Fortunately, the floor was carpeted and soft and one would not feel much pain after falling.San Bao very resiliently climbed up like a tough lady and laughed again. Er Bao’s and San Bao’s loud laughter and noise drew the attention of Da Bao, who was on the bed and already feeling sleepy. Da Bao climbed up. He was barefooted as he curled up and got into a crawling position, preparing to get down the bed slowly to join his younger brother and sister in this game.
“Da Bao, grandma’s precious darling. Let’s not make a din.” Miao Jing quickly went forward and held on to Da Bao’s warm little body. “You have already removed your clothes and are even barefooted. Where are you thinking of going? Your auntie is a baddie. She messed things up on purpose. Let’s ignore her.” Miao Jing then swiftly tucked Da Bao into the blanket. Thereafter, she shot Zhai Hua a look of warning. If Zhai Hua dared to provoke the triplets again, look at how she would deal with her!
The empress dowager was angry. Zhai Hua gave a fake smile as she held onto Er Bao and San Bao using one hand each. She knew her limits and threw these two children onto the bed.
The weather had turned cold and Qiao Nan had laid thick blankets on the bed. Coupled with the Simmons brand mattress, the bed was extraordinarily bouncy.
Er Bao’s and San Bao’s little chubby bodies bounced on the soft and huge bed a few times. They did not feel any pain at all. Instead, they felt that this was a very fun game. Like frogs, they jumped on the bed a few more times. As such, Da Bao, who was in the blanket, could not help wanting to get up and join in the fun again.
Qiao Nan moved forward to them in an experienced manner. She gently leaned forward, spread her arms, hugged, and pressed down the three children softly. “It’s already very late. Be good. Don’t fuss and sleep together with Mom, okay? If you don’t keep Mom company, Mom will go and read books.”
Once their dear mother spoke, even the one-year-old triplets could tell what was good for them. Without anyone’s help, they opened their mouths, smiled, and climbed to the front of the bed. They lifted the blanket, lay down, and even covered their bodies with the blanket by themselves. “Mom, say. Say books.” San Bao, who was best at talking, became the representative of the triplets. She expressed that they not only wanted their mother to keep them company but also for her to tell them a bedtime story.
“Okay.” Qiao Nan nodded. She took over the bedtime storybook and told them a story of the three little pigs.
Qiao Nan’s voice was very gentle and soft. It was very soothing to the ears. In addition, she deliberately lowered her voice and volume. Her tone was so gentle that it could induce sleep.
As she read the story, she patted the triplets gently.
In fact, children of this age might not understand much of the bedtime story. The triplets just liked their mother and her company.
After reading just a few pages, the triplets were already snoring and sleeping soundly.
Zhai Hua gave Qiao Nan a thumbs-up. “Strong. You’re indeed a mother. You’ve settled them in such a short time.” In the past, Zhai Hua had tried to coax the three children to sleep. She was uncertain if it was because she did not have the makings of a mother, but she seemed to do better in playing games with them.
Once Qiao Nan coaxed the triplets, they were not only honest and obedient but also fell asleep very quickly within three minutes.
On the contrary, when Zhai Hua was coaxing them, she would feel drained of energy, yet the triplets would not fall asleep and became more energetic instead. It seemed like they wanted to continue playing with Zhai Hua for another hour or so.
At the thought of this situation, Zhai Hua felt so wronged. She only wanted to coax them to sleep, but in the end, why did they become more energetic instead? They were yawning so badly earlier but when she started to coax them, the triplets’ eyes became as bright as little light bulbs.
The triplets had such different reactions. There was differential treatment between her and Qiao Nan. Were deliberately making fun of her, this auntie?
Three naughty little ones!
Miao Jing wiped her sweat. “Alright, the triplets have finally fallen asleep. Don’t make fun of them anymore. When you become a mother, you will also have this capability.” Speaking of this, although Miao Jing was not a ‘qualified’ mother, she had experience in coaxing children to sleep. At most, it did not happen many times.
With the triplets as a comparison, Miao Jing could not help thinking if Zhai Sheng and Zhai Hua had been too obedient many years ago, or it was because she was often not by their side such that the two children were not familiar with her. When it was time to sleep, she would carry the children to bed but they did not need her to coax them and would fall asleep within a few minutes on their own.
Zhai Hua’s expression turned stiff. She muttered, “You clearly know that being a mother is a very far-fetched thing for me now. By bringing up this topic, aren’t you piercing my heart with a needle?”
Looking at Zhai Hua returning to her bedroom, Miao Jing’s heart ached with rage. “This child…”
“Mom, don’t be anxious. I always feel that Sister Zhai Hua is a blessed person. She will definitely find a man who will treat her well and dote on her. Just take it that her love affinity will come later. Until now, Sister Zhai Hua did not say for certain that she will not look for a man to have children.” Qiao Nan could completely understand her mother-in-law’s traditional mindset. However, this matter really could not be rushed.
For example, in her previous life, she was still a virgin despite the fact that she was almost forty years old.
Miao Jing could only sigh. “I hope so. This child… I am so worried for her that my heart is breaking.”
It is a small world and people will meet again. That was a repeated saying.
It was rare that Qiao Nan had a rest day. Although she was only an intern, her life was not any better during the internship. Moreover, she was not paid.
Speaking of this situation, a rather funny matter occurred because of this.
Qiao Nan was not sure if this was her illusion. After Deng Wenchang received his salary, she kept feeling that Deng Wenchang was intentionally showing off his salary to her.
Qiao Nan’s internship situation was different from that of Deng Wenchang. To put it in simple terms, Qiao Nan was not paid a single cent. Deng Wenchang did not have any non-monetary benefits but he was still paid a base salary.
In the face of such a childish act of Deng Wenchang, Qiao Nan turned her face. She could not be bothered to respond to him. He was truly a spoiled mama’s boy.
Deng Wenchang used to look at Qiao Nan with much hate and detest. Over time, he had changed and he now looked more unconvinced and sinister at the sight of Qiao Nan.
Qiao Nan was not sure what caused the change in Deng Wenchang. She did not wish to find out either.
After decisively casting Deng Wenchang’s matter aside, Qiao Nan thought of keeping her three children company at home on her rest day. She should dismiss such unpleasant thoughts and people as much as possible. Why should she think about it and make herself feel vexed?
“Madam, Nan Nan, there are guests outside.” Under Qiao Nan’s suggestion and the silent approval of the elders of the Zhai family, the auntie began to address Qiao Nan by her name again.