Chapter 77: A Heart That Never Sinks
Gu Qinghuan and Jiang Chuchu didn’t stay for dinner. First, the afternoon’s events had left the atmosphere somewhat tense. Second, they didn’t want to face Yu Jinxi’s expression during dinner.
Jiang Chuchu called a car, first sending Gu Qinghuan home, then returning on her own.
At home, no one was around, and it wasn’t yet time for dinner, so Gu Qinghuan flopped onto her bed, lying face down.
[System.] she called silently in her mind.
[What’s the matter?] the system responded quickly.
[If Xin Bao will “recrainate,” will Yu Yuan also “recrainate”?] Gu Qinghuan asked.
From the stories she had seen about true and fake daughters, although most involved the real daughter being mistreated and then resetting, there were also cases where the fake daughter reset.
For example, when the real daughter suffered a terminal illness, everyone realized the fake daughter’s vile schemes, avenged the real daughter, and the fake daughter either died, while the real daughter either died or recovered and lived happily with everyone.
Thus, a fake daughter might reset, deciding to expose the real daughter’s “white lotus” schemes or preemptively distance herself from the family.
The system replied: [No. Because Xin Bao’s reincarnation is based on her suffering being greater. In this situation, Yu Yuan’s suffering is likely less than Yu Xin’s, so the system chose Yu Xin and had no need to choose Yu Yuan.]
It was a simple calculation. Compared to Yu Xin’s first ten-plus years, even if Yu Yuan experienced some suffering during that time, it wouldn’t surpass Yu Xin’s.
Although Yu Xin’s suffering wasn’t caused by Yu Yuan, from the perspective of being a daughter of the Yu family, the suffering naturally exists in a kind of zero-sum balance.
Gu Qinghuan let out an “oh,” turned over to lie on her back, and asked: [Earlier you said Xin Bao’s reincarnation was 9% influenced by me. What is it now?]
The system reported: [63%]
“What?” Gu Qinghuan was so surprised she practically did a sit-up. She hadn’t even asked in her mind, but the words slipped out: “It’s… already this high?!”
[Yes. Host, please trust your own efforts.] the system said. [Under your influence, Yu Xin now possesses a heart that will never sink. This is the most crucial factor.]
It’s normal to feel regret when making a wrong choice. That’s part of how humans reflect on themselves, learn lessons, and improve.
The important part is that even with regret, one doesn’t fall into despair or self-pity.
Yu Xin no longer wallows in her own suffering or the false affection of her family. No matter how difficult things get, she can rely on her own strength to keep moving forward.
In this situation, the likelihood of her being swayed and choosing to reset is greatly reduced—hence the rapid progress.
Gu Qinghuan scratched the back of her head, a mix of embarrassment and pride on her face: “Uh… can I feel a bit proud?”
[Of course. This is indeed your hard work.] the system replied.
“Yay!” Gu Qinghuan jumped up on the bed. “As expected of me! Xin Bao is working super hard too! I’ll keep going!”
The system glanced at the progress of others backstage and thought the host could be even happier.
But since the host didn’t ask, it wouldn’t bring it up—it would wait until the host mentioned it.
Gu Haiyan and Wang Jia’an returned home and were surprised to see Gu Qinghuan humming as she came out to greet them. “In such a good mood, what happened?”
“Something really good!” Gu Qinghuan said proudly.
Without her saying more, Gu Haiyan didn’t press further, assuming she had her reasons.
Wang Jia’an placed the plastic bags he was carrying on the table: “Since it’s something so good, it’s perfect for celebrating—pizza!”
Gu Qinghuan immediately leaned over to open the pizza box and asked, “Where did you go this afternoon?”
“Went to accompany your grandma to the hospital,” Wang Jia’an said. “They removed the cast today. The doctor said the recovery is going well, but rehabilitation is still needed. Sister Yu will have to help quite a bit.”
The nanny, Yu Wenxiu, had grown familiar with the Gu family during this time. She was a few years older than Gu Haiyan and Wang Jia’an, so calling her “Sis” felt natural.
“Tomorrow, you’ll go with us to the supermarket, then visit your grandma. Tonight, remember to sleep early—don’t oversleep in the morning,” Gu Haiyan reminded her.
Gu Qinghuan nodded repeatedly. Going to the supermarket sounded good; she even planned to buy some snacks.
The next morning, the Gu family went to the supermarket, picking out many things.
Gu Qinghuan wandered in the snack aisle, but wasn’t very interested, likely because she was still full from breakfast beef noodles. In the end, she grabbed a jar of Skittles from the shelf and popped a few into her mouth as they left.
The groceries were divided into three bags. Wang Jia’an’s electric scooter was larger, so he carried two, while the third went on Gu Haiyan’s scooter, who also took Gu Qinghuan with her.
“We really need a new car,” Gu Haiyan said upon arriving at grandma’s.
Wang Jia’an nodded in agreement. “When there’s a lot of stuff, a car is more convenient.”
They discussed what kind of car to buy, each carrying a bag of groceries to grandma’s. Gu Qinghuan carried one bag too, filled with vegetables from the supermarket, thinking about what to cook for lunch.
Chestnuts, yam, ribs, radish… Should they do chestnut chicken, chestnut ribs, yam stew with ribs, or braised ribs? She actually preferred white radish soup.
As Gu Qinghuan’s mind wandered through recipes, the door to grandma’s house opened. Yu Wenxiu, apparently expecting the Gu family, wasn’t surprised and helped carry the items in.
Grandma Gu Min also came out, smiling at the three shopping bags. “Oh, what tasty things did you buy?”
During the period her hand was in a cast, even with Yu Wenxiu’s care, it wasn’t completely convenient. Now that the cast was removed, even though there were still things to watch out for, Gu Min felt much more at ease.
“Mom, I asked Sister Yu to get some daily necessities for you as well,” Gu Haiyan said, first taking out items like tissues.
“And what else?” Gu Min peeked into the bags.
Gu Haiyan chuckled: “Also your favorite Sachima, with xylitol, so you can enjoy it safely.”
Gu Min happily took the Sachima and even put it in her bedroom so that visiting friends wouldn’t eat it.
Meanwhile, Wang Jia’an busied himself putting frozen foods like dumplings and tangyuan into the fridge, making sure the fillings were ones Gu Min liked.
Yu Wenxiu checked the groceries and confirmed the menu with Gu Min before starting preparations.
Wang Jia’an went to prepare the yam, while Gu Haiyan pulled Gu Qinghuan to the balcony to peel chestnuts with Yu Wenxiu.
The chestnuts were delicious but difficult to peel. Gu Qinghuan slowly tore the fuzzy shells while listening to Yu Wenxiu and Gu Haiyan chat.
When they first met, Yu Wenxiu had been reserved. Gu Qinghuan thought, perhaps mistakenly, that Yu Wenxiu assumed her family was very remarkable.
But after spending more time together, Yu Wenxiu relaxed and became more easygoing, even sharing some personal stories.
Gu Haiyan casually asked: “Sister Yu, you’ve been staying with my mom for so long without a break. Don’t you want to go home?”
Yu Wenxiu smiled, her peeling motion uninterrupted, clearly having been asked this many times: “No, I divorced my ex-husband and now live alone.”
Gu Haiyan looked at her. “Then wasn’t your rent wasted during the time you stayed at my mom’s?”
Her focus on this detail clearly wasn’t what Yu Wenxiu expected. Most would ask why she divorced; Gu Haiyan’s first thought was about the rent being wasted.
Her thoughtful words made Yu Wenxiu’s prepared response for evasion unnecessary.
