Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  Qiao Nan was aware that the school reported Ding Jiayi to the police due to the rumors that she spread at school. What Ding Jiayi did not only had an impact on Qiao Nan, but it also almost ruined the reputation of Ping Cheng High School.

  If Ding Jiayi knew about this place, she would definitely come every day.

  Qiao Dongliang’s expression turned grim. “There’s no need for that. You can rest assured that your mom won’t find out about this place. Even if she knows about it, I won’t let her in.”

  “Alright, I will go to school then.”

  She had no idea who came up with this plan today. Regardless, Qiao Zijin and her mother had succeeded once again.

  Qiao Nan went to school while Qiao Dongliang stayed by himself at home. The more he thought about what happened today, the angrier he was. He felt like thrashing the furniture. But he remembered that everything in this house belonged to Qiao Nan’s school and stopped himself in time. “Ding Jiayi, since you plotted against me, I will fight with you till the end!”

  With this thought in mind, Qiao Dongliang went to the police station with the household register and the marriage certificate.

  On the other hand, Qiao Nan, who had known that this would happen, did not show much response. She went to school without any expression on her face.

  Qiao Nan silently told herself that she must strive to enter a good university, and she would definitely choose a university that was far from Ping Cheng.

  “Oh my god.” A very well-dressed woman in front of Qiao Nan screamed and slipped on a muddy puddle. The expensive suit she wore was stained with mud.

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  Qiao Nan gasped and ran forward to check. “Are you okay? A-Auntie Miao?”

  Qiao Nan was surprised when she found out that the person who fell was none other than Zhai Sheng’s mother. “Auntie Miao, why are you here? Let me help you up first.”

  “No need for that. My clothes are dirty. If you help me up, your clothes will get dirty as well.” Miao Jing was in a sorry and miserable state. Even though her face had been stained with muddy water, she still carried that look of indifference on her face. Her tone was cold and aloof, telling Qiao Nan that she did not need her help.

  “It doesn’t matter.” Qiao Nan reached out her hand and pulled Miao Jing up, her hand stained with mud in the process. “Auntie Miao, there is a river terrace over there. Let’s have a seat while I help you wipe off the mud with a handkerchief.”

  No matter who slipped and fell, Qiao Nan would render her help, not to mention that this person was Zhai Sheng’s mother.

  “There’s no need for that.” Miao Jing, who stood up with Qiao Nan’s help, rejected her assistance for the second time. She retracted her hand and said, “I will go home now. I can simply change out of these dirty clothes later.”

  “How are you going to walk back in those high heels?” Qiao Nan looked down toward Miao Jing’s shoes.

  There had been a heavy downpour in Ping Cheng for the past two days. Many of the muddy roads were particularly slippery. It was no wonder that Miao Jing, who wore a pair of fashionable high heels, would slip and fall.

  Because of the fall, the right heel of Miao Jing’s shoes was broken.

  A fleeting look of self-mockery and bitterness could be seen on Miao Jing’s face, but she schooled her expression within seconds that Qiao Nan almost missed it. “Auntie Miao, let me help you to the river terrace. Even if you want to go back home, you can’t go back home like this.”

  Droplets of muddy water could be seen dripping from her body. Qiao Nan rarely ran into Auntie Miao, but every time she saw her, she would be dressed nicely and neatly like the noblewomen described in books.

  In fact, with her status, she was worthy of such attire.

  However, it would not be appropriate if the wife of the chief went back home drenched in muddy water with a pair of broken high heels.

  It seemed like Miao Jing had a bad fall just now and might have sprained her ankle. When Qiao Nan helped her walk toward the river terrace, although she did not utter a word of discomfort, she knitted her eyebrows in pain.

  “Auntie Miao, have a seat first.”

  Qiao Nan picked a clean spot and ushered Miao Jing to sit down.

  Usually, given her status, Miao Jing would not be seen sitting by the river terrace, but Qiao Nan had already seen her in a sorry state. There was no need for her to worry about maintaining her image, and so she sat down without a word.

  Miao Jing had a look of indifference on her face as Qiao Nan used her white and clean handkerchief to wipe the mud off Miao Jing’s blouse and skirt. Her handkerchief turned brown with mud.

  There was no way she could clean them thoroughly. She could only wipe away the mud as much as possible.

  Qiao Nan was so tired that her face turned red and her forehead was covered with sweat. “Auntie Miao, that’s all we could do for the clothes. What about your shoes? Do you want me to buy another pair for you?”

  Miao Jing sat by the river terrace. She placed her legs together and tilted them to one side, looking like a noble lady. “Last time, I gave you the cold shoulder and I took back the keys from you. Why are you being so good to me? Is it because I am the wife of the chief? Young lady, one should not be so scheming at your age. If you think that you can benefit from this, then you have got things wrong. My husband is very impartial.”

  Miao Jing softened her tone as she felt that, after all, Qiao Nan had helped her this time. “On the account that you have helped me, as long as it is within my ability and is not too unreasonable, I will fulfill your request. However, there’s no way that my husband will do anything for you.”

  “Auntie Miao, there’s no need for that. I help you because you are Br—no, Sister Zhai Hua’s mother. Speaking of which, both of you did me a favor in the first place.” Undeniably, most of the people had something in mind when they tried to be close to the Zhai family. It was the same for her as well. She wanted to repay Brother Zhai’s kindness.

  Brother Zhai was very capable, and he did not need her help in any way. She might not have the chance to repay his kindness in this life.

  But ‘luck’ was on her side. She ran into Auntie Miao and could render her help to her. This could be considered as repaying Brother Zhai’s kindness as well.

  “Think about it before you refuse. There’s no need for you to put on a strong front. This is my promise to you. It will be very useful to you. If you haven’t thought about it yet, you can look for me after you have decided.” Miao Jing lifted her chin and said in an assertive tone, “You have tired yourself out and made yourself to be as dirty as me. I won’t take advantage of you. It is common for the Zhai family to help others, but I don’t have the habit of owing others.”

  Brother Zhai and Sister Zhai Hua were quite easy to get along with as they did not put on airs. Why was it that Auntie Miao was so difficult to get along with? Besides, she just could not understand her words.

  Qiao Nan frowned. She moved to stand in front of Miao Jing.

  Miao Jing looked at Qiao Nan without batting an eyelid. “Have you thought of what you want? Oh my! What are you doing?!”

  Miao Jing, who composed herself with dignity, paled and let out an uncharacteristically loud scream. She watched helplessly as Qiao Nan squatted down and took off her shoes!