Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  As soon as San Bao’s little feet touched the ground, she ran into the house. “Auntie, I’m thirsty. I want to drink water.”

  “Get us three cups of water!” Da Bao added on like a big brother.

  Qiao Nan had taught the three children from a young age to drink mineral water and not to drink Sprite, coke, or those so-called impure fruit juices when they were outside. Qiao Nan would always prepare the fruit juices at home and bring the fruit juices with them when they went out. The three children felt very thirsty and asked for boiled water as soon as they were home.

  When Er Bao entered the house, the auntie placed three cups of boiled water on the small tea table. The three small radishes lined up to drink the water. They held the glass cups firmly with their chubby hands as they gulped the water.

  The three children of the Zhai family were very well-behaved. If they could do it by themselves, they would seldom ask adults for help. Take for instance when they drank the water now. They would hold the cups by themselves. They could drink the water according to their speed, which was much better than being fed by someone else.

  Initially, the temporary helper was hesitant when she heard that the house owner had three children of about three years old. Even if she was only required to work for a few days, and she would be paid handsomely, taking half a month of wages, she was worried that it would not be easy to look after three or four-year-old toddlers. It was already very tiring to look after one toddler, let alone three toddlers.

  When she met the three children of the Zhai family, she knew that she had been thinking too much. The three children were still as naughty and mischievous as other three-year-old children. However, they were sensible and could play by themselves, and they would not disturb other people. If they could complete the tasks by themselves, they would not ask the adults for help.

  Furthermore, there were many adults at home, so there was no need for her to look after the children. She only needed to clean the house and prepare the meals.

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  True enough, this was a good job. She wondered if this family would come back in the future and whether she would be able to secure a long-term job.

  “By the way, the mother of the triplets, a lady came to our house today, saying that she is your elder sister.” The auntie remembered about Qiao Zijin and relayed the message to the house owner. “She came to our house not long after you left in the morning.”

  Qiao Nan helped the triplets wipe their mouths. “Oh, there is such a person. It’s alright.”

  Qiao Nan did not make further comments or ask any questions. She did not say if she was going to visit her sister. The auntie could sense that they must not have a good relationship.

  It was no wonder that the sister only visited their house after the in-laws brought the three children out to play. It did not make sense at all. The auntie noticed something else that was odd.

  This family was from the capital. Since they were back to visit their relatives, why did they come back empty-handed? They did not seem like they were visiting their relatives.

  Miao Jing sat on the sofa to rest. “In-law, stay for dinner. I’ll get the driver to send you back later.” Miao Jing ignored the topic of Qiao Zijin, but she was very polite to Qiao Dongliang. Without Qiao Dongliang, the triplets would not have so much fun today. Since it was National Day, it was very crowded at the park today.

  Fortunately, they had three adults to look after each of the children.

  “There is no need to send me back. I’m familiar with Ping Cheng. I can go back on my own.” The Zhai family’s chauffeur had moved to the capital with the Zhai family. Since Chief Zhai was still in the capital, the chauffeur had to stay there as well. When Miao Jing said that she would get a driver to send him back, she was referring to calling a cab for him. Qiao Dongliang could call the cab by himself. He would not stay at the Zhai family’s residence so that he could save the money on calling the cab. He would not embarrass his daughter.

  Miao Jing did not insist. “Auntie, what will we have for dinner today? The three kids are hungry. They might be able to finish an entire table of food.” The triplets played hard and they would be hungry in no time. They were still developing and growing. Their tummies seemed to be bottomless pits. No matter how much they ate, they would be hungry in no time.

  Er Bao touched his belly. He had a bitter look on his face. “I am starving.” His mother forbade them from having outside food. She said that they were unhygienic. But he felt that they were hygienic and smelled nice.

  The auntie smiled. “The rice has been cooked. I have washed the vegetables as well. All I need to do is to fry them. I will be done in ten minutes. By the way, I boiled some soup. Why don’t I bring three bowls of soup for the triplets to have first?”

  “Sure.” Qiao Nan stood up and went into the kitchen with the auntie. She came out with a serving tray that had six bowls of soup on it.

  Seeing that Qiao Nan brought out so many bowls of soup in one go and was walking cautiously to avoid overturning the soup, Qiao Dongliang quickly walked forward to help her. “Why did you bring out so many bowls of soup in one go? You can make two trips.”

  “It’s all right. I can handle it.” In the previous life, when she worked to earn money, she was able to bring out the food without any serving trays. “All of you must be hungry after a day of fun. Da Bao, can you bring a bowl of soup to grandma? San Bao, can you bring a bowl of soup to grandpa, and Er Bao, can you bring a bowl of soup to me?”

  “There’s no need for that. I-I can get it myself.” Qiao Dongliang waved his hands. “The three kids are hungry. They should have the soup first.” Qiao Dongliang could not wait to feed the soup to San Bao. Why would he need San Bao to pass him the soup with her short arms? He was worried that she would scald herself with the hot soup.

  “That’s right. We’re adults. We can take the soup by ourselves.” Miao Jing had the same sentiments.

  Qiao Nan smiled, looking at the children.

  They were still very young and they did not have much strength in their arms. It was indeed difficult for them to bring the soup to the adults. But Qiao Nan still took the six bowls of soup from the serving tray and placed them on the flat tea table.

  Da Bao gently pushed the bowl of soup toward Miao Jing. It had barely moved a few inches when Miao Jing took the bowl from the table. “My goodness, Da Bao is very capable. You can bring me the soup now. This soup tastes really good. I love it. Da Bao, you should drink your soup as well.”

  Although Da Bao did not break out in a wide smile after being praised, there was a sparkle in his eyes and his lips curled upward. He was undoubtedly in a happy mood after being praised. “Da Bao has grown up. I can take care of grandma now.”

  “Yes, yes, yes. Da Bao is very capable.” Miao Jing had a bright smile on her face. The soup tasted very sweet. It was as if honey had been added into it.

  San Bao also followed suit. She pushed the bowl of soup slightly.

  Qiao Dongliang cherished the children more so than Miao Jing. The bowl of soup had barely moved but the soup looked as if it was about to spill. Like Miao Jing, Qiao Dongliang hurried to take the bowl of soup. He was worried that San Bao might scald her hands if he delayed any further. “San Bao is very capable. The soup that San Bao gave me is very tasty.” Qiao Dongliang drank the soup, savoring it.