Embarrassed, Qiao An threw the pepper spray aside and poured tea for the old lady.

Perhaps because she was nervous, her hand trembled slightly, so that the tea splashed out of the cup.

The old lady looked at her quietly and smiled at her clumsy performance.

“Don’t you usually do housework?”

Qiao An could tell that she despised her and felt a little helpless. She was just a little nervous because she saw that she was Xiaoran’s grandmother and was anxious to perform well.

She handed her the tea she had poured and sat on the concubine seat beside her. She asked humbly, “May I know why Madam Huo is looking for me?”

Madam Huo took out a card from her bag and slapped it in front of Qiao An. “One billion. As long as you leave my Xiaoran, it’s all yours.”

Qiao An’s expression changed instantly. She could not believe that such a scene in a novel would happen to her. At this moment, she finally understood the female protagonist’s mood.

It was anger that she was not respected. It was also humiliation.

However, Qiao An showed her rare grace. She returned the card and said, “Madam, don’t worry. You don’t have to pay a single cent, and I won’t be with your grandson. I, Qiao An, although I can’t compare to the young ladies of your wealthy family, I still have the ability to earn my own living.”

Madam Huo didn’t expect her to suffer.

She did not quite believe that Qiao An would give up on a sugar daddy like Xiaoran so easily. Hence, she said coldly, “Qiao An, since you promised me to leave my Xiaoran, if I find out that you seduced Xiaoran behind my back, I won’t be so easy to talk to.”

Qiao An looked up stubbornly at the old lady, determination blooming in her eyes.

“Old Madam, then I also hope that your eyes will be clearer and your ears will be smarter. Don’t follow the crowd in wronging and misunderstanding me.”

The old lady looked at Qiao An steadily. She could read Qiao An’s determination. She would never take the initiative to seduce Huo Xiaoran.

“Qiao An, don’t you like Xiaoran?” She actually had the illusion that Qiao An and Huo Xiaoran’s love was just Xiaoran’s wishful thinking.

Qiao An smiled bitterly. “Madam, don’t you think that my family is poor and my marriage history is complicated? I’m not worthy of your Xiaoran. Don’t worry, I know my limits. I don’t have the right to love him.”

Madam Huo originally thought that forcing Qiao An to leave Huo Xiaoran would be a very difficult task. Who would have thought that Qiao An would agree to her request so easily?

Qiao An’s lucidity made her feel inferior.

“Qiao An, I know you’re a good girl, but please forgive me. I’m doing this for the sake of my Xiaoran’s reputation. Think about it, you’ve been married to his nephew and Xiaoran was once your elder. It’s against ethics for the two of you to be together.” Madam Huo went from being aggressive to being reasonable.

“Xiaoran is a public figure. The reason why his Angel group can develop so quickly is also because of his good reputation. Qiao An, my Xiaoran had a beautiful first love with you. Men always have a desire to conquer first loves that they didn’t get. Men are bound to prioritize career. If you ruin his career, your beautiful first love will also become shattered. It’s better to let it stay in the memories for the rest of its life. At least it will always be beautiful.”

Qiao An felt a lump in her throat. She wanted to explain the misunderstanding between her and Xiaoran, but in the end, she didn’t say it. After all, Madam Huo was so determined to separate them that Qiao An didn’t want to be her enemy.

Moreover, after experiencing so much hardship, Qiao An had already figured out a principle. In life, many things depended on fate. Perhaps she and Brother Xiaoran were not meant to be.

“Don’t worry, Old Madam. I’ll move tomorrow. I’ll change my phone number as soon as possible. However, I hope you can explain to Brother Xiaoran. He’s not in good health, so don’t push him too hard. Take your time.” Qiao An said these words in pain.

Her forbearance and sorrow made Madam Huo fall into a momentary daze.

Qiao An’s personality shocked her.

She clearly cared about Xiaoran, but she could take it lying down. Such a contradictory decision was made so easily, making Madam Huo have no choice but to suspect her.

“Qiao An, I hope you’ll keep your word and won’t try to fool me.” Madam Huo’s expression was cold and inviolable.

Qiao An nodded.

After Madam Huo left, Qiao An’s clenched fists slowly relaxed. The hot tears in her eyes could no longer be held back.

She curled up under the sofa, feeling cold and trembling uncontrollably.

She did not understand. It was not easy for her to see the light and realize Xiaoran’s deep love for her. She was finally able to muster the courage to give up those humble thoughts of “not being worthy” and decide to bravely rush to him. However, her unbearable past was a stain that she could not wash away. The Huo family could not tolerate her past at all.

There would be an insurmountable gap between her and Huo Xiaoran in the future.

That night, she cried silently until dawn.

The next day, she packed her bags, bought a high-speed train ticket with her three treasures, and took a taxi back to her hometown.

When the high-speed rail arrived at the station, the babies looked at this unfamiliar place and stared blankly at their mommy.

“Mommy, are we going to set up home here from now on?” Ki Ki asked.

Tears welled in Qiao An’s eyes. She’d been exhausted and homeless for the past few years. Even the children were used to this bumpy life.

“This is where Mom lived as a child,” Qiao An said.

“Is it where Grandpa lives?” Joey asked.

“Yeah.”

“Mommy, will we be able to see Grandpa later?” the angel asked innocently.

Qiao An was momentarily distracted.

She’d made her life so exhausting over the years that her father had been consumed with worry for her. She felt terribly sorry for him.

If her father knew that she was actually a single mother, he would probably find it even more difficult to let go of her life.

But even if she could hide it for a moment, she couldn’t hide it from him forever. Qiao An took a breath and pulled the children in for a hug.

When Qiao An returned to the compound, Father Qiao’s eyes bulged when he saw her and the children standing side by side with her.

“Dad,” Qiao An said in a choked voice.

Father Qiao almost couldn’t catch his breath. Anger rose in his eyes.

“Do the three children belong to that bastard Li Zecheng?”

He hated Li Zecheng because Li Zecheng had destroyed his daughter and their happy family.