Mid-October. His sister was still studying at home.
Thankfully, she could now use the toilet alone—though squatting still sent her plopping flat on her bottom. She hadn’t fully adjusted to life with healed legs yet, and the commode chair remained indispensable.
For Qi Yan, no longer carrying her to the bathroom felt like a quiet loss.
Beyond his daily car-washing shifts, Qi Yan scrambled to enroll his sister. He gathered documents, unaware how harsh society could be.
Connections mattered—it wasn’t just a saying.
Dressed sharply in a suit on Monday morning, Qi Yan arrived at Eastgrain Middle School brimming with hope.
Administration Office. Student Affairs Office. Grade Office. Vice Principal’s Office.
They passed her case around like a hot potato. By afternoon, zero progress.
Dejected, Qi Yan changed back into his work uniform at the repair shop. Post-holiday, car-wash customers had dwindled—some only came once a month. Such was small-town life.
He started helping Uncle Zheng—Zheng Maochai—with odd jobs: bike chain replacements, tire patches, rewinding copper wires on engines. Simple tasks.
Zheng, decades in the trade, spotted Qi Yan’s distraction instantly. "Xiao Yan," he asked, wiping grease off his hands, "you look pale. Sick today? Don’t push yourself."
Qi Yan had lightened Zheng’s load immensely these past weeks. Good apprentices were rare now—most were lazy slackers or phone-addicted zombies.
"Just... my sister’s enrollment," Qi Yan sighed. "Missed the deadline. She’s older than freshmen. The school keeps dodging—won’t say yes, won’t say no."
His sister had crashed that summer after junior high graduation. Never even set foot in senior high. Enrolling now would make her two years older than classmates.
"Ah, schools," Zheng grunted. "Most teachers are decent, but some lack integrity. Like when my brat nearly got expelled—I had to wine and dine the discipline head for weeks just to reduce it to a one-month suspension." He scratched his head helplessly. "Find a contact. Saves trouble. Old Lin and I? We’re simple mechanics. Never rubbed shoulders with academics."
His advice sparked an idea. Qi Yan had a lifeline—but pride had made him ignore her.
"Thanks, Uncle Zheng. I... actually know a teacher at Eastgrain. She can help."
He didn’t know how his senior Liu Qin had pulled strings to get him a teaching job despite his dropout status. Getting his sister enrolled would be effortless for her.
Another debt to add to the tally.
That night, Qi Yan called.
"Senior, it’s Qi Yan."
"Xiao Yan! Our first call!" Liu Qin’s voice sparkled. "Decided to teach art at Eastgrain? The principal’s still agreeable now. Miss this chance, and next semester’s intern slots will lock you out—"
"I need help with my sister’s enrollment."
"She’s still home? Being given the runaround?" Liu Qin chuckled. Sharp as ever.
"...Yes."
"Eastgrain’s tense lately," she said. "Private schools poached our star teachers. The old-timers left are arrogant—impossible to work with. Bring your sister tomorrow. We’ll see the principal together. He values talent. If she’s bright, he’ll treat her like a temple idol. Her grades?"
"Solid. Except English."
"7:50 AM at the gate. Suit up. Don’t be late."
"Yes. Thank you, Senior."
"No need. Just... reconsider that job offer."
Liu Qin hung up. Across the living room, Su Shiyu lay sprawled on the sofa in just a towel, gaming controller in hand, ice pop dangling from her lips. Her bare legs gleamed under the lights.
"Shiyu," Liu Qin called, "you know Xiao Yan’s sister, right?"
"Mm. She tolerates me. What’s up, Qin-jie?"
"Contact her. We’re launching Operation Brother-Digging. We need her help." Liu Qin’s smile turned sly.
Su Shiyu winked. "Operation Brother-Digging? He’s doomed."
"Stubborn bones won’t bend without emotional leverage. Gotta pull him off that wrong path." Liu Qin’s gaze hardened. "I owe it to our late teacher. If his family falls... I won’t let them crawl back begging."
