Chapter 44 - Your Plot, My Strategy
There was saying that talking about money hurts relationships, and talking about relationships hurt money.
What sort of feelings would she have for Qiao Zijin? In this life, for any money that belonged to her, she would not give a single cent to Qiao Zijin.
“Why not, if you don’t have money, how did you buy the old books? Nan Nan, we are biological sisters, you would rather let the money rot in your hands than to lend it to me, are you so heartless?” Upon thinking, Qiao Zijin softened her tone. “Nan Nan, I need it urgently this time, really! I am only borrowing from you. I will definitely return it to you.”
“I have said, I don’t have money. I have spent all my money.” Qiao Nan insisted that she had no money. “Also, what do you need the money for, why are you so hard up? If you need it for a decent purpose, our parents will not shortchange you.”
Towards the end of the conversation, Qiao Nan’s eyes flashed a look of sarcasm.
Qiao Zijin was the family’s elder daughter. From a young age, she was obedient and well-behaved. She also had a sweet tongue.
Qiao Nan knew that her Dad had always thought highly of Qiao Zijin. As they did not have a son, her Dad had even toyed the idea of taking in a son-in-law that would bear the Qiao family’s surname for Qiao Zijin in future.
Unfortunately, Qiao Zijin snatched Chen Jun from her. Given Chen Jun’s family background, it was impossible for him to be a taken in as a son-in-law.
Qiao Zijin was even pregnant with Chen Jun’s child. Her mother kicked up a big fuss. Her father had no choice but to allow Chen Jun to marry Qiao Zijin.
Because of that, her father had once shifted this thought to Qiao Nan.
Her mother would not be willing to give all of what the Qiao family had to her. If she had to give it away, she would rather leave it for Qiao Zijin’s children.
Knowing her father’s thoughts, Ding Jiayi had been watching Qiao Nan and forbidding her to talk about boyfriend and marriage.
Similar to now, Qiao Zijin clearly did so many wrong things and schemed against her umpteen times. But her father still forgave Qiao Zijin. The family’s treatment to Qiao Zijin would not change much.
Qiao Nan sighed. Forget it, she did not want to think of this. Anyway, she just wanted to continue with her studies and protect her own interests.
As for the other matters, she would let her mother and Qiao Zijin be.
“Why are you like this, obviously I came to you because it’s not convenient to ask Dad and Mom. If I could ask them, would I still need to borrow from you?” All this while, Qiao Nan had acceded to all of Qiao Zijin’s requests. Qiao Zijin had asked her to lend the money but Qiao Nan was as tight-lipped as the shell of a clam – she would not open her mouth. Qiao Zijin’s anger rose again.
Qiao Nan laughed coldly. “You can say whatever you like. Two words – No Money.”
Having said that, she continued to read her book and do her homework. She could not be bothered with Qiao Zijin.
“If you don’t give me the money, don’t expect to lead a good life!” Qiao Zijin rudely snatched the book from Qiao Nan’s hands.
Qiao Nan looked at Qiao Zijin coldly. “Do you want me to call Dad in?”
“Call if you are capable of it!”
“Dad!”
Qiao Zijin’s face turned pale the moment that she saw Qiao Nan calling for her father. Yet, she continued to sit in Qiao Nan’s room, seemingly self-assured.
“Why?” When the younger daughter called, Qiao Dongliang looked quite happy when he came over. But he was surprised when he saw that the elder daughter was also present.
“Dad, nothing much. Nan Nan is still angry with me. I wanted to apologize to Nan Nan but she is not pleased that I disturbed her while she is reading.” Qiao Zijin’s was a smooth talker and she made it sounded like it was all Qiao Nan’s fault.
“Nan Nan?” Qiao Dongliang was going to reprimand the younger daughter for being so petty. They could not possibly continue their disagreements with each other. But Qiao Dongliang quickly held back.
“Dad, I can only say that I did not!” Qiao Nan was also angered by Qiao Zijin’s shameless behavior.
Qiao Zijin was only 17 years old and she knew how to tell lies without blinking an eye.
No wonder. Before her death in her previous life, Qiao Zijin committed adultery and Chen Jun divorced her without giving any marital compensation. But, in the end, she could blame all this on Qiao Nan.
“Nan Nan, don’t be angry anymore. Actually I am truly concerned about you. I apologize to you, can you forgive me please?” Qiao Zijin played the act as she spoke.
Qiao Nan lifted her chin, both amused and angry. “Sure, Sister. Isn’t this just a misunderstanding, real sisters do not have enmity overnight. I forgive you. Come, to show that I have really forgiven you, let us have a hug!”
Qiao Nan came from the 21st century. There was nothing that she had not seen.
In the 1990s, Generation Z were more introverted and would never say words such as “I love you”. Neither would they display any physical affection for each other.
Without waiting for Qiao Zijin to respond, Qiao Nan opened her arms and gave Qiao Zijin a passionate hug. “Sister, I have really forgiven you. We are on such good terms.”
Qiao Zijin was totally stunned by this sudden action by Qiao Nan. She stood there feeling stiff and did not know what to do.
Without waiting for Qiao Zijin to react, Qiao Nan had already let go of her hands and returned to her place.
Look who was more thick-skinned and better in acting!
Seeing that the two daughters have reconciled, especially that the younger daughter used such an affectionate way to prove it, Qiao Dongliang smiled. “Zijin is more like an elder sister now. Nan Nan is also good, not petty, I am not worried now seeing that the two of you have reconciled.”
“Dad, I’m going to do my homework. Why don’t Sister and you leave the room?” The play was over, it was time to go.
“Right, you study hard.” Nothing was more important than the child’s studies. Qiao Dongliang looked at Zijin. “Zijin, we will leave. Nan Nan needs to do her homework.”
Qiao Zijin ground her teeth, to hell with it.
In the past, Qiao Nan was obedient and plain spoken. When did she become as slippery as an eel, such that she could not even catch her?
“Dad, I have homework too. Can I do it together with Nan Nan?” Qiao Zijin took a breath. Anyway, there was no way that she would be getting any money from Qiao Nan today. She might as well disturb Nan Nan these two days.
Qiao Zijin was not only shameless, but also wanted to play rogue. Fine, since she wanted to kick up a fuss, so be it!
“Dad, it’s rare that the three of us, father and daughters, are together. Dad, why don’t you also take a book to sit here and read, I will do homework with Sister. In case we have any questions, we can also discuss with you. Dad, do you think this works?”
“Sure.”
All the while, Qiao Dongliang was not close to his daughters. He wished to be a responsible and steady father who quietly supported his children with a lot of fatherly love.
It was rare that the three, father and daughters, could enjoy family time together. Qiao Dongliang did not have any reason to decline. He took a book from the study room and came back to have a seat.
Qiao Zijin clenched her fists and secretly glared at Qiao Nan.
If Dad was with them, she would not have any opportunity to ask Qiao Nan for money.
Qiao Zijin had a plot, Qiao Nan also had her strategy.
As a reborn “old woman” who was already more than 30 years old, she would have wasted her life if she could not even win the struggle with a 17 year-old girl.
Although being reborn would not give a person more intelligence, it would give the person more life experience and knowledge, especially improvements in the way and attitude that they dealt with problems.