Chapter 33: Broken Relationships

For a moment, Qiao Nan could not take it anymore, she asked this question from the bottom of her heart.

“Don’t try anything funny!” Qiao Dongliang shouted at Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin to stop. He was also shocked to hear Qiao Zijin’s words, but Nan Nan’s performance had always been consistent. He had never heard Zijin mentioned such matters, hence, those must be false rumors spread by others. “Nan Nan, have you heard of it?”

Even the elder daughter heard it, it could not possibly be quiet at the younger daughter’s school.

“Yes, because of this, Teacher Chen specifically asked to see me in the office on Tuesday. But unlike Mom and Sister, when Teacher Chen heard about this, he asked me if any delinquent teenagers have been pestering and blackmailing me.

In other words, outsiders did not even believe that Qiao Nan would do such a dishonest thing. But Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin heard merely the slightest ruffle in the wind and said it as though it was real.

Was that the expected behavior of your next-of-kin?

“Teacher Chen did not suspect you at all?” Qiao Dongliang blinked. After all, when he first heard this, even he, the real dad, had a second of doubt.

“No.” Qiao Nan shook her head. “Teacher Chen even told the class straight, told my classmates to stop spreading such untrue rumors.”

“So what exactly is going on here?”

“Dad, I’ve been wronged till death regarding this matter. Except for this summer vacation where I could not revise at home, in the past, there wasn’t once that I have not obediently stayed home and finished all the housework chores. Don’t talk about being in contact with those hooligans, I don’t even have time to read books, how I wish that there are 48 hours in a day!”

Qiao Nan’s words startled the others. Whether Qiao Nan was busy in the past, Ding Jiayi knew best.

When summer vacation came, Qiao Nan had little opportunity to go out.

As Qiao Nan said, Ding Jiayi simply pushed all the household chores to Qiao Nan whenever Qiao Nan had the time. At most, Ding Jiayi prepared the meals.

Every time Qiao Nan had some spare time and wanted to read books, Ding Jiayi would definitely find an excuse to make Qiao Nan work.

So, 24 hours, besides sleeping for eight to nine hours in the bedroom, Qiao Nan was within Ding Jiayi’s sight for the rest of the time. Qiao Nan simply did not have any chance to get to know those delinquent teens.

Once again, Qiao Dongliang shocked by another truth. So, during summer vacation, when the younger daughter had spare time, she did all the household chores?

Though it was not easy for Qiao Zijin to find fault with Qiao Nan, she would not give up. “Don’t tell me that this matter sprang out of nowhere?”

She did not believe it. If Qiao Nan had not done such a thing, then why would people spread the news with every detail vividly described?

“Nan Nan, what do you say?” Qiao Dongliang looked at Qiao Nan. It made sense that no-one would be so free to make up a story without any facts, but he too believed that the younger daughter would not do such a thing.

“That’s right, you have to explain this matter properly to us. If not, you don’t need to study anymore, in case you go astray,” Ding Jiayi added as she regained her senses.

Regardless of the truth of the matter, this was a good chance.

“Old Qiao, I think you better listen to me, don’t let Qiao Nan study anymore. Her character has gone astray with studies. We might as well let her work and let others watch over her, then she will not be able to mix with those bad guys anymore. The children of our Qiao family may not be the best in their studies but they cannot have a bad moral character.”

“Mom, do you mean that, regardless of the truth of this matter, you won’t let me go to school to prevent me from going astray, and let me go to work. Mom, I am puzzled, Dad’s income is not considered little, it’s enough to pay for both Sister’s and my education. Why do you have to insist that I work, as if our family does not have enough to meet our needs?!”

Qiao Nan initially did not want to expose that Ding Jiayi had spent all the family savings because of Qiao Zijin.

But Ding Jiayi kept using her education as a threat, Qiao Nan could not help it and had to reveal Ding Jiayi’s secret.

It was time to let her father know the special situation at home, rather than foolishly allowing her mother to cover up the whole matter.

“Dad, how much savings do we have? Mom can’t wait for me to sacrifice my future, quit school and work. Dad, if there is really difficulty at home and you can’t afford our tuition fees, even if Sister’s grades are not as good as mine, I will abide by Mom’s wishes. It is also a form of repayment to her for bringing me up. I will go to work.”

At last, Qiao Nan was forced to agree to quit school and work. But when she heard Qiao Nan’s words, Qiao Zijin was furious.

What did she mean by even if her grades were not better than Qiao Nan, Qiao Nan was also willing to sacrifice herself?

This meant that it was a waste of money to let her study!

“Do you not understand my words?” Qiao Dongliang was also angry now. The younger daughter’s grades were obviously much better than the elder daughter, on what basis must she discontinue her studies? “You really think that joining the workforce early is a good thing? Fine, since Nan Nan is not studying despite her good grades, then there is no need for Zijin to study either. Both will go to work and earn money for you. Since taking up a job now is so promising, how can you forget Zijin? If you want to favor Nan Nan, you have to see if i agree to it.”

Qiao Dongliang was really furious. Ding had not figured out the bottom of the matter, yet she had come back to talk nonsense and create a scene. The neighbors could almost hear them now.

If not for Zijin’s nonsense, why would Old Ding dig up the old matters?!

“Mom.” Qiao Zijin was frightened.

“Why are you shouting? Character comes before studies. If Qiao Nan was as obedient as Zijin, would I need to be so concerned? Zijin does not mix with bad company and go astray, so I don’t need to worry about her, so she doesn’t need to go to work. Don’t you know it varies from person to person?” Ding Jiayi sided much with Qiao Zijin.

Clearly it was unreasonable, yet she said it as though she had some point.

“Dad, actually when school started, Teacher Chen asked me about something.” Qiao Nan clenched her fists.

“What is it?”

“Teacher Chen asked me. Sister’s grades were obviously poor, so how did she get into The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China?”

“The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, isn’t it the Ping Cheng High School?

Both daughters’ matters were taken care of by Ding Jiayi, Qiao Dongliang had only begun to interfere recently.

He vaguely remembered that the elder daughter’s grades were not good, it did not meet the admission score for The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, but could get into Ping Cheng High School.

“When did Zijin switch school, how come I did not know, and why?” Qiao Dongliang’s face was as fierce as a tiger as he sensed something amiss. Was The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China a place that you could get in as you wished?

“Old Ding, hand me the passbook, I want to see.” As he recalled that Ding Jiayi flashed a strange look when they argued because of the passbook the last time, he suddenly understood.

“See, See... What is there to see the passbook for?” Ding Jiayi was so scared that she stuttered, and her tone was faint.