Qin Jiao had already politely greeted Mr. Du, and she pulled her younger sister along to do the same. Xiao Shi was still very shy, but she listened to her sister and obediently said, "Hello, Grandpa Du."

Qin Jiao said, "Our family just moved here, and my sister will be starting elementary school in September, so I brought her over to take a walk."

As she said this, she finally remembered why this area was so familiar.

After all, in her past life, she had lived in this very area during her disastrous marriage with Shen Yi, right up until Mr. Du passed away from his illness.

A very complicated feeling.

Shen Yi’s eyebrows twitched in surprise, but he didn’t say anything. Mr. Du, however, said gently, "I was just thinking recently, with the grapes in the yard about to ripen, that I should have Xiao Yi invite you over. But he said you’d gone home for summer break. It’s great that you live nearby now. Come on, little lady, get to know the place so you can come over to Grandpa’s house to play later."

Shen Yi, standing to the side, sighed softly. ’If anyone else heard Grandpa talk like that, they’d think he was a kidnapper.’

But to his surprise, Qin Jiao actually nodded, took her sister’s hand, and followed along.

In her past life, she had felt only gratitude and respect for the old man. She had sincerely hoped he would live a long and healthy life, free from the torment of illness.

’In this life...’ Qin Jiao thought, ’if my spring water really is good for a person’s health, then I have to find a way to get Mr. Du to drink some.’

When she saw Mr. Du ordering Shen Yi to pick and wash the grapes, Qin Jiao’s eyes lit up and she immediately offered, "I can wash them."

She had barely spoken to Shen Yi, but the need to wash the grapes suddenly brought them very close.

Shen Yi’s thin lips pressed together for a moment, but Qin Jiao had already picked up the basin and walked over to the sink.

’I have to remember to keep my distance from Shen Yi,’ Qin Jiao reminded herself. ’It’s best if our paths don’t cross in this life. That would be better for both of us.’

She was here solely to visit Mr. Du. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Shen Yi watched her profile, his gaze darkening slightly, his thoughts unreadable.

Qin Jiao could feel Shen Yi’s gaze. In their past life, during those days when they were locked in a battle of wits, he would sometimes do just that—silently size her up. At first, his stare had made her skin crawl.

Later on, it just turned to anger.

Two people who couldn’t stand each other, who blamed the other for ruining their life, were never going to exchange pleasantries.

The only thing Qin Jiao was grateful for was that during all the chaos of their past life, Shen Yi had never laid a hand on her. Of course, if he had, she would have fought back.

’At worst, it would have been mutual destruction.’

’But things were fine for now. The fish and the net had nothing to do with each other yet.’

Qin Jiao washed the grapes carefully. Then, when no one was looking, she sprinkled the spring water over them.

’It wasn’t much, but it was worth a try.’

After that, Mr. Du asked the Qin sisters about their schooling, making small talk about their daily lives.

After chatting for a while, Qin Jiao announced their departure. "My mom and the others haven’t eaten dinner yet, and Xiao Shi and I need to buy some things on our way home. We’ll come play at your house again another day, Grandpa."

Mr. Du looked at the two well-behaved children, his heart filled with affection. He said, "Xiao Yi, go get the pastries and candies your mom brought last time. Grab a box of each. And pick two more bunches of grapes to put in a bag for them."

"Okay." Shen Yi agreed readily and got up to get the items.

Qin Jiao quickly said, "That’s not necessary, Grandpa. We’ve already eaten so many grapes. We’ve imposed on you enough as it is."

"You’ve had some grapes, but your parents haven’t, have they? Besides, we have so many grapes in this yard, Xiao Yi and I can’t possibly finish them all. They’ll just go bad. And as for ’imposing,’ don’t worry about it. I’m an old man; I actually enjoy it when you kids come over to ’impose’ on me."