Qiao Zijin had no idea that Qiao Nan’s expression had worsened only because she had been so disgusted by her. She had even thought that Qiao Nan was about to pass on at any moment. Taking her chance, she explained herself even more clearly. “Nan Nan, you should understand how much I care for you as a sister now that I’m doing this for you, right? Actually, I know that there will be gossip if I were to marry Zhai Sheng after you die. But I have money on hand now and I’m living quite freely as well. There’s really no need for me to get ridiculed like that. But you’re my most beloved sister, and the three children are my most beloved nephews and niece. I won’t let any other woman take your place, much less let the three children address any other woman as their stepmother. No matter how badly I’m ridiculed, I’m willing to bear it all for your sake. Nan Nan, you can rest assured and leave the three children to me!”
At this moment, Qiao Zijin dared not mention Zhai Sheng anymore or even express her interest in Zhai Sheng. In a mother’s heart, her children would always be the most important. One might reluctantly agree to another woman’s presence if that woman was going to help with child-rearing. However, if that woman was after her husband from the beginning, a wife would never agree to that woman ‘taking care’ of her husband.
As such, Qiao Zijin could only say that she wanted to adopt Qiao Nan’s three children, with no mention of her adoration and admiration for Zhai Sheng.
“You… you…” Qiao Nan was so infuriated that she was at a loss for words. She had to say that Qiao Zijin had indeed watched too many television dramas and had read too many novels. Even if it was true that Qiao Zijin was already divorced from Chen Jun and was now single, why would she have to let her sister marry her husband just to take care of her children if she really passed on? Not only did that sound ridiculous but also disgraceful and embarrassing.
How had Ding Jiayi raised Qiao Zijin that she had even thought of such an illogical idea? Did Qiao Zijin think that everyone else in the world was as stupid and irrational as she was?
“Nan Nan, don’t hurry. What do you want to say? Why don’t I get Zhai Sheng over and you talk to him while you still have the energy to do so? Otherwise, Zhai Sheng and the rest may not believe me when I convey your words to them. Nan Nan, you have to hold on. I’ll get them over right away!”
Qiao Nan couldn’t even articulate well now, so Qiao Zijin was afraid that she would take her last breath at any moment before settling everything. It would make a huge difference if those words earlier were from Qiao Nan or her. Zhai Sheng would probably not take her seriously, but he would probably listen to Qiao Nan.
She had already gone to such an extent in front of Qiao Nan. Didn’t they say that people normally forgot about the evils of the world and thought of only good things nearing death? Qiao Nan should have felt her sincerity and understood her intentions, and she would probably help her out, right?
“Zhai Sheng, it’s great to see you! Hurry over to Nan Nan! She’s going to take her last breath soon! Nan Nan said that she has some last words for you. Although I have only one sister, and even though it’s an unsolicited request, I’m in a tough spot. As long as Nan Nan asks for it, I’ll agree to it no matter what. Zhai Sheng, won’t you do that too? You’re her closest kin. We have to let her leave peacefully and at ease… Zhai Sheng…”
Qiao Zijin hadn’t even finished her sentence when Zhai Sheng’s expression changed as he pushed Qiao Zijin aside and ran to Qiao Nan’s room. The doctor had said that Nan Nan would be fine as long as she awoke within twenty-four hours. He had not even left Nan Nan’s side for half an hour, but her condition had already deteriorated so significantly? That couldn’t be! That was impossible!
Miao Jing, who had been behind Zhai Sheng, felt weak all of a sudden after hearing Qiao Zijin’s words, and she collapsed into Zhai Yaohui’s arms. “That can’t be. Old Zhai, did I hear that wrongly? My-my head feels so dizzy…” Miao Jing nearly passed out upon hearing Qiao Zijin’s words. Qiao Nan had been just fine that morning and had even drunk her soup happily. It had been only two hours since then. How could Nan Nan be on the verge of passing away now? Had that been terminal lucidity in the morning?
Thinking about how her three grandchildren were about to lose their mother after just a day, Miao Jing almost started sobbing.
Zhai Yaohui was frantic too. His three grandchildren had finally been born safely into the world, and Qiao Nan’s condition had finally stabilized. It seemed like the Zhai family’s lives were only going to get better. Who would have known that such a turn would occur so quickly? “Don’t worry. Let’s listen to what the doctor has to say. I believe that Nan Nan won’t crumble so easily. She’s already given birth to the three children. She’ll be able to overcome any difficulty in her path. We should listen to the doctor instead.”
Qiao Zijin was not a doctor, and she was even an outsider. Her words had to be taken with a pinch of salt. Unless the doctor told them that… “Let’s go see Nan Nan and see what the doctor says.” Zhai Yaohui firmly held up Miao Jing and supported her.
Qiao Zijin had wanted to chase after Zhai Sheng, but she thought about how Qiao Nan was probably giving her last words to him. It seemed better for her not to be around. What if Zhai Sheng misunderstood that Qiao Nan was only saying those words because of her influence? As long as she wasn’t there when Qiao Nan said those words, Zhai Sheng couldn’t possibly push the blame to her and accuse her of planning this out, right?
It was just as well. She was about to get married to Zhai Sheng. Zhai Sheng’s agreement was important, but so were Miao Jing’s and Zhai Yaohui’s attitudes toward her. She had already lost out once with Chen Jun. Having had prior experience, Qiao Zijin knew that she had to treat Zhai Yaohui and Miao Jing like her biological parents. No, she would treat them even better than her own biological parents.
She would strive to be like Qiao Nan and be the best daughter-in-law in the world to her parents-in-law so that they would treat her like their own biological daughter.
With that in mind, Qiao Zijin was in no hurry to return to Qiao Nan’s ward to hear the conversation between Qiao Nan and Zhai Sheng. She walked toward Miao Jing and reached her hand out, wanting to support Miao Jing. “Auntie, don’t be upset. Nan Nan is such a filial person. I’m sure she wouldn’t want to see you in this state. If you hurt yourself because of her, Nan Nan would definitely feel bad. As her kin, we have to let her go with peace in her mind and with no regrets. Don’t you think so, Auntie?”
That meant that they had better not object to Zhai Sheng marrying her. Otherwise, Qiao Nan wouldn’t rest easy even in death.
