Chapter 8

Zhao Jianshe’s words didn’t calm Wang Guihua down; instead, they were like poking a hornet’s nest, making her explode instantly.

“Zhao Jianshe, what kind of nonsense are you saying? Haven’t I been tolerant enough towards them? If it weren’t for us helping that mother and daughter all these years, they would have died on the streets long ago.

Did they ever show gratitude? Do they even have a conscience?

And those rumors outside—maybe they don’t bother you, but I still have my pride!”

Zhao Jianshe sat down on the kang with a tense face. Every time they argued, she would bring up the same words. After more than ten years and hearing it hundreds of times, his ears were practically calloused.

It was true that their family had helped Zhang Qiufeng and her daughter a lot over the years, but he knew exactly how Wang Guihua treated them.

Some things, he could only turn a blind eye to. Besides, the innocent remain innocent—he only took care of Zhang Qiufeng as a friend’s widow, without any impure intentions.

He didn’t argue because past experience told him that the more he explained, the worse Wang Guihua would lash out.

“Why aren’t you talking? Feeling guilty, huh? That shameless mother and daughter even dared to hit Qingqing…”

Wang Guihua was furious, itching to rush over and slap Ye Yao.

“Enough!”

Seeing that she was getting more and more unreasonable, Zhao Jianshe snapped, his face serious, genuinely angry this time.

Wang Guihua’s face twisted. Although she often threw tantrums at home, she was still somewhat afraid of Zhao Jianshe.

Ye Qingqing also understood the situation at home. She tugged on Wang Guihua’s sleeve, giving her a look to stay calm.

“Mom, I’m fine. Let’s just eat first.”

After all, their dad was barely home during the day. Whatever they wanted to do, they could do it later. No need to stir up trouble at home over that mother and daughter now.

—-

Coo-coo-coo!!!

Before dawn, the roosters in the courtyard began crowing, and Ye Yao was already up, fully dressed and washed.

There wasn’t even a decent-sized mirror at home, so she had just used the reflection in the water vat to check her appearance—leaving her utterly frustrated.

A round face, triple chin, all head and body with almost no visible neck.

Her body fat jiggled with every step, making even herself disgusted.

Fortunately, upon closer inspection, her facial features were actually quite decent, and she had a height of nearly 1.7 meters with good proportions. If she could lose weight, she would definitely undergo a complete transformation into a beauty.

That thought comforted her a little, and she immediately formulated a detailed weight-loss plan.

Simply put: eat less, move more.

Exercise couldn’t wait!

“Yao Yao, why are you up so early? Are you hungry? I’ll make you breakfast!”

Zhang Qiufeng walked out of the house and was startled to see Ye Yao clumsily exercising.

Usually, she wouldn’t wake up until after the sun was well up in the sky.

“I’m skipping breakfast, don’t wait for me.”

Ye Yao started moving. Running wasn’t easy for her yet, so she had to take it step by step, beginning with a brisk walk.

“Yao Yao, where are you going?”

“I’m going for a run!”

Zhang Qiufeng stood frozen, watching Ye Yao’s broad back.

She said she’s going running?

But she used to hate exercising the most!

As soon as Ye Yao left the alley, she was already panting, and her fat started to ache from all the jiggling.

Damn it. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she had still overestimated this body’s endurance.

She originally planned to last at least half an hour, but at this rate, even ten minutes seemed impossible.

Gritting her teeth and steeling her resolve, she forced herself to start “running.”

Other than being ruthless to herself, she had no other choice…