"Back then?" I finally spoke slowly. My voice was not loud, but clear and powerful, echoing in the air like a bell. "Back then, when you mixed ashes into my rouge box, causing my face to be allergic, red and swollen, and itchy and painful, did you ever think of me for being kind to you?" I looked at her, my eyes full of indifference and disdain, and the past when I was hurt by her flooded into my heart like a tide.

When Lin Wenxuan heard this, he couldn't help but exclaimed "Ah", obviously it was the first time he heard of this. His eyes were full of surprise and disbelief, and there was a bit more doubt in his eyes when he looked at Lin Wanyue. Lin Wanyue's face turned pale as paper in an instant, as if her soul had been taken away. She subconsciously reached out and grabbed my sleeve, wanting to cry loudly in an attempt to gain sympathy. Jiang Siyan was quick-witted and waved her hand away, shouting: "Mrs. Lin, please respect yourself! If you dare to keep pestering me like this, I will report you to the police and say you are trespassing!" Jiang Siyan's voice was firm and powerful, resounding like a bell.

As the scene grew increasingly chaotic and about to get out of hand, Su Qingyao from the next courtyard walked over with light steps, carrying a newly prepared rouge cream. Seeing Lin Wanyue from afar, she raised her lips slightly, and said in a sarcastic tone, "Hey, isn't this the Lin family's daughter? How did you find time to visit my house? Look at the powder on your face, it's as white as wall plaster, so frightening. Do you want to try my new 'Moonlight White'? Otherwise, when your son gets married, the girl might think you're wearing a mask!" Su Qingyao's words were like sharp arrows, each one piercing Lin Wanyue's sore spot.

Lin Wanyue couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears, not caring about the marriage proposal anymore. Like a frightened rabbit, she pulled Lin Wenxuan and ran away, not even daring to pick up the gift box that fell on the ground. The embarrassed backs seemed to be the end of a farce. Jiang Siyan looked at their receding backs, stamping his feet in anger, and said indignantly: "Mom, you should have confronted her more often back then! Let her know that our Jiang family is not easy to bully!"

I patted his arm gently, signaling him to calm down. Then I bent down to pick up the gift box on the ground and slowly opened it. Inside were two silver-plated hairpins, roughly made, with the edges and corners worn to a coppery color, looking worn out. Jiang Yan came over to take a look and said slowly, "Back then, she laughed at the shabby wooden hairpin I gave you. Now, you're using something like this to try to get married. It's really ridiculous."

"That's right!" Su Qingyao stuffed the rouge in her hand into my hand and said with concern, "Sister, please don't get angry and hurt yourself. It's not worth it for such a person. In the evening, I will use this new rouge to put on a 'special makeup for arguing with people' for you. I guarantee that next time Lin Wanyue sees you, her calves will tremble with fear!" Su Qingyao's eyes were full of righteousness and concern, which made my heart surge with warmth.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast its shadows across us, stretching our shadows far out. Jiang Siyan was still nagging at the side about Lin Wenxuan's cowardly behavior. Nian Tang and Cheng Yan squatted on the ground, curiously examining the two worn hairpins, occasionally letting out childish exclamations. Jiang Yan gently took the account book from my hand and whispered, "Are you done? I'll take you to eat some sweet cakes in the south of the city tonight. You've been talking about it the whole time." His voice was gentle and doting, as if it could dispel any unhappiness.

Looking at the lively family before me, my heart is filled with warmth and contentment. All those past grievances seem insignificant in this moment, not even worth a frown. Because I know, with such a loving family by my side, all the past pain has become a passing cloud, and the happiness and warmth of this moment are what life truly is.