Chapter 201: Bent on Stealing

“If you have really changed, Nan Nan’s heart will also soften. She’ll get along fine with you.”

Qiao Dongliang stated his stand. Since he had promised Nan Nan not to interfere in the matters between Qiao Zijin and her, he would stick to his promise.

Qiao Zijin was putting up a pretense. She did not expect that Qiao Dongliang took her words for real, as if she had truly done something wrong and had to think of ways to plead forgiveness from Qiao Nan. Qiao Zijin was so furious that she choked on her own saliva.

Qiao Zijin grinned widely. “Dad, you’re right. As long as I’m sincere in changing for the better, Nan Nan will get along well with me.”

Since her father was reluctant to tell her where Qiao Nan had been studying at, she would have to rely on herself to find out.

She did not believe the curse that she would never win against Qiao Nan!

When she finds the place, she would not only take away all of Qiao Nan’s money but also burn all her books at once. When that time came, she wanted to see who else Qiao Nan could seek help from!

After gobbling down a bowl of porridge, Qiao Zijin continued to do the handiwork without any expression.

One was busy with the accounts, and the other was quietly working on the handicrafts. It was rare that Qiao Zijin and Qiao Dongliang seemed to be getting along quite harmoniously.

When Qiao Nan came back from the Zhai’s residence, she saw the ‘harmonious’ atmosphere. “Dad, Sister, I’m back.” Qiao Nan placed her books down and poured a cup of water for herself.

When Zhai Sheng was not at home, Qiao Nan could not go around in the Zhai’s residence as she pleased. Therefore, Qiao Nan brought takeaway food every time she went over. For the whole day, she only had a jug of water and was now dying of thirst.

Just as Qiao Nan put her books down, Qiao Zijin peeped at Qiao Dongliang and confirmed that Qiao Nan would not walk back so soon. She then quickly stood up to look at the book that Qiao Nan brought home.

When Qiao Zijin saw that Qiao Nan actually brought home the second year’s textbook for high school, which was what Qiao Zijin was going to study when the school reopened, she pulled an extremely long face.

Qiao Nan was so showy, already reading the second year’s textbooks now. She did not believe that Qiao Nan was able to rely on her own ability to finish self-studying the entire curriculum for the first year of high school. She must be putting up a pretense to show how hardworking and intelligent she was. Liar!

Only her father would be tricked by Qiao Nan and think that the sun shines out of Qiao Nan’s arse.

“Mom, you’re back. I’ll bring you a cup of water. Drink it.” Once Ding Jiayi entered the house, she was warmly welcomed by Qiao Zijin.

After drinking the cup of water, Ding Jiayi, who was sweating profusely, felt much cooler and comfortable, as if she had eaten a Popsicle. “Zijin, Mom will do the handiwork together with you. Don’t work too hard.”

“I’m fine. I’m doing this for the sake of my tuition fees, after all. Instead, it’s been tough on Mom for my sake.” Qiao Zijin started to massage Ding Jiayi’s shoulders. “Take a seat. I will give you a massage. We’ll put the handiwork aside for now.”

“Hmm, Zijin has a pair of capable hands. I feel so comfortable!” Ding Jiayi purposely raised her voice to let Qiao Dongliang hear what she was saying.

No matter how good Qiao Nan was, would she treat Old Qiao that well? She had already said that Zijin was the more filial one between the two daughters.

Facing Ding Jiayi’s childish behavior, Qiao Dongliang did not even bat an eyelid. He continued with the work in his hands. He was not joking when he said he had to earn money to support Qiao Nan for her college studies. It was never all talk and no action.

Qiao Dongliang had made up his mind to raise a college student. He was thus insistent on regaining his authority as the head of the family to prevent Ding Jiayi from squandering away all the money in the family.

“Mom, I have something to discuss with you.” When Ding Jiayi was changing her clothes after showering, Qiao Zijin came into her room.

“Why are you so secretive?” Ding Jiayi asked Qiao Zijin to have a seat. “Tell me directly if there’s anything. Is there any need to discuss?”

“Mom, it’s been a year. Aren’t you curious where Nan Nan has been hiding her books and money?”

“...” When she heard Qiao Zijin mention money, Ding Jiayi knitted her brows and quickly shut the door tightly. “Zijin, are you still thinking about that sum of money? Forget about it. You’ve seen what happened yesterday. Your dad called the police here to help Qiao Nan. I was nearly jailed. He even lied to the police that we lost five hundred yuan!”

Ding Jiayi was not that stupid. Of course, she was sure that Qiao Nan only had three hundred yuan, and she took all of it. There was no five hundred yuan.

Qiao Dongliang told the police that he lost five hundred yuan to scare and trick her into admitting that she took the three hundred yuan.

Yesterday, after she saw the police officers and was slapped by Qiao Dongliang, Ding Jiayi was extremely fearful now, but Qiao Zijin was not. She woke up in cold sweat when she dreamed that she was handcuffed and was on the way to prison.

“Zijin, forget it. We’ll not be able to enjoy that three hundred yuan even if we take it. Your dad is all set on favoring Qiao Nan. Don’t worry. If your school fees are not enough, at most, Mom will sleep less for the next two weeks to help you cough up the money. If it doesn’t work, Mom will do what has been done before—borrowing from others.”

“Don’t you need to return the money after you have borrowed them?” Qiao Zijin’s face was stiff. She was unhappy that Qiao Nan had so much money while she didn’t. It seemed that she was doing worse than Qiao Nan. She’s not pleased about it!

“Whatever money you borrowed needs to be returned. But if you take Qiao Nan’s money, you don’t need to do so.”

“What do you mean? Didn’t I return the envelope of three hundred yuan to her yesterday?” Ding Jiayi smiled bitterly. “Zijin, what’s wrong with you? Why do you keep yearning for Qiao Nan’s three hundred yuan?” Initially, she thought Zijin suggested this as she was afraid of not having enough money for her tuition fees.

At this juncture, Ding Jiayi realized that Qiao Zijin probably just did not want Qiao Nan to have any money in her hands.

“Mom, don’t worry. There won’t be any accident like before if we’re successful this time.” Qiao Zijin averted Ding Jiayi’s question and did not answer. “Previously, I asked you to take the three hundred yuan when you had the chance at home because I was afraid that we would not be able to find the money once Qiao Nan hid it outside. We neglected the fact that Dad and Qiao Nan would definitely guess who took the money if the money was lost at home. Now, the situation is different. Qiao Nan has hidden the money outside. If the money is lost again, could they still blame it on the two of us?”

So, in fact, it would be easier to steal the money if it was hidden outside.

“But...” Ding Jiayi felt that this made sense. “But both of us do not know where Qiao Nan hid the money.” Ding Jiayi was puzzled. Both Qiao Dongliang and she had already severed all the ties with their relatives. Where could Qiao Nan have hidden so many books and so much money?

After thinking for a long time, Ding Jiayi could not think of any possible places.

“In the past, we didn’t try to find out as we were too soft-hearted on Qiao Nan. If we really want to know, how can Qiao Nan hide it from us?”