How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

When Yan Ru arrived with her entourage, she saw Qing Ru sitting forlornly on a hospital bench, her eyes closed in repose. Her clothes were wrinkled, and she looked tired and worn out, so Yan Ru couldn't help but frown.

Song Yuanliang asked, "What's wrong with your sister? She seems to have been through a lot."

Yanru was also worried, but she was afraid that there might be something she shouldn't tell Yuanliang, so she said, "It's almost evening now, and I can tell from my sister's appearance that she hasn't eaten. Go and order a table of dishes. You don't need to invite the other children, just my sister, you, and me."

Seeing that he really couldn't help, Yuan Liang nodded. "I won't go far. There's a nice restaurant next to the hospital. I'll go and make a reservation."

Yanru nodded, and after everyone left, she gently stepped forward and patted Qingru awake, "Sister."

A familiar voice came from behind her, and Qingru stared blankly, "Yanru?"

Seeing her loud voice and quick reaction, she nodded, "Sister, it's me, you're finally back."

Qingru smiled brightly, then tears suddenly streamed down her face, and the two sisters couldn't help but embrace and weep.

After a long while, she finally calmed down. Qingru casually wiped her tears with her sleeve and then carefully wiped away Yanru's tears.

"Alright, stop crying. I'm back safe and sound, aren't I? But you seem much more composed. You weren't bullied, were you?"

Yan Ru gently shook her head. "I didn't bully you, but a lot did happen. I'll tell you all about it later. Now that you're back, all that's missing is Dad to come back, and then our family will be reunited."

Qingru smiled through her tears, though it was a bitter smile. "She's really grown up. Our little darling only reports good news now. Don't worry, things should be peaceful for a while after she comes back. That young master Guo has a mental injury and won't be able to cause trouble for a while."

Qingru's tone was a little strange, and Yanru asked, "Young Master Guo? When did you start talking so coldly? Isn't he your boyfriend?"

Qingru was taken aback, then shook her head. "No, not anymore. He's someone else's fiancé now. We're over."

Seeing Qingru's state, Yanru could only hug her again and gently pat her back to comfort her, "If you still like him, sister, we'll take him back. After all, being engaged doesn't count."

Suppressing her heartache, Qingru shook her head. "No need. What's past is past."

At the corner of the wall, a glimpse of clothing appeared briefly before disappearing again. Guo Zixing held a wooden box in his hands, gripping it tightly, his veins bulging, yet he did not loosen his grip.

Are they actually a couple? That's why Qingru risked her life to save him. What has he forgotten?

Thinking of what Qingru had just said—that what's past is past—Guo Zixing felt a surge of intense resentment.

Behind the other door, Jiang Shen couldn't help but feel overjoyed, feeling incredibly sweet. Even though Qingru hadn't said a single word about him, it still gave him hope.

"Young Master Guo, why aren't you going over there?"

Yuan Liang's voice broke Guo Zixing's thoughts. Seeing that the unfamiliar man seemed to know him, he subconsciously replied, "I feel a little dizzy, so I need to take a break."

Yuan Liang didn't think much of it, nodded, and left Guo Zixing to walk towards Yan Ru.

Guo Zixing followed closely behind, his face bearing an unnatural smile. Qingru simply nodded in greeting when she saw him.

That uncomfortable feeling surged up again, but Guo Zixing forcibly suppressed it.

"I heard Jiang Shen was injured, so I brought over an old ginseng from home. How is he?"

Qingru shook her head. "He screamed very loudly and was shot several times. It's probably not a minor incident."

"Didn't you go in and look?"

Qingru looked embarrassed. "The doctor said he had his dressing changed and was resting. I haven't gone in to see him yet."

The group was in an awkward position; when visiting a patient, one should at least see the patient in person.

So he pushed open the door and entered. Jiang Shen, who was already prepared, lay on the hospital bed and slowly opened his eyes as if he had just been woken up. "You've come?"

Seeing his pale face and recalling his screams just now, Qingru couldn't help but worry, "How are you?"

Jiang Shen chuckled and said, "It's alright, it just hurts a lot. Don't worry, I finally got to experience what it feels like to be shot, cough cough."

Qingru quickly helped him up to drink water, saying, "Don't talk, just rest."

Watching Qingru take care of Jiang Shen in such a familiar way, Yanru felt something was off; there was an indescribable ambiguity between the two.

Yanru was overjoyed to hear Qingru say that she had broken up with Guo Zixing. The two families had a history of enmity, and she had kept quiet about it before out of consideration for Qingru's feelings, but now there was no need to hold back.

"Young Master Guo, you've only just returned to Sifang City, so you might not know yet, but your younger brother has married your ex-girlfriend."

Upon hearing Yan Ru speak, Guo Zixing subconsciously looked over, a flash of amazement in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. "My ex-girlfriend? Did I ever have a girlfriend before?"

Guo Zixing involuntarily looked at Qingru, but Qingru only looked at Yanru curiously, "You mean Zheng Peilan? He married Guo Ziyou?"

Yan Ru nodded, "Yes, since Young Master Guo disappeared, many things in this city have changed. The first major event is that Zheng Peilan, the daughter of Zheng the comprador, married Guo Ziyou, the second son of Marshal Guo. There have been quite a few news reports about it, haven't you all seen them?"

At that time, they were barely surviving, so they didn't have the leisure to look at those things. Qingru just sighed a few times, "I really didn't expect that. What about the young ladies of the Qiao family? I admire their integrity. I wonder how they are doing?"

"When Director Qiao returned, he naturally threw a tantrum and offered a large reward for the murderer, but there has been no result to date. As for the three young ladies of the Qiao family, they have been staying at home in mourning."

Qingru couldn't help but sigh, "What a good person, just like that, gone. Some people, on the other hand, bounce back from rock bottom and climb to new heights again. It's truly indescribable."

Yan Ru said, "Whether it's good or bad, it ultimately comes down to what people do themselves. Although the Zheng family suffered a great calamity, they never gave up. Before long, they set up an art gallery in a big way, and now it has become the most popular elegant place for literati in the city. Zheng Peilan probably earns a lot from this."

Qingru nodded, "This kind of tenacious and indomitable spirit is something we should learn from."

The two sisters then proceeded to recount the events of the past few months in detail. Even Guo Zixing, listening, would sometimes frown, sometimes relax, sometimes clap his hands, and sometimes sigh...

Song Yuanliang knew that Yan Ru was helping Qingru understand the changes that had taken place in the city, so he would occasionally chime in to fill in any gaps in Yan Ru's knowledge.

After two hours of nagging, it was completely dark outside.

Yan Ru then stopped talking. "Let's go. Yuan Liang has already ordered food and drinks. Let's eat and chat."

Just as he was about to leave, a soldier suddenly came in. "Young Master, the Commander-in-Chief wants you to take some people back for a meal. He said that not only you and Miss Lü will be there, but also distinguished guests from Yunnan."

Yan Ru asked in surprise, "Invited us?"

The soldier nodded, his face flushed. "Anyway, the commander said that all of the young master's friends should be brought along, especially Miss Lü, who made a great contribution this time and deserves this treatment."

Qingru could only think of how Qin San'er had captured her at Qinhuai Tower, all to please this young master Long, and she couldn't help but feel angry. "I know, we'll go then."

"elder sister?"

"You don't need to go, just wait for me at home."

Yan Ru nodded obediently and left with Song Yuanliang.

Qingru and Jiang Shen exchanged a glance, both seeing the resentment in each other's eyes. They were determined to squeeze a hefty sum out of Yunnan this time, otherwise they would not be able to quell her hatred.

Seeing the tacit understanding between the two, Guo Zixing looked a little dejected, but he cheered himself up and said, "Okay, we really should have a proper meal."

Qingru immediately restrained Jiang Shen, and she and Guo Zixing got into the car, ready to confront that Young Master Long.