CHAPTER 47: 044 WHAT A MESS

Yun Ya didn’t return home until it was dark, and she could immediately feel that something was off. Yun Shu sat in the living room, elegantly sipping tea, while Kang Jinse leisurely cracked sunflower seeds across from her.

Upon seeing Yun Ya, Kang Jinse smiled, "Oh, isn’t this our little Princess returning home? Come here and let Auntie have a look at you. What did you do today?"

Yun Ya walked over with Yun Miao, politely called out "Grandma," then turned to Kang Jinse, "Aunt Jiang."

Yun Shu glanced at her indifferently, "As a girl, it’s unseemly to be running around outside all the time."

Yun Ya pressed her lips together, "Teacher Jiang took me to participate in a summer camp activity, I’m sorry, I won’t return home late again."

"Remember you are a girl, know what to do and what not to do, I shouldn’t have to remind you constantly." Yun Shu’s voice was laced with sternness.

Yun Ya bowed her head, her compliance exuding a resigned obedience, "Yes, Grandma."

Seeing her uncomplaining demeanor, Yun Shu felt somewhat irked deep down. She waved her hand, signalling Yun Ya to go about her business.

Yun Ya took Yun Miao and headed upstairs, when Yun Shu’s voice rang out from behind her once more, "Ji Die was disobedient, so I had to reprimand her a few times. I can’t rest easy with someone like that serving you, so I decided to send her away. She has served you and your siblings for a long time, and I won’t mistreat her."

Yun Ya’s blood ran cold. For a moment, she longed to confront her, but she didn’t, not even a hint of weakness showed in her silhouette.

Her voice was calm as still water, "I leave everything to Grandma’s discretion."

Yun Shu nodded in satisfaction at Yun Ya’s submissiveness.

Back in her room, after closing the door, Yun Ya let go of Yun Miao’s hand and quickly ran to the bed. She pried a box out from under it and opened it, revealing a brand-new cell phone.

She inserted the SIM card, turned on the phone, and her fingers trembled as she dialed a number she knew by heart. She didn’t have to wait long before the call connected.

"This is Qin Zhuan. May I know who’s speaking?"

"Uncle Qin, it’s me." Yun Ya’s voice betrayed her urgency.

The other end paused, "Yun Ya? Why is it you?"

"Uncle Qin, please help me find Aunt Die. I’m afraid something has happened to her. You must be quick..."

After hanging up the phone, Yun Ya felt as if she had lost all her strength. She slid down onto the floor along the edge of the bed, hugging her knees to her chest.

A profound sense of helplessness enveloped her.

Aunt Die was in trouble, and she was powerless to do anything, unable even to raise a question. Why did Aunt Die have to stay home alone? She should have anticipated it; Yun Shu wouldn’t let such an opportunity to assert dominance pass by.

Within this home, Miaomiao and Aunt Die were her last bit of warmth. If Aunt Die were to leave her too, Yun Ya dared not think further...

In her previous life, during years of displacement, it was Aunt Die who had forsaken everything to take care of her and Miaomiao, only to meet an untimely death.

In this life, her trajectory had changed because of her rebirth. She had sworn to give Aunt Die a peaceful life, which was also Aunt Die’s wish. Could it be that before her wish could be realized, Aunt Die was going to be taken from her?

It wouldn’t happen...

A shadow fell beside her, and a small hand landed on her shoulder, patting gently with comforting strength.

Yun Ya looked up and saw the graceful and exquisite boy smiling gently, showing his white teeth, his eyes curved like Yue Yaer, clear and pure like a stream.

His lips moved silently, asking if Yaya was unhappy?

Suddenly, Yun Ya hugged him, holding on tightly, as if embracing the entire world with all its gravity and sorrow.

"I only have you left, Miaomiao..."

----

The next morning, Yun Ya and Yun Miao appeared at the dining table on time. Yun Ya looked no different than usual, and Yun Shu didn’t notice the burning hatred seething in her heart, deeply etched into her very bones beneath a demure facade.

Breakfast was unusually quiet. Even as critical as Yun Shu was, she couldn’t find fault with Yun Ya. Despite her dislike, she had to admit that Ji Lanyi had raised this daughter well: elegant and polite, dignified and generous, the quintessential lady of high society.

Yun Shu appreciated such an excellent girl. Unfortunately, the fact that she carried that woman’s blood in her veins doomed any chance of a peaceful relationship between them.

After breakfast, Yun Shu took Kang Jinse to the hospital.

Yun Ya, leading Yun Miao, returned to their room, anxiously waiting with her phone in hand.

Uncle Qin still hadn’t sent any news. What had happened to Aunt Die?

She didn’t receive a call from Uncle Qin, but instead, an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Miss Yun Ya, there’s a call for you downstairs."

The other party didn’t give away their identity, it seemed they didn’t want others to know.

"Hello, this is Yun Ya."

"Yun Ya, this is Aunt Zhuang..." A gentle female voice came through the earpiece.

Yun Ya’s eyes narrowed slightly, a swift glint crossed them like a shooting star.

Before she could seek them out, they had come to her first. This was fine; she was somewhat eager for it anyway.

----

Upon leaving the hospital, Kang Jinse’s face was pale.

Clutching the sheet in her hand, her veins on the back of her hand stood out.’

Glancing at Yun Shu walking beside her, the suppressed gloom between her brows was like the ominous presage of a mountain storm, causing Kang Jinse’s heart to tremble uncontrollably.

Why had it come to this? She was so anxious she felt like crying.

Seeing Kang Jinse looking pitiful, Yun Shu coldly said, "We’ll talk when we get back."

With a "bang," she slammed the car door closed.

Kang Jinse’s heart skipped a beat. She was about to open the car door when her phone suddenly rang.

After seeing the caller ID, Kang Jinse took a moment to steady her breathing before answering.

"Sis, where are you? I miss you so much. Can you come visit me?" The voice of a sweet and lovely girl reached her from the phone.