Seeing the other party show a guilty expression and immediately roll up their sleeves to help, Sheng Qianyu thought for a moment and added, “There’s another reason—I need to prepare for exams, so I have to wake up early. I haven’t adjusted my schedule yet.”
Qin Fang felt another pang of sourness in her heart. This child was too sensible. Why did she have to bear the surname Sheng?
“Mm,” she said, not bringing it up again and changing the subject. “Do you need Mom’s help?”
Seeing that the preparations were almost done, Sheng Qianyu replied, “Yes, Mom. Could you wash a few scallions for me and chop them up?”
The processed minced meat filling earned praise from the Zhao couple. By the end of the meal, they were too busy eating to talk.
After the meal, Zhao Daxiong hurried off to his office, while Qin Fang stayed behind to help clean up the dishes.
Sheng Qianyu took her arm and said, “Mom, let me check your pulse.”
“Alright,” Qin Fang trusted her adopted daughter completely.
After feeling her pulse again, Sheng Qianyu noticed that Qin Fang had some stagnant energy gathering around her heart. It wasn’t severe, likely a lingering emotional burden from the events of a year ago when the truth about her identity came to light.
Mentally noting down a prescription, mother and daughter chatted and laughed as they washed the dishes. Afterward, Qin Fang went to work, while Sheng Qianyu went to fetch the medicine for her.
There was a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy within the military compound.
Having lived here for over a decade, Sheng Qianyu was recognized by many as soon as she stepped out.
“Qianyu?”
“It really is Qianyu!”
“I heard you scored first in the province?”
“Old Zhao is so lucky to have such an accomplished daughter. You’ve raised her well!”
“Isn’t this the Zhao Qianyu who made big claims in the national newspaper and embarrassed the country abroad? Oh, wait, now it’s Sheng Qianyu.”
Sheng Qianyu’s gaze fell on the source of the inappropriate remark.
It was someone from the Song family.
Speaking of the history between the Song and Zhao families, it was closely tied to Chen Zhou from Political Commissar Chen’s family.
Back then, the heads of the Song, Chen, and Zhao families were comrades-in-arms who had gone through life-and-death situations together. They had agreed to arrange marriages among their families. The Song family had one daughter, followed by sons. The Chen family, after many years, only had one son. Political Commissar Chen and his wife had their health checked, and while there were no major issues, they should have been able to have more children, but none came. Finally, there was the Zhao family’s only daughter—the original host, Zhao Qianyu…
The marriage arrangement was brought up again by the Song family because their only daughter had liked following Chen Zhou around since childhood, and the Chen family had tacitly approved. However, after the original host was “born,” Chen Zhou, the little troublemaker who looked down on everyone in the compound and caused trouble everywhere, only ever wanted to spend time with his little sister Qianyu.
Unfortunately, although Sister Qianyu appeared cold on the surface, she was exceptionally sensible. After learning that Song Jianü liked Chen Zhou, she avoided him at every turn to prevent conflict.
The original host had Song Jianü’s best interests at heart, but Song Jianü came to threaten her, demanding she stay away from Chen Zhou.
The original host was no pushover. After relaying this to Zhao Daxiong, he personally went to the Song family to discuss the matter.
This was the beginning of the rift between the Song and Zhao families.
What truly caused the Song family to fall out with the other two families was an incident where some children from the compound went to play in a nearby river. They hadn’t invited Song Jianü, but she secretly followed them.
The children were catching fish in the shallow river and invited the original host to join, but she politely declined, choosing to sit quietly on the bank and read.
Even though she refused, none of the children said anything. The original host was young but sensible, spoke gently, and was recognized as a child prodigy in the military compound. She had been admired by her peers since childhood.They had a filter for the original host, believing that every decision she made was right. In their hearts, she was a little adult, more reliable than the little tyrant leading them.
The children who were catching fish suddenly heard Song Jianü splash into the water and cry for help.
All the other children were stunned, including Chen Zhou.
They were just children, the oldest only six and a half years old. Expecting them to react quickly and rescue someone in such a situation was asking too much.
The original host was the fastest to react.
Almost the moment she heard the sound, she plunged into the water to save Song Jianü.
But Song Jianü kept struggling in the water. The original host had been weak since childhood, and carrying Song Jianü was already difficult. In the end, she was dragged down, her body gradually sinking.
Chen Zhou was the second to jump into the water. Without even glancing at Song Jianü, he chose to rescue the original host.
Song Jianü missed the best rescue opportunity. By the time a third person jumped in, she had already developed a chronic illness, leaving her in worse health than the original host. Not only did she have to take medicine every day, but she also shut herself indoors and refused to go out.
The Song family completely resented the Chen family. Because Chen Zhou chose to save the original host, Song Jianü not only suffered from poor health but also sustained minor injuries. From then on, her personality changed drastically—from a fiery little pepper to someone silent and withdrawn, avoiding contact with others.
Hating the Chen family was one thing, but they even resented the Zhao family. They felt that the original host, knowing her own weak constitution, had only made things worse by jumping into the river to rescue Song Jianü.
Afterward, the Song family, believing they were in the right, made things difficult for both families at every turn. Out of guilt, the Chen family gave up many resources, allowing them, originally the weakest of the three families, to rise to the same level as the Zhao family.
Having tasted the benefits, the Song family tried to morally coerce the Zhao family in the same way.
Was Zhao Daxiong someone easy to manipulate? Even Qin Fang was not without her own opinions. Faced with the Song family’s constant provocations, she argued her case firmly and instilled the right values in the original host.
They told her that acting bravely for a just cause was a good thing, but if the other party showed no gratitude and instead threw dirt at her, there was no need to endure it.
Zhao Daxiong said, “Daughter, your dad is your eternal support. If you cause trouble, don’t be afraid.”
The matter escalated to the higher-ups, and the Song family was warned. Their opponents seized the opportunity to make a big deal out of it, demoting them by one rank.
The Song family had previously tried to morally coerce the Zhao family, but they also knew that neither side was entirely at fault. They had relied on years of friendship and the fact that their argument had a tiny bit of merit. After being severely reprimanded by the higher-ups, the Song family truly began to resent the Zhao family.
The Chen family had already gained all the benefits and was now no weaker than the Song family. So, naturally, the Song family redirected their hostility toward the Zhao family.
However, the Song family wasn’t foolish enough to act so blatantly and reveal their ambitious intentions. Instead, they seized on minor matters to make sarcastic remarks, annoying the Zhao family endlessly.
For example, now.
Hearing the strong sarcasm in the other party’s tone, Sheng Qianyu ignored it. After greeting the other aunties, she headed to the pharmacy to get medicine.
“Look at her! What an attitude!”
“Enough, say less.” As if anyone doesn’t know what your family is thinking?
Old Mrs. Song continued to sneer, “Don’t think a provincial top scorer will achieve anything great. Without connections or a foundation, won’t they still be stuck in grassroots work? The last provincial top scorer, after graduating, is still working under our old Song…”
No one paid her any attention.
Old Mrs. Song’s eyes darted around. “What is she going to the pharmacy for? To get medicine? Traditional Chinese medicine? For herself?”
Still, no one responded.
Old Mrs. Song turned her head and looked around—everyone else had dispersed, leaving her alone on the spot!Old Mrs. Song was furious, spitting on the ground. “What kind of nonsense is this! Just wait until my sons and grandsons make something of themselves—I’ll make sure you can’t even reach us!”
…Still, no one responded to her.
The Song family held a high position, but their reputation was poor. Others feared being bitten back later, just like the Chen and Zhao families, so they always kept their distance from the Songs.