Chapter 379

People like Wang Qin always assume the whole world shares their selfish nature.

Yet this same selfish woman would endure humiliation for Lin Xi.

Human nature is full of contradictions.

Qiao Xing didn’t want to dwell on the topic any longer. She was only here to find out Wang Qin’s next steps.

"But Xingxing, about the tutoring—"

"I have work. No time." Qiao Xing cut her off. "Two years' worth of material can’t be covered in two or three months. Besides, she might not even be able to focus."

She couldn’t bring herself to suggest cram school. The better ones cost tens of thousands per semester—far beyond her means.

"Then what do we do?" Wang Qin panicked. "Should she just follow me to the factory? Marry some random man when she’s old enough? At her age, factories won’t even hire her!"

"Xingxing, you’re a woman too. You know how important education is for girls. If you hadn’t gone to college, would you have met someone as good as Qin Ce?"

A bitter smile touched Qiao Xing’s lips. Even with a degree, finding a man like Qin Ce wasn’t guaranteed.

She’d just been lucky to cross paths with Grandpa Qin.

It wasn’t until Wang Qin reappeared that she truly grasped the gap between her and Qin Ce. This marriage was making her increasingly uneasy.

"Xingxing?"

She snapped out of her thoughts, pushing down the turmoil inside. "I’m only free on weekends. I can tutor her, but I can’t promise how much she’ll learn."

Wang Qin’s worry instantly melted into relief. "Good, good! As long as you’re willing to teach. Anything helps. If nothing else, vocational school is still an option."

Qiao Xing nodded. "I’ll go now. I’ll find you again once I’ve secured a place."

"Alright… Be careful on your way."

As she stepped out of the room, Qiao Xing glanced at Lin Xi one last time.

The little girl was engrossed in a cartoon, as if she’d never seen TV before. It reminded Qiao Xing of her own childhood, sneaking glimpses of shows at Wang Ye’s house.

Outside the hotel, damp cold air hit her face. She tightened her coat and was about to leave when a familiar electric bike pulled up in front of her.

Qin Ce swung his long leg off the seat.

Qiao Xing instinctively tried to retreat, but he caught her wrist.

"What are you running from?" His voice was sharp with anger.

"I’m not." She kept her eyes down, avoiding his gaze.

That kiss last night had completely unsettled her.

"Not running? You won’t even cook for me now—is this your version of the silent treatment?"

"...That’s not it."

"Then what do you want?"

After a pause, she whispered, "I think we need time to cool off. To really think about the future—"

"Qiao Xing!" His voice cracked like a whip. "How many times do I have to say it?"

"It’s just a few relatives! You think they’ll drag me down?" His anger made his voice tremble. "I can afford you. I could afford ten more like you! Even if I had to support your entire family, I could do it!"

He yanked her into his arms. "If you dare mention those two words again, I’ll pave your ancestors’ graves in gold right now!"