Zhuge Mingshan looked at the chaotic atmosphere at home and sighed inwardly. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

She always felt that the house was genuinely chaotic before, with everyone looking out for themselves. She never expected it to be this disordered now.

Zhuge Mingshan couldn’t help but feel fortunate. If it weren’t for the current situation, she would probably have been bullied badly.

But if Zhuge Mingshan had the choice, she would prefer to return to the old days. At least she could eat her fill, unlike now, constantly on edge and unable to relax.

Thinking about a futureless tomorrow, she truly felt uncertain. No matter how smart she was, the elders would still prioritize the male descendants of the Zhuge family.

Even though the situation was dire, Zhuge Mingshan knew that to them, they constantly hoped for a comeback, making boys all the more important.

But could they really turn things around relying on these fools? Zhuge Mingshan couldn’t help but sneer. Such fools would only make things worse.

But could she say that? It would surely lead to being scolded.

Not wanting to see these distressing matters, Zhuge Mingshan stepped outside for a walk, unsure if she would explode if she stayed home any longer.

From afar, she saw a crowd gathered ahead. Curious, Zhuge Mingshan went over, genuinely wanting to know what was happening to gather so many people.

Before she even approached, someone shouted, "Give me three quails."

"I’ll take two, and some quail eggs too. Didn’t expect the marinated quail eggs to be this good."

Quails, quail eggs—in this area, the only family selling quails with such brisk business was Gong Ruini’s.

If it were before, Zhuge Mingshan would have been jealous in various ways, unable to understand why Gong Ruini, also a girl, was so fortunate.

Now, Zhuge Mingshan didn’t bother to think or ask. What would be the point? That’s just fate.

Why would someone from a rural village in the Northeast be so intent on getting rich, while her own relatives seem only capable of scheming against others?

"That’s why the family falls into decline, day by day."

Zhuge Mingshan still remembered the first time she saw Gong Ruini and her family. Although they tried to present themselves well, their clothes revealed their countryside origins.

But looking at them now, who would say they were from the countryside? Not to mention the people flattering them left and right, who wouldn’t want to offend them.

Zhuge Mingshan could imagine their future path: getting into a good junior high, then a good high school, and later the best university, leading to a bright future.

But what about herself? Zhuge Mingshan thought for a long time, but simply couldn’t foresee where her future or prospects lay.

"Perhaps my withdrawal from school isn’t far off." Without the Zhuge family’s shield, would the family be willing to invest in a girl?

They probably think girls are destined for others eventually, so they might as well extract as much benefit as possible.

"No, I don’t want that." How could Zhuge Mingshan resign herself to be traded for a higher bride price by relatives who wouldn’t even consider the character of the other person?

Zhuge Mingshan’s expression was like that of a lunatic, scaring Gong Ruini witless.

If someone had told her before that Zhuge Mingshan would act this way, she wouldn’t have believed it. She never expected to see it in person. What is this situation? Did someone whisper something in her ear?

"Oh no, she’s by our stall." Zhao Guangran instantly became nervous. What if this person intended harm and started tampering with their goods?

"I’ll go find her." Zhao Guangran didn’t want Zhuge Mingshan to cling again. Luck wouldn’t always be on their side to escape if they got entangled again.

Gong Ruini wanted to hold Zhao Guangran back. Although she didn’t know what was wrong with Zhuge Mingshan, she looked a bit unhinged. What if she suddenly lost it?

Zhao Guangran stormed over, "What are you doing here?"

Zhuge Mingshan was lost in a state of indecision, truly unsure what to do. She wanted to apologize, but the things she did before were so absolute, she expected they wouldn’t agree.

Unexpectedly, before she could decide, she saw Zhao Guangran’s figure. Great, no need to think further.

"I, I..." Zhuge Mingshan braced herself. She had thought of it thoroughly: as long as Zhao Guangran’s side stopped watching her, she would have the chance to talk to Zhuge Zhi. Maybe then things at home wouldn’t be so bad.

"I’m apologizing." Isn’t it just an apology? Just lip service, it won’t cost her anything, but it might very well change her current status.

Ah, no way, Gong Ruini was stunned, and Zhao Guangran was also shocked.

"Could she be mentally off?" Right, that must be it, or why else would she apologize?

You should know Zhuge Mingshan is a tough nut to crack. She never apologized to Cao Na, even now, she acts like nothing happened when they meet.

Back then, the situation was chaotic, and she didn’t apologize. So now, with just a minor issue, why apologize?

Impossible, this girl must have her own agenda. Would she do something without any benefits?

"I really do want to apologize. I know they won’t believe me, but I’ll make you believe." Zhuge Mingshan wanted to resolve this quickly, but there was still some time.

Overall, this time she couldn’t be hasty. Zhuge Mingshan hadn’t considered why she’d lose before, her impatience played a part.

If she messed up this time, there would be no hope left, so she must be patient.

Believe her? Gong Ruini didn’t know what to say. Her words were perplexing, just throwing out a sentence like that and expecting them to accept?

"I think she’s planning to make us accept it implicitly." Gong Ruini thought more about it and found it very plausible. They all knew they wouldn’t be in Beijing over summer vacation, going to the Northeast for most of it.

If at this time, Zhuge Mingshan spread the news that Gong Ruini accepted the apology, even if they returned to explain, would it work?

Yes, that must be it. The more Gong Ruini thought, the angrier she became. Every one of them was scheming against them, thinking they would accept it just like that?

"Ignore them."

"Too much." Zhao Guangran was exasperated, "I don’t even know why she wants to apologize."

"I just asked why she’s here, and she suddenly said she wanted to apologize."

Zhao Guangran looked bewildered, "Haven’t spoken with her in ages."

No matter what, they couldn’t let her latch on again. Hmph, she must have seen their booming business while her side was cash-strapped, hoping to join and steal their recipe.

Yes, that had to be it. Zhuge Mingshan had done such things before. If she really did steal the recipe, they would be heartbroken, unable to retaliate since she was on the brink of poverty.