Carrying a canvas bag, Ji Wanning stepped out of her room with an expression as calm as ever, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.
Lin Yun frowned, clearly unable to make sense of it. Could Ji Wanning really be leaving?
She found it hard to believe.
Could she just be putting on a show?
That seemed possible, but over the past six months, Lin Yun had come to understand Ji Wanning well enough to know that once she said she would do something, she always followed through.
Sulian’s eyes widened in alarm, completely at a loss for what to do.
Setting down her chopsticks, she hurried over to Ji Wanning.
“Xiaoning, stop being stubborn. Mom knows you’re only speaking out of anger. Come on, put your bag down and have breakfast. I’ll get you a bowl of rice.”
Sulian reached for the canvas bag, but despite using all her strength, she couldn’t budge it.
“Xiaoning…”
She stamped her foot lightly, tears welling in her eyes as though Ji Wanning had committed some unforgivable crime against her.
After six months, Ji Wanning had long since grown accustomed to seeing her like this.
Lin Wenbin, however, was different. If one looked closely, they could catch the dark glint that flashed through his eyes.
After a long silence, he spoke gently.
“Xiaoning, don’t let your temper get the better of you. I know you and Xiaoyun had a disagreement earlier. Sisters argue, that’s perfectly normal. If there’s a problem, you can always talk it out. There’s no need to leave home over something like this. If you walk out of here, where will you even go?”
Concern filled Lin Wenbin’s eyes, making it seem as though he truly cared about his stepdaughter.
“That’s right, Xiaoning. We’re the only family you have here. If you leave, where will you go? Please don’t make your mother worry.”
Sulian clung tightly to Ji Wanning’s hand, refusing to let go.
Lin Yun felt a surge of irritation. Her lips parted as though she wanted to say something, but in the end she remained silent. She wanted to see whether Ji Wanning truly intended to leave or if it was all just an act.
Ji Wanning thought Sulian’s attempt to stop her had probably been nothing more than an instinctive reaction, with very little genuine emotion behind it.
Everything she said afterward was simply echoing Lin Wenbin’s words.
As for Lin Wenbin…
Ji Wanning was Sulian’s biological daughter and Lin Wenbin’s stepdaughter. She had lived with them for half a year, and now she was moving out. Naturally, people would wonder whether she had been treated unfairly in the Lin family, or even driven out.
Either way, the first conclusion everyone would reach was that the Lin family had behaved badly.
If word spread, it would do nothing for their reputation.
“I have a temporary family quarters to stay in, so don’t worry. I won’t go around telling people anything.”
With that, she pulled her hand free from Sulian’s grasp, picked up her canvas bag, and walked away.
As Ji Wanning brushed past her, her shoulder lightly bumped against Sulian’s, snapping her out of the daze caused by Ji Wanning’s resolute departure.
She looked toward Ji Wanning and saw her carrying the heavy canvas bag. It was obviously weighing her down, making her body lean slightly to one side.
Watching her daughter’s slender figure disappear into the distance, Sulian suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of confusion and helplessness.
For the briefest moment, it felt as though she had just lost something important.
When Ji Wanning emerged from the Lin family home carrying her bag, people throughout Family Compound No. 1 noticed her immediately.
At this hour, some families were still eating breakfast, while others had already finished and gone about their daily routines.
But there were always people outside, and quite a few of them knew Ji Wanning well.
Not only was she beautiful and gentle, she was also the childcare worker who looked after their children.
Their sons and daughters often came home saying how wonderful Sister Ji was and how much they liked her.
Seeing her suddenly walking out of the Lin family’s home with luggage made everyone’s hearts skip a beat.
“Xiaoning, where are you headed?”
Ji Wanning turned and met the worried look in Aunt Wu’s eyes. Warmth spread through her heart, and she smiled faintly.
“Auntie, I’m married. I’m moving into the temporary family quarters for now. Once my husband is assigned permanent family housing, I’ll move there.”
Her words landed like a bombshell among the older women.
“You moved out of the Lin family?”
“Wait, you said you’re married?!”
The news left them utterly stunned.
After all, many of them had thought highly of Ji Wanning and had wanted to introduce her to their own sons, nephews, or relatives.
Hearing out of nowhere that she was already married completely caught them off guard.
Just as they recovered enough from the shock to ask more questions, Ji Wanning simply said she had to leave. The next thing they saw was her retreating figure.
Aunt Wu slapped her thigh hard, dropped the cotton thread she had been twisting in her hands, and stood up.
“No, I have to hurry over to the military district and ask around.”
“I’m coming too!”
They were determined to find out exactly which outstanding young man had managed to win Xiaoning’s heart.
Carrying her bag, Ji Wanning arrived at the temporary family quarters.
She had no idea what a stir her words had caused back at Family Compound No. 1.
The temporary family quarters were located beside Compound No. 3, a fair distance away from Compound No. 1.
There were quite a few temporary family apartments within the military district, and vacancies were common.
That was why she had successfully applied for one earlier that morning.
Standing there with her bag, Ji Wanning looked up at the small building before her.
It was a two story structure built with rammed earth walls. Each floor contained several units. She had heard that these temporary family quarters had been converted from an old warehouse many years ago.
The room assigned to her was Unit 103 on the first floor.
Ji Wanning let out a quiet sigh of relief. At least she wouldn’t have to climb any stairs.
The moment she stepped through the entrance, a little boy of about four years old, who was being chased by another child, ran straight into her.
She nearly lost her balance, barely managing to steady herself against the wall before she fell.
The child looked up, his eyes immediately lighting up.
“Sister Ji!”
Recognizing the familiar voice, Ji Wanning lowered her gaze and realized it was one of the older kindergarten children, nicknamed Niudan.
“It’s you, Niudan.”
“Sister Ji, I’m sorry. I bumped into you.”
His small face was filled with guilt.
The other child soon caught up. He was one of the middle class children, Niudan’s younger brother, Ludan. He also apologized to Ji Wanning.
Smiling, Ji Wanning gently patted his head.
“It’s alright. Just don’t run around chasing each other like that anymore. If you bump into someone again, you could really hurt them. And if you accidentally ran into an elderly grandpa or grandma, that would be even worse.”
Niudan always listened to Ji Wanning.
In fact, all the children in the older class adored Sister Ji, the gentle childcare worker who constantly praised them and treated them with endless patience.
They liked her even more than their teachers.
Niudan’s slightly tanned little face turned red as he took his younger brother’s hand.
“Sister Ji, I understand. I’ll make sure to teach my little brother too.”
“Good job, Niudan.”
As she spoke, Ji Wanning reached into her pocket and took out two White Rabbit Cream Candies, giving one to each brother.
Back then, candy was a luxury for children, especially White Rabbit Cream Candy.
The moment the brothers saw what she had given them, their dark eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Thank you, Sister Ji!”
“Sister Ji, why are you here?”
Niudan asked while chewing on his candy, one cheek puffed out adorably.
Ludan quietly enjoyed his candy beside him. Holding tightly to his older brother’s hand, he had instantly become much more well behaved.
“I’m going to be living here for a while.”
“Really?!”
“Really.”
“That’s great!”
Niudan grinned from ear to ear, but the smile quickly faded as his little face scrunched up with worry.
“Sister Ji, I don’t think you should stay here.”
There was obvious concern and reluctance in the little boy’s eyes.
“Why not?”