Chapter 26: Bewitched

When Qu Ling’er was in her first year of high school, her form teacher called him. His words back then were, “You’re the form teacher? You don’t have to tell me about Qu Ling’er’s affairs—I don’t want to know. She can make her own decisions. Please don’t call me again.”

Following that, her form teacher never called him again for the next three years of high school. He had never been to her school either, not even to parent-teacher meetings. The thought that her form teacher did not inform him that Qu Ling’er had been admitted to Beijing University made him furious.

Qu Xinru said aggrievedly, “If Qu Ling’er really gets accepted to Beijing University, she’ll be a cut above me… She’s too scheming—she didn’t utter a single word about such a big matter.”

Qu Zhisheng gritted his teeth and said, “She’s trying all means to cut off ties with us. I want to see how she has the money to go to university! Let’s go home and wait for her!”

Qu Zhisheng went home in anger with Qu Xinru in tow. He contacted Qu Ling’er’s form teacher on the way back and found out that Qu Ling’er had indeed been accepted to Beijing University. Moreover, she was accepted with top results—to the shock of everyone! As her guardian, he had no idea at all! Qu Zhisheng was furious beyond words!

Qu Ling’er took a cab to the Public Service Bureau and promptly settled the transfer out of the household register from the Qu family. Now, all she needed to do was wait for school to start and transfer the household register to the school. Receiving the certificate for the transfer lifted the weight off her shoulders—she was relieved to finally cut ties with the Qu family. She then took a cab to the Qu family.

She had to return the household register to Qu Zhisheng; she also needed to pack her things. Since she wanted to cut ties with him, she had to be thorough.

An hour later, Qu Ling’er arrived at the entrance of the Qu family’s villa. Although she had arrived at the Qu family three years ago, she rarely stayed in the villa. She had been living on campus since her first year of high school—and rarely came back, even on weekends—she would only stay here during the winter and summer holidays. She pressed the doorbell; the housekeeper answered the door. “Ling’er, you’re back?”

“Aunt Pang,” Qu Ling’er greeted her with a smile.

Aunt Pang was the housekeeper. She had taken good care of her when she was there.

Aunt Pang smiled and said, “Sir, Madam and Miss are not at home now. Why haven’t you been back recently? Did something happen?”

“No, nothing happened. I’ll let you get back to work. I’ll go back to my room to get something.” As she spoke, Qu Ling’er opened the shoe cabinet and realized that her slippers were gone.

Aunt Pang explained awkwardly, “Ling’er, Madam threw away your slippers. Let me get you a new pair of slippers!”

“It’s fine. I won’t change my shoes then.” With that, Qu Ling’er put on her shoes and went upstairs.

Aunt Pang stared after Qu Ling’er’s departing figure and felt that there was something decidedly different about her.

Qu Ling’er’s room was in the corner of the third floor. Although the room was small, it was cozy with her decorations. She entered the room—took out her suitcase from the closet—and started packing. She only took what belonged to her. She packed very quickly and was done in twenty minutes. She was about to close her suitcase when Qu Zhisheng and Qu Xinru returned.

When they heard that Qu Ling’er had returned, they rushed upstairs angrily.

As they neared Qu Ling’er’s bedroom door, Qu Xinru saw that she was really packing and shouted, “Qu Ling’er! What are you doing! Do you really want to cut ties with us?”

Qu Ling’er squatted in front of the suitcase and pulled it shut without looking up.

Qu Zhisheng became even angrier and shouted, “Xinru, don’t worry about her. Let her go. If she walks out of this door, she can’t come back again!”

“Dad!” Qu Xinru said aggrievedly, “Where can she go? No matter what, we are still family!”

“She asked for it!” Qu Zhisheng scolded. “She’s been bewitched by that boy! Qu Ling’er, let me tell you again. If you walk out of this door, you will regret it!”

Qu Ling’er lowered her head and said with a self-deprecating smile, “I’ll only regret it if I stay!”

Qu Zhisheng said, “You!”

Qu Ling’er said, “I left the household register on the first floor. From now on, I have nothing to do with the Qu family.” With that, she stood up and dragged her luggage away.

Qu Zhisheng’s face turned even more thunderous. He did not want Qu Ling’er to leave, but he did not know what to say.

Fang Xiaoman returned just then and went upstairs. She took a look and immediately understood what was going on. “Oh, Ling’er, why are you packing your luggage? You can’t run away from home just because you had an argument with Dad! What happened?”