In 2000, the size of the bamboo mat was usually 1.2 meters or 1.5 meters. The bamboo mat at the Qiao family’s residence was 1.5 meters wide. After Zhai Hua lay down to sleep, there was still a wide empty space on the mat.

  Without another word, Shi Qing found a comfortable spot and sat cross-legged on the mat. She switched on the television and turned to the channel that she was interested in. It was a special program that was shown during the summer break. “Qiao Nan, I feel that you are being overly anxious. After being with Wei De, Sister Zhai Hua has changed a lot. But I feel that there are some habits that would never change. If there was anything that she was unhappy about, she would have blurted it out the moment she entered the house. Now that she is asleep, I don’t think it is anything serious. It could be that Wei De did something to upset Sister Zhai Hua. She is thus troubled and wants to take a walk. She is here to have a peace of mind.”

  Shi Qing took a bite of a peach. It had a nice aroma and it was delicious, soft, and juicy. Shi Qing devoured it in no time.

  “Do you really not intend to take any classes this summer break? The parents offer you very good prices.” This was the only issue that Shi Qing was curious about.

  Qiao Nan took a seat on the mat, watching television with Shi Qing. “No, ever since…… my third year in junior high school, I feel like a wound-up spring. My results have always been so much better than my sister’s. However, my mom does not allow me to study, whereas my dad likes people who study well. During the summer break of my second year in junior high school, I found out that my mom wanted me to quit school to finance my sister through school. I told myself that I have to fight for the opportunity to study. It was useless to talk reasons to my mom. Therefore, I had to prove to my dad that I am capable so that he would be on my side. If my dad did not allow me to continue with my studies, it would only mean that my results were not good enough.”

  In fact, Qiao Nan felt that she had indeed tired herself out these past four years.

  She was not a robot. She would definitely feel tired following such tight schedules and timetables.

  However, these four years were very crucial to her. She did not dare to relax. She was worried that if she relaxed slightly, she would not be able to get back to momentum.

  “In order to score exceptionally good grades such that my dad would stop being biased toward my sister, I had to work extra hard. I know that my dad feels the burden of supporting my sister and me through school. It is indeed tough on him. Besides, my mom has spent all the savings on my sister. Therefore, if I want to continue with my studies, it is not good enough that I have good results. My dad has to pay the school fees for the two of us. I have to lighten his financial burden as well. If I cannot meet either requirement, I may have to quit school.”

  Therefore, she tried to think of ways to earn money. If the parents wanted her to tutor their children, she would try to offer a price that was slightly higher than the other tutors.

  \r \r \r

  If she did not work hard, she might have to quit school anytime.

  “Qiao Nan, it is so tiring on you.” Shi Qing gazed at Qiao Nan. Uncle Qiao seemed to dote on Qiao Nan. She had no idea that he had given her tremendous pressure and stress.

  “Tiring?” Qiao Nan smiled bitterly. “If you want to study but everyone forbids you to study and wants you to take a totally different path that will destroy your future, you won’t be feeling tired. You will only feel scared! I thrive in calamity and perish in soft living. Now that my parents have gotten a divorce, and Principal Meng has helped me to apply for a few scholarships which will be awarded to me before school starts, together with the government subsidies that I have, I can finally study in college with a peace of mind. I am freed of all burdens. Of course, I hope that I can lead a simple and carefree life. I don’t wish to be tired to the bones.”

  Qiao Nan had suffered in the past four years in order to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet

  now.

  If one could lead an easy life, no one would wish to be dog tired.

  There was no such person in this world.

  “True……” Shi Qing did not know what else to say to comfort Qiao Nan. After all, Qiao Nan had a thorough understanding of her situation. There was no need for her to advise or console her.

  Given that she lived in such a family, Qiao Nan had to think for herself and work hard. If not, among the two children in the Qiao family, she would be the child that was to be sacrificed.

  Since Qiao Nan already knew what she wanted, she had to put in ten times the effort and hard work of others in order to get what she wanted.

  At least for now, Qiao Nan was successful. All her hard work in the past was worthwhile.

  In the past, Shi Qing might not understand the situation that Qiao Nan was in as well as the mentality of the Qiao family. However, under Qiao Nan’s influence, Shi Qing began to understand the workings of society and the complicated and changing relationships between people.

  She was fortunate that she was an only child. She was able to get all the love and attention of her parents.

  As for her grandparents, apart from being slightly biased toward Qiu Chenxi when she was around, they were good to her.

  Zhai Hua, who lay on the floor, had, in fact, woken up from the time Shi Qing entered the house. She grew silent at the conversation between Shi Qing and Qiao Nan.

  One must know oneself well. This was very true.

  If one knew themselves well, they would work harder to get what they wanted.

  It was useless to sit and wait for good things to come their way. Nobody could gain anything without putting in any effort!

  She seemed to understand the reason why her parents and Zhai Sheng was so against Wei De. What Wei De did a year ago indeed lacked self-awareness.

  Qiao Nan was so young and she was a young lady, but she knew and understood such profound logic, while Wei De, who was no longer young, did not seem to know.

  Furthermore, Qiao Nan knew that her parents were biased toward her sister. Therefore, she had to work harder to prove that she was capable. Wei De knew that her parents did not like him. Should he not put in extra effort to perform well and show them his abilities, so as to change her family’s opinions of him?

  For a long time, Wei De kept telling her what she should do so that they could have a brighter future.

  Wei De seldom said that he wanted to work hard so that her parents would accept him and to work hard for their future……

  Zhai Hua came to the Qiao family’s residence today as she had no other place to go to. She came out from the Zhai family’s residence but she could not go to Wei De’s house. She had no other place where she could relax and feel comfortable.

  Zhai Hua remembered that Miao Jing loved going to the Qiao family’s residence. Therefore, she decided to go there.

  Perhaps she should have a heart-to-heart talk with Qiao Nan so that she would not feel so depressed.

  However, to Zhai Hua’s surprise, she had yet to ask to speak with Qiao Nan, and she was already enlightened by the conversation between Qiao Nan and Shi Qing.

  There was no need to be doubtful or to hesitate. The problem was with Wei De!