Qiao Yun stared at him for a few seconds, her thin lips slightly pursed, her expression indifferent, "Going to school is not a problem. I can handle it."
She had never needed to explain her actions to anyone before. This was the first time she had ever spoken out to justify her own behavior.
Lu Jingzhi, however, thought she was unwilling to listen to him, that she was just giving him lip service.
"With the way you're slacking off right now, getting into Shengyang High School is absolutely impossible."
He felt that his own sister was too unambitious. She had only been back for a short while and was already like this. What about the future...?
Qiao Yun's eyebrows knitted slightly. She didn't like Lu Jingzhi's questioning tone.
Moreover, Professor Qiao had said that she didn't need others to understand her actions; it was their place to understand her. She suddenly felt out of her depth with the change of identity and didn't know how to explain.
Seeing that she didn't argue back, Lu Jingzhi took it as a sign that she had taken his words to heart and continued, "You should learn from Tingting. Her grades have always been our family's pride. I have asked Tingting to tutor you, but you must promise me to study hard and not to waste Tingting's..."
"No need!"
Qiao Yun stared at him, her black eyes emotionless, yet the air somehow felt oppressively heavy.
Qiao Yun's loud rebuttal—or perhaps it shouldn't be called loud, just slightly louder than her usual speaking voice—still conveyed a sense of opposition that took Lu Jingzhi by surprise.
"Why don't you need it?"
As Lu Jingzhi stepped closer, Qiao Yun tensed and took a step back until she felt a safe distance.
"You don't trust me?"
Lu Jingzhi paused, feeling somewhat guilty as he said, "It has nothing to do with trust. You're my sister, and everything I've said is for your own good."
Qiao Yun lifted her head, her gaze very faint, "I don't like it when someone claims to be acting for my good, doing things I detest. I dislike your behavior."
Lu Jingzhi's eyebrows furrowed, "You're too young to understand my intentions."
Qiao Yun curled the corner of her lips and clicked her tongue lightly, "You're so annoying. I don't want to talk to you anymore."
With that, she showed no mercy as she "bang."
The door closed.
Lu Jingzhi: "..."
A look of astonishment filled his eyes. Was he being rejected by his own sister???
Lu Jingzhi felt an unreasonable anger rising within him. His sister was too difficult to manage. He hadn't even finished speaking, and she was already ignoring him.
This won't do. He had to take note, because if Qiao Yun were to cause trouble, it would be too late for regrets.
When Lu Ting saw Lu Jingzhi with a grim expression coming downstairs, she tentatively asked, "Big brother, are you troubled by something?"
Lu Jingzhi's face looked unwell, "I was rejected."
Lu Ting let out an "ah" and then advised, "Don't be too hard on sister. She just hasn't adapted to life in the big city yet. Once she sees more of the world, she won't be so obsessed with one thing anymore."
Lu Jingzhi's expression softened. If only Qiao Yun would be as obedient as Lu Ting.
"Sorry, I told Qiaoqiao that I wanted you to tutor her, but she wasn't willing."
"It's okay. If sister is that confident, maybe she really can do it. We should have faith in her."
Not having to tutor was a relief. If Qiao Yun failed to get into school, it would be seen as her own shortcoming. Lu Ting certainly did not want to take on a thankless task.
"It's not that I don't want to believe her, but it's just not possible. The entrance exam for Shengyang High School is so difficult. Look at the date now, Qiaoqiao..."
Lu Jingzhi let out a bitter laugh and no longer wanted to continue the conversation.
Their parents doted on Qiao Yun too much, leaving him to be the bad guy. And with Qiao Yun being disobedient, it was truly bothersome.