“I trust the authorities more than a jackal couple like you two.”
Zhang Qiming was silent for a moment, probably adjusting his emotions. Sure enough, after a while, Xia Mian heard him sigh and say, “Xia Mian, I know you are angry, but don’t make fun of your own future.”
“I know exactly how important it is to attend a good university. Look, your brother-in-law is a living example.”
“Look at Aunt Liu’s son. He’s the same age as me and went to a good university. He started in an office position as soon as he joined and is already the head of the purchasing department in just a few years.”
“There are many people of the same age as him in the factory, but because their education isn’t as good, their promotions are far behind him. He’s making nearly a thousand a month now!”
“Your brother-in-law really didn’t expect Huang Xiaojuan to go this far; I trusted her too much before.”
“Such a thing will absolutely not happen again. I promise! If she dares to bully you again, I’ll divorce her!”
Perhaps afraid that Xia Mian would say something that would make his blood pressure soar again, Zhang Qiming didn’t give her a chance to speak. “This time, I’m not siding with her.”
He rushed, “The main issue is that if she goes to prison, our whole family will be shamed, and I might even lose my job.”
“If it really comes to that, I won’t be able to take care of Xiao Feng, you, and Xuanxuan.”
“Your Brother-in-law is begging you here. I’m really counting on you to get into a good school to help Xiao Feng later!”
Zhang Qiming’s words were full of sincerity, each time hitting the nail on the head, but unfortunately, Xia Mian was not an ignorant, naive girl who knew nothing about the world. She flatly told him: “I don’t care. I’m afraid of you guys now and don’t plan to rely on anyone. I’d rather work than study if that’s what it takes to put Xiao Feng through university.”
“After all, Huang Xiaojuan is so vicious, it’s better she stays in prison. Whether it shames us or not, I’m not part of your family, so why should it matter to me?”
Zhang Qiming had said so much, yet Xia Mian remained unyielding, leaving him fuming inside, almost gasping for air. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he said again, “Xia Mian, you’ve called me brother-in-law for so many years. Do you really have the heart to see me so ashamed that I can’t even lift my head? I believe you’re not that heartless.”
“You’re wrong, I am heartless,” Xia Mian replied. “So I can’t deal with your family’s trouble. I’m already managing enough on my own.”
Zhang Qiming was finally provoked, his tone sinking as he spoke more harshly, “Xia Mian, don’t forget, Xiao Feng is my son. Taking him away without a word counts as abduction!”
Xia Mian immediately played the victim, “So, you’re threatening me now? All that talk about doing what’s best for me was just a lie…”
Zhang Qiming’s knuckles whitened as he gripped the phone. Good words fell on deaf ears, harsh words couldn’t be spoken, promises weren’t believed, and now he was being accused unfairly. He had no idea Xia Mian could be so difficult!
But he could only continue to appease her.
“I’m sorry, Xia Mian. I was just too anxious,” Zhang Qiming’s voice cracked. “But Xiao Feng is my son. I want him to have a better education. You’re being irresponsible by doing this!”
“Is ignoring his abuse being responsible?” Xia Mian was about to let it go, but this comment angered her again, “I’m afraid he won’t live to see that day of education if he remains in your house!”
“I’ve told you, that won’t happen!” Zhang Qiming, as if triggered, suddenly raised his voice before quickly lowering it, “Can you trust your brother-in-law one more time? If there’s one more incident, I won’t trouble you again!”
Xia Mian felt it was enough, “Okay, I’ll trust you one more time, but you have to write a guarantee. If any of you abuse Xiao Feng again, you must transfer his household registration back to the Xia family!”
Zhang Qiming readily agreed, “Sure! No problem. I trusted Huang Xiaojuan too much before, but I promise it will never happen again.”
“Alright.” Xia Mian ended the call.
“What does he want?” Her eldest uncle asked.
“Huang Xiaojuan stole my passbook and got caught when withdrawing money,” Xia Mian chuckled, “Now he’s contacting me to take me and Xiao Feng back.”
“What?!” Xia Chuan exclaimed, “What happened?”
Xia Mian explained how Huang Xiaojuan had deceived her about the passbook.
Eldest Uncle Xia was angry, “You girl, such a big thing happened, why didn’t you say anything earlier?!”
“I didn’t want to worry you,” Xia Mian replied cheerfully. “It’s all resolved now!”
Eldest Uncle Xia sighed, “It seems your generation really can count on you, Mianmian.
“What do you plan to do next?” Xia Chuan was also greatly admiring his cousin, who suddenly became so amazing despite her younger age.
“They have done too much. Now that they need us, they should show enough sincerity,” Xia Mian said. “Unless Zhang Qiming comes to pick us up, we definitely won’t go.”
“Wait for him to come to the door, then it’s time for Second Uncle to take action!”
“What can he do?” Xia Chuan asked excitedly.
“Help us obtain Xiao Feng’s custody, of course.” Xia Mian chuckled. “Given Zhang Qiming’s financial capability, the child support would be at least fifty a month until Xiao Feng turns eighteen.”
Xia Chuan roared with laughter, “This task is perfect for Second Uncle. He definitely will not stop until he succeeds.”
Xia Hai also laughed, “Never thought that one day Uncle Chengyao could actually be of some use.”
Eldest Uncle Xia frowned, “Are you asking for a beating, boys? Dare to mock your uncle.”
Xia Hai made a face at Xia Chuan, unconcerned.
Xia Mian also laughed. She had personally tested Second Uncle Xia’s combat ability and could attest to it.
She had always said, those who wanted to bully her would have to pay a price. Second Uncle Xia might as well be the interest sent to Zhang Qiming.
…
After hanging up the phone, Zhang Qiming stayed calm for a while, but when he saw the empty TV cabinet, anger burst out, and he kicked the cabinet hard. The excruciating pain finally made him somewhat cool down.
He then picked up the phone again and dialed a few times until it got through.
“Brother Long, it’s me.” Zhang Qiming said with a smile, “About that favor I asked you for before…”
The person on the other end seemed to finally realize who was calling and immediately cursed, “Fu*k you, surname Zhang! we didn’t bother you out of respect for Brother Gao, and you dare to contact us?”
“I’m telling you, don’t involve us in your affairs anymore!”
Zhang Qiming’s face turned sour. They clearly hadn’t really done anything to Xia Mian, even though he had paid them so much money!
What on earth had Xia Mian done?
Zhang Qiming’s tone became ingratiating, “I bothered you once, I should at least treat you to a meal, when do you and Brother Hu have time…”
The person on the other end seemed to have hit a nerve and suddenly became agitated, “No need, absolutely not! Just don’t contact us anymore, otherwise, I will make sure your whole family never has a peaceful time!”
The phone was forcefully hung up, but the voice in the end was filled with a terrifying dread as if the speaker were desperately avoiding something horrific. What on earth had Xia Mian done?!
However, Zhang Qiming didn’t have much time to investigate. He only had two days off after his business trip.
Because of this incident, the director, already displeased with Zhang Qiming before he volunteered for the challenging business trip, became even more annoyed with him. So Zhang Qiming didn’t dare ask for more leave and had to rush to sort out his family affairs.
Little did he know that this was the easiest part, as Xia Mian had already set up Second Uncle Xia and was just waiting for him to arrive.
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