"Aunt Du, I can’t accept this. My whole family is very fond of Grandpa Du, and he’s already given us a lot of things recently."

Mr. Du added from the side, "It wasn’t anything much, just some snacks for the children."

Du Liya was quite insistent, placing the box directly into Qin Jiao’s bicycle basket. She said, "My father isn’t in the best of health, and I can’t thank you enough for helping to look after him occasionally. Besides, my Xiao Yi doesn’t really have any friends. I’m so happy that you’re willing to be his friend, and that he’s receptive to it."

Qin Jiao was taken aback.

’I’m not! It’s not like that!’

’How did I become Shen Yi’s friend?’

Qin Jiao turned to look at the boy beside her. When she saw he made no move to deny it, she was suddenly overcome with complicated feelings.

In the end, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse. She just said, "It’s getting late, I have to get home. Could Shen Yi walk me?"

"Go on," Mr. Du said, nodding amiably.

’Shen Yi hadn’t expected her to ask him to walk her home so directly. Truthfully, he had wanted to see her all the way to her door anyway.’

The rest of the way wasn’t far. They walked in silence, pushing their bikes, and arrived at the foot of Qin Jiao’s apartment building after just a few minutes.

Qin Jiao said, "Shen Yi, wait a second."

Shen Yi’s heart skipped a beat. He kept his handsome face impassive as he looked over. Qin Jiao parked her bicycle in the bike shed, then came jogging back over to him.

Although it was now early autumn, the tip of her nose was slightly flushed from riding her bike and then jogging for a bit.

Shen Yi watched her placidly, waiting for her to speak. Instead, she suddenly stuffed something into his backpack, then turned and ran.

She ran a few steps, then turned back and waved to the boy still standing there. "Shen Yi, please thank Aunt Du for me! I can’t accept this. And I’m not being nice to Grandpa Du because I want a reward."

After saying her piece, Qin Jiao shouldered her backpack and quickly ran off.

She was as energetic as a little rabbit.

**

Qin Jiao was actually afraid he would chase after her. Fortunately, the Shen Yi of today seemed easier to get along with than the one from her past life. At the very least, they hadn’t had any conflicts yet.

She breathed a sigh of relief and headed upstairs. The moment she got home, she noticed the atmosphere was off.

Qin Jiao noticed the muddy footprints on the floor. Before she could even look up, she heard someone say, "Well, well, if it isn’t Little Nine. Why are you back so late?"

’That passive-aggressive tone... it had to be her dear old aunt!’

Qin Jiao calmly changed her shoes. Just as she expected, she saw her uncle and aunt sitting in the living room. Her aunt still wore a sneer, while her uncle’s shifty eyes darted around the room, taking everything in. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Qin Zhonghui and Su Yun both looked upset. Su Yun, in particular, was breathing heavily, as if she had just finished a fierce argument.

Xiao Shi was hiding on the stairs to the loft, peeking down timidly.

It was understandable. Being bullied by their uncle’s family for so long had left Xiao Shi with deep-seated fears.

Qin Jiao said flatly, "Oh, so it’s Uncle and Aunt."

After speaking, she finished changing her shoes, went to the bathroom to get a mop, and started methodically mopping the floor.

Feng Lan said in a snide tone, "Well now, Little Nine, what’s the meaning of this? You’ve only lived in the city for a few days, and now you think we country folk are too dirty for you?"

Qin Jiao said nothing.

Qin Zhonghui gave a heavy cough. He frowned and said, "My place is small. There’s no room for you to stay. If you go out, turn right, and walk a dozen meters or so, you’ll see a guesthouse."

Qin Jiqun was instantly displeased. "Second Brother, how can you be like this?" he said. "Even though the family has been divided, we’re still blood brothers! We’re already here at your doorstep, and you’re telling us to go stay in a guesthouse?"

"That’s right! Guesthouses aren’t free, you know! If you give us the money for it, we’ll leave right now!" Feng Lan chimed in.