Shen Qingran looked around the empty room, feeling a surge of emotions.
But there wasn’t much time to dwell on them.
She locked the door, straightened up, and prepared to head to her grandmother’s house.
At that moment, sunlight streamed through the walls.
The light poured through a crack, shining directly onto the path ahead, illuminating the road she was about to take.
The path was instantly bathed in sunlight.
Green vines lined both sides, and the road looked like a grand boulevard.
Shen Qingran inhaled the fragrance of flowers and felt elated.
She hopped and skipped toward her grandmother’s home.
As soon as she pressed the doorbell, Aunt Zhang came out promptly.
Shen Qingran smiled knowingly, a contagious smile that greeted the morning sun and the new day, like a rebirth.
Aunt Zhang ran toward her with a smile.
“Miss, we’ve been waiting for you! Breakfast is all your favorites!”
Shen Qingran nodded, hopping along and holding onto Aunt Zhang’s arm.
How wonderful!
How wonderful!
In this life, having her own family around felt truly great.
Upon entering, Grandmother Shen sat at the dining table, waiting for her granddaughter.
“Oh my, who’s this? Finally remembered to visit me!”
Grandmother Shen pouted, her wrinkled face still endearingly cute.
“Grandmother, it’s only been a few days, and you’re already scolding me!”
Shen Qingran feigned a coquettish manner as she approached her grandmother.
Grandmother Shen looked at her granddaughter with affection.
“You don’t know, Aunt Zhang told me your plans, and I was so scared!
“I had nightmares all night, worried something would happen to you!
“But I didn’t dare go myself or send someone, afraid it would interfere with your matters!”
Shen Qingran held her grandmother’s hand and smiled: “Grandmother, don’t worry, everything is going smoothly!”
Her gaze was firm. Grandmother Shen laughed: “You little sly girl, come on, eat!
“See, Aunt Zhang got up early and made all your favorites!”
“Mm!”
Shen Qingran finally looked at the table.
The large round table held xiaolongbao, fried dough sticks, soy milk, tofu, and small pickles.
Shen Qingran was moved.
Yes! Being loved and cared for by family feels wonderful!
She began eating immediately.
“Hey, hey, be careful!
“You’re the Shen family’s eldest lady—watch your image!”
“Hehe~”
Shen Qingran was too hungry to worry and ate quickly.
Soon, she had a full burp.
Grandmother Shen, being older, ate only a little to feel full.
Shen Qingran then retrieved an exquisite ceramic pot from the kitchen, carved with flowers, beautifully crafted.
It was said to be brought from abroad.
In Shen Qingran’s hands, the pot instantly filled with spiritual spring water.
“Grandmother, taste this! It’s excellent water!”
Grandmother Shen watched Shen Qingran perform what seemed like magic, smiled, took a sip, and gave a thumbs-up.
“Not bad!”
Surprisingly, after drinking, her back no longer hurt, her stooped spine straightened slightly.
Even her gnarled, cane-gripping hands became smooth.
Shen Qingran was very pleased with the change.
Aunt Zhang immediately asked about the events of the past few days.
This morning, the police had come again, and it wasn’t just a single group.
Aunt Zhang was anxious and asked more questions.
Shen Qingran recounted the events lightly, skipping any mention that her stepmother might be a spy, only saying there had been a crime.
As Shen Qingran explained the severance letter and matters with the Wan family, Grandmother Shen’s eyes glistened with tears.
Her granddaughter had suffered far too much!
If only her biological mother were alive, the child wouldn’t have endured such hardship.
Yet Shen Qingran spoke so calmly, appearing completely in control.
Grandmother Shen suddenly realized this child had grown up.
Nothing shapes a person like life’s trials.
Still, Grandmother Shen disapproved of the Wan family’s actions.
“Those sisters-in-law from the Wan family seem hostile!”
Shen Qingran nodded, but fortunately, they couldn’t stir up much trouble.
“Grandmother, don’t worry. I’m heading to the countryside soon!
“For now, I won’t be seeing those people.
“Even in the future, I don’t plan to live with my mother-in-law!
“When the time comes, I’ll insist on staying with you!”
“Hehe, don’t be annoyed!”
She hugged her grandmother’s arm, making her smile warmly.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Grandma, Second Uncle sent me to deliver vegetables!” a man’s voice called outside.
“Oh, Old Zhou, use the back gate; someone’s at the front!”
“All right! Second Uncle says hello!”
“Then I’ll go!”
Footsteps faded away.
“Your second uncle sent these vegetables,” Shen Qingran explained.
She recalled how, in her past life, her grandmother’s health had deteriorated day by day.
In this life, Shen Qingran had to be careful.
Though her second uncle now controlled the Shen family’s affairs, she suspected that one day she might clash with him.
In her past life, she died young and never saw her second uncle’s later deeds.
But as a ghost, she had seen him commit actions even a spirit would despise.
Fake medicine! Pursuits! Oppression! Harm!
Her second uncle had done many such things.
Although the Shen family had made a fortune, even the underworld would judge his deeds as mixed.
Shen Qingran shook her head. Revealing this to her grandmother recklessly might only confuse her.
She quietly pulled Aunt Zhang aside: “From now on, don’t accept vegetables from Second Uncle.
“Say you can’t eat much and don’t trouble him.”
Aunt Zhang quickly nodded.
Now she thought her young mistress was incredibly clever, perhaps even stronger than the original lady.
In such a short time, Shen Qingran had managed to send that worthless father, stepmother, and a few other villains away—no ordinary person could do that!
Shen Qingran then took out five gold bars.
“Aunt Zhang, these are for you and Grandmother, to use in emergencies!”
Aunt Zhang waved them off: “Miss, no need. Grandmother always manages the household funds!”
Shen Qingran’s next words left Aunt Zhang stunned.