similar to the adult high school exam, and they’re both forms of national education with comparable diplomas.”

Jiang Yan feigned an epiphany, “So that’s it. It seems the adult high school diploma does have its uses.”

“Of course, it does. The most important thing is that it’s good for a young person to have ambition. We should encourage it, not dampen it.”

Jiang Yan shook his head, “That’s out of the question. I’ve always encouraged him. If he’s too slow, I’d be the first to want to kick him from behind. You know I’m from Beijing University, so naturally, after I graduate, I’ll start off high. And the two of us brothers never planned to be apart. To keep up with me, he’s also been diligently learning computer science. Uncle Hong, you’re Hong Jing’s father, not an outsider. I’ll be frank. My classmates and I started an electronics factory, and honestly, with Xiaotie’s capabilities, he is fully able to manage a department there. My classmate thinks highly of him and has considered this. But Xiaotie doesn’t want to get involved in mine and others’ businesses, fearing it might make things difficult for me later.”

At this point, Jiang Yan laughed, a more serious air about him than in the beginning, “Uncle, don’t judge him by his youthful appearance or his occasional silliness; he knows exactly what’s what. He’s even more decisive than an adult in his actions. Take his situation with Hong Jing, for instance. He was the first to fall for her, but he was aware of the gap between them, so he always kept his distance and didn’t intend to pursue a relationship. Later on…I guess feelings took over, and now they’re together, so there’s no use denying it.

But Uncle Hong, what I really want to discuss with you is this internet cafe.”

Jiang Yan gestured towards the outside, “As I mentioned earlier, I’m busy with the electronics factory, and there’s also a specialty store near the east gate of the school. Frankly, under these circumstances, I wasn’t keen on running an internet cafe. But this was Xiaotie’s idea, he wanted to have a business of his own, to give Hong Jing a tangible future.”

Hong Jing’s dad looked at Jiang Yan with a hint of surprise. In that moment, his emotions were indescribably complex. Before Jiang Yan’s arrival, he had already asked Xiaotie about the internet cafe’s potential and found him quite articulate, with detailed and clear plans.

He had assumed that the business plan was Jiang Yan’s work, with Xiaotie at most just running errands.

But he had not expected…

After allowing a couple minutes for the other party to digest the information, Jiang Yan got to the real point that could sway him.

“Uncle Hong, Xiaotie and Hong Jing are at the best point in their relationship right now. If you and auntie want to break them up, the biggest obstacle wouldn’t be Xiaotie, but Hong Jing. A falling out between father and daughter or mother and daughter is not something you’d want to see, right? That’s one aspect.

On the other hand, the reasons you and auntie might look down on Xiaotie are, in fact, not that significant. About education, as you said, a diploma from the high school equivalency exam is recognized by the state. Although it’s a bit weaker than a regular university degree, we can just have him further his studies with a master’s degree. That would certainly make him worthy of Hong Jing, right?

As for a career, the monthly profit from our two internet cafes puts at least thirty thousand in his pocket, and that’s just for now. I won’t make claims about the future, but we definitely won’t stop there. I can say this much, Uncle Hong, Xiaotie’s goal is to ensure that Hong Jing never lacks money. So whether she decides to take a civil service exam or do something she enjoys, it doesn’t really matter; he can support her.

For someone his age, that’s a bold statement, don’t you think?”

Hong Jing’s dad was quietly moved, feeling a twinge of excitement. To be honest, even when he had just married his wife, he never dared to claim that he could provide for her without her working. But clearly, Jiang Yan wasn’t exaggerating. From the moment he stepped into the internet cafe and saw that all the chairs were occupied, he knew the place was doing great business.

“As for his being an orphan, let me say something that might not be totally appropriate. The one thing you and auntie really shouldn’t worry about is just that. If he marries Hong Jing, how is he any different from a live-in son-in-law?”

When Hong Jing’s dad heard this, his eyes lit up, and in that moment, he was genuinely swayed.

He recalled overhearing some young women at work chatting, saying how they wanted to find a man with ‘a car, a house, and no parents.’

At the time, he felt nothing but disdain, wondering how their parents could raise them with such skewed values.

Although he had only one daughter, he had never entertained such thoughts, but if his daughter decided on such a man herself, what right would he have to object?