Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  “I will talk to your dad about this.” Patting Qiao Zijin’s back, Ding Jiayi made huge efforts before she could calm Qiao Zijin down. “This time, your dad was probably knocked out of his senses. How can he be so biased? Qiao Nan is her daughter, but that doesn’t mean you are not. Don’t worry, Mom’s here. Mom will not let anyone bully you.”

  “Mom, I’m definitely unable to keep vigil tonight no matter what. I might as well skip my trip to the hospital. Otherwise, I won’t be able to refuse Dad when he requests in front of others. It will seem as though Qiao Nan is the only one who is filial to Dad. I can’t lose my face in this way. Mom, why don’t we do this? You go to the hospital later and tell Dad that I have fallen sick, that I’m suddenly unwell and can’t go to the hospital. I’m not going tonight. Tomorrow—no, I’ll go the day after tomorrow!”

  She had been keeping vigil by her father’s bedside for two nights. It should be Qiao Nan’s turn to do so now. It was only fair that each of them stayed overnight for two days so that neither would take advantage of the other.

  “Alright, let’s do that.”

  Hence, when Ding Jiayi told Qiao Dongliang that Qiao Zijin was not feeling well, Qiao Zijin was holding the lunch box bought by Ding Jiayi and munching on the big chicken drumstick.

  “Zijin is not feeling well. Is she sick?” There was a flash of sarcasm in Qiao Dongliang’s eyes as he asked again.

  “Yes, Zijin is so filial. She kept vigil by your bedside for two nights, and her body totally can’t take it anymore. Let Qiao Nan stay overnight by your side today and allow Zijin to rest for a few days.” Ding Jiayi sounded as if she had the final say. After she finished her words, Ding Jiayi turned her head toward Qiao Nan and said, “You’re already a grown-up. Don’t be such a lazy worm. When you are back home, wash all of your sister’s clothes! It’s been piled up there for two days! Don’t you find it a shame to ignore it?!”

  When Ding Jiayi said this, the patient beside Qiao Dongliang laughed. “When I hear these words, somehow I feel that your elder daughter is made of tofu, whereas your younger daughter is made of steel.”

  One stayed overnight for two days and needed a few days of rest, whereas the other stayed overnight for a few days but it did not matter. Oh dear, there was indeed a problem with this family’s situation, judging from what his wife had told him.

  This ward mate was also someone with a shrewd tongue. Ignoring Ding Jiayi’s feelings, he simply asked, “Big brother, did you have a second marriage? Was it the first or the second wife who gave birth to the younger daughter? Wrong, my words are confusing. Your younger daughter has to wash your elder daughter’s clothes, doesn’t she? If she doesn’t do it, she’s a lazy worm. If the elder daughter doesn’t wash them, it’s because she is unwell. Big brother, what kind of your situation is your family in?”

  The ward mate felt that the Qiao family’s situation was like a full-scale drama. It was too ridiculous.

  \r \r \r

  It was also because Ding Jiayi was used to being unreasonable to Qiao Nan that she blurted out those words without giving any thoughts about how inappropriate they were.

  Ding Jiayi’s face turned pale. “I’m her biological mother!”

  “Oh, I really can’t tell. My eyes are bad. My eyes are bad, indeed.”

  “Shut up!” Qiao Dongliang subjected to the saying that dirty linen should not be aired in public, but Ding Jiayi’s tyrannical character was simply an embarrassment in front of others. Qiao Dongliang could not stop her even if he wanted to. His face was flustered with shame. “Since Zijin is unwell, let her rest then. She does not need to come for the next few days. But Nan Nan’s health is not any better than Zijin’s. In this case, when Zijin is resting these few days, you will keep vigil by my bedside. Nan Nan, go back and take care of yourself.”

  “No, I still have to work!” Ding Jiayi screamed in shock.

  “If you can’t, let Zijin come.” Pick one out of the two options. There was no room for negotiation!

  Regarding whether Qiao Zijin was really unwell, Qiao Dongliang clearly knew the truth.

  Ding Jiayi wanted to spoil her?

  Fine!

  In that case, Ding Jiayi would stay overnight. No matter how hard it was, Ding Jiayi had to endure this. He needed to let Ding Jiayi know that she had to pay the price for spoiling her daughter.

  Qiao Nan only took it as Qiao Dongliang worrying about Qiao Zijin and wanting to pull Qiao Zijin’s character, which had strayed, back to the right path.

  In fact, Qiao Dongliang had been bearing an enormous fury in his heart ever since the car accident. He was unhappy that there was no opportunity for an outburst.

  However, he could not say this in front of his younger daughter. It was because of this fury in his heart that he was so persistent and blunt in handling these matters.

  “Old Qiao, what’s wrong with you? You seem to be possessed. How can you be so unreasonable?” Ding Jiayi was extremely crossed. No wonder Qiao Zijin lamented to her that Old Qiao’s brain was seemingly damaged by the car accident. Old Qiao did not use to have such a temper.

  “Alright, there is no need to have any reason. You are the ancestor. In short, make your choice. It is either you or Zijin tonight. Nan Nan, it is late. Go home when the sun is still up.” If Old Ding could not bear to let Zijin undergo hardship, then he would insist on not tiring out their younger daughter.

  At the critical juncture, his life was saved by the younger daughter. If Old Ding dared to bully Nan Nan in front of him again, she must also seek his permission first!

  It was a rare occasion to see her father being so insistent. Qiao Nan was quite shocked.

  Qiao Nan was no longer the goody-two-shoes she used to be. Of course, she was willing to listen to Qiao Dongliang. “Dad, Mom, I shall go back first then.”

  At this moment, Qiao Nan already did not care what the reason behind Qiao Dongliang’s behavior was. Even if her father did it for the sake of Qiao Zijin and her mother, there was only one word that could describe her feelings when she saw her mother and Qiao Zijin being constantly forced to concede: cool!

  True enough, the only person in the family who could subdue her mother and Qiao Zijin was her father.

  “You!” At the sight of Qiao Nan leaving, Ding Jiayi wanted to use violence to physically restrain Qiao Nan so that she would initiate to stay behind and keep Qiao Dongliang company.

  At the sight of this, Qiao Dongliang smashed Ding Jiayi’s hands with his pillow without saying a word. Anyway, the dirty linen had already been aired in public. There was no difference to let others see one or two more ugly scenes. He did, not, care!

  “Ding Jiayi, let me warn you. Nan Nan bears the surname of Qiao and belongs to my Qiao family. Don’t you dare hurt her again!” At the thought of what happened a year ago—Qiao Nan was malnourished and her ears had a big gash from Ding Jiayi’s wring—Qiao Dongliang simply lifted a cup. “The next thing I throw will not be just a pillow. Don’t think that I don’t have a way with you now that I’m lying in bed and can’t get up.”

  Qiao Dongliang, who used to be in the army, did not have many talents but was very good at throwing and aiming.

  In the presence of outsiders, Qiao Dongliang had already made himself clear. Ding Jiayi also did not want to lose face. She was so embarrassed that she could not lift her head and could only watch helplessly as Qiao Nan left with style.

  After Qiao Nan left, Ding Jiayi then said spitefully, “Old Qiao, what you did was really……”

  “Was really what? There’s still time. I’ll give you one more chance. Go home and ask Zijin to come. Otherwise, you will stay here.” Qiao Dongliang’s expression was cold, fully displaying the attitude that there was no room for negotiation.

  Ding Jiayi was silenced by Qiao Dongliang’s words. She could not say a word.

  In the end, Ding Jiayi sat down. She did not look at Qiao Dongliang. She was silent but also did not leave. Obviously, she would not let Qiao Zijin come.

  Qiao Dongliang sneered as he lied in bed and rested with his eyes closed.

  Ding Jiayi was correct in one matter. Qiao Dongliang was not possessed by evil. His belly was just full of the fury of hell!