Rebirth to a Military Marriage: Good Morning Chief Chapter 4 - Favoritism

—Dad,— Qiao Nan rushed forward a few steps and called out.

Qiao Dongliang was momentarily lost in thought. Turning his head back, he saw his younger daughter. Due to her cold and fever, she appeared dispirited and listless. The blood staining her collar caused Qiao Dongliang to jump. —How did you get this?—

Before Qiao Nan could respond, Qiao Dongliang spoke. —Let’s head home first, wash up, and we’ll discuss this later.—

With that said, Qiao Dongliang placed Qiao Nan onto his bicycle and pedaled towards home.

—Dongliang, you’re back. Oh, Nan Nan, what happened?— In the modest courtyard of the Qiao residence, a woman in her late forties, holding a basket of eggs, widened her eyes upon seeing Qiao Nan. —Were you bullied? Why are you covered in blood?—

—Aunt Li.— Qiao Nan’s hands and feet felt unsteady as she dismounted the bicycle. Fortunately, her father steadied her, preventing a fall.

Ding Jiayi, in the process of retrieving the payment for the eggs, witnessed this scene and her expression darkened. —Aunt Li, here is the money for the eggs, please take it.—

Aunt Li accepted the money, counted it, and remarked, —Good, your family’s Nan Nan is quite pretty, but unfortunately a bit too thin. You should give her some nourishing food.—

Qiao Dongliang felt Qiao Nan’s forehead and found that her fever had lessened compared to the morning (before he left for work), though her forehead was still slightly warm. He looked at Ding Jiayi with displeasure. —Nan Nan is still sick, why did you let her go out?!—

Aunt Li had not yet departed. Faced with Qiao Dongliang’s accusation, Ding Jiayi appeared vexed. —What do you mean by that? It was that wretched girl. She was being difficult and insisted on going out. How could I possibly control such a willful ‘young lady’?!—

Upon hearing this, Qiao Nan began to cry. —Dad, I had a high fever and was disoriented. But Mom and Sister didn’t pay attention; they were sitting outside eating watermelon. I got up myself wanting to find some fever medicine, but Mom said there was none left. I wanted to look for it, but Mom wouldn’t let me. She pulled my hair and slapped me. All this blood from my nosebleed is from that slap.—

Aunt Li’s expression turned to shock as she gazed at Ding Jiayi in disbelief, unsure whether to stay or leave.

Qiao Dongliang’s expression shifted. —Nan Nan, did you take any medicine?—

—Of course she did!— Ding Jiayi raised her voice.

Qiao Nan, without looking at Ding Jiayi, shook her head with certainty. —No, I’ve been lying in bed, and no one cared for me. I haven’t taken any medicine or even drunk any water.—

Qiao Dongliang grew anxious that his younger daughter hadn’t even been given medicine. He immediately decided to take her to the hospital. —Nan Nan, do you have the strength to get on the bicycle? I’ll take you to the hospital.—

Earlier that morning, when Qiao Dongliang noticed his usually diligent younger daughter had not risen from bed, he went to her room and discovered she had a fever.

However, his wife assured him she would attend to their daughter, so Qiao Dongliang hadn’t been overly worried. He hadn’t anticipated hearing such a report from his daughter upon his return.

Ding Jiayi reached out and grasped the front of the bicycle. —Where are you going to the hospital? Don’t waste money!—

Qiao Dongliang scoffed. —I don’t earn a lot, but I still have enough money for my daughter’s medical treatment.—

Ding Jiayi’s face went blank. —Old Qiao, that’s not what I meant.—

It wasn’t that she looked down on Qiao Dongliang or resented his modest earnings. Rather, she was unwilling to spend money on that wretched girl. Furthermore, Qiao Zijin would require a substantial sum for her education.

Soon, Ding Jiayi’s demeanor softened, yet she still refused to let Qiao Dongliang take Qiao Nan to the hospital.

—I mean, I really gave her medicine. She was so out of it, she couldn’t recall. Perhaps the medicine hasn’t taken effect yet. She’ll be fine after a while. There’s no need to go to the hospital and spend money unnecessarily.—

—Dongliang, I’m leaving now,— Aunt Li finally announced. She quickly bid farewell. But before departing, she added, —Dongliang, both are your daughters, and there shouldn’t be any favoritism. Nan Nan is already grown. You shouldn’t hit someone’s face. Moreover, Nan Nan was sick; how could Jiayi treat her like this?—

Recalling the bloody nosebleed on Qiao Nan’s collar, Aunt Li glanced at Ding Jiayi with clear disapproval. Ding Jiayi felt infuriated and wished she could tell Aunt Li to leave immediately.

—Aunt Li, you can be assured. This will not happen again.— Qiao Dongliang shot a blaming look towards Ding Jiayi before courteously seeing Aunt Li off.

Qiao Dongliang escorted his daughter back to their room and sat her down, then brought her a basin of hot water to wash up and change into clean clothes.

When Qiao Zijin, who had been observing from within the house, heard and saw what transpired, she offered Qiao Dongliang a knowing smile. She then proceeded to assist him in caring for Qiao Nan.

Her father's anger abated considerably upon seeing his elder daughter's sensible demeanor.

While Qiao Nan was changing, Qiao Dongliang turned to Ding Jiayi. "Nan Nan's fever hasn't completely cleared. Where's the medicine? Give her another dose."

Having just finished changing, Qiao Nan fixed her gaze on Ding Jiayi, wordlessly anticipating her response.

Ding Jiayi, seething, regarded Qiao Nan as an ungrateful child. Witnessing her parents' argument, Qiao Nan offered no assistance, seemingly content to let Qiao Dongliang reprimand her. "It's all gone. There's no medicine left."

Ding Jiayi hadn't forgotten her earlier words to Qiao Nan and made sure her current statement aligned with them.

"All of it's consumed?" Qiao Dongliang's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "I distinctly recall there being half a bottle remaining. You're saying it's gone?"

Hearing Ding Jiayi's claim, Qiao Nan became certain she hadn't received any. Where had the other half vanished? Her fever had only subsided thanks to Zhai Sheng's kindness.

Despite this, she couldn't locate the medicine.

Qiao Nan pursed her delicate lips, her bright eyes blinking as a sudden realization struck her. She turned and headed towards the kitchen.

"Nan Nan, what's wrong?" Qiao Zijin, noticing Qiao Nan's unusual behavior, attempted to intervene.

Seeing Qiao Nan heading for the kitchen, Qiao Zijin was perplexed. Sensing something was amiss, she quickly grabbed Qiao Nan's hand. "Nan Nan, you're still ill; you need to rest and take medicine. Oh, wait, there's no medicine left. Let's wait for Dad to buy you more. Once you take it, you'll be fine by tomorrow."

Qiao Nan resolutely stopped, her deep, dark eyes locking onto Qiao Zijin. The intensity of her gaze made Qiao Zijin feel inexplicably guilty, her skin prickling.

Her parents couldn't help but frown, observing Qiao Nan's attitude towards Qiao Zijin.

Before Ding Jiayi could scold her, Qiao Nan shoved Qiao Zijin's hand away and dashed into the kitchen. Once inside, she overturned the trash can, scattering its contents onto the floor.

Qiao Zijin shrieked. This was impossible; Qiao Nan couldn't possibly have known.

A thought dawning, Ding Jiayi's expression shifted dramatically as she moved to stop Qiao Nan.