Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  The longer Wang Yang stayed at the Zhu’s residence, the later Zhu Baoguo would return home.

  Unlike the previous two seasons that were warm and sunny, it was late autumn now. The days became shorter and it would be dark in the late afternoon. Elder Zhu was worried about Zhu Baoguo who stayed out all day.

  In the end, Elder Zhu asked Zhu Baoguo the reason for not staying at home.

  Zhu Baoguo said, “I don’t like Wang Yang. I feel uncomfortable whenever I see Wang Yang. I will be reminded of what happened during the middle school examination, and that saddened me. I am disappointed that my loved ones will plot against me during such an important juncture. I want to forgive him, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Grandpa, I know you like Wang Yang and you feel happy when you are with him. I want you to be happy. Hence, I can only stay outside and not go home. Grandpa, it’s alright. I am fine as long as you are happy.”

  Wang Yang was in junior high school. His house was not far from the Zhu’s residence. Most of the time, Wang Yang would usually drop by the Zhu’s residence first before going home after his lessons.

  Contrary to Wang Yang, Zhu Baoguo was in high school. He had to stay in the dormitory and would only be able to come back home every half a month. Besides, he could only stay for two nights before leaving for school again. As a result, Elder Zhu cherished the time that he had with Zhu Baoguo.

  If Zhu Baoguo created a fuss, Elder Zhu would definitely reprimand him and tell him to act like the elder brother and give in to Wang Yang. But Zhu Baoguo did not make any complaints. Instead, he made compromises because of Elder Zhu. Although Elder Zhu was comforted by the fact that his grandson was sensible and considerate, his heart ached for him nevertheless.

  To Elder Zhu who doted on his grandson, he could make do with it if he would still get to see Zhu Baoguo occasionally. However, he seldom got to chat with him nowadays. He missed his grandson dearly.

  In the end, in order to be able to spend more time with Zhu Baoguo, Elder Zhu had a talk with Wang Yang. “Yang Yang, I know that you are very filial. You always accompany me and chat with me. This makes me very happy. But you should spend time with your paternal grandparents as well. In the future, you can visit me every other weekend so that you will also have time for your paternal grandparents.”

  Initially, Wang Yang was happy that Elder Zhu was concerned about him.

  \r \r \r

  However, his paternal grandparents were close to him. He would rather spend more time with Elder Zhu.

  Wang Yang thought hard about it and realized that Zhu Baoguo would not be around on the weekend that he visited the Zhu’s residence, and Zhu Baoguo would be back home from school during the weekend that he stayed at home.

  Did it mean that he was Zhu Baoguo’s spare wheel? When Zhu Baoguo was around, his grandpa found him to be a nuisance and did not need his company. It was only when Zhu Baoguo was not around that his Grandpa enjoyed his company. Was that it?

  Wang Yang, who was proud and arrogant and had always felt superior to Zhu Baoguo, believing that he was the most suitable heir of the Zhu family, was so angry that he had a slight fever that night.

  Zhu Baoguo was over the moon when he knew that Wang Yang had fallen sick. He did not know that being a ‘coward’ and not clashing heads on with Wang Yang would have such unexpected results.

  It was only then that Zhu Baoguo finally understood that although Qiao Nan would always behave as if she could do nothing about Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin, she was, in fact, waging a psychological war.

  Whoever had the notion that Qiao Nan seemed like she was easily bullied would fall right into her trap.

  Zhu Baoguo thought that Qiao Zijin and Ding Jiayi were the only ones who had fallen into Qiao Nan’s traps. He did not know that he was ‘tricked’ by her as well.

  If not for Qiao Nan’s advice, he would not have had a change in his learning attitude and given his full attention to his studies. Thus, the Zhu family would not have been able to see the change in him in such a short period of time and realize his importance and value.

  In fact, right at the beginning when Zhu Chengqi had a private chat with Qiao Nan, besides thanking Qiao Nan, he also asked her to help Zhu Baoguo change for the better.

  Zhu Baoguo was completely fooled. As for Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin, although they seemed to have the upper hand, they themselves were, in fact, the ones who knew that life had changed drastically for them ever since Qiao Dongliang moved away. “Old Qiao, the winter solstice will be here in a few days’ time. Can you give me some money so that I can buy some delicious food to nourish Zijin? Recently, Zijin has been very serious in her studies and has lost a lot of weight. When you see her, you will definitely feel sad.”

  Even though Ding Jiayi would still ask Qiao Dongliang for money, her attitude and tone were no longer as arrogant as before.

  In the past, Ding Jiayi would take things for granted, assuming that Qiao Dongliang’s money belonged to her and she had the right to spend them. Now, Ding Jiayi would tread carefully when she asked Qiao Dongliang for money. She would try hard to please him, as she knew that if he was angered, he might not give her any money.

  Qiao Dongliang’s temper was not as good as it was two years ago. “How much do you want?”

  “I don’t ask for much. I only want to buy a chicken to make chicken soup for Zijin. What do you think?” Ding Jiayi did not dare to ask for more. She feared that she might anger him and she would end up with nothing.

  After losing the job that she used to have, Ding Jiayi could not find a permanent job. She could only settle with temporary odd jobs.

  These odd jobs were tedious and did not pay much. Ding Jiayi did not earn much after working hard for the whole day.

  Qiao Zijin’s standard of living was affected as well. She had to make do with lesser money to spend.

  Qiao Dongliang stopped doing whatever he was working on and frowned at Ding Jiayi. After a long while, he said, “You don’t know how to slaughter a chicken. I will drop by the Qiao’s house tomorrow and bring you the chicken.”

  “Alright, I will be waiting for you tomorrow.” Ding Jiayi breathed a sigh of relief at successfully getting the chicken. She smiled reluctantly and went back to the Qiao’s house.

  In the end, Ding Jiayi found out about the new place that Qiao Dongliang had moved to. He could not keep it from Ding Jiayi.

  However, Ding Jiayi never once stepped into the courtyard house. It was not that she had the self-discipline, but it was Qiao Dongliang who forbade her to do so.

  Ding Jiayi did not know what mistakes she had committed, but she knew Qiao Dongliang had been angry with her for the past half a year. Qiao Nan’s school did not seem to like her too as they had always been picking on her.

  Nevertheless, she was more than pleased that they could stay in that house for free. It was good that they could save three years’ worth of rent!

  Ding Jiayi was elated that they could stay at the house without paying rent. It did not occur to her to find out the reason as to why Ping Cheng High School disliked her so much. Instead, she obeyed Qiao Dongliang and did not enter the house. She feared that if she went against Qiao Dongliang’s words, Ping Cheng High School would take back the house, and Qiao Dongliang and Qiao Nan would not be able to have free lodging.

  “Dad, has Mom gone back?” After Ding Jiayi left, Qiao Nan came out from the house. She did not want to argue with her mother.

  “Yes.” Qiao Dongliang stopped whatever he was doing. “Nan Nan, Dad has ordered two chickens. I will slaughter them tomorrow. One is for your sister, and the other one is for you.”

  “Dad, it’s been hard on you.” Qiao Nan smiled. She did not care about the chicken.

  The next day, a small knock could be heard outside the house not long after Qiao Dongliang left the house.

  “Dad, did you forget anything—it’s you?!”