A Two-way Rush

Qiao An continued earnestly, “Besides, Dad, Brother Xiaoran’s mistakes are not his subjective ones. You know Brother Xiaoran’s character. He’s kind and responsible. If he weren’t very good, Lu Mo wouldn’t have gone crazy to get him.”

Father Qiao’s heartache slowly faded, and he regained his rationality. He sighed and said, “An’an, you’re right. All the harm has passed. Dad can’t bear to make your life worse. However, Xiaoran, I’ll say this today. You have to treat my An’an well for the rest of your life. If you dare to betray her, I won’t let you off.”

Huo Xiaoran didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Dad, don’t worry. My heart aches for her.”

In view of Huo Xiaoran’s good attitude, Father Qiao forgave him.

However, he quickly reneged on his words.

Because in the next few days, he realized that Huo Xiaoran doted on Qiao An too much and didn’t let her do all the housework. He indulged her in sleeping in and playing wantonly.

At first, Father Qiao thought that Huo Xiaoran was fighting to perform and obtain forgiveness from him.

However, he realized that Xiao Ran did not look coerced or unhappy at all. He did it smoothly.

He secretly asked his good grandson, “Angel, doesn’t Mom do housework at home?”

Angel thought for a moment. “Yes.”

Father Qiao snorted. He knew that Huo Xiaoran was deliberately trying to act in front of him.

Unexpectedly, Angel added, “But ever since Daddy came back, Mommy has been a super lazy person. She can’t do anything but she’s first when it comes to eating.”

Father Qiao was dumbfounded.

“That won’t do. Mommy has to do housework. She has to do what she can, right?”

Angel pouted and said with envy, “Daddy didn’t let her do anything. He didn’t let her do anything and even brought breakfast to Mommy’s bed. But Daddy didn’t allow us to be lazy. He only doted on Mommy.”

Father Qiao was stunned.

For some reason, the few times he and Xiaoran had met in a hurry many years ago appeared in his mind.

The first time Mother Qiao was sick, he and Qiao An were very anxious. It was Qiao An who called Huo Xiaoran for help in the middle of the night. Huo Xiaoran rushed to the hospital and helped Mother Qiao settle the transfer procedures as quickly as possible.

His arrival reassured him and Qiao An.

Later, Xiao Ran sent him home. They were as close as father and son. Xiaoran, this noble young master, did not despise the Qiao family’s crudeness at all.

Now that he thought about it, didn’t Xiaoran love them and take care of them gently?

Xiaoran’s love for Qiao An was unquestionable.

Father Qiao understood these questions and his resentment for Xiaoran was instantly relieved.

At night, after Xiao Ran and the children were asleep, Qiao An went to the courtyard and found Father Qiao, who was cooling in the courtyard.

“Dad.” She walked over and sat down beside him.

“Dad, I know you feel sorry for me for having a hard time all these years. But actually, it’s not as difficult as you think.”

Father Qiao said sadly, “You’ve always been a child who reports the good news but not the bad.”

Qiao An smiled and said, “Dad, you might not know, but after Li Zecheng and I divorced, Xiaoran supported me. The bank card he gave me was money that I couldn’t spend in my life. Therefore, I don’t have financial pressure. Whether I’m pregnant or having a child, I haven’t mistreated myself.”

Father Qiao said, “I know that Xiaoran treats you well. It’s just that when I think of your grievances all these years, I can’t help but feel very sad. I hate myself for chasing you away so rashly back then. I didn’t give you more care during your most difficult time. I’m not worthy.”

Qiao An suddenly said playfully, “Dad, I’m giving you a chance to make up for your mistake now?”

“What are you up to now? You’ve been smart since you were young. You want to scheme against Dad again, don’t you?”

Qiao An smiled. “I really can’t hide anything from Dad. Dad, Xiaoran and I came home this time to bring you back to the capital to help us take care of the children.”

Father Qiao was stunned. “This is a spur-of-the-moment idea, right?”

Qiao An shook her head. “No, it was the result of a long discussion with Brother Xiaoran. Dad, you’re getting older. I’m worried about you being alone at home.”

But Father Qiao was more concerned about Qiao An. “An’an, tell Dad, are you happy with him?”

Qiao An said, “Brother Xiaoran and I have indeed encountered many hardships, but Dad, these hardships are not what Brother Xiaoran wants. He doesn’t want us to experience these hardships either. At least when I’m with Brother Xiaoran, he won’t give me any grievances.”

Father Qiao said, “That’s good.”

Father Qiao suddenly thought of something and reprimanded Qiao An solemnly, “An’an, Xiaoran treats you well. You have to cherish it. Love is two-way. You have to treat him well too.”

“Dad, I know.”

“Hmph. I don’t think you know. Xiaoran has been serving you these past few days. Are you an ancestor?”

Qiao An blushed.

Father Qiao said, “You have to share his housework. Do what you can?”

Qiao An said, “Oh, I understand.”

After being lectured by her father, Qiao An returned to the bedroom in a hurry. As soon as she lay on the bed, Xiao Ran pulled her into his arms.

“What did you say to Dad? You chatted for so long?” Xiao Ran’s sleepy voice was filled with affection.

Qiao An pursed her lips and said aggrievedly, “Dad scolded me for being too lazy and letting you do all the housework. He said I don’t know how to feel sorry for you?”

Xiaoran seemed to have won the lottery and his sleepiness instantly disappeared. “Dad isn’t angry with me anymore?”

Qiao An nodded. “You’re buying him gifts and sharing my chores. No matter how much anger he has, it’s gone.”

Xiao Ran said, “Dad is really magnanimous.”

In all fairness, if it had been him, he might have just carried his daughter home and told the man to get lost as far as possible.

Qiao An recognized the implication and stared at him blankly.

“If my father isn’t magnanimous, you won’t be able to enter the Qiao family. Then our relationship will have ended here.”

Huo Xiaoran swallowed. “I’ll be filial to our father in the future.”

Qiao An smiled. “If you bring my father to the capital, I’m afraid you’ll have to live in fear.”

Huo Xiaoran vowed, “I’ll worship you like an ancestor and never let Dad find anything wrong with me so that he can make a fuss.”

Qiao An thought for a moment. “Maybe when the time comes, I’ll be the one living in fear. You said you’ve only been here a few days and you’ve already coaxed my father into submission. He’s already starting to speak for you.”

The next day, Xiaoran and Qiao An brought Father Qiao to the capital. On the same day, Xiao Ran also brought Father Falcon back to the Heavenly Imperial Garden. The family of three was finally reunited.