Chapter 22: I Will Always Be With You

Back when she was still a child, they used the excuse that it was unsafe for a young girl to live alone in this small house. While that was technically true, their real motive was to move in themselves rather than take her into their home.

Though young, Qin Yueran was sharp enough to realize that if they moved in, the house would no longer be hers, so she refused. When their scheme failed, they faced pressure from the government and the community, who criticized them for taking her money yet failing to look after her. Reluctantly, they took her in, assigning her a storage room to live in. Qin Yueran found herself completely dependent on their charity.

Before middle school, she faced their cold glares, mockery, and verbal abuse almost daily. Even after starting middle school, she was forced to return to their home on weekends and during school breaks. Once she reached high school, feeling she had grown up enough, she began returning to this small house whenever she could. However, whenever they felt the pressure of public opinion or odd looks from neighbors, they would force her to go back and stay with them for a few days.

Every time she stayed there, they deliberately made their meals bland—just greens and a few slices of meat—only to eat better food later once she was out of sight. To Qin Yueran, it would have been better to just take her living expenses and live on her own. But to them, having her stay over without giving her much money was perfect. They had considered not giving her any money at all to force her to live with them, but Qin Yueran was too stubborn; she would rather live here with nothing than be under their roof. In the end, since they couldn't actually let her starve, they had to compromise.

"My parents' compensation and insurance payouts were at least a million..." Qin Yueran looked at her with a mocking smile. "How much of that money do you think was actually spent on me? By the time I came of age, I only got back a little over a hundred thousand, Third Aunt."

Zhang Yufen was rendered speechless. Flustered and angry, she raised her hand to strike Qin Yueran. Qin Yueran was quick; she caught Zhang Yufen's wrist, her eyes icy. "Third Aunt, if you dare to lay a hand on me, I won't be polite." Since high school, even before she began her training, she had never been afraid to fight those who provoked her, let alone now.

Faced with the judgmental gazes of the onlookers, Zhang Yufen’s face turned bright red. She pulled her hand back, desperate to hide somewhere. The closest place to hide was Qin Yueran’s house.

"You brat, let me in first," Zhang Yufen said, trying to push her way inside.

Qin Yueran blocked her path, her cold expression shifting into a grin. "Oh, Third Aunt, the house is a mess; it’s not really in a state to host you."

Zhang Yufen gritted her teeth, annoyed by the whispering of the neighbors around them. Suddenly, it occurred to her, and she glared at Qin Yueran. "You did this on purpose." She was deliberately provoking her, making her a spectacle for the crowd and their gossip!

Qin Yueran feigned ignorance, her eyes clear. "What are you talking about, Third Aunt?"

Zhang Yufen took a deep breath, telling herself not to be led around by this little vixen. She steadied herself and offered a fake, tight-lipped smile. "My, it’s almost National Day, so I thought I’d come by, and then I heard you were opening a shop. I just came to show some concern."

"Sigh," Zhang Yufen sighed. "It’s been months since graduation and you haven't found a job. As your aunt, I’m worried! After all, we watched you grow up."

"When I offered to recommend you to Chuchu's place, you refused. Sigh—" Zhang Yufen sighed again, acting as if Qin Yueran were ungrateful. "Opening a shop, managing inventory... you’re just a young girl, can you handle it? Don't let yourself get swindled out of all your money." As she spoke, she seemed to imagine Qin Yueran actually being cheated, and her tone couldn't help but carry a hint of schadenfreude.

Qin Yueran watched the prattling Zhang Yufen and silently rolled her eyes. For some reason, she suddenly lost the interest to argue with her. *With this time, I’d rather read a book or practice my swordplay,* she thought. There was so much she wanted to learn and so little time in a day; she truly felt she shouldn't waste another second on people who were no longer relevant.

As Qin Yueran began to zone out, Zhang Yufen’s anger flared up. Assuming Qin Yueran was trying to trick her again, she suppressed her temper and said indignantly, "Is this how you treat your elders?!" she shrieked.

"Yeah, yeah, sure," Qin Yueran replied dismissively, snapping back to reality. "You recommended me for a cleaner position that pays eighteen hundred a month with no benefits—you guys are just saints!" By the end, her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Zhang Yufen tried to speak, but Qin Yueran cut her off coldly. "If there’s nothing else, Third Aunt, please leave. I have things to do. I’m spending my own money and taking responsibility for my own gains and losses, so you don't need to worry."

Qin Yueran couldn't help but scoff. "After all, this money is far less than what you’ve spent on yourselves, don't you think? Did the compensation and insurance money from my parents serve you well? Regardless, the moment I came of age, we were even. Don't come bothering me again."

With that, Qin Yueran slammed the door shut, nearly hitting Zhang Yufen in the face. Zhang Yufen cursed as she turned away. "What are you looking at? Nothing better to do with your time?" She muttered under her breath, "A bunch of nobodies."

Qin Yueran leaned against the door to calm her nerves. Every time she went back there, all she heard was their belittling. Though she didn't have to cook, the cleaning and dishwashing were always left to her. She felt no affection for them; it was best to have no more dealings with them in the future.

Huhu, sensing the volatility of Qin Yueran's emotions, teleported out to check on her and had heard the entire conversation. Seeing her like this, it looked at her with concern. "Ran... are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Let's go back to the island." Qin Yueran exhaled a breath of frustration and used the back door to teleport to the Immortal Island.

Back on the island, seeing that Huhu was still worried, she picked it up and squeezed its ears. "I'm really okay, don't worry." She looked up at the sky; the sun was bright, the breeze was gentle... everything was just right. Qin Yueran smiled—things would only get better from here.

Sensing her mood, Huhu sighed in relief, placed a paw on the back of her hand, and stared at her. "I will always be with you."

"That's a deal!" Qin Yueran laughed. "It's a promise then."

"Mm."

Under the sun, the shadows of the girl and the tiger accompanied one another, looking incredibly warm. Huhu jumped to the ground. "Let's go home."

Qin Yueran smiled. "Okay, let's go home."

The two walked back to the inn, choosing to walk slowly rather than using their teleportation ability.

"Oh! Right, does Ran want to keep drawing cards?" Huhu asked suddenly.

"Huh? I'm afraid I'll get addicted."

"But it will cost a thousand per draw once the price returns to normal."

Qin Yueran: "..."

Qin Yueran: "!!! What?! Then I'm going to do another hundred draws!"

She suddenly picked up her pace, and Huhu had to trot to keep up.

"Hey, Ran, wait for me!"

"Hehe, then jump on my back, I'll carry you."

"Ha! Witness my Huhu invincible shadowless kick..."

"..."

The girl and the tiger laughed as they disappeared into the distance.