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

Chapter 227 Don't be too obvious

She glanced at it critically, then scoffed, "Only now you're trying to work hard? What were you doing all this time? You're graduating next year anyway, so all your hard work will be for nothing. You might as well think about your wedding."

Xue Lingxue no longer exploded at the slightest provocation, but instead ignored Zhang Jingxuan and focused all her attention on her books.

Zhang Jingxuan's provocation was like punching cotton; it not only had no effect but also looked ridiculous.

He chuckled twice, then simply sat down and waited patiently. He refused to believe that Xue Lingxue had truly become enlightened and knew how to improve herself; she was definitely faking it!

With that in mind, he sat there for an hour, even having coffee and desserts brought over.

As a result, Xue Lingxue remained completely unresponsive, just like an old monk in deep meditation.

Zhang Jingxuan slammed his coffee cup down in anger, the sudden sound startling Xue Lingxue. She turned around abruptly, frowning in disgust. "Why are you still in my house? Are you bored? Don't you know time is money? If you have nothing to do, go do what you're supposed to do and don't disturb my studies. This is ridiculous!"

Zhang Jingxuan pointed at himself in disbelief, furious. Before he could lash out, Xue Lingxue turned around and continued reading and taking notes.

The two argued all morning, which ended with Zhang Jingxuan storming out in a fit of anger.

This was the first time she had gained the upper hand in front of Zhang Jingxuan, and she was so happy that she jumped and danced in the apartment. When Chen Xinyue returned, she couldn't wait to share the good news with her.

Chen Xinyue was also happy for her sister's victory.

Summer vacation arrived in the blink of an eye.

Chen Ruiyu and Qu Zhiyang arrived as promised.

The two brought a lot of luggage this time, and it seems they are determined to stay in the UK for a while.

Chen Xinyue rented an apartment for them well in advance and took Xue Lingxue to the airport to pick them up.

The four were overjoyed to be reunited after so long.

Qu Zhiyang kept making exaggerated jokes throughout the journey, making Chen Xinyue and Xue Lingxue laugh out loud.

Xue Lingxue and Qu Zhiyang joked and teased each other as before.

After the four arrived at the apartment, Chen Xinyue and Xue Lingxue helped them settle in and decided to have a meal together at Chen Ruiyu and Qu Zhiyang's apartment.

During the meal, Chen Xinyue stood up for Xue Lingxue and recounted in detail how that bastard Zhang Jingxuan had suppressed Xue Lingxue.

Qu Zhiyang was furious. He glared at Xue Lingxue with exasperation, "You used to be the local bully when you were a kid. Even I couldn't beat you. When did you turn from a tyrant into a parasitic vine? So useless!"

Xue Lingxue kicked Qu Zhiyang hard, both ashamed and angry, "What nonsense are you talking about! When did I hit you?"

"You still say you didn't? In third grade, I was playing with a boy from the same compound. I just accidentally threw a stone at you! You chased me around the compound three times, and I still managed to catch you. You even scratched my face."

"Hahaha!" Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue burst into laughter.

Xue Lingxue was so angry that she pinched Qu Zhiyang's arm hard. "You big mouth, you deserve a beating!"

"Look, look, oh no, no, good brother, hurry up and save me!" Qu Zhiyang exaggeratedly jumped up and hid between Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue.

Xue Lingxue chased after him, and Chen Ruiyu quickly pushed Qu Zhiyang away, saying, "Your mouth really deserves a beating. Apologize quickly, or even your brothers can't protect you."

"Ah, forgetting friends for the sake of beauty!" Qu Zhiyang wailed even louder. Chen Xinyue also took the opportunity to push him.

Qu Zhiyang was thrown out, and Xue Lingxue grabbed him by the collar.

His face fell. "Xin Yue, I've been so good to you, and you still bully me! I don't want to live anymore!"

The four of them laughed and joked around, as if they had rediscovered the beautiful memories of their youth.

Over the next few days, Chen Xinyue and Xue Lingxue acted as local guides, taking Chen Ruiyu and Qu Zhiyang around to play, completely forgetting about Zhang Jingxuan.

Zhang Jingxuan missed her twice, and only after asking Xue Lingxue's neighbors did he learn that she had been seen going in and out with two boys recently.

He felt as if he had caught Xue Lingxue in a compromising situation, so he decided not to leave and wait to catch them in the act.

Zhang Jingxuan, who was about to make trouble after finally getting Xue Lingxue's approval upon her return, froze upon seeing Qu Zhiyang's familiar face. He squinted at Qu Zhiyang and said to Xue Lingxue, "Aren't you going to introduce him?"

Xue Lingxue's face had darkened, but in front of Chen Ruiyu, she suppressed her anger and forced a smile, saying, "This is Xinyue's brother, he is Qu Zhiyang."

Zhang Jingxuan ignored Chen Ruiyu, muttering repeatedly, "Qu? The Qu family?"

Qu Zhiyang stepped forward and politely extended his hand, "Hello, I'm Lingxue's childhood friend. Our families are old friends, and we grew up together. I specially flew from the United States to visit her during this holiday. Who are you? What's your name?"

Zhang Jingxuan glanced at Xue Lingxue casually. "Didn't you tell your childhood friend that we're getting married in a year, and your friend is my friend too?"

"Hello, let me formally introduce myself. My name is Zhang Jingxuan, and my father is the chairman of the Zhang Group."

Zhang Jingxuan expressed his friendliness to Qu Zhiyang, and then said, "It's rare for you to come to England. I know this place better than Lingxue. I can show you around."

Qu Zhiyang decisively refused, "No need for that trouble. We've been playing around for almost a month now, and we've been studying in the school library lately. If Mr. Zhang is interested, we can join in."

Zhang Jingxuan then noticed that each of them was holding a book, and chuckled, "Oh, I see. Since you're studying, I won't disturb you any longer. Lingxue, I'll come see you another day."

The four watched Zhang Jingxuan leave until they saw him drive away.

Qu Zhiyang's face fell. "I thought you guys were exaggerating, but now it seems this guy is a real scoundrel!"

Chen Ruiyu frowned. "He's too obviously eager for quick success. If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have acted so gentlemanly and hypocritically just now."

Qu Zhiyang knew that Chen Ruiyu was always kind to people and would not easily speak ill of others, so it was quite a feat for him to speak ill of Zhang Jingxuan like that.

After they finished complaining, they both looked at Xue Lingxue with concern.

After thinking for a moment, Qu Zhiyang followed Xue Lingxue into her apartment and used her phone to contact Xue's mother.

"You brat, you still remember to call me! What did you mean by hanging up on me last time when you threw a tantrum like a spoiled princess? If your father and I weren't so busy lately, I would have flown over and given you a good talking to. You troublesome thing!" Xue's mother's scolding left Qu Zhiyang completely bewildered.

Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue both frowned uncomfortably.

Qu Zhiyang cleared his throat and called out, "Auntie, I'm Qu Zhiyang."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line before Xue's mother's shocked and embarrassed voice came through, "Zhiyang! It's you? I thought it was Lingxue. I'm so sorry! You don't know, Lingxue has been very rebellious ever since she went abroad to study. If it weren't for her fiancé keeping an eye on her, who knows what kind of trouble she would have gotten into!"

Last time she went skiing without permission and broke her leg. It scared my dad and me half to death! A few months ago, I called her and said a few words to her, and she got upset and hung up on me. Could you please talk to her for me? I don't know why she's so rebellious at her age!