To her surprise, Yu Xiaoxiao did not make ugly remarks at Qiao Nan. Instead, she treated Qiao Nan like her benefactor. She apologized and thanked her, and she even bowed to her.

  Tang Jiayun overheard the part of their conversation about the scholarship and walked forward.

  Since they were classmates and friends, they should share their good learning methods and tips of getting the scholarship.

  Given her results, as long as she was able to score a higher score for her non-academic component, although she would not be able to get a second-prize scholarship, she would at least get a third-prize scholarship. Even so, given that she studied in one of the best universities in China, the third-prize scholarship would be just as significant.

  Qiao Nan turned her stiff neck and had a helpless smile on her face. “Yu Xiaoxiao and I were not in a discussion. Besides, I have an appointment. I have to go back now. Please carry on.”

  No matter how delicious the food at the second canteen was, she did not intend to stay for lunch.

  She had done a research on the reading materials that she needed. She had to make use of the time to borrow the related books from the library. If she failed to borrow the books, she had to seek her senior for help. She would ask her senior who was working overseas to buy the books and shipped them to her.

  It was a waste of time to engage in a meaningless banter with a few young ladies.

  Qiao Nan sprinted off after she said her goodbye.

  If she delayed any further, the librarians would have gone for their lunch break. It would be about an hour later before the library would be opened again.

  \r \r \r

  Tang Jiayun would not allow Qiao Nan to leave easily. She reached out her hands to stop her.

  Yu Xiaoxiao stepped in front of Tang Jiayun, blocking her way, causing Tang Jiayun to lose her grip on Qiao Nan. “What do you think you are doing?”

  “I should be the one who asked this question.” Tang Jiayun turned sullen. “I am not looking for you. I am looking for Qiao Nan. Step aside!” Among the four roommates in the dormitory, Qiao Nan was aloof, Lü Yan was sinister, and Yu Xiaoxiao was cunning and despicable.

  The three of them were not on good terms with Qiao Nan. Lü Yan almost had to quit because of her. Even though she was allowed to continue with her studies, she looked totally different from how she used to be when she just entered college. As for her, she took to great lengths to join the new English club, but she was still an ordinary member and did not manage to join the committee.

  Instead, Yu Xiaoxiao, who was the most tactful among the three of them, sneakily maintained contact with Qiao Nan and sucked up to her. She benefited from their relationship and managed to get a second-prize scholarship in the previous semester. She was shameless!

  She and Lü Yan became the bad person while Yu Xiaoxiao hid behind them shamelessly and pretended to be a good person. Compared to Lü Yan and her, Yu Xiaoxiao seemed like the better person. She made use of Lü Yan and her to gain Qiao Nan’s affection.

  If she knew that Yu Xiaoxiao was such a scheming person, she should have ignored her from the beginning.

  “Stop looking at me in that manner.” Yu Xiaoxiao felt guilty. Although Tang Jiayun did not make crude remarks, her expression already said everything. Yu Xiaoxiao felt guilty as she did harbor such intentions initially.

  But Tang Jiayun had no right to criticize her as she had behaved similarly as well.

  Yu Xiaoxiao straightened her back. She never resorted to any ugly tricks in the second half of last year. She knew that Qiao Nan disliked her. Therefore, even when Qiao Nan was back at school, she did not keep pestering her.

  She was awarded the second-prize scholarship based on her own hard work!

  “Let me tell you. I am not as lowly as you imagined. Qiao Nan is not as stupid as what you think as well. She might be reserved, but she has the purest heart among all of us and she knows what is going on. We may be able to use our tricks on others, but when you use it on Qiao Nan, it is tantamount to teaching one’s grandmother how to suck eggs. It is shaming oneself.”

  Yu Xiaoxiao was sincere as she praised Qiao Nan. It might seem as if she was flattering her, but she truly admitted that Qiao Nan was better than her. Tang Jiayun had goose bumps listening to her. “It is no wonder Qiao Nan refused to forgive Lü Yan and me but gave you a lot of tips. It turned out that Qiao Nan is pretending to be above material pursuits. She liked the way you flattered her and sang her praises. If I had known earlier, I would have done the same. Even if I don’t know how to do it, I will definitely learn it!”

  Yu Xiaoxiao stomped her foot, flushing in anger.

  But it was because she had been behaving despicably previously. In fact, Tang Jiayun was just as bad as her. If Tang Jiayun sang Qiao Nan’s praises today, she would not believe Tang Jiayun either. “It’s up to you to believe it or not. I am hungry. I can’t be bothered to talk with you.”

  She was truly thankful to Qiao Nan, but she knew that Qiao Nan did not need her gratitude.

  It was because of her conscience that she stopped Tang Jiayun from pestering Qiao Nan. She did not care if Qiao Nan was grateful to her or not.

  Since she had accomplished what she had set out to do, Yu Xiaoxiao would eat to her heart’s content. Tang Jiayun could continue to resort to her tricks. No matter what, she would not revert to her old ways.

  “Did you think that Qiao Nan will appreciate your help? That is your wishful thinking.” Tang Jiayun’s face turned dark red in anger. The three roommates in the dormitory knew better than anyone else what kind of person Qiao Nan was and that she had a temper.

  Other people might appreciate it if people pretended to be nice to them, but Qiao Nan was very different from the rest. She was immune to the pretenses. Yu Xiaoxiao wanted to gain Qiao Nan’s favor by helping her, but either way, she would be blamed and unappreciated!

  Yu Xiaoxiao, who walked toward the canteen, heard Tang Jiayun’s words. She did not take it to heart. Her intentions were pure and innocent. She knew that she was not what Tang Jiayun had described her to be.

  Although Qiao Nan might not appreciate her help, she would do whatever she pleased. She had no other hidden agenda.

  “Crap!” Yu Xiaoxiao did not care how others viewed her. Her nonchalant behavior was similar to that of Qiao Nan. Tang Jiayun was enraged at the similarities between them. “All of you are pretending. All of you are keeping up with pretenses. You lead the life of a whore but want to erect a monument to prove one’s chastity.”

  Yu Xiaoxiao merely had a second-prize scholarship. How dared she disregard her and behave like Qiao Nan!

  She would wait and see. There were two more years to go. Since Yu Xiaoxiao wanted to follow in Qiao Nan’s footsteps, she would be watching if she would be able to find a good job with Qiao Nan’s help, like Xu Shengnan.

  Tang Jiayun really believed that it was Qiao Nan who paved the way for Xu Shengnan and helped her secure employment. They were a bunch of fools.

  1236 Dirty Little Baby

  Tang Jiayun could do nothing about Qiao Nan and Yu Xiaoxiao. Apart from being jealous, she had no other way to deal with them.

  Qiao Nan was able to remain aloof from worldly affairs. That left Tang Jiayun with no other way to attack her. She was a loner. Apart from focusing on her studies, she placed all her attention on the triplets. Qiao Nan did not make any friends in college. Tang Jiayun could not sow discord between Qiao Nan and her friends.

  One who had no selfish desires was invincible. Qiao Nan was the strongest enemy that Tang Jiayun had ever faced.

  Qiao Nan had finally borrowed the books on her list. Although there was a chill in the spring air, Qiao Nan broke out in a sweat on the journey back home.

  “You have so many books with you!” The auntie took the books from Qiao Nan and placed them on the table.

  Qiao Nan smiled bitterly. “I borrowed the books from the school library, but there are some books that could not be found in the library. It may be unavailable in the country, and I may have to ask someone to buy it overseas.” She might have many books with her, but they were not a complete list.

  “You must be hungry. I have put aside the dishes for you.” The auntie knew that young madam was very hardworking. She watched her as she prepared for her lessons while taking care of the babies. “Dig in. Don’t go hungry. You won’t have time to eat when the triplets insist that you carry them.”

  Qiao Nan took off her jacket and placed it on the hanger. “Okay. Thank you, auntie.”

  Qiao Nan washed her hands while the auntie brought the dishes out. She started to eat as soon as the auntie came out with the dishes. In fact, Qiao Nan felt hungry even before the lesson ended, but she still went to the library to borrow books that she wanted before the librarian went for lunch. Qiao Nan was starving by then.

  Qiao Nan was a regular at the library. She would be able to find the books she wanted as quickly as the librarian.

  \r \r \r

  If it was other students who went to the library to look for Qiao Nan’s books, they might have to spend an hour in the library.

  The triplets were awake while Qiao Nan was having her lunch.

  It was alright if Qiao Nan was not in the house. However, now that the triplets heard their mama’s voice, they looked around, feeling unsettled, muttering sounds to call out for Qiao Nan.

  Qiao Nan was conflicted that the triplets were very close to her. She was glad that they loved her, but at the same time, she was unable to have her meal in peace as they kept looking for her.

  “Don’t call out for your mom anymore.” Miao Jing felt jealous. She grabbed Er Bao’s chubby foot and gave him a gentle bite. “I have been so nice to you, but once your mom is back, you don’t want your grandma anymore.” Now that their mother was back, the triplets no longer needed their grandma.

  Although most of the children in the world would be closer to their mothers, Miao Jing could not help but be jealous.

  When she was young, she had no time for her children. There was no chance for her children to be close to her. By the time she wanted to develop a closer relationship with them, they had already grown up and had their temper. They wanted to be independent and they no longer needed their mother.

  Now that she finally had three grandchildren, she wanted to feel how it was like to be needed.

  However, her grandchildren were devoted to their mother. They only had eyes for their mother and would ignore other people who cared for them.

  Da Bao could not understand his grandma’s words. But he could tell that his grandma seemed to be jealous. He widened his mouth into a smile, revealing his baby tooth. He gave his grandma a smile that was as sunny as the sun.

  His cheeks were chubby and his eyes turned into crescents. There were sparkles in his eyes. It was a dazzling sight.

  Da Bao was soft and his hands were tender and chubby. He smelled like milk. Even if Da Bao made a mistake, Miao Jing was defenseless against such an adorable baby. Moreover, he did not make any mistakes. She was being insensible. She should not be jealous.

  Miao Jing turned softhearted at the babies. She kissed Da Bao on his chubby arms. “Alright, I admit that it is understandable that you are closer to your mom. After all, she breastfed you and that’s why you are able to grow tall and healthy. Your mom is having her meal. You have to give her some time before she can wait on all of you. At the very least, she must have her meal so that she will have the strength to handle you, three little devils.”

  As the triplets grew older, they became stronger.

  The triplets could sit by themselves. In the future, they would learn to walk and run. Just at the thought of it, Miao Jing knew that it would be filled with fun and laughter.

  Qiao Nan finished the meal at the fastest speed.

  She had no other alternative. As a mother, every second was very precious.

  Qiao Nan changed her clothes after her meal. She did not want the triplets to be infected by germs.

  The triplets still had the habit of putting everything that they saw into their mouths and chewed on them. Since Qiao Nan spent most of the time carrying them, they would bite on her clothes to grind their teeth.

  If her clothes were dirty, Qiao Nan would not wear them when she carried the triplets. After all, diseases entered by the mouth, and it would cause serious issues.

  “Oh, you have gained weight.” Qiao Nan took Da Bao from the baby crib and frowned. “Da Bao, why do you keep putting on weight? If this goes on, mama will not be able to carry you.” The triplets were babies, but they were quite heavy. It seemed like the Zhai family had been preparing sumptuous and nutritious meals for the babies.

  Da Bao had been chewing on his left palm. He lifted it to touch his mama’s face.

  Seeing that Da Bao’s palm was glistening with saliva, Qiao Nan quickly turned her face to the side. “Little brat, are you trying to wipe your saliva onto my face?”

  The auntie brought a clean towel and passed it to Qiao Nan. Qiao Nan held Da Bao in her arms. She gave him a kiss on his chubby and tender cheeks before she took the wet towel and wiped his palm that was stained with saliva. “Da Bao, why do you and your siblings have so much saliva? You are such a dirty baby.”

  “Gegege……” Da Bao could not understand what his mama was talking about, but he liked the soft and gentle tone of his mama. He laughed in happiness.

  San Bao, who had a bad temper, heard Da Bao’s laughter. She flailed her arms and legs in the cradles. Her mama should be done with carrying Da Bao. It was her turn. She wanted her mama to carry her as well.

  “Come, let’s change.” Miao Jing was willing to take the second spot while Qiao Nan was most favored by the triplets. Seeing that Da Bao had a contented look on his face, she took Da Bao from Qiao Nan and dabbed at his little nose. “The three of you are one more mischievous than the other. Your mom will be tired out by the three of you.”


  1237 Second-Prize Scholarship

  “Gegege.” Da Bao, who was in a good mood, kept laughing. Miao Jing did not know what he was up to. “He is only a few months old. What could he be thinking of? What’s so funny that he keeps laughing? Nan Nan, have you seen it? Whenever Zhai Hua and I bring the triplets out for a walk under the sun, they are the most adorable babies among all the children. They will always have a smile on their faces and they never cry when they are outside.”

  Compared to babies who kept crying and were a headache to the adults, it was very easy to take care of the triplets.

  “They must be pretending.” Qiao Nan, who was holding her chubby daughter in her arms, joked. “They are very smart. They strive to give the best performance when they are outside and will not cry. But when they are at home, there is no need to hide their true feelings. In fact, they have a bad temper.”

  San Bao blinked. Her dark and round eyes kept staring at her mama. She then turned her chubby cheeks sideways and brushed her cheeks against Qiao Nan’s chest. It was obvious what she was doing.

  Qiao Nan patted San Bao’s bottom. Qiao Nan’s heart ached for San Bao, and she felt guilty. “San Bao, be good. I will feed you with formula milk.” Qiao Nan, who used to have sufficient breast milk for the triplets, stopped secreting milk naturally when the triplets were five months old.

  Qiao Nan had no other choice but to wean the triplets off the breast milk.

  “The formula milk is ready.” The auntie was an able worker. She knew the lifestyle of the triplets very well. After they woke up, urinated, and pooped, they would feel hungry and would cry for their milk.

  San Bao, who lay in her mama’s arms, saw the milk bottle in her mama’s hands. She flailed her hands, as if she shunned the milk bottle. In the end, she had no other choice but to take the milk bottle with her chubby arms and started to suck on the milk bottle.

  It was more important to drink her fill and grow up tall and strong.

  \r \r \r

  As the mother, since the triplets were awake, she had an obligation to stay by their side and entertain them.

  She had to coax them and tuck them into bed before she could do her schoolwork.

  “Are they asleep?” The triplets slept soundly. They were sprawled out on their backs in the baby cribs. Their bulging tummies would rise and fall with every breath they took. They bent their knees like a little frog in surrender. They looked so adorable and endearing. Miao Jing’s heart melted at the sight of her grandchildren. “My dear triplets, eat well and sleep well. You will grow up to be strong and healthy.”

  Her grandchildren might be born one month before their delivery date. However, when they were placed side by side with full-term babies, they seemed to be taller and bigger than them. Miao Jing could not help but be so proud of the triplets.

  Every elder who lived in the same district had nothing but praises for the triplets. They were amazed that they were so healthy and strong. They praised the Zhai family for raising them well. It was the Zhai family’s fortune that the triplets were well-behaved and that they ate well and were very healthy.

  Qiao Nan, who was using the internet, had to multitask while she listened to Miao Jing. She agreed with her. “Right now, the triplets will spend less time to sleep. They are very energetic. Thankfully, they are able to fall asleep in no time when they feel sleepy. One does not need to cajole them to sleep. We can just put them on the bed and they will fall asleep right away.”

  “You’re right. It is such an easy task to take care of the triplets. Other families are kept busy with a single child of a similar age. We have three babies at home but we are able to take good care of them. The triplets are the most adorable and well-behaved children in the world.” Her grandchildren were the best. Miao Jing was a besotted grandma. She only had eyes for her grandchildren. No other babies were better than her grandchildren. “I noticed that you have a red file with you. Did you get a scholarship again?”

  Now that the children were asleep and Miao Jing was free, after caring for her grandchildren, she turned to show concern for her daughter-in-law.

  Miao Jing was very emotional when Qiao Nan came home with the red file. She felt as if Qiao Nan was awarded the first-prize scholarship. “Nan Nan, what scholarship did you receive this time?”

  Qiao Nan did not go to school for half a semester. The Zhai family did not expect that Qiao Nan would receive a scholarship to do the Zhai family proud. It was too much to ask of her.

  It was already considered good enough if Qiao Nan passed all her subjects and had average results for the subjects. Qiao Nan was already doing the Zhai family proud. They should prepare a sumptuous meal to celebrate for Qiao Nan.

  Therefore, Miao Jing was very surprised when she saw the familiar red file.

  “I received the second-prize scholarship. This is not the best scholarship. Therefore, there is no hope of me getting the school-based scholarship.” There was a huge difference between a second-prize and a first-prize scholarship. Other than the number of scholarships that was awarded, the amount of money was different as well. After Qiao Nan found out that she received the second-prize scholarship, she knew that she might not be able to receive the school-based scholarship in the future.

  Thankfully, she managed to get the scholarship twice in a row. It was already good enough for her.

  There were many other students in school, but there were only a few students who would receive the scholarship. It was even more difficult to receive a school-based scholarship. Qiao Nan was a freshman. She had no connections and was clueless. However, she was able to receive the school-based scholarship twice in a row. She must have done good deeds in her previous life.

  Miao Jing hurried to explain. “Don’t misunderstand. If you receive a third-prize scholarship, all of us would set off firecrackers to celebrate, let alone the school-based or second-prize scholarship. Nan Nan, you are so outstanding. I believe that since you are the triplets’ mother, they will definitely grow up to be talented and intelligent. They will learn from you and they will be smart and outstanding.”

  No other student was as efficient and capable as Nan Nan.

  While she was in school, she was already pregnant. She missed the lessons for half a semester, but her results were better than all the other students who had been going to classes diligently every day.

  If they were not pleased that Nan Nan received the second-prize scholarship, and instead blamed Nan Nan for not doing her best, what about all the other students in the college who did not receive any scholarships?

  Learning was to keep improving. One would not be so heartless and callous and place such importance on results.

  Qiao Nan finished typing and sent the message to her senior. She finally had time to answer her mother-in-law. “Mom, don’t say this in front of the triplets, especially after they grow up and could understand us. They are still young and malleable. They do not know what is self-discipline or self-control. As their elders, we must pay extra attention to it so that they will not walk down the wrong path.”

  Grandparents would usually dote on their grandchildren.

  Her mother-in-law was not close to her son and daughter. Therefore, she devoted all her feelings to her grandchildren.

  Qiao Nan was glad that the triplets had a loving grandma who doted on them.

  However, Qiao Nan would not be able to take it if she went beyond the limit. Therefore, in order to prevent things from getting ugly, it was better to spell things out beforehand and have a good discussion about it.

  1238 The Daughter-In-Law Who Made Them Proud

  It would be better for them to make known to each other their opinions and stand instead of not exchanging their views at all and waited until something irreversible and serious had happened before they talked to each other.

  Miao Jing relaxed and smiled. “Are you worried that I will spoil the triplets? Don’t worry. The children from our family won’t turn out to be ill-behaved. Look at Zhai Hua. She is the worst possible scenario. She did not turn out to be ill-behaved. At most, she is simple-minded and easily deceived by other people. She is not evil-natured. Zhai Sheng has spoken to me. In the future, when you discipline the triplets, I will definitely stand on your side. I won’t side with the triplets to rebuke you.”

  Miao Jing did not believe that the triplets would become ill-behaved if their elders doted on them.

  However, Qiao Nan was their mother. She loved them more than anyone else. Qiao Nan would definitely not do anything that would harm them.

  All of them had the same motive. As the elder, she would give in at times. They were one family. It did not matter who was the one who gave in. No matter what, she would not suffer any losses. “I promise that I will not put in a good word for the triplets when you scold them.”

  If Qiao Nan was too fierce, she would definitely coax and pacify the triplets after Qiao Nan had finished lecturing them. She would rescue the triplets from her fierce daughter-in-law.

  “That’s good.” It was good that her mother-in-law was open-minded and she did not insist on doting on the triplets and spoiling them. Qiao Nan was more than happy to know that her mother-in-law supported her in this aspect.

  Miao Jing walked to stand next to Qiao Nan. “What are you doing? I thought that you would be reading a book or writing and making notes when I walked into your room.” It was rare for Qiao Nan to put aside her books and use the computer. There were three hundred and sixty-five days a year, but there was never a single day where Qiao Nan would use the computer instead of reading a book.

  Qiao Nan put aside the book list. “My master has given me quite a lot of homework. I will need to refer to books that are not within my syllabus. I managed to borrow some books from the library, but there are several books that could not be found in the library. I did a search online and they could not be found in the country, so I had to ask someone overseas to bring the books back.”

  The shipping system between different countries was not as developed right now. It was unlike ten years later where it was common to have express delivery, and it was convenient to mail packages as well as to request for door-to-door delivery.

  \r \r \r

  Right now, it was rare for one to have a computer. The Chinese online shopping website would probably only be set up this year. It would be many years later before it flourished. In that case, if Qiao Nan wanted to buy books from overseas and requested that the books be delivered to her, it would not be as convenient as how it would be ten years later.

  Although it might take a long time and be very inconvenient, Qiao Nan had no other choice but to wait.

  If she had friends who would be returning to the country from overseas, they would be able to bring the books back for her. However, she was not that lucky. “I just chatted with my senior. He is not in the country. He is overseas right now. I have asked him to buy the books for me. I will transfer the money to him. He has promised that he will find time to buy the books and mail them back to me.”

  “I see.” It was good to buy books. Everyone hoped that their children would love reading. “You must do your best in the homework that your master gave you. Do you need any more books? If you need anything else, go ahead to buy them. Don’t save on the money. I have money. I can buy the books for you. If you can’t find anyone to buy the books, I can get someone to buy them for you.”

  Miao Jing patted her chest. She could help Qiao Nan buy the books as well. She treated Qiao Nan very well. They did not face any issues that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law would face. It was as if she was not her mother-in-law, but her mother.

  “Thank you, Mom. I will buy all the books that I need. I can save on anything else but books. Brother Zhai has left me to take charge of all his money. He might not earn lots of money, but he has more than enough money for me to buy the books that I need.” Qiao Nan had a sweet smile on her face.

  The books that she wanted were very expensive. This also explained why they were unavailable in the country.

  However, no matter how expensive the books were, her husband would buy them for her. There was no need for her mother-in-law to fork out the money.

  “You’re right. You must not save on this.” Miao Jing touched Qiao Nan’s head. “Your master lives next to us. He has been called back by the central government to handle some issues. Thankfully, he is away for the time being. Otherwise, I would be worried that he would check on your homework every single day. Now that he lives close to us, it will be easier for him to give you a test.”

  A strict teacher produced outstanding students.

  However, Nan Nan was a mother of three and she had to take care of her children and go to school. She also had to complete the assignments given by Elder Lin. Even if she was an iron man, she would drain herself by completing so many tasks.

  Luckily, Nan Nan was young and energetic.

  If she were her, she would not be able to withstand such hardships. She would give up and surrender in three days.

  Everyone in the district knew about Qiao Nan’s situation.

  Even though Qiao Nan was in a different city and had different neighbors, every adult in the district hailed her as the ‘child from that family’.

  Their children only needed to focus on their studies and do well in the exams, yet they were unable to perform as well as Qiao Nan.

  On the other hand, the daughter-in-law of the Zhai family was pregnant soon after her marriage and she had triplets in a single pregnancy. She received scholarships twice in a row and she also completed the assignments given by Elder Lin. She had exceptional performance!

  Everyone envied the Zhai family for having such an outstanding daughter-in-law. The Zhai family was very proud of her as well.

  There were people who were envious of her, and there were people who were jealous of her.

  The daughter-in-law of the Zhai family had her babies in September last year. She returned to school after one month of confinement. However, she had missed the lessons for half of the semester.

  There would be people who disliked the fact that other people were doing well and would be jealous of them. They would gossip about Qiao Nan within the district. Although she had three babies, they felt that it was a pity that she had to sacrifice her studies for her children.

  Both Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan were very young, particularly Qiao Nan, who was much younger than Zhai Sheng. Why would she be in a hurry to have babies? She should have her priorities right.

  They felt that it must be due to Zhai Sheng that Qiao Nan was pregnant right after she entered college. Qiao Nan was very young. Though Zhai Sheng was not considered old, he was a few years older than her.

  Despite the fact that she was still in college, the elders in the Zhai family must have pressurized her to get pregnant and have babies as Zhai Sheng was much older than her.

  Indeed, the Zhai family led a good life. Their daughter-in-law was very outstanding while their grandchildren who were triplets were smart and brilliant. However, the Zhai family had a much more complicated life than the rest of them.

  Since Qiao Nan wanted to marry into a rich family, she had to make sacrifices.

  The Zhai family bullied Qiao Nan for being young. The reason why they agreed to take in a daughter-in-law who did not come from an established family must be that they knew that Qiao Nan was mild-tempered and would listen to them. She would do as the Zhai family said and she would not disobey them or have a mind of her own.

  1239 Many Seniors

  In short, the harmonious and wonderful life in the Zhai family turned into a pool of filth in the mouths of some peculiar people. This was truly reflective of the idiom ‘apple of Sodom’.

  This group of people, in particular, was waiting to see Qiao Nan’s situation after the school term began.

  Qiao Nan had been awarded the first-prize scholarship from Peking University every time. In addition, it was school-based first-prize scholarships. If she did not receive it this time, who else besides the Zhai family could be blamed for this?

  For the sake of carrying grandchildren and great-grandchildren earlier, they had ruined Qiao Nan’s future. Qiao Nan was a student but she could not even take care of her own studies. This matter alone would cause a dent in the reputation of the Zhai family.

  One was responsible for his own life. Miao Jing did not want to feel angry. Her family was leading a good life, and this was more important than the exaggerated or untrue accounts of others.

  However, when one heard too many of such disgusting rumors, who would not feel vexed and upset?

  Even Old Master Zhai and Zhai Yaohui did not expect Qiao Nan to be awarded any scholarships after missing half a semester of classes. Miao Jing had also extinguished her desire to encourage Qiao Nan to get a scholarship so that she could retort those people.

  Hence, without Qiao Nan’s knowledge, the elders of the Zhai family had shielded all the piercing and sarcastic rumors from Qiao Nan. This was such that Qiao Nan could concentrate on her studies and take care of the triplets. The elders would shoulder the rest of the pressures.

  Three to four months had passed, and Miao Jing had almost forgotten about this matter. Never did she expect that this good daughter-in-law of hers would give her such a good opportunity again.

  Who said that there was no scholarship? Yes, there was not only a scholarship but also a second-prize one!

  There were many college students in their residential area, and many college students had already graduated as well.

  \r \r \r

  Everyone could go and ask around. Did everybody do as well as Nan Nan after entering a good college such as Peking University? Right, if they had entered a comparable college, let’s not talk about first-prize scholarships. Let’s talk about achievements based on the number of scholarships received.

  Miao Jing’s eyes lit up as she flipped open the red booklet. After confirming the contents, she looked as proud and arrogant as a little rooster and dashed outside with the book.

  Qiao Nan, who had just confirmed the books that she needed, was stunned. “What is wrong with Mom?” Were they not chatting well earlier? Why did she feel so emotional suddenly? She even took away the second-prize scholarship that she received for her last semester of studies?

  Qiao Nan scratched her head, feeling puzzled and confused. She could not figure it out even after thinking.

  Since it was something that she definitely could not figure out, Qiao Nan, who adopted the attitude of ‘laugh and grow fat’, was not troubled. She held the books that she borrowed today and immersed herself in a sea of knowledge.

  A typical person could not be compared to such a self-aware and self-disciplined top student like Qiao Nan. They would not be able to predict her accurately either.

  Holding on to Qiao Nan’s second-prize scholarship, Miao Jing mercilessly, openly, and atrociously boasted to the neighbors who were always jealous. Looking at their gloomy faces that were as listless as frozen eggplants, she felt so proud ever. “This daughter-in-law of mine is really good in everything. Anyway, in my eyes, I can’t find any shortcomings in my daughter-in-law. That said, I have to praise my son. There is an ancient saying ‘the husband of a virtuous wife seldom suffers misfortune’. I take my hat off to my son for his judgment in choosing his wife!”

  Miao Jing was making a strong inference with her words.

  Zhai Sheng had married the right wife. Miao Jing rode on Qiao Nan’s glory and avenged the previous insults to the Zhai family. Qiao Nan did the family proud again. In addition, the sons of a few families that liked to badmouth the Zhai family also recently got married.

  However, the women that they married were simply complicated and foul. As such, she could not understand why these people felt rightful and confident about discussing the Zhai family matters.

  She could not figure it out. Although it was the 21st century, a new China and contemporary society, some values would not change so much. Yet, they dared to marry any Tom, Dick, and Harry into the family. Weren’t they foolish?

  Nan Nan’s family background was a little lackluster but it was unlike those of the daughters-in-law of these families. They were celebrities famous for certain matters. No matter what, Nan Nan was also a good-natured child and an offspring of veteran revolutionaries.

  Fine, let’s not talk about veteran revolutionaries. One could also say that Nan Nan was a beautiful daughter from a humble family, no?

  Even if they did not marry the daughters of prominent and wealthy families, they did not need to……

  At the thought that the dramas in the homes of these few neighbors were more spectacular than those in the television shows, Miao Jing could not be bothered to say anything.

  They refused to lead peaceful lives. Instead of thinking about how to manage the affairs in their home, they talked about mundane matters of other people’s families. They really had too much time to spare.

  The truth that Miao Jing spoke and Qiao Nan’s second-prize scholarship were like slaps in the faces of these people. Miao Jing, who got the kick out of venting out her anger, came back striding in large steps, lifting her head and chest like a victorious little general.

  Qiao Nan’s quiet and inconspicuous attitude of handling matters left a deep impression on people from the same social circle. They felt that this daughter-in-law of the Zhai family was not just all talk and no action. She was the hands-on type who was hard to come by.

  The more this was the case, the more these people could not understand Qiao Nan’s personality. They misunderstood her and said things that were opposite from reality.

  This kind of quiet and silent people were actually the most horrible ones. It had the same effect of saying ‘a barking dog never bites’.

  Regardless of the case, that daughter-in-law of the Zhai family had missed half a semester of classes and given birth to triplets before returning to school, yet she still received a second-prize scholarship. As a result, Qiao Nan’s name had become more resounding and prominent in the social circle. She has strongly established her presence.

  One could stop saying that it was useless to do well in the studies or that it was better to have a good father rather than learning mathematics and sciences.

  During the time of the children’s studies, if one were to have both—a good father and outstanding academic performance—that was also a capital that the parents could use to chat about. Who would not be pleased that their children were good in their studies?

  In addition, Lin Yuankang had moved to the house beside that of the Zhai family. A few months had passed. Unless one was dumb or blind, they would receive some information: The so-called lady from the countryside was, in fact, the last disciple of Lin Yuankang. The latter had just been invited by the central government to return to the capital last year.

  If the daughter-in-law of the Zhai family was a country bumpkin despite having Lin Yuankang as her master, what were those self-proclaimed high-status and prominent ladies considered then?

  Someone that they had looked down on was actually more outstanding than their own daughter. What would have become of their own daughter then?

  As such, after knowing the relationship between Qiao Nan and Lin Yuankang, the smart ones had already shut up and no longer attacked the Zhai family’s ‘loopholes’ using Qiao Nan’s family background.

  Lin Yuankang was carrying Er Bao, who was smiling in a silly and happy manner, in one hand and checking Qiao Nan’s homework with his other hand. After some time, he nodded with satisfaction. “You’ve done quite well. Your research is very comprehensive. In the future, if you lack any books, just get your seniors to buy them. If anyone dares to disobey you, let me know. I will help you teach them a lesson.”