Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  “Zijin, if you wish to marry a good man, you still have to study in college. Otherwise, if everyone is a college graduate while you’re just a high school graduate, do you think you……” The kids nowadays were all highly educated. It was not the issue of learning to become successful or finding a good job. If the other children were all college graduates while Zijin was only a high school graduate, then it would not be nice to hear that from others.

  Speaking of the truth, which wealthy and powerful family would be willing to have a daughter-in-law with a low academic qualification?

  “I need to think about this again.” With Ding Jiayi’s advice, Qiao Zijin’s stand did waver.

  To put it bluntly, there was no other reason to study except to ‘package’ her own self nicely so that she could keep up her pretense in the future.

  Qiao Nan, who was in the bedroom, did not know what Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin were chatting about. When she came out from the room, Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin had tidied up most of the house. It was much cleaner than before.

  “Mealtime.” It had been almost a month since the family of four last sat together for a meal. Ding Jiayi felt that a lifetime seemed to have passed, and she was feeling nostalgic.

  At the sight of one plate of green vegetables and one plate of scrambled eggs, Qiao Zijin did not have much appetite. “Mom, Dad has not recovered. Didn’t you say that you will cook something good for Dad to nourish his health? We don’t need a feast, but there should at least be some protein dish.”

  “Tomorrow…… I’ll buy them tomorrow.” Ding Jiayi looked at Qiao Zijin and hinted at her to stop talking nonsense. It would be best for her to keep quiet.

  During the past month, Ding Jiayi had lost ten pounds straight. The fats she had accumulated over a decade were seemingly lost during this one-month period. Apparently, it had been really hard on Ding Jiayi.

  Although she had had it hard during this period, the money in Ding Jiayi’s pocket never increased.

  When Qiao Dongliang was in the hospital, almost all the food needed for his nourishment was provided by Qiao Nan.

  Ding Jiayi would occasionally cook for Qiao Zijin. Hence, it was not the same for Qiao Zijin. In half the vacation period, Qiao Zijin actually put on three to four pounds of weight.

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  Now that the family of four was having a meal together again, Qiao Nan would no longer prepare additional dishes. Hence, the meal expenses for the family of four would have to be borne directly by Ding Jiayi.

  Ding Jiayi could still manage occasional meals for Qiao Zijin while she settled her own meals modestly.

  However, now that there were two more mouths to feed, Ding Jiayi could not handle it.

  If Ding Jiayi was not careful in managing her money, there was no way to live on.

  “Okay.” Qiao Zijin felt more assured at the thought of the money in Qiao Nan’s hands.

  “Nan Nan, eat more.” Qiao Dongliang did not notice the eye contact between Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin. He simply placed some eggs into Qiao Nan’s bowl with his chopsticks. “Nan Nan, you have become skinny.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Qiao Nan lifted her head and looked at Qiao Dongliang. She noticed the embarrassment in Qiao Dongliang’s eyes as he tried to gain her favor.

  Qiao Nan pursed her lips. At the sight of this, she knew that her father must have cooled down and did not want to divorce her mother anymore.

  It is human nature. When one is agitated, and the more people advise them to do something, the more they tend to do it. On the contrary, the more others advise them against it, they will hesitate to do so.

  Qiao Nan was a little disappointed, but she did not regret what she said to her father previously. She was contented as long as her father led a good life. When she entered high school, she would be staying at the hostel, and the time she spent at home would probably not exceed three months once she entered college.

  Such an arrangement would be quite good.

  Now that Qiao Dongliang was back home and recovering, the three women in the Qiao family could finally relax and have a good sleep.

  The next morning, Qiao Nan woke up a little later than usual.

  After Qiao Nan washed her face and brushed her teeth, she wanted to go to the Zhai’s residence to put away the money. However, Qiao Zijin rushed over with a face full of panic. “Nan Nan, hurry. Help me bring Dad back.”

  “What happened? Where is Dad?” Qiao Nan was stunned when she found out that Qiao Dongliang was really not at home.

  “Didn’t the doctor say that Dad should exercise moderately when he is back since it will benefit his health? Today’s weather is quite good and the morning air is fresh, so I brought Dad for a stroll. I didn’t think that I’ll lose my grip on Dad, causing him to fall. You know that I don’t have much strength. I can’t help Dad up on my own. Quickly come with me.”

  Qiao Nan was both angry and amused. It was rare that Qiao Zijin would show concern for her father. Unfortunately, she was making matters worse with her try to do something good. “What’s with the hurry? Dad had a car accident and suffered serious injury. Even if he needs moderate exercise, there’s no need to do it today. You are really…… Forget it. Where’s Dad? Hurry and help him back. Is he alright?”

  “I’m not sure too. I was also afraid that his wounds will be affected, so I dare not move him. I came to ask for your help directly.”

  “Alright, lead the way.” Qiao Nan sighed. “Oh, right, where’s Mom?”

  Qiao Zijin, who was walking in front of Qiao Nan, tripped and nearly fell when she heard that. “What time is it now? Where else can Mom be except at work?!”

  “So early?”

  “Early? Don’t you know that because of Dad’s matter, Mom’s boss requested her to work overtime to make up for the lost hours? If Mom doesn’t go, her salary will be deducted. Hurry, Dad’s still waiting for us!”

  Then, Qiao Zijin simply started running without giving Qiao Nan any time to react.

  “Hey……” Qiao Nan was caught off guard and could only follow suit. Otherwise, she would not be able to catch up with Qiao Zijin and would lose Qiao Dongliang’s whereabouts. “I say, why are you in such a hurry?”

  “Dad is alone by himself. Of course it’s normal for me to be nervous!” Qiao Zijin gritted her teeth. “Why are you saying so many things that do not make sense today? Help me if you want to. If not, forget it.”

  “Look who’s the one talking too much.” The corners of Qiao Nan’s mouth curled as she caught up. “Dad!” Shortly after, Qiao Nan saw Qiao Dongliang resting by the side of the road.

  “Nan Nan, you’re here.” At the sight of Qiao Nan, Qiao Dongliang smiled.

  When Qiao Zijin saw that Qiao Dongliang was still waiting at the same place, she heaved a sigh of relief. “Dad, you’re tired. Since we’re already out and the morning air is fresh, why don’t you stay outside longer? Nan Nan, keep Dad company. I saw someone selling buns over there. I’ll buy a few. We might as well eat to our fill before we go back.”

  Qiao Zijin felt the pinch from her own words. She was nearly broke.

  “Did the sun rise from the west?” Qiao Dongliang felt surprised and found it strange.

  Zijin was someone who could not save any money. If she did not spend every single cent she had on hand, she would have a sleepless night.

  Unless Zijin was yearning to buy something that cost five yuan but only had one yuan, she would not wait until she managed to save five yuan, immediately spending it all. She was like a mouse that would not leave any food overnight.

  Notwithstanding that Qiao Zijin was normally unable to save any money, the fact that Qiao Zijin was willing to buy buns for Qiao Dongliang and Qiao Nan out of her own pocket alone was rare. It hardly ever occurred.

  “Sister, are you hiding something from us?”