Sibling harmony is a cherished tradition, but it’s a two-way street. If one sibling is expected to be loving, the other must be respectful. In Gu Jiaojiao’s world, there was no such thing as one person giving while the other simply reaped the benefits.

So, when Sweet Girl was looking after Xiao Yang, Gu Jiaojiao would teach Xiao Yang to cherish his older sister, too.

And when Xiao Yang showed his affection for Sweet Girl, Gu Jiaojiao would remind Sweet Girl to cherish her younger brother.

In the courtyard, the one adult and two small children created a scene of perfect harmony, their joyful laughter echoing without end.

Not far from the gate, Chen Yan and Chen Shulan ran into each other and started walking together.

They didn’t have any real business; they were just out to trade some gossip and, while they were at it, get a peek at what kind of life Gu Jiaojiao was living.

Staring at the courtyard, which revealed nothing, the two huddled together and began to mutter.

"I thought that with Leng Yuan’s uncle back, he’d be able to leave the Qingshan Team and become a city slicker. But now it looks like his uncle’s return was useless. He’s still stuck here, isn’t he?"

The one who spoke was Chen Yan.

When Leng Yuan’s father was still alive, he’d had a good relationship with her family. The two households were quite close back then.

But ever since Leng Yuan’s father passed away, and especially after Leng Yuan racked up so much debt, the Wang Family had stopped associating with him completely.

When she saw Leng Yuan’s uncle had returned—and a high-ranking official at that—she had been so jealous she couldn’t sleep for several nights, terrified that Leng Yuan would follow his uncle out of the village and start living the life of a city dweller.

She thought about it day and night, her eyes always fixed in this direction.

After observing for a few days, she found that Leng Yuan’s life was exactly the same as before, without the slightest change.

She was finally able to relax.

Knowing Leng Yuan wouldn’t get to live the life of a city person settled her heart.

Feeling pleased, she finally had the mind to notice her surroundings and saw Chen Shulan.

Like her, this woman was also staring at Leng Yuan’s house.

Chen Shulan had also noticed Chen Yan. At first, she was a bit embarrassed to be caught indulging her petty thoughts.

But the moment their eyes met, they felt as if they were kindred spirits who should have met long ago.

It was the feeling of finding a true confidante.

The two of them were almost moved to tears.

’We’re from the same village, how is it that we’re only meeting now after all these years!’

After a moment of hesitation, the two came together and began discussing the affairs of Leng Yuan’s house.

As they talked, they couldn’t help but grow to admire each other.

What was that saying again? Great minds think alike.

That was certainly the case for the two of them.

Their opinions about Leng Yuan’s family were identical.

And so.

They went from staring on their own to teaming up to watch Leng Yuan’s house together.

And they discussed it as they watched!

Chen Shulan deeply agreed.

"Isn’t that the truth? I also thought they might actually get lucky! Looking at it now, there’s no way."

"Gu Jiaojiao is gluttonous and lazy. Leng Yuan has a job as a teacher, so supporting her is one thing. But now he’s also supporting two kids who are just extra mouths to feed. Just you watch! It won’t be long before they run out of food."

At the thought of Leng Yuan and Gu Jiaojiao running out of food, the two women looked at each other and burst out laughing with a SNORT.

Just imagining the two of them so hungry they’d be dizzy and seeing stars made them feel as if they had swallowed an immortal elixir, a wave of satisfaction washing over them.

"That’s for sure. Gu Jiaojiao’s unlucky days are just getting started!"

They were jealous that Gu Jiaojiao was beautiful and had married the most capable man in the village. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

They were especially envious that after getting married, Gu Jiaojiao was so doted on by her husband that she didn’t have to do any work at all.

Every time they saw her fair, smooth face, they knew without a doubt just how happy her life was.

The sight filled them with such jealousy that their hearts soured with bitterness.