Shen Yi’s words did a lot to dispel Qin Jiao’s desire to change deskmates. She took large bites of her vegetable balls and fried sweet potato shreds, mumbling, "We’ll just have to see what the teacher arranges. I don’t know if they’ll reassign seats then anyway."

"Mm."

As long as Qin Jiao didn’t go to the teacher by herself to request a seat change, Shen Yi wasn’t worried.

After they finished eating, the two of them continued to grind through practice problems. Time flew by. Shen Yi had a bunch of test papers mailed over from North City, and he left some for Qin Jiao. Qin Jiao then saw him off downstairs.

At that moment, Qin Na, who had finished dinner and rested for a while, had calmed down. She said to her second brother and sister-in-law, "I’ve decided to go get my marriage certificate with Jianhua."

Sun Jianhua was completely on board with her decision. It had been Qin Na who’d held onto illusions about her parents, thinking they must still care about her. After this incident, however, she finally saw the truth. If their parents didn’t care about her second brother, then in their eyes, she, their daughter, didn’t exist at all!

Su Yun and her husband, Qin Zhonghui, exchanged a glance. She asked, "Xiao Na, are you really sure?"

"Yes, Jianhua and I have already talked it over. Neither of us has many relatives or friends here in the county. Once we get our certificate, we’ll just have a meal with our relatives and friends. That’s it. It’s a second marriage, after all, so there’s no need to do anything else."

"That works," Su Yun said. "But tomorrow, when we go to town, I’ll go with you to buy a couple of new outfits and some other things. Your sister-in-law will take care of it for you!"

Qin Na was so grateful her eyes reddened again. "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law! Back then, you and Second Brother took me in, gave me work, and let me go to night school... and now you’re even sending me off to be married..."

"Silly girl, we’re your brother and sister-in-law. Of course we should help you!"

Watching them stand there talking, the corners of Qin Jiao’s mouth lifted into a small smile. Then, she turned and went upstairs.

’Even though my aunt’s life might still be hard for a while, she isn’t afraid of hardship. And Sun Jianhua is a hardworking and ambitious person. Her life this time around will definitely be much, much better than her last one.’

After Qin Na and Sun Jianhua got their marriage certificate, they moved out. However, they didn’t live far, and Qin Na still came over in the mornings to help her second brother and sister-in-law sell breakfast.

Qin Na didn’t even tell her family she had registered her marriage. It was only when she invited relatives and friends for a meal at Jin Lan Hua’s restaurant that her eldest brother, Qin Bogang, found out.

He was so angry he wanted to slam down his chopsticks and walk out, but his wife, Sun Li, stopped him.

Sun Li scolded her husband in a low voice, "Are you crazy? Did you really want Xiao Na to marry that Blacksmith Li?"

Qin Bogang had always been afraid of his wife. He said meekly, "Actually, that Blacksmith Li isn’t so bad... and Mom and Dad must have had their reasons for arranging it. Besides, they’ll all be in the same village. Mom, Dad, and Third Brother can look after Xiao Na."

Sun Li sneered. "The first time Xiao Na got married, she was just in the next village. When that man was beating her, did Mom and Dad look after her? Did Third Brother and his wife go help? They all played dead!"

After hearing that, Qin Bogang opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Because there was nothing he could say. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

All in all, the meal went very smoothly. Qin Jiao saw a joyful smile spread across her aunt’s face. Xiao Shi, while eating a meatball, said to Qin Jiao, "I think Auntie is happier getting married this time than last time!"

Qin Jiao used a handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

’Of course she’s happy. This time, my aunt married for love.’