Back to 1984: Let's Work Hard Together to Raise The Kids!-Chapter 228: Realizing the Problem

A few people just felt suffocated and finally understood why Xue Lingxue would have a breakdown.

Qu Zhiyang suppressed his anger and said seriously, "Aunt, I’ve been here for a month, and Lingxue is doing well. She’s been diligently studying this whole month, taking me to the school library every day and staying there for most of the day. She’s self-disciplined and not rebellious at all. I need to learn from her too!

It’s just that she’s always buried in books, taking them everywhere she goes. I was so bored that I called you to vent, but I didn’t expect you to vent to me first, hehe...

As for what you said about her fiancé, is it that Mr. Zhang? I’ve only met him once in the month I’ve been here. When I invited him to study with us, he refused, saying that there’s no point in Lingxue studying so hard. We couldn’t get along at all.

Oh, and Lingxue has been working so hard this month that she’s lost weight. Even after not seeing Lingxue for so long, that Mr. Zhang didn’t show any concern and only criticized her when they met. If I hadn’t come here, I wouldn’t have known he was Lingxue’s fiancé."

What Qu Zhiyang said was entirely different from what Xue’s mother understood. For a moment, Xue’s mother didn’t know how to respond and had to say, "Hand the phone to Lingxue, let me talk to her."

"Oh." Qu Zhiyang was just about to pass the receiver over.

Xue Lingxue said loudly, "Whatever you have to say, just say it. I still need to study and prepare for my exams. I don’t want my mood to be affected. Also, while I can still talk calmly, let me explain. I came to Britain to study, not for some garbage reason to stay here. I have my own things to do; if that guy surnamed Zhang can’t find me, he makes things up and spreads rumors. I don’t understand why you would rather believe such garbage than your own daughter.

Isn’t it normal for me to hang up your call? Why should I be unjustly accused? It’s really ridiculous! If it’s wrong for me to study hard, then why did you make me go abroad for my studies?"

Xue’s mother was left speechless and her heart hurt with anger. Considering Qu Zhiyang was present, and now having heard things from both Zhang Jingxuan and Qu Zhiyang that sounded very different, she was also worried she might have misunderstood her daughter. So, she swallowed her frustration and, after saying a few words of concern, hung up impatiently.

The apartment fell into a brief silence. Even the usually lively Qu Zhiyang had no energy for jokes and merely sighed heavily, patting Xue Lingxue on the shoulder, "If you feel down, just call us. We might not be able to change your situation, but we can stand by you."

Chen Ruiyu and Chen Xinyue both nodded emphatically.

"Thank you all!" Xue Lingxue said emotionally with tears in her eyes.

For the next few days, they no longer wandered around, choosing instead to either stay in the apartment to study or go to the library.

Zhang Jingxuan visited more frequently because of Qu Zhiyang, but every time he came, he saw the four of them dedicated to their studies. From their discussions and debates, he could tell that they were genuinely studying, not putting on a show for him.

This made Zhang Jingxuan, who wanted to befriend Qu Zhiyang, very unhappy. Seeing how Xue Lingxue visibly improved, Zhang Jingxuan became even more displeased and would call Xue’s mother to complain.

"Aunt, are you aware that Lingxue’s friends are in Britain?"

"Yes, what about it?"

"Oh, it’s nothing much. Just wanted to say that since they rarely come around, I want to take them out and show them around properly, but Lingxue isn’t interested. She never wants to go out, and I haven’t had a chance to ask them. Could you maybe talk to her?"

Xue’s mother frowned, asking, "What are they doing?"

Zhang Jingxuan dodged, laughing, "Not much, it seems they just read books. It’s quite boring..."

For the first time, Xue’s mother interrupted him unhappily, "Jingxuan, Lingxue is in Britain to study, and they’re all students. What should they do if not read? It’s rare to see them being so diligent; you should support that. If you can’t find Lingxue, don’t make a fuss. Just call her in the evening; she’s either at school or at home, not just wandering around."

Zhang Jingxuan was a bit taken aback but quickly adjusted, his face flushed with embarrassment and anger, and he could only nod tightly in agreement.

After hanging up, he immediately smashed the things on his table. Too furious, his expression twisted with darkness.

But no matter how dissatisfied Zhang Jingxuan was, with Xue’s mother not cooperating, he really had no way to deal with Xue Lingxue.

And just like that, the summer vacation was nearing its end.

Amidst the reluctant expressions of Chen Xinyue and Xue Lingxue, Chen Ruiyu and Qu Zhiyang boarded a flight to the United States.

It was from these few victorious encounters with Zhang Jingxuan that Chen Xinyue had found her rhythm.

Fully throwing herself into her studies, she called the United States once a week as a routine.

Sometimes Qu Zhiyang answered, sometimes it was Chen Ruiyu. Regardless of who, they would chat with Xue Lingxue for about twenty minutes.

Those twenty minutes were enough for her to get through another week.

They also gave her enough courage to face the suppression and verbal assaults from Zhang Jingxuan.

After so many encounters, Zhang Jingxuan realized that Xue Lingxue had changed. His previous verbal taunts no longer affected her, and gradually, his attitude grew more cold. He used to visit every ten days, but now sometimes he wouldn’t come even once a month.

The dislike towards Xue Lingxue was very apparent.

When Xue’s mother called him, he would just claim to be busy with work, saying that Xue Lingxue was focused on her studies and shouldn’t be disturbed, repeating the previous words of Xue’s mother back to her.

Xue’s mother was not happy after hitting a dead-end with him.

After hanging up, she went to complain to Father Zhou, "I don’t know what’s going on with Jingxuan and Lingxue now. Previously when I called Jingxuan, he was still respectful, but in the last two calls, his attitude was noticeably colder. When I ask about Lingxue’s situation, he says he doesn’t know or claims he’s too busy with work to visit, which are just excuses."

How come he wasn’t so busy with work all these years before?

Father Xue’s serious face flashed with deep thought, "Have you not actively contacted Lingxue yourself?"

Xue’s mother felt a bit guilty, "I did want to contact her, but every time I call, she’s perfunctory, either saying she’s too tired and needs to sleep or she’s not there. Caifeng seems to know more about her situation than I do!"

Father Xue was slightly surprised, "How does the Qu family know about our daughter’s situation? Is Zhiyang also studying in Britain?"

Xue’s mother shook her head, "He’s in the United States. Caifeng said the two children get along well, and they call each other every week. Sometimes, if Lingxue encounters academic problems, she’ll talk to Zhiyang, and Caifeng often contacts Zhiyang, so she mentioned our daughter at the recent banquet.

A few days ago at the banquet, Caifeng brought this up, surprising me, as it seems our daughter is clearly still upset with us, choosing to confide in her friends rather than her family."

"No, no, no..." Father Xue interrupted Xue’s mother’s complaints, "Don’t you find that strange?"

"What?" Xue’s mother still didn’t understand.