Regarding this matter, it was certainly true that the other family’s daughter had been shortchanged.

  Ah De was his son. Of course, he was on his own son’s side.

  His grandson already existed and he could not forgo his grandson.

  Aside from that, he would certainly properly take in hand his own wife so that that lady’s life would not be as bad. This was also considered a form of compensation for her.

  Father Wei was melancholic as he took a smoke of his dry-cured tobacco. “I am guessing that Ah De asked you to bring our grandson back as a precautionary measure. I have said before. This matter is not handled honestly. We have gone overboard in bullying others. Also, the people in the city are very smart. I am afraid that all of you have been too optimistic and your plan will fail in the end.”

  Father Wei had always disapproved of sending his grandson to Ping Cheng.

  Of course, he hoped that his only grandchild could become as successful as the latter’s father.

  The problem was that that lady or other people might discover the relationship between his son and grandson. If that were to happen, his son would really lose this good marriage.

  Father Wei’s words made sense. No matter how bad Mother Wei’s temper was, she could only bow her head and relent at this moment. “You’re right. I will not talk about this in the future in case other people spread the words around. Who will fetch Wei Wei? You or me?”

  When that chief’s daughter really became her daughter-in-law, she would order her to take care of Wei Wei then.

  At most, she just had to wait for it to happen in one or two years’ time. With Ah De around, no one would be able to shortchange her grandson.

  “I’ll go.” Father Wei stood up immediately. “It’s not the spring season now. There shouldn’t be many people buying the tickets. I will go now.” After all, it would be a long journey. Father Wei hoped to fetch his grandson home as soon as possible, whether it was because he missed him or to prevent his grandson’s existence from affecting his son’s good marriage.

  “Okay.” Mother Wei copied down a contact number and passed it to Father Wei, in case Father Wei became lost and could not fetch their grandson when he arrived in Ping Cheng.

  \r \r \r

  Father Wei took an overnight train to Ping Cheng and managed to fetch his grandson at half past eight in the morning.

  When he saw that a helper and not his son had brought his grandson to him, Father Wei enquired. The auntie acted according to Wei De’s instructions. She only told him that Wei De was extremely busy with work and discussions of business deals.

  After he confirmed umpteen times that Wei De was doing fine and there was no problem with his relationship with Zhai Hua, he then left with Wei Wei.

  Never did the auntie and Wei De expect that, Wei Wei, who had already learned how to talk, would tell Father Wei on the train that Wei De was hospitalized as he had been beaten up by someone.

  Father Wei then realized that his son was in some trouble. That was why he had contacted them to fetch his grandson home.

  Father Wei could not help much in other areas. Since his son did not want him to know about this, Father Wei pretended that he did not know. He even instructed his grandson not to mention this in front of the latter’s grandmother.

  When Wei De had settled his problem and decided on his marriage with the chief’s daughter, Father Wei believed that everything would be fine and there would be clear skies after a storm.

  “Nan Nan, you have applied for leave to come back. Is there really no issue?” The night Qiao Nan returned to Ping Cheng, naturally, she went back to stay in the small courtyard near Ping Cheng High School with Qiao Dongliang.

  “Yes, the principal has approved the leave.” Qiao Nan dared not tell Qiao Dongliang that the principal had approved her leave completely because he was giving the Zhai family face, and not because he had complete trust in her.

  True enough, Qiao Dongliang felt more at ease when he heard that she had the principal’s approval. “Nan Nan, don’t blame Dad for being too strict on you. Even if the Zhai family doesn’t look down on us, other people are not so nice with their words. Now, you can only strive to perform well in college and let everyone know that you are capable and compatible with Zhai Sheng.”

  Qiao Nan smiled. “Dad, how will I not understand your good intention? If one is carefree, they should not care too much about others’ opinions. The problem is that the status of the Zhai family is different. If I can do better, of course I will, regardless of whether it is for the sake of the Zhai family or myself. Dad, I know. I am not angry.”

  Qiao Dongliang felt very comforted that his daughter was so sensible and obedient. “That’s true. You’ve been very obedient and sensible since you’re a child. If it’s your sister……”

  At the mention of Qiao Zijin, Qiao Dongliang’s face turned pale.

  Initially, Miao Jing intended to ask Qiao Nan to stay at the house of the Zhai family but Qiao Dongliang did not agree. Once Qiao Dongliang expressed his stand, Qiao Nan very obediently followed Qiao Dongliang as he stood up. They then returned to the small courtyard together.

  Qiao Nan was already engaged with Zhai Sheng. Even if she were to stay at the house of the Zhai family, other people could not gossip either, not to mention that Miao Jing and Zhai Yaohui had already looked for Dongliang when they came back from the capital. The trio had jointly discussed and selected a date next year to organize a banquet for the two children so that they could collect their marriage certificate thereafter.

  As such, Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng would become an official couple then.

  They had already come to such a stage. Qiao Dongliang was hanging on and felt that it was best for Qiao Nan not to stay at the house of the Zhai family for the time being.

  If Qiao Nan did not listen to him, Qiao Dongliang might feel disappointed but he would not think that Qiao Nan was in the wrong. The problem was that if the same situation occurred with Qiao Zijin…… Clearly, Qiao Zijin was older than Qiao Nan by two years but she completely did not have Qiao Nan’s sensibility and dignity. This was what Qiao Dongliang was most angry about.

  Qiao Nan was pouring some water when she paused. “Sister and Mom are back?”

  “Otherwise, why do you think I insist that you don’t stay in the quad?” Qiao Dongliang was feeling angry too. “Your sister…… I really can’t manage her. If your mom wants to spoil her, so be it. She will ruin your sister’s entire life. Your mom will come to regret this!”

  Previously, when Qiao Dongliang divorced Ding Jiayi, it was considered that he left the marriage without anything. He left everything in the family’s possession, including the small courtyard in the quad, to Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin.

  Miao Jing liked Qiao Nan very much. Old Master Zhai was also full of praise for Qiao Nan.

  As Qiao Nan’s biological father, Qiao Dongliang was overjoyed that everyone in his future in-law family liked his daughter.

  He could not agree to let his daughter stay overnight at the house of the Zhai family. Nevertheless, they had a house in the quad too. If they were to stay near each other, it was convenient to have dinner and chat for a longer time before returning home.

  However, as Ding Jiayi had returned to Ping Cheng and stayed in the small courtyard of the Qiao family, Qiao Dongliang was thus reluctant to step into the house.

  Since he had already given it to Ding Jiayi, he would not go back on his words.

  As such, Qiao Dongliang simply gave all the keys of the small courtyard to Ding Jiayi. He did not leave behind any of them. He did not leave himself a choice at all.

  “What happened to my sister?” Upon hearing this, Qiao Nan felt that his father’s anger seemed to be directed at Qiao Zijin.

  “She is dating.”

  “Oh……” She knew about this matter. Brother Zhai had mentioned it to her before.

  “She is together with that man by the surname of Chen!” This was what Qiao Dongliang could not accept most.

  In the past, this young lad appeared out of nowhere at his house and said that he knew Nan Nan.

  Within such a short time span, that man by the surname of Chen was already together with Zijin. Qiao Dongliang did not feel happy about it. “That man by the surname of Chen doesn’t seem like a good guy. Your sister insists to be with him. She will definitely suffer badly in the future.”

  At the sight of that indignant look of Qiao Dongliang, Qiao Nan did not open her mouth to persuade Qiao Dongliang.