Liu Yingzi was startled and quickly pulled her daughter into a hug.

"Who bullied you? Tell Mommy, and I’ll take care of it for you!"

But after asking a series of questions, she found that her daughter hadn’t been wronged at all.

She was simply heartbroken from seeing Cao Xueshan be so adored by everyone.

Only then did she realize the problem was "comparison."

In her daughter’s heart, she had long seen Cao Xueshan as a rival she had to surpass.

But after so many years of comparing herself, she had finally given up.

Liu Yingzi recalled how, over the years, she and her husband had always used other people’s children to motivate their daughter—especially Cao Xueshan.

But now, seeing it with her own eyes, she finally understood that kind of excellence couldn’t be suppressed through comparison.

On the contrary, the more she compared her daughter to others, the more it would break her heart.

Liu Yingzi sighed silently.

It wasn’t that she couldn’t accept her daughter being ordinary, but that she couldn’t bear to see her live in such pain.

"Jiajia, Mom and Dad taught you the wrong way before. From now on, don’t compete with that girl anymore, okay? We can’t compare."

She gently patted her daughter’s back.

"You have your own good qualities. You’re kind, you work hard, and you’re a child that makes Mommy proud, too. But Shanshan has her fate, and you have your path. We don’t have to beat anyone, and we don’t need to be liked by everyone. From now on, stop comparing yourself to others, okay? We really, truly can’t compare."

"Why, Mom? That’s not what you used to say!"

Cao Jiajia’s head shot up.

"Didn’t you always used to say, ’You need to learn from Shanshan,’ and ’You have to surpass her’? Why... why has everything changed now?!"

Cao Jiajia’s face was streaked with tears. She was already holding back a firestorm of anger, and now it had exploded.

She shoved her mother away and turned her back.

’Why should I have to admit defeat?’

’Why should I be the one to back down?’

Meanwhile, Shanshan was crouching on the ground, having a wonderful time playing with the little toddler, Yang Changle, who had just learned to walk.

Shanshan was wearing a light pink dress, her hair tied in two pigtails.

Yang Changle, just over a year old, had only recently learned to take his first steps. He’d walk two steps and then tumble over.

Shanshan helped him up again and again, coaxing him softly.

"Take your time, no rush. Big Sister is right here."

The moment little Chang Le saw Shanshan, he immediately lunged forward and hugged her leg.

"Big Sister! Big Sister!"

Shanshan, completely charmed by his cuteness, crouched down and gently pinched his little cheek.

"Oh my, how can Chang Le be so adorable? Big Sister wants to sneak you home with me!"

As she spoke, she gently picked him up.

"Well, I’ll be! Shanshan? What are you doing here? Come in, come in!"

Just then, Zhang Yunhua poked her head out of the kitchen and spotted Shanshan immediately.

Wiping her hands, she rushed out in just a few strides.

"Oh my, what a rare guest! Quick, come in and sit down. The sun’s too strong outside, you can’t get burned!"

While shouting, she deftly took little Chang Le, tucked him into her arms, and then turned to grab Shanshan’s hand.

"Don’t just stand there, get inside! Auntie made stewed ribs today, and they smell so good the neighbor’s kids are drooling!"

Yang Dapeng was squatting in the yard, cleaning his tools.

Hearing the commotion, he immediately stood up. He looked up and saw Ling Anxun.

Ling Anxun was dressed in a crisp military uniform, carrying a bag of fruit.

Recently, everyone in the unit had been talking about him. The younger members would chat about him whenever they met, seeing him as their role model.

He had long heard Ling Anxun’s name from his comrades.

He had earned a Second-Class Merit at a young age and was a promising young member being groomed for leadership.

Every time he heard someone mention him, Yang Dapeng would feel a secret admiration, thinking this young man was bound to have a limitless future.

Although Yang Dapeng was several years older than Ling Anxun, seeing him in person still made him so nervous he didn’t know what to do with his hands.

He quickly stuffed the rag into his toolbox.

"Ling..."

Before Yang Dapeng could finish, Ling Anxun had already stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"No need to be so formal. I just came to see everyone."

"Let’s not stand on ceremony. We’re just here for a visit, so don’t treat me like a superior."

Ling Anxun said, giving a slight wave of his hand.

He had known about Yang Dapeng’s promotion for a while; otherwise, he wouldn’t have made a special trip.

"I haven’t had a chance to congratulate you on your promotion yet. You’re doing a great job."

"Captain... Captain Ling, you’re too kind. It’s just my duty. If it weren’t for the leaders’ trust, it never would have been my turn."

Yang Dapeng, who was usually fearless in front of his comrades, immediately became reserved and stiff around Ling Anxun.

After all, Ling Anxun had been his direct captain when he first enlisted.

In Yang Dapeng’s heart, Ling Anxun wasn’t just a leader, but also a mentor figure.

"Oh, cut it out, Dapeng! You’re giving me goosebumps talking like that!"

Zhang Yunhua poked her head out from the kitchen, still holding a handful of green vegetables.

"Didn’t we agree to have a get-together today? Shanshan, you guys came at the perfect time. Don’t leave for lunch, we’re having a feast!"

Ling Anxun just smiled and said nothing.

Shanshan herself hadn’t expected that her casual suggestion to come visit would turn into a free, lavish meal.

She pulled Yang Changle along as she ran wildly around the yard.

Yang Changle, dragged along by her, giggled and panted as he ran.

Zhang Yunhua crouched by the doorstep, grinning from ear to ear.

Watching the two kids having fun, she immediately stood up, dusted off her bottom, and headed outside.

"I need to go get everyone. We have to make this a lively party today!"

Before the words were even out of her mouth, she was already out the door.

The family residential area was a small place; if someone was hosting, all you had to do was shout.

As soon as she stepped out and saw Liu Yingzi and her daughter, the smile on Zhang Yunhua’s face faded a little.

"Since you’re here, you might as well come in. Don’t just stand around outside."

Liu Yingzi had no one to rely on now. When someone greeted her with a smile, how could she dare to refuse the kindness?

But when lunchtime actually arrived, she shrank into a corner and didn’t say a word.

Seeing an opportunity, she quietly tucked her gift by the side of the table.

It wasn’t a grand occasion, so she had just brought a dozen or so eggs.

They weren’t valuable, but she had saved them one by one from her own chicken coop.

But someone just had to twist the knife.

"Well, well! Isn’t it Captain Cao’s wife? Why bring such a meager gift? Not even a decent present? Did you run out of eggs at home? Or are times so tough now that you can’t even afford basic courtesies?"

"Aunt Wu!"

Zhang Yunhua’s eyes flew wide, and she cut the other woman off.

"Which one of your eyes sees my family giving a damn about your gossip? We’re surrounded by guests, friends, and family today. You’d better stop making sarcastic trouble and making a nuisance of yourself!"

"I’m just getting indignant on your behalf!"

"Look at her, dressed so plainly and carrying that shabby basket. Isn’t that just asking to be laughed at? You’ve always been good to her, so how could you let her show up looking so pathetic?"

Aunt Wu’s face turned livid.

But Zhang Yunhua wasn’t scared in the slightest. She turned and waved to Liu Yingzi.

"Don’t pay any attention to her. She’s the type who loves to watch a dumpster fire. Hurry up and take your child to sit and eat. The food’s almost ready, don’t let the kid go hungry."

Liu Yingzi kept her head down and led Cao Jiajia toward a small table in the corner.

"I know you mean well, but today is really not the day for it. You should stop running that mouth of yours all over the place."

Zhang Yunhua added in a low voice as she passed Aunt Wu.

Zhang Yunhua was usually extremely popular among the neighbors. She had always been amicable in her dealings with others and always spoke with a smile.