See, their triplets had been raised well by Qiao Nan. Even though Qiao Nan was always busy with her studies, the three children were still close to their mom. If Qiao Nan had not put enough effort into raising them, they would never have been so attached to her.
Children were the purest. They didn’t use their eyes to judge a person, but their hearts.
As a mom who couldn’t raise her children well, Miao Jing had no right to demand Zhai Hua or Zhai Sheng to be good parents. Miao Jing had not even felt it when Zhai Hua and Jiajia had been in a bad place, so there was no way she could expect Zhai Sheng to be that alert either.
It went without question that Zhai Sheng had only noticed because Qiao Nan had reminded him. That was enough. Her daughter-in-law cared for Hua Hua and Jiajia. Where else would she find such a good daughter-in-law?
Those who said that the Zhai family was blind to have allowed Zhai Sheng to marry this sort of woman were the ones who were blind. She had never needed to worry when they compared their children, much less when they compared their daughters-in-law. She dared to say that Nan Nan was the best daughter-in-law in the entire quad.
It was common for those daughters-in-law with high educational qualifications and good family backgrounds to kick up a fuss the moment they married into the families. Only their family had gotten even more tight-knitted and united after Nan Nan had married into their family.
Thinking about how Zhai Sheng had had such good judgment and had found himself such a good wife, Miao Jing no longer looked at Zhai Sheng with an accusing gaze. In fact, she looked at Zhai Sheng so kindly that he couldn’t help but get goose bumps. “Mom, you can just let me know if you need me to do anything. Don’t look at me like that. It feels awkward.”
The only one who could make the chief feel this way was his mom, Miao Jing.
Miao Jing had intended on scoffing at Zhai Sheng but eventually held it in. “It’s nothing. I’m just thinking about how you have good judgment in marrying Nan Nan.” No, more precisely, he had never had better judgment in his entire life than when he had insisted on marrying Nan Nan. Miao Jing couldn’t help but wonder why Zhai Sheng had suddenly come to his senses and had insisted on marrying Qiao Nan.
God knew that Miao Jing had suspected more than once that her son liked men instead of women.
If that turned out to be true, what would she do? Should she object to Zhai Sheng’s decision for the sake of the Zhai family’s reputation? Or should she allow her son to find a partner as long as he lay low for the sake of his happiness? Then, Zhai Sheng would, at least, have someone by his side when she and Old Zhai passed away.
Looking back at those times, Miao Jing’s expression changed. Miao Jing’s gaze toward Qiao Nan was no different from the Big Bad Wolf eyeing Little Red Riding Hood. It was Qiao Nan who had changed Zhai Sheng’s mind. To exaggerate a little, Qiao Nan was the Zhai family’s savior and benefactor.
Without Qiao Nan, Zhai Sheng would still be an old bachelor, and neither would she have three adorable grandchildren to carry.
Qiao Nan shivered a little under Miao Jing’s gaze and she hid behind Zhai Sheng as she whispered, “Brother Zhai, what’s with Mom? She was looking at you with this gaze and now, me. Did I do something wrong?”
After all, she had only brought up Jiajia’s matter because she was concerned about Jiajia and Sister Zhai Hua.
Seeing that his wife had scared his daughter-in-law, Zhai Yaohui knew that Miao Jing truly liked Qiao Nan and that his son had chosen the right partner. But as a husband, Zhai Yaohui had to admit that Miao Jing’s gaze was indeed frightening. It was no wonder his daughter-in-law could not handle it. “Miao Miao, I want to eat some fruits. Why don’t you get some from the kitchen?”
Their daughter-in-law was part of their family, but what if she ‘ran away’ because of Miao Miao’s gaze?
“I’ll go get it.” As a hardworking daughter-in-law, Qiao Nan would never sit around and wait to be served when her father-in-law had any needs.
Miao Jing waved Qiao Nan off. “I’ll go. I’ve been sitting for a long time while playing with the children. My legs are sore. It’s good for me to get some exercise by cutting some fruits. Otherwise, I’ll feel even sorer.”
Since Miao Jing said that, and because Zhai Sheng pulled her back, Qiao Nan did not insist on it and allowed Miao Jing to cut some fruits with the auntie.
After Miao Jing left, Zhai Yaohui finally spoke up. “You two should keep an eye out for Zhai Hua. In other families, older sisters are like mothers. But I’ll have to trouble you a little in our family. Zhai Hua has been pampered ever since she was young. She doesn’t behave like a mother even now that she’s a mother. It’s… hard on you two.”
Zhai Yaohui’s words were directed at Qiao Nan. It was only because of her that Zhai Sheng was praised too.
Parents understood their children best. When Zhai Yaohui said that Zhai Hua had been spoiled and didn’t act like a mother, the reality was that Zhai Sheng’s situation was not much better.
The only difference between the siblings was that Zhai Sheng had had good judgment and had married the right person. As such, Zhai Sheng would gradually learn to be a good parent to the three children under Qiao Nan’s influence.
Obviously, Zhai Hua’s luck had been much worse. She had not been mature enough, and neither did she know how to be a good parent. Unfortunately, she had met Wei De, who was equally irresponsible as a parent. That was how they had landed up in such a state today.
Because of her partner, Zhai Hua had not gotten the chance to mature or grow. It was difficult but important to find the right life partner.
Knowing just how important Qiao Nan was, Zhai Yaohui knew that it was all thanks to Qiao Nan that Zhai Sheng was learning to be a good father. What Zhai Yaohui was thankful for was Qiao Nan’s generosity. She was not in the least bit petty and was even willing to care for her husband’s sister. Not every daughter-in-law was willing to do that.
Zhai Yaohui agreed with something that Miao Jing had said. All those who had laughed at the Zhai family for allowing an old woman into their family were fools. No one could tell on a surface level whether a daughter-in-law was good.
Only by living with them would they be able to find out what kind of woman their sons had married.
“It’s not tough at all.” Qiao Nan was not a robot without feelings. She could feel that her father-in-law had kept his gaze on her the whole time, without even sparing Zhai Sheng a glance.
