Jillian met her grandmother's gaze and gave a firm nod. She would go to Tingshua, not just to secure her future but to ensure she was fully equipped to bring Harlond down when the time came.
For now, it was time to prepare for the next chapter of her life—one step closer to the justice she sought.
Jillian couldn't believe her ears when her phone rang again. This time, it was Chloe and Clara on the other end, their voices bursting with excitement.
"Jillian! Guess what?" Clara nearly shouted through the phone.
Jillian chuckled at their enthusiasm. "What's going on?"
"We got into Tsinghua too!" Chloe announced, her excitement evident.
Jillian sat up straighter, gripping her phone. "Wait… you mean we're going to be classmates?"
"Yes! Can you believe it?" Clara said. "I thought we'd all end up in different places, but here we are, together again."
A wide grin spread across Jillian's face. The idea of stepping into this new chapter of her life with her closest friends by her side made everything feel even more real.
"That's amazing news!" she said, unable to contain her happiness.
As they continued talking, another piece of news began spreading like wildfire through their former school. Messages were exchanged, whispers turned into loud chatter, and soon, the truth was confirmed—Margaret and her group had failed to secure a place in any university.
"They thought they were untouchable," Chloe said, her voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. "All that bullying, all that arrogance… and look where they ended up."
"They spent so much time making others miserable that they forgot to focus on their own future," Clara added.
Jillian exhaled, shaking her head. "That's karma for her."
Though she had every reason to feel triumphant, she didn't allow herself to dwell too much on their downfall. Unlike them, she wasn't fueled by revenge. Life had its own way of balancing things, and for her, the best revenge was moving forward, thriving, and proving that no amount of cruelty could keep her down.
Later that evening, Jillian sat by her bedroom window, staring out at the city lights as the reality of everything settled in. She had done it—she had secured a place at Tsinghua University, something she had worked tirelessly for. The excitement of the day still lingered in her heart, but so did a deep sense of responsibility.
Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Dante.
"Hey, still celebrating?" he asked with a smirk in his voice.
"More like processing," Jillian admitted. "I'm happy, but I also know that this doesn't mean our work is over. There's still Harlond, still the investigation, still so much to uncover."
Leo's voice joined the call. "And you'll have to balance all of that with university life. Are you ready for that?"
Jillian smiled slightly. "I don't have a choice, do I?"
There was a brief silence before Dante spoke again. "No, you don't. But knowing you, you'll figure it out. You always do."
Jillian exhaled, leaning back against her chair. She knew they were right. The battle wasn't over yet. If anything, this was just the beginning of a new phase in her life—one where she had to juggle her education and her mission.
But for now, just for tonight, she allowed herself to feel the joy of her victory. Tomorrow, she would plan her next move.
*****
The day of farewell was bittersweet. Jillian, Chloe, and Clara stood together, surrounded by their families, Dante, and Leo, all gathered to celebrate their new journey. The air buzzed with excitement as they were going to finalized their admission forms and select their major courses, each choice shaping their futures.
Laughter and chatter filled the room, but beneath the joy was a lingering sense of sadness. As the time to leave approached, reality set in—they were leaving behind the village that had been their home, stepping into the unknown world of Chengdu.
Tears welled in their eyes as they embraced their families one last time. The weight of their dreams and the uncertainty of the future pressed heavily on them. Yet, as they boarded the vehicle that would take them to the next chapter of their lives, Jillian clenched her fists with determination. This was not just a journey to Tingshua—it was a step closer to uncovering the truth.
As Jillian stood by the car, ready to leave, her grandmother pulled her into a warm embrace. The old woman's touch was firm yet gentle, her frail hands resting on Jillian's shoulders as she looked deep into her eyes.
"My dear child," her grandmother said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "You've worked so hard for this moment. Tingshua is just the beginning of your journey. Study well, and no matter what challenges come your way, never lose sight of who you are."
Jillian swallowed the lump forming in her throat, nodding as she gripped her grandmother's hands tightly. "I promise, Grandma. I won't let you down."
Her grandmother smiled, brushing a strand of hair from Jillian's face. "I know you won't. The future is bright for you, my child. Go and make us proud."
Tears threatened to spill from Jillian's eyes, but she forced a smile and hugged her grandmother one last time. "I'll come back stronger, Grandma. Just wait for me."
With one final glance at her home, Jillian turned and stepped into the car, ready to face the unknown.
As the car pulled away from the village, Jillian watched through the window as her grandmother stood waving, her figure growing smaller with each passing second. The familiar streets, the places she had grown up in, all faded into the distance.
Chloe and Clara sat beside her, their excitement barely contained. "Can you believe it? We're actually going to Tingshua!" Chloe exclaimed, bouncing slightly in her seat.
Clara grinned. "And the three of us get to do it together. It's like a dream come true."
Jillian smiled, though a part of her still carried the weight of everything she had left behind. Dante and Leo, sitting in the front seats, glanced back at her.
"You're too quiet," Leo remarked. "Nervous?"
Jillian shook her head. "No… just taking it all in."
Dante smirked. "Well, take it in fast. Because once we get there, it's game on. University life, new challenges, and don't forget—our investigation isn't over."
Jillian nodded, her determination returning. "I know. We'll balance both. And when the time is right, Harlond will pay for everything he's done."
As the city skyline of Chengdu came into view in the distance, a new chapter of their lives was about to begin.