Chapter 17 : How could she marry someone else?

Now that the money was in her own hands, if she wanted to buy clothes for her daughters, she could buy clothes! If she wanted to buy hairbands, she could buy hairbands! If she wanted to eat meat, she could buy meat!  

Everything was up to her!  

No more looking at anyone else’s face for approval!  

This sense of freedom and pride was incredibly satisfying!  

Song Shimiao was so happy that she urged Song Zhiyong to set up the TV. Song Zhiyong was also in a great mood. He plugged in the power, adjusted the wires, and watched as images flickered across the screen.  

“Wow! Wow!”  

For the first time in years, he felt truly at ease.  

Most importantly, his wife and children all had smiles on their faces!  

Zhao Huili was overjoyed and took a few dollars out of her pocket, handing them to Song Zhiyong.  

“Go buy some pork and flour! We’ll make dumplings for lunch today! This afternoon, I’m taking my two daughters to the department store to buy clothes!”  

“Yeah!!!” Song Shimiao cheered excitedly.  

Even Song Shiwei smiled.  

The family was finally separated! That was great! Now, she could leave tomorrow without any worries.  

At noon, Song Zhiyong bought two pounds of pork, and the whole family enjoyed a feast of pork and scallion dumplings!  

It was Song Shiwei who slightly adjusted the filling. She was in a great mood today. Since arriving in this world, she had barely cooked, mainly because she didn’t want to make delicious food for Old Lady Song and her family!  

But now that they had split up, she wanted to show off her cooking skills a little. However, she was careful not to reveal too much, since the original owner of this body didn’t know how to cook, and she was afraid Zhao Huili and the others might find it suspicious!  

Luckily, making dumpling fillings wasn’t too complicated, and the original owner had helped Zhao Huili make dumplings before.  

As soon as the dumplings were cooked, the rich aroma filled the air, making everyone’s mouths water!  

Why did today’s dumplings taste so much better?  

Perhaps it was because they were finally away from Old Lady Song and the eldest son’s family, and they were all in such a good mood!  

When you’re happy, doesn’t everything taste more delicious?  

So, no one suspected that it was actually because of Song Shiwei’s cooking skills!  

That afternoon, Zhao Huili took her two daughters to the department store.  

She bought two beautiful outfits for each of them, especially for Song Shiwei, Zhao Huili spent extra and even bought her two more autumn outfits!  

“Weiwei, take good care of yourself when you get there! If you have time, make sure to write to me or give me a call!”  

Song Shiwei looked down at the clothes in her arms, feeling a mix of emotions. Since arriving in this world, Zhao Huili had treated her so well.  

There’s a saying: ‘A loving mother sews clothes for her child before they leave, worrying they won’t return soon.’  

These past few days, she often saw Zhao Huili sewing shoe soles and making new shoes, it was obvious she had made them for her!  

“Mom, you don’t have to buy so much for me. Our family just split up, and you, Dad, and Miaomiao still need to support yourselves. You saw today that Zhou Tingyue and my in-laws treat me very well. Don’t worry!”  

But despite her words, Zhao Huili still couldn’t help but buy more, afraid her daughter might lack something when she got there.  

As a result, the three of them returned home carrying several large bags!  

But just as they reached the doorstep, Song Shiwei saw Ji Yanli walking toward them!  

Her expression changed instantly!  

If there was anyone in this world she feared meeting the most, it was undoubtedly the male and female protagonists of the original story. Who knew what kind of unexpected plot would unfold?  

Zhao Huili also saw Ji Yanli. Thinking about the complicated “entanglement” between her daughter and him, she glanced at Song Shiwei. After a moment of thought, she said, “Weiwei, you two can talk. Give me the bags. Miaomiao and I will go back first!”  

Ignoring Song Shiwei’s pale face, she smiled and patted her shoulder. “If you have something to say, just talk it out properly.”  

After saying that, she left with Song Shimiao.  

Only the dumbfounded Song Shiwei and Ji Yanli, who was getting closer and closer, remained.  

In fact, Ji Yanli had been waiting here on purpose. He didn’t know why, but he had felt that Song Shiwei had been acting strangely lately.  

Although he had never had feelings for her, she was still the girl next door who had grown up with him. If she was in trouble, he was willing to lend a helping hand.  

However, when he saw the way Song Shiwei avoided his gaze, an unconscious trace of irritation flashed across his handsome face something even he hadn’t realized.  

“Weiwei, have you been having any troubles lately? If you do, you can tell me. After all, we grew up together, and I’ve always thought of you as a younger sister.”  

Hearing his words, Song Shiwei was momentarily stunned.  

She thought he had been tired of her for a long time. Every time he saw her, he was either sneering or being sarcastic. Why was he suddenly acting differently today?  

A thought flashed through her mind like lightning—  

Could it be because she had married Zhou Tingyue? Had her character’s fate changed, causing the plot to shift?  

Thinking of this, her mood instantly improved! When she looked at Ji Yanli again, she wasn’t as afraid anymore.  

She lifted her head happily and laughed.  

Ji Yanli looked at the girl in front of him, the one who had been timid and deliberately avoided him lately, as if she had completely changed.  

This was the first time he had seen her look so bright and cheerful!  

He had always known she was pretty, but he never thought much about it and simply saw her as a younger sister. Later, when she developed feelings for him and began pestering him, even showing hostility toward any girl around him, it only annoyed him.  

Maybe it was because of his constant rejection that she started becoming gloomy.  

Ji Yanli had almost forgotten what she was like before. To him, she had always seemed like a dark shadow, clinging to him every day, making him feel suffocated and frustrated.  

He had even wished he would never have to see her again!  

But at some point, she had started avoiding him. Not only had she stopped pestering him and playing tricks, but she also seemed completely indifferent to him, as if she had never liked him in the first place.  

Today was the first time he had seen her truly smile.  

And she was breathtaking.  

Like a little sun, radiant and dazzling.  

With her delicate features, she looked absolutely beautiful.  

Ji Yanli’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, as if something was quietly taking root inside him.  

Just as he opened his mouth to say something, he suddenly heard Song Shiwei laugh and say,  

“Ji Yanli, you don’t have to worry about me pestering you anymore, because I’m married.”  

Her words were like a bomb exploding in his heart.  

The tiny seed that had just begun to sprout inside him was instantly crushed into pieces.  

His mind went blank, and his face was filled with shock.  

That sentence kept echoing in his head—  

“Ji Yanli, you don’t have to worry about me pestering you anymore, because I’m married.”  

“You don’t have to worry about me pestering you anymore!”  

“Because… I’m married!”  

“I’m married!”

—

How could this be? How could she be married?  

How could she possibly marry someone else?  

Didn’t she like him? Hadn’t she always clung to him?  

How could she just let go so easily? How could she marry someone else?