Gu Jiaojiao began to question the female lead’s kindness, but she didn’t rush to speak.

Instead, she idly observed the green base of the white walls in the Su family’s living room. The combination of green and white exuded a sense of vitality.

In the center of the living room, against the wall, stood a cabinet with a CRT television, a metal candy box, and a tray with the character “囍” (double happiness).

“Mom~ My heart aches when I see my sister crying~ Mom~ Say something to her. She seems so sad~”

“Hmph! What does she have to be sad about? Our Sheng family raised her for eighteen years for nothing. What more does she want?”

Gu Jiaojiao: …

What kind of tone was the female lead using? Not only was she speaking in a sickly sweet manner, but she was also blaming her for being distracted!

No wonder the original host was no match for her and ended up so miserable.

Damn it!

The female lead in the book was truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be virtuous while hogging all the good reputation.

She had initially thought about coexisting peacefully with the female lead, but now it seemed impossible.

She still didn’t know if the original host’s death was related to the female lead. If it was, she wouldn’t hold back out of gratitude for being raised by the Sheng family.

Putting that aside, she wasn’t someone who would endure mistreatment. Naturally, she wouldn’t let herself live in misery.

Having been given a second chance at life, why not live it well?

So what if the female lead was reborn? She knew the entire plot of the story.

Who was afraid of whom?

Gu Jiaojiao quickly made up her mind to take the initiative and test whether the female lead had harmed the original host.

“Mom, I don’t want anything. I’m already married now. I lived with the Sheng family for eighteen years.

I saved up eight hundred yuan in New Year’s money, and I gave it all to my sister. She even said that since I ate at the Sheng family for eighteen years, I should slowly repay the living expenses for those eighteen years.”

“What? Jiaojiao, you had eight hundred yuan in pocket money? And you gave it all to Xingxing?”

The third son of the Sheng family, who had just stepped through the door, asked in surprise. It had been over half a year since he last called her “Jiaojiao.”

Ever since his biological sister returned home, Gu Jiaojiao had been causing a scene, competing with Xingxing for the family’s affection, which made him want to hit her.

He knew Gu Jiaojiao was supposed to return home today, so he deliberately went out to play ball with friends to avoid her.

But then his friend told him that Gu Jiaojiao had been unconscious for two days and nights, and he started to worry about her.

So he decided to come to the Su family to check on her. As soon as he entered, he heard this shocking news—eight hundred yuan! He only ever had eight yuan on him.

And even that eight yuan had often been given to him by Gu Jiaojiao. Did she never spend any money?

No wonder she was always crying and making a scene. He and his second brother had thought she was just trying to gain sympathy and attention.

Turns out she was crying over the money. Anyone would cry if they had to part with eight hundred yuan at once.

Sheng Xinglian, seeing her third brother’s face change colors like a palette, knew things were going badly.

So she continued to speak in her usual sorrowful tone: “I told her I didn’t want it~ But my sister insisted on giving it to me~ She even said I should buy some nice clothes with it, since I’m such a country bumpkin~”

“Gu Jiaojiao, are you even human? How could you say such things about your sister? If it weren’t for you, would she be a country bumpkin?”

Mrs. Sheng scolded furiously, her eyes glaring fiercely at Gu Jiaojiao.

Compared to Mrs Sheng’s rage, Gu Jiaojiao remained exceptionally calm. The original host had indeed said those words.

Sheng Xinglian often told the original host: “Sister, I’m just a country bumpkin from the countryside. I don’t deserve nice clothes. I don’t want this money.”

The original host, being a simple girl, would always respond along the lines of: “Take it and buy some clothes. You’re the Sheng family’s daughter now. Once you start dressing better, you won’t be a country bumpkin anymore.”

There was nothing wrong with this exchange, but the second and third brothers of the Sheng family, only hearing half of it, were displeased.

The two brothers harshly scolded the original host, calling her an ungrateful wretch. This kind of scene would play out almost every other day.

Gu Jiaojiao was just organizing her thoughts, preparing to counter Sheng Xinglian, when the third son of the Sheng family weakly interjected:

“Mom, don’t be angry. If Gu Jiaojiao gave me eight hundred yuan to buy clothes, I wouldn’t care if she called me a country bumpkin or even a bumpkin country. I’d be happy.”

“Sheng Shiwu… you… are you trying to kill me with anger too?”

Mrs. Sheng’s face twisted in fury, her entire face turning purple-red, as if she were about to explode.

“Gu Jiaojiao, I can’t stand the sight of you. Don’t bother coming back home. Just stay with the Su family. Xingxing, let’s go.”

With that, Mrs. Sheng turned and left without looking back. Sheng Xinglian stomped her foot and followed.

She had come today with her mother to try to get Gu Jiaojiao to hand over the wedding gifts she had received.

She had seen a new dress two days ago, and with the college entrance exams next month, she wanted to look her best.

It wasn’t that the Sheng family didn’t give her money, but she always paid for meals and shopping when she went out with Song Zijin.

She didn’t want Song Zijin to look down on her, and the money her parents gave her wasn’t enough.

After all this commotion, she got nothing. Sheng Xinglian turned back and glared fiercely at Gu Jiaojiao.

“Xingxing, why are you glaring at Jiaojiao?” Sheng Shiwu felt that since Jiaojiao had given Xingxing eight hundred yuan, she couldn’t be all that bad.

At least she had been good to Xingxing.

Eight hundred yuan! He would have to discuss this with his second brother. Maybe there was some misunderstanding between the siblings.

“Jiaojiao, take care of yourself. Don’t be too frugal in the future. I’ll head back now.”

Gu Jiaojiao gave Sheng Shiwu a puzzled look, which he misinterpreted as her being deeply moved.

He left in a hurry, leaving Gu Jiaojiao utterly bewildered.

In Gu Jiaojiao’s memory, Sheng Shiwu hadn’t spoken kindly to the original host in a long time.

Every time, he would hurl harsh words, further tormenting the original host’s fragile heart and leaving her in constant fear.

Now, Gu Jiaojiao no longer needed anyone’s affection.

But he had suddenly changed!

How could the original host have endured this?

“Jiaojiao, don’t be sad. Are you hungry? I’ll make something for you to eat.” Su’s mother didn’t know how to comfort her.

“Mom, let’s cook together.” Gu Jiaojiao wasn’t actually sad.

Without waiting for Su’s mother’s agreement, she quickly followed her into the kitchen. The Su family’s kitchen was small but very clean.

Su’s mother was a hardworking woman. After her son became disabled, she cried every day, but she still managed to keep the household in perfect order.

Gu Jiaojiao glanced around. The Su family didn’t have a refrigerator, only a wooden cupboard.

In the heat of June, there was no fresh fish or meat in the kitchen. Gu Jiaojiao saw a few eggs.

There were also tomatoes, and in the cupboard, there was some dried noodles. Gu Jiaojiao decided to make tomato and egg noodles.

Seeing that Gu Jiaojiao had taken over the stove, Su’s mother went to light the fire. Gu Jiaojiao washed the pot and added water.

After the water boiled, she put the noodles in the pot and washed another pot to make tomato and egg soup.

A few minutes later, the rich aroma of tomato and egg soup filled the air, causing Su Qinchun (Chunni), who had followed them, to slow her steps in hesitation.

She looked at Gu Jiaojiao in disbelief. It was said that the Sheng family had a housekeeper who took care of all the chores, so the family members didn’t have to do anything themselves.

Yet Gu Jiaojiao could make such fragrant egg soup. “Gu Jiaojiao, did you use up all our eggs?”