Chapter 2234: Different Expectations

At first, Ding Jiayi promised to prepare a delicious meal for the family if Qiao Zijin and Qiao Dongliang would visit Ping Cheng for the New Year. On New Year’s Eve, Qiao Dongliang would certainly find his favorite dishes on the dining table. However, it wasn’t quite the same with Qiao Zijin.

Qiao Zijin would find her favorite dishes in the past few years, but this time, there were only a few likable dishes scattered around the table.

There was nothing expensive like seafood, and Ding Jiayi only cooked up the most basic ingredients. Qiao Zijin thought to herself that it was the worst New Year dinner ever.

Her mom would prepare better dishes even when they were poor. Qiao Nan definitely handed her father cash as a New Year gift, so why didn’t Ding Jiayi spend it all? Qiao Nan would pa.s.s more money to her if they ran out of cash anyway! Did she think that saving up on food could sugarcoat herself as a likable mother? How foolis.h.!.+

Set aside the anger Qiao Zijin faced throughout the meal. Qiao Nan thought that it was one of the best New Year she had had. Not only did she have a loving husband that took great care of her, but there were also three adorable children by her side. There was nothing more that she would ask for.

“Next year, our lovely kids will be able to join us for dinner as well. Grandma is going to make sure to prepare the best food for you.”

The children were shaping up well as their facial features grew more defined than before. Their skin was soft and fair, and their dark, sparkling eyes were irresistible.

Since the children were still young, they could only watch the adults eat from their strollers while munching on their fingers.

Qiao Nan wiped the drool that was dripping from Er Bao’s lips. “Yes, they will be able to have a proper meal next year. Who knows? They might be picky eaters.” Qiao Nan had fed the kids before dinner. She ran her fingers across Er Bao’s belly and was rea.s.sured that Er Bao still had milk in his stomach.

Sensing the gentle touch from her mother, Er Bao smiled at Qiao Nan silently, exposing his tiny teeth. Qiao Nan couldn’t help but peck him on the cheek. “Er Bao, be a good boy. We will play with you later.”

Since Da Bao and Er Bao were full, they had already fallen asleep. Er Bao was the only one wide awake, swinging his legs in the air. Da Bao and San Bao were still munching on their fingers with their eyes shut. They must be having sweet dreams.

Miao Jing couldn’t wait to get her hands on the adorable children. “I can’t eat much at this age, so I’ll take care of Er Bao after finis.h.i.+ng my meal. Nan Nan, you can take your time.” Her grandchild was growing up well, and she was certain that there wouldn’t be anyone cuter than her grandchildren in the neighborhood.

“Mom, it’s alright. I’m almost done with my meal as well.” Qiao Nan always had a small appet.i.te, and she would have left the table if it were any other day. However, she wanted to spend more time with the elders on New Year’s Eve.

“I… I’m done!” Jiajia rushed to finish her food and swallowed the last bit of rice with a loud gulp. “I’ll play with the boy since I’ve finished my meal.”

The little brothers and sister were at their most adorable age. Their soft skin and the pleasing scent would always put a smile on Jiajia’s face, especially when the children giggled along with her. “Auntie, did Er Bao gain weight again?” She was worried that she wouldn’t have the strength to carry the children the next time they met.

“Of course, kids his age grow surprisingly fast.” Zhai Hua was in no rush to play with the kids. Unlike Jiajia, she had enough experience handling kids. “It was the same when you were at their age. Look at you now. You have grown into a beautiful lady.”

Jiajia sniffed. She had no memories of her childhood. “Er Bao… Er Bao, why do you always stare at me? What are you looking at? Do you know that I’m your older sister? Er Bao, why do you smell so nice? Who do you think is my favorite among the three of you?” Jiajia looked down at Er Bao and asked.

Lying in Jiajia’s arms, Er Bao waved his hands in the air. It was as if he was saying that he was Jiajia’s favorite.

“You are right! Er Bao is my favorite. Good boy!” Jiajia wrapped her fingers around Er Bao’s wrist. She couldn’t hide her affection toward her little cousin. “Auntie, we have to take lots of pictures of the children. Otherwise, we won’t get to see their chubby faces again when they are older.”

“Right…” Speaking of pictures, Qiao Nan seemed to recall something. “Brother Zhai, didn’t you receive a mail today? Could it be the kids’ pictures from the photoshoot?”

Qiao Nan had forty days of postpartum confinement, which meant she only left the house forty days after giving birth. The same went for the three children. It was a trend to have a photoshoot for the babies, so Qiao Nan didn’t want to miss out.

Of course, Qiao Nan made sure that the children were healthy enough to be brought out of the house.

Money was never the issue for the Zhai family, so Qiao Nan got Zhai Sheng to pay for the early delivery of the photos.

“Yes.” Zhai Sheng was almost done with the meal as well. Ever since the children were brought into the family, the conversation had always revolved around the kids. It seemed like there was nothing else to talk about between Zhai Sheng and Qiao Nan. Luckily for them, Qiao Nan was not a sensitive woman, and Zhai Sheng was a rational guy. This situation did not bring any trouble to the family.

Zhai Sheng took the frames out of the mailbox. “Not bad. You can still tell that those are our kids.” Zhai Sheng knew that some photoshoots would edit the faces so much so that they looked unrealistic. Zhai Sheng wouldn’t allow that to happen to his children, so he paid extra attention to the pictures.

“Wah! Let me see it.”