She was overjoyed that her mom was so open-minded. ’Even though I’ve worked so hard and done so much since my rebirth,’ she thought, ’seeing my family this happy and joyful makes it all worthwhile.’

As for the fact she’d placed first in her class, Qin Jiao hadn’t mentioned it yet. Her ambitions were set much higher than that.

The sadness from the memories of her past life, which the sweater had brought on, slowly began to fade.

The weekend arrived in the blink of an eye.

Qin Jiao didn’t actually want any interaction with Shen Yi outside of their studies, but she had promised to take him sketching in the mountains, so she couldn’t go back on her word.

Qin Zhonghui had recently learned how to drive a three-wheeler, so he borrowed one from Old Li, and then set off with Qin Jiao, Shen Yi, and Xiao Shi.

Su Yun and Qin Na stayed home to prepare vegetables for the breakfast stall the next morning.

Their family business had stabilized by now. No matter how much food they made each morning, they always sold out.

Even the once-scrawny Qin Na now had a healthy, rosy complexion. As she prepped the vegetables, she said to Su Yun, "Sister-in-law, I never dreamed I’d be able to live such a good life!"

According to the way Qin Na had been raised, her purpose in life was to marry into a good family and give them a healthy baby boy. That was how she was meant to fulfill her purpose in life.

But in the end, forget a son—she hadn’t been able to have a single child. Instead, she was beaten by her husband and berated by her mother-in-law day in and day out. She had a naturally submissive personality and had planned to just resign herself to her fate.

But when her husband tried to smash a beer bottle over her head, Qin Na had a realization: if this kept up, he was going to kill her.

That was what finally drove her to return to her family home, beg her brother for help, and ask for a divorce.

She said earnestly, "Sister-in-law, I’m so glad you and my brother encouraged me to get a divorce and then took me in. Otherwise... I’m afraid I’d have been dead and buried long ago..."

Su Yun said, "The hard times are over. From now on, just focus on living a good life, and keep your eyes wide open."

"Okay!"

**

The sky was overcast and the air felt heavy and close. Qin Zhonghui told the kids it looked like it was about to snow.

The three-wheeler jolted along the road. This time, however, they weren’t in the open cargo bed. Instead, they were all squeezed into the cramped driver’s cab.

The cab could fit two adults. The petite Xiao Shi was tucked in tightly beside Qin Zhonghui, while on the other side, Qin Jiao and Shen Yi were squeezed into a single seat.

Even through their thick winter clothes, Qin Jiao felt extremely awkward.

She was already regretting it.

’Why on earth did I invite Shen Yi to come to the mountains with us?!’

Every time the vehicle jolted, Qin Jiao was thrown against Shen Yi. It wasn’t hard enough to hurt, but each bump made the situation more and more awkward.

Qin Jiao was so mortified she could have carved a sea-view villa out of the floorboards right then and there.

Shen Yi’s expression remained perfectly calm. He, for his part, wanted to reach out and steady her, but unfortunately, her father was sitting right there.

’He was sure Uncle Qin hadn’t yet realized how awkward the situation was. If he dared to make a single unnecessary move, Uncle Qin would probably banish him to the cargo bed in the back.’

’And where was the appeal in freezing in the wind compared to this warm, crowded, sweet torture?’

Shen Yi kept his face a perfect mask of calm, as if he didn’t feel a thing. Qin Jiao was too embarrassed to say anything either. Bracing herself with one hand against the dash, she asked with difficulty, "Dad, how much longer until we get there?"

"Almost there, almost there," Qin Zhonghui replied.

Just then, the vehicle hit another bump. Qin Jiao swayed, her hand missing the dashboard and landing squarely on Shen Yi’s thigh.

Qin Jiao: "..."

Shen Yi: "..."