Xu Jiaojiao noticed the shift in Su Zijie’s expression. The smile on her face froze slightly, and her hands, hanging by her sides, clenched involuntarily.

After a moment of silence, Xu Jiaojiao forced a smile.
“Zhihuan, I’m so happy you came. Please, come inside and sit.”

“You personally invited me. If I didn’t come, wouldn’t that be disrespectful to you, my ‘good friend’?” Shen Zhihuan’s lips curled into a faint smirk, her tone light but tinged with mockery.

Nearby, Wang Chunmei, Su Changhe, Xu Youcai, and Cao Erxiang all frowned at her words.

Xu Youcai and Cao Erxiang silently blamed Xu Jiaojiao.

Was Xu Jiaojiao unaware of Su Zijie’s feelings for this sickly girl? And yet, she still invited her here. If Su Zijie changed his mind on the spot…

How would the Xu family maintain their reputation in the future?

“Zhihuan, how have you been lately?” Su Zijie asked, his gaze tender but his smile tinged with bitterness.

He had once believed that if he worked hard enough and earned enough money, his parents would stop complaining about her frailty.

He thought he could grow old with her, raising children and grandchildren together.

He believed that if he tried hard enough, he could create a safe haven for her, free of worry and hardship.

He thought he could.

But in the end…

He couldn’t do anything.

“Eating well, sleeping well—I guess that counts as good,” Shen Zhihuan replied with a faint smile.

If the original owner of this body were still here, would she be heartbroken or relieved?

Finding out that her fiancé and her best friend had gotten together would devastate anyone.

“That’s good to hear,” Su Zijie said, his eyes reddening slightly.

At that moment, a group of people entered the courtyard, escorting a young man dressed in a white shirt.

Xu Youcai tugged at Cao Erxiang, then approached the young man with a flattering smile.

Standing with her back to the courtyard gate, Shen Zhihuan heard the sound of chaotic footsteps behind her. Instinctively, she stepped aside to make way.

“You’re here to visit relatives too?”

Qin Bin had originally been reluctant to come visit a distant relative, but he couldn’t refuse his mother’s persistent coaxing. He hadn’t expected to see her here.

Unlike her casual and indifferent appearance at night, she was radiant and meticulous during the day—stunning in a way that was hard to describe.

“Fifth Brother, are you here to visit relatives?” Shen Zhihuan asked with a soft smile.

Technically, they should act like strangers in this setting. But since Qin Bin had already spoken, pretending not to know each other would seem too obvious.

Qin Bin was momentarily dazzled by her unexpected smile. His heart, which was already beating a little faster, seemed to lose rhythm entirely.

“You’re here to visit relatives too?”

Shen Zhihuan shook her head.

Qin Bin chuckled. “If you’re not visiting relatives, then why…”

“The couple getting engaged today—one is my ex-fiancé, and the other is a childhood friend I grew up with. Such a grand occasion—I couldn’t miss the opportunity to congratulate them, could I?” Shen Zhihuan’s eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as she glanced at Su Zijie and Xu Jiaojiao, her voice soft yet tinged with sarcasm.

“…”

Qin Bin followed her gaze to Su Zijie and Xu Jiaojiao, his expression shifting into one of vague incredulity.

Cao Dakang noticed Qin Bin’s attention and quickly introduced him.
“Jiaojiao, Zijie, this is your Fifth Uncle.”

“Fifth Uncle,” Xu Jiaojiao greeted sweetly.

Her aunt had already told her a distinguished guest would be visiting today, but she hadn’t expected the guest to be so young.

How did Shen Zhihuan know her “Fifth Uncle”?

Fifth Uncle…

Shen Zhihuan blinked.

What kind of seniority is this?

“What kind of look is that?” Qin Bin didn’t acknowledge the greeting. Instead, he blurted out this random comment, leaving everyone stunned.

The expressions on the faces of those involved grew increasingly colorful.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard gate.

Shen Zhihuan froze as she recognized the familiar rhythm.

Digging two baskets of wild vegetables…

Already?

Before she could react, a sweat-drenched Li Qiuhua appeared at the Su family’s gate.

“Mother, I—”

“Zhihuan, don’t be sad. I’ll find someone even better for you,” Li Qiuhua said, her reddened eyes filled with determination as she pulled Shen Zhihuan into her arms.

Shen Zhihuan: “…”
“Mother, I—”

“Third Sister, don’t be sad. If 800 yuan isn’t enough for the dowry, we’ll just find someone else. Please, stop going after Su Zijie,” Xiao Weidong cried, clutching her leg.

“I just came to deliver a gift,” Shen Zhihuan replied helplessly, torn between laughter and tears.

Her mother and little brother certainly had vivid imaginations!

“A gift? What kind of gift? Do they even deserve it?!” Li Qiuhua spat furiously.

Su Zijie’s face turned pale.

She was right—he wasn’t worthy.

If he could choose, he’d rather this marriage never happen.

“Third Sister, you’re not here for Su Zijie?” Xiao Weidong asked cautiously, his crying ceasing.

“Of course not,” Shen Zhihuan answered with a smile.

“Then let’s go home,” Li Qiuhua said, tugging on her daughter’s arm.

“Wait,” Shen Zhihuan said, freeing herself from her mother’s grip.

“This is for you.” Shen Zhihuan put the egg in his left hand into Xu Jiaojiao’s hand.

“Thank—”

Before Xu Jiaojiao could finish her sentence, a soft “pop” sounded.

In an instant, a foul stench filled the air.

Xu Jiaojiao stared at the black and yellow stains on her pink dress, her body trembling with rage.

If it weren’t for the many relatives present, she might have exploded on the spot.

“No need to thank me,” Shen Zhihuan said cheerfully, waving her hand.

Everyone held their breath as they left the Su household.

“Don’t come here again—it’s bad luck,” Li Qiuhua muttered, barely suppressing her laughter.

“Got it,” Shen Zhihuan replied with a grin.

If Xu Jiaojiao hadn’t provoked her, she wouldn’t have even bothered making the trip.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me, Zhihuan?” Qin Bin asked with a teasing smile.

Zhihuan?

Li Qiuhua looked at her daughter with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

“Mother, this is my classmate’s brother, Qin Bin, also known as Fifth Master. This is my mother and little brother,” Shen Zhihuan introduced, clearing her throat.

“Auntie, don’t listen to Zhihuan’s nonsense. I’m Qin Bin. You can call me Xiao Qin or Binzi,” Qin Bin said warmly, his usual stern demeanor completely absent.

“Xiao Qin, our house is on the west end of the village. Stay for lunch!” Li Qiuhua invited with a smile.

“Mother, Fifth Brother is very busy,” Shen Zhihuan said hastily, alarmed.

Wasn’t this revealing too much about their home?

Li Qiuhua quickly added, “Xiao Qin, if you’re busy…”

“I’m not busy! I’d just hate to trouble Auntie,” Qin Bin said in a gentle tone.

“Trouble? We’d love to have you over,” Li Qiuhua said, nudging Shen Zhihuan to take him home.

“…”

Shen Zhihuan rubbed her temples in exasperation.

Her mother was truly naive. Inviting someone home on their first meeting?

What if he were a bad guy? Wouldn’t their entire household be in danger?