Min'er actually didn't want to interact with Jiang Nan Fang alone.
She was too considerate of everyone, doing everything better than herself, making her feel like an idiot.
But Zhan Bei Jue seemed to be henpecked.
Back in Switzerland, he was very decisive.
Now, facing this woman, he did whatever she said…
She could only go out with Jiang Nan Fang.
Actually, everything Jiang Nan Fang said was very pertinent, and she didn't express any malice.
The other woman had always been polite to her, so she shouldn't have been so hostile.
But Min'er couldn't help it.
She thought she would slowly forget Zhan Bei Jue.
As time passed, she might never even think of him again.
But after not seeing him for a month, upon seeing him again, she realized she liked him even more.
The longing that was usually suppressed and had nowhere to go now surged out all at once.
She really wanted to hug him and talk to him alone.
However, with Jiang Nan Fang blocking the way, she could do nothing.
At this moment, Jiang Nan Fang's enthusiasm towards her seemed like a display of superiority.
Min'er deliberately kept her distance, avoiding any physical contact.
Without Zhan Bei Jue around, Jiang Nan Fang was too lazy to be polite.
The two of them went to a supermarket near the residential area without a word.
Years of poverty had instilled in Min'er the habit of saving money.
She was hesitant when shopping, always wanting to pick the cheapest and worst items.
Jiang Nan Fang was different; she didn't look at prices, only at what she liked best.
With a rustle, she put everything into the shopping cart.
She bought a lot of ready-to-eat meals, a lot of sweets, fresh produce, dairy products, and nutritional supplements, piling the cart high like a New Year's feast, completely full.
Even though Min'er hated her, she felt embarrassed spending so much of the other's money.
"You don't need to buy so much."
"You might not need it, but Auntie does. It's all from your brother showing filial piety to Auntie, so don't be polite with me."
The residential area wasn't far, and the two of them, carrying two large shopping bags together, walked back.
Min'er was surprised to find that Jiang Nan Fang was quite strong.
If someone else were carrying so much, they would definitely have to rest halfway or switch hands.
But she walked with a calm expression and a brisk pace, as if she didn't feel the weight at all.
Halfway through, she asked Jiang Nan Fang, "Are you tired? Do you want to stop and rest?"
Jiang Nan Fang thought she was tired and paused.
"Are you tired? Then let's rest."
"I'm not tired, I'm used to working. I was just worried about you."
Jiang Nan Fang smiled, "I'm not tired either, I'm used to working. In that case, let's keep walking."
The two continued to walk, and Min'er couldn't help but secretly observe her.
Her features were pure and refined, with light makeup.
Although she wore a modest professional outfit, her figure was curvaceous.
She was like a fairy, beautiful from head to toe, making it impossible to look away.
How could someone so ethereal have also done manual labor?
"Sister Nan Fang… can I call you that?"
"Yes, everyone calls me that."
Jiang Nan Fang smiled kindly, "What is it? What do you want to say?"
Min'er tentatively asked, "What does your family do? How many children are there in your family?"
"My family, we're small business owners. There are two children. I have a younger brother."
"You just said you've done work, did you do housework often when you were young?"
"Doing housework isn't work for me."
Jiang Nan Fang smiled again.
"Actually, our lives are quite similar."
"Ah?"
Min'er didn't believe it.
She was so beautiful and outstanding, it must be because her family was very wealthy.
Otherwise, how could she have met Zhan Bei Jue?
Jiang Nan Fang said, "If there's any difference, perhaps the only difference is that I've read more books than you."
"I don't mean anything else, don't overthink it."
"Everyone's situation and experiences are different. Anyone in your circumstances would feel lost."
"But I realized something earlier than you: reading can change one's destiny. Truly. If I hadn't liked reading, I wouldn't have met your brother."
"You met him because you studied?"
"Yes. He came from a good family since childhood and attended the most outstanding and top schools in the city all his life. He went because his family was willing to spend money, while I got in through my own merit."
This statement made Min'er's eyes dim.
If that were true, she was indeed far behind Jiang Nan Fang.
In terms of appearance, she was superior.
In terms of ability, Jiang Nan Fang was better.
And she had given birth to several children for Zhan Bei Jue.
Even if she liked Zhan Bei Jue very much, what could she do to compete with her?
Due to her father's constant suppression and the hardships of life, Min'er was prone to low self-esteem.
She didn't realize her own advantages.
Jiang Nan Fang, with a few casual words, had shattered the confidence that Ke Teng had spent a long time building for her.
When they returned home and sat down for dinner, Zhan Bei Jue brought up the matter of schooling again.
She was very annoyed.
She could no longer return to Fucheng, but they didn't want her to stay.
And they didn't know how to approach Zhan Bei Jue.
So troublesome!
When she was annoyed, tears would flow more easily.
Min'er, uncharacteristically, shed tears in front of Zhan Bei Jue again.
"It's not that I don't want to attend, but that school can't accommodate me."
"My foundation is weak, the teachers don't like me, and my classmates mock me. With so many family issues, I really can't stay…"
What she said was the truth.
Min'er could only understand Chinese and write very little. She hadn't studied for several years in the interim.
It was impossible for her to pick up her studies again and do well immediately.
Zhan Bei Jue had overlooked this.
Seeing her speak with such distress, he suddenly realized.
Min'er had too many distractions and a weak foundation, so she was unlikely to achieve great success in her studies.
"Then let's not go back to Fucheng. Stay here. We'll learn whatever you like."
"Tomorrow, I'll find a good hospital for Auntie and have doctors consult. I'll take care of her from now on."
"Our studies won't be measured by obtaining a certificate; having a skill is most important. I won't pressure you, and you shouldn't pressure yourself, okay?"
Min'er couldn't help but feel tears welling up again.
What Zhan Bei Jue said was almost exactly what she had planned.
She could finally use his words to openly stay.
But at the same time, she felt like a terrible person.
Whenever Zhan Bei Jue was kind to her, she couldn't bear to keep secrets from him.
"It's fine like this, I really don't want to trouble you anymore."
"This is fine? How is it fine?"
"Leaving Auntie a bowl of leftover rice in the morning, making her eat it all day, staying alone at home all day, and living in such a damp and dark place year after year?"
"If this can be considered fine, then my conscience as Zhan Bei Jue has been eaten by dogs."
Zhan Bei Jue took out a tissue, wiped Min'er's tears, and patted her shoulder.
"Alright, don't be polite with me."
"We've endured the hardest times together, sharing a bowl of leftover rice. Is there anything we can't be honest about?"
"That's settled. Stay here with peace of mind from now on. My wife and I are your family."