Qiao Nan felt a little flattered that she had received both her mother-in-law and father-in-law’s adoration.

  They were family. Besides, she had been best friends with Sister Zhai Hua in her dream. Zhai Hua hadn’t seemed like her sister-in-law at all. As such, Qiao Nan’s feelings toward Zhai Hua had not changed even in reality. If not for the fact that Shi Qing was reluctant to accept Qiao Nan, their relationship would have been just as passionate as it had been in her dream as well.

  At the mention of Shi Qing, Qiao Nan’s mood worsened. Ever since Shi Qing had turned up for her wedding to Zhai Sheng, Qiao Nan had never seen Shi Qing again. As the Zhai family’s daughter-in-law, it was naturally much easier for Qiao Nan to find out about Shi Qing.

  It was because of this that Qiao Nan knew that Shi Qing had never met Zhu Baoguo, and her heart had remained firmly on Zhai Sheng all these years. In fact, her love for Zhai Sheng had never changed and had even gotten stronger over the years. In her dream, Shi Qing had told Qiao Nan that her feelings toward Zhai Sheng were more idolatrous than romantic.

  But in this lifetime, even though she had never interacted with Shi Qing, Qiao Nan was sure that Shi Qing was in love with Zhai Sheng and dreamed of getting married to Zhai Sheng and having children with him.

  But there was only one Zhai Sheng. Besides, she loved Zhai Sheng too. Qiao Nan had never been particularly heroic. After all, everyone had a selfish side to them. She couldn’t possibly give up Zhai Sheng for Shi Qing’s sake just because of the friendship that they had shared in the dream, while she remained single for the rest of her life.

  \r \r \r

  She had not snatched Shi Qing’s happiness away from her by getting married to Zhai Sheng. After all, in the ten to twenty years before she had appeared, Shi Qing had not made any progress with Zhai Sheng either.

  Understanding that, Qiao Nan could only care for Shi Qing from afar. She knew that Shi Qing had no intention of getting married, even though Shi Qing was older than her. In addition, before she had given birth to the triplets, Shi Qing had adopted an unweaned child from the orphanage to raise as her own.

  It could be said that Shi Qing’s current condition was one of the reasons Qiao Nan hated Wang Yang and couldn’t let him off. If Wang Yang had not caused the death of Zhu Baoguo, Shi Qing would have gotten married. Zhai Sheng had always treated Shi Qing as his younger sister. Once Shi Qing met Zhu Baoguo, Qiao Nan was sure that Shi Qing would insist on being with him, just as she had in her dream.

  With a husband like Zhu Baoguo, the Feng family would never dare to continue bullying Shi Qing or taking advantage of her, forcing her to start a new life in the military.

  In short, everything could be linked to Wang Yang indirectly. It was truly difficult for Qiao Nan to have any good feelings toward Wang Yang at all, much less let Wang Yang off or even give him some benefits and end the lawsuit.

  Wang Yang had ruined so many lives as well as the happiness of so many people, especially when Zhu Chengqi passed on… Qiao Nan was determined not to split the inheritance with Wang Yang. In fact, he had better not even dream of getting a single cent from her. She would much rather donate the Zhu family’s assets to the country than let Wang Yang have the bargain.

  Qiao Nan was never going to change her mind on this matter. She knew that the lawsuit had only been temporarily paused. Given Li Yayan’s and Wang Yang’s tempers, it wouldn’t take a few days before Li Yayan would come to find her.

  It was true that one could not speak ill of others behind their backs! Qiao Nan had just had such a thought and she actually bumped into Li Yayan the very next day in school! Of course, this was no coincidence. “Qiao Nan, it’s been a long time. I know that you have classes in the afternoon and won’t go home for lunch. Shall we have lunch together?”

  Qiao Nan laughed while carrying her books. “What status are you eating with me as?”

  Li Yayan laughed bitterly. “When did you find out about my identity?” She had thought that she had concealed it well, but she had been so foolish. Qiao Nan was the Zhai family’s daughter-in-law. It wouldn’t take Qiao Nan much effort to investigate something at all.

  “Quite early on.” After all, she had simply asked Brother Zhai, who had immediately given her an answer. In order to fight the lawsuit against Wang Yang, Brother Zhai had learned of the details of the Wang family and knew them like the back of his hand.

  Li Yayan was infuriated. “You knew that I was Wang Yang’s wife, but you didn’t expose me and instead chose to befriend me and eat with me? So, have you been treating me like a clown all this while?”

  Qiao Nan had no idea where Li Yayan’s extreme ideas came from, but she had no intention of explaining herself. “You are the one who approached me first. Are you the only one in this world allowed to treat others like fools? Are others not allowed to retaliate?” It was Li Yayan who had gotten close to her with her ulterior motives and yet, she was now blaming Qiao Nan for not having pure intentions!

  It was ridiculous that she believed that one could steal a horse while others could not look even over a hedge.

  Li Yayan was speechless at that because she knew that Qiao Nan was not wrong. In fact, she was the one at fault. “Since we’ve cleared the air, are you still willing to eat lunch together?”

  “I’m going to the canteen.” The school canteen was a public place. She wouldn’t be able to control where Li Yayan wanted to sit. Similarly, Li Yayan had the freedom of speech. She had no right to stop Li Yayan from expressing whatever she wanted to.

  Li Yayan was not particularly stupid and could read between the lines.

  As such, Li Yayan ordered a portion and sat right in front of Qiao Nan, watching her eating ravenously. “You’re the Zhai family’s daughter-in-law. I heard that your parents-in-law like you very much and have left the Zhai family’s affairs to you. You’ve won the lawsuit and you’ve suddenly chanced upon so much money. Qiao Nan, why are you still pretending by eating in such a filthy and run-down place? Let’s both tell the truth. It’s tiring and meaningless to keep up this pretense.”

  “…” Qiao Nan rolled her eyes at Li Yayan. “You’re the one putting up a pretense, not me. I’m not tired. Isn’t it all thanks to your husband that the Zhu family’s assets are being held up? Where am I supposed to get my money from then? Besides, we can’t be spendthrifts just because we have money. I really think that the food in the school canteen is more affordable and delicious than what’s sold outside.”

  How stupid she would be to spend more money eating outside just to show off her status. Qiao Nan could not wrap her head around Li Yayan’s worldviews.