Thinking of this, Miao Jing felt pleased and energized as if she had drunk some tonics. “Today, Nan Nan will sleep in Hua Hua’s room. The two young ladies can have more time to chat and discuss life. Isn’t that good?”

  Miao Jing could finally set her mind at ease now that Zhai Hua was willing to leave Wei De. But she had another problem to worry about.

  Her daughter was no longer young. Since Wei De was not suitable for her, they had to break up right away. But she had to find another boyfriend as soon as possible.

  She wanted both her son and daughter to be married and start a family.

  “Alright,” Zhai Hua replied. The other rooms were not as comfortable as her room. Besides, she also wanted to discuss with Qiao Nan regarding the issue of having children.

  The Zhai family was chatting happily when the auntie was needed outside the house. By the time she returned, there was a strange look on her face. She kept looking at Qiao Nan as if she had something to say.

  “Auntie, what’s wrong?” Qiao Nan did not make things difficult for the auntie. She waited until the auntie returned to the kitchen before she came up with an excuse, saying that she was thirsty, and went to the kitchen to pour a cup of tea for herself. Now that they were alone by themselves, she took the chance to ask the auntie what was wrong.

  There was evident concern in the auntie’s eyes. “Nan Nan, I don’t know if I should tell you or not. I feel that you will be upset if you find out about it. But at the same time, I am worried that if you are kept in the dark, you will be deceived by others.”

  “What happened? Is it that serious?”

  “One of the neighbors in the quad told me that two hours ago, your mom and your sister carried a lot of bags with them and went out.” Today was the day before Lunar New Year’s eve. Most people would spend their time with their families.

  Besides, everyone in the quad knew that the Qiao family did not have many relatives.

  Qiao Dongliang and the two daughters were the only ones left in the Qiao family. Moreover, Ding Jiayi had severed all ties with the Ding family.

  Where could Ding Jiayi be going with so many bags on a special day like the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve?

  She would most probably be looking for Qiao Dongliang.

  The couple had a divorce and they did not part happily. Why would they be in contact with each other now? Were they thinking of reconciling with each other?

  \r \r \r

  Otherwise, why did they not have another partner despite having divorced many years ago?

  The auntie would side with Qiao Nan no matter what. She felt that as long as Ding Jiayi was around, Qiao Nan would not have good days ahead of her.

  Thankfully, Qiao Nan was about to be married to Zhai Sheng and she would be part of the Zhai family.

  Perhaps Ding Jiayi had yet to reconcile with Qiao Dongliang and Qiao Nan would have already married Zhai Sheng.

  Ding Jiayi might be harsh to Qiao Nan, but after Qiao Nan left the family, she could not possibly go to the Zhai family’s residence to bully her.

  “Two hours?” Qiao Nan lowered her eyes and curled the corners of her lips. “Auntie, you don’t have to worry about me. But I have to thank you for telling me about this piece of news. If they want to get back together, so be it. Back then, my dad felt that he could not live the rest of his life with my mom, so he filed for a divorce. Perhaps he now feels that he will have a better life being with my mom. I did not stop him from getting a divorce. If he wants to marry, I will not object either.”

  Two hours……

  If her father did not accept Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin, they did not even need two hours to travel to and fro the Qiao family’s residence in the small quad. At most, they would only need one and a half hours.

  In that case, although her father did not agree to go back to have dinner with them on the first day of the Lunar New Year, he allowed Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin to have dinner with him on the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve.

  Qiao Nan could not help but feel disgusted.

  She was relieved that back then, she had not thought of taking advantage of Ping Cheng High School. She intended to return the house to the school after she had some money. That was why she never told her father that the house actually belonged to her.

  Otherwise, some people might become ill-disciplined and out of control when they were at the house.

  “It’s good that you have sorted out your thoughts. You are about to get married. Times have changed, but some old sayings are still very true. A daughter married is like water spilled. In the future, you have your in-laws, the chief, madam, and the entire family on your side.”

  The auntie patted Qiao Nan’s hands. Some people did not know to cherish her or realize her value. However, there were people who treasured Qiao Nan and recognized her value. They would do anything to protect and safeguard her.

  She should not be bothered with these people!

  “Auntie, I will leave the kitchen first.” Qiao Nan brought a teapot of freshly brewed tea out to the living room. She remembered that she came up with this excuse to go to the kitchen.

  Even though the auntie and Qiao Nan kept a low profile, the Zhai family was sharp and perceptive. Their behavior did not go unnoticed.

  There were only a few members in the Qiao family.

  There were only a few people that would be able to irritate and upset Qiao Nan.

  The elders in the Zhai family kept their silence, but Zhai Hua could not contain her sharp tongue. “Did you leave any valuables at home?”

  Perhaps after spending a night at the Zhai family’s residence, the valuables would be gone by the time Qiao Nan went back home.

  “No.” Qiao Nan poured tea for everyone. “I have deposited all the money that I earned while working and studying to my bank account. It’s easier for the school to deduct the tuition fees. As for the card, I did not bring it with me. I have left it at my master’s house.”

  Valuables?

  Although the house belonged to her, she was not used to keeping any valuables at the place where she seldom stayed in.

  Zhai Hua had not been to the Lin family’s residence in the capital.

  Therefore, she was not aware that Lin Yuankang’s house was not a place that anyone could enter.

  In Lin Yuankang’s house, there was a safe deposit box hidden behind one of the drawings that were hung on the wall in the room that Qiao Nan stayed in. Lin Yuankang told Qiao Nan the password so that she could keep her valuables inside the safe.

  After opening the safe deposit box, Qiao Nan realized that Lin Yuankang had left many valuables in the safe.

  Initially, Qiao Nan thought that she would not have the chance to use the safe deposit box. However……

  After Qiao Nan went to the capital for her college studies, Qiao Dongliang handed all the important documents like her identity card and household register of family members for Qiao Nan to safeguard.

  As time passed by, Qiao Nan began to use the safe deposit box to keep her valuables.

  Qiao Nan would be staying in the capital for four years. She would have to keep her valuables in the safe deposit box.

  When she was in Ping Cheng, she would not keep her valuables at the house that Ping Cheng High School gave her. She would pass all the valuables to Zhai Sheng for him to bring it back to the Zhai family’s residence.

  “I heard from Zhai Sheng that the house that you and your dad are living in belongs to you. Where is the title deed?” Zhai Hua felt that it was better to be on the safe side.

  Ding Jiayi took the money from Qiao Nan’s scholarship four to five years ago and spent it on the other daughter.

  1050 Shun Her Biological Daughter

  She had not seen Ding Jiayi for four to five years. Ding Jiayi’s power must have increased and she might do things that were multiple times worse than before. Ding Jiayi should be the kind of person that did not have a limit in her behavior.

  “Nan Nan, that house belongs to you?” This was the first time that Miao Jing heard about this.

  “Yes, earlier on, the owners of the house came back. They were willing to give me the house at no cost. Their children seem to be planning to return to Ping Cheng to collaborate with Ping Cheng High School. I am not sure about the specific arrangements. Brother Zhai said that they will never shortchange themselves. After the ownership was transferred, I passed the deed title of that house to Brother Zhai. Hence, it should be with the Zhai family.”

  Even if her mother were to spend the Lunar New Year in that house and turned it upside down, she would not be able to find anything.

  “It seems that they took some actions this year. The good thing is that this is just the beginning. They may be too much, but most likely, they won’t do that yet. My dad’s temper is not that soft and my mom won’t be so foolish.” Of course, if there were increasing conflicts after some time, her mother might dare to do such things.

  “The title deed is at my house!” Zhai Hua spoke as she was stunned by this news. “Zhai Sheng’s actions are so quick.” Qiao Nan had not been officially married but her house had entered the Zhai family first.

  Not to mention Zhai Hua, even Old Master Zhai and Zhai Yaohui were surprised by this situation.

  Old Master Zhai’s face twisted a little. “It seems that he has been harboring ‘intentions’ for a long time.”

  When the young lady was still a junior high school student, he had already helped link her up with such a prominent master like Lin Yuankang. Following that, the title deed of the house that she was staying at had become his.

  Old Master Zhai did not believe that Zhai Sheng did not do anything about the matter regarding that house.

  Of course, Old Master Zhai believed that, at most, Zhai Sheng only acted as a catalyst. He wouldn’t resort to shameful means such as force, deception, coercion, or bribery.

  However, this proved that his grandson’s feelings toward the young lady started a long time ago.

  “Once he fixes on a target, he is vicious and accurate in taking action. This is truly the style of a soldier.” It was seldom that Zhai Yaohui expressed his approval instead of trampling on his son at this moment.

  This was such a fine lady. Of course, the earlier one took action, the better.

  Otherwise, how could the Zhai family have meat now while the Zhu family only had soup to drink?

  \r \r \r

  Under Qiao Nan’s influence, Zhu Baoguo had been led to the right path and his strayed mindset had been corrected. Zhai Yaohui could understand why Zhu Chengqi wished to acknowledge Qiao Nan as his goddaughter.

  Zhu Chengqi had secretly spoken about this matter to Zhai Yaohui.

  It was also because of Qiao Nan that the relationship between the Zhai family and the Zhu family became very good. Zhu Chengqi and Zhai Yaohui had formed a secret alliance.

  Zhu Chengqi openly and honestly told Zhai Yaohui that his son had feelings toward Qiao Nan but Zhu Chengqi only saw Qiao Nan as his daughter.

  Once Qiao Nan was married to Zhai Sheng, in his eyes, Zhai Sheng would be his son-in-law.

  Everyone would become in-laws. Naturally, he had to interact more closely with the Zhai family.

  He was going to have an additional formidable ally such as the Zhu family. There was no reason for Zhai Yaohui to decline or feel unhappy about this.

  Besides the Zhu family, the Lee family had also been on good terms with the Zhai family recently.

  Zhai Yaohui did not just stay at home all day and do nothing. He had been taking care of these relationships. Hence, he was well aware that the Zhai family’s power had been strengthening gradually. Amidst all these, the greatest credit went to Qiao Nan, this future daughter-in-law.

  As for Lin Yuankang, he had not expressed anything until now.

  However, this did not bother Zhai Yaohui at all.

  Although Lin Yuankang did not express his stance to the Zhai family, his care for Qiao Nan was not any less.

  Lin Yuankang had been nurturing his little disciple wholeheartedly. This was a great thing for the Zhai family and would also benefit them eventually.

  With this, Zhai Yaohui had already categorized Lin Yuankang as one of his people.

  The few truly powerful figures in Ping Cheng had been secretly twisted into a rope because of Qiao Nan. The people in the capital did not know much about this situation but Zhai Yaohui was aware in his heart.

  As he drank the tea prepared by Qiao Nan, he felt so happy and at ease.

  It was true. Where could he find such a good daughter-in-law?!

  Zhai Yaohui had not spoken about it before, but his thoughts were similar to his wife, Miao Jing: Their son was very capable. The best thing that he had done was to find the right wife.

  “Hahaha.” Hearing Zhai Yaohui’s praise for Zhai Sheng, Zhai Hua sneered continuously. “This is a May-December romance, yet everyone is so smug about it. Where is your shame?” They felt proud instead of shameful about it. Where were the values, morals, and characters? Where were the boundaries?

  Zhai Yaohui put down his cup of tea and looked at Zhai Yaohui indifferently. “You can do the same too.”

  If Hua Hua could find someone similar to Qiao Nan—no, half as good as Qiao Nan, regardless of the other party’s age and situation, he would accept him as long as he was true to Hua Hua.

  “Sister Zhai Hua, do you have a tendency toward May-December romance?” Qiao Nan blinked her eyes. So, Sister Zhai Hua also wanted to find someone younger than her?

  Zhai Hua tugged the corners of her lips weakly. “I have not met anyone suitable currently. If I like him, I am not particular about his age!”

  After meeting a scum like Wei De, Zhai Hua discovered that her tolerance level and resilience had improved tremendously.

  The rest of the things did not matter. Most importantly, she would have to like the person first.

  “Old master, dinner is ready,” the auntie wiped her hands and said softly.

  “Ready?” Old Master Zhai took a glance at the clock. “It’s already seven old o’clock. The sky is getting darker. No wonder I am feeling hungry. Let’s quickly have our meal.”

  Once Old Master Zhai gave the orders, everyone from the Zhai family proceeded to the dining table.

  It was the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve. There were a few more dishes on the dining table in the Zhai family today. There were also the auntie’s specialty dishes.

  Miao Jing was piling Qiao Nan’s bowl with dishes enthusiastically. “Nan Nan, you have to go to school and take exams in normal times. Eat more and well. Never shortchange yourself. Don’t be polite with us. If there is anything you want to eat, you have to tell auntie and ask her to make it for you.”

  “Thank you, Mom.” Looking at the bowl that was piled with a mountain of dishes, Qiao Nan smiled. The burden in her heart disappeared and she started eating happily.

  After eating and drinking to their hearts’ contents, the family sat together to watch television and chat. About nine o’clock, one by one, everyone returned to their rooms.

  The clothes that Zhai Hua bought for Qiao Nan today were new and could not be worn yet.

  Fortunately, Qiao Nan still had Miao Miao, this mother-in-law. After knowing Qiao Nan’s size, during the six months Qiao Nan was studying in college in the capital, Miao Jing had helped Qiao Nan organize and decorate the latter’s wardrobe according to her preferences.

  1051 Sudden and Violent Hur

  Miao Jing had the habit of washing all her new clothes, besides jackets, before wearing.

  Hence, after Miao Jing bought the clothes for Qiao Nan, she first cut away the tags before passing them to the auntie to wash and dry. She would then gradually place them in the closet in Zhai Sheng’s bedroom.

  Zhai Sheng was seldom at home. He only had a few clothes, such as T-shirts for exercising and army uniforms.

  As such, Zhai Sheng’s big closet was almost empty.

  After Qiao Nan’s clothes were added, there were gradually some feelings of life and vitality.

  When Miao Jing knew that Qiao Nan would be staying at the house of the Zhai family today, she told Qiao Nan that she could simply look for the clothes in Zhai Sheng’s room and wear whatever she would love to.

  Because of this, Zhai Hua immediately yelled that Qiao Nan was spoiled. “Take a look. Zhai Sheng’s closet doesn’t have many of his clothes, yet you have stuffed in so much of yours. These are multiple times more than that of Zhai Sheng. Earlier, you held me back when I wanted to talk and even insisted to store all these new clothes in my room. What for? Let me tell you. Previously, the situation of my closet was not any better than Zhai Sheng, but from today onward, I will slowly fill this closet with my clothes. Don’t store yours in mine. I can’t accommodate them!”

  Without any reservation, Zhai Hua threw all the bags of new clothes that she bought for Qiao Nan today into Zhai Sheng’s room with a loud pop. When she saw that, Qiao Nan did not know whether to laugh or cry.

  The Zhai family’s attitudes were already so obvious. Regardless of how embarrassed Qiao Nan felt, she had to brace herself and accept it.

  When Qiao Nan opened Zhai Sheng’s closet and looked in…… It was indeed so.

  Zhai Sheng had too few clothes and the colors were simple. If one were to twist all of his clothes and pile them at a corner, they would not even enter one’s vision.

  On the contrary, her collection of clothes included real silk dresses for summer, suits for spring and autumn, and thick coats for winter. They were individually segregated and hung up in a row tidily.

  The moment she opened the closet door, Qiao Nan could smell the fragrant of laundry detergent from the clothes.

  There was not only outer wear. When Qiao Nan opened the two drawers at the bottom, they were filled with her belongings.

  The first drawer had bras of various colors and designs.

  \r \r \r

  As one would expect, naturally, the second drawer below had different kinds of panties.

  In two lifetimes, this was the first time Qiao Nan had the taste of being cared for and loved by someone at all times from the heart.

  The greatest problem that other women faced in their lives was the mother and daughter-in-law relationship, while they were usually on the best term with their biological mother. Comparing herself to other women, Qiao Nan laughed.

  She was not unfortunate. On the contrary, she was very blessed.

  At least, in this lifetime, she had only lived for more than ten years with her mother. In her next few decades of life, she had to spend it with Miao Jing, this mother-in-law!

  “You really came over. Why don’t you sleep in Zhai Sheng’s room directly?” Zhai Hua, who had just finished bathing, was drying her hair when she saw Qiao Nan bringing her clothes over. She looked puzzled. “I think you have studied too much. Why are you so inflexible?”

  They would be collecting the marriage certificate in two months.

  Honestly, even if Qiao Nan were to sleep in Zhai Sheng’s room and share a bed and blanket with Zhai Sheng when he was present, no one in the whole world was qualified to say ‘no’ to Qiao Nan.

  Moreover, Zhai Sheng was not at home today and Qiao Nan would be having the room all to herself.

  Besides, this was the house of the Zhai family. The Zhai family did not have the habit of telling outsiders about their private matters.

  “Do you think others will believe it even if you don’t sleep in Zhai Sheng’s room?” In other people’s eyes, Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng were already bolted tightly.

  Qiao Nan untied her hair and walked into the bathroom with her pajamas and panties. “I don’t want others to believe me. I just want you to believe me.” Sister Zhai Hua was already very good at talking. Now that she had fallen out of love, her words were too piercing when she flared up and spoke.

  She did not wish to take issue with Sister Zhai Hua but also wanted to avoid such a situation.

  Who would be happy to hear others badmouthing her every day?

  If Sister Zhai Hua were to overdo it, she might not be able to control her temper if she was provoked by Sister Zhai Hua.

  She definitely would have a head-on confrontation with someone had just fallen out of love.

  “Crap.” Zhai Hua was a little unhappy. Qiao Nan knew that she had fallen out of love and needed someone to console her. Why did she have to expose her small thoughts? Could she not give her a chance to nag about it?

  As Qiao Nan had just finished bathing, her black and waist-length hair was wrapped in a towel to absorb the water.

  Zhai Hua, who did not have any experience of having long hair in her entire life, seemed to find it rare. “Is it very troublesome to grow such long hair? Have you thought of cutting it before?”

  Qiao Nan stopped drying her hair. “I have thought of cutting it before but Brother Zhai persuaded me not to.”

  Last month, her mother pulled her hair and hit her. She was furious and wanted to cut her hair. In the end, Brother Zhai stopped her.

  Qiao Nan did not have much impression of what happened when she was drunk. When she was awake, Qiao Nan was still thinking about this idea.

  Before she could cut her hair, she stopped due to a phone call from Brother Zhai. “Nan Nan, unless you cut a hairstyle that is similar to that of Zhai Hua, it is meaningless no matter how you cut it.”

  Due to this call, Qiao Nan hesitated for a while. In the end, she changed her mind about the decision to cut her hair.

  In her previous life, she once witnessed a couple fighting. That man’s hair was not long and similar to a clean haircut. Even so, that tough woman could still tug at and pull his hair. She was very skillful with her hands. That man was in so much pain that his face became distorted!

  In her second lifetime, the only thing that Qiao Nan would decide as per her wish was her hairstyle.

  Initially, she conceived the idea of cutting it as she was too furious. Qiao Nan did not dare to wear a hairstyle that was similar to that of Zhai Hua.

  “In my impression, your hair was not that long in the past. At most, it was a little longer than your shoulder.” Since she was young, no one had really stopped her when she went to the hairdresser, not even……

  “Yes. When Brother Zhai wooed me in the past, he said ‘he will marry me when my hair reaches the waist.”

  “.……” In that instant, Zhai Hua had a feeling that thousands of arrows were piercing through her heart, almost killing her. After making a few sounds of vomiting blood, she threw herself to the bed and pretended to be dead.

  As Qiao Nan combed her hair and looked at how bubbly Zhai Hua was, she felt extremely amused and happy. Her hair almost reached her waist and Brother Zhai was going to marry her soon.

  The beds in the house of the Zhai family were big enough. Each bed was more than enough to accommodate two people.

  Most importantly, Zhai Hua’s sleeping posture was better than that of Miao Jing. Perhaps she had taken too huge a blow, but Zhai Hua did not turn or hug Qiao Nan as if the latter was a bolster.

  As such, on the night of the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve, Qiao Nan slept extremely well. She was in good spirits when she woke up the next day.

  1052 Came at the Right Time

  “Nan Nan, why don’t you stay for another night?” On the second day, after finishing her breakfast, Qiao Nan expressed that she hoped Zhai Hua could send her home. Miao Jing could not bear to leave Qiao Nan. “Anyway, it is just a few days. It makes no difference whether you go back or not.”

  It was not because of other reasons. Early in the morning, Miao Jing had received some news and she was not willing to let Qiao Nan go home.

  She could not understand Qiao Dongliang’s behavior. She also heard rumors from the outside. She was not used to it and she could not accept them.

  Other people were unaware but Miao Jing was. Many years ago, Qiao Dongliang divorced Ding Jiayi because he could not continue to live with the latter. Miao Jing knew for a fact that the divorce did not have anything to do with Qiao Nan.

  Miao Jing had heard Qiao Nan telling Qiao Dongliang more than once that he had to consider very carefully about his intention of getting a divorce. Qiao Dongliang could completely put aside Qiao Nan and decide whether he would like to continue with the marriage based on his thoughts and feelings.

  At that time, Miao Jing felt that Qiao Nan was too softhearted. She had been cornered so badly by her biological mother, yet she did not sow discord. Instead, she spared so much consideration in all areas for her parents.

  If it were other children, out of anger for a biological mother like Ding Jiayi, they could not wait for their parents to divorce as soon as possible. If nothing were to happen, they would also create some issues so that the biological father would agree to divorce earlier.

  However, Qiao Nan did not do that. She even persuaded and stopped Qiao Dongliang when he first spoke about divorce.

  At that time, Miao Jing felt that Qiao Nan’s kindness was unnecessary. It was too wasteful on Ding Jiayi.

  However, today, Miao Jing discovered that there was a need to do so!

  This was not just the problem of being kind to Ding Jiayi. Who would have known that Qiao Dongliang, a grown-up man, would be so fickle-minded?

  When they divorced, the people in the quad said that the couple’s relationship was broken. They had divorced as they really could not live with each other for the rest of their lives.

  Yesterday, the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve, Ding Jiayi brought Qiao Zijin back to look for Qiao Dongliang. They were not chased out. Last night, the mother-daughter pair did not even go home.

  Undoubtedly, Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin had stayed in Qiao Dongliang’s house last night. Wasn’t this going to lead to a revival of the marriage?

  As such, the rumors in the quad began to change.

  \r \r \r

  Someone was spreading that Qiao Dongliang insisted to divorce Ding Jiayi previously all because he wanted to protect Qiao Nan.

  Very soon, Qian Nan would be married to Zhai Sheng and become part of the Zhai family. Qiao Dongliang felt that he had completed his mission and was prepared to lead his own life. As such, he had paired up with Ding Jiayi again and they were going to patch up.

  At the thought of all these, Miao Jing felt that this Lunar New Year should be a happy one but she was forced to be angry.

  Qiao Dongliang was not much better than Ding Jiayi!

  People of the same family had similar personalities and temper. This saying was true. There must be a reason that these two individuals could become a couple.

  Qiao Nan was drinking her tea calmly. “Mom, don’t need to worry about me. Sister Zhai Hua has already told me the situation.” Sister Zhai Hua had very sharp ears. None of the news in the quad could escape her ears.

  Miao Jing looked at Zhai Hua unhappily. Zhai Hua shrugged her shoulders innocently. The truth was a little hurting. Nevertheless, she did that so that Qiao Nan would be prepared, lest she be dealt with a great below when she saw it herself.

  Furthermore, in her view, Qiao Nan was very strong and resilient. She was not any weaker than the cockroaches in her house.

  It was better to find out the temperament of her family members in case Qiao Nan made things difficult for herself in the future. Just take her case as an example. After she knew what kind of scum Wei De was, she was able to kick him away viciously and with all her might.

  Old Master Zhai said without any haste, “No issue. When you come to our house, everything will be alright.” He did not have the habit of looking down at poor in-laws, but if the other party was outrageous, there was no need to have such a close relationship with them.

  Zhai Yaohui was calmly flipping through his newspapers. “During our last trip to the capital in August, the leaders have already intended to let us go over. I estimate that Zhai Sheng will be transferred over by this coming year.”

  In other words, after the Lunar New Year, the Zhai family would change their place of stay, after their daughter-in-law was married into the family.

  When the time came, the Qiao family of three could mix around as much as they wished. That would be the trio’s business.

  “That’s great!” Zhai Hua slammed the table. “Is it time to go to the capital?” Many years ago, the old master was considered to have retired at the peak of his career. Although he was very qualified to remain in the capital, he had thought of ways to return to Ping Cheng. Thereafter, he passed the baton to his son and went to live in seclusion in the countryside with his group of former veteran revolutionaries.

  Zhai Hua knew that Old Master Zhai was also someone ambitious. His exterior appearance was burly but his heart was not. He seemed to be impatient but he actually had very clear plans and thoughts in his mind.

  When she was still a child, Zhai Hua remembered that Old Master Zhai had told her before that the time was not ripe yet. However, they would still have to go back one day.

  When she heard the old master say this today, Zhai Hua knew that it was time for the Zhai family to ‘go back’.

  “It is time,” the old master said with certainty.

  Zhai Hua propped up her legs. “This really came at the right time.”

  For the sake of money and power, Wei De had been dauntless and persistent despite multiple setbacks. He was as annoying as a fly.

  Moreover, after the Lunar New Year, Qiao Nan, her sister-in-law, would be studying in the capital.

  If the Zhai family had gone to the capital, in the future, Qiao Nan did not need to stay up all night to travel back to Ping Cheng during the holidays. It was not a problem for Qiao Nan to go home every day then!

  Upon hearing the plans of the Zhai family, Qiao Nan was a little surprised. On the other, she also felt that this was expected.

  After all, in her previous life, after the Qiao family moved out of the quad, the Zhai family moved to the capital. They became prominent figures that the Qiao family would only see on the television occasionally.

  A few days ago, Qiao Nan had been speechless that the Zhai family was very firm and insistent that she and Brother Zhai collect their marriage certificate in February.

  The problem was that she would already be in school on the day of her birthday, the day she was eligible to collect the marriage certificate.

  Qiao Nan felt that it was quite a joke for her birthday to fall on the twenty-eighth of February.

  Most people knew that there were leap years, and there would be 29 February only in leap years.

  Many people said that birthdays should never fall on the twenty-ninth of February as one could only celebrate their birthday once every four years then.

  Coincidentally, Qiao Nan was born on the twenty-eighth of February. She could celebrate her birthday every year. However, the sorrowful thing was that Qiao Nan had never celebrated her birthday for two lifetimes.

  Qiao Nan would be twenty years old this year.

  “Qiao Nan, come. I’ll send you home.” Zhai Hua stood up. She would have to leave sooner or later, not to mention that Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin had already come back. It should not be an issue for her to send Qiao Nan back now.

  “Grandpa, Dad, and Mom, I’m going back first.” After Qiao Nan said goodbye to the elders of the Zhai family, she left.

  “Aye, come again next time.” When you were here again, there was no need to leave.

  1053 ‘Borrowing’ of Clothes

  After all, Nan Nan would belong to the Zhai family by then. Miao Jing was all smiles when she thought of it.

  Zhai Hua drove and sent Qiao Nan home. She arrived in about ten minutes. “Should I send you in?”

  “No need.” Qiao Nan shook her head. Why was there a need to? The most terrifying person had already left.

  “Alright, bye then. When Zhai Sheng is back, come to our house again to have meals during the Lunar New Year.” Zhai Hua closed the car door and went home thereafter.

  Upon hearing sounds at the door, Qiao Dongliang hurried over to open the door. “Nan Nan, you’re back?”

  Qiao Dongliang seemed to be in a good mood. However, the speed at which he opened the door was too fast. This gave Qiao Nan a feeling that he was guilty-conscious.

  “Yes,” Qiao Nan replied indifferently. “Dad, did you eat well during the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve yesterday?” Did you have a good day?

  “Quite good.” At the thought of what happened last night, Qiao Dongliang frowned. A flash of annoyance came over him. He was considering whether to tell Qiao Nan about yesterday’s matter.

  Qiao Nan sat down and took a glance at her bedroom. Her door had been opened……

  Qiao Nan endured for a while before she stood up and went into her bedroom to look at the situation. On the surface, the things in her room appeared to be the same as when she left.

  However, everyone had habits, and of course, it was impossible for Qiao Nan not to recognize her own habits.

  Based on the blanket on the bed, Qiao Nan could differentiate that it was not folded in the way that she did before she left. Someone had folded it again.

  Qiao Nan then searched her closet. When she found out that her clothes had obviously become less, Qiao Nan’s face turned stiff.

  \r \r \r

  Qiao Dongliang, who felt the movements, followed over. He was so embarrassed that he did not know what to say. “I wanted to tell you just now. Your mom brought your sister and stayed over at our house yesterday. I…… I didn’t want to let them stay over but your mom has twisted her ankle and she couldn’t walk. I wanted to send your mom back with the bicycle but my tires were punctured and fully deflated.”

  In the Qiao family, only Qiao Dongliang had a model ’28’ bicycle. If this vehicle was spoiled, the Qiao family would be left with no other modes of transport.

  “So, they slept in my room?” And even conveniently took her clothes?

  Qiao Dongliang nodded helplessly. “I have divorced your mom. You also know that there aren’t many rooms in this small courtyard.” Even if there was a room, there wasn’t any extra blanket or bed. “So, your mom and sister slept in your room for a night. Your sister bathed yesterday but did not bring any clothes. She thus borrowed yours to wear. You were not at home, so……”

  When he thought of the poor relationship between Qiao Nan and Qiao Zijin, Qiao Dongliang did not even think of giving Qiao Nan a phone call to seek her opinion.

  Qiao Dongliang thought that Qiao Nan did not have many clothes but it was actually much more than before.

  Given Qiao Nan’s situation, she might not discover it if one piece of clothing was missing. Even if she did, she probably would not take issue.

  Qiao Dongliang did not expect Qiao Nan to have known what had happened. Within five minutes of arriving at home, she had discovered everything that he wanted to cover up. “Nan Nan, are you angry? I didn’t do it on purpose. I know you don’t like them……”

  Qiao Nan took a deep breath. “Dad, it’s okay. I don’t like them but it’s fine if you do. Moreover, Dad, that set of clothing was given to me by my mother-in-law. Qiao Zijin’s taste is so good. She picked the good one over the rest. Dad, can I trouble you to get her to return the clothes to me as soon as possible? It’s not convenient for me to give her the clothing from my future mother-in-law. Also, doesn’t she find my clothing too small for her?”

  Qiao Zijin had always been meatier and heavier than her. However, she was shorter than her by about one to two centimeters.

  Once Qiao Nan said this, Qiao Dongliang felt his face burn with embarrassment. It was as if he was the one who had stolen Qiao Nan’s clothes without uttering a word.

  Qiao Dongliang was a grown-up man. Certainly, he would not pay attention to such details.

  He had never paid attention to which of Qiao Nan’s clothes were bought by Qiao Nan herself or given by Miao Jing.

  If Qiao Nan did not mention it today, he really would not know that the clothes that Qiao Zijin took and wore this morning were a gift to Qiao Nan by Miao Jing.

  How could the clothes gifted by Miao Jing to her daughter-in-law be cheap?

  At the thought that Qiao Zijin was only borrowing the clothes but picked such a ‘good’ one, Qiao Dongliang felt shameful on Qiao Zijin’s behalf. “I…… I didn’t know. Don’t worry. Your sister is just borrowing it for one day. She will definitely return it.”

  Return it?

  Qiao Nan scoffed at these two words.

  Qiao Zijin had always been a petty and jealous person. In her previous life, Qiao Nan did not accept many gifts from Chen Jun, but there were a couple of them.

  All those things—Qiao Zijin said that she was borrowing from her but when did she ever return them?

  Even after Qiao Zijin was married to Chen Jun, she had never brought up the fact that she had borrowed those items before.

  “Dad, let her wash it clean and return it to me by today. If the clothes are torn or lost, please get her to pay me back at the market price.” She was too experienced in being bullied. Qiao Nan told Qiao Dongliang clearly about all the possible scenarios.

  Qiao Dongliang waved his hands, amused by Qiao Nan. “How can that be possible? Your sister’s temper is quite bad but she is not someone who will not return something after borrowing it. Nan Nan…… Forget it. The two of you sisters are angry with each other. I won’t persuade you either. We are one family. I believe that things will become better. I will give your sister a call now and ask her to return the clothes. I will also definitely get her to wash them clean for you.”

  Wasn’t it just a set of clothing?

  Qiao Dongliang felt that this was not a big deal and the clothes were not too costly too. Qiao Zijin would not do such a shameless and embarrassing thing.

  If the elder daughter lusted after the younger daughter’s clothes, that would be a huge joke. He did not believe that his daughter would be so improvident.

  Moreover, Qiao Nan’s demeanor made Qiao Dongliang think that it was very normal that one should not be tempted by riches and honors. This was a good value that everyone should certainly have, especially people from his family who bore the surname of Qiao.

  His younger daughter had done very well in this aspect. His elder daughter was also his daughter. She would certainly possess the same value.

  Qiao Dongliang was very confident of Qiao Zijin. He called the small courtyard of the Qiao family in front of Qiao Nan. He even deliberately turned on the speaker to let Qiao Nan listen together. “Hello, Dad, is that you?”

  Qiao Zijin’s voice was soft and sweet. It was as if she had reverted to the famous sweet-tongued, pretty, and smart Qiao Zijin from six years ago.

  “Right, it’s me.” Qiao Zijin’s attitude had improved. It was unlike her disobedience when she brought Chen Jun over last time. Qiao Dongliang was delighted to see and hear that. “Zijin, you borrowed one set of Nan Nan’s clothing yesterday, right? Your mom and you should have arrived home by now. Have you changed the clothes and washed them? If you have, can I trouble you to make a trip to bring the wet clothes here to dry?”


  1054 The Wealthier, the Pettier

  “.……”

  There was a moment of silence at the other end of the phone. Qiao Zijin’s voice changed slightly. “Nan Nan is back and she specially requested it back from me?” It was just a set of clothing. She was being too petty.

  Her father had told her that Zhai Sheng was going to collect the wedding certificate and hold a wedding banquet with Qiao Nan after the Lunar New Year.

  The good days of Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng were approaching. She did not believe that the Zhai family would not bring Qiao Nan to buy more good-looking clothes and jewelry.

  This was just a set of used clothing and Qiao Nan had to keep such a tight watch on it. She was too stingy.

  “No.” Qiao Dongliang felt that Qiao Zijin was a good one. Of course, he would also find ways to let Qiao Zijin understand that Qiao Nan was also a good sister. “Nan Nan doesn’t know anything. That’s why I am reminding you to come quickly, in case Nan Nan becomes unhappy when she discovers it. When Nan Nan feels unhappy after she discovers it, she won’t listen to your explanation anymore.”

  Although Nan Nan had already found out about this, he believed that Nan Nan would gradually accept Zijin as long as Zijin took the initiative.

  Yesterday was the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve. The family of three sat together and had a meal. Again, Qiao Dongliang mentioned that he hoped that Qiao Zijin would break up with Chen Jun.

  Qiao Zijin’s attitude had improved. She did not lose her temper but she insisted to be together with Chen Jun.

  Ding Jiayi helped put in good words for Chen Jun and Qiao Zijin. “Old Qiao, you are aware that I have never been a capable person. Since the two of us divorced, I have always been working but my salary is meager. Not to mention letting Qiao Zijin pay the school fees, I am already having a tough time earning her living expenses. If not for the fact that Chen Jun likes Zijin and treats her well by taking out some money to help her, I’m afraid Zijin won’t be able to continue with her studies.”

  “Old Qiao, didn’t you always tell me that you hope that our two children will be more educated? You hope that they will pick up more knowledge so that they will become successful in the future. Chen Jun is quite good to Zijin. The two children have feelings toward each other. You should let nature take its course and let them develop on their own.”

  \r \r \r

  “What do you know?” Qiao Dongliang looked very upset as if his face had been smeared with chili oil.

  Initially, this daughter should be raised by him. Having heard what Ding Jiayi said, it was as if Chen Jun was helping him support his daughter. He, and not Zijin, was the one who owed Chen Jun.

  After feeling upset for a while, fortunately, Qiao Dongliang was still rational. He immediately recalled that Qiao Zijin was under the custody of Ding Jiayi after their divorce. All the burden of Qiao Zijin’s studies should be borne by Ding Jiayi.

  “Old Qiao, it’s already the 21st century. We are talking about the freedom to love. If Chen Jun is a good one and you let them break up, you won’t be doing Zijin any good. Zijin is not stupid. Even if you don’t tell her, she will also break up with Chen Jun if he is a bad one. We shouldn’t interfere in this matter.” Ding Jiayi persuaded Qiao Dongliang. She was very experienced and thus very clear of what to say to convince Qiao Dongliang.

  With Ding Jiayi as the mediator, true enough, Qiao Dongliang was not as angry as before on Qiao Zijin’s persistence. However, in his heart, he still disapproved of the relationship between Chen Jun and Qiao Zijin.

  Qiao Dongliang felt that Chen Jun was probably not a good man.

  Qiao Nan once said that there was a problem with Wei De. In the end, the truth had spoken. Wasn’t Wei De a huge problem?

  Chen Jun’s initial target was Qiao Nan, but Qiao Nan disliked him and even said that he did not seem to be a good person. Qiao Dongliang believed Qiao Nan’s words very much. He had some ideas in his mind.

  Qiao Nan had exposed Wei De’s true colors for Zhai Hua. If his two daughters could reconcile with each other, would his younger daughter watch on as Zijin jumped into the fire pit?

  Nan Nan would definitely think of a way to investigate the background of Chen Jun, lest Zijin continue to be taken in by him.

  Fortunately, on the evening of the day before the Lunar New Year’s eve, Qiao Zijin expressed a few times that she liked Qiao Nan, this younger sister very much. She was young and insensible last time and felt that her younger sister was vying for her parent’s love.

  Now, she had become sensible and understanding. She would not have such ludicrous thoughts anymore. She very much wished to mend the relationship with Qiao Nan.

  When Qiao Dongliang heard Qiao Zijin’s plan, he nodded continuously. “Zijin, it’s right that you think of it this way. Nan Nan is a good child. She has a conscience and is smart. You are the elder sister. You should be taking care of Nan Nan. However, Nan Nan will definitely be very successful in the future. You will certainly need Nan Nan’s help. Zijin, no matter the reasons, you should carefully consider how to reconcile with Nan Nan.”

  The elder daughter had to rely on the care of the younger daughter. How would it work if they were not on good terms?

  As a father, he wanted to give another try for the sake of his two daughters. Qiao Dongliang anxiously yearned that Qiao Nan could forgive Qiao Zijin before she formally collected the wedding certificate with Zhai Sheng.

  Qiao Dongliang was well aware that the difference would be great on whether they reconciled before or after Qiao Nan’s marriage.

  Only when this matter was resolved before the marriage that Qiao Zijin would truly receive Qiao Nan’s forgiveness and even be accepted by the Zhai family.

  As such, once there was an opportunity, Qiao Dongliag deliberately helped Qiao Zijin gain favor in front of Qiao Nan. It was good if Qiao Zijin could take more initiative. “Zijin, don’t worry. There won’t be a problem if the clothes that you sent over are wet. If Nan Nan asks about it, I will help you shoulder it. I will tell her that I have accidentally wet it.”

  Qiao Dongliang seldom borrowed clothes from others. As soon as he arrived home, he had the habit of changing out of someone else’s clothing into his own and asked Ding Jiayi to wash the clothes that he had borrowed.

  Qiao Zijin was Qiao Dongliang’s daughter. Qiao Dongliang took it for granted that Qiao Zijin would have the same character as him.

  When he asked Qiao Zijin to hurry and send the wet clothes over, his tone was so firm and confident.

  “It takes about half an hour to get here from the small courtyard of the Qiao family. I will wait for you. I will leave the house in half an hour.”

  Qiao Nan, who had been watching this indifferently by the side, laughed. Her eyes were filled with sarcasm. Qiao Dongliang was having a monotonous dialog and trying to help Qiao Zijin salvage her face and image.

  “Zijin?” Qiao Dongliang had said so much but he did not receive a response from the other side of the phone. It was so quiet that Qiao Dongliang, who was feeling hot, could not help turning cold. “Zijin, are you listening?”

  “Dad, I am.” Qiao Zijin’s tone shivered gently. “Actually, I have only worn them for a few hours. As long as I put them back, no one should be able to tell.” Wash?

  What wash? She was still wearing them!

  The clothes that Miao Jing gave Qiao Nan were not only branded but expensive. The materials felt extremely comfortable. It was soft and cozy.

  There was nothing better than this to a young lady who loved to be pretty.

  Qiao Zijin had always wanted to wear this kind of clothes in her entire life but she did not have a chance to do so until she borrowed Qiao Nan’s.

  1055 Can You Let It Go Just Like That?

  If it was possible, Qiao Zijin very much wished to wear this set of clothing to school to let her classmates take a look.

  Qiao Zijin was thinking that this set of clothing was not bad. Furthermore, as the daughter-in-law of the Zhai family, Qiao Nan should have many more clothes that were better than this.

  Perhaps Qiao Nan could not even recall that she had such a set of clothing, which she had tucked at the bottom of her closet such that it could not even see the daylight.

  By wearing this set of clothing, one set of Qiao Nan’s clothing would not go to waste. It was so environmentally friendly.

  Who would have known that Qiao Dongliang would be calling and chasing her to return it after she had worn it for only a few hours? Qiao Zijin felt very unhappy over this.

  If she had not remembered deeply what Chen Jun had taught her, Qiao Zijin would have long retorted. Qiao Nan had so many pieces of good clothing. She had only worn this one set, yet she had the shame to ask her to return it. She was too shameless!

  She could not provoke her father. No matter how unwilling she was, Qiao Zijin had to feel the pinch and return the clothes to make Qiao Dongliang happy.

  Qiao Dongliang wanted her to hurry but Qiao Zijin was a lazy one. She had to wash a set of clothing in winter. Her hands would have to soak until they were red and swollen in the icy water. She was not going to do that.

  As such, Qiao Zijin thought of removing the clothes and putting it back in Qiao Nan’s closet. Everything would be resolved then, no?

  “You!” Qiao Dongliang was stupefied. Subconsciously, he glanced at Qiao Nan. It was as if he had been given a few slaps on the face by someone. “Zijin, it’s Lunar New Year. Are you kidding with me on purpose? How can clothes that are worn not be dirty? Can you let it go just because no one can tell? Let’s not talk about those outer wear. Those…… those inner wear, can you just put them back like that!”

  How dirty was that!!!

  \r \r \r

  Qiao Dongliang was easy-going on such matters but he could not accept putting the inner wear back without washing after wearing them for a few hours. Furthermore, they were borrowed from others!

  Upon hearing the gentle reprimand from Qiao Dongliang, Qiao Zijin said reluctantly, “Why don’t we do this? I will return the outer wear first. For the inner wear, I will send them over after I wash and dry them. Qiao Nan has quite a lot of clothes too. She should not discover it if I return it one or two days later.”

  “.……” Qiao Dongliang’s expression was frozen and stiff. If Qiao Nan had not been listening, Qiao Dongliang had wanted to hang up the phone and run to the small courtyard of the Qiao family to retrieve and wash the clothes himself.

  After talking so long to the elder daughter, she refused to abidingly wash all the clothes.

  Qiao Dongliang covered the phone receiver and let out a long sigh of exasperation. He looked helpless as he told Qiao Nan. “Your sister is not a bad person. She is just a little lazy. You can’t blame her. She has been spoiled by your mom. It’s quite a torture to wash clothes in the cold winter too.”

  So, Nan Nan, please be more forgiving toward your sister.

  Qiao Nan did not speak. She allowed Qiao Dongliang to continue with his one-man show. This was because she knew that the matter was not over yet.

  “Alright, you don’t need to talk anymore. Return the clothes.” Qiao Dongliang could not flare up at Qiao Nan. In the first place, Qiao Zijin was the one who was in the wrong.

  “Dad, is there such a hurry?” Qiao Zijin was really reluctant to remove the clothes from her body. She looked so good wearing them. Although there was no time for her to wear them to school to let her classmates see, at least, she should be given some time to wear them and take a photo as a memoir or go on a date with Chen Jun. She could then let Chen Jun understand that she could be more dazzling and mesmerizing than Qiao Nan. She was not any less than Qiao Nan.

  “Dad, I am not going to lie to you. I’m telling you the truth. This is the first time that I am wearing such good clothes in my entire life. Can you lend them to me to wear for another day? Nan Nan has so many pieces of good clothing. Just one day. She won’t find out. I promise you that I will return them tomorrow.”

  She was only borrowing them for one day. Surely, this request was not too much?

  In the past, everything in the family belonged to her. Qiao Nan was not even fit to fight with her for things that she wanted.

  Now, she could not touch anything that belonged to Qiao Nan. She had to beg and plead to borrow her clothes for one day. She felt so depressed.

  Qiao Zijin felt that after knowing Zhai Sheng, Qiao Nan had become Cinderella. She was thus leading a life of the upper class. However, Qiao Dongliang very proudly knew in his heart. He had very strict and high expectations of Qiao Nan, and Qiao Nan had met them very well.

  Precisely, due to that, he could not tolerate such an unreasonable request of Qiao Zijin. “No. Not even for one day. Not even for an hour. Immediately return the clothes. Let me tell you. Nan Nan is a good lady. No matter how good the situation of the Zhai family is, it’s the family’s business that they are wealthy. It has nothing to do with Nan Nan. I can’t interfere in Nan Nan’s life after she is married but Nan Nan is not married yet. Our family does not owe the Zhai family anything. This set of clothing is a gift from the chief’s wife to Nan Nan for reaching adulthood. She accepted it as she didn’t manage to reject it. There are only two sets of clothing given by the chief’s wife in Nan Nan’s closet. Quickly send it back!”

  “Two sets?” Qiao Zijin was shocked. So few? “The Zhai family is so petty!”

  Perhaps Zhai Sheng did not like Qiao Nan at all. The Zhai family was not that satisfied with Qiao Nan after all.

  No matter how honest and upright the Zhai family was, they certainly had some spending power.

  However, they were not willing to spend money on Qiao Nan. Hahaha. She had thought that Qiao Nan was having a good life.

  “P-petty?” Qiao Dongliang was so angry that his liver trembled. “The Zhai family is willing to give but Nan Nan is not willing to accept. I don’t approve of accepting too! They are not married yet and not one family. Why will one have the shame to accept so many valuable stuff from others?!” He was going to marry off his daughter. He was not selling her!!

  Qiao Zijin’s eyes were full of question marks. “Why don’t you approve? Why don’t you let Nan Nan accept them? They are not spending your money anyway.” The Qiao family would be the one benefiting, no?

  Since the Zhai family was willing to give, her father should allow them to do so.

  Qiao Nan was a little slimmer than her. However, winter clothes were normally bigger. If Qiao Nan had too many gifts, she would not be able to wear all of them. She could give them to her to wear then!

  At this moment, Qiao Dongliang already did not wish to continue his conversation with Qiao Zijin. “In short, return the clothes in one hour. It’s fine if you do not wash them. I will get Nan Nan to wash them herself. It’s just that when the time comes…… Whether Nan Nan will be angry with you or how long she will be angry at you, you will have to bear the responsibility!”

  Qiao Dongliang really could not understand. Qiao Zijin had been telling him many times and seeking his help to make her and Qiao Nan reconcile.

  However, at the same time, Qiao Zijin continued to commit foolish acts time and again. She was doing all sorts of things that would make Qiao Nan unhappy.

  Qiao Dongliang felt like asking Qiao Zijin whether she really wanted to reconcile with Qiao Nan.

  “Dad, don’t…… Please don’t.” Qiao Zijin’s face was red with anger. She wanted this set of clothing and she did not want to return them. However, she also did not want to make Qiao Nan angry and caused her father to ignore her.

  She had too many wants. However, there was not a single way in this world that could satisfy all her ‘wants’ at the same time.

  1056 Accidentally Tore Them

  “Wait for me for a while. I will return the clothes immediately.” After hanging up the phone, Qiao Zijin undressed and placed the clothes in a bag without a word. She then sent them, which still had her warmth, over to Qiao Dongliang.

  After putting down the phone, Qiao Dongliang’s entire body felt a little listless. It was as if someone had sucked out much of his strength.

  It was a matter that he thought could be easily resolved and should not pose any problem. Unfortunately, there were so many side issues. He felt that it was really very tiring to communicate with his elder daughter.

  This was such a simple matter. Why did her elder daughter make it so complicated and exhausting?

  Sitting listlessly, Qiao Dongliang mustered his courage and said to Qiao Nan, “Nan Nan, I have always heard the elders saying that one has to pamper and spend money on daughters but be strict and spend less money on sons. Now, it seems that this is true. I am not capable. Your sister refuses to budge whenever she has her eyes on something good. Your sister is very picky. This is her first time coming across good stuff. She would inevitably make some mistakes. Fortunately, she is willing to rectify her mistake. Don’t take issue with her.”

  Qiao Nan turned and looked at Qiao Dongliang. “Dad, it’s not just the Zhai family. You should be most aware of how willing the outsiders are in sending me gifts. Until today, I only have two sets of clothing given to me by my future mother-in-law in my closet. Are you saying you have been spending very little on my sister and a lot on me?”

  Damn, was he kidding her?!

  Qiao Dongliang choked on his breath. “No, it’s different. You…… you resemble more of our Qiao family. Your…… your sister resembles Old Ding’s family!” Qiao Dongliang said with some annoyance.

  Everyone from the Qiao family was good. Zijin had been led astray by Ding Jiayi. That was why she was so improvident.

  Fortunately, this matter happened at home and the embarrassment was contained.

  Otherwise, Qiao Dongliang’s little wish of getting along amicably with Qiao Zijin would have been snuffed out totally.

  “I’ll give you 100 marks for this explanation.” Qiao Nan’s lips curled. Good things resembled her father and bad things resembled her mother. Wow!

  \r \r \r

  Bam! After about forty minutes, there was a loud slam on the door. Qiao Dongliang quickly stood up. He wanted to let Qiao Zijin salvage her image in front of Qiao Nan. “Your sister is back. See, she is a good one. She is willing to listen to me.”

  After Nan Nan was married, he did not have many other thoughts. He just needed to think of ways to rectify the flaws in Zijin’s character.

  He believed that since he had taught Nan Nan so well, he would certainly be able to make Zijin become a good lady.

  Look at how much Zijin obeyed him.

  That was wishful thinking on Qiao Dongliang’s part. However, Qiao Zijin’s behavior gave Qiao Dongliang a vicious slap on the face.

  When Qiao Dongliang opened the door and looked at Qiao Zijin happily, he saw Qiao Zijin hugging a bag in her arms. The bag was dirty and Qiao Zijin was crying miserably. “Sorry, Dad. You have to help me explain to Nan Nan later. I didn’t do it on purpose. As I rushed my way here, I tripped and fell. I spoiled Nan Nan’s clothing.”

  “S-spoiled?” Qiao Dongliang’s head seemed to have been hit by a hammer. He was stupefied.

  He was not sure why, but Qiao Nan’s earlier words rang in his ears: If the clothes are spoiled or have any problem, get Qiao Zijin to pay back according to the market price.

  These words of his younger daughter seemed as if she was able to predict the future. She seemed to know that his elder daughter would definitely fall and the clothes would not be saved.

  No one had the power to predict the future. In this case, the words of the younger daughter and the fall of the elder daughter…… What did this mean?

  “Hahaha……” Qiao Nan, who had been standing behind Qiao Dongliang, laughed. “This fall is too wonderful.”

  “Nan Nan……” Qiao Dongliang opened his mouth, wanting to say ‘your sister didn’t do it on purpose.’ However, Qiao Dongliang reacted as soon as these words floated in his mind. So, in his heart, he felt that his elder daughter had fallen on purpose and the clothes were not torn due to an accident?

  Qiao Nan took out the clothes from the bag. “Even if you fell while wearing the clothes, normally, the pants would be torn since you’re wearing it on your lower body. However, your fall has also torn the shirt. Qiao Zijin, why are you so capable? How did you fall? Can you teach me? Do you have a secret skill? A typical person definitely can’t do this.”

  At the sight of the few holes on her clothes, Qiao Nan sneered. “Dad, look at these marks. It doesn’t look like they have been stepped on accidentally by someone. It looks like footprints of someone who purposely stepped on it. These few holes, did they result from the fall or someone stepping on them with strength? Hahaha……”

  Qiao Nan did not wish to speak anymore. “Dad, remember what I told you earlier?”

  She would definitely not wear the clothes that Qiao Zijin had worn before, even though she insisted to have it back. It was fine that they were torn, lest she have to damage it herself.

  Qiao Dongliang was neither blind nor brainless. Could he not tell such obvious footprints?

  Having a fall would result in footprints on the clothes? She was trying to bluff a three-year-old child.

  There were only a few spots on the clothes that could tear if one were to fall while wearing them. For the shirt, it would be the elbow. For the pants, it would be the front part of them.

  If a fall resulted in one tear on the clothes, it must have been a severe fall, not to mention that there were so many tears currently.

  The problem was that the clothes that Qiao Zijin was wearing now looked fine and clean and she was walking so swiftly. No one could tell that she just had a vicious fall.

  Qiao Dongliang could not refuse to admit that Qiao Nan was right. The tears in the clothes were definitely not caused by a fall. Instead, someone had stepped on the clothes and twisted them hard to tear them.

  At this moment, Qiao Dongliang was extremely disappointed with Qiao Zijin.

  Given Qiao Zijin’s behavior, Qiao Dongliang really could not trust that she was genuinely regretful and wanted to be a pair of close sisters with Qiao Nan.

  Judging from the current situation, Qiao Zijin was only paying lip service as that was not her true intention.

  Qiao Zijin, whose cheap tricks had been exposed, turned red in the face. “Dad, no. I didn’t do it on purpose. I…… I accidentally tore them.” How did Qiao Nan’s eyes grow to be so sharp?

  After thinking, Qiao Zijin was really reluctant to return the clothes that she liked to Qiao Nan. Qiao Nan clearly had so many clothes, yet she was so petty and could not bear to give her a set of them.

  On the spur of a moment, Qiao Zijin did something to this set of clothing. She placed them on the cement floor, stepped and trampled on it until they had a few tears.

  Qiao Zijin thought that the few tears that she had created were quite convincing and others would not be able to tell.

  Who would have known that Qiao Nan would be able to see through it at one glance?

  “Whether she did it on purpose, I don’t mind. Dad, you’re the one who lent her the clothes. I will leave it to you to get the money back then.” Qiao Nan had also learned how to wash her hands off matters. Since her father dared to allow Qiao Zijin to touch her clothes and Qiao Zijin did such a shameful thing, her father had to settle this matter even if he had been slapped many times in the face.

  1057 Pay for Damages

  “Money? What?” Qiao Zijin was shocked.

  Qiao Dongliang knew that Qiao Nan had gone back to the house. He looked at Qiao Zijin in exasperation. “What do you mean by that? Nan Nan’s clothes are torn. Don’t you need to pay for the damages?”

  “Do I need to pay for this? I did not do it on purpose.” Qiao Zijin was slow to react. These clothes should cost a bomb. If she had the money to pay for the damages, she would have used the money to buy clothes for herself. She would not need to wear Qiao Nan’s old clothes.

  “Do you mean you do not need to pay for it because it was an accident? Which teacher teaches you this?” Qiao Dongliang was angry.

  Although the younger daughter seemed to treat him like usual, Qiao Dongliang could tell that their relationship was no longer as close as it used to be.

  But he only had two daughters in this life. His elder daughter was disappointing and the siblings were not close with each other. After he passed away, given that the elder daughter was prone to troubles, he could only count on the younger daughter to take care of her sister.

  For the two daughters to mend their relationship, Qiao Dongliang felt that it was alright that he suffered and worked extra harder.

  He knew that Nan Nan blamed him for changing his attitude toward Qiao Zijin. However, he was a father and he had two daughters to take care of.

  If he only had one child, he would not behave like that.

  Now that he had two children, he would do his best so that they would lead a better life.

  Qiao Dongliang might have good intentions and was willing to sacrifice himself to pave the way for Qiao Zijin. However, Qiao Zijin, the noob teammate, had been making things worse for him.

  She was wrong in the first place. She should take the initiative to make up with Qiao Nan and treat her well, showing more concern for her.

  However, Qiao Zijin refused to do that. Instead, she wore Qiao Nan’s clothes and came up with a lousy lie that she fell and tore the clothes.

  If Qiao Dongliang had already given up on Qiao Zijin, he would have scolded her for coming up with such lame excuses.

  \r \r \r

  To think that Qiao Zijin was a college student. She was so lousy in coming up with excuses. What had she been studying all these years?

  Qiao Zijin stiffened and finally realized that she had made a mistake. “W-what if I don’t have any money?”

  Qiao Zijin could forsake her pride to suck up to Qiao Dongliang and Qiao Nan.

  But she would not fork out money or do anything that was not beneficial to her. Besides, she really did not have the money.

  Qiao Dongliang had a bad headache. Qiao Zijin was smarter than Nan Nan when she was young. Why was it that the situation was reversed after they grew up? Right now, Nan Nan was smarter and cleverer. Could it be that the old saying was true, that being bright at an early age did not necessarily bring success upon growing up?

  She might want to mend the relationship with Nan Nan, but her attitude said otherwise.

  Even if she had no money, she should not have put it that way in front of Nan Nan.

  Qiao Dongliang stifled his anger. “If you don’t have any money, you should get it from your mom. No matter what, you have to pay for the damages. If you don’t have it right now, you can take some time to raise the money. You can pay for the damages after you raise enough money.” Without waiting for Qiao Zijin to react, Qiao Dongliang took the torn clothes and pushed Qiao Zijin out of the house, closing the door right after her.

  After shutting the door so that Qiao Zijin would not have the chance to say the wrong words in front of Qiao Nan, Qiao Dongliang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

  Qiao Nan, who stood behind Qiao Dongliang, smiled. In the past, she used to think that her father was pretending to be muddleheaded.

  To wash a pig is to waste both water and soap. She was in such a situation in the previous life. As for her father, he could not be bothered with what happened at home. This was why he allowed her mother and her sister to bully her.

  It was in this life that Qiao Nan realized that it did not seem that way.

  Her father knew very well what was happening and he took the initiative to be in control. At least, when it came to Qiao Zijin, he was smart and fast to react.

  He knew that Qiao Zijin would continue to say hurtful words to affect their relationship. Therefore, he acted swiftly and closed the door on her before things got worse.

  “Nan Nan, don’t worry. I permitted your sister to borrow your clothes. Therefore, I will make sure that she pays for the damages. Your sister has been spoiled by your mom.” Qiao Dongliang felt embarrassed and weary in front of his younger daughter.

  Qiao Nan cast a glance at the clothes that Qiao Dongliang had in his hands. “Since they are torn, just throw them away.”

  Qiao Nan could not be bothered to talk about Qiao Zijin!

  “Qiao Nan, I am back!” An hour later, Shi Qing’s voice that was growlier than before could be heard resonating outside the small quad.

  Ever since she studied at the PLA National Defence University, Shi Qing seemed to have unleashed her real self. She was more agile than before. She did not come in from the front door. Instead, she jumped over the wall like a monkey into the Qiao family’s residence. “Qiao Nan, come and take a look at the present that I have for you.”

  “What brings you back here? The Lunar New Year is coming. Why are you still in Ping Cheng?” Qiao Nan was surprised to see Shi Qing. “Aren’t you supposed to go to the capital or Mo Du?”

  The Shi family was based in Mo Du, while the Feng family was based in the capital.

  Shi Qing and Shi Peng had no other family members in Ping Cheng. Weren’t they supposed to go back home for the Lunar New Year?

  “No!” Shi Qing glared at Qiao Nan angrily, blaming Qiao Nan for bringing up those topics that would dampen one’s spirits. “You should have seen the true colors of the Feng family this year. I don’t want to go back. As for the Shi family, my aunt and Qiu Chenxi are there. My grandparents do not need me. I would rather spend the Lunar New Year with my dad, your dad, and you.”

  Shi Qing did not spend much time studying in the capital, but in that short period, she was already very disappointed with the Feng family.

  She tried to put Qiu Chenxi at the back of her mind.

  But after she transferred to the PLA National Defence University and did not have Qiao Nan to accompany her and chat with her, she had a lot of time to do some serious thinking.

  She had finally seen through the Feng family’s true colors. Even though they said that they loved her, the Feng family adopted the same attitude as the Shi family when Qiu Chenxi claimed that she was Zhai Sheng’s fiancée—they hoped to bask in Qiu Chenxi’s light and be on close terms with the Zhai family with the help of Qiu Chenxi.

  When faced with personal and family interests, Shi Qing was considered as someone unimportant in the Shi family and the Feng family.

  The Feng family had themselves to blame for Shi Qing’s disgust toward them.

  The Feng family cherished Shi Qing because she was the only female in the Feng family and she was their only granddaughter.

  Although the Feng family did not help Shi Qing or seek justice for her when Qiu Chenxi bullied her, they would console and comfort her.

  Moreover, the Feng family would criticize the Shi family for being small-minded and not showing concern for Shi Qing.

  The Feng family was very specific in their criticisms of the Shi family. Shi Qing had heard too much of them that she could tell which were truths and which were lies.

  Back then, the Feng family kept criticizing the Shi family. Shi Qing was influenced by them and became disappointed with her paternal grandparents. Now, she was just as disappointed with the Feng family.