Min'er actually didn't want to interact with Jiang Nan Fang alone.
She was too considerate and excelled at everything, making Min'er feel like an idiot.
But Zhan Bei Jue seemed to be henpecked.
Back in Switzerland, he was very assertive.
Now, facing this woman, he did whatever she said...
Min'er could only go out with Jiang Nan Fang.
In fact, everything Jiang Nan Fang said was sensible and free of malice.
She had always been polite to Min'er, so there was no reason for Min'er to be so hostile.
But Min'er couldn't help it.
She thought she would gradually 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, suppressed and unable to be released daily, now flooded out all at once.
She really wanted to hug him and talk to him alone.
However, with Jiang Nan Fang in the way, she couldn't do anything.
At this moment, Jiang Nan Fang's warmth towards her felt like showing off.
Min'er deliberately kept her distance from Jiang Nan Fang, avoiding any physical contact.
Without Zhan Bei Jue around, Jiang Nan Fang also saw no need for pleasantries.
The two of them went to a supermarket near the residential complex in complete silence.
Years of poverty had instilled in Min'er the habit of being thrifty.
She was timid when shopping, always trying 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 threw everything into the shopping cart.
She bought a large pile of deli items, a large pile of sweets, fresh produce, dairy products, and nutritional supplements, filling the cart until it looked like Lunar New Year, packed to the brim.
Even though Min'er hated her, she felt embarrassed spending so much of her money.
"You don't need to buy so much."
"You might not need it, but Auntie does. It's all from your brother spoiling Auntie, so don't be polite with me."
The residential complex wasn't far, so they carried two large shopping bags back together.
Min'er was surprised to find that Jiang Nan Fang was quite strong.
If it were someone else carrying so much, they would definitely need to rest midway or switch hands.
But Jiang Nan Fang's face was unruffled, and her steps were brisk, as if she felt no weight at all.
Halfway there, she asked Jiang Nan Fang, "Are you tired? Do you want to stop and rest?"
Jiang Nan Fang thought Min'er 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 being tired."
Jiang Nan Fang smiled, "I'm not tired either. I'm used to working. Since that's the case, let's keep going."
As they continued walking, Min'er couldn't help but secretly observe her.
Her features were delicate and refined, with light makeup.
Although she wore a conservative business suit, her figure was shapely.
She was like a fairy, beautiful from head to toe, captivating one's gaze.
How could someone so ethereal have also done manual labor?
"Sister Nan Fang... can I call you that?"
"Yes, everyone else 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 did manual labor. Did you do a lot of housework as a child?"
"Doing housework isn't really manual labor for me."
Jiang Nan Fang smiled again.
"Actually, our lives are quite similar."
"Ah?"
Min'er didn't believe it.
With such beauty and excellence, 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 one is that I've read more books than you."
"I don't mean anything by it, don't overthink it."
"Everyone's circumstances and experiences are different. Anyone in your situation would feel lost."
"But I realized something earlier than you: education can change one's destiny. Truly. If I hadn't enjoyed 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 best and most elite schools in the city throughout his education. He got in because his family was willing to spend the money, while I got in on my own merit."
This statement dimmed Min'er's eyes.
If that were true, she was indeed far behind Jiang Nan Fang.
In terms of looks, Min'er was better.
In terms of capability, Jiang Nan Fang was superior.
She had also given Zhan Bei Jue several children.
Even if she liked Zhan Bei Jue very much, what could she do to compete with Jiang Nan Fang?
Due to her father's constant suppression and her difficult living conditions, Min'er easily became insecure.
She didn't realize her own advantages.
With just a few casual sentences, Jiang Nan Fang shattered the confidence that Ke Teng had spent so long building for her.
When they returned home and sat down for dinner, Zhan Bei Jue brought up the topic of schooling again.
Min'er felt troubled.
She couldn't return to Fucheng anymore, but they didn't want her to stay.
And they had no idea how to approach Zhan Bei Jue.
It was so frustrating!
When she was bothered, she cried more.
Min'er shed tears in front of Zhan Bei Jue again, which was rare.
"It's not that I don't want to attend, but that school can't accommodate me."
"My foundation is poor, the teachers don't like me, my classmates mock me, and with so many family issues, I really can't continue..."
What she said was the truth.
Min'er could only understand Chinese, had limited writing skills, and hadn't studied for several years.
It was impossible for her to pick up her studies again and do well.
Zhan Bei Jue had overlooked this.
Seeing her express her pain so clearly, he finally realized.
Min'er had too many worries and a weak foundation, so it was unlikely she would achieve great academic success.
"Then let's not go back to Fucheng. Stay here. We'll study whatever you like."
"Tomorrow, I'll find a good hospital for Auntie and have doctors consult with her. I'll take care of her from now on."
"Our studies won't be measured by whether we get a certificate. The most important thing is to have a skill. I won't pressure you, and you shouldn't pressure yourself, okay?"
Min'er couldn't help it; tears welled up again.
What Zhan Bei Jue said was almost exactly what she had planned.
She could finally use his words to stay openly.
But at the same time, she felt terrible.
Whenever Zhan Bei Jue was good to her, she couldn't bear to keep things from him.
"Things are fine as they are now. I really don't want to trouble you anymore."
"Things are fine? What's fine about it?"
"Leaving a bowl of leftover rice for Auntie in the morning, making her eat it all day, staying alone at home all day, living in such a damp and dark place year after year?"
"If this can be considered fine, then I, Zhan Bei Jue, have a heart of stone."
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 even a bowl of leftover rice. What can't we be honest about?"
"This is how it will be. Stay with us with peace of mind from now on. Your sister-in-law and I are your family."