Chapter 124: A Heartwarming Little Jacket

“Fine, you are the head of the family. You will have the final word.” Ding Jiayi smiled. She knew that for Qiao Dongliang to say this, his heart must have wavered.

Even if Qiao Nan was unwilling, Qiao Dongliang would definitely try to convince her to agree to it.

Knowing that Qiao Dongliang would certainly be able to persuade Qiao Nan, Ding Jiayi was happy to save her breath. Regardless of what being said, let Old Qiao be the bad guy in front of Qiao Nan. This would also prevent the situation where Qiao Nan that wretched girl severed their ties and disowned her as a mother.

It was not easy to have raised this wretched girl up. After a few years, she would have completed her studies and found a job.

If the wretched girl did not take her as a mother, then how could she fling Qiao Nan’s money into her hands in the future?

After investing so much over the years, she had to take back the money she spent raising this daughter up.

Feeling contented and satisfied, Ding Jiayi lied down and slept. However, Qiao Dongliang tossed and turned as he laid on the bed, unable to fall asleep. There were bursts of panic in his heart and he felt very uneasy.

If he had to do this, Qiao Dongliang would keep feeling sorry and unjustified for Qiao Nan. However, if he did otherwise, he might be wasting the previous savings he dumped in exchange for a good learning environment for Qiao Zijin. No matter what, that was the hard-earned money that he had saved up over a decade.

Due to this matter, Qiao Dongliang had a sleepless night. He tossed and turned till dawn.

Contrary to Qiao Dongliang, Ding Jiayi slept particularly well that night. She woke up with a rosy face the next day.

When Qiao Zijin woke up, she glanced at Ding Jiayi. Ding Jiayi smiled at Qiao Zijin to hint that the matter had been resolved.

Qiao Zijin’s face brightened immediately. “Mom, I need to meet my classmate so that I will not waste the opportunity. It should be decided by today which type of job I will be taking up.”

“Alright, please be careful.” Ding Jiayi nodded her head and took out two yuan from her pocket. “Don’t go hungry.”

“Mom, you are so good to me!” Holding the two yuan, Qiao Zijin happily kissed Ding Jiayi hard on the face.

“Really... How old you are now, yet still so mushy. Alright, hurry up and go. Don’t let your classmate wait for you.” Having received a kiss from Qiao Zijin, Ding Jiayi was happy beyond words as if she had just consumed an extremely nutritious soup.

“Mom, I am leaving first.”

Qiao Nan, who just woke up and came out from her room, saw the mushy scene. She laughed at the thought that Qiao Zijin had already taken two yuan from her mother prior to earning a single cent from her so-called vacation job.

Still the same saying. If her mother was willing, no one can stop her.

“Qiao Nan, your dad has something to tell you. In our family, your dad doted on you the most, so you should also dote on him and don’t let him be in a difficult position.” When she saw Qiao Nan, Ding Jiayi did not feel embarrassed despite having given Qiao Zijin, but not Qiao Nan, some money. She looked calm and even spoke to Qiao Nan in a reprimanding tone.

“What is happening to my sister again?”

“What about your sister? It’s your dad!”

“Ah.” Qiao Nan sneered. Whenever her father or mother came looking for her, it was always pertaining to Qiao Zijin’s matters.

When Qiao Nan saw Qiao Dongliang who just got out of bed, she had a shock. “Dad, did you not sleep yesterday?” He had dark circles under his eyes like a panda.

“Nan Nan, I... I have something to discuss with you.” Qiao Dongliang took a long and deep breath. He opened his mouth a few times, and only with great efforts could he finally muster up the courage to speak to Qiao Nan.

“I know, Mom told me. Dad, tell me frankly, what does my sister want?”

“...” Qiao Dongliang smiled bitterly. “Nan Nan, you also know the matter about the essay competition last time. Your sister left a bad impression on the teachers in her school. If you also attend The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, then your sister’s situation in school would be...”

Qiao Nan’s glance stilled. Her eyes, which were like black pearls, looked at Qiao Dongliang gloomily. “Dad, let me first ask a question. Is my sister wrong in this matter, or am I the one in the wrong?”

“Of course it was your sister!” There was nothing to doubt about it.

“Do you mean that although it was my sister who committed a mistake, you want me, her younger sister, to settle this mess for her? Dad, in other families, the elder sister always gives in to the younger one. When the elder sister gets into trouble, does the younger sister have to tidy up the mess for her? Are these among the things that I should—no, must do? Do I owe my sister?”

“No, of course not!” Qiao Nan’s words colored Qiao Dongliang red with embarrassment. He was nearly unable to lift up his head. “Nan Nan, Dad was muddle-headed. You are totally right in this matter. On the contrary, your sister owes you. Even if any problems occur, your sister should tolerate and accept them; there is no reason for you to give way to her. Just take it that Dad did not talk to you about this. Dad did not sleep well last night and was talking nonsense.”

“Dad, don’t be anxious. What I said earlier was not meant to embarrass you. I just hope that you will understand. Despite us being sisters, I am not expected to do anything for her sake. I wish my sister could be like an ordinary one and takes better care of me, her younger sister. I hope this won’t happen again in the future. Even if my sister has some thoughts, don’t blindly kick up a fuss like my mother at the very least. It does not only allow my sister to continue with her nonsense but also dragged me into it.”

After making firm her stand and placing herself at the highest point of justice and morality, Qiao Nan switched the tone of her conversation. “However, Sister always thinks of all these to make things difficult for you all. Since Dad has asked me about it today, it will not be good if I do not agree. I will study at Ping Cheng High School.”

Ping Cheng High School was the same as Qiao Nan’s current school. The school also provided high school education besides junior high education.

Actually, Ping Cheng High School is also quite famous, just not as famous as The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China.

“Don’t. Why should you lower your standards to enter Ping Cheng High School when you have the ability to attend The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China? Dad has thought clearly about this. Your sister is bad-tempered and thinks too much, don’t bother about her.” After thinking through, Qiao Dongliang did not agree to this matter anymore.

Qiao Nan tugged the corners of her mouth. If she did not agree to this, there would be no peace at home. “Dad, do you know what the most important reason for me to choose Ping Cheng High School is?”

“What is it?”

“Actually, before the exams, Teacher Chen granted me an opportunity to be admitted directly to Ping Cheng High School without the need to sit for the exams. I declined. If I am eligible to go to The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China but choose to go to Ping Cheng High School instead, as long as my ranking is not too bad, Ping Cheng High School will waive my tuition and miscellaneous fees. As such, our family does not need to fork out a single cent for my high school education. If I do well, I will probably receive scholarships too.”

Although Qiao Dongliang was a grown-up man, he was close to tears after hearing Qiao Nan’s words.

Qiao Dongliang had been really anxious about the family situation. To put it blindly, with no savings at home, he even dared not fall sick, not to mention applying for sick leave.

Because of money, Qiao Dongliang was so worried that he grew a lot more white hair.

Unfortunately, Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin did not seem to feel anything for him. Their spending habits even worsened by the day.