120, rebellion, foster sister

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He Xiaohua’s hands, which she had originally calmed, were about to reach out again, but Jing Suyun grabbed them firmly. Tonight, this girl was simply asking for a beating, deliberately trying to provoke them! Jing Qingxin sat closer to Jiang Min and could keenly sense the deep sorrow radiating from her; her trembling body spoke volumes. It seemed this girl truly longed to be her godmother’s daughter, yet Jing Qingxin wondered why they had never formally acknowledged this bond. Judging by the attitude of Jiang Feng and his wife, it appeared they didn’t particularly care for or cherish this daughter, whereas Jiang’s mother doted on and indulged her youngest son greatly. Considering the era's background, Jing Qingxin quickly understood. In these times, resources were scarce, yet every family still pushed themselves to have children. The more children there were, the scarcer food became. Naturally, a distinction between sons and daughters emerged, especially in an age when most families barely had enough to eat. The preference for sons over daughters was even more pronounced! In an instant, Jing Qingxin seemed to understand Jiang Min’s behavior—perhaps she simply lacked affection too deeply! Her godmother, a cultured and gracious woman without the bias of son preference and who was gentle to others, was the source from whom Jiang Min sought maternal warmth and thus held hope. Moreover, her parents’ long-standing differential treatment had suppressed her for too long, and upon learning today that her godmother planned to accept her as a daughter, she expressed herself so openly. Hearing Jiang Min’s words, Jing Suyun felt conflicted. She had already recognized Jing Qingxin as her goddaughter and couldn’t possibly accept another; such customs didn’t exist nowadays. Secretly, Jing Suyun glanced at Jing Qingxin, worried she might overthink or be displeased. Though they had only spent two days together, she truly liked her—obedient, sensible, generous, considerate, and skillful. She had never before imagined a daughter like her, and even doubted whether she could raise such a daughter herself if she had one. Yet, facing little Min, Jing Suyun was truly at a loss, unsure how to handle the situation without hurting the child’s feelings. Jiang Feng stood up, strode to Jiang Min, grabbed her roughly, and pulled her toward the door, anger flashing in his voice: “Come on, leave quickly! Go home! This is embarrassing!” “I won’t go! I won’t go back!” Jiang Min stubbornly said. Since she had bottled up her feelings for so long, now that she had spoken plainly, she refused to be timid any longer. She did not want her future to be more miserable. She knew her mother was already trying to arrange a marriage for her, and with her mother’s nature, what plans could she expect? Probably only the bride price mattered! This thought chilled Jiang Min’s heart. Life, the future—there was no color left for her. “Jiang Feng, let go!” Jing Suyun called out loudly. Zhang Liangping rose and stepped before Jiang Feng to block their way. He wasn’t hostile to his wife’s only living relative, but neither did he particularly like her. It was just flattering and opportunistic behavior, a reality he had seen many times. He refrained from judging and maintained only basic courtesy. Jing Qingxin hadn’t expected that such a simple ceremony to acknowledge kinship would be interrupted by an unexpected scene. She understood the harshness girls faced in this era, and though she lived in a happy, loving family, she could not claim to fully empathize. Without deep experience, some understanding still felt too superficial.

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Silent sobbing touches the heart more deeply than loud crying. Jing Qingxin neither disliked nor resented Jiang Min; instead, she admired her for not being completely numb, for still resisting and striving. Jing Qingxin saw nothing wrong in Jiang Min’s defiance. When fate is unfair and parents indifferent, if one does not fight and strive for oneself, who else will? Don’t expect a hero from heaven; the heavens are busy, and you are but one insignificant soul among many. Nor should one fantasize about being a Cinderella, waiting for a prince to rescue her from hardship. Cinderella herself took bold risks and struggled before dancing with the prince and leaving behind her glass slipper. If one does nothing, makes no effort, relying only on dreams and hopes, nothing will change. Ultimately, whether dealing with people or matters, one must first rely on oneself. Nothing is more reliable and controllable. Jing Suyun quickly pulled Jiang Min close, gently embracing and soothing her. She felt a pang of sympathy for the girl, who, though not particularly clever or articulate, was diligent and sensible. “Cousin, look at this fuss…” Jiang Feng said sheepishly. “Enough! Stop talking! What’s the big deal? You’re scolding and hitting over nothing,” Jing Suyun said, her tone a little stern. Zhang Liangping smiled amiably. “Everyone sit down! It’s nothing. Haha, little Min just really likes her aunt!” Soon, everyone sat again. The food on the table had mostly been eaten, but the men, still tipsy, lingered chatting. Jing Qingxin noticed Jiang Min’s head remained bowed, her spirits low. She wondered: if she had not traveled through time, would the bond between godmother and Jiang Min have ever formed? Judging from Jiang’s parents’ attitude, probably not. Yet fate was strange. She had formed a mother-daughter bond with her godmother, and through her, Jiang Min’s emotions had been stirred. Sometimes, human connections are truly mysterious—one link leading to another, perhaps a cycle of cause and effect. Reflecting lightly, Jing Qingxin smiled gently at Jiang Min and asked, “Jiang Min, how old are you this year?” Hearing this, Jiang Min lifted her head and looked at Jing Qingxin’s kind smile. She had been a little jealous when she learned the godmother was to accept Jing Qingxin as a daughter, but she had to admit: Jing Qingxin was beautiful and cooked better than she did. She had heard that Jing Qingxin was an orphan and had found such an outstanding husband. Compared to having parents and siblings, Jing Qingxin’s life seemed much better, making Jiang Min envious. Although she didn’t know why this question was asked, she whispered, “I’ll be eighteen this August.” Jing Qingxin said brightly, “Then you’re just a few months younger than me. If you don’t mind, may I take you as my little sister?” The godmother could not acknowledge another godchild, but she could. Though she could not change the fate of all unfortunate girls in this era, Jiang Min was connected to her, so they could become sisters. She could offer what help she could, and though her influence was limited, she could guide and encourage Jiang Min, adding a ray of sunshine to her life. On the other side, Gao Shen was surprised but respected Qingxin’s wish.

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Jiang’s mother snorted coldly upon hearing Jing Qingxin’s words: She’s still an orphan herself, wanting to recognize god-relations? That would bring no benefit to their family—shameless! Jing Suyun, however, was delighted and said with a smile, “That’s great! You’re both good children!” Then she turned to Jiang Min: “Little Min, you’re your aunt’s niece. Even without formal recognition, your aunt treats you like a daughter. Qingxin is a wonderful person with many talents. Becoming sisters is a kind of fate—you should learn from her.” Jing Qingxin kept her kind smile, watching Jiang Min, waiting for her decision. She wouldn’t force her if she refused. Jiang Min never expected the situation to end like this—being asked to accept Jing Qingxin as her elder sister. She silently stared at Qingxin, who wore a confident, radiant smile. Without much thought, Jiang Min blurted out, “Okay!” After saying it, she was a little stunned at her own decisiveness. Perhaps it was the dazzling confidence she sensed in Qingxin—something she herself lacked. Though they had known each other only briefly, Qingxin’s composed demeanor among others, graceful conversation, and bright smile, along with the unanimous praise from everyone, were qualities Jiang Min yearned to embody. Thus, she had spoken without hesitation. Deep down, she truly wished for such a sisterly friendship. “Haha, Old Zhang, looks like today’s a good day! Perfect for forming kinship!” Teacher Zhao laughed. “Yes, it’s all because of fate!” Zhang Liangping chuckled in agreement. ———— Side note ———— The midnight chapter ends here! Recently, things have been quieter, with fewer comments and interactions than before! This book is first released by Xiaoxiang Academy; please do not repost!