Qiao Yu's words cut deep, but this was her usual behavior, and Qiao Xi had long since grown accustod to it.
She let out a helpless sigh. "Sister, I'm simply visiting a friend's house."
As soon as Qiao Zhenguo heard the word "man," his gaze sharpened instantly.
He turned to Qiao Xi, his tone stern and demanding. "A man or a woman?"
Qiao Xi nervously clutched her sleeve and whispered, "It's a boy, Father."
Without hesitation, Qiao Zhenguo's expression darkened. "How old are you? How can you go out alone at night to et a man?"
"We're just friends, Father. He's not that kind of person," Qiao Xi tried to explain, her voice trembling.
Qiao Yu's lips curled into a faint smirk; she had achieved her goal.
Qiao Xi hadn't always been without friends. She had been beautiful since childhood, drawing people naturally to her.
But Qiao Yu always found ways to drive those friends away. When it ca to manipulation, Qiao Xi was no match for her older sister.
At this mont, Qiao Yu spoke again. "Xiao Xi, Father is only trying to protect you. That man is after our family's wealth. His intentions aren't pure. You shouldn't go out."
Qiao Xi opened her mouth to continue explaining, but her phone rang.
It was Zhou Yi, who had sent several ssages without a reply and decided to call.
Qiao Yu rose from the sofa and walked over, extending her hand toward Qiao Xi. "Is that the man calling? Give the phone."
Qiao Xi took a step back in resistance, but Qiao Yu snatched the phone from her hands anyway.
She answered Zhou Yi's call and put it on speaker.
A gentle male voice ca through the phone. "Xiao Xi, I've arrived at the entrance of your neighborhood, but I haven't heard from you. Did sothing co up?"
Qiao Yu raised an eyebrow, her tone icy. "She's not going out. Don't bother my sister again."
Zhou Yi frowned.
Sister?
So this was Qiao Xi's sister.
"You must be Xiao Xi's sister. I believe there's been a misunderstanding. I—"
"Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding? eting my sister late at night? Clearly, you have ulterior motives."
Qiao Xi couldn't bear it any longer. Desperate, she reached for the phone, but Qiao Yu held it out of reach.
Having Zhou Yi witness this ugly side of her family made her feel utterly humiliated.
If Qiao Yu kept talking like this, she would lose yet another friend.
But Qiao Xi had always been frail and weak, no match for Qiao Yu.
With a forceful shove, Qiao Yu sent her crashing into the wine cabinet behind her.
Qiao Xi's face turned pale, and a sharp pain shot through her back where she collided with the cabinet.
She bit her lip hard, tears streaming down her face.
"Why do you always do this! Why can't I have even one friend! Why do you control my life like this! Why!"
She knew she wasn't valued in this family. She had endured it for years, but Qiao Yu's actions had finally broken her patience.
Qiao Zhenguo stord over, his anger palpable.
"How dare you speak to your sister like that! She's only trying to protect you!"
Qiao Xi cried out through her tears, "Driving away every friend I have—is that protection? That's not care! It's control!"
Qiao Yu looked at her with disappointnt. "Xiao Xi, I'm so disappointed in you. You'd think so poorly of for soone outside our family. It seems my efforts on your behalf have been wasted."
Qiao Zhenguo had always been a controlling man, and Qiao Xi's defiance today had enraged him.
"The Qiao family has given you everything—luxuries, comforts, a privileged life. Do you think your classmates live like you? And still, you're ungrateful! You accuse us of controlling you? If you walk out that door today, don't ever co back!"
Qiao Xi looked at them with eyes full of despair. She snatched the phone from Qiao Yu's hand and rushed out of the house.
"Ungrateful daughter! Disobedient child!"
"Father, don't be angry. I'll bring her back later."
"Bring her back? She's the one who doesn't want this family, who doesn't want as her father! Let her stay out there and suffer!"
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