“Can a girl and a girl really be together? Like, for marriage? Is it allowed by law?”
Yue Chengqi smiled. “The law doesn’t allow it, but so what? There are plenty of places where the law is incomplete. No matter what, it can’t control the emotions in a person’s heart.”
“Oh.” Su Ye seemed a bit dazed. “Do other people accept it?”
“Do you accept it?” Yue Chengqi countered. The question hit like a Silencing Charm, causing the young girl to instantly wither.
Chengqi smiled and lowered her head to organize the stock, not pressing further.
A long silence followed—
“Why is it so loud outside?”
Su Ye practically bolted back outside as if fleeing. Yue Chengqi didn’t pay much attention and failed to notice the girl’s strange behavior as she followed her out into the noisy market.
As soon as they stepped out, they saw a small-minded man looking at them smugly. Seeing them appear, his grin widened. “Yo, everyone’s here today. Don’t you love helping the women in this market? Go on, then! Wang Mingming’s place is a mess—go on, help her!”
Wang Mingming. Another familiar name.
Yue Chengqi’s expression darkened. She wanted to pull the two of them back inside. After all, her impression of Wang Mingming wasn’t good. If they were going to be targeted by a petty man because of her, it was better to ignore it.
Just as she touched Lin Wanjia’s arm, the woman acted as if she were protecting her. She reflexively blocked Yue Chengqi and Su Ye behind her, even patting Chengqi’s arm as if to tell her not to be afraid.
Yue Chengqi: “…” She stood there silently, observing the surroundings.
Zhao Qiang seemed intent on playing his mocking act to the end. Looking at the gathering crowd of confused passersby, he pointed at Lin Wanjia and jeered, “This here is our market’s great do-gooder! Anyone with troubles can come find her. Hey, Great Do-Gooder, your ‘sister’ is over there having a divorce meltdown. Aren’t you going to help?”
Yue Chengqi held back the rushing Su Ye by the arm. Regardless of the girl’s glaring, her eyes remained on Lin Wanjia.
The woman was unhurried. The only thing that changed was the aura surrounding her. Meanwhile, the other man seemed oblivious, still stoking the fire, still trying to draw a bigger crowd.
It wasn’t until the man looked at her with his nostrils flared in disdain, sneering, “Big Sister Lin, you’re not going to stop helping her now, are you?”
Lin Wanjia didn’t look at him. Instead, she turned to the crowd and said loudly, “I appreciate everyone coming to join the fun. It’s better to listen to our bickering than to eavesdrop on someone else’s private family matters. Who doesn’t have some messy business at home? Why don’t you all help me settle this instead…”
“Little Zhao, since you call me ‘Sister,’ I have to say something. Auntie Niu and I were having a private conversation between us women; what does that have to do with you? What happens at the other end of the market—what does that have to do with you? You’re clinging to this so tightly; are you trying to cling to me, or are you just trying to mock Little Wang?”
“I admit, I didn’t help much when you got married. But you have to understand me, right? You knew I wasn’t feeling well then, and my health wasn’t great. I did my best to help, but as a live-in son-in-law, I had to pick you up early in the morning—I didn’t have the strength! But now you’re so desperate to have me perform a mediation of someone else’s family affairs for you…”
Lin Wanjia paused, lightly dabbing the corner of her eye. “Little Zhao, if something’s happened in your family, just tell me. There’s no need to jump straight to divorce. I can talk to Auntie Zhu for you. After all, you’re a live-in son-in-law; it’s not easy with all that pressure. I can help you, so don’t be embarrassed. I won’t laugh at you for being a live-in son-in-law.”
She spoke with such tenderness, her eyes even reddening, but the mockery in her words was sharp. Zhao Qiang’s face flushed red then turned pale. Moreover, when she mentioned “live-in son-in-law,” her voice grew louder, carrying a sob that made it impossible for anyone to find fault with her, while triggering a wave of whispers and ridicule from the crowd.
If Zhao Qiang had become a live-in son-in-law out of love, he could have held his head high and looked down on everyone. But he wasn’t that noble. He was just a “phoenix man” who wanted to eat and live off a woman’s family. One didn’t need much force; a gentle poke at his spine and the man would crumble.
The onlookers found it boring. Aside from a few still whispering for entertainment, the crowd began to disperse.
Lin Wanjia stopped smiling, gave the spineless man a cold glance, and turned to lead the two girls back into the shop.
Suddenly, her right hand felt empty. The younger girl shot out like an arrow from a bow, accompanied by the grand passion of youth, shouting mid-air—
“Zhao Qiang, you shameless piece of trash! Try bullying Sister Wanjia again and see what happens! I’m telling you, you stupid bastard, go home and drink your milk! Look at the mess you’ve made of Auntie Zhu’s shop—what else can you do besides fight with the neighbors? You’re like an old man without a cane—you don’t know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth! Get lost, you brain-dead moron!”
Lin Wanjia smiled, but didn’t turn around immediately.
The moment her right arm felt empty, her left was also released. The person she had been protecting had somehow grown, stepping in front to protect her instead.
She turned slowly and saw Yue Huan tightly holding Su Ye, her back turned to everyone, her hands shielding Su Ye’s neck and waist.
In those eyes that usually felt inscrutable, there was a hint of nervousness and a touch of ruthlessness. And then, the moment their eyes met, a sudden, clear disguise.
This girl is truly interesting.
Yue Chengqi silently used her body to block anyone who might harm Su Ye. She didn’t hold her too tightly, leaving the girl room to stomp and shout.
Thus, a “bouncing tiger” was cursing and jumping in her arms, her flailing arms tucked back by Yue Chengqi, her head protected by the older girl’s hand. Only her voice remained unblocked, growing louder and louder.
She cursed the spineless man until he looked like a dung beetle, curling into a ball, wishing he could crawl into the earth. But the people he had called over to watch were still standing in his way.
Some even cupped their hands like megaphones and shouted, “A big man can’t even win an argument against a little girl!”
Yue Chengqi couldn’t see the “big man’s” expression, but the increasingly heavy breathing set off alarm bells in her heart. She held Su Ye tighter, putting strength into her legs, ready to sling this not-so-skinny girl over her shoulder and bolt if necessary.
Su Ye also sensed something was wrong. She spat out one last insult, wiped her nose fiercely, and said, “I’m letting you off, you idiot! Next time you want to provoke us women, check if you’re even worthy of talking to one! Get lost, you fool!”
She tugged at Yue Chengqi’s clothes. “Ah Huan, let’s go inside.”
Yue Chengqi loosened her grip and nodded. “Let’s go.”
Su Ye turned with an arrogant huff, marching away with Yue Chengqi in tow, not giving the fool behind them a chance to react. After two steps, they heard an older person rushing over, apologizing to the crowd before delivering a loud slap to the man, followed by a string of curses.
Yue Chengqi glanced back, then pushed it out of her mind.
In the future of An City, he didn’t exist, and he likely wouldn’t be in Auntie Zhu’s family future either. Yue Chengqi couldn’t be bothered with him.
If she had any time, she’d rather spend it looking at her little “chick” with her chest puffed out. She had no time for anyone else.
Besides, she was more curious about the catalyst for today’s events: Wang Mingming’s situation.
They say every hateful person has a pitiful side. She didn’t agree with the idea of using that to absolve guilt, but she had to admit there was some truth to it. She truly wanted to know about Wang Mingming’s past.
If she could start from the past and help this person, could she eliminate one of Su Ye’s competitors at the root?
As Lin Wanjia organized the goods, she paused at the question, pondering for a moment. “I’m not that close with the person you’re talking about. I might not be able to tell you much.”
The person who had been frantically chugging water swallowed a huge gulp and ran over with her water bottle. “What are you guys talking about?”
“Talking about the neighbors,” Lin Wanjia said, patting Su Ye’s head. “I’ll leave this place in your hands. I’m going home.”
Su Ye immediately wilted, saying coquettishly, “Sister~ I really don’t want to…”
Lin Wanjia smoothed the hair on top of her head again. “How you run it is for you two to discuss; I won’t interfere. I, of course, am going to do the work that guarantees a steady income regardless of the weather. As for you two little ones, even if you lose money, you still have to pay the rent.”
Su Ye: “…”
She looked at Yue Huan, then at the determined Lin Wanjia. Pouting, she threw herself backward with a complete lack of decorum and muttered, “Then I’ll run this shop into the ground!”
Yue Chengqi looked down at her. Seeing the girl throwing a tantrum, she found it strangely adorable. She picked up a strand of Su Ye’s long hair, twirling it idly.
She felt a gaze lingering on her and looked up, meeting Lin Wanjia’s smiling eyes. The woman gave a slight nod and turned away without a trace, as if the eye contact had been an accident.
Lin Wanjia leaned against the door, unable to stop herself from laughing. “Suit yourself. Either way, the rent must be paid. I don’t mind taking money from a little miser’s savings.”
Su Ye: “…”
The girl wrinkled her nose. Before she could react, Lin Wanjia pinched her nose and shook it twice, said “See you tonight,” patted her head, and left.
Lin Wanjia didn’t go home.
She didn’t really want to go home; it was too lonely there.
It had been lonely for over a decade.
Over ten years ago, her parents chose to take her younger sister to Guangzhou to make a living because the younger sister could still go to school. But she was just… like this. She could survive anywhere.
Heh, “survive anywhere.” What a nice sentiment.
At first, they at least came back for the New Year. Once the elderly relatives passed away, the adults simply stopped returning.
At first, they would occasionally send letters urging her to move to Guangzhou. Later, there were only occasional phone calls. Through the crackling static of the receiver, the thick Southern accent made her feel like a stranger, a terrifying one.
She always seemed to be the one given up. Only her friends—and Little Su Ye, whom she treated like her own kid—were stubborn enough to make her feel that someone actually chose her.
Who knows, really.
Lin Wanjia walked with her head down, wandering without a destination as her thoughts raced. By the time she realized she had walked far enough, she looked up to find herself at the small park next to the hospital.
She had told her family about the “existence of this child,” so the monthly money sent back had increased slightly. However, she had scattered it all like flower petals to others.
There was no such thing as being naturally popular; it was all friendships built on money and face.
Only then, among those friends, would someone choose her.
Lin Wanjia kicked a stone, entered the park, and sat on the grass by the small artificial lake, staring blankly with her chin in her hands.
![Us Outside of Time [Rebirth]](https://i1.wp.com/dobytranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/rebirth.jpeg?resize=151,215 "Us Outside of Time [Rebirth]")
