Jiang Qiao calmly asked, "Then what are you doing here? If I remember correctly, your house isn't exactly close to here. You didn't come all this way just for a walk, did you?"

Wen Ziqing shook her head. "No, I just want to see this house. It's for my brother. My grandfather promised it back then, but I couldn't convince my mother. She insists on giving it to that son surnamed Duan for his wedding."

Jiang Qiao snorted, "You mother, I'll say it again, you're obsessed with officialdom. You can't become a high-ranking official yourself, but you're obsessed with becoming one."

Unfortunately, such people often achieve the opposite of what they want; the more they desire something, the further away it becomes from them.

I don't want to comment on her. Since you've taken out Ziling's and your own things, then you should live a good life from now on.

Don't worry about this house. If your mother asks, just say I got involved. The deed is in my hands; I'm keeping it for my brother in Shaoyang.

"Ziqing, you also need to keep an eye on things. Your brother and father will be back sooner or later. I don't know how things are going with your old house, but this place, I absolutely have to protect it. This has absolutely nothing to do with the Ouyang family."

Speaking of her family's old house, Wen Ziqing gave a bitter smile. "Our old house was bought for our family by my grandfather back then. However, it's almost become the Ouyang family's old house now. They've all moved here. It's a mess, and I have nowhere to go."

From now on, I'll have to stay in the dormitory.

Jiang Qiao, could you give me my dad's and my brother's addresses? I've thought about it, and no matter how I change things, I'm still Wen Ziqing. Surnames can change, but bloodlines can't. You're right about that.

I don't want to be manipulated by that guy surnamed Duan. He says he's finding me a husband, but actually, he's just using me as a bargaining chip for the power he values.

Jiang Qiao smiled faintly, "It's good that you're not stupid, otherwise I would think that the Wen family's good genes have not been passed down to you."

To think of this, you truly are a member of the Wen family. Ziqing, take good care of yourself. With so much treasure in your possession, you'd better hide it somewhere secure and prevent anyone from discovering it. It's your and Ziling's last line of defense. Even if your mother wants it, you can't give it to her.

Her heart is no longer with you.

Someone will probably start cleaning the house tomorrow, so your mother shouldn't even think about it.

"Come on, there's nowhere to stay tonight. Come with me to a hotel for the night, and tomorrow you can apply for a dormitory at your workplace. Even if there's no dormitory, staying at your grandfather's house is better than continuing to live at the Duan family's. That's too dangerous for you."

Wen Ziqing never dreamed that when she was most lost and helpless, Jiang Qiao would take her to a hotel and treat her to a meal. How could this feeling be so warm?

Jiang Qiao's relationship with them used to be neither close nor distant. Although they were sisters, Jiang Qiao was only close to the old couple. It seemed that she didn't deliberately try to get in touch with the others.

They used to be jealous of Jiang Qiao, but now it seems no wonder Grandpa and the others value this girl. Compared to Jiang Qiao, this Jiang Qiao is more like a member of the Wen family.

Wen Ziqing was deeply moved by the meal. "Jiang Qiao, I never expected you to be so kind to us."

Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "That's because you've changed your mind. If you're still like your mother, do you think I'd listen to you?"

People aren't afraid of making mistakes, but they are afraid of not having the courage to correct them. If you can distinguish right from wrong at this time, it means that you are still a redeeming person.

If your father hadn't begged me to come, I wouldn't have made this long and arduous journey.

Wen Ziqing, you should be happy. Your brother and your father both care about you two. They'll write to you later.

As for Ziling, you can try to persuade her yourself. Giving her things is fine, but honestly, I'd rather take action than waste words trying to convince her.

Wen Ziqing was dumbfounded. "Huh? You can hit people?"

Jiang Qiao snorted, "I was planning to go over tomorrow to beat you up, but given your current state, I'll skip that. Let me tell you..."

Next, Jiang Qiao would tell Wen Ziqing about Wen Zhongxuan and his son's affairs, reminding her not to think that Wen Zhongxuan did it all by himself, but that it was Ouyang Mingzhu who pursued her uncle back then.

Wen Ziqing was dumbfounded. "Then why didn't my dad argue back?"

Jiang Qiao glared at the other person and said, "Are you stupid? Your father argued back, but did it make a difference?"

It's no use. Instead, it's dragged your mother down with it. What are you and your sister going to do? You've both chosen to stay with your mother. Your father can only endure the grievances and bear the humiliation so that you two sisters can have a relatively stable living environment.

Who was he doing this for? Not for his parents, but for you two sisters.

Your brother and your father have suffered a lot these past few years. But as the old saying goes, "No pain, no gain." The Wen family isn't afraid of suffering losses; they're only afraid of not having opportunities.

"Just wait, once they get the chance, they'll soar to great heights, you believe me?"

Wen Ziqing murmured to herself, "Will that day ever come?"

Jiang Qiao said with certainty, "Yes, definitely, but I don't know when. So, you'll have to wait patiently. It could be a few years, a dozen years, or even twenty years, who knows?"

So, listen carefully to what I'm about to say: Do you have any money on you?

Wen Ziqing nodded. "I don't hand over my wages from work, and none of them do, so why should I? This is enough for my expenses."

Jiang Qiao nodded. "Okay, next, I'll say that if you're short of money, you can sell your gold and silver. Those jewels aren't worth much and won't fetch a good price, but in the future, those jewels might become priceless."

After all, your grandmother is the matriarch of the Wen family. She wouldn't buy anything the matriarch wore unless it had considerable value. Remember that?

Wen Ziqing bit her lip and nodded. "I understand."

Jiang Qiao continued, "You're a girl, so you're most vulnerable to being taken advantage of. Therefore, you must be careful when choosing a partner. His family may not be rich, but his parents and siblings must be kind and honest. Don't think that dating is just a matter between two people; it's a matter with an entire family. If you don't get their blessings, your life will be very difficult in the future."

Be generous when you should be, don't be stingy. If you're short of money or need something, write to me and I'll help if I can...

Jiang Qiao gave Wen Ziqing all the instructions that needed to be said and that could be said. This night was a pivotal one in Wen Ziqing's life, because after listening to Jiang Qiao's advice, she found a husband's family that truly satisfied her.

She didn't care about status or wealth; she only cared about character. She even turned against her own mother when she interfered in the matter.

Many years later, when the two sisters reunited, Wen Ziqing was truly grateful to her cousin. Although they were only a few days apart in age, it was because Jiang Qiao had taken such good care of her.

Therefore, she was grateful that her life was much happier than her stubborn younger sister's. Her husband was considerate and kind, and her children were filial. Her younger sister's life was nothing like the hell she was going through.

Jiang Qiao wasn't surprised by the outcome because Wen Ziling didn't listen to their advice and continued to be close to her mother. But that's a story for another time.