Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In that way, Zhai Yaohui and Qi Minlan would be happy. On the other hand, Zhai Sheng could also choose the partner he would like to spend the rest of his life with.
As for her, she would benefit too. At the very least, she would be liberated.
“Auntie Miao, what’s wrong with you? Don’t scare me.” She had initially thought that Auntie Miao told her all that due to the relationship between Brother Zhai and her. However, after listening properly, it seemed that Auntie Miao was referring to her own situation.
What did Chief Zhai do? Could it be that Chief Zhai did something wrong that let Auntie Miao down?
Although he was holding the position of a chief, that role might not be as secure as it was perceived to be. As a soldier, if he had done something morally wrong or unacceptable, it was not impossible for Chief Zhai to be removed from the role.
Furthermore, Brother Zhai was not a pushover. How would he allow Chief Zhai to bully Auntie Miao in that way?
“I’m not scaring you. I’m just feeling unhappy and wish to find someone to chat with.” Miao Jing leaned on the chair and said listlessly, “Nan Nan, when a woman finds a husband, it’s akin to a second reincarnation, especially for marriages to soldiers. If you can’t find a good one or happen to judge one’s character wrongly, then this metaphor is really correct. Unless you die, if not…”
Hence, she had to watch helplessly as Zhai Yaohui and Qi Minlan carried on because they could not have a clean break with each other?
Clearly, Zhai Yaohui, and not her, was the one at fault in this matter.
“Auntie Miao, pardon me for saying something inappropriate. It’s certainly illegal to divorce in an army marriage. Nevertheless, it’s not entirely impossible. As long as the soldier agrees, with some effort, it should be possible.” Qiao Nan really had a great shock. Auntie Miao even brought up the topic of divorce.
What happened must have been a grave matter, causing Auntie Miao to mention this.
“Nan Nan, do you have an extra room in your house? There’s only me in my house. If I go back, I’ll be facing the empty house alone. I don’t feel good. I feel really bad. I don’t wish to go back,” Miao Jing said willfully.
“Nan Nan, there’s a guest? It’s Madam Zhai!” Qiao Dongliang came home from work. He was shocked when he saw Miao Jing. He seemed oblivious that his appearance had interrupted the conversation between Miao Jing and Qiao Nan.
At the sight of Qiao Dongliang, Miao Jing forced a smile. “Nan Nan, don’t take my words for real. I’m just joking. The house of the Zhai family is so big. There’s no reason that I can’t sleep in one of the rooms and have to stay at your house overnight to disturb your family instead.”
“Dad, I need to discuss something with you.” Without a word, Qiao Nan stood up and pulled Qiao Dongliang to one side.
“What’s the matter?” Qiao Dongliang glanced at Miao Jing from the corners of his eyes. “Why do I feel that Madam Zhai is weird today? Is she unhappy that I came back at the wrong time?” Having that said, Qiao Dongliang did not know what else to say.
Did he even have to pick a time to return to his own house?
“Auntie Miao’s mood is really not that good. There’s only Auntie Miao in the house of the Zhai family. Dad, why don’t we do this? You return to the small courtyard of the Qiao family today. Tonight, I’ll sleep in your room and give up my room to Auntie Miao. Do you think this works?”
Given Auntie Miao’s situation, she did not feel assured to let Auntie Miao go back alone.
If that really could not work, then she would follow Auntie Miao to the house of the Zhai family and keep her company.
“Sure.” Qiao Dongliang agreed readily. “I’ll prepare dinner for the two of you before I return to the small courtyard.”
Madam Zhai wanted to stay overnight at his house. Even if Qiao Nan did not suggest this, Qiao Dongliang would not remain in the house as well. Besides feeling uneasy, it would be inappropriate to do so. What if there were gossip and rumors?
“Auntie Miao, I’ve spoken to my dad. Coincidentally, he has something on today and will be going back to the quad and stay in the small courtyard. Why don’t we do this? Today, I’ll sleep in my dad’s room and you sleep in mine. Will that do?”
“Can this be done?” Miao Jing looked at Qiao Nan in surprise. She did not intend to reject the offer.
“Yes.”
“Alright!” After thinking, Miao Jing followed her heart and nodded.
After Qiao Dongliang prepared dinner for Qiao Nan and Miao Jing, he packed some food for himself before riding his bicycle and heading to the small courtyard. This was to prevent an awkward situation between Miao Jing and him if they were under the same roof.
Once Qiao Dongliang left, Miao Jing resumed her relaxed self when she was with Qiao Nan. “Nan Nan, your dad is going back to the small courtyard. Will there be an issue given that your mom and sister are there?”
After having her dinner, Miao Jing felt a little better. She then suddenly recalled that Qiao Nan’s mother and sister were two big troubles.
Qiao Nan smiled. “Auntie Miao, you just came back and don’t know the situation. My sister no longer studies in Ping Cheng. She went to a nearby town. My mom followed my sister to take care of her. Hence, there’s no one in the small courtyard. My dad can, in fact, ‘warm up’ the house when he goes back. Furthermore, there’re so many friends and neighbors in the quad that he’s familiar with. This time, he can take the chance to catch up with them.”
“Oh, that’s good.” If Nan Nan and her father had to be pestered by those two women because of her, it would be pointless. “Do you have hot water? I want to bathe.”
“…” Qiao Nan straightened her neck. This ‘old habit’ of Auntie Miao did not change. It had been a year. Each time she visited, she really did not see herself as a guest. “You want to have a hot bath. That’s easy. I’ll boil the water for you now. But do you have a change of clothes? Don’t tell me you can withstand not changing clothes after you bathe.”
“That’s simple. There’re some shops nearby. Just casually buy some clothes back for me to wear. Won’t that do? You wanted to buy me shoes one year ago but that didn’t come to pass. Today, I’ll let you buy clothes for me.” It was rare that Miao Jing had the mood to joke with Qiao Nan.
“Enough said, my auntie. Those clothes were made by seamstresses with the sewing machines in their own house. They’ve been touched many times by others. How clean do you think the sewing machine is? Besides, the bolts of fabric are from the factory. Most likely, someone has stepped on them before they are out of the factory. Can these kinds of purchased clothes be worn before being washed?”
In fact, Qiao Nan did not know whether those bolts of fabric were dirty or not.
Nevertheless, Qiao Nan, who came from the 21st century, knew one thing clearly. The bolts of fabric made by the factory were definitely not clean. All of them would have been stepped on by the factory workers before leaving the factory.
Upon hearing what Qiao Nan said, Miao Jing felt sullen. “Then, what should we do? It’s already so late. You can’t expect me to go home and bring my clothes over, can you? I’ve just finished my food and I feel sleepy now. I don’t feel like moving.” Anyway, she did not wish to return to that cold and empty house now. Moreover, it’s the house of someone surnamed Zhai.
“…” Since Miao Jing wanted to be a rogue, Qiao Nan had no other choice.
After thinking, Qiao Nan went back to her bedroom and searched for a cotton dress. “Auntie Miao, why don’t you wear this nightdress? I see your figure is quite good. It’s no different from that of a young lady.”
