Qin Na said, "Their daughters aren’t considered much of a catch. The family’s been eager to marry them off to get some bride price money, which they’re saving for their son’s future wife. Oh, right, I heard their Xiao Nian is your classmate? That girl had a huge falling out with her family a while back and hasn’t returned home."

Everyone was from the same village, so these things weren’t secrets.

Qin Jiao sighed to herself. Lin Nian certainly had guts, but she could also understand why she was holding onto Chen Feng so tightly.

’But there are many ways to change one’s fate.’ Qin Jiao understood Lin Nian’s choice, but she didn’t approve of it.

’Wouldn’t it be better to just rely on your own hard work?’

Besides, Lin Nian’s sister’s situation was pitiful too. She was about to be married off to an abusive older man. The Lin family knew all about his violent tendencies, and yet...

**

That night, Qin Jiao returned to her room with her younger sister. After her sister fell asleep, she was just about to go into her space to study when she heard a sound from the balcony next door.

She walked to the window and saw someone sitting on the balcony next door, listening to something on a portable player.

’It’s probably English,’ Qin Jiao guessed.

Shen Yi was incredibly driven in his studies and progressing quickly. Unlike Qin Jiao, who could use her space as a way to cheat time, he was learning through sheer hard work.

Shen Zhengfeng had shown up today, and it was clear his visit spelled trouble. Shen Yi was probably in a bad mood because of it.

What kid would be in a good mood when their parents were fighting?

Qin Jiao remembered that in her past life, whenever Shen Zhengfeng and Du Liya argued, Shen Yi would end up throwing things and screaming at them both to shut up.

Shen Yi had seemed terrifying back then.

But as Qin Jiao thought about it now, she realized that the Shen Yi from back then had also been pitiful.

She glanced at the young man on the balcony listening to English, let out a soft sigh, and turned away.

But just as she turned to leave, Shen Yi seemed to sense something and looked toward the window of the room next door.

Moonlight hit the glass, creating a silvery halo. A curtain blocked the view inside, but Shen Yi knew that was Qin Jiao’s room.

A flash of tenderness crossed his gaze, and then he returned to silently memorizing his vocabulary...

**

Shen Zhengfeng stayed in Ping’an Town for two days, constantly placating Du Liya. Du Liya was easily swayed, and he quickly coaxed her back into a good mood.

In response, Shen Yi merely sneered inwardly but kept his expression neutral.

’Because as long as Shen Zhengfeng doesn’t break things off with that mother and her son, this will never be over.’

Shen Zhengfeng had some business at his company, so he returned to the provincial capital early. Du Liya was set to leave today.

It was the weekend, and since Du Liya was in a better mood, she decided to go out and buy a few things for her son.

Shen Yi shook his head. "No, thanks. Qin Jiao is coming over to study with me later."

Du Liya blinked and looked at her son with curiosity. He had grown up to be very handsome, inheriting the best physical traits from both her and Shen Zhengfeng, yet his personality was completely different from either of theirs.

Du Liya lowered her voice. "Xiao Yi, I heard from your father that you’re dating someone. Is it that girl, Xiao Jiao?"

Shen Yi said, "Mom, do you just believe everything Dad tells you?"

Du Liya looked sheepish.

Shen Yi didn’t waste any more breath. Without concrete evidence right in front of her, his mother, Du Liya, would definitely be swayed back by a few simple words from Shen Zhengfeng.

So, for now, he had to find evidence.

Mr. Du, who was sitting nearby, gave his grandson a few extra glances. After Du Liya finished packing and left for the provincial capital, Mr. Du finally said to Shen Yi, "Xiao Yi, you have a real problem with your father, don’t you?"

"Grandpa, I don’t think my mom and dad are right for each other."

"I’m not at all surprised you think that. It’s just, this marriage was what your mother wanted from the start. She sacrificed a great deal for it, and what’s more, she has always loved your father." Mr. Du said with a sigh, "Back then, I couldn’t stop her no matter how hard I tried. After all these years, I’m certainly not going to try and stop her now."