Why did you provoke me?

It wasn't that Dali was unwilling to teach her younger sister. Rather, Dali felt that her younger sister knew everything and didn't need her to teach her at all. In fact, the things she knew were taught to her by her younger sister.

So when Yu Meng was 7 years old, she began to systematically study the courses taught by Mr. Zhou. Her teacher was, of course, Sister Xiu.

With Yu Meng's permission, Dali also taught Xiu Jie the techniques for making green and black beads. She also told her that a perfect green bead could sell for a gold coin.

Unexpectedly, when Sister Xiu heard the news, she held the green beads and cried all afternoon.

Dali didn't quite understand and was about to try to persuade her when Yu Meng pulled her away.

Yu Meng understood her suffering. But everyone has their own destiny; who can break free from those shackles?

After that, Sister Xiu became a workaholic. She studied relentlessly, practiced relentlessly, and did everything she could to be good to her family.

Yu Meng saw it all. But she didn't say anything or try to stop it.

Who hasn't pulled their feet out of the mud and stepped into this warm home?

Otherwise, given Yu Meng's personality, how could she have helped her older sister and younger brother, and how could she have been so devoted to this family?

Yu Meng quietly stayed by Xiu Jie's side, studying and training together with her.

Mom, Dad finally took my older brother to propose marriage.

"Dad, Mom's back." But Yu Meng could clearly sense that they weren't truly happy.

Yu Meng went to her father's side and looked at him questioningly. "Didn't we go to propose marriage? Why do you seem so unhappy?"

Dad gently stroked Yu Meng's head with his rough, calloused hands. "It's alright, as long as your older brother is happy."

Mom sighed as well. "Her talent isn't even as high as your older sister's."

Yu Meng looked at her father, wondering about his character, appearance, and family situation.

Dad and Mom both shook their heads. Clearly, they didn't think it would work.

Yu Meng was puzzled. Why did her older brother agree to such unfavorable conditions?

Sister Xiu stood by the door, listening to the conversation, but she didn't know how to offer any advice.

Yu Meng sighed heavily, drawing the attention of all three people in the room.

Yu Meng ignored her and walked straight out the door. She let out a heavy sigh as she left.

His older brother is stubborn; he'll never turn back even after hitting a wall.

Sister Xiu asked in a low voice, "Has Big Brother made a decision on this matter?"

"It's not settled yet. The woman's family is asking for an exorbitant amount, and your father and I haven't agreed."

"So, did your older brother cause trouble for you guys?"

"No, but she hasn't been in much spirits along the way," her mother said softly, her voice full of worry.

The father chimed in, "If that girl were better off, our family would be willing to pay more. But the fact that she's asking for so much clearly means she's paving the way for her younger siblings."

When Dali returned, Yu Meng and Sister Xiu came up to her, and Sister Xiu told her about what had happened.

Dali hesitated for a moment, then said, "There are martial arts schools in town. If you could go there to learn, your value would naturally increase a lot."

Yu Meng tilted her head and looked at Dali, waiting for her to continue.

Sister Xiu asked from the side, "The tuition is very high."

"It's incredibly difficult, and it takes three years to graduate. The tuition increases every year," Dali continued. "I specifically inquired about it. I saw my older brother lingering around the martial arts school several times, reluctant to go home."

Yu Meng thought back on what had happened recently, and it seemed that her older brother hadn't mentioned this at all. Could it be that he wanted to go to a martial arts school but was worried that his family couldn't afford the tuition?

If one's own circumstances are not good, of course one won't look for someone with good circumstances, otherwise one wouldn't be able to support such a person.

Dali and Sister Xiu looked at Yu Meng together, "Little sister, what do you think about letting Big Brother go to the martial arts school? We'll both pay for the tuition."

Their voices were in sync. But why should I be the one to make this decision?

Yu Meng's eyes clearly said, "What does this have to do with me?"

Dali held Yu Meng's small hand. "He's our elder brother, and he'll be our family from now on. If he's not good to us, do you think we can feel at ease?"

Yu Meng pulled her hand away. That's a matter for the future; who knows what will happen?

If you help him with this, will you help him again if something similar happens next time? If you help him too often, will he take it for granted?

Why can't he just speak up for himself? He hasn't said a word, so why should we dictate his path?

Yu Meng shook her head for a long time. "I don't care about this matter, don't bother me. I advise you all not to get involved."

Dali still wanted to try. "Little sister, your brother is so pitiful. Nod your head, and I'll go talk to Mom and Dad about it."

Yu Meng's eyes widened. This has nothing to do with me; don't try to pin this on me.

Xiujie tugged at Dali. "Sister, don't make things difficult for your younger sister. She's the youngest in the family; how can she make this decision?"

Yu Meng immediately leaned her small body against Sister Xiu and nodded repeatedly.

Yu Meng's gaze towards her older sister had changed. This woman was willing to use Yu Meng as a stepping stone for her brother's sake. It seemed she'd have to stay away from her from now on; someone like that was best avoided.

She only needs to nod to her parents. If she doesn't nod, she'll be blamed for anything that happens to her older brother.

At that moment, Yu Meng suddenly became wary of Da Li. "This person is so stupid, won't she sell me out later?" At that moment, Yu Meng suddenly withdrew half of her sincerity.

Dali looked at Yu Meng's small body leaning against Sister Xiu. She frowned. When did her little sister become so close to Sister Xiu?

Even now, she doesn't realize that she said something wrong and upset Yu Meng.

Because of the eldest brother's situation, the whole family was in a bad mood, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Yu Hai came home from school and went straight to Yu Meng. "Little sister, let's go catch fish in the river."

Yu Meng nodded with a smile.

"Hai Zi, you're not a child anymore. You should help with some chores at home. What kind of future do you have catching fish in the river all day?" Da Li called out to Yu Hai, who was about to leave.

Yu Hai stood there looking at his older sister, confused as to what had happened. He went every day. Why couldn't he go today?

Even if his family didn't eat the fish he caught, or his sister didn't peel the fish's face off, he still made a contribution and didn't neglect his family's chores.

Yu Meng looked at Dali like this and was utterly disappointed.

Yu Meng walked back to the courtyard and sat on a small stool. Yu Hai followed behind and stood beside her.

Yu Meng has very extreme views. In her previous life, she would rather die than face that family again in order to take revenge on them.

She suddenly had the idea that she didn't want to be a freeloader in this house.

Yu Meng would never wrong herself. So she went inside and took a green bead.

She placed the green bead into her mother's hand. "Meal money."

This action left everyone in the room completely bewildered.

Dad held Yu Meng's hand tightly. "You are our child, it's our duty to raise you. Nobody asked you to pay for your meals."

He then glared at Dali. "Hai Zi and Xiao Si go fishing in the river every day, why are you so useless today? Why are you talking about your little brother like that?"

Dali was also stunned by Yu Meng's actions. That's not what she meant, she really didn't mean that.

Dali ran up to Yu Meng and put her hands on Yu Meng's small shoulders. "Little sister, that's not what I meant."

Yu Meng didn't speak, she just stared at her intently. Her eyes were devoid of any emotion.

Dali panicked. Her mother came over and put the green bead back into Yu Meng's hand. "You keep it for yourself, Mom doesn't want it."

Yu Meng looked up at her father. Her father knew the value of the green bead.

Mr. Yu held Yu Meng in his arms. "I once said that I would take care of you for the rest of my life."

Yu Meng nodded, took the beads back into the house, and put them in her small box.