“Well, we have no other choice. We just have to go back. Have you bought the food and presents?”

  “I have prepared them long ago. All we need to do is bring them with us.” Zhai Sheng patted Qiao Nan lightly on the back, coaxing her like he was coaxing San Bao. He cherished his daughter and his wife just as much.

  The Zhai family had moved to the capital, but they had someone to look after their house in Ping Cheng.

  Before Zhai Sheng went back to Ping Cheng, he had made a call, telling the person-in-charge to prepare food and presents for the Lunar New Year.

  Now that everything was ready, Qiao Nan could not come up with any excuses to delay going to the Qiao family’s residence. She had no other choice but to hold Zhai Sheng by the arm and walk gloomily to the Qiao family’s residence.

  Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan caught the attention of the neighbors when they reached the quad. The neighbors waved and greeted them warmly. “Hey, Nan Nan is back. Is she visiting her parents’ home?”

  “Nan Nan, are you paying a visit to your parents?”

  “Nan Nan, you’re finally back. Come to my house when you have time. I will prepare delicious food for you.”

  Apart from Zhai Sheng, Qiao Nan was the most outstanding child in the quad. Other than marrying Zhai Sheng, who was very talented, Qiao Nan was initially remarkable and had performed very well in her exams. She was a role model and the envy of the neighbors.

  Qiao Nan stood next to Zhai Sheng and smiled shyly at the familiar neighbors.

  \r \r \r

  No one would feel that Qiao Nan was snubbing them now that she had married well. They had known Qiao Nan since she was a child. She was usually quiet but she would keep a smile on her face.

  This was why before Qiao Nan did very well in her middle school examination, the neighbors used to think that Qiao Zijin was smarter than Qiao Nan. Qiao Zijin was good with her words and left a good impression on the neighbors. On the other hand, Qiao Nan, who was reserved, would trail behind Qiao Zijin, going unnoticed. She was more about actions and fewer words.

  Zhai Sheng accompanied Qiao Nan to the Qiao family’s residence and they were given a warm welcome by the neighbors. It was like the ancient times when the officials in the capital made a grand trip to their hometown.

  Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan were still quite a distance from the Qiao family’s residence. The Qiao family could hear the neighbors’ greetings, and they knew that not only was Qiao Nan back, but Zhai Sheng, who was busy with work, accompanied her to the parents’ home as well.

  Qiao Zijin felt displeased. She saw on the television that Qiao Nan’s father-in-law was present in the capital for the annual evening show on the eve of the Lunar New Year. In other words, if Qiao Nan was willing, she could watch the performance live in the capital. There was no need for her to watch it through television.

  Since Chief Zhai held such a high position in the army, Zhai Sheng must have an important position as well.

  The first day of the Lunar New Year was very important to the Chinese. Since Zhai Sheng was willing to accompany Qiao Nan to pay a visit to the Qiao family, it showed that he valued Qiao Nan very much.

  Qiao Nan did not have any positive traits. She could not understand why Zhai Sheng would do so much for her. She used to think that even if Qiao Nan visited the Qiao family, no one from the Zhai family would make the trip with her. People like the Zhai family would not want to associate themselves with in-laws like the Qiao family.

  If the Zhai family did not accompany Qiao Nan when she visited the Qiao family, it would mean that they looked down on the Qiao family as well as Qiao Nan, not taking into consideration her feelings. However, she did not expect that things would turn out differently. Not only did the Zhai family send someone to accompany Qiao Nan, but it was also Zhai Sheng himself.

  Since Zhai Sheng was here, it showed that he loved Qiao Nan very much and that the Zhai family cared about Qiao Nan.

  Otherwise, the elders in the Zhai family would have come up with an excuse to stop Zhai Sheng from accompanying Qiao Nan, saying that he had to attend meetings with the officials. Apart from the Qiao family, many other more established families had dealings with the Zhai family.

  Despite these, Zhai Sheng still accompanied Qiao Nan to her parents’ house. It came as a huge blow to Qiao Zijin.

  Qiao Nan was outstanding and was able to marry Zhai Sheng despite the fact that she came from a humble background. At the same time, she was able to gain the affection of her husband as well as her in-laws. Qiao Zijin was jealous that luck was on Qiao Nan’s side.

  Qiao Zijin gritted her teeth in anger such that she could taste blood. She suspected that Qiao Nan was not her mother’s daughter and was heaven’s daughter instead.

  Everything went well for Qiao Nan. On the other hand, she was down on her luck and was not able to keep Chen Jun with her.

  Chen Jun had not been keeping in touch with her for the past year. Qiao Zijin knew that he was very determined to break up with her.

  Qiao Zijin took a deep breath at the thought of Chen Jun, swallowing the blood in her mouth. Without Chen Jun, she could find another man, be it Lee Jun or Hong Jun.

  As long as they were recommended by Qiao Nan, they would definitely be just as good as Chen Jun. She did not need to feel disappointed that Chen Jun had broken up with her. With Qiao Nan around, she would definitely be able to lead the life that she wanted!

  When Qiao Nan reached the doorway to the Qiao family’s residence, instead of Qiao Dongliang, it was Qiao Zijin who came out to welcome her. Qiao Zijin had a bright smile upon seeing Qiao Nan. “Nan Nan, you are back. Why didn’t you give us a phone call beforehand? We could have gotten ready for your visit. Happy Lunar New Year. I wish that you will keep doing well in school and that the triplets will be healthy. They will be as smart as you, and they will have a strong physique like brother-in-law.”

  Qiao Nan gaped in shock at the greetings that Qiao Zijin said to her.

  They had been sisters for two lifetimes. What could she expect from a hog but a grunt? Qiao Nan was taken aback by the pleasantries that Qiao Zijin said today.

  “Nan Nan, you are back.” Qiao Dongliang came out after Qiao Zijin. He cast Qiao Zijin an odd glance, wondering what she was up to this time. Today was the first day of the Lunar New Year. It was rare that Nan Nan was back. He hoped that Zijin would not go way overboard and drive her away. “There was heavy snowfall in Ping Cheng recently. The snow has melted and it is freezing cold. Come on in. Did it snow in the capital?”

  “It did.” Qiao Nan nodded, entering the house.

  Qiao Dongliang welcomed his younger daughter and son-in-law into the house as he greeted the neighbors. “Sure, I will invite you over to the house later.”

  Ding Jiayi felt conflicted and her feelings could be seen on her face. She noticed that Zhai Sheng carried many bags of expensive food and presents with him. She forced a smile on her face. “Qiao Nan, we are contented that you and Zhai Sheng are here to visit us. Why did you bring so much food and presents with you? We are one family. There is no need to prepare presents for us.”

  Everyone could tell that Ding Jiayi was lying. After all, she had just finished her sentence when she took the bags from Zhai Sheng and locked them inside her room.

  1224 Thankfully They Did Not Get Back Together

  Initially, Qiao Dongliang did not have many expressions on his face, but there was a look of embarrassment and awkwardness on his face when he saw how Ding Jiayi behaved. However, he quickly recovered and welcomed them into the house. “Zhai Sheng, Nan Nan, take a seat. I will bring you some tea.” Luckily, they did not get back together.

  As expected, Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan did not bring the triplets with them. Qiao Dongliang felt sad that he was unable to see his grandchildren.

  Even though he was disappointed, he did not say anything or let his feelings show. He maintained a calm expression as if he had never harbored the thought of seeing the triplets.

  If Qiao Dongliang behaved like Ding Jiayi and made unreasonable requests of her, Qiao Nan would turn heartless toward him and treat him in the same way as how she would Ding Jiayi.

  However, Qiao Dongliang would be nice to her at times. Qiao Nan could not refuse his kindness, and she did not know how she should treat him.

  “Dad, let me help you.” Ding Jiayi hurried into the room to check on the bags of food and presents that Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan gave them. It was rare that Qiao Zijin was ‘sensible’ and followed Qiao Dongliang into the kitchen. She helped brew three cups of tea and brought out a plate of new year cookies for them. “Dad, I remembered that Nan Nan likes these cookies. I told Mom to buy more of the cookies.”

  Qiao Zijin was telling the truth. In her memories, Qiao Nan loved the cookies, so she told Ding Jiayi to buy more of the cookies.

  Given Qiao Nan’s status, she had lots of money to buy whatever food that she liked.

  However, even if Qiao Nan did not have a single piece of cookies that the Qiao family prepared for her, at least, it showed that they were being nice to her. She believed that Qiao Nan would not be able to give them the cold treatment and be calculative with them.

  Qiao Dongliang remained silent, giving consent to Qiao Zijin. He went back to the living room with the tea while Qiao Zijin brought the cookies out.

  \r \r \r

  “Brother-in-law, Nan Nan, don’t stand on ceremony. Now that you are back, make yourselves at home.” Qiao Zijin had a wide smile on her face. She was as cheerful as the neighbors who welcomed Qiao Nan back home. Qiao Nan could not stand the fact that she was being so affectionate to her. “I remember that this is your favorite food when you were a child. Many years have passed, but the traditional cookies still taste the same. They will never change. I bought it at the shop that we frequented in the past. The new shops are not able to create the same taste.”

  Qiao Nan lowered her eyes. A year had passed. Other than growing older, Qiao Zijin had become smarter.

  In the past, Qiao Zijin was very radical and annoying.

  Right now, Qiao Zijin had turned to use the soft approach. Hehehe……

  Qiao Nan took some cookies and placed them on the side table so that Qiao Zijin would not keep urging her to have more of the cookies. Qiao Zijin was so eagerly attentive that she might feed her with the cookies if she did not eat them.

  Qiao Nan was ‘amazed’ that Qiao Zijin had made huge improvements, while Qiao Zijin was thinking to herself that Qiao Nan was too hard to please. She had a nasty temper.

  They were one family. If they treated her nicely in front of Zhai Sheng, it was being considerate of Qiao Nan’s feelings.

  It was good for the two parties. Why did Qiao Nan insist on giving her the cold shoulder?

  If Qiao Nan continued to be at loggerheads with her parents, wasn’t she worried that the Zhai family would look down on her?

  It was good to be confident, but if one was overly confident, one would fail in the end. “Nan Nan, why didn’t you try the cookies? Give it a try. Is it the same taste as before? I specifically checked that it is the same person from seven to eight years ago who made the cookies.”

  Qiao Nan smiled. “It is the Lunar New Year. There is no way that one will go hungry. I am too full right now. I will have it when I am hungry and reminisce about the past.”

  The cookies on the tables were not Qiao Nan’s favorite snacks. They were merely cookies that she used to anticipate every Lunar New Year.

  Back then, Qiao Nan never had the chance to have any good food at home. Qiao Nan was not allowed to have meat at home. This was the case for the expensive new year cookies as well.

  Qiao Zijin had the wrong impression that the snacks were Qiao Nan’s favorite food.

  Like all other children, Qiao Nan was just an ordinary kid. During the Lunar New Year, children looked forward to having food that they could not have in normal days. To Qiao Nan, she did not like the cookies. Instead, it was the mother’s love that she had been looking forward to but was not able to receive. She hoped that her mother would have a look at her and realize that she was a well-behaved child.

  The so-called favorite childhood time and childhood memories only reminded her of her unhappy childhood.

  “You’re right. Have them when you are hungry.” Qiao Dongliang believed every word that Qiao Nan said. “The triplets should be four months old, right?” Qiao Dongliang changed the topic. Actually, he wanted to ask how the triplets looked like and whether they were healthy.

  Zhai Sheng took out a photo from his wallet and passed it to Qiao Dongliang. “This was taken before the triplets turned four months. Nan Nan brought them to the photo studio to take photos. They have grown since they took the photo, but there isn’t much difference. The triplets don’t like to take photos. This is the only photo that we have.”

  Of course, the triplets took more than one photo, but this was the only photo that the Zhai family was willing to give Qiao Dongliang.

  Zhai Hua loved the triplets and she would spend her every day with them.

  In order to make a record of their growing up process as well as to take down their adorable looks, Zhai Hua, the tough lady who was the least bit interested in photography, spent a bomb on a good camera. Because of this, she was scolded by Qiao Nan for being a spendthrift.

  The triplets were only four months old, but they already had many photo albums at home.

  Qiao Dongliang gazed at the photo that Zhai Sheng passed to him. He treated the photo with care and caressed the triplets who were smiling in the photo. His frown eased, and he had an affectionate smile on his face as he gazed at the photo. “The triplets are so adorable. They look exactly the same like Nan Nan when she was still a baby. All of them are so lovely and cute. Is this San Bao?”

  The triplets looked beautiful and smart. Qiao Dongliang praised them as they were his maternal grandchildren and they had a strong resemblance to Qiao Nan.

  Qiao Dongliang was able to tell right away which one was San Bao.

  San Bao had the best features among the triplets and the strongest resemblance to Qiao Nan.

  Qiao Dongliang noticed that San Bao looked very much like his younger daughter. Therefore, he was certain that the baby must be San Bao, the only girl among the triplets.