Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  As for Zhu Baoguo, Qiao Nan suspected that Zhu Baoguo had been watching too many television dramas recently. He must have felt that this dialogue was so good that he used it when talking to her father.

  “Today, both of you must work hard to do your homework. Nan Nan, Dad has some errands to run.”

  “Dad, Lunar New Year is coming, what else do you have to settle?” Qiao Nan asked out of concern.

  “It’s just some accounts that I have been working on previously. I am done with the accounts and I need to send it back to them before the Lunar New Year so that they can pay their workers.” Qiao Dongliang held a thick stack of papers in his hands. He tied them to the back seat of the bicycle and covered it with a bag so that the papers would not be blown away by the wind.

  “Dad, be careful on the road. Also, stop taking on these jobs. You are not thinking of working overtime through the Lunar New Year, are you?” Qiao Nan sighed. Her father had to push himself to the limits in order to earn more money.

  “No, I know what I’m doing. You should do your homework with Baoguo at home.” After making sure that the papers were tied securely to the bicycle, Qiao Dongliang pedaled the bicycle and left the small quad.

  “Xiao Qiao, I have something to discuss with you.” Zhu Baoguo waited until Qiao Dongliang left before broaching the topic. “Actually, it was my father who brought this up. It has nothing to do with me. My dad said that Qiao Zijin and you are only one level apart. If both of you are to go to college, it is absolutely impossible for Uncle Qiao to provide for both of you at the same time. What my dad meant to say was that he will pay for your college fees first, and when you start to work and earn money in the future, you can pay him back if you want. In this way, Uncle Qiao will have an easier time. There will be no need for him to be so hard on himself, and you don’t have to worry anymore.”

  The most important thing was that Xiao Qiao and Qiao Zijin could not possibly go to college at the same time. The Qiao family did not have enough money.

  If that happened, given Ding Jiayi’s usual behavior, she would definitely deprive Xiao Qiao of the opportunity to continue her studies so as to provide for Qiao Zijin.

  By that time, nobody knew what Ding Jiayi would do to plot against Xiao Qiao.

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  “I have to think about it.” Qiao Nan did not dare to agree right away to something that was beneficial to her.

  “What’s there to consider? Why don’t you agree to it? My dad may be working for the government, but he has a lot of money. It will be foolish not to spend them. Do you know that there are a lot of women who are eyeing my dad’s fortune? They think that everyone is a fool and they are the only one who is smart.”

  “You are the only person who will say that of your dad. If Uncle Zhu is here, he will definitely give you a beating,” Qiao Nan said. “I know Uncle Zhu has my best interests, but he does not really understand the situation in the Qiao family.” He did not know her mother well enough.

  “What do you mean? Tell me about it. I will be able to understand, and I will definitely let my dad know.”

  “It’s a long story. Anyway, just tell Uncle Zhu what I said just now. He will understand.” Her mother was someone who could not lead a peaceful life. She would create a fuss whenever possible, regardless of whether she would bring harm to herself or others.

  After they moved for the second time, the days whereby her mother behaved herself was much longer as compared to the first time they moved.

  Qiao Zijin was already in her second year this year. She would be in the third year in the coming year, and in a blink of an eye, she would enter the college. What her mother hoped, for now, was that her father would earn enough money for Qiao Zijin’s college tuition fees. Because of this, her mother behaved herself and did not create any trouble. She was worried that if she did anything wrong, her father might be so angry that he decided not to provide for Qiao Zijin anymore.

  After all, there were two daughters in the family who wanted to study in the college, and her grades were much better than that of Qiao Zijin.

  Therefore, if her father had to make a choice, it was reasonable for him to choose to let her go to college, and in turn, let Qiao Zijin give up her studies. Even if her mother tried all means and ways, she would not be able to change her father’s decision.

  On the other hand, if her mother knew that the Zhu family would provide for her tuition fees in the future, she would revert to her old ways, being fearless and unreasonable. Since the Zhu family already provided for her and her father could afford to pay for Qiao Zijin’s tuition fees, it did not make sense if her father refused to finance Qiao Zijin through college.

  Therefore, in the Qiao family, it would be good to have tight finances.

  “So troublesome?” Zhu Baoguo had a headache.

  “Nan Nan, are you at home?”

  “Brother Zhai?” Qiao Nan’s eyes lit up. She went to open the door without telling Zhu Baoguo who was at the door. “Brother Zhai, what brings you here? Where’s Sister Zhai Hua? Didn’t both of you come together?” Qiao Nan felt a tinge of disappointment when she did not see Sister Zhai Hua at the door.

  “She has something on, so she can’t come today.” She did not dare to come either. “Is there a guest at home?” Zhai Sheng pursed his lips and looked around. He took the initiative to close the door as if he was the owner. Qiao Nan then walked by his side into the house.

  “Yes, my classmate, Zhu Baoguo, came to do homework with me.” Qiao Nan had always been well-behaved in front of Zhai Sheng. “Zhu Baoguo, Brother Zhai is here. You two should know each other, I guess?”

  Zhai Sheng walked into the house and came face-to-face with Zhu Baoguo. The atmosphere was tense between them. It was as if sparks were flying. They seemed to be sizing each other up and guarding what was theirs.

  “I have met him before,” Zhai Sheng said politely. To him, Zhu Baoguo was a stupid fool who was difficult to deal with.

  Zhu Baoguo snorted. To him, Zhai Sheng was a hypocrite who was good at putting up pretenses, pretending to be a good person.

  Qiao Nan arched her eyebrows, feeling perplexed. “Why are both of you behaving strangely? It’s as if both of you can’t stand the sight of each other.”

  “No.”

  “How could that be possible.”

  Qiao Nan smiled at their denials. “Brother Zhai, have a seat. I will pour you a cup of hot water. Zhu Baoguo, Brother Zhai is very smart. If you have any problem with your homework, you can ask Brother Zhai. There’s no need to wait for me.”

  Then, Qiao Nan sneaked into the kitchen, leaving the living room to them.

  As soon as Qiao Nan left, Zhu Baoguo turned sullen, whereas Zhai Sheng had a cool expression on his face, giving Zhu Baoguo an unfriendly glance.

  Zhu Baoguo broke the silence. “I must thank you for taking care of Xiao Qiao.” Zhu Baoguo felt uncomfortable when he was reminded that before Qiao Nan got to know him, she would go to the Zhai family’s residence to read her books. He could not help but feel that he had missed an important opportunity.

  “In what capacity are you saying this to me?” Zhai Sheng was not angry that Zhu Baoguo had taken the lead, but his sharp question made Zhu Baoguo turn red in frustration. He could not give a reply after a long while.

  Yes, in what capacity did he say that?

  If it was in the capacity as her classmate, then he had thought too highly of himself. As a classmate, he had no right to thank Zhai Sheng on behalf of Xiao Qiao. He would be too thick-skinned to have said that.