While Qiao Dongliang was talking to Qiao Nan, Qiao Zijin was beside Ding Jiayi and they were leaning on each other’s heads. Qiao Zijin said, “Mom, school will re-open in three days, where are my tuition fees?”
Ding Jiayi’s expression turned dark, she could not answer Qiao Zijin at that instance.
“Mom, it’s been so long, Dad has not softened his attitude towards you?” Qiao Zijin knitted her brows and asked doubtfully. “I don’t think I’ve seen you talking to Dad recently, Dad has not admitted his mistake and apologized to you? Then what about my tuition fees?”
At the beginning of the year, as she was at loggerheads with Qiao Dongliang and did not want to lose her face before Qiao Zijin, she spent almost half the money that was meant to be used frugally as living expenses.
In the end, Qiao Zijin not only bought the bracelet that she liked, but also a set of new clothes.
They went out everyday, watching some movies and eating at restaurants. All these required spending.
As one could imagine, Ding Jiayi did not have much money left in her pocket.
Not to mention Qiao Zijin’s tuition fees for this semester, she could not even afford one month of living expenses for Qiao Zijin.
“Mom?” Seeing her mother’s expression, Qiao Zijin was in trepidation. “Mom, Dad has not pleaded mercy to you? But school is reopening soon, what will happen to my school fees? Although I may not go to College but I need to graduate from high school!”
If she could not graduate from high school, she would not be able to face anyone.
“You, you don’t be anxious, I will settle this matter for you. I will ensure that you have money for schooling.” Ding Jiayi’s face turned pale and comforted Qiao Zijin again and again.
“Mom, I don’t care, no matter what, you have to find a way to raise my tuition fees. I am going to school one day earlier before it reopens so that I can sun my blanket in the hostel. So, Mom, by the day after tomorrow, you must pass me the tuition fees and living expenses.”
Qiao Zijin directly gave Ding Jiayi an ultimatum. She did not care if her words would cause Ding Jiayi to feel troubled. Neither did she care if it was possible for Ding Jiayi to raise the money. Having finished her words, Qiao Zijin walked away like a queen.
Ding Jiayi’s pale face twisted slightly, she rubbed her face with her palms that were rough. “Money money money, how am I going to find the money in such a short time.”
When Ding Jiayi looked up, Qiao Dongliang was just coming out of Qiao Nan’s bedroom.
Ding Jiayi’s eyes shone, she quietly followed Qiao Dongliang and returned to the couple’s room.
After returning to the bedroom, Ding Jiayi sat beside Qiao Dongliang without saying a word, then she stared straight at Qiao Dongliang.
Qiao Dongliang knitted his brow. He moved away and changed his position. Ding Jiayi kept quiet and followed and stuck to Qiao Dongliang wherever he moved to.
“What are you doing!” Qiao Dongliang was annoyed. He wanted to raise his voice but he controlled himself eventually.
“School is starting soon. It’s time to pay Zijin’s tuition fees.”
“Then you can pass the money to Zijin.” Qiao Dongliang sneered. He already found Old Ding’s current behavior odd. For the past few days, they were having a cold war and Old Ding was giving him the cold shoulder, but she pestered him today. True enough, when she opened her mouth, it was for the sake of money again!
“I don’t have money!” Ding Jiayi was anxious. If she had money, she would have already given it to Zijin. She could not wait to give all that she had to Zijin.
However, she was a mother who was not capable. She could not earn big bucks and could only let Zijin suffer with her.
“Who can you blame for not having money? I did not take a single cent of your salary.” Qiao Dongliang sneered. “This matter, you have to resolve it yourself. Do I need to remind you about what you did during the beginning of the year? You don’t have money. No, you are rich!”
“I spent it all.”
“Don’t look for me after you spent all your money. Zijin’s tuition fees and living expense, you have to find a way to settle them yourself. I have already told you this a long time ago, not just today. No money, who can you blame!” Having said that, Qiao Dongliang steered away from Ding Jiayi.
Ding Jiayi took a deep breath. She was keeping quiet again. Just like what she did a while ago, she stuck closely to Qiao Dongliang, and then stared straight at him till he felt uneasy all over. She wanted Qiao Dongliang to relent and take out his money.
Qiao Dongliang tolerated again and again, his expression was worse than Ding Jiayi.
In the end, Qiao Dongliang simply took out a book to read.
When it was almost eight o’clock, Qiao Dongliang boiled some hot water, washed his face and feet and removed his shoes and clothing before he took himself to bed. Ding Jiayi could watch him for as long as she liked. Anyway, he would not know anything after he fall asleep.
Who knew, Qiao Dongliang was really too naive.
Qiao Dongliang was lying down. Before he even warm his blanket and was dozing off, Ding Jiayi, who was lying beside him, reached out her hand and gave him a hard push. Qiao Dongliang was awakened suddenly. “What are you doing?”
“I can’t pay Zijin’s tuition fees. Is she still continuing her studies?”
“That’s up to you all, don’t ask me!”
“If this matter is not resolved, I can’t sleep. If I can’t sleep, I need someone to chat with me, you need to accompany me. Old Qiao, can you help me think of a way. Zijin will be going back to school the day after tomorrow.” Ding Jiayi said with persistence. She even purposely reached out to push Qiao Dongliang one more time. “Don’t sleep, please.”
“What the hell do you want?” After being awakened by Ding Jiayi a few times, Qiao Dongliang was furious.
Fortunately Qiao Nan was sleeping. If Qiao Nan saw what was happening, she would sigh and agree that Qiao Zijin was definitely Ding Jiayi’s daughter. Both mother and daughter’s pestering skills and behavior were one of a kind.
“I don’t wish to do anything.”
Qiao Dongliang narrowed his eyes and gave Ding Jiayi a sinister look. “You…. you are really.”
Qiao Dongliang really wanted to scold Ding Jiayi. They had agreed long before that they will take in hand one daughter each. But now, after Ding Jiayi had spent all her money at the beginning of the year, she wanted him to tidy up the mess. Wishful thinking!”
Ding Jiayi’s eyes flashed with complacency. She said before that she did not believe she could not subdue Old Qiao.
Before Ding Jiayi could smile, Qiao Dongliang suddenly got up from the bed with a stomach full of fury. Ding Jiayi panicked and also sat up. “What are you doing?”
“What am I doing?” Qiao Dongliang stopped what he was doing and looked at Ding Jiayi with sarcasm. “I’m letting you have the place.”
Having said that, Qiao Dongliang rolled up his blanket and pillow, and then left for the study room with them.
The study room was small. It was good and cozy for one person.
Once Qiao Dongliang left, Ding Jiayi was so scared that she got up from the bed. She hurriedly put on a coat and chased out.
When she caught up with Qiao Dongliang, Qiao Dongliang was already inside the study room. He also conveniently locked the door.
After confirming that Ding Jiayi could not come in, Qiao Dongliang wrapped himself with a blanket and leaned against the study table. He buried his head into the blanket so that he would not be disturbed by Ding Jiayi again.