Qin Yuhe grabbed Song Tingye by the neck and, like lifting a little chick, tossed him from the sofa onto a solid wooden chair.
Song Tingye’s backside collided violently with the chair.
The pain turned him into a rocket, springing up from the chair in an instant.
“Brother-in-law, please respect my butt—stop abusing it!”
Qin Yuhe picked up a disinfectant alcohol wipe and calmly wiped his hands, then touched Song Tingye’s neck with a look of mild disdain.
“Don’t worry, I have no grudge against your butt and no interest in it whatsoever.”
Song Tingye: “But I was just happily chatting with my friends, why did you suddenly get so rough with me?”
Qin Yuhe’s sharp gaze swept over Song Yuyan, Song Tingyou, and Jin Ruizhi.
“A stray cat in heat can talk for half a day, you guys really have some stamina.”
Song Yuyan, Song Tingyou, and Jin Ruizhi all lowered their heads in unison.
Song Tingye, still clueless: “Why can’t we talk about a cat in heat? That little wild cat’s call was really lovely. I was just interested, what’s wrong with chatting about it?”
Qin Yuhe: “So interested in cats in heat, huh? What, are you feeling frisky?”
Song Tingye: “Brother-in-law, ‘in heat’ is a term for animals.”
Qin Yuhe: “So it fits you perfectly.”
Song Tingye looked to Song Xinya for help: “Sis, brother-in-law is calling me an animal.”
Song Xinya: “You deserve it!”
Song Tingye: “Oh my god, did I break some heavenly rule today? Why are all of you ganging up on me?”
Qin Yuhe: “Today, twenty sets of Chinese language worksheets!”
Song Xinya: “And two hundred pages of handwriting practice!”
Qin Yuhe: “If you don’t finish, no beef for a month!”
Song Xinya: “If you don’t finish, only grass for three months!”
“Ahhh, this life is unbearable!” Song Tingye gripped an imaginary sword and made a stabbing motion to his chest. “Pfft—I'm dead!”
After this stern warning from Qin Yuhe and Song Xinya, the other three kids were as cautious as walking on thin ice, trembling and too scared to speak, behaving very obediently.
At breakfast, when the steak was served, fearing he wouldn’t get any meat, Song Tingye grabbed a tomahawk steak in each hand and dashed into the bedroom, locking the door behind him. He took big bites, left and right, stuffing the meat into his mouth.
The dining table was silent.
Song Yuyan, Song Tingyou, and Jin Ruizhi chewed so quietly it was as if they were trying not to make a sound, nervous enough to almost eat the pot.
After breakfast, Song Xinya took Song Tingyou to handle their household registration and ID card matters.
At the police station’s household registration window, Song Xinya and Song Tingyou sat on chairs waiting for their number to be called.
He looked up and glanced around. At the photo area for ID cards, he saw Zhang Yingying.
Zhang Yingying looked very different from usual today.
She carried an expensive Hermès handbag.
On her feet were a pair of black high heels studded with diamonds. She wore a white, form-fitting dress, and her hair was dyed a gentle tea-brown color, with smooth strands half tied up and half flowing down, giving her an overall graceful and elegant appearance.
Her makeup was fresh and sheer, embodying the currently popular “no-makeup” look—seemingly natural, yet every feature meticulously refined.
Song Xinya could tell that Zhang Yingying had put a lot of effort into her appearance today.
Zhang Yingying was someone who truly lived by the saying “a woman beautifies herself for the one she loves.”
Song Xinya glanced around Zhang Yingying’s side. With such an elaborate outfit today, she must have come with a man.
That expensive Hermès bag she carried was surely a gift from that man.
Song Xinya’s eyes swept the crowd, scanning every man around Zhang Yingying, but none seemed wealthy enough to have gifted such a bag—no wealthy young masters or affluent guys in sight.
The ID photo was taken in a small room.
Zhang Yingying stood by the door, peeking inside repeatedly.
Song Xinya looked inside and saw only a camera.
The man sat across from her, but from her angle, his identity was hidden.
Judging by Zhang Yingying’s attentive, expectant, and shy expression, that man must be either extremely rich or from a noble family.
A voice called out numbers in the hall. Song Tingyou gave Song Xinya a gentle push. “Sister, it’s our turn.”
Song Xinya withdrew her gaze, stood up, and walked toward the counter.
The staff handed her a form, and she lowered her head to fill in the information.
The man who had just finished taking photos came out of the small room.
Tall and long-legged, with thick brows and a high nose bridge, his sharp profile was strikingly handsome.
Among his features, a pair of peach blossom eyes stood out—dark, deep, like a tranquil pool.
Noble and natural.
His entire aura was mature and calm, refined and gentle.
Unlike Qin Yuhe’s elegant, aloof, and distant demeanor that kept others at arm’s length, this man appeared more approachable, warm, and easy to get close to.
Seeing him come out, Zhang Yingying hurried over, her voice soft and coquettish: “Young Master Han.”
Han Jingyi’s face broke into a polite smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Zhang Yingying smiled prettily at him. “Since you know I’ve been waiting, Young Master Han, how about dinner this Saturday?”
Han Jingyi replied, “You took time off work on a weekday to come with me for the ID. I should be the one treating you to dinner as thanks.”
Zhang Yingying waved it off, “It’s nothing, Young Master Han, no need to mention it. You just got back from abroad and aren’t familiar with things here. The Han and Song families have been close for generations. My father said I should spend more time with you.”
Mentioning the Song family, a flicker of emotion crossed Han Jingyi’s otherwise calm face.
He was thirty this year, five years older than Song Xinya. When she was just born, he had held baby Song Xinya in his arms.
Children always liked to follow their older brothers and sisters around. When they were little, Song Xinya often trailed behind him like a little shadow, calling out “Brother, brother.”
In a way, Song Xinya had grown up following him.
The Song family had arranged for someone from their household to accompany him. Based on closeness, it should have been Song Xinya—the one who had known him since childhood—assigned to keep him company.
So why had the Song family sent this stepdaughter to accompany him?
A flicker of doubt flashed through Han Jingyi’s mind, but his expression remained polite and warm.
Zhang Yingying accompanied him as they walked out together.
Standing beside a dashing young nobleman, she felt a surge of pride, as if her own status had been elevated.
She had long given up hope of marrying Qin Yuhe. With Han Jingyi’s illustrious family background, she had shifted her sights entirely, determined to wed Han Jingyi.
A handsome man and a beautiful woman walking together always attracted attention. Passersby couldn’t help but glance at Zhang Yingying and Han Jingyi.
Zhang Yingying basked in the spotlight, casting looks of superiority at the women around her.
Her gaze suddenly froze as it landed on the counter.
Song Xinya!
Why was she at the police station?
To run into her here—this woman was truly relentless!
The pride in Zhang Yingying’s eyes swiftly turned to panic and worry.
She absolutely couldn’t let Song Xinya and Han Jingyi meet!
Filled with caution and alertness, Zhang Yingying quickened her pace, leading Han Jingyi toward the exit.
Han Jingyi’s eyes swept across the lobby and caught sight of a slender, graceful figure at the counter.
His gaze lingered on that silhouette for a moment.
A wave of familiarity washed over him.
Song Xinya?
Han Jingyi smiled faintly. Probably not. The Song Xinya he remembered was a chubby, round-faced girl.
Round and plump, adorably cute, like a Tang Dynasty pottery figurine.
Han Jingyi shifted his gaze away from the slender figure and looked toward the police station’s entrance, striding out confidently.
Song Xinya was filling out a form, head bowed, when she heard Song Tingyou let out an amazed “Wow!”
It was as if she had just seen something truly astonishing.
Without pausing her pen, Song Xinya looked up and asked, “So surprised? Did you see a monkey?”
Song Tingyou said, “No monkey. I saw a really handsome guy.”
Song Xinya: “How handsome?”
Song Tingyou: “Besides my brother-in-law, I’ve never seen a man this good-looking.”
Men who could be compared to Qin Yuhe were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.
Song Xinya looked up toward the entrance and saw a man in a dark gray suit.
His impeccably pressed suit outlined broad shoulders, the formal attire hugging a tall, upright figure. His steps were steady, his aura remarkable.
Even from behind, he looked extraordinary.
Song Tingyou said, “Sis, you didn’t see him. That man is incredibly handsome.”
Song Xinya replied, “If I didn’t see him, then I didn’t. It doesn’t matter. In my heart, my husband is the most handsome.”
She handed the completed form to the duty officer.
The officer asked, “Are you Song Tingyou’s mother?”
Song Xinya: “No.”
Officer: “Due to strict household registration controls, to reactivate a long-unused household record, the child’s parents must be present.”
Song Xinya: “The child’s mother has passed away.”
Officer: “Then the father must come.”
Putting aside whether Song Xuanli would be willing to come today, even if he did, he would bargain and demand benefits in exchange.
Song Xinya asked, “I’m Song Tingyou’s sister. She lives with me. If I come instead of her father, would that be acceptable?”
Officer: “No. From a legal standpoint, her father is her guardian; you are not.”
How ridiculous it was—her biological father in the eyes of the law paid no attention to her, and her elder sister, who had been searching for and protecting her all along, didn’t even have the authority to activate her household registration.
Song Tingyou anxiously pleaded with the police officer, “My father has never cared about me. He doesn’t care, he has no feelings for me, and I have none for him either. My sister loves me deeply. She’s been searching for me, buying me beautiful clothes and delicious food. In my heart, my sister is like a mother to me.”
“Officer, please, I beg you, could you do us a favor?”
The police replied, “I’m sorry, it’s not that I’m trying to make things difficult for you. The procedure is set this way, and I must follow it. To activate the household registration, your father must be present.”
Behind the counter, the door to an office opened, and a middle-aged man walked over.
The duty officer immediately stood up upon seeing the man, his face respectful and courteous. “Director, you’re here?”
The man looked at Song Xinya and lowered his head respectfully, calling out, “Mrs. Qin.”
Song Xinya raised her eyebrows in surprise.
The man sat down in a chair. “Mrs. Qin, I’m here to activate the household registration for you.”
All those so-called mandatory procedures suddenly became unnecessary in the face of power and influence—they were completely bypassed.
Song Tingyou’s household registration was processed quickly.
While Song Tingyou went into a small room to have her photo taken, Song Xinya made a phone call to Qin Yuhe.
“You helped me today?”
Qin Yuhe replied, “Of course. The police station director and you aren’t even related, yet she was sitting comfortably in her office and suddenly came out, risking being scrutinized for bypassing mandatory procedures, just to help you out selflessly?”
She knew it had to be him behind this.
After all, only someone with that kind of influence could do it.
Song Xinya said, “Thank you.”
Qin Yuhe replied, “You’re welcome, Mrs. Qin.”
Song Xinya asked, “I’m planning to go to the supermarket later. What do you want to eat?”
Qin Yuhe said, “Downstairs.”
Song Xinya’s cheeks flushed. “Cut it out.”
Qin Yuhe teased, “What kind of talk is that?”
Song Xinya shot back, “You’re the one being childish first.”
Qin Yuhe grinned, “I said I want to eat the noodles you make. What’s wrong with that?”
Song Xinya said, “Then don’t skip words, say it properly.”
Qin Yuhe enunciated carefully, “I… want… to… eat… the… noodles… you… make.”
Song Xinya’s ears burned. “Alright, got it. I’ll make you noodles later.”
She asked with concern, “Did you go for the palm scar removal treatment today?”
Qin Yuhe replied, “I did. I won’t forget because I want to heal my hand as soon as possible and play the piano for you.”
Song Xinya felt every cell in her ears tingle with delight.
They didn’t talk for long. After hanging up, Song Tingyou came out, having finished her photos.
Song Xinya led Song Tingyou to the supermarket.
Song Tingyou weaved through the snack aisle, while Song Xinya pushed the shopping cart in the vegetable section.
A little boy, about three years old, ran wildly through the crowd and suddenly bumped into Song Xinya’s shopping cart.
The boy opened his mouth and burst into loud crying, tears and snot streaming down his face.
People quickly gathered around.
“This little kid is crying so terribly.”
“Whose child is this?”
“What happened here?”
“Maybe the woman pushing the shopping cart bumped into the child.”
The crowd parted, and a middle-aged woman rushed over.
She scooped up the crying little boy in her arms, glaring fiercely at Song Xinya. “You’re a grown woman, and you can’t even watch where you’re going? You hit my son’s head!”
People around started to scold her.
“Not watching where you’re going—were you too busy playing with your phone just now?”
“Look at her, she even bruised the kid’s head.”
“Ma’am, you should apologize to this little boy and his mother right away.”
Listening to the clamoring voices, Song Xinya found it utterly ridiculous and laughed dryly. “Everyone, have you ever heard the saying: don’t judge before knowing the whole story?”
“You’re demanding an apology without even understanding the facts. Isn’t that a bit rash?”
The boy’s mother snapped, “What facts? The fact is you weren’t paying attention and hurt my son’s head. I thought if you apologized, we could settle this, but judging by your attitude—no remorse, refusing to admit fault—I have to ask for medical expenses and compensation for emotional distress!”
The crowd echoed, “Yes, pay up.”
“The kid’s head is bruised red. At least pay double.”
The mother held out her hand toward Song Xinya. “Will you give cash or scan a QR code?”
Song Xinya said firmly, “I choose to give nothing.”
The so-called “righteous” bystanders started talking again.
“This woman is so unreasonable.”
“She hurt a kid and still acts so defiant—her values must be all wrong.”
“She’s so pretty, but turns out her character is terrible.”
Just as everyone was condemning Song Xinya, a calm, deep voice spoke up: “It’s not her fault. She didn’t do anything. It was the little boy who ran recklessly and bumped his head on her shopping cart.”
Song Xinya looked toward the voice, surprised.
Han Jingyi!
Isn’t he abroad?
Song Xinya knew she looked very different now—her appearance and figure had changed a lot. Back then, Song Xuanli, Li Cuirou, and Zhang Yingying couldn’t even recognize her at first glance.
Han Jingyi looked at her now as if she were a stranger.
For a moment, Song Xinya didn’t know how to greet this big brother she’d known since childhood.
The boy’s mother snapped, “Who are you? What right do you have to say my son bumped into her? Do you have proof?”
Han Jingyi pulled out his phone. “Coincidentally, I haven’t been back to the country for years. The lively scene in the supermarket caught my interest, so I started recording. The moment your son bumped into the shopping cart is all captured.”
He played the video for everyone.
The footage clearly showed that Song Xinya did nothing wrong; the little boy ran recklessly and crashed right into the cart.
Realizing she was in the wrong, the boy’s mother muttered an apology to Song Xinya and hurried away with her son.
The so-called “righteous” bystanders, caught red-handed, also apologized awkwardly to Song Xinya and quietly left.
Song Xinya said thank you to Han Jingyi.
As she was pushing her shopping cart and getting ready to leave, Han Jingyi looked at her face and said, “Long time no see, Song Xinya.”
Her steps suddenly stopped, and Song Xinya looked at him in surprise. “You recognized me?”
Han Jingyi replied, “I’ve watched you grow up since we were kids. You followed me around calling me ‘Brother Jingyi’ for so many years. How could I not recognize you?”
He glanced her over, his gaze gentlemanly, restrained, and not lecherous. “It’s been years, and you’ve changed a lot.”
Song Xinya said, “Yeah, I have changed quite a bit. I lost weight—quite a lot.”
Not knowing what else to say, she teased, “They say girls change a lot as they grow up. So, I’ve become prettier, right?”
Han Jingyi smiled faintly. “You’ve always been beautiful.”
Song Xinya blinked in surprise. “Huh?”
Back then, she had weighed 180 pounds. Everyone called her fat and even teased her as ‘Piggy Hero.’
She hesitated and asked, “Was I really beautiful when I was 180 pounds?”
Han Jingyi’s expression was warm and gentle, like polished jade. “There’s beauty in being plump and beauty in being slim. You’ve just changed the way you’re beautiful. Whether fat or thin, you’re always beautiful.”
He then asked, “It’s been so long. Brother Jingyi invites you for a cup of coffee?”
When she was a child, she had followed him around every day, calling him Brother Jingyi.
Just as Song Xinya was about to say “yes,” her phone rang.
She looked down—it was Qin Yuhe calling.
