Chapter 4: Mother, Please Be Civil

As for the old lady’s kind and pleasant demeanor, Qin Hongfei estimated that, at best, only two or three parts of it were genuine, but this was perfectly normal.

Upon hearing this, Qin Fei’s pretty face fell in utter disappointment. “Is that all?”

Qin Hongfei found it amusing. “Otherwise, just wait a few days and see. Aunt made a scene today, and she’s clearly in the wrong, but after all, Uncle and Aunt both have respectable jobs, and their children are excellent too. Unlike us, Grandpa and Grandma, at their age, are bound to favor those who stand out. In a few days, they’ll have forgotten all about what happened today. Besides, even if it comes up again, we can always say it’s because our mother always lets the Fifth Branch take advantage, which is why they got so worked up and ended up wronging us.”

The more agitated she’d been earlier, the colder Qin Fei felt now. She gave a bitter laugh. “I thought…”

She’d been looked down on all her life, and just now, when someone finally acknowledged her and praised her, she’d felt almost giddy. Seeing her younger sister’s indifferent attitude, she couldn’t help but ask, “Don’t you care at all?”

Qin Hongfei didn’t hesitate to say she didn’t care. “...As if.”

It would be hypocritical to say she didn’t care. Anyone alive has pride! Being looked down on always stings.

But what’s the use of caring? No one else can live your life for you. “Sister, anything given by others is fake; only what you achieve for yourself is real.”

Qin Fei replied, “You’re right. I should focus on how to earn money and pay off our family’s debts. That’s more practical.”

Qin Hongfei gave a wry smile.

Having lived more than twenty years in another world, Qin Hongfei had learned many things—how to deal with people, how to be independent and strong. These were all things this world didn’t offer her. It was thanks to that experience that she could maintain such optimism and perseverance. Complaining about fate is useless—only working hard to change your circumstances matters.

The two sisters didn’t return home but went instead to the appliance repair shop. When they arrived, they found their mother in the midst of a quarrel, exchanging insults with a man.

“You ungrateful wretch!” The middle-aged man was trembling with rage. He was the owner of the appliance store next door and believed he was acting out of kindness.

Back when their father was still around, he’d borrowed money from this relative to buy the shop. Business had been decent at first, but before they could make back the investment, disaster struck, and their mother had to take over. Unfortunately, she lacked the necessary skills, breaking countless appliances and losing untold sums. The business had always been losing money. On top of that, there were still debts from the initial purchase.

In short, they owed a large sum, and the creditors kept coming after them. The middle-aged man suggested taking over the shop himself: he’d pay them a sum so their mother could repay the debts.

It sounded generous.

But their mother spat on the ground and told him to get lost.

“Crazy woman!” the neighbor cursed.

“Mom, try to be civil. This shop…” Qin Hongfei stepped forward, asking, “Uncle, how much are you offering?”

“...Hongfei.” At the sight of her daughter, their mother instantly reined in her madness and stood there, somewhat awkward.

“I told you, stop getting so worked up…” Qin Fei, exasperated and embarrassed, went to pull her mother aside.

“We can’t sell the shop…” their mother said, aggrieved.

Qin Hongfei ignored her mother for the moment and continued her conversation with the neighbor.

The man’s eyes darted, and he said, “Out of respect for the friendship I had with your father, I can offer you twelve thousand! You only paid eight thousand for the shop back then, so I think I’m being generous. But for that twelve thousand, all the appliances and tools in the store must stay.”

That was a considerable sum as well.

“Thank you so much—for your whole family.” A moment ago, Qin Hongfei had advocated civility, but now she could barely stop herself from cursing.