Zuo still couldn’t quite connect the teary-eyed child before her with the Chen Xuan from the plot—the one who repeatedly pressured Uncle Chen into compromises and concessions, safeguarding Zuo Dongliang’s business ventures.
“Zuo Cao, I’m done writing. Let’s go play rolling iron hoop.”
Zuo Cao glanced over. “You didn’t fill this page with handwriting practice.”
Chen Xuan sat back down, disgruntled.
After finishing her Chinese homework, Zuo Cao taught her a few rolling iron hoop techniques.
The two played together for over half an hour before Zuo Cao made her complete the preview for the next day’s lessons.
Though Chen Xuan ruled the roost at home, she didn’t dare talk back in front of Zuo Cao.
When Uncle Chen returned from his patrol, he said to Zuo Cao, “If you were my daughter, I’d live ten years longer.”
Uncle Chen fished the muskmelons out of the well, cut them up, and shared them.
The melon was crisp and sandy, with a cool sweetness.
Chen Xuan didn’t like the seeds, only the flesh.
She meticulously scraped the seeds to the side, only for Uncle Chen to scoop them up and eat them all in one bite.
After finishing her share, Zuo Cao was escorted back to the Wei Family by Uncle Chen.
“Your family really isn’t doing right by you. Should I talk to them for you?” Uncle Chen looked down at the little girl who barely reached his waist.
Zuo Cao carried herself with such maturity that Uncle Chen often forgot she was just a child.
Zuo Cao shook her head. “Thank you, Uncle. I’ll handle it myself.”
Zuo Caiyun had waited the entire evening for Zuo Cao to return, and by then, she was almost too exhausted to talk.
But she couldn’t let it go—she had to get life back on track.
“Xiao Cao, you’re back? Are you hungry?” Zuo Caiyun mustered her energy.
Zuo Cao paused on her way into the room, noticing the forced smile and weariness on Zuo Caiyun’s face, as well as the walnut cookies in her hand.
“Aunt.” Zuo Cao sat down on a chair but didn’t touch the box of cookies.
Zuo Caiyun asked, “How long have you been in Yang City?”
“A few months.”
Zuo Cao sifted through the Original Owner’s memories and compared them with the novel’s records.
Her parents had sent her to Yang City as soon as her mother began showing.
“Xiao Cao, your father… he only has you two sisters. He needs a son, and as the second child, you’ve suffered.”
Zuo Cao remained silent.
“If anything happens, you must tell me. I’m busy with work and might overlook some things. Please bear with me. I don’t treat you like a child.”
Hearing this, Zuo Cao looked up, seemingly moved.
Since arriving here, Zuo Cao had looked in the mirror. She and her aunt looked quite alike—both with round eyes, high noses, and hair that curled naturally.
Looking at her aunt’s face, she could roughly imagine what Zuo Cao would look like grown up.
The Original Owner had seen her aunt as a mother figure.
So even though she found this aunt exasperating,
Zuo Cao had never spoken harshly to Zuo Caiyun.
But living under the same roof, how could Zuo Caiyun, as her aunt, truly be unaware of what was happening in this house?
For this aunt and niece, they shared the same surname and the same bloodline.
Whatever the reason, it was she who had brought Zuo Cao out of that village.
For the sake of blood ties or something else, she bore a certain responsibility to raise Zuo Cao.
But what had she actually done?
And what had Zuo Cao done in this household?
The past Zuo Cao had clung to her, doing her utmost to share the burdens.
The current Zuo Cao, with a soul that saw everything clearly behind her eyes, sneered inwardly.
“You’ve seen how my days are here,” Zuo Caiyun glanced at the tightly shut door and lowered her voice.
Zuo Cao followed her gaze, knowing that inside the room, Wei Mu was soothing the child.
Zhuangzhuang, this child, was always crying, as if carrying endless grievances.
Zuo Cao couldn’t understand it and felt annoyed.
“His mother has always looked down on me, blaming me for not being able to control your uncle. Your uncle spends all day outside with those so-called friends. It wasn’t until Zhuangzhuang was born that life got a little easier.”
“I’m busy with work, and there’s so much to do at home. Help me out. When things get better, your aunt will take you to the state-run restaurant. Also, you’re almost old enough to start school. Would you like to attend school here?”
This household couldn’t do without Zuo Cao.
Zuo Caiyun had made up her mind—even if she had to endure her mother-in-law’s disdain, she would keep Zuo Cao here.
As long as Zuo Cao could help her, just like before.
Zuo Cao looked at Zuo Caiyun and let out a sighing laugh.
“System? Come out. Dead again?” she said in her mind.
In the novel, Zuo Cao had been diligent and hardworking, never slacking off, giving her all to support her aunt.
Her aunt had never lifted her up, comforted her, or even thought of keeping her.
This time, Zuo Cao had torn up all pretense with Wei Mu, just like her uncle, staying out all day and not lifting a finger to help Zuo Caiyun.
Now, Zuo Caiyun was starting to value her, even trying to win her over.
Zuo Caiyun waited anxiously for Zuo Cao’s reply.
Zuo Cao was lost in thought.
The System was playing dead.
Wei Mu rushed out of the room: “What did you say? This little slut wants to stay here for school? Let me tell you, don’t even think about it. There’s no such good fortune. Can her family afford the tuition? Isn’t it all our Wei Family’s money?”
Even while soothing the child, she had kept her ears pricked for her daughter-in-law’s movements.
This wretched girl, keeping her at home to work was one thing.
But school? Dream on.
“Wei Family’s money? Didn’t my aunt earn it all by herself? My aunt isn’t surnamed Wei, and neither are you. I don’t know why you keep flaunting the Wei surname every day,” Zuo Cao said lazily.
She couldn’t be bothered to keep arguing with Wei Mu and prepared to return to her room.
She was tired and wanted to sleep.
But her wrist was grabbed by Zuo Caiyun: “Xiao Cao, as long as you help like before, your aunt will let you attend school here, okay?”
Her gaze held not only pleading but also a sharp, ruthless edge.
“If that still doesn’t work, and you keep fighting with his mother like this, you definitely won’t be able to stay here. Xiao Cao, it’s not that your aunt doesn’t want to help you, but she has no choice. Think it over yourself.”
Zuo Cao was almost taken aback.
She had originally thought that this aunt of the original body was just a heartless, spineless person.
It turned out Zuo Caiyun had her own tactics.
She hadn’t tried to control her mother-in-law or her leech of a husband.
Instead, she used those tactics on her.
Zuo Cao found it amusing and didn’t hold back, laughing out loud.
Zuo Cao pried Zuo Caiyun’s fingers off one by one: “I didn’t come here by choice. I can return to the village anytime. Do as you please.”