Chapter 2373: Won’t Back Down (2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Qiao Zijin’s ruthlessness scared even Ding Jiayi.

Qiao Zijin could dream on about controlling Qiao Nan’s life as she had done twenty years ago. Qiao Zijin’s influence had diminished while Qiao Nan’s hatred had grown. Given such a situation, Qiao Nan felt that there was absolutely no need for her to please Qiao Zijin or to give her any benefits so that she could lead a smooth-sailing life.

Although Qiao Nan had not settled her accounts with Qiao Zijin and Ding Jiayi after having suffered so much unfair treatment, it did not mean that she had forgotten all about it. Given Qiao Nan’s temperament, it was impossible for her to take the initiative to take revenge. But Ding Jiayi and Qiao Zijin had better not think of crossing the line by making excessive demands on Qiao Nan. She had already shown that she wouldn’t be provoked so easily.

If anyone dared to make such requests of her, Qiao Nan wouldn’t hesitate to stab their hands until they were full of holes and blood. After all, one had to receive their rightful punishment.

Qiao Zijin, who was full of complaints, had no idea just how resentful Qiao Nan was. All she knew was that Qiao Nan was an ingrate and a fool who couldn’t provide a peaceful and comfortable life for her with her money. She never once stopped to think about how Qiao Nan’s character had changed because of all she had suffered at her hands.

“Alright, stop telling me all this. If you have so many ideas, tell them to Qiao Nan.” Ding Jiayi had been infuriated to begin with. Hearing Qiao Zijin’s words only frustrated her even more. If not for the fact that it was already the end of June and there was no air conditioning in her room, she would have pulled the blanket over herself to cover herself. That way, she wouldn’t need to listen to Qiao Zijin’s frivolous words.

Ding Jiayi knew very well just how easily persuaded she was. She might not listen to anyone else, but she would definitely listen to Qiao Zijin. She had cultivated this habit over the past few decades. Although Ding Jiayi no longer liked Qiao Zijin as a daughter, it was hard for a leopard to change its spots.

Besides, Ding Jiayi had raised Qiao Zijin. Often, Qiao Zijin was a reflection of Ding Jiayi. In other words, Qiao Zijin’s ideas had appeared in Ding Jiayi’s mind too.

Was it not enough that she alone had such ideas? It took two hands to clap. It was frightening when two people who shared the same thoughts got together.

Even after having been cheated so many times, Qiao Dongliang had still not returned to Ding Jiayi’s side. It was not that Ding Jiayi did not feel moved toward Qiao Zijin. It was that she dared not feel moved. She hadn’t even done anything, and yet, her husband had already run away. If she were to do anything to provoke Qiao Nan, she might very well sever all ties with her! She had seen this happen many times on the news. She wouldn’t let that happen to her.

Qiao Dongliang’s departure had been a significant blow to Ding Jiayi. If this had happened in the past before Qiao Dongliang’s departure, Ding Jiayi wouldn’t have needed Qiao Zijin to suggest such things to her. She would have thought of them herself.

But it was Qiao Dongliang’s departure that stunned Ding Jiayi and made her come to the realization that Qiao Dongliang wouldn’t let her have her way forever. Similarly, Qiao Nan wouldn’t be able to satisfy her all the time. While Qiao Dongliang had not been able to get divorced from Ding Jiayi after being provoked, he had been able to leave her.

With Qiao Nan’s help, it had been easy for Qiao Dongliang to leave. But it hadn’t been easy for Ding Jiayi to find him. Besides, neither Ding Jiayi nor Qiao Dongliang had the ability to move away themselves. They had to rely on their daughter, Qiao Nan.

While Ding Jiayi had always been against Qiao Nan, Qiao Dongliang had occasionally stood on Qiao Nan’s side. Qiao Dongliang’s departure this time had caused Ding Jiayi to come to a realization.

If she got into an argument with Qiao Dongliang, Qiao Nan would never be like other children who sided with their mothers. Qiao Nan would be on Qiao Dongliang’s side. Even up until now, Ding Jiayi had not managed to find Qiao Dongliang. As such, there was no way she would dare to do something that would go against Qiao Dongliang’s wishes and anger him even further.

“Mom, what do you mean? Aren’t you worried about Dad?” Qiao Zijin had guessed Ding Jiayi’s thoughts just by observing her expression.

Ding Jiayi harrumphed disgruntledly. “Your dad and I are the ones who have to spend a lifetime together. Do you think I can count on you? It has nothing to do with effort or money. I have your dad if I need company, and I can rely on Qiao Nan if I need money.” As such, she could not afford to offend these two people.

Qiao Zijin flicked her hair. “Mom, since when have you become so timid? Didn’t my dad move away? I’m guessing that he’s no longer in Ping Cheng to avoid you. So, there’s no way my dad will know about what you do. Give it some time. I’m sure my dad feels the same way toward you that you do. He’ll return to you eventually. Does he really think that Qiao Nan will bring him over to the capital? Didn’t I say that you guys don’t even know how to enjoy your lives? I’m sure that my dad won’t even dare to agree to Qiao Nan’s proposal if she offers him to move to the capital.”

If she had her parents’ good fortune and Feng Feng turned out as outstanding in the future to reside in the capital, she would definitely pack all her things and follow her son to the capital in a heartbeat.

She wouldn’t cause her child any problems. In fact, she might even be useful in helping Feng Feng take care of his child in the future.

Ding Jiayi was not moved at all. “You know how heartless that wretched girl, Qiao Nan, is. Now, she’s so ruthless that she doesn’t even think of me as her mom. Isn’t it entirely that wretched girl’s fault that I have no one to rely on and that your dad and I are in this state now? Your dad may not be in Ping Cheng, but he’ll definitely know once that wretched girl calls him and tells him all about how I want to take advantage of her. That wretched girl is no longer the same person she was in the past. Although she wasn’t a good person in the past, she listened to me, at the very least. Now that she’s married, she doesn’t even think of herself as a Qiao. She even thinks of us as burdens now.”

Ding Jiayi sighed, feeling that her life was indeed extraordinarily tough.