Due to Jun Jiuli’s influence, Zhong Qingyun could also witness the suffering Xu Zhaodi was currently enduring.
Her heart was filled with joy. She had experienced these hardships a hundred times over in her previous life. Now that the tables had turned, she was willing to pay any price.
The ethereal fairy, who had been so aloof and untouched by the world in her past life, could also be driven to madness by poverty and a disgusting family.
She feigned an apologetic demeanor, but inwardly, she must have been immensely pleased and fortunate. Her own inferiority and ugliness made the fairy seem like a proud swan.
What if it was all a pretense? She had received a proper education for twenty-two years. Her own timidity and inability to present herself properly could all serve as talking points for the fairy.
Now, everything was back on track. The Zhong family had hired the best tutors and had access to the best resources in the city. Zhong Qingyun could learn whatever she desired.
Considering she was still adjusting, she hadn't attended school for the first six months after returning home. The plan was to foster her relationship with her family first, and then enroll her in first grade the following year.
The curriculum in kindergarten was not extensive, and her tutors had already covered it all. Zhong Qingyun was like a sponge, eager to absorb knowledge, wanting to learn and do everything.
After trying a few things, she decided to pursue piano, which she was most interested in and naturally gifted at. In her previous life, she had longed to learn after watching people perform on television, but the Xu family's circumstances left her without even the courage to ask.
Seeing their daughter’s interest, Zhong’s father and mother bought an expensive piano that very day. They also specially prepared a piano room for her studies.
The etiquette teachers who came to instruct her praised her rapid learning and progress. Her rough skin, neglected by her previous upbringing, quickly improved under the care and wealth of the Zhong family.
Her discolored hair had long since been trimmed by a hairdresser, and with the careful attention of a nutritionist, her new hair grew out dark and lustrous.
Her mother cried every time she saw her injuries, but fortunately, they had hired excellent doctors. Slowly, she began to recover, her frostbitten hands completely healed, and her skin gradually improved.
In just over half a year, she had undergone a complete transformation, even growing half a head taller than before. She was bright, cheerful, and exuded an aura of confidence.
During these six months, Xu Zhaodi also did not attend school because her father, Xu, was too lazy to find a kindergarten for her. Even as the female lead, her sickly body could not withstand the conditions of the Xu family.
She fell ill several times, and when sent to the hospital, she was told she needed proper rest. Xu’s father constantly accused her of having a "rich person's illness" and forbade her mother from taking her to the hospital again, as the money needed to be saved for their son's education.
By now, she had given up her spoiled temper, understanding how to please her father in this household. She helped her mother with household chores within her capabilities.
She had considered escaping, but she had no money and didn't know the way. In her previous life, she had only learned flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and the violin. People in their small town were too busy making a living to cultivate such refined tastes.
Even if she had tried, others wouldn't have believed a six-year-old girl. If she ran away, she wouldn't know how to survive. Thus, she could only stay and rely on the Xu family.
After the spring arrived, Xu Dafu started attending the lower kindergarten class. With a child needing to attend school, Xu’s mother also had to go out to work. She needed to pick up and drop off Xu Dafu, clean the house, and cook for the family.
She also had to collect discarded materials to supplement their income. Initially, she refused but was severely beaten by her father several times and was now obedient.
She had secretly kept some money a few times when selling scrap paper, but her mother always found it. This would be followed by a joint beating from both parents, while Xu Dafu cheered from the sidelines.
Two years passed this way. Without adequate nutrition, Xu Zhaodi had still grown significantly. The small sofa she had once disdained, she still slept on, without it ever being replaced.
She could only curl up on it, wishing for time to pass faster. When she was older, she could find a job and go to Yunnan to find her Brother Feng.
But the days of hardship always seemed to drag on. Every night, when the world was quiet, she would wonder what Zhong Qingyun was doing. The comparison made her resentful; why did she have to suffer so much?
Her hatred for Zhong Qingyun was what kept her going for so long. What did it matter if she had the Zhong family? In the future, it would all fall before Brother Feng.
She just needed to wait, to endure. Everything would be fine when she grew up, everything would be fine when she found Brother Feng. With this belief in her heart, she miraculously remained healthy and never needed to be hospitalized again.
Jun Jiuli and Shui Wa became spectators, content to watch events unfold. Zhong Qingyun studied diligently and made many friends at school who came from similar backgrounds.
Shui Wa always gossiped about her and her deskmate. Jun Jiuli was influenced by this and saw couples everywhere. She spent her days with a group of small children.
Jun Jiuli also grew tired of it and went into the space to cultivate, asking Shui Wa to report any news. Shui Wa was constantly at the forefront of gossip.
Which young boy had a crush on Zhong Qingyun, how many love letters Zhong Qinghuan received that day, how many slaps Xu Zhaodi endured – Shui Wa recorded it all tirelessly, truly possessing a talent for being a paparazzo.
Jun Jiuli found its gossipy nature utterly detestable. Not only was it a gossip, but it was also a busybody. Every day, it chattered incessantly to Jun Jiuli, calling it "sharing."
The financial crisis from the plot arrived, and the Feng family indeed came knocking on their door. The young Feng Yechuan knew how to pose and entice Zhong Qingyun.
Shui Wa: "Host, come out for some juicy gossip."
Jun Jiuli: "(*´◐∀◐`*) Coming."
Feng’s father spoke honeyed words and promised great rewards. Feng’s mother also presented a carefully chosen diamond necklace and tried to foster a connection with Zhong’s mother.
"Sister Qingyun, you are so beautiful, like Snow White from a fairy tale."
"Excuse me, I never read fairy tales. You are quite childish."
Zhong Qingyun acted haughty and unwilling to converse, her condescending gaze towards Feng Yechuan making him deeply displeased.
However, his parents had instructed him before they left that he must secure investment this time. Although the Zhong family’s reputation was questionable, they had considerable liquid assets.
If he wanted his family to overcome their difficulties, he needed to dote on Zhong Qingyun a little; she was the apple of the Zhong couple's eye. He took a deep breath and continued.
"Then, what does Sister Qingyun like?"
"I have a brother, so stop calling me 'sister.' We are not close. And what I like is none of your business?"
With that, she ran off, completely ignoring Feng Yechuan and leaving him in the garden. Feng Yechuan’s eyes were filled with malice as he pinched his palm and chased after her.
In the living room, Feng’s father saw Zhong Qingyun and immediately put on a benevolent and kindly expression.
"Xiao Yun is back? Why don't I see your Brother Yechuan? This boy is just playful. If he dares to bully you, tell Uncle, and Uncle will beat him up."
The person before her was also a wolf in sheep's clothing. In her previous life, he had used the Zhong family to weather a crisis. He held no gratitude in his heart; perhaps he felt that marrying into the Zhong family was a favor to them.