It turns out that what he was carrying on his shoulders was not only his own life, but also his mother's life.

"Achuan, thanks to Captain He for running around and helping you when you were injured this time."

She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the bitterness in her heart, and said softly, "You helped me find a car to take me to the hospital, helped with the paperwork, and even stayed outside the ward at night. Now that you're better, we should take some things to visit Aunt He and thank her as well."

She paused, her eyes becoming serious: "We can't let them give for nothing. We can't be too complacent either."

Shen Zhiyu was stunned for a moment, not even noticing the cigarette ash that landed on his pants.

Looking into Su Qingzhi's clear eyes, a secret she kept hidden in her heart suddenly flashed through his mind—she was not the original owner of this body at all, yet she treated everyone who cared about her with the most genuine sincerity.

He paused for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Okay. I'll go buy some supplements and medicine tomorrow."

If Aunt He's illness could be cured...

He Zaizhou's life will be different then.

He was able to marry, have children, and live a normal life.

But she was still his own mother, his last family member in this world.

He couldn't possibly abandon it.

Unless... the illness can be cured.

"Sister-in-law, brother, dinner's ready!"

Shen Jinhe skipped and hopped into the house, her little face flushed, and she was holding a pair of chopsticks in her hand.

She spotted them both and immediately raised her voice, shouting, "The food's getting cold! Come and eat!"

"Xiao He, bring the food over. We'll eat at your Uncle Su's place tonight."

Yin Hua poked her head out of the kitchen, still holding a spatula in her hand, smiling, and waved her hand, saying, "Don't eat over there, we're all family, let's get together and have some fun."

"Okay!"

Shen Jinhe responded crisply, her voice filled with undisguised joy, as melodious as a spring breeze rustling through bells.

Before she finished speaking, she had already darted out with light steps, her shoes making a soft rustling sound on the bluestone slabs, like a frolicking deer, and disappeared around the corner of the porch in the blink of an eye.

Zhu Xiuqin looked at Yin Hua, her eyes trembled slightly, and a thin layer of heat involuntarily welled up in her eyes.

That warmth quietly welled up in my heart, like a ray of sunshine shining into the softest corner of my soul.

The thoughtfulness of the in-laws is truly touching.

She knew in her heart that Yin Hua sincerely hoped she could spend more time with her daughter, even if it was just sitting quietly for a while, talking, and looking at her.

But her daughter had just returned from her husband's family home, so how could she shamelessly stay here and refuse to leave?

Su Qingzhi is already married after all...

With changed status comes changed rules; how can things be as casual as before?

It wasn't that she didn't want to keep Su Qingzhi by her side, but reason told her that it wasn't realistic.

Yin Hua had long understood all of this and saw things clearly. He never made things difficult for her, nor did he ever make Zhu Xiuqin feel embarrassed or awkward.

Yin Hua noticed the hesitation and complex emotions in her eyes, gently raised her hand, and softly patted the back of her hand twice with her fingertips.

The movement was extremely light, yet incredibly powerful, as if silently saying, "I understand, don't worry."

The two exchanged a glance, their understanding unspoken.

They immediately got up and, in perfect unison, lifted the round table in the room.

The table legs creaked slightly as they rubbed against the ground. Together, they carried it out of the house and moved it step by step to the center of the yard.

Although it was already dark, the sky had not yet completely darkened; the afterglow of the sunset still lingered on the horizon, like a faint blush of rouge tinting the edge of the clouds.

In the courtyard, one can still see the blue bricks and weeds underfoot, so one doesn't have to act in the dark.

The moonlight was exceptionally bright tonight, its silvery glow spreading like a fine veil across every corner of the courtyard.

The bamboo shadows in the corner were stretched long and slender, swaying gently in the breeze, as if whispering.

The entire courtyard seemed to be coated with a layer of cool frost, radiating a soft light, as tranquil as a still painting.

On such a night, in such a setting, it feels just like a family sitting together, chatting and laughing, enjoying an ordinary yet warm dinner.

Not long after He Zaizhou left, he hurriedly returned with Su Yicen.

He walked briskly, his shoulders still covered in dust kicked up from the road, clearly having rushed back.

As soon as Su Yicen stepped into the courtyard, she seemed to be propelled by the wind, her steps light as she practically ran into the yard.

His breathing was slightly rapid, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he shouted loudly, "Little sister—!"

The sound was exceptionally clear in the quiet night, carrying an overwhelming sense of excitement and longing.

Upon hearing that Su Qingzhi had returned today, he rushed back from town without saying a word, running almost non-stop the whole way, nearly breaking his legs.

At that moment, he saw her sitting peacefully on the stone bench, wearing that light blue dress, her hair slightly loose, and her eyes smiling. The fiery energy on his face instantly softened.

An involuntary smile appeared on his lips, and the tension in his eyes turned into tenderness. He strode forward, grabbed her hand tightly, as if afraid she would disappear in the next second.

He looked her up and down, appreciating her more and more. Finally, he grinned, his tone full of teasing and affection: "Hmm, you've really gained weight this time! You look good too. Looks like you haven't been mistreated at your in-laws' house."

"Big brother."

Su Qingzhi looked up at him, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter, her voice soft, like a warm breeze in spring.

Su Yicen felt a warmth in her heart, as if she had been gently bumped by something soft, and her whole heart melted.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!