Both had given birth to children. However, the outcome of Qiao Nan’s pregnancy was the complete opposite of hers.Her man lost his career after she gave birth. On the other hand, Zhai Sheng was motivated to strive for further progress after Qiao Nan gave birth.
Without the need for Qiao Nan to speak much, Ding Jiayi’s liver was filled with anger because of this difference. Her adrenaline was madly rushing and she looked like she going to bristle with rage.
“Mom, have some meat.” Before Ding Jiayi could speak any awful words, Qiao Zijin picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and placed it into Ding Jiayi’s bowl. She even held on to Ding Jiayi’s hand. “Mom, have more food. Right, didn’t you tell me last time that you’re worried about Nan Nan? She is a first-time mother and thus inexperienced and ignorant about many situations. You said that you wanted to have a good chat with Nan Nan, no? I have seen the photo in Dad’s wallet earlier. The three children are extremely good-looking. Next time, we can visit them when we have the chance.”
After Qiao Zijin tugged at her, Ding Jiayi’s anguish turned into a dud. She said with false concern, “Isn’t that so? I am just worried that my experience is outdated and not suitable for raising kids nowadays. Nan Nan, if you’re willing to, listen to my words. If you’re not, just take it that I’m singing. I am the maternal grandmother of the three children but I don’t have much money and can’t buy anything presentable for them. At the very least, I can share with you my experience as a mother. Take it that it’s the thought that counts.”
Ding Jiayi could choose whether to listen to Qiao Dongliang but she had to listen to Qiao Zijin.
After all, she was still counting on Qiao Zijin to support her financially when she was old. If she angered Qiao Zijin and her elder daughter refused to support her when she was old, she would have to become subservient to the annoying wretched girl.
Although there was only one in a million chance of this happening, Ding Jiayi also had to find ways to avoid this kind of situation.
Even if Qiao Nan was a thousand or ten thousand times more successful than Qiao Zijin and could provide her with a more comfortable life, Ding Jiayi would rather choose the useless Qiao Zijin to support her financially. Unless she had absolutely no choice, she would rather take meat from Qiao Zijin than to take birds’ nest from Qiao Nan.
There was no need to question her why. It was purely that ghost in Ding Jiayi’s heart playing tricks on her. She was obsessed.
Ding Jiayi’s cooperation made Qiao Zijin look more at ease. “Nan Nan, don’t mind Mom’s words. All of us know Mom’s temper. Compared to last time, she’s much better now. Mom was right in something. It’s the thought that counts. There’s nothing more precious than well-meaning thoughts in this world.”
Ding Jiayi’s attitude toward Qiao Nan was so terrible in the past. Today, Ding Jiayi’s manner of speech and attitude was not that good but it had improved tremendously.
She did not expect Qiao Nan to appreciate or gratefully accept such a change in Ding Jiayi.
At the very least, Ding Jiayi was working hard to change herself, yet Qiao Nan was still a stick in the mud, living in the past and refusing to come out of her shell. She continued to treat them as enemies. This was not something that Qiao Zijin wished for.
“Ha.” Qiao Nan laughed. She neither agreed nor disagreed. “Brother Zhai, I am feeling tired.”
Upon receiving Qiao Nan’s hint, Zhai Sheng looked at Qiao Dongliang. “Dad, most likely, Nan Nan has caught a little cold. I’ll bring her back to take some cold medicine first.”
The smile on Qiao Dongliang’s face faded, and his eyes were filled with hurt. “Okay, alright. Bring Nan Nan home to have a good rest then. Zhai Sheng, Nan Nan is unwell now. I can only rely on you to take good care of her.”
Zhai Sheng held on to Qiao Nan as they stood up. “Sure. Before we return to the capital tomorrow, Nan Nan and I will come to visit you again. Dad, Nan Nan and I will make a move first.” After informing the necessary, Zhai Sheng only gave a nod to Ding Jiayi, this mother-in-law, before the couple simply left.
Zhai Sheng, the one with the highest ‘altitude’ in the house, stood up and was leaving. Who would dare to stop him? Who could do so?
She had already tried her best to specially gain the favors of Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng but they refused to give her any face. Instantly, Ding Jiayi pulled a long face. Qiao Zijin pursed the corners of her lips. She forced a smile by curling up the drooping corners of her mouth. Hence, she was smiling as she sent the couple off with her eyes when Zhai Sheng led Qiao Nan out of the house.
The moment the door was closed behind them, Qiao Zijin looked at Qiao Dongliang coldly. Her eyes were filled with sarcasm, seemingly saying ‘You’re so good to Qiao Nan. Look. Qiao Nan treats you, this father, in this way’.
Qiao Nan, who looked listless in the Qiao family’s residence, reverted to her energetic and lively self once she stepped out of the doors. “I really don’t understand what the point of continuing with such a family is.”
She had lived in the small courtyard of the Qiao family for two lifetimes. Qiao Nan could tell clearly what was happening in the house just with one glance.
Her father had returned to the small courtyard of the Qiao family to stay. However, like in the past, he did not sleep on the same bed as Ding Jiayi. They were still in a ‘separation mode’.
As for Qiao Zijin…
True enough, Qiao Zijin was still Qiao Zijin. Although the situation was different, Qiao Zijin’s nature did not change at all. She had changed to someone who knew how to hide their true feelings better. She had become more realistic and sinister.
“You have to put on a better act.” Zhai Sheng held on to Qiao Nan without any reservation and let Qiao Nan lean on to him as they walked. “Many people are secretly watching us.”
The younger daughter of the Qiao family brought her wealthy husband home to visit relatives. This was big news in the quad.
Everyone was quite curious about Qiao Nan’s attitude toward Ding Jiayi, such a sinful mother. It was seldom—only once in a year—that she came home. However, the time spent in the small courtyard of the Qiao family did not exceed two hours. Given this duration, what would the people in the quad think?
Fine.
Qiao Nan gave in and leaned onto Zhai Sheng, allowing the latter to hold onto her as they left.
The small courtyard of the Qiao family was not big. There were only a few bedrooms. Qiao Nan looked as if she was feeling very unwell. They had to return to the house of the Zhai family as the small courtyard of the Qiao family did not have a suitable bedroom for both Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng to rest.
Hence, Zhai Sheng bringing Qiao Nan out of the house early was an acceptable explanation to others.
The owners of the Zhai family’s residence in Ping Cheng had been away for almost a year. Although someone would clean up the place occasionally, the already once not-so-lively Zhai family’s residence felt even more isolated now.
Thankfully, the quad was filled with the presence of many others. At the sight of the situation, an extremely funny thought came to Qiao Nan’s mind: After some time, the house of the Zhai family might become a haunted mansion if it continued to be so deserted.
“We don’t lack blankets or anything in the house. They should have been dried in the sun before the Lunar New Year. It’s not moist and still quite comfortable to sleep with.” Qiao Nan might have been affected by her mood. She really did feel a little unwell. Zhai Sheng asked Qiao Nan to sit down and rest. He used his fastest speed and the most effective way to prepare the bed while waiting for the water to boil so that Qiao Nan could lie down on it to rest.
Upon touching the warm bed, Qiao Nan heaved a sigh of relief. “Let me make a call home. Don’t know if the triplets had thrown any tantrums or kicked up any fuss.”
Zhai Sheng took out the clothes said calmly, “Make the call then.”
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