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nChapter 1

nThe sun was scorching the ground like a furnace, and heat waves surged everywhere.

nThe grass on both sides of the road seemed to be asleep. They were all bent over and looked dejected. In the heat, the constant noise of the cicadas made people feel even more frustrated.

nChu Qingzhi wiped her sweat and felt that she was about to melt under the sun. She sat on the donkey cart and was pulled towards the Chu Village by a middle-aged man in a straw hat.

n“Father, stop for a moment. I want to drink water.” Chu Qingzhi’s throat was smoking. She couldn’t take it anymore. When she saw the well over there, she quickly shouted for her father to stop.

n“Okay.” Chu Rong rode the donkey cart under the shade of the tree. “Qingzhi, wait a moment. I’ll go get water immediately.”

nWith that, he carried a bucket and a basin and walked to the well.

nChu Qingzhi jumped off the donkey cart and followed. She could not wait a moment longer.

nChu Rong quickly took out water from the well. He did not take a sip himself and handed it to Chu Qingzhi first. “Drink it.” He placed the rest of the water in front of the donkey. “Drink it. You must be thirsty too.”

nThe donkey did not stand on ceremony and immediately drank.

nChu Qingzhi felt like a stranded fish. After drinking the water, she finally felt alive.

nShe drank half of the water in the basin before handing it to Chu Rong.

nAfter drinking the water, they waited for the donkey to finish before continuing on the way.

nThe sound of wheels slowly rolled along the road. After half an incense stick of time, they finally arrived at the Chu Village.

nThe donkey cart stopped in front of the courtyard of a brick house. Chu Rong helped Chu Qingzhi down and handed the bucket and basin to Chu Qingzhi. Then, he shouted, “Third Uncle, I’m here to return the donkey cart.”

nThird Uncle was in his fifties and had a sturdy body. When he heard the voice, he quickly walked out and took the donkey rope. His gaze landed on Chu Qingzhi. “Did you bring your daughter back?”

nChu Rong quickly said to Chu Qingzhi, “Call him Third Grandpa.”

nChu Qingzhi called out obediently, “Third Grandpa.”

nThird Uncle nodded. “Chu Rong, it is hot outside. Hurry up and take your daughter home.”

nChu Rong said respectfully, “Yes, Third Uncle.”

nChu Rong took the bucket and basin from Chu Qingzhi and brought her home immediately.

nIt was a courtyard with a few simple thatched houses. They were very clean. In the corner, there was an old hibiscus tree with lush branches.

nBefore entering the courtyard, Chu Rong suddenly said, “Qingzhi, our family is not as good as your adoptive parents’ family. Don’t mind it.”

nChu Qingzhi nodded.

nHearing Chu Rong’s voice, a group of people walked out of the house.

nThey were Chu Rong’s wife, Madam Li, his parents, and eight children.

nYes, there were eight children. Including Chu Qingzhi, there were nine children.

nChu Qingzhi was speechless.

nChu Rong introduced them to Chu Qingzhi. Chu Qingzhi obediently greeted them one by one before everyone entered the house.

nMadam Li pulled Chu Qingzhi to sit beside her. Her eyes were red. “Qingzhi, it’s been hard on you. No matter what, I won’t give you away again.”

nChu Qingzhi was the fifth child of the Chu family. She was 15 years old this year. The year she was born, a well-off man from the county came to the village to collect food. When he saw that Chu Rong’s family had many children and that his son had been married for many years and did not have any children, he asked Chu Rong if he was willing to give him a child.

nAt that time, the Chu family was too poor, so Chu Rong and Madam Li agreed.

nThey did not want to abandon their children, but it was better for their children to live in a rich family than suffer in poverty with them. After considering the pros and cons, they agreed.

nFifteen years later, the daughter-in-law of the well-off man suddenly got pregnant and gave birth to a son. He no longer wanted Chu Qingzhi.

nActually, the daughter-in-law of the well-off man did not like Chu Qingzhi at all.

nEvery time she saw Chu Qingzhi, she felt that her father-in-law was deliberately reminding her of the fact that she could not give birth. As time passed, she hated Chu Qingzhi to the core.

nNow that she gave birth to a son, she immediately wanted to send Chu QIngzhi away. Out of sight, out of mind. The well-off man listened to his daughter-in-law and informed Chu Rong to pick his daughter up.

nChu Rong went to pick her up the next day.

nChu Qingzhi was especially not used to it. She mustered her courage before saying, “Mother, let’s not talk about the past. Let’s live well in the future.”

nMadam Li couldn’t help but cry. “Our family will always be together in the future.”

nChu Rong’s eldest son, Chu First, tried to get close to her. “Fifth Sister, I made you some syrup. Do you want it?”

nFifth Sister had always been separated from them. Now that she was finally back, they had to treat her well and let her feel a sense of belonging in the family as soon as possible.

nSugar was a precious thing at that time. Many people could not afford it. The sugar at home was bought last year during the new year. No one could bear to eat it.

nChu Qingzhi wanted to refuse, but this was considered a show of goodwill from her new home. If she refused, it meant that she did not like this place, so she nodded. “Thank you, Brother.”

nChu First said happily, “I’ll go get it for you immediately.” This sister was so polite. The children of the Chu family were so many that they were named by number.

nChu Qingzhi drank the syrup in one go. “Mother, I want to sleep for a while. Did you prepare a room for me?”

nMadam Li quickly said, “Yes, yes, yes. I did. Come with me. I’ve already prepared it for you.”

nChu Second was a daughter. She quickly said, “Fifth Sister, there aren’t many rooms at home. You can sleep with me. If you’re not used to it, I can sleep on the floor.”

nChu Qingzhi looked at this not so well-off family and only felt that… it was so crowded. “There’s no need to sleep on the floor. We can sleep together.”

nChu Second said happily, “I’m well-behaved when I sleep. I won’t squeeze you.”

nChu Qingzhi nodded.

nWhen she entered the room, Chu Qingzhi was stunned. The bed was only slightly wider than a single bed. If two people slept on it, the person outside could only sleep at the edge. SHe might even fall off the bed… It was really crowded.

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