Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
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“…”
Seeing that Qiao Zijin’s attitude toward Qiao Nan and Zhai Hua was vastly different, both Zhai Hua and Miao Jing could not help but frown and purse their lips into a thin line.
Zhu Yan expressed her displeasure upfront and said sarcastically, “Why don’t you just admit that there’s something wrong with your brain? Alright, stop embarrassing yourself and go back home. Remember to cover your face with a cloth when you go out next time. I’m sure you do not want to embarrass yourself further.”
Her sister did not do anything wrong, yet Qiao Zijin cried as if their parents were dead and insisted that Qiao Nan had stolen things.
Although Zhai Hua was not deliberate, it was her fault for overestimating Qiao Zijin and embarrassing Qiao Zijin in front of everyone. However, not only did Qiao Zijin not blame Zhai Hua, but she also spoke up for her in front of Miao Jing.
There must be something seriously wrong with her to do such foolish things.
Miao Jing was not Ding Jiayi. She was Zhai Hua’s mother. She would know if her daughter did it on purpose or not. Miao Jing only wanted to preserve some dignity for everyone and did not really mean to blame Zhai Hua.
Qiao Zijin was in no position to intervene on Zhai Hua’s behalf at all.
Qiao Zijin did not even treat her own sister with such good temper and kind intentions!
To put it bluntly, Qiao Zijin was particularly good to Zhai Hua on account of the fact that she was from the Zhai family which was influential in the city.
“Nan Nan, we will help you move the books.” Some of the uncles and aunties in the quad could not tolerate the way Qiao Zijin and Ding Jiayi tried their best to please Miao Jing. They helped pick up Qiao Nan’s books, dusted off the dirt, and stacked them nicely. They also took the initiative to move them back to the Qiao’s residence.
“Thank you.” Qiao Nan could not be bothered with Qiao Zijin’s and Ding Jiayi’s shameless and disgraceful ways.
With the help of the uncles and aunties, Qiao Nan managed to move everything back to the Qiao’s residence in a single trip. “Thank you, uncles and aunties. Do all of you want to have a cup of tea before leaving?”
“It’s okay. It’s getting late, and we have to go to work. Qiao Nan, you are different from your sister. You must study hard and make a mark for yourself.” Otherwise, Nan Nan would only be bullied in this family.
“Thank you, uncle. I understand.”
After sending them off, Qiao Nan let out a long sigh. Her shoulders drooped, feeling tired to the bones.
She had returned the three hundred yuan to Brother Zhai. She would have to think of ways to make some money in a short period of time. After what happened today, she would not stay with her mother anymore. She could live alone and support herself.
“Dad, what’s with this?” Qiao Nan was thinking of ways to break the news to Qiao Dongliang when she came in and realized that there was a bag full of clothes in the living room. “Dad, these are your clothes. Do you intend to move back to Mom’s room?”
Qiao Nan’s face dropped. Now, she was even more determined to move out of the house. What somebody did not see could not hurt them.
“I will help you bring it over.” Qiao Nan took a deep breath and reached for the bag.
Qiao Dongliang shook his head. “No, I am not moving back to the room I used to stay in. Nan Nan, this bag is for you. You should take your clothes, and most importantly, your books.”
“For me? Dad, what’s wrong with you?” Why would her father give her a bag and ask her to bring her clothes? What did he want to do?
“Nan Nan, we are moving out.” Qiao Dongliang said plainly.
“Moving out? Where are we moving to?”
“Don’t worry. Dad has found a place, and I have called for a tricycle as well. No matter how many books you have, we will have someone help us move them to the new place.”
“If we move out, what about this house?”
“This house will not go empty. Your mom and sister will stay here.” Qiao Dongliang had a reluctant smile on his face as he patted Qiao Nan on the head. In fact, he should have made this decision long ago—the moment Ding Jiayi stole the money Nan Nan earned and bought clothes for Zijin half a month ago.
Fortunately, it had only been less than a month since then. It was not too late to move now.
“Dad, you …” Qiao Nan was surprised. Did this mean that her father wanted to separate with their mother and Qiao Nan would stay with him?!
“Alright, you should get your clothes.”
“Dad, actually you don’t need to…” Since her father did not intend to divorce her mother, it would be meaningless to stay in separate houses.
“If I don’t move out, then must I let you stay outside by yourself? I am worried about you. I have to take care of you.” Qiao Dongliang smiled bitterly. Ding Jiayi created these troubles. He had to help clean up the mess.
Qiao Nan could not help but sigh again. “Dad, I have grown up. I can live alone. Dad, to tell you the truth, I really want to find a place for myself. If you move in with me, Mom will definitely find troubles with me.”
Since she could not mess with her mother, the only thing she could do was to hide away from her.
“Ignore her. The reason why I want to move is not solely because of you. Given your mom’s personality, I can’t live with her anymore. If I continue to live with her, we will only end up quarreling every single day, which is meaningless.” Qiao Nan was tired. Qiao Dongliang was exhausted as well.
He never knew that it was so difficult to communicate with Ding Jiayi.
Every time he tried to reason with Ding Jiayi, it was just like playing the lute to a cow. He felt powerless, helpless.
“I don’t want to argue with your mom anymore. Since things have gotten to this stage, moving out is our best option.” Qiao Dongliang had this idea of moving out long ago, and he finally made up his mind today. “Nan Nan, the car is coming soon. You should hurry up to pack.”
“Dad, it’s good that you have thought it through.” Since Qiao Dongliang sounded very determined, Qiao Nan did not persuade him any further and hurried to pack her clothes.
“So fast? Do you only have these few pieces of clothes?” Seeing that Qiao Nan’s bag was only half full, Qiao Dongliang felt sorry toward her daughter. “It’s okay. I will buy more clothes for you in the future.”
Nan Nan would always wear Zijin’s hand-me-downs. She would only have two sets of clothes to wear interchangeably for every season. There were not many clothes for her to bring to the new house.
Qiao Nan smiled confidently. “Dad, there’s no need for that. I have the ability to earn money. I will earn money to not only buy new clothes for myself but also for you!” She could work and support herself and her father. She did not need others to provide for her!
“Old Qiao, I am here.” A middle-aged man rode a tricycle and stopped at the door of their small courtyard.
“Who are you? Why are you looking for Old Qiao?” Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin finally came back from the Zhai’s residence with a defeated look on their faces. When Ding Jiayi saw the tricycle in front of their house, Ding Jiayi asked in an unruly manner, “Do you know that your tricycle is blocking our front door? You cannot park them here. Move it to the side now. Believe it or not, I will only need to make a phone call to get someone to tow your car away!”
“Are you sister-in-law?” The man asked in a mocking tone.