Aunt doesn’t like driving, so naturally, the car goes to my brother-in-law. My sister used some pillow talk to swap the family Volkswagen for a Mercedes.

And so, that’s why we’re in this situation today.

At this moment, Shen Hongdie is driving the Mercedes, looking like a true urban beauty.

Shen Qing’e is happy for her, but there’s a bit of melancholy inside her. Her sister may not be as pretty or as smart as she is, but her life seems to go so smoothly.

Listening to their casual chat, they claim this car is close to four hundred thousand, enough to buy a house in the urban area.

Shen Hongdie can’t hide her joy: "Qing’e, accompany me to the river dam for a run to lose weight later!"

"Your brother-in-law has been making business friends lately and is learning history and politics, global Europe. I can’t fall behind as your sister."

As a rural woman, Shen Hongdie is very self-aware.

’River dam...’ Shen Qing’e thought of Jiang Ning, that’s where he was living. She hasn’t been there for a long time.

Shen Hongdie parked the car at Nan Hong Park, looking at this sleek white sedan, she felt even better and more determined to lose weight.

The sisters warmed up and started jogging slowly at the river dam.

The scenery by the Huishui River is good, the air is good, so many people run here to lose weight.

When they’re tired from running, they can have a feast at the snack stalls, which is great.

Shen Hongdie was determined, passing by fried skewers, meat buns, and cold noodle stalls without wavering.

But under the lure of fried fish, her determination finally wavered, ’I’ve already run for five minutes, it’s okay to reward myself a little, right?’

Shen Hongdie joined the queue and even called her sister over.

Shen Qing’e stopped, caught her breath, surprised: "Jiang Ning!"

Shen Hongdie looked carefully, oh, it really was Jiang Ning!

She hurriedly stepped out of the line, enthusiastically calling out: "Jiang Ning."

Jiang Ning recognized his sister-in-law; when he first came to Yuzhou City two years ago, it was his sister-in-law who drove to pick him and Shen Qing’e up.

It’s been so long in just a blink of an eye.

Actually, when I lived at my uncle’s house in my previous life, the sister-in-law was somewhat annoyed by me. She is essentially the same kind of person as Shen Qing’e, with a bit of vanity.

However, living under someone else’s roof, that’s just how it is.

Jiang Ning smiled lightly, "Sister-in-law, try our fried fish."

He skillfully packed a portion of fried fish and handed it over while Shen Hongdie wanted to pay, but Jiang Ning waved his hand.

Shen Hongdie didn’t insist; she knew Jiang Ning wasn’t short of money, probably just experiencing the life of a street vendor.

She initially wanted to chat a bit more but seeing many customers, she found a nearby cold noodle stall, ordered two portions of cold noodles and some cold rice wine, and then started eating the fried fish.

"This fish is really delicious, much better than what I had in Shen City, so tasty." Shen Hongdie ate several pieces in a row, completely forgetting about losing weight.

Shen Qing’e also silently ate the fried fish.

Shen Hongdie looked at her sister’s demeanor and suddenly sensed something was off, puzzled: "Qing’e, weren’t you and Jiang Ning good friends? Why haven’t I seen you two chatting for so long?"

Shen Hongdie was very aware that her ability to drive a Mercedes was because her father-in-law asked Jiang Ning’s parents to have Uncle Yao take on the Evergreen Liquid project.

So, in her heart, she absolutely couldn’t underestimate Jiang Ning’s family.

Facing her sister’s inquiry, Shen Qing’e for a moment didn’t know how to respond.

She just felt that the fried fish in her hand was exceptionally difficult to eat.

Shen Qing’e: "We... are in a cold war."

"How long has it been cold?"

Shen Qing’e: "It should be a year."

"A year?" Shen Hongdie was first stunned.

As she listened to her husband read history every day, she opened her mouth and said, "A year is 365 days, enough for France to surrender eight times. And you’re telling me this is a cold war?"

...

Towards the end of selling fish, Chuchu passed by after school and joined them.

When all the fried fish were sold out, Jiang Ning drove the vendor car to take Tongtong home while Chuchu rode her electric scooter parallel to them.

From the air came Tongtong’s voice: "We sold a total of 51 pounds of fish, at 30 per pound, we made 1530 bucks!"

"But buying the fish cost 232, and we used up four buckets of oil, costing almost 500 bucks. Doing business is really hard!"

"Sigh!" Living is not easy, Tongtong sighed.

Jiang Ning: "That’s pretty good."

Xue Chuchu: "When my mom used to work in a factory for a day, she only earned 100 bucks." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Xue Yuantong was proud again: "Then I’m still pretty awesome."

"If you and Chuchu are ever broke, come work for me, I’ll take care of you!"

Jiang Ning: "Thank you."

Xue Chuchu pursed her lips and said, "Tongtong, someone from Hu Temple Middle School transferred to your Fourth Middle School."

Before high school, she didn’t have a QQ account, and later when she got a smartphone, she applied for one.

Returning to the village during the New Year, sure enough, she was added by many former classmates, and they even created a QQ group.

Tongtong was puzzled: "How do you know?"

Xue Chuchu: "I’ve received quite a few private messages in the past few days, all saying this."

Tongtong was greatly shocked: "Why didn’t I get any?"

Jiang Ning looked at the difference in appearance between Tongtong and Chuchu, and out of politeness, said nothing.

Xue Chuchu: "Some good students, like Zhong Huai and Han Wen Nuan, are coming."

Xue Yuantong’s eyes widened: "Han Wen Nuan, I know her!"

Jiang Ning saw the expression on Tongtong’s face and was slightly surprised; she was usually so innocent, rarely showing such an expression.

...

Meanwhile.

Xinhong County, Hu Miao Town, Karaoke.

Inside the private room where neon lights flashed, a young man held the microphone, standing at the center of the group.

He raised his glass, emotionally saying, "Classmates, starting tomorrow, I’m going to Yu Zhou Fourth Middle School to study!"

"Take care!"

"Take care!"

All the classmates drank their drinks, eyes filled with reluctance, and envy. That’s the renowned Fourth Middle School!

Not only because entering Fourth Middle School guarantees a future, but also because township kids yearn for urban life.

Zhong Huai gave his speech: "Here, I must thank my classmates for their company. After I leave, the next time we meet might be in the summer holiday! I will miss you all!"