Zhang Jiali, still a child, couldn’t see through Gu Xicao’s playful strategy. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded and agreed to stay.

“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you…”

Watching Lin Yuan and Zhang Jiali sway and sing together, Gu Xicao couldn’t help but smile.

She had been worried that Lin Yuan might struggle to fit in at school, but seeing him with such a good friend put her mind at ease.

The system suddenly sighed regretfully. “It’s a pity, though. This little girl has a tough fate. She’s about to be sold off.”

Gu Xicao’s expression darkened as she glanced at the innocent Zhang Jiali. “What do you mean? She’s been targeted by human traffickers?”

“Something like that. Her stepmother plans to sell her. The arrangements have already been made; they’ll act the day after tomorrow,” the system explained.

Fury welled up in Gu Xicao’s heart, but her face betrayed no emotion. She continued smiling as she picked up a knife to cut the cake. “This slice with the most strawberries is for Jiali. Thank you for helping us eat the cake.”

Zhang Jiali blinked her big, dark eyes, sensing something was amiss but unable to figure out what.

After finishing the cake, Zhang Jiali got ready to leave. She picked up her backpack and stood at the door. “Goodbye, big sister. Goodbye, Lin Yuan. I’m heading home now.”

“Jiali, wait a moment,” Gu Xicao called, stopping her. “I need you to tell your dad something.”

Zhang Jiali paused, tilting her head in confusion. “What is it, big sister? My dad hasn’t been home recently.”

“That’s okay. He’s back today,” Gu Xicao said, pulling out a business card and handing it to the little girl. “Give this to your dad and tell him he must come find me. I’m a fortune-teller, and I’ve calculated that trouble is coming to your family.”

“Huh?” Zhang Jiali looked puzzled, scratching her cheek. “Fortune-telling?”

Lin Yuan’s expression turned serious. “Jiali, if my sister says it, it must be important. She’s not trying to scam you. You must tell your dad.”

After thinking it over, Zhang Jiali nodded. “Alright, if my dad’s home, I’ll tell him. But I can’t promise he’ll believe me. My dad doesn’t believe in this stuff.”

“Then tell him I’m a very famous fortune-teller. This time, I won’t even charge him. He must come,” Gu Xicao said firmly.

“Also, when you tell your dad, make sure no one else in your family knows, okay?”

Seeing how serious Gu Xicao looked, Zhang Jiali obediently nodded. “Got it, big sister.”

She carefully tucked the business card into her pocket before leaving.

Afterward, Lin Yuan looked worried, his earlier good mood gone. “Sister, is Jiali in trouble?”

Gu Xicao raised an eyebrow, surprised. “How did you figure that out?”

Lin Yuan said, “Because if it were someone else in trouble, you wouldn’t have told her to avoid letting others know. I’m aware Jiali’s life at home isn’t great. Her stepmother brought along a brother and a sister. When her dad is home, her stepmother treats her well, but when he’s out driving, her stepmother ignores her. Her sister is always stealing her things, and that brother of hers is even worse—he keeps hitting her.”

Gu Xicao’s heart softened. “Don’t worry. With me around, nothing will happen to Jiali.”

Zhang Jiali took a ding-ding tram back home, slowing down as she approached the door. The thought of seeing her stepmother, stepsister, and stepbrother at home made her feel as though a heavy stone was pressing down on her chest, even causing a faint pain in her stomach.

Other children dreaded going to school, but Jiali wished she could stay at school every single day. That way, she wouldn’t have to come back home.

“Jiali…”

The iron gate at home opened, and Liu Fengxia came out carrying a garbage bag. Startled to see Zhang Jiali at the entrance, her expression quickly changed when she remembered her husband was home. The previously cold face was replaced with a warm smile as she said affectionately, “Why are you home so late? Come in quickly. Your dad’s back.”

“Dad’s back?”

Zhang Jiali’s eyes widened in surprise. She clutched her backpack tightly and ran inside. The person tidying up the living room was none other than her father.

“Dad? You’re home?”

Zhang Jiali rushed over and threw her arms around Zhang Jianjie.

Zhang Jianjie lifted his daughter up. “Yes, I switched shifts with someone and came back early. Are you happy?”

“I’m happy! Dad, it’s so great you’re back. I can’t believe Lin Yuan’s sister was right!”

Zhang Jiali was astonished because she hadn’t really believed Gu Xicao’s words before. Her dad had told her he would be away driving for an entire month.

“Who’s Lin Yuan’s sister? Is she your classmate?” Zhang Jianjie doted on his daughter and pulled a Barbie doll out of his luggage. “I saw this for sale while I was out. Don’t you love Barbies? Dad bought it for you.”

“Thank you, Dad! Lin Yuan’s sister is actually a fortu—”

Jiali, always obedient and thoughtful, wanted to pass on Gu Xicao’s message immediately. But before she could finish her sentence, her stepsister and stepbrother came out of the bedroom.

Huang Yin walked over, holding her brother’s hand affectionately. “Dad, you’re back. Look how happy little sister is. She’s been missing you every day while you were gone.”

“Exactly, Jiali really loves you,” Liu Fengxia added with a smile as she walked over. “She was even saying how much she wanted to go driving with you and help you with deliveries.”

Zhang Jianjie’s eyes softened with affection. He patted Jiali’s head. “Silly girl, driving freight is tough work. How could Dad bear to let you suffer like that? You just focus on studying hard. Dad will support you through college, even a master’s or Ph.D. Then you can sit comfortably in an office with air conditioning, unlike me.”

The expressions on Liu Fengxia and her children subtly changed.

If Zhang Jianjie worked diligently for a month, he could earn forty to fifty thousand. But if he had to support a child through university, the expenses would increase significantly.

“Alright, let’s not talk about these things. It’s rare for the family to be together. Dinner’s ready, let’s eat!” Liu Fengxia gave her daughter a stern look to keep her quiet, then put on a smile and invited everyone to the table.

Zhang Jiali kept trying to find an opportunity to speak with her father alone. But since he had been away for so many days, Liu Fengxia and her children were glued to him, either checking out the gifts he brought or asking him about his trip. Jiali couldn’t find a single chance to talk.

She grew anxious but was helpless.

Huang Yin noticed Jiali’s frustration and felt smug. She had already guessed Jiali wanted some alone time with her dad. In your dreams, she thought, determined not to let it happen.

“Dad, you brought a Barbie for little sister. What about us? What did you get for me and my brother?” Huang Yin asked sweetly.

Zhang Jianjie chuckled. “Your mom said your grades weren’t great, so I bought you a Walkman to help with your English. For your brother, I got a toy car set.”

“Wow, a Walkman? Dad, you’re so generous!” Liu Fengxia playfully scolded, “I told you not to buy gifts for them. Just get something for Jiali.”

“That wouldn’t be right. They’re my children, too. How could I only buy things for Jiali?” Zhang Jianjie waved it off.

Hearing this, Jiali’s eyes dimmed slightly. She pursed her lips. “Dad, I’m going to bed now.”

“Alright, sleep early so you can wake up early tomorrow,” Zhang Jianjie said, noticing her unusual mood but deciding not to press her about it just yet.

Jiali had her own room. Lying in bed, she could see the night view outside.

She still had Gu Xicao’s business card in her pocket. As she thought about the warm interaction between Gu Xicao and Lin Yuan, her eyes reddened.

If she could, she wished things could go back to when it was just her and her dad. Back then, the house felt like home. Now, even when her dad was around, the place felt like it didn’t belong to her anymore.

It was late at night, and the Zhang household had fallen asleep.

Hearing movement outside, Liu Fengxia glanced at her sleeping husband before quietly getting up. She walked into the kitchen and saw her daughter rummaging around. Her expression softened slightly. “What are you doing in the kitchen in the middle of the night?”

“Mom, where are the snacks that idiot bought?” Huang Yin asked, startled at first but relaxing when she saw it was her mother.

“Don’t call him an idiot! If he hears you, there’ll be trouble,” Liu Fengxia scolded, tapping Huang Yin on the head. “Why do you need snacks at this hour?”

“I need to take them to show off to my friends tomorrow. They always brag about what they’ve eaten. These snacks he brought from the mainland—none of them would’ve had these!” Huang Yin pouted, stamping her foot.

“No, you can’t have them. Those need to last,” Liu Fengxia replied. “Every time you take some, you grab a huge pile. Your father doesn’t know how long he’ll stay here. We need to save some for that burden.”

“What? Save some for her?” Huang Yin complained, displeased. “She kept trying to talk to Dad alone tonight. Who knows if she’s planning to snitch on us? And you still want to be nice and save her snacks?”

“Snitch?” Liu Fengxia’s face darkened. “How do you know that?”

Huang Yin smirked. “I know everything. I even know you contacted Uncle Shen to sell her—”

Liu Fengxia quickly covered Huang Yin’s mouth. She glanced nervously at the closed doors. Seeing no movement, she breathed a sigh of relief and slapped Huang Yin lightly. “Do you want to get us kicked out? Go back to bed. I’ll give you the snacks tomorrow.”