Chapter 22: The Ice Queen’s Fierce Love
Back at the Tao residence that evening, the housekeeper informed Tao Ning that numerous distant relatives had sent invitations, a common occurrence during holidays.
Tao Ning, without even looking at them, dismissed them all. “The head of the household is away. I’m just a minor; I can’t make any decisions.”
The housekeeper, following her instructions, then asked, “What about the Wu family…?”
Tao Ning replied, “Same. Even if they appeal to my mother, they’ll have to explain what they did.”
“Understood, Miss,” the housekeeper said, then left.
Tao Ning, alone in the spacious living room, heard a notification from her laptop. She opened her eyes and leaned in to look.
The message was from Zhou Tong, reporting that all the “players” were in position, and asking if Tao Ning wanted to attend the Nangong patriarch’s birthday banquet.
Tao Ning wasn’t interested. They were still just teenagers, their backers hadn’t made their moves yet. Attending would be a waste of time, just a bunch of veiled threats and posturing.
She closed the laptop, intending to go upstairs and get ready for bed, but her plans were thwarted by Lü Xinxi, who, seizing the opportunity, dragged her off to play video games.
Jin Yue was also present, admiring her freshly manicured nails, taking photos for her social media, the likes accumulating rapidly, a testament to her popularity.
She had rushed home after school, eager for her nail appointment, but she had already decided to remove them after the holiday. They made writing difficult.
After saying this, Jin Yue paused, then shook her head. “It’s official. I’ve become a study addict.”
Lü Xinxi, contemplating dyeing her hair back to its natural color – the upkeep was time-consuming – muttered, “Me too.”
Tao Ning, her back to them, expertly manipulating the game controller, smiled to herself.
Neither of them bothered asking about Tao Ning’s holiday plans anymore. They knew her answer: I’m going to the beach. The beach of knowledge.
After gaming until midnight, Tao Ning finally escaped and went home. She had spent the past two days with Xu Qiuyi, trying to discern the cause of her distraction, but everything seemed normal.
Her father was still absent, his disappearance a source of peace. Her mother was working as usual. Her sister was healthy and happy. Xu Qiuyi had even mentioned receiving her scholarship money.
Mingrui, despite its flaws, was efficient when it came to financial matters, having deposited the money into Guan Ruolin’s account just before the bank holiday.
520, seeing Tao Ning’s troubled expression, asked, [Any progress?]
Tao Ning’s face was serious. “I’ve made an observation.”
520, curious, asked, [What is it?]
Tao Ning replied, “Xu Qiuyi trusts me.”
520: […] Sometimes, you’re impossible.
The naive, innocent novice was gone, replaced by a scheming mastermind who enjoyed teasing her system. How long had it even been?
Tao Ning, resting her chin on her hand, looked out the window.
Her skin was fair, and simple clothes only accentuated her delicate features. Her usual nonchalant expression, however, often misinterpreted as aloofness or even disdain, masked the warmth in her eyes.
She tapped her fingers on the table, a rhythmic beat accompanying her thoughts.
The timing was right, according to the original timeline. But Xu Qiuyi had received her scholarship money, eliminating the need for a risky part-time job. There shouldn’t be any problems.
Xu Qiuyi returned with two ice cream cones, finding Tao Ning staring out the window, her gaze fixed on something. Xu Qiuyi followed her gaze.
A group of girls in frilly dresses, their petticoats creating a cupcake-like silhouette, giggled and chatted as they walked past.
Xu Qiuyi looked down at her own jeans and canvas shoes. Does she prefer that style? she wondered.
However, even after the girls had passed, Tao Ning continued to stare out the window, and Xu Qiuyi realized she was looking at a statue.
Tao Ning, oblivious to the potential misunderstanding her intense gaze might have caused, accepted the Oreo McFlurry, and they chatted while they ate.
After finishing, they parted ways. Tao Ning watched as Xu Qiuyi boarded the bus, then got into Uncle Liu’s car, which was waiting discreetly around the corner.
Uncle Liu didn’t understand his employer’s sudden desire to experience public transport, but he always ensured he was available to pick her up and drive her home.
The October air was still warm, but the bus’s air conditioning provided a welcome relief.
The bus wasn’t crowded, and Xu Qiuyi found a seat. As soon as she sat down, her phone buzzed.
She pulled it out and saw a message from Tao Ning.
[A. Ningning: Let me know when you get home.]
A tap on her shoulder startled her. Two girls, who had been whispering behind her, were now looking at her. One of them, a girl with short hair, said, “I love your jeans! Can you send me the link?”
Xu Qiuyi’s smile faded slightly. She turned to them. “I bought them years ago at a physical store. I don’t have a link.”
The girl started to say, “Then, can you…”
Xu Qiuyi had already turned back, her attention on her phone, typing a reply to Tao Ning.
Seeing her disinterest, the girl gave up, mouthing the words “rejected” to her friend.
Her friend patted her shoulder sympathetically.
A few stops later, Xu Qiuyi got off the bus and walked the familiar route home.
Xiao’an Village never changed. It had looked the same since her childhood, the same narrow alleyways, the same low-rise buildings, the occasional glimpse of the towering skyscrapers of the CBD peeking out from behind the rooftops.
The old woman on the first floor was sitting on her stool, sorting through her collection of cardboard boxes, a spray bottle filled with water beside her. She would spray the cardboard to increase its weight before selling it.
Seeing Xu Qiuyi approach, she shifted on her stool, coughed loudly, and spat on the ground, then ground it into the pavement with her shoe.
Xu Qiuyi’s conflict with the old woman wasn’t particularly deep-seated. The old woman used to brag about her grandson, constantly comparing him to Xu Qiuyi, fueling the boy’s arrogance and prompting him to target Xu Qiuyi.
He would pull her backpack, tug her hair, even try to scare her with insects. But Xu Qiuyi wasn’t easily intimidated.
Their rivalry escalated until one day, he threw a dead rat at her, triggering Zhichun’s asthma.
The entire neighborhood had then witnessed the usually quiet and reserved Xu Qiuyi chasing the boy through the alleyways with a rusty pipe she had grabbed from the old woman’s scrap pile, the terrified boy, his mouth bloody from two missing front teeth, screaming and crying.
The incident had created a rift between the two families.
What angered the old woman the most, however, was that her grandson, upon reaching puberty, had developed a crush on Xu Qiuyi, conveniently forgetting the pain of his lost teeth. The old woman, disgusted by his infatuation, had redirected her resentment towards Xu Qiuyi.
Xu Qiuyi, unfazed, walked past her, heading towards the stairs. The old woman, however, couldn’t resist a parting shot. “Looking for your father? He just got back. Seemed to be in a hurry.”
Xu Qiuyi’s expression changed slightly, and she quickened her pace.
The old woman smirked, pausing in her work, listening intently. A few moments later, she heard the familiar sounds of crashing and yelling.
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t desperate! I’m desperate, Ruolin! They said they’ll cut off my hand if I don’t pay!” Xu Zhihong wailed, his gaunt face streaked with tears.
Guan Ruolin’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I thought you were working construction! Where’s the money?”
Xu Zhihong’s gaze darted around. “The… the client hasn’t approved the work yet. They only gave me a small deposit. They haven’t paid the rest. Ruolin, please, help me. Just this once.”
“Just this once? How many ‘just this once’ have there been?” Guan Ruolin’s voice choked with tears. “Qiuyi and Zhichun are still young! What kind of father are you?!”
Xu Zhihong started crying too. “I’m doing this for you! For our family! I wouldn’t gamble if I didn’t want us to have a better life! Last time, I won twenty thousand! I gave you fifteen! I only kept five for myself! And the time before that, I gave you four and a half! I even bought Zhichun a learning tablet! I know Qiuyi doesn’t have a phone. I was planning to buy her one this time! But then… someone tricked me… I know I was wrong…”
Tears streamed down his face, his expression contorted with anguish. “I’m doing all of this for our family!”
Guan Ruolin’s voice was firm. “How many times have I bailed you out, Xu Zhihong? I’m not made of money! Ask your friends for help!”
Xu Zhihong continued to cry, almost collapsing at Guan Ruolin’s feet, but his trembling knees never quite touched the ground. “I’ve asked everyone! I’ve already borrowed most of it! They’ve been generous! I just need a little bit more! I wouldn’t come to you if I had any other choice! Ruolin…”
Guan Ruolin, her eyes closed, tears streaming down her face, remained silent.
Xu Zhihong grabbed her hands, his grip tight, his face filled with remorse. “Fine, don’t lend me the money. You’re right. But they said they’ll cut off my hand! I… I can’t come home after that. You’ll have to take care of our daughters on your own. Pretend I’m… dead.”
Guan Ruolin pulled her hands away, her voice breaking. “You’re doing it again! What do you want from me?!”
She pounded his shoulders, her voice filled with pain and frustration. “Why can’t you just stop gambling?!”
Xu Zhihong didn’t resist, standing there and taking her blows.
Outside the door, a figure leaned against the wall, her eyes closed, her expression revealing she had already anticipated this outcome.
Even if she intervened, she would only be met with, “Do you want to see your father die?” “He promised he’ll change.” “Give Dad another chance.” “You’re all ganging up on me! What am I supposed to do?”
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Guan Ruolin, still crying, walked slowly down the stairs, oblivious to the figure standing in the shadows.
Xu Qiuyi stepped inside, finding her mother cleaning up the mess, her eyes red and swollen. “Qiuyi, you’re home. Want some noodles?”
It was a peace offering, a silent apology. Guan Ruolin couldn’t bring herself to abandon her husband, nor could she be the strong figure her daughters needed. She was torn, indecisive, yet undeniably their mother.
Xu Qiuyi, seeing her own reflection in her mother’s helplessness, couldn’t bring herself to be cold. Another weight settled on her heart. She shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
Not wanting to see her mother’s expression, not wanting to reveal her own emotions, she quickly retreated to her room.
Guan Ruolin sighed, sweeping the floor, the broom scraping against shards of broken glass. A panicked cry echoed from Xu Qiuyi’s room. “Zhichun? Zhichun! What’s wrong?! Where’s your medicine?!”
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