Grandma Yang

The three siblings finally stepped out together after Lai Yanling's repeated instructions.

Outside they saw, several neighbors were gathered in the corridor, chatting leisurely after dinner. Some of them, having never seen Song Zhiyao before, looked at her with curiosity.

In return, Song Zhiyao regarded them calmly, her eyes scanning over their faces without flinching. She would be living here from now on—it was only natural to familiarize herself with the kind of people surrounding her.

By contrast, Song Ruyun walked proudly, like a peacock strutting with purpose, eager to introduce her sister to anyone who would listen.

"This is my real sister. She graduated from college at eighteen."

"She's starting work at the hospital tomorrow."

"My sister is amazing. I've never seen anyone more amazing than her."

Watching her like this, Song Zhiyao could guess that their family had endured years of disdain from these neighbors ever since Song Yuanzhou left.

Now that Ruyun had a rare chance to hold her head high, Zhiyao didn't mind being used as a tool for her pride.

When she first started boasting, Ruyun had worried that her sister might scold her. But when she saw that Zhiyao remained silent, simply following along with a calm face, her excitement only grew.

She beamed all the way from their home to the gates of the staff quarters showing off like a little kid.

The textile factory compound was home to many workers. Only a few had heard what Zhiyao said at the gates earlier; the rest got the news hearsays', half skeptical and half intrigued.

A girl graduating from college at eighteen—when the college entrance exams had only resumed two years ago—seemed unbelievable. Many here had taken the exam multiple times without success. They found it nonsensical at first.

Still, after hearing Ruyun's loud proclamations, more people began to believe it. 

Zhiyao's poise wasn't something ordinary. And Ruyun—though feisty—wasn't known to lie.

An elderly woman with kind features, standing nearby, nodded approvingly and said to Zhiyao, "Good child. You're truly Yuanzhou's daughter. It's good you've come home. If you ever need help, come find Grandma."

Seeing Zhiyao couldn't think of how to respond, Ruyun quickly stepped in, "Grandma Yang, thank you on behalf of my sister! We're heading out to buy her some daily things, but we'll visit your place later."

"Go on then. Go early, come back early!" Grandma Yang smiled as she watched the siblings walk away.

Behind them, the neighbors continued murmuring, their gossip now fueled with fresh material about Zhiyao and Luo Meixin.

With little entertainment available this era, such topics became their evening indulgence.

With Ruyun's words, their tonight's gossip would be particularly rich.

Those with children couldn't help but envy Lai Yanling for having a prodigious daughter.

"She's so lucky. Just fell into debt, and now her real daughter's back—with a job too!"

"Doctors make good money. My cousin works in a hospital and says even interns get over 30,000 yuan."

"That much? Then won't it go up after she's permanent!"

"Then why would the Luo family let her come back?"

"She doesn't seem like a talkative girl, but she has her own ideas. Smart, too. No matter what happened in Song family, she knows this is her real home."

Then Grandma Yang, who had been quiet for a while, spoke with quiet authority. "This child takes after her father. Not flashy, but grounded. She knows where her roots are. You all better watch your words—don't talk nonsense around the kids."

The neighbors exchanged glances. Knowing her temperament, no one dared speak further. They dispersed quietly, their whispers fading into the night.

Because this lady really confronted when someone badmouthings' or gossiping about Song family.

After leaving the compound, Ruyun eagerly shared more about that grandma Yang.

"Sister, that was Grandma Yang. She's always been the kindest to us. If it weren't for her looking out for us time to time, we'd have been bullied to death over the years."

Zhiyao frowned slightly. "Who is she, exactly? I noticed people were cautious around her, and they didn't dare speak freely when she showed up."

"Oh, Grandma Yang?" Ruyun began, her tone shifting as they walked.

"Grandma Yang was the factory director's mother. She was also a retired cadre, once a revolutionary soldier with real battlefield merits. Her face might be kind, but she was a strict woman with strong principles."

In the years since Song Yuanzhou disappeared, she had been the family's silent shield. Whenever anyone spread malicious rumors—calling Yuanzhou a traitor or worse—Grandma Yang shut it down.

Once, someone tried to forcefully matchmake Lai Yanling; Grandma Yang drove them away without mercy.

Her son, Director Yang, also occasionally warns those who tries to bully them, to protect them. It was thanks to their quiet support that life hadn't been even more unbearable.

Ruyun's eyes welled with gratitude, then darkened with frustration.

"Luo Meixin's job… that was only possible because mom begged Grandma Yang for help. It was the first time she asked someone for a favor. It cost her dearly—in favors and in debt."

Zhiyao was silent for a beat, then gently pinched Ruyun's cheek. "Alright, don't be sad. I'll help Mom repay the debt. We'll handle it together."

She and Luo Meixin had lived different lives by accident, but she really lived better life in Luo family. So now they returned their own home she needed to bear the burden. There was no way she would abandon her family now.

What belonged to her originally, she would reclaim. What burdens had been passed down, she would carry.

Ruyun noticed her sister's serious expression and quickly said, "Sister, I didn't tell you all this to make you feel guilty. I just wanted you to understand. That's all."

Smart Ruyun already knew what Zhiyao was thinking. She didn't want her sister to overthink much in the first day.

Zhiyao gave a small smile. "Alright. That's enough about the past. Tell me more about the compound—who we should avoid, and who's easy to get along with." She took Ruyun's hand, changing the topic as they strolled on.

Ruyun chatted happily about the textile factory, describing people and quirks in vivid detail.

Their younger brother, Song Zihao, remained quiet the entire time. If not for the occasional murmurs that slipped through his thoughts, Zhiyao might have forgotten he was even there.

But as Ruyun described the neighbors, Zihao would add silent mental notes—sharp, pointed, insightful.

Zhiyao quickly realized he wasn't as timid as he seemed. In fact, behind his mild expression was a sharp, somewhat mischievous mind, blackbelly one. The silence, it seemed, was just his disguise.

At the supply and marketing cooperative, they picked up essentials: toothbrushes, cups, towels. Ruyun took the task seriously, inspecting everything to ensure it suited her sister.

In many households, due to financial strain, it was normal for everyone to share a towel or a cup.

But Ruyun insisted on picking out separate items—her way of showing how much she valued Zhiyao. And Zhiyao noticed everything.

Back home, Lai Yanling beamed. "I feel so relieved seeing you two get along so well. "

Then, catching sight of her silent son, she frowned.

"Zihao, you're thirteen now. As a man, you should be protecting your sister, not hiding behind her."