Chapter 21
Argument
Seeing that Xia Song seemed to be about to scold Xia Jin, Old Mrs. Xia hurriedly explained on Xia Jin’s behalf, “Jin has strict regulations at his school. He has been tired all week, so we let him rest a bit on Saturdays.”
Hearing Old Mrs. Xia’s words, Xia Xin’s mouth twitched, and she had to suppress her sneer for a long time.
Xia Xin remembered very clearly that when Old Mrs. Xia lived with them, she would scold Xia Xin for being lazy when she woke up after nine in the morning and even told Gu Fan not to leave breakfast for her.
Xia Song was already used to his mother’s doting on her grandson. He sighed inwardly and did not say much. He asked again, “Which high school did Jin go to? Is it New Moon High School or North Top High School?”
Old Mrs. Xia shook her head and said, “Neither. It’s Anton International High School. The tuition is quite expensive. ¥30,000 per semester. Your brother said it would cost at least ¥200,000 for three years!”
Xia Song’s eyes widened in shock and asked, “¥30,000 per semester? Xia Bai, what were you thinking? Is it necessary to send the child to such an expensive high school?”
Hearing Xia Song’s words with a hint of blame, Xia Bai, who was eating grapes, frowned unhappily. Xia Bai said, “Brother, what do you mean? Isn’t Jin worthy of going to a good high school? Besides, it’s not your money, so what’s the worry?”
“Where did you get so much money? You and Ma Lin can save up at most ¥60,000 in a year if you don’t eat or drink. You’re spending it all on tuition. Are you going to starve yourselves? Listen to me, there’s still time to transfer now. Look at Xin, she’s attending an ordinary high school, but she can still get into a prestigious university.” Xia Song’s tone was heavy and filled with concern for Xia Bai.
However, to Xia Bai’s ears, Xia Song’s words sounded like a show-off, as if Xia Jin could not compare to Xia Xin at all.
Xia Bai’s gaze turned cold and said, “Brother, I know you all think Jin’s academic performance is not good, but boys naturally develop later. Jin has potential, and this school has strong faculty. It’s an investment in Jin’s education. If you don’t understand, don’t speak nonsense!”
“Have you ever thought about Xia Bing? She’s still retaking the university entrance exams in our hometown. You’re spending ¥30,000 to send Jin to an international high school. Why don’t you think about renting a better house for Bing in our hometown, so she can study well?” Xia Song asked with some anger.
Xia Bing was Xia Bai’s eldest daughter. When Xia Bing was attending school, Xia Bai had not bought a house in the city yet, so Xia Bing had to return to their hometown to study. She did not attend a good high school, and the dormitory conditions were extremely poor, with twelve people sharing one room.
When Xia Jin started school, Xia Bai borrowed money from relatives and took out a bank loan to finally buy a house in the school district, so Xia Jin could study in the city.
“Isn’t it good for Xia Bing to live in the dormitory? Besides, Xia Bing’s grades are so poor, even with retaking the exams, can she compare to Jin? Jin is aiming for a top-three university! This is my family’s affair. You don’t need to interfere!” said Xia Bai. He was extremely annoyed and impatient in his tone.
“Xia Bai, I didn’t even bring up the compensation money. I just thought your family was in a difficult situation, but you’re wasting money like this. You’re willing to spend ¥200,000 to send Jin to an elite international school, but you’re not willing to spend a little money on your daughter. Your favoritism is too much!” Xia Song finally could not bear it anymore and shouted loudly.
Xia Song treated Xia Xin like a precious gem, and seeing how Xia Bing was neglected by her parents made him feel both heartbroken and angry.
“Compensation money again! I knew you didn’t come here today to visit Mom. You just want to get a bigger share of the compensation money, right?” Xia Bai shouted as he slammed the table and stared at Xia Song with red eyes. “Let me tell you, I have the property ownership certificate now. If you provoke me again, I won’t let you get a single cent!”
Old Mrs. Xia was completely taken aback by her two sons quarreling so fiercely. She looked panicked and said, “Stop fighting, both of you. Xia Song, that’s enough. Your younger brother did not spend the money recklessly. Besides, don’t you want Jin to get into a good university?”
“Mom, that’s not what I meant!” Xia Song was both angry and anxious. “It’s just that the money was completely unnecessary, and Xia Bai has money but neglects Xia Bing. Can that be justified?!”
Xia Xin sat on the sofa, watching the argument with cold eyes. In her past life, she had heard such arguments many times.
Xia Xin felt sad that she was born into a family that favored boys over girls. Her mother, Gu Fan, had been looked down upon, criticized, and mocked by Old Mrs. Xia for not being able to give birth to a son for more than a decade.
But Xia Xin also felt fortunate. Her parents loved her very much, and her father treated her like a treasure. Unfortunately, Xia Bing did not have such good luck.