Qiao Nan knew that regardless of the location, particularly in the capital and Mo Du, the price of housing would be very expensive in the future. Qiao Nan was envious of the Zhai family and the Lin family for having houses in more than one city.

  In the previous life, Qiao Nan worked her entire life but she was not able to have a house of her own in the third- or fourth-tier cities, let alone a small quad near the city center.

  She was reminded of the song ‘Wu Huan Zhi Ge’[1] by Xiao Yueyue[2]. She thought about his song and took a deep breath. Comparisons were odious.

  “Dad, did Mom have any food today?” As someone who was through rebirth, Qiao Nan could not help but be concerned about housing. However, she did not forget that she was here to take care of Miao Jing today.

  “She had some plain porridge. She said that she was sleepy and did not have an appetite. She had half a bowl of porridge and refused to have any more of them.” Zhai Yaohui did not have much experience in taking care of Miao Jing. Moreover, he did not have much time to take care of her. Therefore, he felt helpless.

  He knew that Miao Jing was uncomfortable. Hence, he took her to the hospital once the plane landed and bought porridge home.

  But other than that, Zhai Yaohui did not know what else to do. He had no time to get other things for her as well.

  Qiao Nan gave Zhai Yaohui a resigned look. There was nothing that she could say about his inept way of taking care of Miao Jing. He was indeed inexperienced. “Where is her medicine? Let me take a look. Some medicine has to be taken on an empty stomach while some have to be taken after meals, else it will be harmful to the stomach. Mom might not have an appetite, but plain porridge won’t do. A patient will have a bad appetite and finds everything tastes bland. Therefore, we need to prepare flavorful and nutritious food for her. Since she is sick, all the more she must have her three meals. If she skips her meals, she will not have any strength, let alone be strong enough to fight the illness.”

  Zhai Yaohui calmed down upon hearing Qiao Nan’s words. He took out Miao Jing’s medicine and placed them in front of her. “These are her medicine. I am running out of time. This is the key. When you reach, tell the guard and someone will send you in. There is money in the second drawer on the left side of the long table in the living room. I will leave Miao Miao to you.”

  “Sure.” Qiao Nan agreed right away. Since Zhai Yaohui was the chief, it was not surprising that he would be occupied with work now that he was in the capital. “Dad, how about you? You have been here for half a day. Mom had half a bowl of porridge, but I suppose you haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

  “I am alright.” Zhai Yaohui shrugged off her concern.

  Qiao Nan was exasperated. “Dad, you have to eat no matter how busy you are. People of your generation, especially those who are in this field, have sustained all sorts of injuries. You should not find it troublesome to have meals and starve yourself as a result. It will be another burden to the body. Why is it that Director Shi and you have the habit of skipping meals when you are busy? I hope that Brother Zhai does not have the same habit.”

  \r \r \r

  Zhai Yaohui paused momentarily at Qiao Nan’s nagging. He then smiled, feeling reassured. “Alright, stay home and take care of your mom. I will take care of my meals on the way.”

  Old Master Zhai was after all a rough man. His wife passed away at an early age. Zhai Yaohui had his ways since he was young. When he grew up, he had his own way of doing things.

  Zhai Yaohui was used to behave as he wished.

  It was only when his mother was around did she discipline him.

  His father never remarried. After he married Miao Jing, he had the final say at home and no one would dare to nag him. He never expected that several years later, he would be disciplined by his daughter-in-law.

  But it felt nice to be nagged at.

  Qiao Nan was used to nagging at others. She felt embarrassed at her outburst. Thankfully, Zhai Yaohui was not upset and she was able to relax. “Dad, stay safe. Don’t worry about Mom. I will take good care of her. I will give Shi Qing a call later. I will not go back today. I will tell her to bring my school bag to school tomorrow.”

  “Sure.”

  After Zhai Yaohui left, Qiao Nan walked into Miao Jing’s room. She was deep in her sleep and she had no idea that someone was in the house or that her husband had come back home and left for work.

  Qiao Nan touched Miao Jing’s forehead. The saline drip was indeed useful. Her fever had subsided.

  Miao Jing had just displayed symptoms of a cold. Therefore, she might feel more uncomfortable today.

  After ascertaining that Miao Jing’s fever had subsided, Qiao Nan covered her with a thin blanket and opened the window slightly for ventilation. She drew the curtains, leaving a small gap.

  She scanned the surroundings to make sure that everything was alright. Then, she took the money that Zhai Yaohui told her about and went out to buy ingredients to prepare food for Miao Jing.

  The small quad was well-equipped with furniture and it did not lack kitchen utensils.

  But one could not make bricks without straw.

  The Zhai family seldom stayed in this house. Although the house was well-equipped with furniture and kitchen utensils, there was no food at home.

  Qiao Nan could not find any life’s daily necessities, like cooking condiments, in the house as well.

  Qiao Nan did not ask the soldiers who were on duty to drive her around. Instead, she walked and asked around before she managed to find a nearby supermarket.

  In a first-tier city like the capital, there were all sorts of ingredients and cooking condiments that one could find. It was much more developed than all the other cities.

  Qiao Nan was able to enter and exit the quad in the military zone as and whenever she liked. Nobody stopped her to question her.

  That was because when Zhai Yaohui was with her just now, he had told the guards that she was his daughter-in-law.

  As soon as they knew her identity, no one stopped her from entering and exiting the quad.

  Qiao Nan busied herself with cooking as soon as she returned to the house.

  Miao Jing, who had slept for long hours, woke up because she had to use the toilet. She heard sounds coming from outside and thought that it must be Zhai Yaohui. “Zhai Yaohui, it is late. Why are you still at home? Didn’t you say that many people are looking for you? I am fine. I will be better after taking a rest. Just remember to bring some food for me when you come back in the evening.”

  Miao Jing woke up, wanting to go to the restroom. She was just about to take a step when someone rushed into the room. “Mom, why are you up? Do you want something to drink?”

  Miao Jing heard someone address her as her mother affectionately. She thought that she must be dizzy from her cold and had heard wrongly.

  She raised her head. “Nan Nan?”

  Qiao Nan came up to her with hurried footsteps. She noticed the direction that Miao Jing was heading toward and understood right away. “Mom, let me help you.”

  “Oh, alright.” Miao Jing was slow to react as she was sick. By the time she came out from the restroom and sat on the bed, her hand came to rest on a cup of warm water on the bedside table.

  Since she had gone to the restroom, she had to hydrate herself.

  [1] A song about the 5th Ring Road in Beijing. This song is about the people who stay in the area as well as the mentality of comparing with others.

  [2] Yue Yunpeng is a Chinese actor and crosstalk performer.