Qin Xiangnuan was startled. In fact, it had been a long time since she thought about the Qin Family at all. She had even forgotten that she still had a father, a stepmother, and siblings.
"Aunt Hua, don’t worry," Qin Xiangyang said with a cold smile, "If they want to come, let them come. It hasn’t mattered for many years. Whatever debts we owed them have been repaid long ago. I have not forgotten the incident when they sold my sister. If they think they can take advantage of me, they’ll have to see if I’m willing. Moreover, we’re going back to the Capital City for the New Year. With the Emperor far away, can they still control us?"
Aunt Hua, hearing Qin Xiangyang’s words, was somewhat relieved.
But Qin Xiangnuan was not. She knew that some people could never escape their past in this lifetime. Her heart had hardened like iron, a lifetime of hatred, witnessing the live heart-wrenching death of her mother and brother. She could see the Qin Family as strangers. Even if they died in front of her, she wouldn’t even frown or shed a tear. However, she was still worried about her brother...
Human hearts are made of flesh. Although her elder brother spoke in such a way, it was inevitable that upon seeing Qin Guohua he wouldn’t soften.
On the fifth day of the new year, Qin Xiangnuan had just bought some fabric from the system, planning to make some spring clothes, but before she could start, she heard many voices outside. Her home was usually quiet, not prone to loud uproar.
Stepping outside, she saw the people, and her usually calm heart suddenly began to churn turbulently, though quickly returning to calmness.
This life was no longer the past life.
She was no longer the previous Qin Xiangnuan, and Qin Xiangmei was not the previous Qin Xiangmei either.
Indeed, the ones in front of her were Hu Li and Qin Xiangmei. Having not seen them for several years, Hu Li still had the same face, shrewd and with slightly upturned eyes, resembling a fox from afar, a face that indicated intelligence yet also stinginess.
As for the person standing beside her, if not Qin Xiangmei then who?
However, Qin Xiangmei of this life, having lost some opportunity, was far from outstanding as she used to be. She still looked decent, but just decent. Coming from the countryside, even if pampered, still needed to work in the fields and be in the sun. Moreover, she naturally didn’t have a fair complexion, resulting in a slightly darker skin tone. Her clothes, although decent, were not very expensive due to the budget and aesthetics, making her look very rustic. Compared to her past self, it was like comparing two different people. With Qin Xiangmei looking now, marrying into the Song Family later seemed difficult unless Song Jun was blinded by coal.
Qin Xiangmei also noticed Qin Xiangnuan. Seeing that Qin Xiangnuan was fair and delicate, her face clearly displayed disdain, but deep inside was thick jealousy. Why should she, Qin Xiangmei, be inferior to Qin Xiangnuan? She was her parents’ favorite child and the youngest and most pampered at home. If Qin Xiangnuan, this mud bun, could go to a university in the Capital City, why couldn’t she? She had to attend high school with students from rural areas, but with her academics and looks, even a high school in the Capital City would be more than adequate for her.
Hu Li really thought highly of herself. After several years of no contact, seeing Qin Xiangnuan and her brother again ignited a burning anger that almost physically pained her.
It’s all this damned girl’s fault. If it weren’t for her, she wouldn’t be doing all the heavy household chores now, and even the three meals a day. This has aged her quickly, and the family situation isn’t great; even daily life can’t show a decent face to others. We only have a few acres of land, Qin Pengfei needs to attend university, so obviously, he can’t be expected to work in the fields. Qin Xiangnuan, being the pampered daughter, how could I let her endure the elements? Moreover, Qin Xiangmei is also delicate. Just a while of fieldwork and she starts complaining about this or that, and in the end, it’s still Hu Li who ends up doing everything.
Now that Qi Pengfei has failed his exam, he has to retake the entrance exam next year, burdening the family even more. Hu Li is one with many concerns; her own two children, certainly, are promising. However, Du Pingsheng’s Qin Xiangnuan and Qin Xiangyang, one got into a military school and the other is attending high school in the Capital City—once the place under the Emperor’s feet. Granny Lu now lives in this two-story house; needless to say, she’s not short on money.
Everyone is fine, except it just shouldn’t be these two of Du Pingsheng’s.
Granny Lu brought out dishes from inside, while Hu Li, chin up, shared the sofa’s ends with Qin Xiangmei, showing no intention of moving.
Qin Xiangnuan stood aside, neither cold nor warm, while Qin Tongxiang stood on the other side, his face quite unpleasant.
Hu Li casually took the cup but then set it aside, as if disdainfully, "I won’t mince words—Pengfei got into Kyoto University. You, being his brother and sister, have also stayed there for a few years. You are all siblings, so in the future, when he is there, you all need to look after him."
Qin Xiangnuan slightly curled her lips. What did Hu Li take them for—fools, or idiots? Some "blood kin"—Qin Pengfei didn’t share any blood relation with them, not born of the same father nor the same mother, just sharing the last name Qin.
Also, Hu Li acted as if she was bestowing a favor, as if taking care of her children was a privilege for others.
She surveyed the room; it was quite satisfactory, a well-built and bright house, close to the school. "Our Xiang Mei is also entering her senior year of high school; it’s inconvenient living in the village. She might as well live here from now on. After all, it’s all Qin’s place."
She insinuated and glanced at Granny Lu, meaningfully.
Granny Lu was stunned and seemed displeased. Qin Xiangnuan walked over and stood in front of Hu Li and Qin Xiangmei. The facade had long been shattered, and there was no face to lose.
"May I ask..." she smiled, a cold smile, "what position do you hold to say all this?"
Hu Li was suddenly choked by the question.
We’ve divided the family and cut off relations; in what role does she stand—Qin Guohua’s wife, their mother? But sorry, the mother of Qin Xiangnuan and Qin Xiangyang isn’t named Hu. Besides, this house has nothing to do with the Qin family. The homeowner is Granny Lu; the house is in Granny Lu’s name. Even if it’s sold or rented, it’s Granny Lu’s business. Qin Xiangmei has no right to live here.
"Qin Xiangnuan, don’t be too excessive," Qin Xiangmei suddenly stood up, pointing at Qin Xiangnuan’s face and scolding, "You are also named Qin, and it is right for you to take care of us."