The clinic in Sancun Village wasn’t far from Yangzi Town’s First Junior High School. Both Qin Yi’s and Lin Jin’s families lived in the school’s residential compound. Lin Jin’s mother worked as both the village clinic doctor and the school’s medic, so she owned a three-bedroom apartment with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom in the compound.

Years ago, Lin Hanzhang had returned to her hometown in disgrace while pregnant, leaving ×zhou Medical University behind. She endured her relatives’ cold stares and, after giving birth to Lin Jin under difficult circumstances, faced further rejection from her siblings. It was Qin Yi’s grandmother who had lent her twenty thousand yuan to buy this apartment. Only then did the mother and son find stability, ending their rootless existence. Lin Hanzhang remained eternally grateful to the Qin family, treating Qin Yi even better than her own child.

Whenever the two children clashed, Lin’s mother always favored Qin Yi. Yet Qin Yi and Lin Jin shared such a close bond that conflicts rarely occurred.

Back at the compound, while mother and daughter busied themselves cooking dinner in the kitchen, Qin Yi slipped outside to check his missed calls.

Grandma: 6 calls.

Grandpa: 2 calls.

Qin Yi winced. Grandma would understand—she’d watched Lin Jin grow up. But Grandpa… that would be trouble.

After a moment’s thought, he skipped calling back. A brief explanatory text would suffice.

He had no desire to be scolded to within an inch of his life.

Next, he visited his grandmother to reassure her.

Grandma Fang Qijun had been a renowned beauty in her youth, with a gentle, scholarly demeanor. After graduating from the city’s normal university, she became a teacher. Decades of dedication had filled Qingcheng County with her students. Now retired, she managed the school’s reading room.

When Qin Yi explained he’d skipped classes because of Lin Jin, Fang Qijun didn’t scold him. She simply reminded him to look after Lin Jin and keep up with his studies before sending him off to Lin’s for dinner.

...

Dawn in the countryside hummed with life. Villagers were already heading to the market, so the lanes near the village entrance felt nothing like a silent city morning.

"Auntie Lin." Qin Yi leaned against the kitchen doorway, words carefully prepared.

He couldn’t think of a plausible lie to fool the sharp-eyed woman. Honesty was the best policy with clever people.

"What is it, Xiao Yi?" Lin Hanzhang turned down the stove flame and wiped her hands on her apron.

Mother and daughter had whispered late into the night—the Kitten Girl was still fast asleep.

"If you’re planning to rent an apartment in the city," Qin Yi began, "I have a suggestion. It might not be perfect."

"Hmm?" Lin’s mother lifted her elegant brows slightly, studying the serious-faced boy before her.

She’d sensed something off about him since last night’s dinner, when he’d kept hesitating to speak. Now, he was finally coming clean.

"Hotels are noisy. I’m renting a three-bedroom place in Jinxiu Mountain River Community. I think… Lin Jin could stay with me."