The Eldest Aunt rubbed her ears, convinced she must have been hearing things.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li was indeed at a loss, having eaten a te of fruit and now biting into a pear with a crunch, purely imagining the pear as Ji Chunsheng''s head.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Eldest Aunt had met Ji Chunsheng once and was quite pleased with this polite young man. "I can see that Shi Ruan and Chunsheng get along very well. I think they should be able to get married next year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Mentioning this reminded Shi Li of matters concerning Ji Chunsheng. Ji Feiyu''s brother would soon meet with misfortune, and not long after that, Ji Chunsheng would be involved with Ji Feiyu''s sister-inw. Just thinking about this plot made Shi Li''s teeth ache.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She was in a difficult position now. Preventing Ji Feiyu''s brother from going to his death would save a life, but if she did so, Ji Chunsheng wouldn''t receive his friend''s dying wish to look after the widow, and they wouldn''t immediately get together. Perhaps Ji Chunsheng would actually end up with Shi Ruan.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In her previous life, Shi Li often saw news of Ji Chunsheng and Ji Feiyu''s sister-inw showing their affection publicly. Shi Li couldn''t imagine recing that woman''s face with Shi Ruan''s - it was too strange.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As Shi Li''s expression changed, the vi''s door opened from outside - Shi Ruan had returned home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After not seeing her for a while, Shi Ruan appeared more rounded than before, suggesting she had been living welltely.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When her eyes fell on Shi Li eating fruit, Shi Ruan''s gaze froze.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Ah Li, you''re back?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li nodded and casually asked, "Sister, where did you go?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Knowing her sister disliked Ji Chunsheng, Shi Ruan tried to conceal it, saying, "I went out with friends."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Male or female friends?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Eldest Aunt nced at Shi Li, wondering why she would ask when it had already been mentioned that Shi Ruan was out with her boyfriend.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan responded naturally, "You know me, of course I went out with girls."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Eldest Aunt couldn''t help but cover her face - what a silly daughter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, she didn''t understand why her daughter needed to hide having a boyfriend from her sister. It was a good thing, and Shi Li wasn''t the jealous type.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li smiled slightly, "Is that so? I heard from Aunt that sister went on a date with her boyfriend."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan''s smile froze, "Well, I was on a date with my boyfriend initially, but then I went out with female friends afterward."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li''s voice took on a peculiar tone, "Oh, really? Sister, why didn''t you tell your little sister about having a boyfriend? I could have shared in your happiness."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan looked embarrassed, "I was worried about disturbing your busy studies, so I hadn''t mentioned it."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Well then, who is sister''s boyfriend, and when are you getting married?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Marriage isn''t urgent, I''m still young, and I''m not even sure if I''ll marry him."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This response wasn''t just for Shi Li''s benefit; it reflected Shi Ruan''s true feelings.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How would she know who was most suitable for marriage without dating several boyfriends?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Eldest Aunt couldn''t bear to hear her daughter talk like this, "Don''t be ridiculous,st time Chunsheng said he was nning to get married next year."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan pouted; that was his idea, not hers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Knowing this exnation would satisfy her young cousin, Shi Ruan focused on cating her mother, "Mom, I just graduated, and you already want me to get married and have children? Do you really want to see me worn out from taking care of children at such a young age?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Eldest Aunt elegantly rolled her eyes, "Let me remind you, our family''s drivers and housekeepers can meet all your needs. You couldpletely be hands-off and leave the children to nannies and housekeepers."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The daughter pouting before her made the Eldest Aunt''s heart soften. She was still young, after all. Life after marriage would never be as free as before, so perhaps it was better to let her enjoy a few more years.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, the Eldest Aunt had her principles, "You can marryter, but you must hold onto Chunsheng as a good son-inw, understand?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan shrugged, unclear whether she had taken the message to heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When only the two sisters remained, Shi Ruan promised, "Sister knows you don''t like Ji Chunsheng, but I quite fancy him right now. Wait a while, and after I''ve had enough of him, I''ll find you a new brother-inw, okay?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Such wordsing from the seemingly well-behaved Shi Ruan created quite a contrast.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li pouted, "It''s not that I don''t like him, I just feel he''s unreliable. He seems like the type who would look after his good friend''s widow after his death, only to end up making her his wife."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan was very indulgent toward her little sister, and seeing her pout and act coy, she immediately assured her, "Don''t worry, your sister isn''t a fool."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hearing her decisive tone, Shi Li couldn''t help but recall events from her previous life, where Shi Ruan and her shrewd mother-inw tormented each other. Shi Ruan rarely lost in their battles of wits, but not losing didn''t mean she lived well. Having to constantly scheme aftering home each day, never having a peaceful moment - nobody could endure that.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After hearing about Shi Ruan''s mother-inw''s antics, the Eldest Aunt had urged her daughter to divorce quickly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan had been somewhat reluctant to let go, wanting to continue their battle of wits - she truly wasn''t one to be trifled with.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan had heard from Huang Jie that her sister had been attending a summer camp recently.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She asked a few concerned questions about Shi Li''s life and studies there, wanting to say more but worried about putting psychological pressure on Shi Li.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0Aliali: 674932e7c4f3f33ac4838e86
She internally berated herself for letting her professional habits show again.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
While Shi Ruan remained quiet, Shi Li couldn''t help but question her, "Sister, you were on a date with your boyfriend, why did youe back halfway? Did he stand you up?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li muttered, "I knew this man was no good, how could he do something like that?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan responded fairly, "It wasn''t really a date. I went to hispany to find him, but he had an urgent meeting, so I felt bored and came home."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li couldn''t resist criticizing him, "He''s too stingy, meeting at hispany, and you having to go to him. It makes me wonder if he''s actually the one holding the power in your rtionship."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan couldn''t tolerate this insult and exined, "Hispany is nning to do some volunteer teaching in mountain areas soon, and I was thinking of going too. I went to hispany today to ask about the specific details."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li showed great interest in the volunteer teaching matter and immediately asked, "If that''s the case, why did youe back halfway?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan shrugged, "It was because of the Ji family''s youngest daughter. That young miss''s privileged temperament kicked in, and she couldn''t bear to let her brother go teach in remote mountain areas. She insisted on bringing all the children from that mountain school here to experience New Year''s study tour instead."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Li''s eyes widened.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Shi Ruan continued, "Though it''s quite an interesting idea. The young miss is willing to use her own allowance to pay for the children''s study tour expenses. Ji Chunsheng''s meeting was to discuss the feasibility of this proposal. I figured they would definitely agree to this suggestion, so there was no need to wait at Ji Chunsheng''spany to ask about the volunteer teaching, and I came home halfway through."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0