Su’s father pushed the wheelchair, while Su’s mother held Gu Jiaojiao’s hand. Su’s younger sister followed behind, carrying a piece of pork in one hand and a pig leg in the other.

The family happily walked toward the Su household. As they passed others on the road, people automatically made way for them.

Although gossip continued behind their backs, no one dared to point fingers or make comments in front of Su Shuoci.

The women who had wanted to laugh at Gu Jiaojiao’s misfortune were now silenced. After all, Su’s “cripple” had personally gone out to buy rice and meat.

Some of these women only ate meat a handful of times a year, so they no longer had the heart to mock Gu Jiaojiao.

Once the Su family entered their home, the compound erupted in chatter, with everyone speculating.

“What do you think the Sheng family meant by publicly cutting ties in the newspaper?”

“What else could it mean? Gu Jiaojiao married a cripple. Her life is bound to be miserable. It’s only natural for the Sheng family to abandon her.”

“Did you know? Su’s cripple personally took Gu Jiaojiao out to buy a lot of rice and meat.”

“Really? Is that true? Is the Su family that well-off?”

“What’s the use of being well-off? Su’s son is still a cripple with no future. He might not even be able to have children.”

“Let me tell you, Sheng’s second aunt works at the same hospital as I do. She told me that Gu Jiaojiao, that impostor, was born with a weak constitution and almost didn’t survive. If it weren’t for her luck in being taken in by the Sheng family, she wouldn’t have lived past one year.

Sheng’s second aunt said that for the past eighteen years, the Sheng family has been feeding that impostor rare and expensive medicines. No ordinary family could afford that.

But even so, that sickly girl can’t have children or do much work. She’s just a vase with a breath of life.”

“Pah… What kind of vase is she? At best, she’s a clay pot.”

“Why are you all so mean? She’s just a child who hasn’t done anything wrong. The Sheng family has already publicly cut ties with her, and you’re still kicking her while she’s down.”

Aunt Song, known for her loud voice, scolded them. Everyone in the compound was somewhat afraid of the Song family, so no one dared to argue back.

“Mom, my eldest cousin doesn’t like Gu Jiaojiao, that sickly girl, anymore. Why are you still defending her?”

“Compared to Gu Jiaojiao, I dislike Sheng Xinglian even more. I seriously doubt your eldest cousin’s eyesight. It must be clouded by a pound of cement. How could he fall for someone like that?”

“Mom, Sheng Xinglian is the Sheng family’s real daughter. How can you say that about her?”

“Well, no one’s around to hear!” Aunt Song glanced around. Truthfully, she didn’t particularly like Gu Jiaojiao either.

Although the girl had been well-educated by Mrs. Sheng, she had become unreasonable after Sheng Xinglian returned.

Aunt Song had wanted her own daughter to marry Sheng’s second son. Unfortunately, Sheng’s second son had hurt his adopted sister for the sake of his biological sister.

This made her dislike the Sheng family’s biological daughter even more. She had ruined such a good son-in-law candidate.

“Stay away from Sheng Xinglian from now on. She grew up on a farm and has plenty of strength, yet she always puts on this fake, delicate, and kind act.”

“My eldest cousin likes delicate beauties, Mom. Sheng Xinglian seems to know his preferences very well.”

“A truly well-mannered person wouldn’t meddle in other people’s relationships. If she were my daughter, I’d slap her silly.”

Aunt Song couldn’t stand Sheng Xinglian’s pretentious behavior. No matter how she looked at it, it just didn’t sit right with her.

Meanwhile, Old Master Sheng and Old Master Song sat under an old locust tree in the Song family’s courtyard, playing chess. Both were retired veterans.

Despite being in their sixties, their hearing was sharp. They could clearly hear the gossip from the women outside the wall.

“Your second daughter-in-law is quite sensible. Ah, but the eldest one is a bit lacking,” Old Master Sheng remarked.

“Why did your Liangyuan decide to cut ties with Jiaojiao? And what’s wrong with Jiaojiao? How did she become so unreasonable?”

“Sigh! If we didn’t do that, the family would never have peace. It’s true that Lian’er suffered for over a decade, but she’s also too petty.

That child is eager to learn, but her ambitions are too big. She bites off more than she can chew. It’s better to master one thing than to dabble in many. Old Song, I’ll have to trouble you to guide her.”

“Children have their own fortunes. I’m old and won’t meddle in their affairs anymore. But your two grandsons are quite ruthless.”

“They are ruthless, but from what I see, Su Shuoci might not be a bad choice. Didn’t people say he went out today to buy rice and meat for Jiaojiao?”

“I hope Su Shuoci can help Jiaojiao change back to her old, well-behaved self.”

“Let’s go. It’s time to eat at the eldest’s place. As for your old leg ailment, it’ll be cured once Doctor Jiang arrives in Qingcheng.”

“It’s been decades. I can wait a little longer. You have heart problems, so don’t worry about the younger generation’s affairs.”

Su’s father and mother sent Su Shuoci and Gu Jiaojiao home before hurrying off to work.

Su Qinchun, like a diligent little bee, busied herself organizing the things her brother and sister-in-law had bought.

“Qinchun, go start the fire. I’ll handle the pig trotters and meat. In this June heat, they’ll spoil if left out too long.”

“You’ve been busy all morning. Are you sure you’re up for it?” Su Qinchun asked with some concern.

“Do you know how to make braised pig trotters?”

“No, do you?”

“Yes, I do.”

Su Qinchun had once tasted the noodles Gu Jiaojiao cooked, and the flavor still lingered in her memory.

So she eagerly went to start the fire, her eyes closely following Gu Jiaojiao’s every move.

Gu Jiaojiao washed the pot, filled it with water, and blanched the chopped pig trotters and half of the pork in boiling water.

While Su Qinchun added firewood, Gu Jiaojiao took out peanuts, a packet of spices, a bit of cilantro, MSG, rock sugar, a bottle of soy sauce, and seafood sauce from her space.

She then boiled the pig trotters, pork, spices, and peanuts together over high heat for 15 minutes before reducing it to a simmer.

At the same time, she cooked rice for three people. In truth, Gu Jiaojiao and Su Shuoci hadn’t eaten lunch.

They had eaten late and heartily in the morning, so they hadn’t stopped at a restaurant while out.

The rich aroma filled the air, and Su Qinchun stared in awe at Gu Jiaojiao’s busy hands.

Gu Jiaojiao ladled out a bowl of the braised pig trotters, garnishing it with cilantro.

“You’re drooling. Go ahead and serve the rice.”

“Isn’t that bowl for my brother?”

“We’ll eat together. There’s plenty more after we finish this.”

Su Shuoci had been sitting in his wheelchair by the kitchen door.

When Gu Jiaojiao brought over a steaming bowl of braised pig trotters, he reached out to take it. “It’s hot. Let me handle it.”

It was indeed hot, so Gu Jiaojiao handed it to him without hesitation and then pushed his wheelchair.

Su Qinchun fetched a basin of water for her brother to wash his hands.

The three of them enjoyed a hearty meal. After a while, Su Qinchun hesitantly asked, “Sis… sister-in-law, did you read the newspaper today?”

“No.”

She wasn’t in the habit of reading newspapers. In her previous life, she relied on her phone. In the two days she’d been here, she hadn’t had the time.

“Mr. Sheng officially severed ties with you in the newspaper.”

Gu Jiaojiao bit her lip, her smile faltering for a moment before returning, gentle and composed, as if nothing had happened.

“I was never truly part of the Sheng family. It’s only right to cut ties.” Gu Jiaojiao truly didn’t care.

Last night, the original owner had appeared in her dream and told her that all grievances with the Sheng family were settled…