CHAPTER 403: CHAPTER 403: STOPPING THE PHONE SERVICE

They each have their own cell phones, and the landline at home is hardly ever used. Usually, it’s just the basic service fee we pay, apart from the occasional usage.

This Qin Xiangmei is really something, chatting on the phone with people, calling all the way to Dadao Village. That’s long-distance. She talks for half an hour, an hour as if our money just falls from the sky. Although it’s true that she’s not short on cash right now, she’d rather feed all her money to Conghua than waste it on Qin Xiangmei.

She threw her pen on the table, thinking she might as well disconnect the phone tomorrow. If there’s really a need to make a call, just go to an internet café. She’s already provided her with free food and lodging; is she also expected to cover her phone bills for free?

On Saturday, she got up early, took her ID card, and went to the telecom office, while Qin Xiangmei slept like a spoiled princess, dead to the world. When she wakes up, she wants to eat, and if the food isn’t to her taste, she puts on a long face, the tone of her voice sour, complaining about being bullied for being younger or whatever.

As if bullying her would make any difference. How can she, born of an enemy, earnestly care for her? Qin Xiangnuan thinks that would be sick, seriously sick.

"Please help me disconnect the phone," Qin Xiangnuan handed over her ID card, ready to disconnect the service.

The efficiency of the telecom office was quite good, and it wasn’t too crowded. Once her identity was confirmed and the outstanding bill was paid, the line was disconnected. Qin Xiangnuan shook the bill in her hand, her heart aching. It’s a good thing she’s disconnecting the service; otherwise, the monthly phone bill could have skyrocketed to over a thousand yuan.

Hey, brother, I’ve disconnected the landline, Qin Xiangnuan took out her cellphone and called Qin Xiangyang. From now on, if there’s anything, just call my mobile, or reach me at the internet café.

"What happened, why did you suddenly disconnect the phone?"

Qin Xiangyang couldn’t understand why his sister would do such a thing. The fuss made to get that phone line installed wasn’t small; it cost a lot of money. While the installation fees have gone down quite a bit, to suddenly cancel it feels like a waste.

Qin Xiangnuan shook the bill in her hand again, "Brother, do you know how much our phone bill is now?"

"Ah, how much?" Qin Xiangyang really didn’t have a clue. Qin Xiangnuan usually took care of the phone bills at home, and it didn’t seem like much, maybe just 100 to 200 yuan a month.

"How much?" Qin Xiangnuan crushed the phone bill in her hand and tossed it into the nearby trash can, "It’s only the middle of the month, brother, and our phone bill is already at 970 yuan."

"What?" Jian Xiangyang couldn’t believe his ears.

yuan, nearly a thousand yuan. This was no joke. His monthly allowance was less than 500 yuan. This was equivalent to two months of his income. If it weren’t for the major income from the internet café, and the rent from the several properties back home, their family would be impoverished by this phone bill.

How is that possible? Qin Xiangyang couldn’t believe it. Where did this nearly 1000 yuan phone bill come from? And it’s only been half a month; if it’s a whole month, wouldn’t it be 2000 yuan? Who can afford such an expense? Even if their family is earning more now, that’s no way to spend it.

"How could it not be?" Qin Xiangnuan stood leaning against the railing, waiting for the traffic light.

Ever since Qin Xiangmei came back, she’s been holding the phone and chatting, "All long-distance calls, we’re lucky it’s only that amount."

"My God!" Qin Xiangyang wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, "Quick, disconnect it. Right away. Taking her in for food and shelter is already enough; is she trying to run our family into the ground too?"

"It’s already disconnected," Qin Xiangnuan snorted coldly, free food and boarding is already my maximum tolerance. Anything more, she can pay for herself.

Qin Xiangyang put down the phone he was holding, his heart still pounding.

"Hey, brother, what’s wrong with you?" Li Dongsheng got quite a scare seeing Qin Xiangyang’s condition, sweating so much. "Are you feverish?" He reached out and touched Qin Xiangyang’s forehead – no fever, just a head covered in sweat.

Qin Xiangyang pushed Li Dongsheng’s hand away and stared at him wordlessly, with piercing intensity; Li Dongsheng felt uneasy, wondering what kind of shock he’d just had.

"What?" A little later, Li Dongsheng almost jumped in shock, "Are you serious, that step-sister of yours racked up a 970 yuan phone bill?"

Yes, Qin Xiangyang nodded, that much in just half a month.

Li Dongsheng was truly shocked.

He clapped Qin Xiangyang on the shoulder.

"Now, I understand what it means when they say you’re not born of the same mother. You and Nuannuan spend money responsibly – if it’s necessary, you’ll spend, otherwise you won’t. And when you do, it’s because you can earn it. But it’s different with that step-sister of yours; spending others’ money doesn’t hurt her at all. Nowadays, a worker’s salary is less than 600 yuan a month, a good one perhaps around 1000 yuan, and just like that, it all goes to the telecom company. Honestly, it would make anyone feel uncomfortable."

Qin Xiangyang pinched the bridge of his nose, "I really want to throw her out, what a disaster."

"Put up with it for now, after all, you won’t have to support her for the rest of your life," Li Dongsheng comforted Qin Xiangyang, "you’re about to stay on at the school, don’t let this affect your record with a dark mark. Wait for things to be settled, then deal with it. It’s good that the phone’s disconnected. If she asks you for money, don’t give it to her. Once you give in, there will be a second time. Some people just don’t know gratitude or fear, they’re just an ungrateful white-eyed wolf."

"I know," Qin Xiangyang’s hard-earned money certainly wouldn’t be wasted on Qin Xiangmei.

Besides, Qin Xiangmei has been complaining a lot to Hu Li. But in the end, Hu Li wired over 500 yuan. However, that 500 yuan is hardly enough for a few nice outfits, let alone the high-quality cosmetics and skincare products. All the girls in Capital City have such good skin, soft and tender like tofu. Her face, however, still bears two patches of red. Behind her back, she’s called the Northwest Plateau Red. Actually, she’s not bad-looking; it’s just her skin that’s not great. Even that little wretch Nuannuan has better skin than her; she’s loath to admit it, but it’s true, so much better that it makes her enviously want to scratch Nuannuan’s face off.

With money in hand, she immediately went shopping for cosmetics with her classmates. She bought a set of skincare products worth over 100 yuan, and also clothes and shoes. With one shopping spree, there went another 200 yuan. She has thought about it – if her own money isn’t enough, she’ll ask Qin Xiangyang for some.

He is her dear older brother after all. It wouldn’t make sense if he gave it to Qin Xiangnuan and not to her, that would be unacceptable.