3
<
་ སྤུཅ ཅཨཕི་་; ༔ yu ཚཕཔ་ད
John choked, looking at Sarah appraisingly.
Sarah just stood there, letting him look her
over.
Seeing that John seemed to be seriously
considering taking both Sarah and me back,
Lily’s face fell.
“Ashley, don’t our relatives matter to you?”
She asked a good question, instantly
reminding John of my previous rebellious
words.
His face turned cold, and he turned and left
without mentioning taking me home again.
Г
without mentioning taking me home again.
Lily was relieved and gave me a provocative
smile before following him out.
Unfortunately, not only was I not angry, I was
actually quite happy.
John was straightforward and valued family,
unlike the Carters‘ profit–driven style.
I originally thought it would take more effort
to get rid of him, but Lily had done me a big
favor.
Not going back was, of course, the best
option.
Who would want to watch their relatives favor
someone else?
L
I met Sarah’s gaze, and we smiled at each
other, both bitter and relieved.
Before experiencing the events of our past
lives, we both had high expectations for our
relatives.
After all, unlike other children in the
orphanage, we didn’t have any physical
problems, weren’t abandoned, and our
parents weren’t dead, leaving us helpless.
When we were young, Sarah and I would lie in
the same bed, wishing upon the moon, hoping
our parents would find us soon.
At that time, neither of us had ever imagined
that even if we weren’t abandoned and had
parents, we wouldn’t necessarily have a
<
nuppy Tummy.
The orphanage director didn’t expect that
neither of us would leave with our biological
fathers.
She was so angry she hit us with a stick.
“Are you two stupid? Weren’t you looking
forward to going home? Those two families
obviously have good conditions. Why, why…
唉!”
She looked defeated, put down the stick, and
sighed.
Sarah and my eyes reddened.
We were raised by Mom, the orphanage
director.
<
She was only in her twenties when she came
to the orphanage, and people said she was
foolish for raising other people’s children at
such a young age.
Now, she was over forty.
Her once jet–black hair had turned gray from
years of hard work.
No one could have imagined that such a thin
and frail woman would raise Sarah and me
and send us to college.
She even gritted her teeth and sent the
younger children in the orphanage to school
one by one.
In about two years, she would die from
In about two years, she would die from
overwork.
But in our past lives, Sarah and I were
trapped in so–called blood ties and didn’t
even get to see Mom for the last time.
Thinking of this, I rushed over and hugged her
tightly.
“Mom, this is our home. We’re not leaving.”
The director was exasperated.
“How long can I take care of you two?”
But even as she said so, her eyes reddened.
“Forget it, let’s eat. I traded food stamps for
some rice. We’ll have rice for lunch!”
Г
“By the way, Ashley, your exercise is in a few
days. You have to train hard.”
“And Sarah, you too. Go back to your lab
after you eat!”
Sarah and I both laughed and quickly agreed.
We thought it would take a while to see the
Millers again after the unpleasant encounter.
But unexpectedly, the day before my physical
competition, Mom and Sarah were seeing me
off to my dorm when we bumped into them.
Only John came to take me home that day.
However, Lily’s entire family came to see her
off.
Г
Lily stood at the door of the dorm arranged
by the army, wearing a brand–new uniform,
surrounded by her family.
My biological mother, brother, and sister,
whom I hadn’t met in this life, were all
present, holding Lily’s hand and giving her
endless instructions.
“Lily, do your best in the competition
tomorrow. Don’t get hurt.”
“Yes, Lily, your dad isn’t sending you here to
win an award. Your safety is the most
important.”
“That’s right, no matter what your results are,
we’ll always love you.”
<
Lily saw me standing not far away, and a
smug look flashed in her eyes.
“I know, Dad, Mom, brother, sister, you don’t
have to worry about me.”
After saying that, she pretended to just notice
me and spoke with a surprised expression.
“Hey, Ashley, why are you here too?”
The Millers followed her gaze and were
stunned to see me standing not far away, my
expression indifferent.
Although I didn’t want to admit it, I did
resemble John, especially when I had a cold
expression.
My biological mother, brother, and sister
<
quickly realized my identity, their expressions
complicated.
“This is…Ashley?”
My mother thought for a moment before
remembering my name.
She smiled awkwardly, her tone distant.
“You’re in the women’s corps too? This is the
first time I’ve seen you.”
I nodded slightly.
“I just got back from leave.”
The reason for the leave was to meet my
biological family.
<
My mother probably thought of this, cleared
her throat, and said, “Why didn’t you tell us
you were also a member of the women’s
corps?”
“But it’s good that you and Lily are together.
Lily can look after you.”
“She’s been personally trained by John since
she was a child. She’s very strong.”
Mom frowned upon hearing my mother’s
words.
“Ashley is not bad either.”
Hearing this, my brother sneered.
“She can’t compare to Lily. Who are you?
<
talking?”
I didn’t care that they belittled me. I knew the
Millers were biased.
But they shouldn’t insult Mom.
My face darkened, and I grabbed my brother’s
arm, pinning him against the wall.
“Apologize!”
