TFSRITA Chapter 116

At sixteen, he ran away from home for half a year, supporting himself by working odd jobs and stubbornly refusing to break up with his girlfriend.

Finally, the Chu family’s parents gave in. When he was seventeen, they agreed to accept the young romance and even the girl herself. But when Chu Yang brought her home, the girl was so frightened by Chu Zhao that she blurted out a few rude remarks.

It’s said that Chu Yang was unhappy about it at the time, and later, when the girl made some indirect comments about Chu Zhao, they ended up breaking up.

What the Chu parents had spent over half a year trying to achieve was done with a single appearance by the older brother… It was almost unbelievable.

Later, when someone asked Chu Yang why they broke up, he replied, “She didn’t like my brother and didn’t want to live with him in the future. How could that work?”

Others: “…” How could that not work? Who lives with their brother after they’re married?

But that’s just how Chu Yang saw things.

So, Yan Qing felt that her biggest challenge in the Chu family would be Chu Yang. The first time she came, she remarked in his presence, and Chu Yang didn’t hesitate to kick her out on the spot.

That’s youth and brashness. If it had been the Chu parents, they might have asked her to leave politely rather than forcefully.

As they sat at the dining table, they didn’t start eating immediately but waited for a while. Zhou Huaiya kept glancing upstairs, and Chu Heng also watched the staircase, while even Chu Yang kept looking expectantly.

But after ten minutes passed, and the food had grown cold, Zhou Huaiya finally pulled her gaze back with a disappointed look and started eating.

Chu Zhao hadn’t come down.

The three of them, who had waited so hopefully, were only slightly let down. They apologized to Yan Qing, hoping she wouldn’t mind.

Yan Qing didn’t mind at all. In fact, during the wait, they had encouraged her to eat first, but they held onto a little hope that Chu Zhao, who had spoken with them today, might come down to join them for dinner.

Yan Qing blinked and thought this family seemed quite warm, much more than her original one.

Her family was unpleasant to recall, with people like Yan Xianhong, who acted like leeches, and a father who, being a dutiful son, let them take advantage of his wife and children.

Yan Qing’s mother was an ordinary woman who respected her husband in everything, never boasting about their humble beginnings, and silently allowed his family to mooch off them.

But from the original Yan Qing’s perspective, she felt wronged. She should have been like a little princess, but because of these relatives, she was despised and bullied. Even before her father’s accident, they were already urging her parents to have another child, specifically a son, to inherit the family assets.

It was laughable, but it truly happened in her family.

So when her parents passed away, no one cared about her anymore, even though they were using the money her parents had earned.

In that family, the young Yan Qing grew up with little love, which made her increasingly timid and withdrawn. Poor nutrition affected her cognitive development, and she was eventually tricked into signing away her company and taking on a huge debt courtesy of Yan Xianhong.

Her maternal side wasn’t much better. The Yan family and her grandmother’s family lived halfway across the country, so they rarely visited, and after her mother passed, they stopped even the yearly visit, as if she didn’t exist.

In comparison, the Chu family and especially Chu Yang’s dedication to Chu Zhao was enviable.

“Eat up. I had this soup specially made for you to help nourish your body. Try it; if you don’t like it, we can switch it out,” Zhou Huaiya’s gentle voice came as she placed a porcelain bowl of thick, fragrant soup in front of her.

Yan Qing met her gaze, feeling warmth in her heart, and accepted it gratefully. “Thank you.” She took a sip; it was rich and flavorful but not greasy, with the oil carefully skimmed off. “It’s delicious, I like it.”

Zhou Huaiya’s smile deepened as she continued serving her food.

The table was long and rectangular. Yan Qing sat to Zhou Huaiya’s left, while Chu Yang sat across from her, frowning slightly as he watched his mother attend so warmly to Yan Qing.

He still remembered what Yan Qing had said just days ago when she came to their house. Even if it was a simple sentence, he found it unforgivable.

But recalling his brother’s request to let her stay, he held back, quickly finishing his meal. “I’m done. Take your time.”

“Alright,” Zhou Huaiya said without looking up.

Yan Qing stayed quiet, only sneaking a glance at him.

She watched as Chu Yang went straight upstairs.

…

The Chu family house was spacious and quiet, where even the slightest sounds could be heard, though each room was soundproofed, which explained why Yan Qing couldn’t hear much from outside.

Yan Qing ate slowly, mindful not to eat too much, as she often went hungry growing up, leading to stomach issues. She didn’t even realize this herself, thinking it was normal stomach pain and just gritting through it. It wasn’t until a teacher took her to the hospital that she discovered how severe her condition was.

She now ate carefully, not wanting to overeat.

As she sat there, she could faintly hear sounds from upstairs.

Chu Yang was knocking on a door, his usual stern voice softened as he called out, “Bro, it’s Yangyang. Have you eaten yet?”