After she became a mother, her focus in life changed. Without her husband by her side, she just wished that her children would stay with her.

  If all the kids were made to join the army, Qiao Nan would be genuinely lonely.

  Er Bao pouted. “Mom, don’t you want me to be a hero like Dad?”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Qiao Nan shook her head. “I just think that you are still young, and I don’t want the adults to influence you. Although your godmother said that you would be a great airman, you should still make the decision when you are older. If you persist or have any other ideas, you can tell me then.”

  Er Bao pondered and thought that it was a great idea. “Yes.”

  Shi Qing stuck her tongue out. She didn’t expect Qiao Nan to take her words so seriously, and neither did she think that Qiao Nan would discuss with Er Bao. “Qiao Nan, is it troublesome to look after the kids? How does it compare to the college entrance examination? You have to be honest with me.” She was uncertain again.

  Qiao Nan’s lips twitched. She finally got a grasp of Shi Qing’s real intention. “What’s wrong? Are you hiding here because you are afraid of marrying Zhu Baoguo in a month?” That was something Shi Qing did back in the days as well.

  Shi Qing snorted. She didn’t admit it, but neither did she deny it.

  \r \r \r

  There were things that she didn’t want to say before the children. After passing Qiao Nan a signal to continue the conversation at night, she dashed to the kitchen to help Miao Jing out. “Auntie Miao, I’m here to help. Wah! These dishes smell great! I’m starving.”

  Miao Jing was glad to hear that. “Right? These are the kids’ favorites, and I made them all.” With the grandchildren and Shi Qing praising her, she couldn’t hide her smile.

  After the kids started school, Miao Jing had more free time during the day. Compared to last time, she had an open mind now. Knowing that her cooking skills were worse than Qiao Nan’s, she decided to join a cooking class.

  During the day, Miao Jing would attend the class, and the dish that she had learned would appear promptly on the dinner table. When the kids loved a new recipe, Miao Jing would be overjoyed. The satisfaction of watching the children gobble down her food was not something she could receive from Zhai Yaohui.

  Therefore, Miao Jing had discovered her new hobby. Just as Zhai Yaohui thought that it was time for Miao Jing to put all her attention on him, he was defeated by the kitchen. He failed again.

  That was why Shi Qing’s words hit the right spot.

  Miao Jing had let go of her enmity toward Shi Qing since Shi Qing dated Zhu Baoguo. Thanks to Shi Qing’s sweet words, she had become a third daughter in Miao Jing’s eyes. “Qing Qing, your training and mission in the army must be tough. You have to eat well at home. Being too slim at the cost of your health is not a good thing for you.” Miao Jing kept putting food on Shi Qing’s plate.

  “Thanks, Auntie Miao. Don’t mind me if I eat too much.” Shi Qing had always seen Qiao Nan as her own anyway. Miao Jing’s reassurance let her out of the cage. After the meal, she immediately got into Qiao Nan’s room and took a shower. Then, she put on Qiao Nan’s clothes, got into Qiao Nan’s bed, and waited for Qiao Nan’s ‘visit.’

  When Qiao Nan came back after putting the kids to sleep, she was dumbfounded by what she saw. “What are you trying to do?” It should be Zhu Baoguo to ‘visit’ Shi Qing, not her. She didn’t have the tool needed for the job.

  Walking to the bed, Qiao Nan covered Shi Qing’s exposed legs with her flipped dress and tossed the thick blanket onto her. Done!

  “Why!” She took a while to get into a position to seduce Qiao Nan, who ruined the atmosphere. How lame. “Don’t you think that I was alluring?”

  “That depends on your target.” Qiao Nan rolled her eyes and got under the blanket. “Don’t you know the temperature right now? What if you catch a cold?”

  “There is a heater, and I’m feeling hot. There is no way I would catch a cold.” Shi Qing argued. “To be honest, what do you think of my pose just now? Was it seductive?”

  Qiao Nan got a headache. “You guys really love to come to me with all your doubts. Fine, I’ll let it slide since you are going to be a bride soon.” It was a typical pre-wedding jitter. “Should we start with the reason for doing this?” Qiao Nan pointed at her thighs and did a flipping action. “You should still remember that I’m a girl, right? If I weren’t, would you have the guts to sneak into my bed?”

  She was confused by Shi Qing’s intention.

  Shi Qing blushed. “Qiao Nan, Zhu Baoguo has proposed to me. However, would the one he loves be you or me?” Most girls would be fighting over such topics.

  However, Shi Qing had no hatred toward Qiao Nan while discussing the woman in her man’s heart. Shi Qing knew very well that Qiao Nan’s kids were already eight. Even as students, Qiao Nan only saw Zhu Baoguo as a child, and there was no room for any misunderstanding between them.

  There was nothing else that Qiao Nan could do.

  If Zhu Baoguo did have other thoughts, the fault would lie in Zhu Baoguo, and not Qiao Nan.

  Qiao Nan was touched by Shi Qing’s conscience. “Don’t be foolish. Zhu Baoguo is marrying you, not me. There was nothing to begin with between Zhu Baoguo and me.”

  “Not all guys marry the woman they love.”

  “Zhu Baoguo is one that does.”

  “Why?” Shi Qing raised her doubt.

  Qiao Nan leaned back. “Don’t forget one thing; I watched Zhu Baoguo grow up. How can I not understand him?”