In the end, Ming Jingru fled in embarrassment.

After Ming Jingru left, Xu Yuejiao placed the item on the table. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

A recording pen? She didn’t own such a thing. It was just a small stick—a gift from Yun Shifei back then. Yun Shifei had told her it was collapsible and could be used for self-defense.

Annoyed by Ming Jingru’s sarcastic attitude earlier, Xu Yuejiao decided to use this trick to scare her.

Always flaunting in front of her—Xu Yuejiao wasn’t someone easy to push around. If she didn’t teach Ming Jingru a lesson, the latter would never understand why a flower blooms so brightly.

Once Xu Yuejiao tidied up her things, she set off to return to South City.

Before leaving, she gave Yun Shifei a call.

"Feifei, your sister has decided to head back to South City soon."

Yun Shifei, who was chatting with Old Mrs. Xu, furrowed her brows upon hearing Xu Yuejiao’s words: "Sister Jiaojiao, did something happen?"

"Nothing, I’m fine. I just suddenly saw things clearly and decided to let go."

Let go...

Yun Shifei lowered her gaze, feeling a little worried about Xu Yuejiao’s state.

When Xu Yuejiao said she let go, Yun Shifei didn’t truly believe her.

She knew how deeply Xu Yuejiao liked Zhou Li. After all, she had endured so much before and never gave up. How could she truly let go just like that?

Something must have happened that outwardly made her decide to "let go."

Yun Shifei felt a pang of sadness for Xu Yuejiao, though she didn’t know the details. She said to her, "Sister Jiaojiao, come back soon. We all miss you very much."

After the phone call, Old Mrs. Xu looked at Yun Shifei and asked, "Was that Jiaojiao calling?"

Yun Shifei nodded.

"That girl Jiaojiao—why has she suddenly become so sensible? She even mentioned going out to work. That’s so tiring."

"Yes." Yun Shifei replied. She had promised Xu Yuejiao not to tell anyone that she worked in the factory because of someone she liked, so even to Old Mrs. Xu, she wouldn’t say anything.

Old Mrs. Xu glanced at Yun Shifei a few times before saying, "Shifei, be honest with Grandma. Did Jiaojiao have a boy she likes in Beijing?"

Yun Shifei: "..."

So, is she really someone who wears her emotions openly on her face?

Otherwise, how would Old Mrs. Xu even figure this out?

"Grandma, there are some things I can’t say..."

She knew Old Mrs. Xu could easily tell if she was lying, so trying to deceive this elder had no point.

Besides, Old Mrs. Xu was someone she respected the most.

"Ah, look how anxious you are. Kids grow up and have their secrets now." Old Mrs. Xu sighed wistfully. "It’s good that you all are dating, but as your Grandma, I’m just worried that you might come across someone like Xu Yi’s boyfriend. Xu Yi was already not on the right path, so I don’t worry about her. But you and Jiaojiao are good girls, and I fear you might encounter a bad guy."

"Grandma, I already told you that my boyfriend will come in two days. You’ll meet him, and see for yourself."

In a week’s time, it would be the New Year, and Cheng Lie was scheduled to return.

By then, he would come to Nantian Town as agreed with Yun Shifei.

Naturally, Xu Yuejiao would return a day earlier than Cheng Lie.

Yun Shifei accompanied her uncle and cousin to pick up Xu Yuejiao. During the whole trip, she didn’t get a chance to speak to her.

Finally, once they returned to Xu Yuejiao’s home, Yun Shifei helped her pack upstairs, giving her the chance to ask about the situation.

Seeing Yun Shifei’s concerned gaze, Xu Yuejiao sighed, "I think that no matter how hard I try, he’ll never like me."

"Sister Jiaojiao, what makes you so sure?"

"Look at this—despite my efforts, he’s so cold to me. He even said that me working with him in the factory was just playing boring games." Xu Yuejiao sighed again. "See, when someone doesn’t like you, everything you do seems wrong. He doesn’t like me, so anything I try is just a mistake."

Even when she gave him gifts, she would worry she’d done something wrong.

Is there really any point in continuing such a relationship?

Xu Yuejiao believed there wasn’t.

Yun Shifei also found Xu Yuejiao’s situation complicated.

She suddenly thought of Sun Xiaoqi, who was now getting along well with Ye Yi. Though not officially together yet, Sun Xiaoqi had invited Ye Yi out, and Ye Yi had agreed.

It seemed promising.

They had similar personalities, shared interests, and comparable family backgrounds. There seemed to be little suspense.

But Xu Yuejiao’s situation was different.

Zhou Li’s family background wasn’t great, and his personality was rather stubborn. Even if he wanted to be with her, he might have too many concerns, fearing that he’d drag her down.

Perhaps his apparent hostility toward her was just an attempt to make her stop liking him.

True love often involves fearing that the other will suffer alongside you.

But all this was merely Yun Shifei’s speculation, as she had never met Zhou Li herself. Ultimately, these were questions Xu Yuejiao had to sort out for herself.

Yun Shifei said, "Perhaps that’s not what he meant, Sister Jiaojiao. But still, no matter what he says, I think what really matters is how you feel about it."

If you don’t like him anymore, then let go.

If you still have feelings for him, maybe give him space and let both of you cool off before dealing with it.

These were Yun Shifei’s thoughts on the matter.

Xu Yuejiao was indeed troubled, but she had decided not to dwell on these unpleasant topics after returning home.

"Stop talking about me. Feifei, when are you and Cheng Lie getting married?"

Was this another member of the "marriage pressure team"? Yun Shifei blushed and replied, "We’re planning to get engaged first. As for the wedding, there’s no rush."

"I wish you happiness. With Cheng Lie, you’ll definitely be happy together."

Xu Yuejiao had witnessed Yun Shifei and Cheng Lie’s relationship from the start.

From the time they weren’t together but innocently and instinctively protected each other, to finally becoming a couple.

Their love was truly enviable.

Perhaps it was also the kind of love that most people can only dream of.

Cheng Lie arrived at Nantian Town on the third day.

When he reached Old Mrs. Xu’s house, the place was bustling with people.

Yun Shifei felt a bit shy and grabbed Cheng Lie’s hand, greeting her relatives who were present.

Cheng Lie greeted them all politely.

"Alright, alright. We’re all family, no need to be so formal. Little Cheng, have lunch here this afternoon. We’ll go prepare the food now."

With that, the aunts pulled the uncle along to go buy ingredients.

Leaving behind only Old Mrs. Xu, Old Sir Xu, Yun Shifei, and Cheng Lie in the house.

They were here to take a look at Cheng Lie, wanting to meet the man Yun Shifei was dating.

Just a quick glance before Old Mrs. Xu and Old Sir Xu could chat with Cheng Lie.

They seemed quite satisfied with Cheng Lie, thinking he was good-looking and well-mannered.

Old Mrs. Xu shared the same thoughts.

She had previously heard about Cheng Lie working at such a young age and worried he might be unreliable like Xu Yi’s boyfriend.

Someone who dyed their hair red or yellow, wore tattered clothes, and called it "beggar fashion."

She couldn’t bear looking at such outfits.