Chapter 7: Drumsticks
Therefore, every time, the meat that her dad saw in her bowl just went through her bowl once and returned to where it came from.
After that, Qiao Nan and Qiao Dongliang did the same thing, that is, they rubbed their eyes to wipe away the wetness at the corner of their eyes.
“Dad, am I yours and mom’s biological daughter?” After wiping the corner of her eyes, Qiao Nan could not help but ask. If she was adopted, she would feel better; after all, it was natural that the adopted child may be treated differently from the biological one.
Just as she said this, Qiao Nan did not really need an answer.
She still recalled that before she traveled back in time, Qiao Zijin told her mother clearly that her compatibility level of her internal organs would be better.
Therefore, she must be the biological child of her parents, and she and Qiao Zijin were real sisters. Qiao Zijin would not make such a joke.
Since she was their biological child, why was her mother so heartless to her?
“Don’t think otherwise, your mom was just confused.” Qiao Dongliang was forcing a smile that looked uglier than a cry.
If Nan Nan had been three years old, she might have believed him. But she was already in junior high school. Even Qiao Dongliang did not believe his own words!
For the first time, he knew that the kind of life his younger daughter had been living this at home. Even now, whenever he thought of the conversation with the doctors and the look in their eyes, Qiao Dongliang felt so ashamed that he could not lift his head.
Qiao Dongliang looked up at Qiao Nan. “Nan Nan, in future, when at home, just eat whatever you want. I will tell Mom when we are back.
Qiao Nan nodded. “Dad, what if Mom doesn’t let me study anymore?”
“Why not?” Qiao Dongliang shook his head. “Your mother will not… in this age, education is important and your grades are so good, why would your mom not let you study?”
Seeing that Qiao Dongliang did not have any idea of what was happening at home, or of the motives of Mom and Qiao Zijin, Qiao Nan sighed. No wonder she had been so miserable in her previous life.
Her dad only took care of matters outside the household. All the other matters at home were left to her mother to manage. Of course, her mother would have a say in this.
“Dad, I want to study, I want to go to college!”
“Well, study, as long as your results are fine. I am still young, I will ensure that you go to college.” Qiao Dongliang’s eyes lit up, he looked very pleased.
To him, it was a good thing that his own daughter had ambition.
Qiao Dongliang always knew that no matter how many good words his wife put in, and the younger daughter obviously had less years of education than the elder one, Qiao Nan’s exam results were always better no matter which way he compared.
The elder daughter’s exam results were inconsistent and average. The younger daughter was different. She was always top in her class, and even in the entire school.
After they were done with the drip, Qiao Dongliang had spent almost 20 yuan. He then took the medicine and rode the bicycle home with his younger daughter.
As soon as Qiao Dongliang and Qiao Nan alighted from the bicycle, Ding Jiayi, who knew that they were back, immediately rushed out, tugged at Qiao Dongliang’s hand and asked, “How much did it cost?”
Qiao Dongliang’s face was long, and the tone was not too good. “Does it matter how much was spent? The important thing is that Nan Nan’s sickness can be cured! It doesn’t matter that the fever medicine had expired, the hospital has plenty of them. Look, with just a bottle of drip, Nan Nan’s fever subsided.”
Although Qiao Dongliang did not care much about the domestic affairs, he was not a fool.
His wife was all about the money. It was clear that she was reluctant to spend money on their younger daughter.
The more the wife behaved this way, the more Qiao Dongliang wanted to spend money for the younger daughter. How could they save the money needed for seeking medical treatment?!
Qiao Dongliang thoughts were stirred as he recalled the questions that Qiao Nan asked while they were at the hospital. His wife had even wanted to scrimp on expenses for the daughter’s treatment. It would be worse when it came to her college fees.
True enough, when she heard Qiao Dongliang words, Ding Jiayi’s face turned pale and she deeply regretted her actions.
A trip to the hospital and the drip, Ding Jiayi pinched her fingers and counted. It would have cost at least 10 yuan. These two wastrels.
If she knew this would happen, she would not have thrown away the fever medicine. She might as well have saved money by letting the wretched girl take it. That girl did not know how to earn money, yet she had a talent for spending!
“I already said that there is no need to visit the hospital. The fever medicine did not expire right, you can just let her continue to take it.”
Having said that, Ding Jiayi could not bear to hit the man. She directly lifted her hand towards Qiao Nan, who was standing by the side, and gave her a few hard slaps on the back, causing a harsh sound.
Qiao Dongliang’s eyes were furious. He threw the bicycle away and pulled the younger daughter behind him. “What are you doing!”
Qiao Zijin was shocked. She quickly stood up and said, “Mom, Nan Nan is still sick. Nan Nan, I will help you back to the room to rest.”
Money was already spent. There was no recourse even if her mother continued to make a fuss. Her dad could not possibly ask the hospital for the money back.
Furthermore, the amount that Qiao Nan spent today, she would be able to pay them back 10 or 100 times when she went to work. Her mother’s anxiousness was uncalled for.
Qiao Nan gave Ding Jiayi a glance, and allowed Qiao Zijin to help her back to the room to rest. She knew that, in her whole life, it was scarce for her to receive Qiao Zijin’s help. She was always the one who assisted Qiao Zijin.
The heat had subsided. After the turmoil today, Qiao Nan was really exhausted. Furthermore, she had only had half a meal. She fell straight into a slumber.
Qiao Nan did not care about the things that followed. She went back to her room and fell asleep shortly after she covered herself with a blanket. In her blurry state, she seemed to have heard the sound of her parents quarreling.
In the moment of deep sleep, Qiao Nan secretly recited in her heart. Go ahead, fight. Go ahead, fight.
In her previous life, in order to let her parents get along with each other, she helped to persuade them each time her parents quarreled . As a result, she had to sacrifice herself all the time in exchange for peace in the family.
In this life, she would never make the same mistake again!
The next day, Qiao Nan got up and was in good spirits. After the fever subsided, she did not even have a cough or runny nose. Her whole body was alive and kicking.
“Nan Nan, are you awake?”
“Awake.”
“May I come in?”
“Come in if you wish to.”
Qiao Nan did not say whether she would allow or not allow Qiao Zijin come in. She let Qiao Zijin make her own decision.
Qiao Zijin, who was standing at the door, was stunned. Qiao Nan was acting strange since yesterday and was not her usual self.
Qiao Zijin pushed the door, and of course, she came in. “Nan Nan, I have been tolerating this in my heart. Can I talk to you?”
There was no expression on Qiao Nan’s face. “Speak if you feel like it, or don’t if you feel otherwise.”
Qiao Zijin was stopped by this attitude of Qiao Nan. “Nan Nan, what’s wrong with you, are you angry with me?”
In the past, Qiao Nan had not talked to her in this manner. Usually, Qiao Nan would be concerned about her troubles and then helped her to resolve them.
Although she was older than Qiao Nan, the fact is, Qiao Nan took care of Qiao Zijin more in their daily lives.
Qiao Zijin disliked her sister but she was used to Qiao Nan being nice to her. When faced with Qiao Nan’s indifferent attitude towards her, she was not able to adapt immediately.
Qiao Nan laughed and looked at Qiao Zi. “Why do you think I am angry with you?”