Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  In the face of Qiao Zijin’s accusations, even Qiao Nan, who had been calm initially, would become enraged and have the urge to kill Qiao Zijin.

  “We’re not afraid!” San Bao puffed up her chest. “We’re willing to go through thick and thin with Mom!” She hated the fact that she was still young and could not do anything to help her mom now that her mom had encountered such a huge problem. Thus, how could she hide far away for the sake of her own peace?

  Er Bao did not say anything, but he chewed on his lip, showing that he had the same thoughts as San Bao.

  Zhai Sheng smiled. These three children were indeed raised well. “I’m glad you think this way. But you’re still young and don’t understand how parents think. Your mom has always been strict toward you and has never spoiled you. That’s because she’s afraid that you three will become spoiled children and that it will be to your disadvantage. But in such a situation, Nan Nan would rather carry the burden alone and leave only the good things for you three.”

  In front of the three children, Qiao Nan was considered to be a strict mother.

  There was no other choice. Other than Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng, all the elders spoiled these three children. The three children had all taken their turns to pluck Old Lin’s hair and tug on Old Master Zhai’s beard. Everyone else trembled in fear at the sight of these two old men, but in the face of these three rowdy children’s antics, the two men were not only not angry, but they even laughed heartily. It was evident how much control the three children had over the elders!

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  Zhai Sheng was a truly stern father, but he spent too little time at home. If Qiao Nan were to be any less strict to these three children, there would really be no rules or boundaries for them. Qiao Nan was worried that her children would end up as the second, third, and fourth Qiao Zijin.

  With Qiao Zijin as an example right before their eyes, there was no way for Qiao Nan to loosen her reins on her children. Sometimes, Qiao Nan even worried that the elders were being too kind to the children to the point of spoiling them. As a mother, she was, unfortunately, the strictest. And because of that, she worried that the children might grow up to hate her or resent her.

  Today, the three children proved that not only did they not hate Qiao Nan, but they even loved her very much. She was their most beloved mother!

  No matter how smart the three children were, they were still adolescents. Thus, they naturally did not fully understand their mother’s heart. But what they did understand was that their mother’s love for them was completely sincere and genuine.

  “Dad, are you not going to do anything now that Mom’s name has been smeared like that? You seem like quite a failure.” Er Bao was not willing to let it slide. Although they were still young and could not help, their father was already an adult, and even a chief! He was powerful! But why was it that he could not do anything when their mother faced such a problem?

  Er Bao could not do anything himself, but he wanted to encourage Zhai Sheng to get revenge for Qiao Nan. This young man’s brain was especially flexible and creative.

  Thankfully, Zhai Sheng was driving. Otherwise, Zhai Sheng would definitely have knocked Er Bao on the head. He was already displaying such bad behavior at such a young age. “Don’t worry. This matter is still a little sensitive. I can’t do anything when the time is not yet right. Do you think I’ll let something bad happen to my own wife?” If he still needed the three children to teach him what to do in such a situation, he should just let the three children parent him instead.

  Er Bao huffed. That was just a nice way of putting it. This matter had already gone on for a few days, but he had not yet seen anyone taking control of the situation. Instead, they had just allowed the matter to develop. His father said that he knew what to do, so why was he not taking action? What was the use of just talking with no action? If they just relied on words, he could hoist his mother up into heaven. His words were much sweeter than his father’s.

  That’s right. Once he reached home, he would use his words to coax his mother to make her happy. At the very least, he would help lift his mother’s spirits. He was not going to let such a matter get his mother down.

  With Zhai Sheng driving, he quickly reached home with the three children.

  When they alighted from the car, the three children did not hesitate to abandon their father who had been their driver. They rushed toward Qiao Nan, each loudly shouting ‘mom’.

  “Mom, I haven’t seen you in a week. I miss you so much! Mom, give me a hug!” San Bao was like a sparrow returning to its nest, rushing into Qiao Nan’s embrace with open arms and using her honey-sweet voice to butter up Qiao Nan. Fortunately, Qiao Nan did not suffer from diabetes. Otherwise, Qiao Nan would faint from just hearing San Bao’s sweet talk.

  Holding her daughter’s lean and growing body, Qiao Nan smiled sweetly. “You’re being so sweet the moment you come home. Did you get into trouble in school? Or did you score badly in an exam? Are you trying to put me in a good mood so that you won’t be scolded?”

  “Mom, you’re looking down on me. I did very well in my exams!” San Bao was disgruntled. She took out her report card, showing this month’s exam results for Qiao Nan to see. “See, Mom, I’m awesome, right? It’s the seven-day National Day holiday. Mom, will I get a reward for scoring so well this time? I don’t want Dad to bring me to play during this holiday. I want you to go with me.”

  Leaving the capital for a few days and not having the news haunting her, her mom’s mood would definitely improve. And thus, she would no longer be so affected by this matter.

  On the way back home, San Bao had thought long and hard and had finally thought of a solution. The three children and Qiao Nan would go on a holiday together to heal her heart.

  “But don’t forget that you guys spent your birthdays in school this year. Don’t you want to make up for it?” The three children were now in junior high school. On the day of their birthday, they were in school. Yesterday, Qiao Nan was unable to go to school to celebrate the three children’s birthday. Now that the children were back, Qiao Nan wanted to make it up to them.

  Er Bao blinked and innocently sat beside Qiao Nan. “Of course! Of course we’ll have to make up for it. This year, our wish is for you to go on a holiday and have fun with us during National Day! Mom, I want to go to Xi An. I’ve heard that there are many delicious snacks in Xi An, and I want to see the terracotta warriors!”

  “Xi An? All right.” Da Bao nodded. He was rather interested in that place too. But to tell the truth, he was willing to travel anywhere he had never been to. In particular, he wanted to see the terracotta warriors and experience for himself what was described so vividly in his textbooks.

  “That’s fine.” After the driver, Zhai Sheng, parked his car, he overheard this part of the conversation. “Nan Nan, it’s a good idea for you to go on a holiday with the three children.”