Chapter 12: The Gray-Blue Plaid Handkerchief

In her previous life, she had been too naive, causing her family to suffer. In this life, she was determined to ensure her parents and sister lived comfortably.

After parting from Su Yun and Xiao Shi, Qin Ju accompanied her father to the hospital, registered, and waited for his turn.

Suddenly, Qin Ju noticed her father seemed unusually subdued and downcast. Despite being a tall man of 1.8 meters, he appeared very dejected at this moment.

"Dad, are you okay? Does your hand hurt?"

"No, it's not the pain," Qin Zhonghui said, his voice heavy with guilt. "I feel like I'm failing as a father. I thought working hard would provide a good life for you all, but seeing Xiao Shi's injury and how sensible you've become makes me feel like I'm falling short."

Qin Ju spoke softly, "Dad, it's not your fault. You don't know what kind of people they are. Don't blame yourself for their mistakes. As long as our family of four is alright and can live well, that's what matters most."

Qin Zhonghui nodded with a hint of excitement, his eyes moist. It was his turn, so he headed inside with the list. As he walked, he realized his daughter had not only registered him for an examination but also arranged for a full physical check-up.

"Xiaojiu, what's this about?" he asked.

"Dad, I've already paid for it," Qin Ju replied. "If you don't use the full service, it would be a waste. It's better to get the complete check-up now."

"Alright then."

After watching her father go in, Qin Ju settled into her chair. Sunlight streamed through the glass window beside her, casting a warm glow on her face.

In her previous life, Qin Zhonghui had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. Despite his honesty and trust in his relatives, he had always been deeply caring. He had endured hunger while working outside, letting his wife Su Yun eat first, which eventually led to his stomach issues and, ultimately, cancer.

Qin Ju's eyes grew moist as she remembered. She sniffed, covering her face with her hands to hold back her tears.

When she looked up again, a handkerchief appeared in front of her. It was a gray-blue plaid handkerchief, a color she found strangely familiar.

Shen Yi, known for his bad temper and peculiar habits, always carried a handkerchief. When she first learned of this, Qin Ju thought it odd. However, after marrying him, she discovered that Shen Yi had been kidnapped as a child along with a neighbor. As he pressed a wound with his clothing, hoping to stop the bleeding, he was left with a deep-seated belief that a handkerchief might have made a difference.

Though he knew a handkerchief wouldn't stop bleeding, the habit remained with him.

Qin Ju did not take the handkerchief. "No, thank you. What are you doing here?"

"Just accompanying my grandfather. What about you?"

"Accompanying my father for his check-up."

The conversation was stilted. Qin Ju knew Shen Yi wasn't particularly talkative, and she was reluctant to get too close after being reborn. Their marriage had been challenging for both of them.

Fortunately, many things had changed in this life. Shen Yi should now know that the events at the guesthouse were orchestrated by Lin Nian, not her. In this life, their relationship was limited to that of classmates.

Shen Yi calmly folded the handkerchief and sat down next to Qin Ju. This unexpected move made her uneasy. Despite their agreement to keep their distance, he was now sitting beside her.

Qin Ju considered leaving, but with her father inside, she didn't want him to worry when he came out and couldn't find her. Without mobile phones at the time, she decided to stay put.

The two sat in awkward silence. Feeling the discomfort, Qin Ju eventually said, "I'll pay you back the money I owe you when school starts."

Shen Yi did not respond.

Qin Ju was taken aback when Shen Yi, rather than showing annoyance or sarcasm, calmly said, "It's fine if you don't pay it back. It's not a lot of money."

Her mind raced back to the eighteen-year-old Shen Yi, who would have reacted differently. The current Shen Yi seemed more composed, a stark contrast to the young man she remembered. This realization made Qin Ju more determined than ever to work hard, earn more money, and ensure her family never faced disdain again.

As Shen Yi spoke, he observed Qin Ju's eyes, which now held a determined glint. It was as though something had stirred her deeply.

Before he could ponder further, the hospital door opened, and Grandpa Du emerged, supported by the doctor. Shen Yi moved to assist his grandfather, but Qin Ju was quicker. By the time Shen Yi reached them, Qin Ju had already taken Mr. Du's arm.

Mr. Du looked surprised, while the doctor remained neutral. Shen Yi's expression was one of mild confusion.

Qin Ju winced internally. Her old habit from her previous life had resurfaced unexpectedly. During her early marriage with Shen Yi, they were both young and inexperienced, and the relationship was fraught with tension. Shen Yi's temper was often a source of conflict.

Fortunately, Grandpa Du, a former university professor with a gentle demeanor, had lived with them. He was a calming presence and often intervened when Shen Yi was harsh. Despite Shen Yi's rough edges, he always softened in the presence of Mr. Du, who had a calming influence on him.

Mr. Du, however, was now frail, relying on a wheelchair or crutches to get around. Qin Ju had developed the habit of helping the elderly due to this.

Shen Yi's mother, Du Liya, had suggested taking Mr. Du to the provincial capital for better medical facilities, but Mr. Du refused. He wished to spend his remaining time close to Xiaomei, his late wife, in Ping'an Town.

Returning to the present, Qin Ju awkwardly withdrew her hand and offered a dry laugh. "Sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else."

Mr. Du looked at her with a kind smile. "You look familiar, young lady."

Qin Ju felt a pang of sadness as she remembered the old man's appearance before his death in her previous life. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she managed a smile. "Really? You seem very kind as well."

Shen Yi, observing the exchange, noticed the tender interaction between his grandfather and the young woman. For a moment, his usually cold expression softened.

Just then, Shen Yi introduced Qin Ju, saying, "Grandpa, this is my friend, Qin Ju."

Qin Ju was surprised. She had expected Shen Yi to introduce her as a classmate, given their current relationship. Was their bond now considered friendship due to their shared experiences with Lin Nian?

At that moment, Qin Zhonghui emerged from the examination room, and Qin Ju was relieved. She quickly said her goodbyes to Mr. Du and Shen Yi, heading toward her father.

As Grandpa Du watched her leave, he turned to Shen Yi with a smile. "Xiao Yi, this is the first friend you've made since coming to Ping'an Town. The grapes at home are nearly ripe. Invite her over to visit us soon."

Shen Yi nodded. "I'll make sure to invite her."

(End of Chapter)