However, Qin Jiao didn’t dwell on the matter. She had less than a year left with Shen Yi as her classmate and deskmate, and during that time, they could form a temporary alliance to study for the college entrance exams together.

And, of course, to stand up to Lin Nian and Chen Feng.

In that regard, they were on the same side.

Once the exams were over, they would go their separate ways, and they wouldn’t have to face Chen Feng and Lin Nian together anymore.

A moment later, Shen Yi came over, put down a new cup, and left.

Qin Jiao first rinsed the new cup with hot water, preparing to start bringing him Spiritual Spring Water the next day.

Qin Na watched the two teenagers interacting frequently, though without much conversation. When Qin Jiao went upstairs to study, she quietly asked Su Yun, "Sister-in-law, don’t you think Xiao Jiao and that boy next door are getting a little too close? Ahem, Xiao Jiao is eighteen, after all. I was already married at her age."

Without looking up, Su Yun said, "It’s fine. Xiao Jiao knows what she’s doing."

"But she’s still just a child! She has no experience and doesn’t understand things between men and women. Sister-in-law, when you have time, you should talk to her so she doesn’t get taken advantage of."

But Su Yun replied calmly, "Xiao Na, you may not realize it, but that child, Xiao Jiao, is far more sensible than either of us. I trust her. She’s not the type to get into trouble. Don’t say such things again; it would upset Xiao Jiao if she heard you."

"But... but I’m just looking out for her! She isn’t married, so of course she doesn’t understand."

Su Yun shook her head. "Xiao Na, have you forgotten who was the first person in this family to support your divorce?"

Qin Na froze.

It was Xiao Jiao.

Back then, she had been heartbroken, distraught, and at a complete loss, so she had come to her second brother and sister-in-law for help.

It was Xiao Jiao who had told her that domestic violence happens either zero times or countless times. If he hits you once, no matter how much he apologizes, there will always be a second time, a third, and many more after that.

Recalling her time living at her brother’s house, Qin Na finally sighed. "Ah, I was wrong. I’m still treating Xiao Jiao like a child, but in reality, she handles and sees things with much more foresight than I do. It seems getting an education really is useful. After I graduate from night school, I’ll have to see what else I can learn!"

"That’s a good way to think," Su Yun said, nodding with a smile.

She didn’t want any friction to develop between her sister-in-law and her daughter.

Talking things out openly was for the best.

Qin Jiao paid no mind to this little incident. Later, when the house was quiet and her aunt sleeping beside her was sound asleep, Qin Jiao entered her space again.

The space had grown larger, so Qin Jiao took some time to tidy it up. She went to check on the two small fish and found them to be especially lively. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but they seemed to have gotten a little fatter.

On the balcony sat a styrofoam box filled with soil that Qin Jiao had brought in for an experiment. She wondered if vegetables grown here would taste better than those from the outside.

After finishing these tasks, Qin Jiao sat down to study. As she opened a book, a piece of paper fell out.

It was the portrait Shen Yi had drawn of her.

Qin Jiao studied the portrait, then left the space and returned with a picture frame. She carefully placed the drawing into the frame and set it on the desk.

She gave it one last, long look before putting the frame away in a drawer and starting to memorize her English vocabulary.

***

The sixty-square-meter apartment was divided into two bedrooms and a living room. Li Xiaomei was about to do laundry, so she knocked on her son’s bedroom door. "Xiao Feng, do you have any dirty clothes to wash?"

Chen Feng, who had his back to her while he was reading, froze. He turned around, gripping his ballpoint pen tightly, and asked, "Mom, do you know Shen Zhengfeng?"

CRASH! The washbasin in Li Xiaomei’s hands fell to the floor.