Chapter 200 - Self-Reflection (1/2)

Chapter 200: Self-Reflection

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Nan Nan was obviously more sensible than Zijin. Whenever Zijin received new clothes, she would think of the type of new clothes to buy next. On the other hand, Nan Nan always spared a thought for the family.

To think that he used to consider Zijin more filial than Nan Nan, he wondered if any of the nerves in his brain had gone hay-wired back then.

Qiao Dongliang was fatherly and Qiao Na was filial. Qiao Zijin’s face turned black at the sight of this. It was as if the caring and sensible Qiao Nan was the only good daughter in the world, whereas she was the bad one. She felt that she had underestimated Qiao Nan all this while. Qiao Nan was better than her at currying favor and being goody-two-shoes.

She did not believe that Qiao Nan did it for the sake of the family when she refused to buy any more new clothes. If Qiao Nan did not bother, then why must she yield the two new dresses to her!

No matter how angry Qiao Zijin felt, she could only endure it at this moment.

In her bad mood, Qiao Zijin used too much strength and damaged some of the handiwork materials. Ding Jiayi’s heart ached at the sight of it. “Zijin, be more careful. Don’t use too much strength. We have to pay for damaged materials.”

The ten handiworks made by Zijin were not even enough to pay for one set of materials.

If Zijin continued to damage the items, she would be doing this work for nothing.

“!” Qiao Zijin glared as she stomached the anger. She wished that she could immediately throw away all the handiwork materials in her hands and stop working at once. However, at the thought of school reopening in no time, she dared not throw a fit. Although she was unhappy, she could only continue with the work abidingly.

It was only when Qiao Zijin made an effort to complete the handiwork did she realize how hard it had been on her mother last year when the latter worked until one or two o’clock in the wee hours every day to save up her tuition fees.

Four hours later, around ten o’clock at night, Qiao Zijin finally completed a few pieces of handiwork. Her waist felt so stiff that she could hardly straighten it, and her eyes were so dry that they were tearing.

Qiao Zijin, who had been pampered for eighteen years, could not endure the hard work. It was only half a day and she could barely tolerate it. “Mom, when I am older and step into society, I must find ways and means to earn a lot of money. Even if I can’t, I’ll find a husband that’s able to do so!”

“It’s not that easy.” Ding Jiayi sighed. “Furthermore, you don’t intend to study in college, right? Look at Qiao Nan. Her studies are good. Although she’s only a student, she’s able to earn money so easily now. When you graduate from high school, you’ll be considered lucky if you can find a stable job. Earning big bucks will be difficult.”

Qiao Zijin gritted her teeth. “Since it’s not good to be a high school graduate, I’ll be a college graduate, then. Mom, I have decided. I will continue with my studies. You’re right. Isn’t Dad so good to Qiao Nan because her grades are better than mine? I don’t believe I can’t surpa.s.s Qiao Nan in her studies if I study hard!”

In the past, she did not put any effort into her studies as she felt that the purpose of education was just to ‘package’ herself.

Nevertheless, if knowledge could change her future, there was no reason that she should not work hard for her own future.

“…” Seeing that Qiao Zijin was full of confidence, Ding Jiayi said after some thoughts, “Zijin, actually, you’re better than Qiao Zijin in many other ways. Learning requires a lot of efforts, so don’t be too hard on yourself.”

“Mom, what do you mean?” Qiao Zijin, who was already burning with anger, almost exploded when she heard Ding Jiayi’s words.

Was her mother saying that she was making things difficult for herself by studying hard and competing with Qiao Nan’s grades?