CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 057: THE JOKE WENT TOO FAR

"Nianhua is smart, she can just take the exam again next year," Xu Qingjiang said with an awkward smile. He added, "Big brother, my Zhiyuan didn’t get in either. Next year, they can be each other’s company."

"Big brother, it’s all because Juxiang has spoiled Jiaojiao too much. Besides, Jiaojiao is young and doesn’t know any better, turning such a small matter into this big of a fuss. I thought Nianhua had just gotten an upset stomach from something she ate," Xu Qingjiang said, pushing the blame away from himself with implication after implication. In his view, it was all because his wife hadn’t managed their child properly.

"Alas, I didn’t have a choice; Jiaojiao is my own daughter. I can’t very well kill her, can I?"

Xu Qingjiang lamented, "Zhihao has finally settled down in the county and will start making money. In the future, he will surely be filial to you, his eldest uncle. Big brother, about this matter... could we possibly..."

Even Xu Qingjiang found it hard to say, but for the sake of his daughter, he still had to speak up, "How about we just let it go?"

"Uncle, she caused my little sister to miss out on college, which is a huge setback in one’s life!" Xu Nian’an couldn’t help feeling outraged as he watched Xu Qingjiang attempt to lightly dismiss the situation.

"Enough," Xu Qinghe said in a solemn voice: "The damage has been done. Talking about it now is of no help. Qingjiang, even though we are half-brothers sharing the same father, in my heart, you’re no different from a full brother."

But your actions have deeply disappointed me.

If only Xu Jiaojiao could come in person to apologize to Nianhua, Xu Qinghe would feel somewhat better.

Xu Qingjiang looked at Xu Qinghe awkwardly and immediately responded, "I also see you as my own brother."

Xu Qinghe looked down and remained silent; though he wasn’t much of a talker, his thoughts were as clear as a mirror.

"If you truly see me as your brother, have Jiaojiao apologize to Nianhua," Xu Qinghe said directly since Xu Qingjiang hadn’t mentioned it.

"Of course, of course," Xu Qingjiang said awkwardly, nodding his head. Thinking about how Xu Jiaojiao had flatly refused to come and apologize today, he felt a headache coming on.

...

No sooner had Xu Qingjiang left than Xu Nian’an complained unhappily, "Dad, you’re too kind to Uncle. Although little sister’s grades are good and she could get into college next year, there’s definitely a difference between a year earlier and a year later."

"How can we just let it go when Xu Jiaoyao has wronged my sister?"

"What do you think we should do, then? Beat up Xu Jiaoyao, or let everyone know the whole story? Or do you want Uncle to kill his daughter?" Xu Qinghe asked, looking at Xu Nian’an.

Xu Nian’an hesitated for a long time, not knowing what to say.

"Alas, Nian’an, it’s true that Nianhua has been wronged, but family scandals should not be publicized," Xu Qinghe’s heart grew cold, and he felt once again fortunate that they had split the family. He even wondered if splitting earlier might have prevented this whole affair.

Xu Qinghe was filled with guilt, realizing that he, as a father, had failed to protect his daughter.

...

Upon returning home, as soon as Xu Qingjiang suggested that Xu Jiaojiao apologize to Xu Nianhua, Xu Jiaojiao made a scene with crying, temper tantrums, and threats, stubbornly refusing to apologize.

Zhao Juxiang, protecting her daughter, said, "You’ve already gone to apologize. What more do you want from my Jiaojiao?"

"Does he not really consider you a brother at all, finding such trivial excuses to trouble you?"

Zhao Juxiang, who favored her daughter the most out of her two sons and one daughter, said exasperatedly, "It was just a girl’s playful antics. Are they blaming my Jiaojiao just because some kid didn’t get into college?"

In her heart, Zhao Juxiang thought it was merely a joke that had gone a bit too far. What was the big deal?