Proud senior schoolgirl was tender and sweet, we fell in love

Xie Xiao stood by, completely dumbfounded. He had heard that Zhang Qiaoqiao smoked and drank, but never that she dabbled in forbidden substances.

Even the aunt-in-law panicked, glaring at Xie Liu, "She even touched those things? Hasn't she already quit smoking and drinking?"

The eldest uncle's face was stern, "No matter whether she's quit now or not, she's not suitable for our family! Xie Liu, think it through! Are you blind?"

Xie Qingxiao saw Xie Liu's troubled expression, instinctively wanting to speak up, but was simultaneously held back by Yang Lan and Xie Xiao.

This wasn't the right time for them to interrupt.

Looking distressed, Xie Liu stood there. After a while, he finally spoke up, "She did accidentally come into contact with them before, but now she's no longer touching those things."

Zhang Qiaoqiao had actually...

Xie Xiao thought his grandmother was too incredible, she could even discern this.

It looked as though Xie Liu had initially kept it from the family.

No sooner had Xie Liu finished speaking than the grandmother started coughing violently.

Xie Qingxiao and Yang Lan moved forward to gently comfort the elder.

Nobody dared to utter a word.

By now, Xie Xiao could probably guess why his grandmother had asked him to stay today.

Sure enough, after a while, the grandmother's coughing finally subsided, and she gestured for Xie Xiao to come over.

Xie Xiao walked over.

The old lady took Xie Xiao's hand, "Xiao Xiao, grandma knows that this is not right, that I'm at fault, but please do help your grandma, help your brother, would you? Take him to B city..."

"I won't go!" Xie Liu's voice rose a notch.

At that, the eldest uncle couldn't hold back any longer, and with a "smack," he slapped him across the face.

The aunt-in-law exclaimed "Ah" and immediately grabbed the eldest uncle's hand, "What are you doing! He's already so big, how can you still hit him!"

"How else can I wake him up?" the eldest uncle said fiercely, "How old are you, Xie Liu. I don't care about anything else, I just want you to be happy, but look at this girl yourself—do you think she's right for you?"

The grandmother called out, "Stop arguing!"

Then she looked at Xie Xiao.

Xie Xiao felt like sighing; why had everything fallen onto him?

Yang Lan's expression was clearly not good; they say that it's hard for an honest official to settle domestic quarrels, and their family should not have gotten involved in this.

His own mother-in-law was biased. Now, whether Xie Xiao agreed or not, he was going to offend someone.

If Xie Liu really were taken by Xie Xiao, he would have to take responsibility.

What was Xie Xiao so busy with anyway?

Yang Lan's expression turned cold, just about to speak.

Xie Qingxiao spoke up first, "Mom. There's a lot that Xie Xiao can't say outright, as most of those present are his elders."

Xie Qingxiao looked at his mother's eyes filled with a bit of disappointment and a sigh, and pulled Xie Xiao's hand away, "Then let me, as his father, say it."

He glanced at the old lady and also at his eldest brother, "Actually, I know that you and my big brother have really helped me a lot before, and I'm grateful, so I've helped wherever I could."

Xie Qingxiao sighed, "My sister-in-law said to give a little more money each month, and I've done so. I tried to find a job for Xie Liu, too. But Xie Xiao himself is very busy now; he truly cannot take Xie Liu with him."

Xie Xiao noticed that the eldest uncle looked toward the aunt-in-law when he heard about asking for more money.

Because the aunt-in-law usually took care of the grandmother more, the money was always transferred to her.

Sometimes, if Xie Qingxiao was busy and forgot for a day or two, she would even call him.

But it seems that Uncle had no idea about his wife demanding more money from the look on his face.

Uncle's wife, with a displeased expression, spoke up, "Qingxiao, what you're saying—me, I was also doing it for the better care of mother..."

"You never asked me about demanding more money!" Uncle glared at her and then turned to Xie Qingxiao, "Second brother, I will transfer the extra money I demanded back to you when I get home!"

"Big brother, that's not what I mean, it should be," Xie Qingxiao gestured with his hand, "It's right for me to contribute, but not Xie Xiao. He's just over 20 and is in no position to help himself."

Xie Qingxiao's words were delivered in a mild tone, but they were firm, "Come to me if there's anything, and I'll definitely help if I can. But please, don't pressure my son anymore. He has his own difficulties to deal with."

Translated bluntly, the message was, "I owe you, not my son, so don't subject him to moral coercion."

Seeing the determination in her youngest son, the grandmother finally sighed.

She knew she had been asking for too much and that she had indeed been biased.

Pushing Xie Liu onto Xie Xiao was simply because she saw he was as responsible as his father.

If he agreed, he would surely do it.

She had selfish reasons, wanting to secure a good future for her youngest grandson.

She knew she was biased, but the heart always aches for the less capable child.

So even with some hesitation, she still spoke up.

Now, being rejected by her youngest son, she felt a sense of relief.

Looking around the room, she felt reassured by everyone except Xie Liu.

Especially Xie Xiao, a young and promising child.

She really shouldn't let Xie Liu be a burden to him.

Xie Liu, who had been made to kneel in front of his grandmother after being hit, now stood up.

From their conversation,

it seemed as though he were some kind of trash meant to be discarded.

And it appeared that nobody wanted him.

Xie Liu's face was still red from Uncle's slap earlier.

At that moment, he looked at his grandmother and said, "Grandma, I don't need help from others, I can manage on my own..."

"Slap"—before he could finish, Uncle unexpectedly hit him with another slap.

This made Xie Xiao wince in pain just from hearing it.

Xie Liu couldn't finish the rest of his sentence.

Uncle's wife immediately pulled Xie Liu back a few steps and shrilly asked Uncle, "What's wrong with you! Hitting a child!"

"Don't think I don't know you asked the second brother for more money for that thing and his girlfriend, huh?" Uncle's voice was filled with disappointment, "How can you have the nerve? Expecting someone else to raise your kid?"

He pointed his finger at Xie Liu, "What can you do? You can do shit! The only thing you can do is drive your father to his grave! I'll say it now, you better break up with that girl, and you can't keep that child!"

"I won't!" Xie Liu was thoroughly enraged, his eyes growing red, "I love her!"

"Then take your love and beg on the streets together! How old are you, still asking your family for money every day? Having kids and getting married? What the hell are you using to get married and have kids? To return and leech off your parents?" Uncle was clearly infuriated by Uncle's wife asking Xie Qing for money behind his back.

"You," Uncle pointed at Uncle's wife, "if you give him money privately again, or help him out behind the scenes, you can both get lost!"

"Big brother!" Xie Qingxiao quickly went over to pull him back.

It's all right to discipline a child, but don't damage the relationship between husband and wife.

They've been married for most of their lives, it's not worth it!