When Gu Jiaojiao woke up, it was already eight in the morning. She had slept for a full eleven hours since going to bed at nine the previous night.

This was something she had never experienced in her past life. It wasn’t that she had slept poorly before, but she had been accustomed to pushing herself hard.

During her school years, she had been a top student, and being a top student wasn’t something achieved effortlessly.

After starting work, she had been an exemplary employee, and being exemplary wasn’t something that came easily either.

It was all the result of her relentless hard work. In her past life, she had endured many hardships, and now she could have easily coasted through life.

But she still wanted to achieve even more in this life, so she had to continue striving.

“Jiaojiao, you’re awake. Do you want to sleep a little longer?” The man’s magnetic voice was truly pleasant to hear.

“I’ll get up. School starts in a couple of days, so I want to make as much money as possible before then.”

“I have a salary. I can support you.”

“I’m quite high-maintenance. It’ll take a lot of money to keep me alive.”

“That’s fine. I can eat less…”

“No, don’t think like that. Your body needs the most nutrition. Take care of yourself first, then earn money for me to spend.”

“Alright. Everything I have is yours.”

It was the most heartfelt and rustic love confession, delivered with such seriousness that it was impossible not to believe him.

After the two finished washing up, the three members of the Su family had already left. The pot was kept warm with millet porridge and meat buns.

On the table were some smashed cucumbers and boiled eggs. The two enjoyed a hearty breakfast before heading out to collect money from Monkey.

*
The Dong family had some unexpected guests: Grandpa Gu, Father Gu, Mother Gu, and their two sons.

Grandpa Dong, the husband of Ren Xiaofang, sat with Grandpa Gu in the living room.

The Gu family had traveled overnight in the car of Dong’s eldest uncle, arriving at dawn.

When Ren Xiaofang got up, she saw a room full of people. “Heavens, where did these beggars come from?”

Her shrill voice was so loud it could have shattered the sky, making everyone’s hearts tremble.

“We’ve disturbed you, in-laws. We came in a hurry… cough…” Grandpa Gu said before breaking into a fit of coughing.

“Xiaofang, where are your manners?” Grandpa Dong bellowed with a strong voice.

Ren Xiaofang, Dong’s stepmother, rolled her eyes in anger, snorted, and turned back to her room.

She slammed the door shut, out of sight and out of mind.

Ren Xiaofang’s outburst not only startled the Gu family but also alerted the Sheng family next door.

Mother Sheng loved watching the Dong family’s dramas. Their family had a housekeeper to cook and clean.

With nothing to do in the morning, Mother Sheng stood on the balcony, enjoying the spectacle of her nemesis.

She actually overheard something: it seemed that the eldest daughter of the Dong family, who hadn’t returned home in ten years, had come.

The Gu family were her daughter’s adoptive parents and Jiaojiao’s biological parents. Why had they come so late?

If they had come earlier, their family wouldn’t have grown so estranged from Jiaojiao to the point of hostility.

“Uncle Sheng, Auntie Sheng, my grandfather invites you and Sheng Xinglian to our house.”

A clear voice called out, followed by the sound of light, graceful footsteps.

Then the Sheng family’s door opened, revealing a gentle and delicate girl in a snow-white dress.

She wore a knitted shawl over her shoulders, her long, straight black hair cascading down, and her watery eyes were tender and captivating.

It was Dong Lili, the second daughter of Dong’s eldest son. Father Sheng and his two sons greeted her.

“I’ll head over first. Uncle Sheng, Auntie Sheng, please come over for breakfast.”

Dong Lili had a crush on Sheng Shijing, the eldest son of the Sheng family, but her step-grandmother and Mother Sheng had a very poor relationship.

Sheng Shiwen gazed blankly at Dong Lili’s retreating figure. He had liked her since childhood, and she didn’t seem to dislike him, often chatting with him.

He didn’t realize that her fondness for him was merely an extension of her affection for his brother, not romantic love.

“Dad, will Mom go to the Dong family?” Sheng Shiwu, oblivious to matters of the heart, asked.

Sheng Shiwen pricked up his ears, eager to know. He wanted to go to the Dong family even more.

“Go ask your mom. The Gu family is here. Ask if she wants to go, and also ask Xingxing if she’s coming.”

“Dad, I’ll go see them too. After all, they’re my adoptive parents,” Sheng Xinglian said gracefully as she descended the stairs, also wearing a white dress.

Sheng Shiwen thought his sister didn’t look as good in the dress as Dong Lili, but he didn’t say anything.

Father Sheng felt relieved hearing his daughter’s words: “Then let’s have breakfast quickly and head over.”

Mother Sheng did end up going. The Sheng and Dong families had always maintained contact; she just didn’t get along with her cousin.

With such a spectacle to witness, how could she miss it? Little did she know how much she would regret it later.

The Dong family hadn’t divided their household. The eldest daughter-in-law had prepared white rice porridge, while the second daughter-in-law had gone out to buy soy milk, fried dough sticks, and buns.

Although the Gu family was very hungry, they didn’t eat much. Most of them were ill, with only the second son in good health.

The eldest son of the Gu family drank a cup of soy milk but didn’t touch anything else. Mother Gu only had a bit of plain porridge.

When Father Sheng brought his children in, the Dong family had just finished breakfast and were clearing the table.

Sheng Xinglian stood between Father Sheng and Mother Sheng, not greeting Grandpa Gu or Father and Mother Gu.

Father Sheng politely greeted Grandpa Dong and expressed his gratitude to the Gu family for taking care of his daughter.

Grandpa Gu also politely thanked the Sheng family for raising Jiaojiao.

The two families chatted harmoniously, while Sheng Xinglian rolled her eyes skyward, clearly impatient.

Gu Jingtai seemed to have anticipated this. He supported his mother, fearing she might faint from anger.

Grandpa Gu glanced at the granddaughter he had raised but showed no particular expression. He had seen too much in his life.

The one who couldn’t bear it the most was Gu Jinghua, the eldest son of the Gu family, who was six years older than Sheng Xinglian.

He had practically raised this sister himself, pouring all his affection into her: “Lian’er… have you been well?”

“Who are you? How dare you call me Lian’er?” Sheng Xinglian didn’t even recognize Gu Jinghua.

Gu Jinghua had become emaciated. When he had returned home on leave from the army, Sheng Xinglian had seen him in his prime.

“Jinghua!” Father Sheng called out anxiously.

Gu Jinghua fainted from anger at the words of the sister he had raised. Dong Qihua rushed forward to support his cousin.

Since it wasn’t yet time for work or school, everyone was at home. Dong Qihua carried Gu Jinghua to a recliner.

Dr. Sun had been invited early in the morning because Grandpa Gu and Mother Gu were already in poor health.

Mother Gu also fainted from Sheng Xinglian’s words, throwing the Dong family into chaos. Gu Jingtai glared hatefully at Sheng Xinglian.

Father Sheng felt deeply embarrassed, and Mother Sheng’s face burned with shame. Sheng Shiwen’s eyes had been glued to Dong Lili since he entered.

Why didn’t Sheng Xinglian show any respect to the Gu family? Because she knew the Gu family was on its last legs and not worth her emotional investment.

“Dad, Mom, I’m off to school. I just came to tell the Gu family that your daughter is Gu Jiaojiao. I have no relationship with you.”

With that, Sheng Xinglian turned and left without looking back, even mimicking the swaying gait of city folk.

Gu Jinghua, who had just been revived, fainted again from anger.