Back to 1984: Earning Money, Raising Kids, and Keeping the Household Busy

Chapter 226 Unraveling

Zhang Jingxuan paused, then said casually, "I heard Lingxue call her Xinyue, but I don't know her surname. She's quite strange. She doesn't live on campus; she rents an apartment in Lingxue's apartment. They're neighbors. Logically, someone who can afford to rent there should come from a well-off family, but I heard that the girl works part-time to support herself."

It's obvious that her living expenses aren't enough to support that kind of lifestyle. I suspect she's staying there to get close to Lingxue, and has ulterior motives.

Although Xue's mother was angry, she still didn't believe that her carefully raised daughter was such a brainless fool. Suppressing her anger, she pressed on, "Jingxuan, how did you know her friend was doing a part-time job?"

Zhang Jingxuan paused for a moment, then politely explained, "Auntie, Lingxue has been intentionally or unintentionally distancing herself from me lately. I've come to her apartment to look for her several times, but I haven't seen her. I asked her neighbor about Lingxue's recent situation, and that's how I found out."

It's also my fault. If I had known her friend might have problems, I should have investigated beforehand and warned Lingxue. Now Lingxue has a lot of complaints about me; she gives me the cold shoulder after only a few words and won't listen to anything I say. I had no choice but to ask my aunt for help.

“Okay, I understand. Jingxuan, you’re a few years older than Lingxue and more mature and sensible. She’s been spoiled by us since she was little, and she does have a bad temper. I’ll call her later and have a good talk with her. I’ll ask you to work hard for another year. We’ve discussed it with your parents and we’ve decided to let you get married next September. Once she’s married, she’ll behave herself. Right now, we’ll have to ask you to be more tolerant of her. Your uncle and I are quite busy these days, so we won’t be able to come over.”

Zhang Jingxuan was very dissatisfied with Xue's mother's nonchalant attitude, but he not only did not show it, but also agreed very cooperatively and made a guarantee.

Mrs. Xue was satisfied and then hung up the phone.

When Zhang Jingxuan heard the dial tone, his face darkened, and his gloomy eyes were filled with an intense and unyielding ferocity. He was so angry that he wanted to kill someone, but he still held back and only crushed the pen in his hand.

That evening, just as Xue Lingxue was getting ready for bed, she received a call from her mother.

Before she could even speak, Xue's mother angrily scolded, "Xue Lingxue, do you want to die?! I've told you to get along well with Jingxuan. You two are the ones who are going to spend your lives together. Why are you ruining your relationship because of someone unimportant? Is your brain filled with shit? You can't even understand such a simple and easy-to-understand principle."

Xue Lingxue's lips gradually pressed down. She took a deep breath and clenched her fists tightly. "Mom, is that Zhang guy talking badly about me to you again?"

"What 'Zhang'?! His name is Zhang Jingxuan! I'm telling you, you're coming back to China right after you graduate next year. The wedding is in September. If you dare cause any trouble, I'll skin you alive! You're getting more and more outrageous! Let me tell you, Jingxuan doesn't like your friend. Stay away from that girl from now on, you hear me?"

With a "snap," Xue Lingxue hung up the phone.

The phone rang again shortly after, and she was so annoyed that she simply unplugged the phone line, finally finding some peace and quiet.

After venting her anger, Xue Lingxue felt utterly desolate and collapsed onto the sofa, sobbing uncontrollably.

What can relieve sorrow? Only red wine.

Chen Xinyue then discovered that Xue Lingxue, whom she had finally managed to guide upwards, had fallen back into depravity, drinking heavily for several days in a row, appearing颓废 and lifeless.

Under her persistent questioning, Xue Lingxue finally revealed the truth about her family's pressure to get married.

"Zhang Jingxuan is a piece of trash. All he does is complain, complain, complain, and complain some more. I really don't know what my parents are thinking. They only have one daughter, yet they want me to marry this bastard for the sake of the family business! Ugh!"

Enraged, Xue Lingxue kicked over a wine bottle on the ground, her entire being acting erratically.

Chen Xinyue was terrified and instinctively picked up the phone next to her to contact Chen Ruiyu.

Chen Ruiyu was still asleep at the moment, and Qu Zhiyang answered the phone.

"Hello, who is it?"

Chen Xinyue's panicked voice came through, "I'm looking for Chen Ruiyu, this is Chen Xinyue."

Upon hearing the name, Qu Zhiyang instantly sobered up, his voice rising several octaves, "Xinyue, your brother is still sleeping, I'll go wake him." The frantic Chen Xinyue finally quieted down upon hearing the name "Chen Ruiyu."

Chen Xinyue clutched her wildly beating heart and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Yaya, what happened? Why are you calling me at this hour?" Chen Ruiyu's calm voice came through.

Xue Lingxue looked somewhat dazed.

Chen Xinyue looked at her and said, word by word, "Brother, Lingxue was in trouble just now. She's in a lot of pain right now, and I don't know how to comfort her. I was afraid something might happen to her, so I called you. How should I comfort her?"

"Lingxue is in trouble?" Qu Zhiyang, who was next to Chen Ruiyu, was obviously very surprised.

Chen Xinyue gritted her teeth and explained, "Lingxue's mother wants her to marry someone she doesn't like. I've met that person a few times, and I don't think he's a good person. Every time he comes, he drives Lingxue to the point of losing control of her emotions, and then he leaves as if nothing happened. He comes again next time and continues to provoke Lingxue."

I couldn't understand the other person's intentions. That person seemed to have the deep trust of Lingxue's parents. No matter what Lingxue said, they wouldn't listen to her and instead blamed her for being immature.

She completely snapped tonight, what should I do?

Chen Ruiyu and Qu Zhiyang exchanged a glance, their expressions unusually solemn.

Chen Ruiyu pondered for a moment and said, "Okay, you give the phone to Lingxue, and we'll tell her that the school will have a short holiday soon, and we'll go there then."

Chen Xinyue was secretly delighted, but said aloud, "Wouldn't that be inconvenient?"

"No, we still have quite a bit of free time," Qu Zhiyang said loudly and urgently.

Chen Xinyue quickly handed the microphone to Xue Lingxue.

The sound of sobbing could be heard.

Qu Zhiyang's voice also became serious, "Lingxue, you have always been a smart person. No matter how unfavorable your current situation is, you should not bow your head and admit defeat. You should know that your starting point is the end point that many people cannot reach in their entire lives."

The Lingxue I know is strong and rational. Cheer up.

Chen Ruiyu continued gently, "Do you still remember the four of us eating hamburgers and drinking cola in the park back then? I believe you have always been that optimistic and cheerful girl who would work hard to save money for a hamburger and cola, as bright and energetic as the sun."

Xue Lingxue's tears fell silently, wetting the microphone.

Seeing her like this, Chen Xinyue quickly took the phone, said a few more words, and then hung up after making an appointment with them.

A long silence fell over the room.

The two girls spent the night embracing each other.

After two days of adjustment, Xue Lingxue returned to normal. Perhaps it was because Chen Ruiyu and the others were coming to England soon that she had something to look forward to, and her mental state visibly improved.

When Zhang Jingxuan reappeared at the apartment, he saw Xue Lingxue, who was radiant and studying diligently, and his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.