Chapter 38.1

“Is this Jiang Ruan’s home?” Mu Xuehui was surprised as she took another look at the six newly renovated, bright rooms. Granny Huang’s two rooms had been refurbished, and she had moved back in. Who would be such a generous landlord? It could only be Qin Yan.

The other four rooms had been merged into a spacious and comfortable two-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. In the past, Jiang Ruan could only sleep on a makeshift bed in the living room, but now she had an entire two-bedroom apartment to herself.

Mu Xuehui felt a twinge of discomfort but still tried to comfort Han Qingqing, who seemed even more bothered. “She’s just going to spend her life taking care of a paralyzed man. This is merely Qin’s family’s compensation for her. There’s really nothing to be envious of.”

Han Qingqing had once harbored feelings for Qin Yan, and at that time, her affection had been genuine and unrelated to Qin Yan’s disability. However, now she had come to her senses. Trying to appear strong, she said, “Maybe Jiang Ruan is just looking for a long-term meal ticket.”

Mu Xuehui agreed, “It’s good that you think that way. Let her enjoy her moment of glory. Tomorrow, when she attends the engagement ceremony with a man in a wheelchair, no one will envy her.”

When Liu Jinyun returned, the courtyard was bustling with neighbors coming to greet Granny Huang and Jiang Ruan, who was about to get engaged.

The engagement treats were high-quality candies and chocolates, and everyone who came got a share, making the crowd even more reluctant to leave.

“Tomorrow is the engagement ceremony, and Ruan Ruan is already back. Are all four rooms meant for her? My goodness, the Qin family is really generous! They started renovating more than half a month ago, so they must have already planned to propose at that time. Oh, I guessed right, didn’t I?”

“Granny Huang, you’re really blessed in your old age, gaining such a filial granddaughter. Look at her fiancé, how generous he is, even renovating your house.”

It wasn’t just a renovation. The Qin family had purchased Granny Huang’s house, and the renovation was free for her to live in. The money from selling the house could earn interest and be used for her retirement.

Jiang Ruan’s engagement had only one flaw: her fiancé was a disabled man. Aside from that, there was nothing wrong with it. It was said that he had even gotten into a university. But as a disabled person, even if he graduated, what good company would hire him? What a pity.

Speaking of which, Liu Jinyun was the most pitiful. Look at the way she treated Jiang Ruan and Han Qingqing so differently—it was truly disgusting.

Her biological daughter was treasured elsewhere, while she treated someone else’s child like dirt.

“Liu Jinyun has really brought this on herself, hasn’t she? I heard that even though the engagement hasn’t been finalized yet, the Shen family is already finding faults and won’t allow Dachun to attend the ceremony. If they do get married, will the in-laws even take her family seriously?”

“Tsk tsk, using such shameless tactics to secure a marriage, it’s no wonder they look down on her. The Shen family is already showing great restraint; they’re just unlucky to be tangled up with her.”

Liu Jinyun was fuming but held back because it was supposed to be a day of celebration. She sneered, “Where did you all hear such gossip? My son-in-law is a university student. My blessings are yet to come. Are you perhaps jealous? Make sure to come early for the wedding banquet tomorrow!”

“Pah! Who’s jealous of you?” one of the neighborhood women said. “We’ve already promised Granny Huang that we’ll be attending her granddaughter’s banquet, so we can’t make it to yours.”

Liu Jinyun was so furious she nearly collapsed.

Jiang Ruan, meanwhile, was finally living comfortably. The four rooms had been converted into two, creating a spacious environment. It felt a bit extravagant, but sleeping on the large, one-meter-eight bed was certainly comfortable. The renovation had started over half a month ago, did that mean Brother Qin Yan had already been thinking about the engagement at that time?

He must really like her, Jiang Ruan thought with a secret smile.

Unable to sleep, she sneaked out late at night to visit Qin Yan. He had left the window open for her as usual, letting her climb in. The next day was their engagement, and if anyone saw her there, they would surely gossip, and even her mother downstairs had no idea she had come.

Qin Yan could only keep his voice low, “You’re here again. What do you want to ask?”

“I don’t have any questions; I just missed you.” Jiang Ruan propped her chin on her hands, chatting with Qin Yan from her spot on the floor next to the bed. When they discussed the engagement ceremony, she was worried about how Qin Yan might handle any mocking remarks.

She said, “Brother Qin Yan, if anyone says anything bad tomorrow, don’t get angry. If they speak too harshly, I’ll fight them for you.”

Qin Yan responded with an unrelated question, “What if, one day, you suddenly realize you’ve fallen for someone else?”

Jiang Ruan replied, “An engagement is a commitment. Since I’ve decided to like you, I will like you forever and won’t fall for anyone else. I can do that. Don’t you believe me?”

Qin Yan was reassured. His legs, which had been a source of pity for so long, would surprise everyone tomorrow. He hadn’t told Jiang Ruan about his recovery because he was afraid she would be upset, but he looked forward to surprising her. He decided to keep it a secret for now.

He said, “Jiang Ruan, there are some things I didn’t tell you in advance, but I have my reasons. Please don’t be angry, okay?”

Jiang Ruan, accustomed to being Qin Yan’s vanguard, was unfazed. In the apocalypse, she had only been responsible for fighting, and the leader never explained the strategy to the soldiers in advance.

She didn’t mind. “It’s okay.”

Jiang Ruan then recalled something. “Brother Qin Yan, there’s a rumor going around that you proposed to Han Qingqing but, after being rejected, decided to get engaged to your family’s nanny as a form of revenge. People are saying the engagement ceremony is being held at the same hotel and on the same day just to provoke Han Qingqing. I know it’s just a rumor. If anyone dares to mention it during the ceremony, I’ll fight them for you. Don’t be angry.”

Who could have started such a rumor? Jiang Jianchun and Liao Chunxing, it seemed, truly cared for their little sister.

Since they were spreading falsehoods, Qin Yan would make sure the Shen family suffered public humiliation.

…

After Jiang Ruan left, Qin Yan sat at his desk, reviewing the turning points from his previous life. Back then, he had been reckless and self-destructive, lashing out at anyone who crossed him, earning himself the reputation of a mad dog. But who would willingly be a stepping stone for Mu Xuehui to exploit? Watching her pretentiousness had always made him want to stir things up, though he had failed repeatedly.

This time would be different. He punched his legs, now strong and responsive. He had recovered and could stand again, so he wouldn’t be as reckless as before.

Mu Xuehui, desperate to stay in the capital, had enrolled in a vocational school. She would keep struggling and would even rally people she had influenced in the previous life. Qin Yan would need to stay vigilant.

Tomorrow, when he stood up, Mu Xuehui would surely be suspicious, but he could still keep his secret for a while longer. Qin Yan burned his notes, turned off the lights, and went to bed. Tomorrow was the big day, and he needed to be in top shape.

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, an unexpected visitor arrived outside the Qin family’s courtyard. It was Mu Xuehui, making one last attempt to see Qin Yan.

Since Jiang Ruan had always taken care of Qin Yan’s daily needs, but wouldn’t be able to do so today because of the engagement, Qin Ao had come to help.

Qin Ao, ever vigilant, demanded, “What are you doing at our house? Are you here to cause trouble?”

Mu Xuehui looked at her young stepbrother from the previous life, now still youthful and innocent, with mixed emotions.

She pleaded, “Qin Ao, please let me see Qin Yan. I just need to say a few things to him.”

After all, in their previous life, when Qin Yan’s stepmother and father passed away, Mu Xuehui had inherited all the Qin family assets, including properties, a courtyard, and valuable antiques.

Thinking it over, she felt she should at least warn Qin Yan about some things. If they couldn’t be siblings in this life, they could at least be friends.

Qin Ao had no goodwill toward Mu Xuehui. She was merely Qin Yan’s classmate, and he suspected she was trying to sow discord. He refused to let her in.

“Today is Qin Yan’s engagement day. Stop causing trouble. No matter what you say, the engagement will go ahead. You should leave now.”

Mu Xuehui was incredulous at his words. Did Qin Ao really think so little of her? After living another life, did she appear so foolish?

She impulsively retorted, “Qin Ao, how can you say that about me? We are…”

However, what could she say? In her past life, she and Qin Ao had developed feelings for each other during the cold winter at the year’s end. But even if she told him about the past, Qin Ao wouldn’t believe her.

Qin Ao was on guard and responded curtly, “I’m guessing you have a crush on me. I admit I’m handsome, reliable, and outstanding in many ways, but I don’t like you. So, please stop making excuses to strike up a conversation with me.”

Mu Xuehui was almost furious at this narcissistic peacock. Since Qin’s family and friends were here to help, she didn’t want to cause a scene, so she reluctantly left.

Upstairs, Qin Ao complained about Mu Xuehui to Qin Yan, “Do you think she’s interested in me?”

It was just as well to keep Qin Ao on his toes. Qin Yan played along and said, “You better not get tricked into going somewhere alone with her; it could get messy.”

Qin Ao shivered at the thought. He had someone special in his life now and couldn’t afford to do anything foolish.

Shaking off that unpleasant topic, Qin Ao glanced at Qin Yan, who was dressed in a newly tailored ash-gray Zhongshan suit. He looked quite dashing, and if… if only he weren’t in a wheelchair, it would be perfect.

Silently, Qin Ao felt a pang of sorrow. He had been admitted to a university, yet no one dared to ask whether he would go. Ah, he didn’t want to think about it today.

The Qin family courtyard was packed with relatives and friends, most of whom were offering congratulations, though some were whispering, “The young nanny is clueless now, but when she wises up, she may not willingly take care of a cripple.”

Qin Ao grew angry and was about to confront them when Qin Yan stopped him, saying, “Let it go. I’m about to ditch the wheelchair soon; no point in arguing right now.”

…

The engagement banquet at the hotel was lively today, and Qin Yan was also hosting a banquet to thank his teachers, conveniently scheduled for the same day. Many of his school teachers and classmates attended.