He Yi would get busy with his own work and had no time for the two ‘interns’, namely Qiao Nan and Deng Wenchang. Qiao Nan liked to keep herself busy. She felt that she did not have enough time, so she would not waste her time doing nothing.

  Once He Yi closed the door to his office, Qiao Nan went back to her seat right away, taking out a foreign history literary work that was in English.

  Deng Wenchang, having nothing much to do, sat down as well. As his seat was only separated from Qiao Nan’s seat by a partition, he could tell what she was doing.

  Deng Wenchang sneered when he noticed that Qiao Nan was able to read the English literary work calmly. She was indeed conscientious, but it was merely to keep up appearances. He wondered how capable she was.

  She was merely a college student. To put it bluntly, Qiao Nan was overestimating her capabilities!

  If she wanted to read and to learn, she should go back to school.

  This was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the central government. It was not suitable for everyone. It was a very important ministry in the country. Deng Wenchang felt saddened that Qiao Nan could join the ministry through connections when she was without any skills.

  This wouldn’t do. When he went back home today, he must ask his father to do a check. He wanted to know where this college student came from and what methods she used in order to join the ministry. Most importantly, he hoped that his master was not the person who allowed her to join the ministry. Otherwise, he would be ready to punish his own family if justice demanded it.

  Deng Wenchang kept quiet about the fact that he might report his master if he was the one who allowed Qiao Nan to join the ministry. Deng Wenchang was a man of actions. Once he reached home, he passed Qiao Nan’s photo to his father. “Hurry, Dad. Can you help me do a check on this person? Could it be that college students nowadays are so shameless?”

  \r \r \r

  Father Deng looked at the person in the photo. She had clear, sparkling eyes, and she looked upright. He tried to make his son calm down. “Don’t get angry. Although one may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature, from the pair of clear eyes that the young lady has, she doesn’t seem to be problematic.” He had seen many women who took the wrong path and climbed up the social ladder with their looks.

  He had rejected some of them, and for those that he was interested in, he would accept their offers.

  The young lady in the photo was unlike the women that he had seen in the past. “Alright, let me ask you. She must have joined the ministry for a certain period of time. From your observation, is she capable?” They should not over-generalize. Although she had the looks, she might be capable as well.

  Father Deng was not lauding the spirit of the enemy and belittled that of his own.

  It was just that his son who was used to doing very well in school became flustered and lost his calm at the mention of Qiao Nan. He had forgotten everything that he had taught him at a young age.

  The father should know the son best.

  Given his son’s reaction, Father Deng did not believe his son’s one-sided view that the young lady joined the ministry based on her looks.

  It was such an important ministry in the country. One could not join the department easily based on illicit offers. If so, their country would be in trouble,

  Furthermore, it was not as important whether she engaged in illicit offers or not. If she had no talents, it would be useless even if she engaged in indecent acts.

  “Hmmph. She is merely a third-year student. Dad, do you think she is capable?” Deng Wenchang was unconvinced. He graduated with a master’s degree and he completed two years of overseas study in America before returning to the country in glory.

  He had graduated from college and also came back from his overseas study. He had proven that he was capable and had abilities.

  Although he was able to join the ministry because of his master, he was in a different situation from Qiao Nan. He had the capabilities and he could contribute to the ministry. Unlike Qiao Nan, it was already considered good if she did not cause any trouble to the ministry.

  Deng Wenchang would not admit that she had the abilities.

  “Is that so?” Father Deng refused to believe. I have known He Yi for a long time. I know him very well. If he would accept such favors, his wife would have divorced him a long time ago.” Father Deng respected He Yi for that. He would lose his senses occasionally, but He Yi never made a single mistake.

  As he knew He Yi very well, Father Deng did not believe what his son said totally. He did not jump to conclusions and believed that Qiao Nan joined the ministry based on her looks. “Both of you have joined the ministry for some time. What have you done for the ministry? How about Qiao Nan? Is she idling around?”

  Since they had joined the ministry for some time, he believed that his son and the young lady must have been given the chance to perform in the ministry.

  Even if they did not have the chance, they would have created the opportunity for themselves if they were determined to work in the ministry.

  “Don’t bring that up. The mention of it makes my blood boil.” Deng Wenchang slammed the table. “The ministry had an urgent and important task. Everyone in the ministry, including Uncle He, stayed through the night to complete the task, but Qiao Nan was able to go back home on time. I don’t understand why Uncle He would give such an important task of researching and compiling information to an indecent woman. If anything happened, it would implicate the entire ministry and shame our country.”

  Deng Wenchang was boiling in anger. He could not bear to watch the horrible outcome. Otherwise, he would not be back home at such an early time.

  Father Deng knew what his son was talking about. When he first learned about it, he was shocked as well. Luckily, no matter what happened, it had nothing to do with him. That was why he did not let it bother him.

  Now that his son brought it up, Father Deng took the remote control and switched on the television. “It is eight o’clock at night. The issue that you spoke of will be on the news tonight. You can watch the news with me, and we shall see if it is as bad as what you made it to be.”

  Would He Yi be so foolish?

  If so, He Yi would have been sent out of the ministry. Even though Elder Lin was his master, it would be of no use.

  Even if someone got in through the back door, if they did not have the ability, they would not be able to succeed in any organization or company that he joined.

  True enough, the nighttime news on the state-owned television channel was reporting the issue that Father Deng and his son had been talking about.

  The news broadcaster spoke in fluent Chinese. She was very professional as she reported about the event.

  1266 Don’t Make Foolish Remarks

  Father Deng and his son were all ears, waiting for the broadcaster to report the overall outcome of the event.

  The broadcaster reported that the Sino-Foreign Exchange was a success and they had reached a good outcome. The foreign guests stated that China was known as a state of etiquette and ceremonies, and it left them with good memories. If there was a chance in the future, they would visit China again to enjoy the scenery and sights in China. Father Deng did not have much response after watching the news. Deng Wenchang’s jaws dropped as if he could swallow a goose egg. “H-how could this be?”

  Even if the news tried to cover up the blunder or exaggerate the positive outcome, as the state-owned television channel, it would not go to the extent of fabricating news. It would not turn a disastrous event into a positive outcome and sing praises for it, saying that the foreign guests had an enjoyable experience.

  Most importantly, when the camera zoomed in on the foreign guests, they had a genuine smile on their faces. This must be real. What they said was not part of post-production or dubbing. Deng Wenchang was certain that from the way the guest’s mouth moved that he was saying exactly what he had heard. There was no mismatch.

  Did it mean that what the broadcaster said was the truth?

  Father Deng switched off the television. “Are you satisfied and convinced now?” If they were to describe the exchange with the foreign guests, he could only say that the guest had a good fortune. When one had good fortune, there was no way that one could stop it.

  The man did not use to have such a high position. It was another American who was in this position. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had more exchanges with him and they were familiar with his working style after several interactions with him.

  He might be crafty and cunning, but they would not fall for it and allowed China to be taken advantage of.

  Human fortunes were as unpredictable as the weather.

  He Yi’s former opponent had a heart attack when he was at the height of his career and passed away from it.

  \r \r \r

  It was because of his passing that another man was given the chance to be on the television.

  It happened too suddenly. The Americans were caught unaware, notwithstanding the Chinese people who found out about it at the last minute.

  One who knows his own strength and that of the enemy is invincible in every battle.

  The experiences of the forefathers would never be wrong.

  However, the newly appointed officials seldom attended such exchanges, so there was not much information regarding him. Furthermore, they had to understand his background, his habits, his faith, and customs that he had, as well as what was considered as a taboo to him. They had to come up with a strategy to deal with him.

  The ministry was in a complete mess because of that.

  “Convinced? It was because of Uncle He that the exchange was a success. If Uncle He did not have the ability, he would not have become the minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I know that Uncle He is very capable.” If Uncle He was not so outstanding, he would not have dreamed of becoming his disciple.

  Uncle He had yet to acknowledge him as his disciple, but given his family background, his educational qualifications, and his ability, apart from He Yi, many other people were willing to take him under their wings.

  However, all these people could not be compared to He Yi.

  Since Deng Wenchang had his goals in mind, he would make sure that he was the best in what he did. He would only go for the best mentor and master. He would not opt for the next best alternative.

  Even if other people were willing to mentor him, he might not be willing to accept them.

  Father Deng poured a cup of tea for his stubborn son. “Didn’t you say that the young lady was the one who researched and compiled the information? He Yi had performed very well today. Do you really think that it had nothing to do with the young lady?”

  He was lying to himself.

  There was no way that he could deceive himself or other people.

  “So what if it is the truth?” Deng Wenchang was driven to desperation by his father. “Let me tell you. If Uncle He assigned the task to me, I would be able to do a good job as well. I will not lose to her. I am just as good. It’s just that I am not given the chance!” If he was assigned the task, he would do a better job than Qiao Nan.

  “You are boasting.” Father Deng was harsh. “I am sure He Yi still has the documents that Qiao Nan prepared for him. If you have the ability, I will give you a chance to be wise after the fact. You shall prepare the documents as well. I will think of ways to get the documents that Qiao Nan had prepared. By then, we shall compare the documents that both of you prepared. I can tell who is better among the two of you. Let me tell you beforehand. Even if you insist that you are better, I will be fair and judge accordingly.”

  If his son was indeed outstanding, and he was just as good as the young lady, he would talk to He Yi, even if it meant that he had to swallow his pride.

  Wenchang was his only son and it was his passion to work at this particular ministry in the central government. Many other places welcomed him, but he refused to work there.

  He was his son. He had to make use of his connections at the opportune time to help him.

  “Fine, I will do it!” Deng Wenchang slammed the table. He was not bragging or boasting. He did not believe that he would not be able to do what Qiao Nan was capable of. He graduated from a first-tier university and went for overseas study for two years. He did not believe that he would be defeated by a third-year student who was still in the university. He could not afford to be shamed.

  After making a promise with his father, Deng Wenchang shut himself up in the room. He did not leave the room at all and he did not have dinner. Mother Deng had to bring the food into his study room and watched him as he ate.

  Deng Wenchang could not win against his mother, and he finished his dinner within a minute.

  Mother Deng came out from the room with an empty bowl, a sullen expression on her face. She directed her anger at Father Deng. “You should know Wenchang’s personality. From a young age, he is intelligent and studious, and he refused to admit defeat. If he did not do well in the exams, he would make sure that he studied throughout the night and worked hard to catch up. Is Wenchang your son or is the younger daughter in the photo your daughter? Why did you favor an outsider instead of someone on your own side?”

  Mother Deng took a close look at the photo. “The young lady is able to join the ministry at such a young age. Wenchang must be right. She must have engaged in indecent deals. What is with society nowadays? There is the notion in society that it’s better to get ahead in the world by abandoning one’s scruples than to suffer poverty. Wenchang has worked hard for so many years and he finally has the long-awaited chance. However, it was taken away by the young lady. It was no wonder that Wenchang refused to admit defeat. If it was me, I would react more strongly than him.”

  He had worked hard and took one step at a time to achieve his goals. However, he was denied a chance because of the young lady who got in through the back door.

  If she was him, she would not have such a mild reaction. She would have blown things up and sought justice for herself.

  Father Deng smiled. “Fortunately, you are not in our field. Otherwise, you are doomed to fail. We are not allowed to do as we please.”


  1267 Er Bao Threw Tantrums

  “Are we totally clean-handed? Besides, I’m not favoring an outsider. It’s not that my heart doesn’t ache for my son. My heart aches for him too much.”

  “Over so many years, our son has a very smooth sailing life. He did not suffer many setbacks. Look at how strong-tempered he has become. He refuses to face reality and is in self-denial. This young lady definitely has some capability but Wenchang refuses to acknowledge this. As his father, I can only help him. Otherwise, if he can’t sort out his thoughts, he may go into a blind alley and not get out of it.”

  He was a loving father with good intentions. He did not only hope for his son to do well but also hoped that his son would become the best in the world!

  Eight o’clock evening news on the state-owned television channel. At the house of the Zhai family.

  After Er Bao finished his dinner, he followed Da Bao like the latter’s tail, striding his short little legs. They were taking a walk in circles in their home to aid in digestion and train their body.

  At the sound of the news on the television, Er Bao lifted his head and glanced at it. He suddenly shouted in excitement. “Mom! Mom!”

  Miao Jing walked toward Er Bao and carried him. “Your mom is here. You are pointing in the wrong direction.” Having said that, Er Bao carried Miao Jing to Qiao Nan, lest Er Bao recognize the wrong mother. He could have missed his mother too much.

  After putting down the bowl, Qiao Nan rinsed her mouth before she carried Er Bao into her arms. “Er Bao, why are you calling Mom? Are you too full or feeling unwell? Do you want Mom to help you rub your tummy?”

  The triplets had huge appetites when they were little. Now that they had grown up a little, their appetites were even bigger.

  At this juncture, the triplets treated formula milk as beverages. Occasionally, they would drink one or two cups of it. Gradually, similar to the adults, their main meals became solid food. At most, their food was cooked to be softer, mushier, and blander.

  The little bowls that Qiao Nan bought for the triplets were quite cute.

  \r \r \r

  No matter how small it was, the bowls were used to take meals. As such, they might look small but were, in fact, quite deep. It could contain rice that was equivalent to about one-third of Qiao Nan’s bowl.

  Oftentimes, before Qiao Nan could finish her food, the triplets had already finished all their rice. Their bowls were so clean that Miao Jing often joked about it. “Aye, our triplets are really good children who eat well. We can save on water bills. We don’t need to wash the bowls anymore.”

  Miao Jing then thought of the three-year-old child in the neighbor’s house. During each mealtime, the parents had to chase him all over the yard to feed him. Looking at the three children who were so easy to feed, Miao Jing was overjoyed.

  She was not being boastful or narcissistic about her family’s children. The triplets were really the most obedient and beautiful ones among all the children within the vicinity.

  The triplets had taken a lot of food but they did not suffer from indigestion. However, the first time that the adults saw their high and bloated tummies after eating, they felt a little worried and rubbed the children’s tummies in case the latter felt unwell.

  After that first experience, whether it was true or not, from time to time, one of the triplets would hold their little tummy and fall into Qiao Nan’s arms. They would then place Qiao Nan’s hands on their tummy for Qiao Nan to rub.

  Fortunately, this situation did not occur every day. Moreover, each time this happened, it would be a different child. The triplets seemed to have discussed with one another to take turns doing that.

  Qiao Nan just assumed that it was the same situation today. She carried Er Bao and wanted to rub his tummy.

  Nesting in his mother’s arms, Er Bao looked like he was in a dilemma.

  It felt very comfortable to let his mother rub his tummy. However, he had really seen his mother on the television earlier. Why was it that no one understood what he meant when he shouted about it?

  Er Bao felt more sullen when that piece of news ended in the broadcast. Qiao Nan only appeared for a moment in the news. Another piece of news was being reported thereafter. As such, the more no one could understand what Er Bao was trying to express.

  Er Bao felt so depressed that he pouted and lay in Qiao Nan’s arms listlessly, refusing to come down.

  At the sight of Er Bao looking like that, Miao Jing and Zhai Hua were shocked. “Is Er Bao feeling unwell? Did he catch a cold? Rub his forehead and see if he is having a fever?”

  Qiao Nan also felt a little anxious. She touched his son’s forehead. “It’s not hot. It feels normal. Er Bao, tell Mom. Do you feel unwell? Uh…… Do you feel pain in any area?”

  At the thought that Er Bao was only one year old and he could not possibly understand her completely, Qiao Nan modified her question.

  Er Bao shook his head listlessly. He then buried his face in his mother’s arms. Why didn’t anyone understand baby’s thoughts? Baby felt so tired and aggrieved. However, baby could not express himself.

  When Qiao Nan carried Er Bao to the bed and coaxed him to sleep, Er Bao was still behaving in this manner.

  Er Bao was unaware that his little tantrums had stunned the few adults in the family.

  The triplets were born prematurely. When they were born, they were very small and lighter in weight than typical babies. As such, the adults took special care of them. They were afraid that if they were not thorough enough, the babies would fall sick.

  Fortunately, besides having a minor fever when they were teething at four months’ old, the triplets did not suffer from any other illness or pain for the past one year.

  Initially, the adults in the Zhai family were quite pleased about this. Who would have known that Er Bao suddenly looked so listless and tired today? How could they not feel anxious?

  Zhai Yaohui was seldom at home. It was rare that he did not fly to other countries. Clearly, he was at home, but Miao Jing insisted to leave Zhai Yaohui alone in the bedroom. She ran to her daughter-in-law’s room. “What’s wrong with Er Bao? Is there any symptom of illness?”

  “Not yet.” Qiao Nan shook her head.

  Er Bao did not seem to be in good spirits. Although there were no specific symptoms of any illness, Qiao Nan dared not let down her guard. The most common ones were cold and flu. Flu was contagious. As such, Qiao Nan did not let the three children sleep together side by side today. Instead, she separated Da Bao, Er Bao, and San Bao.

  Since the triplets were born, besides the period whereby they slept in individual cribs when they were newborns, they had been sleeping together on Qiao Nan’s bed thereafter.

  Da Bao and San Bao immediately expressed their unhappiness with Qiao Nan’s arrangement today. They insisted that Er Bao sleep in between them.

  Da Bao and San Bao were throwing tantrums, but Er Bao did not have any reaction at all. He obediently allowed Qiao Nan to carry him to sleep on one side. The bright, eccentric, and cheeky Er Bao had become so quiet and obedient. Qiao Nan almost could not contain the urge to immediately send Er Bao to the hospital for the doctor to take a look at him?

  However, the elders at home said that if Er Bao were to feel unwell, there would be symptoms. He would also cry badly.

  1268 A Misunderstanding

  Currently, besides looking listless, Er Bao did not mention that he was unwell. They would be overreacting if they were to send him to the hospital now.

  These were both Old Master Zhai and Zhai Yaohui’s thoughts.

  Qiao Nan felt that it made sense. The triplets did not know how to talk but they could express their thoughts by gesturing. In addition, Er Bao could speak a couple of words, or more than that sometimes.

  If Er Bao was feeling unwell, he would have long gestured and expressed himself.

  Since she was not sure, Qiao Nan decided to listen to the elders’ opinions and observe one more night before deciding again.

  However, Qiao Nan was already prepared to have a sleepless night. If Er Bao were to display any symptoms, she would want to discover it at the onset and then arrange for someone to send him to the hospital. She would also keep him company thereafter.

  The child was still young. Hence, any treatment of illnesses could not be delayed.

  As the grandmother, Miao Jing had the same thoughts too. As such, she was resolute and decisive in ‘abandoning’ Zhai Yaohui so that she could guard by the side of her three little grandchildren, lest Er Bao show any signs of changes.

  At the sight of Miao Jing looking worried, Qiao Nan touched Da Bao’s and Er Bao’s little hands. The two children kicked up a little fuss earlier, but she managed to coax them to sleep thereafter. “Mom, why don’t you sleep together with Da Bao and San Bao, while I carry Er Bao to the smaller bed to sleep?”

  When Zhai Sheng was back this time, the triplets enjoyed playing with him during the day. However, during nighttime, firm in their resolution, the triplets would join forces and unanimously chase Zhai Sheng off Qiao Nan’s bed.

  On the day of the triplets’ first birthday, Zhai Sheng, as the father, quietly gave the triplets a huge present.

  Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan’s bedroom was not small. In fact, it was quite big. Qiao Nan was not very vain and did not like to buy many clothes. Zhai Sheng had even fewer clothes than Qiao Nan. As such, the small closet in the bedroom could completely store all of the couple’s clothes.

  \r \r \r

  However, gradually, this closet was not enough to store the clothes after the triplets were born.

  Fortunately, the triplets grew very quickly and they could immediately remove clothes that did not fit from the bedroom. As such, the bedroom was not packed with clothes.

  The thirty-square-meter bedroom had a 1.8 meters long bed, a small closet, and a little dressing table. After the triplets were born, there were three more baby cribs in the room.

  Given the triplets’ behavior, Zhai Sheng had hidden the original presents that he had prepared. When the triplets could understand that they should not interrupt their parents from loving each other, he would give them the presents.

  On their first birthday, he needed to give them something.

  Thus, a huge truck drove to the driveway of the Zhai family’s residence early in the morning.

  Before the Zhai family was completely full of life, Zhai Sheng shifted the triplets’ three baby cribs out of the bedroom to the storeroom. He then got someone to shift and assemble the new 1.8-meter bed that he had purchased.

  Zhai Sheng’s intent of buying this bed was very obvious. The triplets might not be able to sleep on their own in a separate room now. Nevertheless, on the rare occasions when he was home, he hoped that the three little light bulbs could sleep on a separate bed.

  This bed had been in the room for only a few days and no one had the chance to sleep on it yet. Today, the opportunity had arrived.

  After Miao Jing agreed, Qiao Nan carried Er Bao and placed him on that new bed.

  Miao Jing followed over. “Nan Nan, why don’t you take care of Da Bao and San Bao? I will take care of Er Bao. It’s been quite tough on you recently. Your internship doesn’t seem to be easier than your usual studies. The department that you’re working at is so important. If you didn’t rest well tonight, you won’t have the energy to go to work tomorrow.”

  It was all thanks to Elder Lin. Otherwise, Nan Nan would not be able to enter such a good place for her internship to learn and gain experience.

  Since Qiao Nan was gifted the opportunity, of course, Miao Jing hoped that Qiao Nan could grab hold of it and not be left with any regrets. Elder Lin would not feel disappointed then.

  Qiao Nan declined. “Mom, let me do it. If Er Bao really feels unwell, he will feel happier that I am by his side. You have been so busy with the triplet’s first birthday celebration recently. Hurry, go to rest.”

  The three children were still very young. Otherwise, she would have taken care of Er Bao alone, in case the illness spread to Da Bao and San Bao.

  Miao Jing’s health had never been very good. However, Qiao Nan was still a student. She could not transform into two people. Hence, she could not help much with the first birthday celebration of the triplets. She could even barely rush home for lunch every day.

  At the sight of the fatigue on her mother-in-law’s face, Qiao Nan did not have the shame to let her mother-in-law stay overnight to take care of Er Bao. This would harm her health too much. “Mom, it’s late now. Quickly go to sleep. Da Bao and San Bao need someone beside them. If you don’t lie down on the bed in time, they will definitely wake up and kick up a fuss.”

  Indeed, she was the biological mother. Her predictions were so accurate.

  San Bao, who was long used to the warmth of having an adult lying beside her, was snorting and making some noises, knitting her brows and twisting her body. She looked like she was able to wake up.

  As a good citizen and elder brother, Da Bao was moving too given San Bao’s reaction. Only Er Bao, whom Qiao Nan was sitting beside, was still sleeping soundly.

  At the sight of Da Bao and San Bao stirring in their sleep, Miao Jing got onto the bed anxiously. She then gently coaxed and patted Da Bao and San Bao.

  When the two children felt that someone was beside them, they fell into a deep slumber again shortly.

  Qiao Nan insisted. It was also true that Miao Jing had been exhausted from the first birthday celebration arrangements for the triplets. Shortly, Miao Jing fell asleep too. Qiao Nan was hugging Er Bao throughout the entire night. She would wake up from time to time to touch Er Bao’s little hands and face to observe if there was anything amiss.

  Er Bao was totally unaware that his overreaction and little tantrum had frightened his mother so badly.

  After having a tough night, Qiao Nan had dark circles under her eyes the next morning.

  At the sound of water running in the toilet, Miao Jing gradually woke up. She saw that Qiao Nan had finished washing her face. “Is Er Bao alright during the night?”

  Qiao Nan could not help yawning. She gave a bitter smile. “This little lad has been sleeping soundly the entire night. He did not wake up at all. I should wake them up now and let them go to the toilet.” When Qiao Nan woke up, Er Bao, who was sleeping beside her, was holding his little tummy and snoring. He was drooling, his mouth slightly opened. He was sleeping so soundly!

  After confirming that Er Bao’s body temperature did not change, and he did not seem to feel unwell, Qiao Nan then woke up and dragged her exhausted body to the toilet to wash her face.

  She had been frightened badly by Er Bao, this little lad, yesterday.

  Judging from this, Er Bao was not feeling unwell. Had they misunderstood his bad mood and tantrums?