Qin Jiao’s gaze was calm, but held a cold indifference. "From now on, if Grandma and Grandpa continue to act like this, we’ll just avoid seeing them unless it’s absolutely necessary."

It might seem cold, but one shouldn’t have to swallow their pride just to maintain the illusion of ’a harmonious family brings prosperity.’

Qin Zhonghui let out a deep sigh before giving a firm nod.

**

The old woman was out of danger and was supposed to recover in the hospital for a few more days. But for one, she couldn’t bear the cost of the hospital stay, and for another, there was no one to look after her there.

Qin Bogang had wanted to offer money and take care of his mother, but his wife, Sun Li, gave him an earful.

"What, did you not see what happened with the second brother’s family? No good deed goes unpunished. The old woman won’t appreciate a single thing you do. And just look at the third brother! He’s been running around every day, stuffing his face. Anyone who knows the situation knows his mother is in the hospital, but anyone who doesn’t would think he just came to the city for a vacation!"

Qin Bogang had always been afraid of his wife. Since she wouldn’t give him the money, there was nothing he could do.

In the end, with no other choice, the old woman had to be discharged early.

On the day the old woman was discharged, Qin Zhonghui still hadn’t recovered, so only Qin Na came. As Qin Na was packing her grandmother’s things, the old woman said miserably, "Sigh... I raised that son for nothing. He wouldn’t even come to see me on my deathbed."

Qin Na was frustrated. ’I don’t even want to be here anymore,’ she thought.

Just then, she heard the old woman say, "Oh, Xiao Na, what have you been doing running wild out there for over half a year? Selling buns with your second brother and his wife? How much can you possibly earn from that? By the way, do you remember the pig butcher from our village? His wife just died. He’s only fifty and is looking to remarry. He already has sons, so if you marry him, he won’t mind that you can’t have a son of your own. And in the future, our family could definitely benefit—we’d get to eat a lot of meat. Your third brother loves spareribs, you know..."

Qin Na couldn’t take it anymore. She threw the basin in her hands to the ground with a loud CLANG.

She had originally planned to tell her mother that she’d been seeing someone recently and that things were going well. They might even make it official after the New Year. But now, looking at her rambling mother, she suddenly lost all desire to say anything.

"Mom, in your eyes, is your own daughter worth less than a few pieces of pork?"

"Xiao Na, how can you say that? We’re all from the same village; we know everything about each other. I’m just looking out for you. Besides, you’re already divorced and can’t have children. You can’t afford to be picky. That Old Wang might be older than you, but he knows how to pamper a woman."

Qin Na burst into angry tears, turned on her heel, and walked out.

She had made up her mind. ’When my second brother writes the letter to sever ties with Mom and Dad, I’ll write one too.’

’I can’t be their biological daughter either!’

**

And just like that, Qin Jiao’s family decided to stay in Ping’an Town and not go back to their old home for the New Year!

Qin Na wasn’t going back either.

Jin Lan Hua had to go to her in-laws’ for the holiday, and Sun Jianhua, left alone with their child, had already spent several lonely New Years. So, Qin Zhonghui just had Qin Na invite the two of them over as well.

Su Yun turned to Qin Jiao. "Go next door and ask the old gentleman if he’d like to join us for New Year’s. The three of them—him and his grandchildren—aren’t very good at cooking."

The old gentleman wasn’t in good health, and Du Liya was the type who had never done a day of housework in her life. The incident with killing the chicken last time had certainly left an impression on Qin Jiao.

As for Shen Yi, he could cook a little, but this was for the New Year’s Eve feast. If all he could make was scrambled eggs with tomato, it would be a rather pathetic celebration.

Qin Jiao nodded, got up, and went to knock on the neighbors’ door.

She happened to see Shen Yi carrying a styrofoam box. The two of them stood in the doorway, their eyes meeting.

Qin Jiao said, "My mom sent me over to ask if you all want to spend New Year’s Eve with us?"