In her last life, Qin Jiao and her cousin, Qin Xiaolan, weren’t close. Just like her mother, Qin Xiaolan had looked down on their family.

But things were different in this life. Sun Li now felt that the second brother and his wife had their heads on straight, so she was willing to grow closer to them. As a result, her attitude even improved toward her sister-in-law, Qin Na, whom she had previously looked down on for being a pushover.

Now that the adults of the two families were on better terms, things changed for the children as well. Although Qin Xiaolan could be a bit stuck-up, she started to get along with Qin Jiao after discovering how impressive her cousin was. Qin Jiao did well in school, and rumor had it she’d even argued her aunt to the point of tears and put the little brat, Xiao Tao, in his place. Naturally, Qin Xiaolan started to cozy up to Qin Jiao.

Qin Jiao smiled and said, "That’s an easy fix. Why don’t you come for a sleepover at my house one of these days? We can set off firecrackers together at night."

"Great! My maternal grandma lives far away, and anyway, I don’t want to stay at our grandparents’ house for too long. My mom said that this year, we’re just going over for dinner on New Year’s Eve and then leaving right after!"

Blood may be thicker than water, but constant hurt will eventually turn a heart cold.

After chatting for a bit longer, they parted ways, as they all had different New Year’s goods left to buy.

Just as Qin Zhonghui’s family arrived home, they saw his anxious older brother, Qin Bogang, waiting at the door.

When Qin Bogang saw them return, he immediately rushed over, grabbed Qin Zhonghui, and said, "Mom has appendicitis! She’s at the hospital now. You need to come with me, quickly."

He paused, then added, "Bring some money."

Upon hearing that the grandmother was sick, everyone put down their things. Su Yun told Qin Jiao to stay home with her younger sister while the adults immediately rushed to the hospital.

Qin Jiao and Xiao Shi put away all the New Year’s goods they had bought, sorting everything into its proper place. They also packed the items they had specifically purchased for Grandpa Du into a bag to take next door.

Even after shopping for a while today, she hadn’t found anything suitable to buy as a gift. Qin Jiao was still torn about what to get Shen Yi for the New Year.

As she went over to deliver the New Year’s goods to Grandpa Du, she happened to see Shen Yi lifting dumbbells in his yard. Even in the dead of winter, he was only wearing a T-shirt. He had broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. ’Objectively speaking,’ she thought, ’his body is way better than it was in my last life.’

Qin Jiao averted her gaze and said to Mr. Du, who was standing at the door, "Grandpa Du, we bought a lot of New Year’s goods in town today, so I brought some over for you. I heard you’re all celebrating the New Year here in Ping’an Town, is that right?"

"Yes. An old man like me shouldn’t be traveling all over the place. So, Xiao Yi and his mom are staying with me for the New Year. Oh, and my nephew, too." The old man was truly happy. His daughter had finally divorced that scumbag Shen Zhengfeng, and not only that, she hadn’t lost out. She had gotten back everything she was entitled to.

Aside from some sadness and frustration, she seemed to be holding up well.

Mr. Du’s worst fear had been that even if Shen Zhengfeng drove Liya to her death, she would never have agreed to a divorce.

But what he didn’t know was that in her previous life, Du Liya had adamantly refused to get a divorce, and in the end, Shen Zhengfeng had literally angered her to death.

’The old man’s complexion is much better, and he’s in a good mood. With the help of the Spiritual Spring Water, it would be even better if he could just go to the big hospital in the provincial capital for a proper check-up.’

Qin Jiao had brought over a lot of things, so Shen Yi came to help her sort and put them away, placing what was necessary into the refrigerator. A refrigerator was a real luxury item back then; Du Liya had specifically had it shipped from the provincial capital.

Since her father was unwilling to go back, she, as his daughter, naturally had to provide him with the best possible living conditions.

Shen Yi must have been exercising for quite a while; beads of sweat still dotted his forehead. They glistened in the sunlight, almost dazzlingly bright.

Qin Jiao asked, "Shen Yi, what kind of gifts do you like? I’m not very good at picking out presents, and I’ve never given one to a guy before, so I have no idea what to get you."