The sky grew bright. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Qi Yuqing didn’t go to work; she had the day off and since her parents were visiting, of course she took leave to spend time with them.

In fact, she knew that she hadn’t had much time to spend with her parents since university, and her mom and dad felt quite lonely.

But she had grown up! Many times, she couldn’t help it.

Isn’t everyone like this?

"Coming!"

Someone knocked on the door.

Qi’s mom opened the door at the sound.

A girl stood there.

She was very pretty; compared to her own daughter, it was a different kind of beauty.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Hello, Auntie! I’m Bai Song’s sister, Bai Xiao, also a good friend of Qingqing."

Bai Xiao’s warmth and politeness made it hard for Qi’s mom to dislike the girl in front of her.

"You’re Bai Song’s sister?"

You couldn’t tell! The siblings didn’t look much alike.

"Yes! Auntie, please let me in!"

Bai Xiao chuckled, finding Qi’s mom quite interesting.

"Qingqing! Someone’s here to see you!"

Qi’s mom grew a bit wary.

Just yesterday they made some big demands, and today the sister-in-law comes over.

She’s surely here to act as a mediator.

She couldn’t let their Qingqing naively go along with them.

She had to keep an eye on them.

As soon as Qi Yuqing emerged from the bathroom, she immediately saw Bai Xiao, her eyes filled with surprise.

She practically flew over, hugging Bai Xiao tightly.

"Oh my God, why are you here? It’s been three years, I missed you so much."

The warmth of her attitude was just as it used to be, reminding Bai Xiao of when she first met Qi Yuqing.

"I happened to be dealing with some things, so I came by after hearing about you and my brother’s affair. Congratulations on your wishes fulfilled."

Bai Xiao was genuinely sincere. Though she knew about the situation with Qi Yuqing and her brother, she didn’t know the details since she wasn’t directly involved. What she did know was her brother was very much in love with this old friend.

After all, three years ago, when her brother was struggling between life and death, it was Qi Yuqing who operated on him. Even while unconscious, Bai Song was calling out Qi Yuqing’s name, a testament to his deep feelings, proving her brother’s sincere love.

When she arrived yesterday, Li Chunhua explained the situation, and Bai Xiao knew her brother’s character. He would never ask anyone for help and surely wouldn’t touch the things their father Bai Jingshan set aside for him.

Surely wouldn’t want to use them.

So, she had to step in.

That’s why she’s here early today.

"Have you eaten? We’re eating now, come join us." Qi Yuqing’s mood visibly lifted at seeing Bai Xiao. The two hadn’t met since then, but they kept in touch over the phone.

They were truly friends.

"I already ate, no need to bother. I came today to invite you to look at houses. As my little sister-in-law, I’ve heard about your situation with my brother and know what Auntie and Uncle mean. Auntie was right; my brother’s house is indeed quite small! In the future, aside from a nanny and housekeepers, and once kids come, it’ll be crowded, let alone Auntie and Uncle wanting to visit and without a place to stay. It’s really not suitable."

Bai Xiao’s words made Qi’s mom’s heart leap.

What did Bai Family intend?

"Xiaobai, you’re a sensible child. We understand our request is excessive, but you must understand, we have only this one child and don’t want her to suffer." Qi’s mom looked at Bai Xiao, wondering what she wanted to do.

Are they really looking to buy a house?

This, they found hard to believe.

They were aware of Bai Song’s background—a child from a rural area. Were it not for his later military achievements, he would have returned to his village, at most working in a county factory.

Now, his standing in Capital City wasn’t due to connections, but personal military merits, which they understood, so how much could a soldier possibly earn?

These days aren’t like before; entering the 21st century, prices had risen.

Buying a house in Capital City wasn’t an easy task.

Qi’s mom worried Bai Family might trick Qi Yuqing into jointly buying a house, paying a down payment, and having them repay the mortgage. If the house money was borrowed, they’d end up paying, wouldn’t it be putting their daughter in a difficult spot?

"Mom, you..."

Bai Xiao patted Qi Yuqing’s hand, "Qingqing is my good friend, and I’m Bai Song’s sister, naturally I’m handling this. My brother is busy with work and can’t accompany Auntie and Uncle, and he feels guilty about that.

I happened to be here, so I thought, while you’re here, let’s look at houses together, you can advise us."

As long as money solves the problem, it’s not a problem.

Bai Xiao wasn’t short of money at all.

Qi’s mom and dad exchanged a look, feeling awkward.

"It’s fine if you go, we don’t know much, and we’re too old to run around." They didn’t actually want Bai Song to buy a house.

Besides, to them, it seemed impossible for Bai Song to afford a house.

"Alright, then Qingqing and I will go first. After all, buying a house is a big deal, it’s worth looking at thoroughly. We’ll head out first." She pulled Qi Yuqing, smiling as they left.

Qi’s mom didn’t even get a chance to warn Qi Yuqing with a word or two.

Watching the two disappear, Qi’s mom worriedly closed the door and asked Qi’s dad, "What do you think the Bai Family is up to?"

"I haven’t figured it out either. They seem sincere; could they really be planning to buy a house? If so, we’re a bit over the top. A three-bedroom, two-hall house costs quite a lot, and making them smash everything to buy it! We’d be harming them."

Qi’s dad was realistic and considerate.

If not for his daughter, he wouldn’t have been unnecessarily difficult with others.

He wasn’t that kind of person.

Qi’s mom mulled it over and shook her head, "Impossible, Old Qi, think about it, Bai Song’s family, coming from the countryside, his sisters have likely married in the village or county town, at most with Bai Song’s help marrying a colleague or friend, but just ordinary families.

No family can take out that kind of money. I guess they had a family discussion after yesterday, and Bai Song didn’t appear! Let Bai Xiao take Qingqing around!

Our Qingqing is kind-hearted, always considering others. Seeing the price, she surely wouldn’t let them be embarrassed! At that point, Qingqing could say no. They’d have an excuse, saying, ’We wanted to, but your family said no.’

I see them as a scheming family."

Qi’s mom was quite conspiratorial.

She had elevated Bai Xiao and her family to the level of master plotters.

"You’re just overthinking it. I don’t think they’re that kind of people. Just looking at Bai Song, he’s not like that, and seeing today’s Bai Xiao, she seems generous, her eyes clear and upright, not that kind of person, don’t be so petty."

Qi’s dad found it impossible.

He believed he had a good sense of people.

Both of them were feeling quite anxious at home.