Chapter 111: One of a Kind
While Qiao Dongliang was talking to Qiao Nan, Qiao Zijin was beside Ding Jiayi and they were leaning on each other’s heads. Qiao Zijin said, “Mom, school will re-open in three days, where are my tuition fees?”
Ding Jiayi’s expression turned dark, she could not answer Qiao Zijin at that instance.
“Mom, it’s been so long, Dad has not softened his attitude towards you?” Qiao Zijin knitted her brows and asked doubtfully. “I don’t think I’ve seen you talking to Dad recently, Dad has not admitted his mistake and apologized to you? Then what about my tuition fees?”
At the beginning of the year, as she was at loggerheads with Qiao Dongliang and did not want to lose her face before Qiao Zijin, she spent almost half the money that was meant to be used frugally as living expenses.
In the end, Qiao Zijin not only bought the bracelet that she liked, but also a set of new clothes.
They went out everyday, watching some movies and eating at restaurants. All these required spending.
As one could imagine, Ding Jiayi did not have much money left in her pocket.
Not to mention Qiao Zijin’s tuition fees for this semester, she could not even afford one month of living expenses for Qiao Zijin.
“Mom?” Seeing her mother’s expression, Qiao Zijin was in trepidation. “Mom, Dad has not pleaded mercy to you? But school is reopening soon, what will happen to my school fees? Although I may not go to College but I need to graduate from high school!”
If she could not graduate from high school, she would not be able to face anyone.
“You, you don’t be anxious, I will settle this matter for you. I will ensure that you have money for schooling.” Ding Jiayi’s face turned pale and comforted Qiao Zijin again and again.
“Mom, I don’t care, no matter what, you have to find a way to raise my tuition fees. I am going to school one day earlier before it reopens so that I can sun my blanket in the hostel. So, Mom, by the day after tomorrow, you must pass me the tuition fees and living expenses.”
Qiao Zijin directly gave Ding Jiayi an ultimatum. She did not care if her words would cause Ding Jiayi to feel troubled. Neither did she care if it was possible for Ding Jiayi to raise the money. Having finished her words, Qiao Zijin walked away like a queen.
Ding Jiayi’s pale face twisted slightly, she rubbed her face with her palms that were rough. “Money money money, how am I going to find the money in such a short time.”
When Ding Jiayi looked up, Qiao Dongliang was just coming out of Qiao Nan’s bedroom.
Ding Jiayi’s eyes shone, she quietly followed Qiao Dongliang and returned to the couple’s room.
After returning to the bedroom, Ding Jiayi sat beside Qiao Dongliang without saying a word, then she stared straight at Qiao Dongliang.
Qiao Dongliang knitted his brow. He moved away and changed his position. Ding Jiayi kept quiet and followed and stuck to Qiao Dongliang wherever he moved to.
“What are you doing!” Qiao Dongliang was annoyed. He wanted to raise his voice but he controlled himself eventually.
“School is starting soon. It’s time to pay Zijin’s tuition fees.”
“Then you can pass the money to Zijin.” Qiao Dongliang sneered. He already found Old Ding’s current behavior odd. For the past few days, they were having a cold war and Old Ding was giving him the cold shoulder, but she pestered him today. True enough, when she opened her mouth, it was for the sake of money again!
“I don’t have money!” Ding Jiayi was anxious. If she had money, she would have already given it to Zijin. She could not wait to give all that she had to Zijin.
However, she was a mother who was not capable. She could not earn big bucks and could only let Zijin suffer with her.
“Who can you blame for not having money? I did not take a single cent of your salary.” Qiao Dongliang sneered. “This matter, you have to resolve it yourself. Do I need to remind you about what you did during the beginning of the year? You don’t have money. No, you are rich!”
“I spent it all.”
“Don’t look for me after you spent all your money. Zijin’s tuition fees and living expense, you have to find a way to settle them yourself. I have already told you this a long time ago, not just today. No money, who can you blame!” Having said that, Qiao Dongliang steered away from Ding Jiayi.
Ding Jiayi took a deep breath. She was keeping quiet again. Just like what she did a while ago, she stuck closely to Qiao Dongliang, and then stared straight at him till he felt uneasy all over. She wanted Qiao Dongliang to relent and take out his money.
Qiao Dongliang tolerated again and again, his expression was worse than Ding Jiayi.
In the end, Qiao Dongliang simply took out a book to read.
When it was almost eight o’clock, Qiao Dongliang boiled some hot water, washed his face and feet and removed his shoes and clothing before he took himself to bed. Ding Jiayi could watch him for as long as she liked. Anyway, he would not know anything after he fall asleep.
Who knew, Qiao Dongliang was really too naive.
Qiao Dongliang was lying down. Before he even warm his blanket and was dozing off, Ding Jiayi, who was lying beside him, reached out her hand and gave him a hard push. Qiao Dongliang was awakened suddenly. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t pay Zijin’s tuition fees. Is she still continuing her studies?”
“That’s up to you all, don’t ask me!”
“If this matter is not resolved, I can’t sleep. If I can’t sleep, I need someone to chat with me, you need to accompany me. Old Qiao, can you help me think of a way. Zijin will be going back to school the day after tomorrow.” Ding Jiayi said with persistence. She even purposely reached out to push Qiao Dongliang one more time. “Don’t sleep, please.”
“What the hell do you want?” After being awakened by Ding Jiayi a few times, Qiao Dongliang was furious.
Fortunately Qiao Nan was sleeping. If Qiao Nan saw what was happening, she would sigh and agree that Qiao Zijin was definitely Ding Jiayi’s daughter. Both mother and daughter’s pestering skills and behavior were one of a kind.
“I don’t wish to do anything.”
Qiao Dongliang narrowed his eyes and gave Ding Jiayi a sinister look. “You…. you are really.”
Qiao Dongliang really wanted to scold Ding Jiayi. They had agreed long before that they will take in hand one daughter each. But now, after Ding Jiayi had spent all her money at the beginning of the year, she wanted him to tidy up the mess. Wishful thinking!”
Ding Jiayi’s eyes flashed with complacency. She said before that she did not believe she could not subdue Old Qiao.
Before Ding Jiayi could smile, Qiao Dongliang suddenly got up from the bed with a stomach full of fury. Ding Jiayi panicked and also sat up. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing?” Qiao Dongliang stopped what he was doing and looked at Ding Jiayi with sarcasm. “I’m letting you have the place.”
Having said that, Qiao Dongliang rolled up his blanket and pillow, and then left for the study room with them.
The study room was small. It was good and cozy for one person.
Once Qiao Dongliang left, Ding Jiayi was so scared that she got up from the bed. She hurriedly put on a coat and chased out.
When she caught up with Qiao Dongliang, Qiao Dongliang was already inside the study room. He also conveniently locked the door.
After confirming that Ding Jiayi could not come in, Qiao Dongliang wrapped himself with a blanket and leaned against the study table. He buried his head into the blanket so that he would not be disturbed by Ding Jiayi again.
Chapter 112: Determined Not To Interfere
Ding Jiayi knocked on the door for a long time but she could not get Qiao Dongliang to open it for her. Instead, she woke Qiao Zijin who was sleeping. “Mom, what are you doing in the middle of the night. You’re not letting people sleep!”
As there were not enough tuition fees and living expenses, her mood was already bad enough. Her mother had to make so much noise in the wee hours of the night. What did she mean by that?
“Zijin, go and sleep. I, I have to talk to your dad. You better sleep soon. If not, Mom will knock softly and you can cover your head.” Ding Jiayi was tiring out herself in the middle of the night. Wasn’t it all for the sake of Qiao Zijin?
Although she saw that Qiao Zijin was not understanding was furious with her, the bad-tempered Ding Jiayi was not her usual self. Despite Qiao Zijin’s complaint, she was not angry. She still coaxed Qiao Zijin nicely and assured her that she would lower her volume. What an attitude.
“Fine, then lower your volume,” Qiao Zijin replied sullenly and continued to sleep with her head in the covers.
As to why Ding Jiayi and Qiao Dongliang had to talk to each other outside of their bedroom, Qiao Zijin was not concerned at all.
Qiao Zijin was not concerned, Ding Jiayi did not mind. She stayed outside the study room and continued to knock on the door stubbornly.
Qiao Dongliang’s body was covered with a thick layer of blanket but Ding Jiayi only had her coat on.
Within a few minutes, Ding Jiayi could no longer endure the cold weather. She turned pale and her teeth chattered.
Ding Jiayi had no choice but to return to her bedroom. She wore a thicker layer of clothing and continued to squat outside the door of the study room, knocking at the door from time to time.
On the morning of the second day, Qiao Dongliang opened the door of the study room. He was prepared to wash up, have breakfast and go to work. He discovered that Ding Jiayi, who was wearing a thick layer of clothing, had been squatting and leaning against the door and she slept through the night.
When Qiao Dongliang opened the door, Ding Jiayi, who was leaning against it, fell straight into the room.
At the sight of Ding Jiayi, Qiao Dongliang was both angry and amused.
No matter what, they had been a couple for decades. Facing this sight of Ding Jiayi, Qiao Dongliang certainly did not feel good.
However, when he thought of how Ding Jiayi led Qiao Zijin to squander away all the money, he forced himself to be hard-hearted and decided not to interfere in this matter.
They were not a wealthy and prosperous family. All the family savings were gone. If they do not reduce expenses, how were they going to survive?
It was not easy. He waited so long and his two daughters were becoming successful soon, he must think of a way to allow both of them to continue with their studies.
Whatever it takes, he must correct Old Ding’s corrupted thoughts!
Otherwise, with Old Ding’s foolishness, at least one of the two daughters’ futures would be negatively affected.
Qiao Dongliang gritted his teeth. He did not bother about Ding Jiayi, neither did he call her. As per his usual routine, he washed up, had his breakfast and went straight to work.
“Mom, why are you sleeping here?” Qiao Zijin, who woke up only at eight o’clock, was all dressed up and ready to leave the house when she saw Ding Jiayi lying on the floor and sleeping at the entrance of the study room.
“Aiyoh.” Ding Jiayi screamed pitifully when she was awakened. With that sleeping posture overnight, Ding Jiayi’s entire body felt numb and stiff. “Where is your Dad?”
“Dad? It’s already eight o’clock. Dad must have gone to work.”
“What, already eight o’clock!” Ding Jiayi gave a scream. “I’m done for. I’ll be late. They will deduct money from my salary.”
Having said that, she hurriedly wore her shoes and ran out, without bothering about Qiao Zijin.
Fortunately, she had already dressed up for work last night and could leave the house after putting on her shoes. Otherwise, she would be late by two hours.
“Mom, my, my breakfast?” Even Qiao Zijin, whose tummy was rumbling with hunger, could not stop Ding Jiayi from leaving. “Qiao Nan! Qiao Nan!”
Qiao Zijin looked for Qiao Nan as she wanted Qiao Nan to prepare breakfast. However, when she walked over to Qiao Nan’s room, the door was shut tightly. She had long left home.
Facing this situation, Qiao Zijin was in a terrible mood. She could not tolerate any more. She lifted her feet gave a few hard kicks to the door. “It’s just a bedroom. It was locked so tightly everyday, as if it was hiding tens of thousands of dollars and afraid of attracting thieves. Who is she guarding, so shameless!”
Her father must have passed the tuition fees to Qiao Nan, whereas Qiao Zijin did not know where her tuition fees were.
It was all her mother’s fault. If she was under the her father’s charge, she would have new clothes. She also would not need to worry about the tuition fees.
It was a pity that her father would definitely not allow her to swap with Qiao Nan now. Her mother said her father loved her more and would be taking in a son-in-law for her. However, her father obviously sided with Qiao Nan more. If this was the case, then her father should not expect her to be filial to him in future.
At this juncture, Qiao Nan, who was reading books at the Zhai residence, did not know the thoughts of Qiao Zijin. She also did not know that her existence had been discovered by the Zhai family.
Father Zhai knitted his brows and looked towards the direction of the storeroom. “Why is there an outsider in our house?”
“Dad, you don’t need to bother about this.” Zhai Hua was munching an apple as she stretched herself. She was tired out during the Lunar New Year. “That young lady was let in by my younger brother. Zhai Sheng has already given her the key to our back door.”
“What is going on?” Father Zhai frowned and did not look happy. “Zhai Sheng is not someone so irresponsible.” Was it right to give their house keys to any Tom, Dick and Harry?
“No issue, this young lady is fine. She has been borrowing our place to read books for half a year.” Something would already have happened if there was a problem with her. “That young lady behaves with propriety. Besides the storeroom, she has never even stepped into our front yard.”
It was also because Qiao Nan knew her boundaries, Zhai Hua did not interfere in this.
Otherwise, if Qiao Nan had displayed any sign of inappropriate behavior, even if she had caused any detriments to the Zhai family, or if Zhai Sheng brought her home, Zhai Hua would have chased her out at the first sign of trouble. Thereafter, Zhai Hua would take back the key.
“Dad, don’t worry. You know Zhai Sheng’s temperament. He has a good judgment of character.”
“Borrow the place to read books?” After listening to his elder daughter, Father Zhai’s expression was more relaxed.
The current situation seemed stable, but there were many who were watching them closely and lusting for the opportunity to pull them down.
“This young lady is quite unlucky, she has an unreliable mother at home. The mother sold all her textbooks and wanted her to quit school. As a result, the young lady went to the waste recycling station and bought many pre-loved textbooks.. Dad, do you know, she is quite lucky in one matter. She picked up Peng Yu’s book at the waste recycling station.” Zhai Hua did not hide anything. She told Father Zhai the truth about Qiao Nan’s situation.
“She is quite determined and self-driven. No problem, just let her be.” There was no need for Father Zhai to be unhappy over the young lady. “But this kind of matter. I will only allow it to happen once. There should not be a second time.”
“Dad, this, you can be assured. Does Zhai Sheng seem like a busybody. This is an exception.” Although she did not know how the exception came about.
Chapter 113: Relented Again
At this point, Zhai Hua, who was convincing Father Zhai, never expected that to Zhai Sheng, the appearance of this exception would lead to many other “exceptions”.
Ding Jiayi had caught a cold after leaning and sleeping on the study room door for an entire night. Fortunately, she did not have a fever but the runny nose and sneezing were non stop.
“Mom, drink some hot tea.” Hearing the sound of Ding Jiayi blowing her nose, Qiao Zijin smirked and knitted her brow. She reluctantly poured a cup of hot beverage for Ding Jiayi.
Ding Jiayi was feeling so sick that tears welled up in her eyes. “Zijin, stay away from me in case I pass the cold virus to you.”
Although she was drinking the hot tea, Ding Jiayi did not feel any better.
“Mom, have you taken your medicine?”
“Not yet.”
“I will bring you the medicine.” Qiao Zijin went and searched for a long time. “Mom, there’s only the fever medicine leftover by Qiao Nan when she had fever last time. The cold medicine ran out. Mom, you give me money, I’ll go and buy for you.”
Ding Jiayi gave a long sigh. “Forget it. It’s just a cold. I will drink more water later and get well soon.”
Of course, she did not buy the medicine as she was unwilling to part with the money.
Otherwise, she could have bought and taken a few tablets of the medicine on her way back from work.
At this juncture, Ding Jiayi truly felt a little regretful over mindlessly spending so much money during the Lunar New Year period.
Ding Jiayi could not predict Qiao Dongliang’s stand now. Also, the money in her pocket could barely afford Qiao Zijin’s one month of living expenses. There was no way that she could cough up the tuition fees.
Having been married to Qiao Dongliang for so many years, this was the first time that Ding Jiayi felt so desperately poor.
“Mom? Is Dad reluctant to pay my tuition fees?”
“Your Dad, I don’t wish to say anything. Why do you think I caught a cold? Your Dad is too heartless and stubborn.” She was married to Old Qiao for so many years, yet he could bear to let her lean against the door and slept through the night. He did not even cover her with a piece of outerwear. Where was Old Qiao’s conscience?”
“Then what should we do now. School is starting the day after tomorrow. I have to go to school tomorrow!” Qiao Zijin’s eyes were red and she was close to tears. “Without the tuition fees, I will not study anymore. It is so humiliating to owe the tuition fees. I can’t do this!”
“Don’t cry, don’t cry. Mom is sick but it’s bearable. But when you cry, my heart goes out to you. Don’t be anxious, Mom has an idea.” Ding Jiayi pinched her nose, stomp her feet and rushed into her bedroom.
Following that, Ding Jiayi turned the bedroom upside down.
Qiao Nan that wretched girl hid the money well, but she did not believe that Old Qiao would do the same.
Clearly both are Old Qiao’s daughters, there was no reason that only that wretched girl could use Old Qiao’s money?
If Old Qiao was unwilling to hand over his money, then she would take herself!
“Mom, let me help you.” Qiao Zijin hesitated for a while at the entrance. But at the thought that she had to go to school tomorrow, she daringly entered her parent’s bedroom and helped Ding Jiayi on the search.
Ding Jiayi thought for a while and said, “If your Dad discovers this later, just push all the blame on me. Say that I am the only one who searched the room. You tried to stop me but could not.”
“Mom, I know.”
“Dad, you’re off work?” Outside the Qiao residence, Qiao Nan, who was on the way back from the Zhai residence, coincidentally met Qiao Dongliang who was coming back after work.
“Nan Nan, where have you been revising your studies all this while? Is that place convenient?” Qiao Dongliang saw his daughter carrying the books and only realized the problem at this point.
“It won’t be inconvenient. It’s quite good.” If Brother Zhai did not help her, then it would be very inconvenient. After all, she was not only storing books but also money. If she had put them away at any public place or any Tom, Dick or Harry’s place, how could she not worry?
Most probably she would have sleepless nights from worrying about the tuition fees.
“Fine, then let’s go home.” Qiao Dongliang could not think of where Qiao Nan had hid her books and money. But judging from how assured Qiao Nan looked, Qiao Dongliang was not worried anymore.
While at work today, he behaved like a wandering soul. He could not concentrate and made a few blunders when working.
One year had passed, undoubtedly, his wife did not have any money left on hand. But the elder daughter was going to school soon. Was he really going to let his elder daughter owe the tuition fees?
He knew that his elder daughter was afraid of losing face. Qiao Dongliang was in a dilemma. What if the elder daughter refused to attend school. Then they would have wasted the 5000 yuan spent earlier. Moreover, the elder daughter’s grades had improved and were good now.
After putting in so much efforts and facing the prospect of giving up halfway, Qiao Dongliang was in a dilemma. “Nan Nan, your sister is starting school soon, you know your Mom’s character. Do you think… ”
At a loss of what to do, he was not sure why, but Qiao Dongliang suddenly asked Qiao Nan for her opinion.
When she heard Qiao Dongliang’s words, Qiao Nan was silent for a while. She actually felt very disappointed.
Her father was relenting and thinking of paying Qiao Zijin’s tuition fees.
However, her father had already made his point harshly to her mother, and even quarreled so badly with her yesterday, he needed an excuse so that he would not lose face. Hence, he asked Qiao Nan about it.
To let Qiao Dongliang give the money to Qiao Zijin was contrary to what Qiao Nan thought.
In her previous life, the family was adamant about her quitting school and there was no room for negotiation. In this life, despite spending all the family savings, Qiao Zijin happily enjoyed herself for one year. Now, Qiao Zijin had to let her father to clean up the mess when she did not have enough money to pay the tuition fees.
Although her father kept saying that he would like to teach her mother and Qiao Zijin a lesson, at the critical juncture, he would always soften his stance. No wonder her mother and Qiao Zijin were fearless.
However, if she rejected him outright, Qiao Nan was afraid that this would affect her image before Qiao Dongliang. If she met with any problems in future and her father did not help her, she would have no status in the Qiao family. Her well-being was at stake.
Qiao Dongliang was the only backing that Qiao Nan had to allow her to continue staying in the Qiao family instead of living independently outside.
“Dad, why don’t we do this. Both of us know Mom and Sister too well. My sister has a bad temperament and can’t endure hardship, but you can’t let her spend all the money at home then quit school because of her pride. That will be equivalent to dumping the 5000 yuan into the sea. However, what my Mom and Sister did during the Lunar New Year was definitely unacceptable. If they continue to spend like this, don’t mention about saving money, they will probably owe money. After you go back, have a good talk with Mom and Sister. If they are willing to admit their wrong and change for the better, then you can consider giving the money to my Sister?”
Without a choice, Qiao Nan could only portray a more neutral stand.
Qiao Nan was only hoping that with, given her mother and Qiao Zijin’s character, they might flare up further without constraint. This would provoke her father and then they could forget about receiving the money.
These were just thoughts. However, what would happen eventually was beyond her control.
So, on the way back home, Qiao Nan did not look too good. She looked gloomy.
Chapter 114: Done Themselves In
When the daughter and father reached home, Qiao Nan would never expect that Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin would give such awesome performances.
Maybe they were too involved in their search, but Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin never heard the sounds coming from Qiao Dongliang and Qiao Nan who had reached home.
Qiao Dongliang heard what Qiao Nan said just now and felt that it made sense. He wanted to have a talk with Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin. But who would have known that the moment he arrived at home, he would find them looking high and low through his room. They had almost torn down the whole house, ransacking the room.
They were all drenched in sweat, what were they searching for?
Of course it must be money!
Qiao Dongliang drew in a breath, his face turned bright red in anger. He stumbled and almost fell.
Qiao Nan hurried forward and supported him with her hands. She widened her eyes in disbelief when she saw how the room was turned upside down as if there was a burglar. “Mom, what are you and sister doing, should Dad and I give you a hand?”
Her mother and Qiao Zijin were searching for father’s money?
Ridiculous!
Ding Jiayi jumped in surprise. She turned and saw Qiao Dongliang staring intently at her, she could feel her heart thumping loudly. “You, you are back.”
“Dad, Dad.” Qiao Zijin was in shock as well, her hands caught in mid air, she did not know what to do with them.
“Didn’t you hear Nan Nan’s question, what are you two looking for, should we give you a hand?” Qiao Dongliang snarled.
“No, no need, it was nothing important, it’s alright if we cannot find it.” Ding Jiayi dared not say outright that she was looking for the money that Qiao Dongliang stashed away.
There were things that one could help with but could not say.
“You really do not need our help?” Qiao Dongliang’s hesitation and kindness just now vanished as soon as he saw how the mother and daughter went through his room. “Nan Nan, come and help me.”
“Oh.” Qiao Nan pursed her lips. She really wanted to praise Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin.
It was such an opportune time for them to go through the room. She did not have to do anything and her mother and Qiao Zijin had done themselves in.
“Old Qiao, what are you doing?” Ding Jiayi turned a shade whiter when she saw that Qiao Dongliang was going through his clothes.
“What am I doing? Nothing, I am giving up the room to you, you can do your search in whichever ways that you like in the future.” Last night Qiao Dongliang merely stayed for a night, now he had a change of mind, if he was to sleep on the same bed as his wife, he would be so furious that he would not be able to sleep at all.
Qiao Dongliang took some clothes and moved to the study room.
The study room might not be small, but there wasn’t much space after placing a desk.
Qiao Dongliang took out the desk and placed it in the living room. He made a small bed in the room and put his clothes and belongings into the study room.
Luckily there were blankets at home and Qiao Nan was used to doing chores, the father and daughter had the blanket spread out in no time.
Qiao Dongliang sat down on the bed, he looked around the small cramped space and remembered that Qiao Nan had stayed in this room for fifteen years.
“Nan Nan.”
“Yes?”
“Nothing.” Qiao Dongliang swallowed the words that were already at his mouth. It didn’t matter if Nan Nan used to find this room too cramped or not, it was good enough that she got to sleep in a more spacious room now.
“Nan Nan, I can’t do anything about your sister’s matter. You should ignore them as well. If your Mom pretend to be very pitiful in front of you, just take it that you didn’t hear anything. We could never lend your sister your school fees. Your Mom and sister are capable, you do not need to help them, do you get it?”
Qiao Nan’s eyes sparkled, “I have got it.”
“Go back to your room, lest your room… I am tired, I want to rest for a while.” Qiao Dongliang’s heart was tired.
“Dad, I won’t disturb you.” Qiao Nan backed out of the small room and closed the door.
As soon as she came out of the room she was stopped by Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin. “Qiao Nan, what did father speak to you about? Is he angry?”
“We are asking you a question, are you mute?” Ding Jiayi blushed nervously at the mention of what happened just now.
Qiao Nan who was given no chance to speak at all was being scolded by Ding Jiayi. “Dad did not say anything to me, as for whether he is angry or not, can’t you tell?”
“What kind of attitude is that, can’t you tell us upfront if your Dad is angry or not?” Ding Jiayi lifted her hands and wanted to give Qiao Nan a knock on the head. But she was stopped by Qiao Zijin.
“Nan Nan, I have something to discuss with you.” With that, Qiao Zijin pulled Qiao Nan into Qiao Nan’s room, “Nan Nan, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“I couldn’t help you.”
“You don’t know what favor I am asking, yet you rejected me. Are you my sister? Don’t worry, you will definitely be able to help me with this. Has Dad given you your school fees? Can you lend me your school fees first? When Mom receives her pay I will return you your school fees, what do you think? Nan Nan, good Nan Nan, please do me this favor. I am the only elder sister that you have.”
“I couldn’t help you. You don’t wish to owe school fees, neither do I.” Qiao Nan rejected her upfront.
“Nan Nan, good Nan Nan, I beg you to please help me. Since a young age till now, you have been so good to me, please just help me one last time?”
When she was going through the room just now, Qiao Zijin knew that it was impossible for her father to fork out another sum of money for her school fees.
There wasn’t much money at home and it was controlled by her father. She could only work on the money that Qiao Nan had.
“No, there’s no room for discussion.”
“Nan Nan, you can hand in your school fees at a later time.”
“These words are for you as well. If it’s alright for me, then it’s alright for you as well. Why would you borrow the money from me? If it’s not alright with you, you would feel shameful, then it’s the same for me. No one wants to be disgraced.”
Qiao Nan was firm in her attitude, leaving no room for discussion. This made Qiao Zijin boil with anger. “Nan Nan, when, when did you become so heartless, with total disregard for our sisterhood. You don’t care a bit for me at all. I am your only sister!”
“There’s no need to emphasis that you are my only sister, you are my elder sister, I am your younger sister. Since a young age, you have never been nice to me.”
“Nan Nan, if you continue to behave in this way I am going to be furious. In the future I won’t defend you against Mom.” Qiao Zijin was simply outrageous, she had a favor to ask, yet she still lost her temper at Qiao Nan.
Qiao Nan pursed her lips and looked Qiao Zijin in the eyes.
“You, you don’t regret it!” Qiao Zijin pushed at Qiao Nan with all her might.
Luckily there was a bed behind Qiao Nan, if not she would have fallen to the ground.
But even with the bed, Qiao Nan still had a bad fall.
Chapter 115: Gift
Qiao Zijin ran off angrily. With that, Qiao Nan laughed to herself, a cold glint in her eyes. She knew things would turn out like this.
“Happy Lunar New Year.” On the day for enrollment, Qiao Nan handed in her school fees and arranged for the boys in her class to carry the books and distributed them to the students.
It used to be the Class Monitor’s responsibility. But the Class Monitor seemed to have caught a cold and did not come today, The Class Monitor even arranged for someone to help to hand in the school fees. As a Vice Class Monitor, Qiao Nan would then have to help out.
“After receiving your books, flip them open and check through. If there’s any problems please come over to me to make a note and exchange your books.”
The students seldom need to exchange their books, but to be on the safe side, Qiao Nan still instructed them to check.
“Hmph, bullying people by flaunting one’s powerful connections.” Zhao Yu was furious when she saw how Qiao Nan directed people around on the podium.
Zhou Lei had gotten used to Zhao Yu who would act up once in a while. “During Lunar New Year this year, you must have eaten the aged vinegar.”
“What do you mean?” Zhao Yu paused momentarily, she was slow to react.
“Sour.” Zhou Lei wrinkled his nose in disdain. “But don’t let the sourness drift towards me. I don’t like sour stuff.” With that, Zhou Lei paid attention to Zhao Yu no more, he focused on helping Qiao Nan to distribute the exercise books.
“You are the one who is sour.” Zhao Yu finally understood. If she still did not get the drift, how could she be the Chinese representative?
“For you.” Zhu Baoguo placed a nicely wrapped box on Qiao Nan’s table. A flower was tied on top of the box.
“For me?” Qiao Nan arched her eyebrows. “Where have you been during the Lunar New Year, I didn’t see you in the quad.”
“I am not at the quad, I went overseas on holiday. Did you see the shoes that I am wearing now, they are the trendiest sports shoes overseas. They were pretty expensive as well.” Zhu Baoguo lifted his leg to flaunt off his new shoes, letting Qiao Nan to have a close look.
“That’s really trendy of you to spend the Lunar New Year overseas.” For the older generations, not to mention in the 21st century, most families would choose to spend the Lunar New Year having reunion dinner at home.
It was only the end of the 20th century now, the Zhu family was very open minded.
“This is my gift for you from overseas, open it and take a look to see if you like it. You can’t get it here.” Zhu Baoguo pushed the gift towards Qiao Nan. “I spent half a day choosing a gift for you. If your house has a phone, I could just make a call and ask your preferences, I can buy whatever that you preferred. Oh, it’s such a headache to pick a gift.”
It was supposed to be words of concern, but Zhu Baoguo made people feel uneasy with the way he put it across.
Qiao Nan who was used to the way people behaved in the 21st century, unwrapped the box that Zhu Baoguo gave her without hesitation.
While Qiao Nan was unwrapping the box, everyone in the class was waiting to see what was inside the box.
Why was Qiao Nan so lucky this year? First there was someone who gave her the revision notes, and now Zhu Baoguo gave her a present, and they heard that it was bought from overseas. What could be inside the box?
Qiao Nan was quick and familiar in unwrapping the box.
When she finally unwrapped the box and saw what was inside the box, she gave a small shout of surprise. “Walkman?”
“There’s more.” Zhu Baoguo smiled. “I heard that your English is pretty good, but while I was overseas I overheard a lot of the people who said that the Chinese students are only good in written English, they do not place focus on conversational English. You can listen to the native speakers and practise your conversational English, you would definitely be able to speak good English in the future.”
Other than the walkman, Zhu Baoguo also picked quite a lot of English cassettes for Qiao Nan. It seemed to come in a set and must have cost a bomb.
Looking at the gift, Qiao Nan hesitated for a while. “I really need this, I won’t refuse your good intentions, Zhu Baoguo, thank you.”
It was rare that Qiao Nan would be full of gratitude towards him. Zhu Baoguo shuddered and rubbed his elbows. “Don’t, don’t ever do that. I am used to your cynicism, I can’t take it when you are nice to me.”
Zhu Baoguo might have expressed his dislike, but his lips curled upwards to show that he was in fact very pleased.
“Scram, are your eyes okay? Do you have red eyes?” Zhou Lei who was finished with distributing the books had just sat down and saw Zhao Yu whose eyes turned red and scary. They were not red from crying, but glaringly red. Zhou Lei had such a bad fright that he almost jumped up. “I heard from my Dad that eyes infections are contagious. Zhao Yu, maybe you should consider applying for leave to go back home and have your Mom to take you to the doctor. It’s only enrollment today and there aren’t many classes. Don’t frighten other students.”
“It’s your eyes who are infected.” Zhao Yu closed her dry eyes and tried to contain her jealousy.
Qiao Nan was just a lackey, no wonder she was so nice to Zhu Baoguo. Even though he was such a lousy student, she still mixed with him. So it turned out that she was sucking up to him, hoping to gain something out of it.
Zhu Baoguo must be blind as well, she was such a good lady, yet he befriended Qiao Nan instead of her.
Just you wait and see, Zhu Baoguo would definitely stand to lose if he kept on mixing with Qiao Nan. By then, Zhu Baoguo would finally realize who the good person was.
Zhu Baoguo had given her such expensive gifts. Qiao Nan dared not keep the books at home, let alone these walkman and cassettes. She would be a fool to bring them home.
Qiao Nan had a bitter smile on her face. She was finally done with keeping the newly distributed textbooks for the new year and the walkman and cassettes that Zhu Baoguo gave her at Zhai family residence.
To her, Qiao family residence did not seem like a house. It was in fact a den of thieves, a bandit’s nest. If she put her things at the Qiao family residence, there would be the possibility of them being snatched away.
Bearing this in mind, whenever Qiao Nan had anything of a considerable value, she would bring them a little by little to Zhai family residence.
Because of this, there would be a day in the future where Qiao Nan would become a member of the Zhai family. By then, she had no need to move her things at all.
When Qiao Nan reached home, she put down her school bag and went to look for Qiao Dongliang. “Where’s Mom? Did anything happen?”
Today she had to go to school for enrollment, while Qiao Zijin went back to school yesterday.
“Nothing.” Qiao Dongliang frowned.
“What about my sister’s school fees?” Where did her mother get the money to pay for Qiao Zijin’s school fees in two days’ time?
Judging from Qiao Zijin’s temper, if she did not have the money, she would not go to school.
“No idea, they probably borrowed the money.” Qiao Dongliang was furious when he saw the mother and the daughter went through his room to search for money the day before yesterday. Even if he did not lament them, one could tell that he was boiling over with rage from the fact that he moved from the bigger room to the small study room and slept by himself.
“Where did Mom borrow the money from?” As soon as the words slipped out of her mouth, Qiao Nan regretted her words, she should not shoot off her mouth.
As long as it wasn’t her father’s money. it didn’t matter where her mother borrowed it from.
“Don’t bother about it.” Qiao Dongliang said in anger. “Your Mom is way too unreliable, Nan Nan, you must remember to just ignore her.”