“He… he…” Yi Lanya forced a smile and said, “Tell your mom there’s no need to thank me—it’s my duty.”

Ji Yu nodded happily. “Teacher, I want to head home a little early today.”

Yi Lanya’s smile almost slipped. Ji Yu usually stayed behind after class for a little while—sometimes to do homework, sometimes just to enjoy a snack Yi Lanya had made herself. She came around three or four times a week. On Saturdays, Lanya would go to Ji Yu’s house to tutor her, and on Sundays, Ji Yu would sometimes invite her out to play.

She had met Ji Yu when the girl was only four years old. Back then, her family must’ve constantly spoken ill of her mother in front of her, because Ji Yu was full of resentment. Yi Lanya had only gone to the kindergarten on some errand, but that’s when she encountered Ji Yu.

Out of sympathy, she’d talked to her quite a bit—comforting her, telling her that women have their own hardships. Yi Lanya had always been an elementary school teacher and was no stranger to working with kids; she had her own ways of getting through to them.

When they first parted ways, Ji Yu had looked at her with teary eyes. After that, Yi Lanya had pretty much forgotten about her—until they met again when Ji Yu entered elementary school. It had been over a year, but Ji Yu still remembered her.

When she found out Lanya was teaching at that school, it didn’t take long before Ji Yu transferred into her class. That’s when Yi Lanya first realized that Ji Yu’s background was even more powerful than she had imagined.

The first time Ji Xuan came to pick up Ji Yu, Lanya could tell right away that he was a devoted father. He was handsome—not in that trendy, polished way, but with a healthy tan and a tall, well-built figure like a model. On top of that, he was rich and influential. He was practically the walking image of a male lead in a romance novel.

The only downside? He was divorced. And had a daughter.

Still, even if the girl had a bit of a temper, she was easy enough to coax. Yi Lanya had her eye on becoming the next Mrs. Ji, which led to all the frequent interactions that followed.

She had been so close to success.

Now, sitting on the couch, remembering everything, Yi Lanya nearly dug five holes into the cushions with her nails, seething with frustration. Who could’ve seen it coming? Her mother just dropped out of the sky! Paralyzed, no less—and with just one phone call, she waltzed right back into their lives? They’re divorced! What’s she even doing back? Does she have no shame? Why do people like her even exist?

“Teacher?” Ji Yu tilted her head, looking at Yi Lanya with confusion.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Yi Lanya quickly put her mask of a smile back on and said, “It’s nothing. Do you want me to walk you home?”

Ji Yu thought for a moment, then said, “Maybe not. Mom said she was really upset yesterday. Let’s wait a couple of days before visiting again.”

And so, Yi Lanya sent Ji Yu off, internally coughing up blood.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ruoguang was sitting in a chair in the rehab room, calmly watching his mother work on finger and lower back exercises. To him, there was nothing unusual about the scene.

Xiao Yu, assisted by various rehabilitation machines, lay down, got up, and performed different recovery movements—all while silently cursing the 404 system in her mind.

A giant scam of a system! I already accepted the fact that there’s no ‘instant recovery’ button, but now I have to go through rehab too? And what’s with this ridiculous “multiplied pain for enhanced results” nonsense?

So the system thinks better results mean more suffering?

Xiao Yu gritted her teeth as sweat poured from her forehead, sliding down her round cheeks and dripping onto the floor. In just three minutes, her clothes were completely soaked.

Auntie Wang, watching nearby, couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “Madam, maybe take a break? Even rehab needs to be done in moderation.”

“I’m fine. I know my limits,” Xiao Yu replied, and went right back to her exercises. She knew moderation was important in rehab—but this damned system calculated progress based on accumulated effort.

Only when she felt confident she could hold chopsticks again and her back had regained enough flexibility did Xiao Yu finally allow Auntie Wang to wheel her off for a bath.

From behind, Xiao Ruoguang called out longingly, “Mommy!”

Xiao Yu gently patted his head and said, “Tomorrow, I’ll take you to check out a kindergarten. My Xiaoguang should be starting school soon.”

Xiao Ruoguang nodded. “Mm, Xiaoguang is going to school.”

Xiao Yu gave a small smile, then was wheeled away by Auntie Wang. Xiao Ruoguang watched her go with wide, worried eyes.

It was his first time seeing her go through rehab today, and it was far, far more exhausting than he had imagined—so much harder. His face was full of concern.

By the time Xiao Yu returned to the living room, she looked refreshed and relaxed. She could already sit up straight and reach for the remote to turn on the TV.

Xiao Ruoguang sat beside her, chattering about school, when Ji Yu came home.

She tossed her backpack onto the corner of the couch and plopped down beside Xiao Yu. “Mom, Ms. Yi said there’s no need to thank her.”

Xiao Yu responded with a simple “Oh,” while flipping through channels looking for the cartoon Sheep and Wolves. “Did Ms. Yi say anything else?”

“She wanted to come over today, but I told her not to. I asked her to come in a few days instead,” Ji Yu said with a proud little grin that clearly meant I was such a good girl, right?

Xiao Yu paused for a moment, then asked, “Does your teacher have any dietary restrictions? She doesn’t come over often, so we should treat her well.”

“She doesn’t eat spicy food. I heard it from Ms. Lin next door,” Ji Yu answered proudly, beaming at Xiao Yu.

“Oh, I see,” Xiao Yu replied. Then she called out, “Auntie Kong! Let’s do an all-spicy feast on Saturday!”

Ji Yu froze, completely baffled. She blinked innocently and asked in a dazed voice, “Mom… aren’t we… inviting the teacher over?”

Xiao Yu let out a dramatic sigh. “Exactly! We could prepare a national treasure-level Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for your teacher… but I really want spicy food that day!”

Ji Yu immediately grabbed her hand and said, “Then let’s have spicy food!”

“Good girl.” Xiao Yu gave her a bright smile, and Ji Yu instantly felt she had made the right choice.

“Oh right, Xiaoyu, look at Mommy.” Xiao Yu bent forward slightly and said, “See? My back’s recovered quite a bit today.”

Ji Yu beamed. “Mom, you’re amazing!” She didn’t question at all how yesterday her mom’s back was still stiff, and today it was suddenly moving with ease.

Xiao Yu laughed happily. “Right? I think so too! I’m so thrilled—what should I do? Let’s call your teacher and share the good news!”

Just then, Kong Yuqing came down the stairs and silently thought: …Ever since Madam came back, my life has gotten so much easier.

Ji Yu held up her pink flip phone and asked, “Why are we calling Ms. Yi to tell her the good news?”

“Because my Xiaoyu likes Ms. Yi, of course,” Xiao Yu replied calmly. “If my Xiaoyu likes her, then Mommy likes her too.”

So when Yi Lanya, who was at home grading papers, received Ji Yu’s call, she was so shocked she snapped a red pen in half.
Who the hell cares if you’re doing better or not?! she wanted to scream—but deep down, she was crying, I kind of do care… but how are you recovering this fast? This isn’t normal!

Later, when Ji Xuan saw Xiao Yu across the table, gracefully wielding chopsticks like she was performing martial arts, food on the table vanishing in a whirlwind, he was left speechless.

Ji Xuan: …Wasn’t she using a spoon just yesterday?

Then, when he watched her lean forward to ladle soup with perfect ease, he lost his grip on his own spoon—it clattered back into the bowl with a splash.

“Your back’s better too?”

Xiao Yu didn’t even look up—just sipped her soup and raised her eyes slightly. “Is that a problem?”

Ji Xuan: …Problem? Lady, is that even the right question? Are you some kind of monster? Even a mild injury shouldn’t heal this fast!

=^_^=