Everyone enjoyed the meal. Even Xiao Shi ate until her little belly was round. Qin Jiao gently stroked Xiao Shi’s hair, looking at the smiling faces of the adults.

’This was a feeling she’d never experienced in her past life.’

In her past life, her second uncle’s family hadn’t been close with hers. They barely saw each other once a year. That distance grew even wider after the huge scandal involving her and Shen Yi. Her second uncle had only shown up much later, and he’d ended up losing face right along with them. The whole affair had been deeply unpleasant.

It had even almost cost her second uncle his job.

’But in this life, everything was starting to change.’

After dinner, Qin Jiao’s family of four left. Before they got in the car, they went over their story about her injured hand. Seeing the weary look in her father’s eyes, Qin Jiao finally spoke up. "Dad, how about you don’t say much when we get there? Mom and I will do the talking."

"Huh? I don’t say anything at all?"

"You can be in charge of sighing."

"..."

Xiao Shi covered her mouth to stifle a giggle from the side. Qin Zhonghui snapped out of it, looking exasperated. Finally, he said seriously, "Deal! We’ll do it exactly as we discussed!"

Before getting out of the car, Qin Jiao had already used a pen to forge a few lines on one of the forms in a fair imitation of a doctor’s handwriting. She then placed it with the other physical examination reports on the floorboard. At first glance, the thick stack looked quite alarming.

By the time they returned to Three Families Village, it was already dark. There weren’t many people on the road, but the few who were out kept glancing toward Qin Jiao’s family.

To be precise, all their gazes were fixed on Qin Jiao.

’She was all too familiar with those kinds of stares. After all, it was that same mix of gossip and contempt that had destroyed her at eighteen in her past life.’

A chill went through Qin Jiao.

’So Lin Nian couldn’t keep her mouth shut after all.’

"Why do they keep staring?" Su Yun asked, a bit bewildered. She even called out to a woman she recognized, "Sister Li, is something the matter?"

The woman, Sister Li, hastily waved her hand. "It’s nothing, nothing." With that, she scurried away.

But Qin Jiao understood. ’These people were all the same. They’d believe any rumor they heard, never bothering to verify it, and would instantly pass a death sentence on you in their hearts.

Then the false rumors would start to spread.

They would stand on the sidelines, coldly remarking, "How could she do something so shameful? That girl always seemed so nice," and other things like, "It just goes to show, you can never truly know what’s in a person’s heart."’

The memory of all the sarcastic remarks and cruel words from her past life—from people kicking her when she was down—suddenly flooded Qin Jiao’s mind, making her head ache.

"Sister, are you okay?" Xiao Shi, who was walking beside her, timidly took Qin Jiao’s hand.

Her little sister’s hand was small, but it was warm and soft.

Qin Jiao squeezed her sister’s hand, and the throbbing in her temples eased considerably. A small smile touched her lips. "Xiao Shi, I’m fine. By the way, there might be some arguing later. If you get scared, go hide in your room."

"I won’t," Xiao Shi said, tightening her grip on her sister’s hand. Her voice was quiet but firm. "Even if I’m scared, I want to stay with you all. Because we’re a family."

Xiao Shi was still too young to understand many things, but she knew that after the family was formally split, the four of them would finally be able to have a good life together. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

That was a blessing so wonderful she had never even dared to dream of it.

Qin Jiao’s eyes welled up, but she smiled. "Yes, you’re so brave, Xiao Shi!"

Walking ahead of them, Su Yun and Qin Zhonghui exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with relief. Thank goodness they had discovered things early, while both their children were still okay.

No matter what hardships life held in store, as long as their family was united, nothing else mattered.

When they arrived at their front door, they discovered everyone was gathered in the courtyard of the main house.