Chapter 38: Find a Job

Elder Lee might not be able to tell Qiao Zijin and Qiao Nan apart, after all, he had not watched them grow up.

But he still could tell the difference from the names.

He remembered two months ago Ding Jiayi asked him for a favor. It seemed to concern Qiao Zijin. Elder Lee shook his head while smiling. It was not difficult for Lee family and Zhu family to find someone to coach Baoguo in his studies. They had no problem at all hiring an accomplished teacher for him.

But it was just that Baoguo was very stubborn. Even if there were good teachers to teach him, he might not be willing to learn.

Since Qiao Nan was desk mates with Baoguo, she could check on him and look after him while they were in school. Besides, how could Qiao Zijin’s results be comparable to Qiao Nan’s results?

No matter what, Qiao Nan was the best candidate.

“Of course, that’s not a problem at all.” Qiao Dongliang patted his thigh and agreed readily. “It just so happens that Nan Nan has been revising her secondary one and two knowledge. She would have no trouble coaching Baoguo. The two of them can even supervise each other and help each other along the way.”

It was such a rare opportunity for Qiao Dongliang. Not only could he mend his relationship with Elder Lee, he could also repay his debt of gratitude.

“Then it’s settled. Xiao Qiao, if any problem arises in the future, you can still come to me for help. If it is beyond my limits, Zhu family will also try to come up with a way to help.” Elder Lee patted Qiao Dongliang on his shoulders.

Actually, the Zhu family should be the ones to visit Qiao family.

There were two reasons why Elder Lee came instead. Firstly, Elder Lee was acquaintances with Qiao family. Besides, Elder Lee was the one who guided Qiao Dongliang.

Secondly, the Zhu family was still in shock. They had been keeping vigil by Zhu Baoguo’s side. Hence they would have to trouble Elder Lee to make the trip.

Qiao Dongliang had a puzzled look on his face. What did Uncle Lee mean when he said that he could still go to Elder Lee if he ran into troubles? He had never asked for his help in the past.

Qiao Dongliang was not the ungrateful sort. He was thankful for Elder Lee’s guidance and mentoring. He did not dream of asking favors from him. He always obeyed Elder Lee’s words. He could not possibly have asked him for help.

“Alright, it’s late, I better head back.” Looking at Qiao Dongliang’s puzzled look, Elder had an “as expected” look on his face.

Just as he expected, Xiao Qiao was so honest, there was no way that he could have asked him to do such a thing.

Qiao Dongliang did not understand. But Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin knew it instantly.

Ding Jiayi remembered that Qiao Dongliang had just blown his top over the passbook. If he was to know that not only had she spent all the savings on the elder daughter, she had also sought Elder Lee’s help to get Qiao Zijin into The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, he would be furious. Ding Jiayi shivered in fright at the thought of that.

Fortunately Elder Lee did not mention anything about helping Qiao Zijin to enrol in The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China. Ding Jiayi finally breathed a sigh of relief when he indicated that he was leaving.

“Uncle Lee, let me take you out.” Qiao Dongliang stood up and walked Elder Lee to the door before returning to the house. “Ding, what did Uncle Lee mean when he said that we could still ask him for help in future?”

Ding Jiayi raised her voice. “What... What other meaning other than the literal meaning? Uncle... Uncle Lee has forgiven us. He wants both of our families to keep in touch. We can also seek his help in the future. Nan Nan has saved his only grandson, he would definitely be thankful towards us.”

“Is that so?” Qiao Dongliang arched his eyebrows in suspicion. He still found it weird.

“If not, what could be the case?” Not wanting Qiao Dongliang to probe further, Ding Jiayi quickly changed the topic. “Old Qiao, is Qiao Nan really going to coach Zhu Baoguo? She is still in junior high school. You saw her results this time round. All her teachers said that she needs to work on her basic knowledge. If she was to tutor Zhu Baoguo, will she still have time for revision? Even if it was to repay Uncle Lee, you shouldn’t ask her to give up on her revision just to help Uncle Lee’s grandson.”

Qiao Zijin’s eyes brightened at her mother’s words.

“What do you want then?” Qiao Dongliang dropped his voice, anger in his eyes.

Ding Jiayi was way too happy to notice that. “I think the suggestion just now was pretty good. Zijin can do the coaching!”

It was such a good opportunity. How could she wasted such a chance on Qiao Nan? Zijin would naturally be the best choice!

If Zijin was on close terms with Zhu Baoguo and he acknowledged her as his sister, Zijin did not need to worry about her future anymore!

As expected, her beloved daughter had lady luck smiling on her!

“Nan Nan scored full marks for her English and she was not capable of teaching Zhu Baoguo. Yet Zijin who paid money to get into The High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China could teach Zhu Baoguo?” Qiao Dongliang snorted. He did not mean to look down on his elder daughter. Ding Jiayi had let her imagination run wild. “You heard Uncle Lee’s words just now, even if Zijin is willing to teach, Uncle Lee would not allow it. That’s it, stop messing around. You should consider Zijin’s feelings as well.”

Qiao Dongliang was reminded of Elder Lee’s immediate rejection of Qiao Zijin’s suggestion just now. He shook his head and said, “Zijin, don’t follow after your Mom.”

Qiao Dongliang thought to himself, if he was his elder daughter, upon hearing what Uncle Lee said, he would be so ashamed of himself.

He had to admit, Qiao Zijin truly followed after him.

When Uncle Lee said that he would like Qiao Nan to coach his grandson instead, he saw Qiao Zijin’s face turn red with embarrassment.

But the benefits that came with tutoring Zhu Baoguo were too good to be missed. Even if she had been rejected once by Uncle Lee, Qiao Zijin still hoped that she would be able to take on this tutoring work, and Qiao Nan would not stand to gain at all.

On account of the fact that she saved Zhu Baoguo’s life, the Lee family and Zhu family would definitely help Qiao Nan if she needed help in future.

They were siblings, this time she should give up the chance for her. Qiao Nan should not be the one to have the upper hand at all times.

“Nan Nan, it was such a serious matter. You should have told us earlier and we would not have had the misunderstanding. If you had told us earlier, I would not have believed the rumors.” Qiao Zijin said cynically.

Qiao Nan laughed.

Let Qiao Zijin know everything beforehand?

If she told her beforehand, Qiao Zijin might have pretended to be her and taken all the credit.

Besides, as she had said, she did not know the identity of the person she saved.

“Dad, now that we no longer have any savings, why not?” Qiao Nan walked up to Qiao Dongliang’s side and asked worriedly.

Qiao Nan did not want to create trouble. But Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin kept on messing with her. In this lifetime Qiao Nan was no longer the good-tempered girl that she used to be.

“No need!” Qiao Dongliang grew mad at the mention of that. “If there isn’t enough money at home, it would not be your turn to earn money. Old Ding, our two daughters are in school now. They rarely spend time at home. From tomorrow onwards, you should look for a job. Regardless of how much you earn, you should make a monthly contribution as well.”

“You... You are asking me to work at such an age?” Ding Jiayi was stunned.

“Such an age? How old are you? I am much older than you and I am still working. Unless you are able to cover the loss, you have to find a job.”