Chapter 9

But since she believed she could move them with love, then let her try all she wants.

“Jiejie, what are you laughing at?”

Song Mingshan looked at Song Qingdai with clear displeasure. In truth, there wasn’t much age difference between the two.

Shortly after their mother passed away, Song Yuanshan brought two people into the family: one was a ten-year-old boy, the son of Feng Cuifen and her late husband, and the other was Song Mingshan, the child Song Yuanshan had with Feng Cuifen before his wife had even passed away.

At the time, Mingshan was already five years old.

She was only half a year younger than Qingdai.

Everyone had said back then that Song Yuanshan had cheated with a widow, and then dragged her and her kids into the house all at once.

Everyone knew Mingshan was an illegitimate child, but since Feng Cuifen and Song Yuanshan had registered their marriage later, her status became “legal,” even if she had been born out of wedlock.

“It’s nothing.”
Song Qingdai suppressed her amusement and smiled gently. “I was just thinking how lucky Director Zhang is—to be able to marry such a kind and virtuous girl like you.”

“With your kindness and warmth, I’m sure you’ll win over those three kids once you marry into the Zhang family. And if they grow up to be successful one day, they’ll surely be grateful to have a stepmother like you.”

“Well of course!”

Mingshan’s face immediately lit up from the praise.

Just the thought that all the glamour and prestige Qingdai once had would soon be hers made her feel smug and thrilled.

But something about what Qingdai said seemed a little… off?

She couldn’t quite put her finger on what, though.

“Comrade Song.”

Zhang Shaoxing pushed up his glasses, still staring at Qingdai’s face.

It was clear what type of woman he really liked—her.

“If you miss this chance, you won’t get another one. There are countless women in Hongxing Town eager to marry me. You’re not married to Gao Han yet—there’s still time to change your mind.”

“Even if you’re not a virgin anymore, I won’t hold that against you. And I’ll still offer a generous dowry…”

“Shaoxing-ge!”

Mingshan panicked, quickly grabbing his hand.

“No thanks.”

Qingdai felt a chill crawl down her spine. Right in front of them, she wrapped her arms around Gao Han’s and leaned gently into him, giving off a tender, dependent aura.

“Gao Han and I love each other. Marriage is inevitable. As for Vice Director Zhang—my sister is so devoted to you, surely you wouldn’t break her heart?”

In Mingshan’s mind, Qingdai was just like most other women in Hongxing Town—

Afraid of becoming a stepmother to the Zhang kids.

But she was different. She had already lived through this once.

Heaven had given her another chance—surely to choose a better path, not to repeat the same mistakes.

“Don’t worry, Jiejie. Once we’re married, I’ll definitely build a good life with Shaoxing-ge!”

Mingshan refused to back down, taking the initiative to hold Zhang Shaoxing’s arm.

Gao Han gave Zhang Shaoxing a half-smile. “Vice Director Zhang, you’ll have to start calling me brother-in-law soon.”

Zhang Shaoxing’s face turned even darker.

He felt like he’d just been slapped across the face—right in public.

“Shaoxing-ge, don’t mind her. My sister has always been like this, totally unruly.”

As soon as they left, Mingshan quickly showed off her “forgiving and understanding” side.

Only then did Zhang Shaoxing’s mood begin to ease.

Looking at the bright, blooming Mingshan beside him—though she wasn’t as beautiful as Qingdai, she was still a fresh-faced virgin. And she was so desperate to marry him.

What older man wouldn’t want a young, pretty woman at his side?

“Oh, right, Shaoxing-ge—didn’t you say you’d take me to meet your parents today?”

“I even brought some money. I’ll buy a few gifts for the kids too.”

Yes.

She wanted to show just how thoughtful and generous she was.

Today would be her first time visiting the Zhang family. She had to make a good impression—win the children over early, so getting along later would be easier.

Unlike other families in Hongxing Town, who were crammed into standard square courtyards, the Gao family had their own private compound.

When Gao Han brought Song Qingdai to the Gao family home, Gao’s father—Gao Hongxing—had just come back from the factory. He stood in the courtyard, locking eyes with his son.

Then, moments later, he shouted at the top of his lungs:
“Wife! The brat brought a girl home!”

His booming voice made Qingdai’s head ache.

So this was Gao Han’s father?

In the kitchen, Gao Han’s mother—Ye Chunjiang—was cooking when she heard the yell. She immediately rushed out holding a spatula.

Then both parents stood there, wide-eyed.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie. I’m Song Qingdai. Sorry for showing up unannounced.”

Having lived through one lifetime already, Qingdai was composed and gracious, without the slightest bit of awkwardness.

“Aiya! So it’s Comrade Song! Quick, quick, come in and sit! The sun’s way too hot out!”

Ye Chunjiang’s face practically split from her wide grin.

So this was Song Qingdai! She looked just as pretty and radiant as she had imagined.

“Gao Han, go fetch that watermelon from the well and slice it up!”

Gao’s father quickly barked orders at his son.

“Ma, don’t scare her. It’s her first time here.” Gao Han gave Qingdai a reassuring look before heading off to get the watermelon.

In the scorching summer heat, watermelons were often kept chilled in wells—cold, sweet, and refreshing.

“Look at Gao Han, bringing you over without even giving us a heads-up. It’s been years since I last saw you—you’ve grown up so much.”

Ye Chunjiang clearly adored her at first sight.

Qingdai responded politely.

“Auntie, I also came today hoping to ask about my mother.”

She had heard from Gao Han that his mother had once known hers. So she figured she’d ask—there was so much she didn’t know.

Where her mother had come from… whether any family members were still alive… she had no idea.

“Auntie, do you know where my mother came from when she fled the famine?”

“Oh, that…” Gao’s mother fell into thought, then sighed.
“I don’t know exactly, but I remember her saying she came from the north. We’re down south here.”

Her mother’s name was Yao Jiahui. Back then, she’d fled hardship and arrived in Hongxing Town—and many people had taken an interest in her.

At the time, the streets were full of drifters and lowlifes. Somehow, she ended up in the Song family and married Song Yuanshan.

“She rarely talked about her family. Not because she didn’t want to—I always felt… something was wrong with her mind.”

Not quite right in the head.

Qingdai already knew that much.

Her mother often got up in the middle of the night, muttering to herself in strange, incomprehensible words.