The auntie squatted by the triplets’ side to prevent them from wandering around.
The Zhai family knew the triplets’ temper and they were as cheeky and mischievous as monkeys. Qiao Nan dared not ask the auntie to leave their side. She helped herself to the dishes and began to dig in. “Have the triplets taken their meals?”
It was already late. Qiao Nan knew that her concerns were unfounded. The triplets would usually finish their lunch at eleven o’clock. After lunch, they would play for half an hour before they were sleepy and went to sleep.
Qiao Nan came back home slightly later than usual. It was nearly twelve o’clock. Although the triplets had not gone to sleep, they must have had their lunch.
“They have taken their lunch.” The auntie who was with the triplets nodded. She kept a tight watch on San Bao for fear that she would spread her legs and dash toward the young madam while she was not watching.
Everywhere in the house, especially the corners, was covered with a thick layer of cotton. This was to prevent the triplets from sustaining serious injuries when they ran about and fell.
Although they had taken precautionary measures, if the triplets fell while running, they would still hurt themselves.
The only way to prevent them from hurting themselves was to keep a tight watch on the triplets, reducing the chances of them falling at home.
In the past, Qiao Nan had an average eating speed.
Ever since she became a mother, she had trained herself to finish her food as fast as Zhai Sheng, who was a soldier.
She finished her lunch in no time. She wiped her mouth before she walked toward the triplets. “It is past twelve. Da Bao, Er Bao, San Bao, shall we take a nap in the room?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.”
“Tired.”
The triplets were already feeling sleepy. They tried to keep themselves awake as they had to wait until their mama came home.
The triplets could not stay awake now that Qiao Nan urged them to sleep. Er Bao rubbed his eyes with his chubby hands, feeling very sleepy. He yawned and dozed off to sleep. He kept nodding, looking like the little chicks that were feeding on the grains.
Er Bao had the biggest reaction to his mother’s question. Qiao Nan took him in her arms, Miao Jing carried Da Bao, and the auntie carried San Bao with her. The three women each carried a baby in their arms and went upstairs to place the triplets side by side on Qiao Nan’s huge bed.
The weather was very hot now. They had to sleep on mats and use electric fans. Qiao Nan took a cotton towel and draped them over the triplets’ bulging tummies. “Da Bao, Er Bao, San Bao, be good and have a good sleep.”
Qiao Nan’s voice was soft and gentle. She patted them lightly and as she coaxed them to sleep.
Before the triplets fell into a deep sleep, they opened their eyes to look at their mother who was sitting next to them. They checked to make sure that it was their mother who was coaxing them before they gave in and fell asleep in no time. They snored and their tummies rose and fell with every breath they took. It was an adorable sight.
The adults breathed a sigh of relief now that the triplets were asleep. Miao Jing brought Qiao Nan’s books upstairs. “Alright, the triplets are asleep. They will probably wake up one hour later. Are you going to take a nap with them or do you want to make use of the time to do your reading?”
In other families, no matter how the parents urged the children, they refused to read or study.
Her daughter-in-law was different. Nobody told her to be so hardworking and diligent. She should relax and take a break at times. She must not be too hard on herself.
But the child was too sensible. They might have told her to rest but she would not listen to them. She was very disciplined with her reading and schoolwork. No one was as disciplined as her.
At times, it would be a problem if the children were too sensible. As their parents, there was no need for them to discipline the children.
“I will do some reading.” True enough, Qiao Nan chose to do her reading instead of taking a rest with the triplets without the slightest hesitation. “I borrowed quite a number of books. I have to make use of the time to finish reading them.”
The triplets would turn one year old soon. This meant that they would spend more time awake than asleep.
If Qiao Nan was unable to make use of the time when the triplets were asleep to do her reading, by the time they acted up and wanted her to play with them, she would have no time for her studies.
“Alright.” Miao Jing was not the least bit surprised. She had already expected that Qiao Nan would give this reply. “You can do your reading while the auntie and I will go downstairs to think of what desserts to prepare tonight. If there’s anything, you can call for us. We are just downstairs. We will be able to hear you.”
Miao Jing had gotten used to the arrangement where Qiao Nan would study while she took care of the triplets.
The triplets would sleep while their mother studied. They did not disturb one another and were able to share the same space harmoniously. There was no need for a fifth person to be around to help Qiao Nan. Since the four of them were fine with the arrangement, Miao Jing respected Qiao Nan’s decision and left her to her reading.
Once Miao Jing left, Qiao Nan sat by the study table that was full of books and began to read. She went through each study point and made notes diligently.
Qiao Nan put her heart and soul into her studies when it was September. The triplets had gotten used to the fact that their mother would need to leave to go to school.
The triplets also knew that their mother needed to go to school to learn, and that when they grew up, they had to carry their schoolbags like their mother and go to school to learn from their teachers.
The triplets were still young. It was impossible for them to fully understand and accept it. But at the very least, they learned to accept that their mother had to be away at times. They would send her off in the morning and tell Qiao Nan very clearly that they would be waiting for her at home.
The end of September was an important time of the year for the Zhai family. It meant that the triplets would soon turn one year old.
The elders in the Zhai family placed high importance on their grandchildren as well as their one-year-old birthday celebration. They wanted to throw a celebration for their grandchildren.
Their birthday was at the end of September, coinciding with the National Day holiday.
Many people would have plans during the long break for the National Day. For the Zhai family, they would be able to make use of the long break to go back home.
On the twenty-third of September afternoon, the triplets saw a familiar stranger and a total stranger in their house.
The triplets widened their eyes in surprise, staring at the two people who were at their house. They were very tall. In order to take a closer look at them, the triplets had to turn their necks and lift their double chins to look up toward the two people in front of them.
