Elder Qiao was momentarily speechless.
He realized that Qiao Rui always managed to infuriate him to the brink of madness.
Yet she maintained her calm and indifferent demeanor, leaving him no choice but to stew in his own anger—getting mad was futile.
Because he could clearly sense that this girl simply didn't care.
Seeing Elder Qiao silent, Qiao Rui assumed he'd given up and grinned as she spoke, "Grandfather, what I buy is my own freedom. I didn't spend your money, so you can't control me."
"You!" Elder Qiao's face darkened instantly. "You think I can't control you, so you deliberately provoke me, is that it?"
"Exactly." Qiao Rui nodded. "You really can't control me. But I didn't provoke you intentionally—it's you who enjoys getting angry."
"Your wings have hardened!" Elder Qiao sneered coldly.
Qiao Rui nodded again. "Yes, there's a saying popular in our village: 'I spend my own money, and anyone who tries to interfere is just talking nonsense.'"