The happiest person about the daughter-in-law's realization was Li Meihua.

"Chunfang, with your words, I feel at ease."

"Mom, I was wrong to do what I did before. I will definitely correct my mistakes and won't do it again." Tao Chunfang said sincerely.

Qiao Xiaoni knew she was telling the truth.

"Sister-in-law, how easy is it to get into university? Unless you're absolutely blind, how could it be possible?"

Tao Chunfang quickly covered her mouth, "You silly child, you can't just say things like that. You're the only high school student in our family, you're everyone's hope."

Qiao Xiaoni nodded and then moved her hand away.

"I know that, but there are so many people who want to go to university, hundreds of thousands across the country. How many schools are there in total? I was a bit confused when I answered the questions back then, I just didn't want to give you too much hope."

Li Meihua walked over to them and said, "Whether you pass the exam or not, we'll leave it to fate! It's getting late, let's go to bed early, we need to get up early tomorrow to make vegetable pancakes!"

Tao Chunfang nodded, "But what about all this stuff in the kitchen? Won't the rats steal it?"

Li Meihua laughed, "I've already thought it through. I'll cover everything with big basins. They'll have to see if they can steal any food!"

Qiao Xiaoni said, "Mom, I'll buy a cat at the market tomorrow! That way, we won't have to worry about mice at home, and if we take good care of it, it won't rummage through things."

Li Meihua thought it would be nice to have a cat at home; there was meat in the house, so she could easily prepare some food. She nodded in agreement.

"Then you should buy one if you see one that suits you. It's best if it's a black cat, since they say black cats catch mice."

Qiao Xiaoni made a mental note of it: black cats can catch mice. Yesterday, when she went to town, she saw an old man selling a litter of kittens, both black and white. She wondered if he had sold them all.

"Okay, I got it. Let's all go back to sleep. Make sure you wake me up in the morning, or I'll oversleep again."

Li Meihua rubbed her sore shoulders. "Your sister-in-law and I really did call you just now. What if we couldn't wake you up? Were we supposed to splash you with cold water?"

Qiao Xiaoni said, "You don't need to splash me with cold water. Just wipe my face with a wet towel and I'll wake up."

Li Meihua touched her daughter's long braid. "Okay, I know. I'll definitely wake you up. Your hair is a bit oily. I'll go to town tomorrow to buy some shampoo and wash it properly."

"Mmm!" Qiao Xiaoni responded. Her hair reached her lower back. She had tied it into a long ponytail for the past few days to save time. She was reluctant to cut it and decided to keep it since it wouldn't take much effort.

The original owner's hair was very good quality, black and shiny, and with proper care, it should grow even longer.

...

Back in her room, Qiao Xiaoni lay down and rubbed her stomach, feeling unable to sleep. She tossed and turned, looking at the moon in the sky. The events of the past few days felt like a dream.

Rebirth after death—was it just so she could live again? Something feels off, but I can't quite put my finger on it... I hope I'm just overthinking it...

the next day.

Su Chenhao cooked corn porridge, ate breakfast with his younger brother, changed into the clothes he had prepared, and prepared to go out.

Su Chenqiu followed him to the door, stood there and waved to him.

"Brother, come home early tonight."

Su Chenhao got on his bicycle. "I'll try to come back as early as possible today. I won't go out unnecessarily; I'll stay home and take good care of the house."

Su Chenqiu obediently nodded in agreement, watching his brother ride his bicycle away into the distance. He then locked the gate; he was determined not to open the door to outsiders while his brother was away.