She quickly covered Yu Qiaoqiao’s mouth and frantically winked at her.
“Ya, that’s rude,” the middle-aged woman scolded her daughter lightly.
Ye Kangya said excitedly, “Mom, I really like Xiao Yu. You know I’ve always wanted a younger sister all these years, but it never happened. I want Xiao Yu to be my sister.”
She spoke with genuine enthusiasm. Sometimes, the connection between people is just that strange—though it was their first meeting, there seemed to be an invisible pull drawing them closer. Ye Kangya liked Yu Qiaoqiao not just because she found her agreeable at first sight, but also because she had saved her grandfather.
Ye Kangya and Ye Kangle had grown up by the old man’s side and were extremely close to him. To her, Yu Qiaoqiao saving her grandfather’s life made her even more remarkable than Guanyin herself.
Yu Qiaoqiao could tell that the Ye family was harmonious—loving parents, lively and cheerful children. Deep down, she envied such a family.
In her previous life in the 21st century, Yu Qiaoqiao had lost both parents to illness at a young age. That was why she had devoted herself to studying medicine, determined to help ordinary people suffering from disease. And in this life, her mother had died from hemorrhage during childbirth, worsened by malnutrition and lack of food afterward.
As for the rest of the Yu family—no one loved or cared for her. Even her own father treated her as if she barely mattered.
So facing such a warm, loving family, it was impossible for her not to feel something.
But accepting such a great kindness over what she considered a small act left her at a loss.
Old Master Ye noticed her hesitation. He beckoned to Ye Kangya, who glanced nervously at Yu Qiaoqiao, afraid she might refuse.
“Xiao Yu, there’s no need to answer right away. Our Ye family is sincere in wanting to take you in as one of our own. You can go back and think it over carefully, and discuss it with your parents. This is no small matter—you should seek their approval.”
The old man was considerate; he didn’t want to put her in a difficult position.
“Grandpa…” Ye Kangya still looked worried.
“If we’re meant to be family, we won’t miss the chance,” he reassured her.
Though Ye Kangya still wanted to say more, she respected her grandfather’s judgment and could only nod, casting Yu Qiaoqiao a reluctant glance.
Yu Qiaoqiao smiled back at her.
While chatting with the Ye family, Yu Qiaoqiao also wrote another prescription for Old Master Ye—a formula aimed at curing his chronic condition.
Earlier, Mr. Ye had called in his orderly, who had gone out to buy everything Yu Qiaoqiao needed according to her list. By now, the items had all been delivered.
There were medicinal herbs, acupuncture needles, daily necessities—and even a book.
The book was for Qin Jizhi. Since he spent all day lying in bed, unable to move, he must get bored. Knowing his arms could still move, she bought him something to read and pass the time.
Seeing it was getting late, Yu Qiaoqiao remembered Qin Jizhi’s request. After leaving the Ye residence, she went to the post office to make a phone call.
Ye Kangya insisted on escorting her back to Qingshi Village, but Yu Qiaoqiao declined. Instead, she had the driver take Yu Qiaoqiao to the post office and then drop her off at the village entrance.
“Qiaoqiao, I’ll come visit you again in a few days. I hope you’ll seriously consider my proposal—I truly want to be sisters with you.” After saying that, she added a little nervously, “Don’t worry, my family doesn’t have any bad habits. We’re all sincere people… except my fifth brother—he’s a bit of a flirt.”
She looked slightly embarrassed, as if Ye Kangle were some kind of family flaw, worried Yu Qiaoqiao might refuse because of it.
Though she was a few months older than Yu Qiaoqiao, she was far more innocent—clearly someone who had been pampered since childhood.
Yu Qiaoqiao set down her things and hugged her. “Alright, I’ll think about it carefully.”
By the time she got home, the Qin family hadn’t returned from work yet.
Thinking about Qin Jizhi lying in bed all day, Yu Qiaoqiao hurried inside.
When he saw her, the tension in Qin Jizhi’s eyes finally eased.
During the time she was gone, he had mostly been worried.
A young girl like her, going alone to an unfamiliar place, buying and carrying things—he feared she might run into trouble.
After all, Yu Qiaoqiao was so beautiful that she didn’t look like someone who would have an easy, trouble-free life.
Since marrying her, he had come to understand more clearly what it meant to worry about someone.
“Jizhi, you must be hungry. Look what I brought you,” she said cheerfully, like she was presenting a treasure. She pulled out two sugar cakes from her bundle, then went to the yard to fetch water, washed his hands, and placed the cakes into them. “Try it.”
Qin Jizhi looked into her eyes as he took the cake. “You should eat too.”
“Okay.” Yu Qiaoqiao took a smaller one and bit into it. Closing her eyes, she let out a satisfied sigh. “Mmm~ this is heavenly.”
In her past life, she had avoided sweets to maintain her figure, sometimes even fasting all day. But now, whether it was sweets or high-calorie food, she wouldn’t hesitate to eat it.
People live for food—she truly understood that now.
Yu Qiaoqiao had bought quite a few snacks. After they finished eating, she smiled and looked at Qin Jizhi again. “This is for you.”
She placed the book beside his bed. Qin Jizhi picked it up—it was a military book, exactly to his taste.
Just as he opened it, Yu Qiaoqiao said softly, “Since your accident, you haven’t been able to return to the things you love. I don’t know how to help you, but at least you can read something you enjoy. It won’t be so boring.”
Her bright eyes stared at him without blinking.
Something inside Qin Jizhi felt suddenly full—an unfamiliar feeling.
Strange… but also… comforting.
He wasn’t someone who expressed emotions openly, so he simply nodded. “Thank you.”
The book truly meant a lot to him.
Yu Qiaoqiao’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned closer. “Jizhi, how about we make a deal?”
He still wasn’t used to her sudden closeness. His cheeks flushed red, the color spreading to his ears. “…Okay.”