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

The group felt a wave of suffocation and finally understood why Xue Lingxue had broken down.

Qu Zhiyang suppressed his anger and said seriously, "Auntie, I've been here for a month now. Lingxue is great. She's been studying hard all month and takes me to the school library every day. We stay there for most of the day. She's ambitious, self-disciplined, and not rebellious at all. I still have to learn from her!"

It's because she's always engrossed in her book, taking it everywhere, that I got so bored, which is why I called to complain to you! I didn't expect you to start complaining to me first, haha.
As for her fiancé, is that Mr. Zhang? I only met him once in the month I've been here. I invited him to study with us, but he refused. He said that studying wouldn't help Lingxue and he didn't really support her working hard. We just don't get along.

Oh, by the way, Lingxue has been working so hard this month, she's even lost weight. That Mr. Zhang hasn't seen her in so long and hasn't even said a word of concern. When they do meet, all he does is complain about her. If I hadn't come here and run into him, I wouldn't even know he's Lingxue's fiancé.

Qu Zhiyang's words were clearly completely different from what Xue's mother knew. For a moment, Xue's mother didn't know how to respond, so she could only say, "Give the phone to Lingxue, and I'll talk to her."

"Oh." Qu Zhiyang was about to hand over the microphone.

Xue Lingxue said loudly, "Just say what you want to say directly. I still need to study and prepare for the certification exam when school starts. I don't want my mood to be affected by others. Also, while we can still talk calmly, let me explain. I came to England to study, not to stay here for some trash. I have my own things to do. If that Zhang can't find me, he can just make up stories about me and spread rumors about me. I don't know what you're thinking, preferring to believe that kind of trash rather than your own daughter."

"Isn't it normal for me to hang up on you? Why should I be falsely accused and wronged without any reason? It's ridiculous! If studying hard is wrong, why did you send me abroad to study?"

Speechless after being rebuked, Xue's mother was so angry that her heart ached. However, with Qu Zhiyang present, and because the Xue Lingxue she heard from Zhang Jingxuan and Qu Zhiyang was completely different, she was also worried that she might really misunderstand her daughter. So she could only grit her teeth and swallow her anger, and hung up impatiently after saying a few words of concern.

A brief silence fell over the apartment. Even Qu Zhiyang, who was usually good at creating a lively atmosphere, lost his playful mood. He just sighed heavily and patted Xue Lingxue on the shoulder, saying, "If you're feeling down in the future, just call us. We can't change your situation, but we can stand by you."

Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue both nodded emphatically.

"Thank you!" Xue Lingxue said, her eyes brimming with tears of gratitude.

For the next few days, they didn't go out much; they either stayed in the apartment to study or went to the library.

Zhang Jingxuan started visiting more frequently because of Qu Zhiyang, but every time he came, he saw the four of them studying intently. From their discussions and debates, he could tell that the four of them were genuinely studying and not putting on an act for him.

This greatly displeased Zhang Jingxuan, who wanted to befriend Qu Zhiyang. Moreover, seeing that Xue Lingxue's spirits had visibly improved, Zhang Jingxuan became even more unhappy and called Xue's mother to complain.

"Auntie, did you know that Lingxue's friend is in England?"

"I know, what's wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I just wanted to show them around and treat them well since they've come all this way. But Lingxue doesn't share that idea and hasn't gone out. I haven't had a chance to talk to them about it. Why don't you talk to Lingxue about it?"

Madam Xue frowned and asked, "What are they doing?"

Zhang Jingxuan gave a vague laugh and said, "They didn't do anything. I just saw them reading books; it seemed pretty boring."

For the first time, Xue's mother interrupted him with dissatisfaction, "Jingxuan, Lingxue is going to study in England. They are all students. What are they going to do if they don't study? It's rare that they are so ambitious. You should support them. If you can't find Lingxue in the future, don't make a fuss. Just call her at night to ask. She's either at school or at home. She won't run away."

Zhang Jingxuan was somewhat taken aback, but quickly recovered. Embarrassed and ashamed, his face flushed red, and he could only grit his teeth and agree.

After hanging up the phone, he immediately smashed the things on the table, his expression twisted and gloomy with anger. However, no matter how dissatisfied Zhang Jingxuan was, he really couldn't do anything about Xue Lingxue without her mother's cooperation.

Summer vacation is coming to an end in the blink of an eye.

Amidst the reluctant gazes of Chen Xinyue and Xue Lingxue, Chen Ruiyu and Qu Zhiyang boarded a plane bound for the United States.

It was through these victories against Zhang Jingxuan that Chen Xinyue found her rhythm.

I truly dedicated myself to my studies, making a regular phone call to the US every week.

Sometimes Qu Zhiyang would answer the phone, and sometimes Chen Ruiyu would answer. Regardless of which one of them it would be, they would chat with Xue Lingxue for about twenty minutes.

Those twenty minutes are enough for her to last another week.

This also gave her enough courage to face Zhang Jingxuan's suppression and verbal attacks.

After a while, Zhang Jingxuan realized that Xue Lingxue had changed. Her previous verbal provocations no longer had any effect on her. Gradually, his attitude became more and more indifferent. He used to come every ten days, but now sometimes he might not come even once a month.

His dislike for Xue Lingxue was very obvious.

When Xue's mother called to ask, he said he was busy with work. Xue Lingxue was focused on her studies and didn't want to bother her too much, so he returned the favor to what his mother had said earlier.

Mother Xue was quite unhappy after being rebuffed by him.

After hanging up the phone, she went to complain to Zhou's father, "I don't know what's going on with Jingxuan and Lingxue. When I called Jingxuan before, he was quite respectful to me, but his attitude has been much colder the last two times. When I asked him about Lingxue's situation, he said he didn't know, or that he was too busy with work to go over. They were all excuses."

Why wasn't my work busy for so many years before?

A thoughtful look flashed across Xue's father's serious face. "You didn't contact Lingxue on your own initiative?"

Xue's mother felt a little guilty. "I do want to contact her, but every time I call, she's very perfunctory. She either says she's too tired to sleep or that she's not available. Caifeng knows more about her situation than I do!"

Mr. Xue was clearly surprised. "How did the Qu family know about our daughter's situation? Could it be that Zhiyang is also studying in England?"

Mother Xue shook her head. "He's in America. Caifeng means that the two children get along well and call each other every week. Sometimes when Lingxue has academic problems, she will also talk to Zhiyang. Caifeng often contacts Zhiyang and they talk about our daughter."

At the banquet a few days ago, Caifeng brought it up herself, and I couldn't respond. Your daughter is clearly still throwing a tantrum; she'd rather tell her friends than her family about anything."

"No, no, no," Mr. Xue interrupted Mrs. Xue's complaint. "Don't you find it strange?"

"What?" Madam Xue hadn't even reacted yet. (End of Chapter)