"That’s right, Auntie! The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Forget about getting help from Grandma and Grandpa. For now, just act as pitiful as you can. Insist that he’s always hitting and cursing you. That way, Eldest Uncle will feel sorry for you and his heart will soften. After all, you’re his little sister. With our family and Eldest Uncle’s family supporting you, what do you have to be afraid of?"

"What about my sister-in-law..."

"Eldest Aunt is a very astute person. She probably kept quiet before because she was worried about getting blamed by Grandma and Grandpa, but she’s also sensible. Later, just tell them you want to stay in the county town and find a job. If their family needs any help, like cleaning the windows and mirrors or running errands, just tell them they can ask. You need to pull yourself together, too. If you make yourself useful, Eldest Aunt will be more willing to be on good terms with you."

As Qin Na listened to her niece strategizing for her, she grew more and more energized, her eyes finally shining with admiration. "Xiao Jiao, you’re amazing! How do you know so much!"

Qin Jiao’s expression was a bit awkward.

’It was only because she had made so many mistakes and suffered so much in her past life that she understood these things.’

’In this life, she not only had to change her own destiny but also do everything in her power to help the family around her.’

Qin Jiao said, "I learned a lot of it from books. So please don’t say you’re too old for anything, Auntie. As long as you’re willing to start learning, it’s never too late."

"Right!"

**

After lunch, Qin Jiao slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and went to Shen Yi’s house next door.

When she arrived, Mr. Du was just about to take his afternoon nap. Qin Jiao smiled sheepishly and said, "I’m here to do homework with Shen Yi."

"Mm, he told me. He’s hiring you as a tutor and will pay you by the hour."

"Oh no, that’s not necessary. I can’t really teach much—at most, we’ll just be discussing the problems together." Qin Jiao couldn’t possibly accept money from Mr. Du. Her family was only able to live in their current house thanks to him.

Mr. Du was about to insist, but Qin Jiao said, "You’ve already done too much for us; we couldn’t bear to accept more. Besides, I’m just doing homework with Shen Yi. I’m not really a teacher. Grandpa Du, if you insist on being so formal with me, then I won’t have the nerve to come over anymore."

’One had to know when to be content. Just because others were willing to give didn’t mean you could be insatiably greedy.’

’Otherwise, if you simply accepted someone’s unlimited kindness without a second thought and didn’t know how to reciprocate, you could end up hurting them and leaving them disheartened.’

Mr. Du looked at Qin Jiao fondly, waved his hand, and said, "Alright, alright. Go on up and study. But if your grandpa has any tasty snacks he can’t finish in the future, you have to help him eat them."

"Deal!" Qin Jiao’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. She grabbed her schoolbag and headed upstairs.

Shen Yi had gone to play basketball that morning, so he’d taken a shower after getting back. He was wearing beige loungewear, which somehow made him seem quite well-behaved and quiet.

Qin Jiao glanced at him, then quickly looked away.

’She must be seeing things. Words like ’well-behaved’ and ’quiet’ had absolutely nothing to do with Shen Yi.’

Shen Yi had already pulled up a chair next to him. His eyelashes were dark and long, and when his gaze was lowered, it was impossible to guess his thoughts.

Shen Yi suddenly spoke. "I heard you and my grandpa talking."

"Shen Yi, you’ve already helped my family so much with the house. I’m definitely not taking any money for this."

"Then, if you have time on the weekends, will you still come to my house to do practice tests with me?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Shen Yi’s gaze was calm, and his tone was as cool and detached as ever, but for some reason, Qin Jiao detected a hint of hope in his words.