Back at the He Family’s home, they all fell silent as they looked at the newspaper.

Xue Xingzhou said to He Lang, "I’ve done what I can to lighten your sister’s sentence, but with such a large amount of money involved, five years is unavoidable."

He Lang replied, "I know."

Mr. He said to Xue Xingzhou, "Xingzhou, thank you so much for your help with all this."

"We’re all family, no need to thank me. Just try to relax. Five years will pass quickly."

Mr. He nodded. "I know. I’m not heartbroken. She brought this on herself."

After Mr. He went back to his room, Xue Xingzhou tutted at He Lang. "You’re a ruthless one, you are. Did you know that theft of over ten thousand yuan is a serious crime?"

With the crackdowns in recent years, fifty thousand is a major felony no matter how you look at it.

He Lang’s lips twitched into a smirk. "How would I know? The Liu Family were the ones who demanded fifty thousand, not me."

He Lang was telling the truth. He really didn’t know much about that.

Xue Xingzhou sighed. "The Liu Family may have gotten what they deserved, but who would have thought they’d come to Beijing City and never be able to go back?"

"Your sister is probably going to hate your guts for this. You were really willing to go through with it."

He Lang leaned back in his chair, looking up at the sky.

"Let her hate me then. No one expected things to end up this way. He Yun said it was fate, so I guess this is her fate."

The day Daya returned to Beijing City, it was Xue Yue who picked her up from the train station.

"Auntie, what are you doing here?"

Xue Yue smiled. "I came to pick you up! Kai Zhi called the house and told us exactly what time your train would arrive."

Daya smiled too. "Oh, you didn’t have to. I could have gotten back on my own."

Xue Yue went over and linked her arm with Daya’s. "Come on, I missed you too. I wanted to see you as soon as possible. How was your time at the military base?"

"It was great. Everyone there is really easy to get along with."

Xue Yue said with envy, "The way you describe it makes me want to go see it for myself. Too bad there’s probably no hope for that in this lifetime."

Daya turned to look at Xue Yue. "If you want to go, I can take you with me next time. But the housing Gu Kai Zhi applied for hasn’t been approved yet. Let’s wait until it is, then we’ll have a place to stay when we visit."

Xue Yue laughed. "I was just teasing you. I wouldn’t want to intrude on your time alone together."

The two of them chatted and laughed all the way home.

"Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat."

Daya shook her head. "No, it’s okay. I’m not hungry."

Xue Yue’s eyelids lowered slightly as she handed a newspaper to Daya.

Daya took it, confused. She looked down and saw the news about the Liu Family.

Xue Yue looked at her and said, "Your uncle just wanted to teach them a lesson, to get them to stop bothering you. We just didn’t expect the Liu Family to demand fifty thousand yuan right off the bat. We didn’t know a sum that large would lead to such a heavy sentence."

Daya just stared at the newspaper, stunned for a moment.

Then she looked up at Xue Yue and said, "I know. Uncle isn’t a cruel person. It was their own greed. The backlash they’re facing now is the retribution they deserve."

Xue Yue nodded. "As long as you don’t blame us, that’s all that matters."

Daya pressed her lips together. "Auntie, please tell Uncle that I completely understand."

Daya stared blankly at the newspaper and mumbled, "I started hating them the moment they gave my little sister away. The way they treated me all those years... I still have nightmares about it and wake up in the middle of the night. It’s only when I realize I’m not in that house anymore that I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Tell me, how can there be parents in this world who don’t love their own children? Oh, wait, that’s not right. She has a son. It’s not that she doesn’t love her child, she just doesn’t love my sister and me. So why did they even have us?"

Her heart aching for her, Xue Yue pulled Daya into a hug, patting her on the back. "It’s all in the past now. Don’t worry, no one will ever hit or curse at you again."

Daya gave a bitter laugh. "Yes, never again."

One day, several months later, Daya was leaving work when she saw someone completely unexpected.

Jinbao was standing not far from her, watching her intently.

Neither of them spoke, but Daya knew instantly that it was her younger brother.

Jinbao walked over to Daya.

"Sister." Jinbao’s voice was hoarse, and his face looked pale. He must have suffered a great deal.

Daya didn’t answer, merely watching him.

"Sister," Jinbao repeated.

"It’s me, Jinbao."

The two of them sat in a small restaurant, where Jinbao had already devoured two bowls of rice.

He finally let out a contented burp after finishing his third bowl.

Daya asked him, "Why did you come looking for me?"

Jinbao wiped his mouth, finally looking at Daya. "I just wanted to see you."

Daya paused. "And?"

"What?"

Daya said, "You’ve seen me now. So what’s your plan?"

Jinbao suddenly understood what Daya meant, and his face instantly turned pale.

He quickly waved his hands at Daya. "I didn’t come here to ask you for money! I just wanted to see you. I’d almost forgotten what you look like, and I wanted to remember your face because... I’m going home."

As he spoke, he seemed to remember something, and his eyes reddened.

He wiped his nose. "Mom and Dad can’t go back, so it’s just me now. But don’t worry, I’ll be okay."

A flicker of emotion crossed Daya’s eyes, and her fingers curled slightly.

Jinbao looked at Daya and said, "Sister, we all wronged you. Mom and Dad have been punished. We don’t blame you. You have to take care of yourself. If your husband ever hits you, go find our uncle. He’s so capable, he can definitely help you."

Daya was a bit taken aback by his words but said nothing.

"Are you full?"

"Huh?" Jinbao looked at Daya blankly.

Daya asked, "I said, are you full?"

Jinbao nodded. "I’m full."

Daya stood up. "Let’s go, then."

Jinbao quickly followed her. "Oh."

Daya took him to the train station and bought him a ticket for the next day’s train.

Jinbao wanted to refuse, but he truly had no money. He nervously fiddled with the hem of his clothes, afraid that Daya would think he had only come to her for money.

"This money... I’ll definitely pay you back in the future."

Daya just gave a noncommittal "Mm."

She then took him to a hotel near the station and got him a room.

"Stay here for the night. You can head back on your own tomorrow."

With that, Daya turned to leave.

"Sister."

Daya turned back to look at him. "What is it?"

Jinbao asked softly, "Will I be able to see you again in the future?"

Daya fell silent. She took some money out of her pocket and stuffed it into Jinbao’s.

"Go back and live a proper life. You won’t starve. It’s time for you to grow up."

Then she patted Jinbao’s arm and walked away without looking back.

Jinbao stared blankly as Daya left.

"WAAAAH—"

He burst into loud sobs, slowly squatting down before slumping onto the floor.

After leaving the hotel, Daya looked at the setting sun, and a sudden, sharp pang of sorrow pierced her heart.

She lifted her head, trying hard to force back the tears welling in her eyes.

’Everything will be alright.’