Chapter 314: Chapter 314: Painful Memories (21) Chapter 314: Chapter 314: Painful Memories (21) In the blink of an eye, six years had passed.

During that time, much had happened, both big and small, including the time Lanyue went on a hunger strike, demanding a name change. But no matter what, the three siblings continued to rely on each other as always.

In those six years, Ting Yang and his younger siblings had stayed with numerous relatives.

At times, they only stayed for three months before being taken in by another household, and on the longest stretch, they lived with a distant relative for a year.

There had been so many homes, but never had any family truly adopted them.

Even now, it was the same.

“Ting Yang, your uncle was recently fired by his boss, and I don’t have a job either. It’s really quite difficult for us to make ends meet…” The woman’s evasive eyes revealed a hint of embarrassment as she stumbled over her words.

Ting Yang had heard similar phrases countless times in other homes.

Without asking, he knew what the woman was about to say next.

“I understand. My siblings and I will leave. We won’t cause you any trouble,” Ting Yang said calmly.

He had been through this so many times that he had grown numb to it.

“I’m not trying to kick you out. It’s just that the financial situation at home is really tight,” the woman said awkwardly, “but you can rest assured. I have already found another family for you. They have agreed to take you in.”

“Their household is in good condition, and the couple has a nice personality. They will definitely take good care of you,” the woman hurriedly explained.

“No need. We won’t be going to live with them,” Ting Yang shook his head.

“Why?” The woman was taken aback. “If you’re not satisfied with this family, I can find someone else…”

“I am of age now. I can take care of my siblings by myself. We don’t need anyone else,” Ting Yang said.

He had decided this a long time ago.

Once he was of age, he would go back to Ji Yiyun, reclaim his parents’ inheritance, and the three siblings would move back to the Ji Mansion together. They’d no longer need to depend on the kindness of others and live at the mercy of others’ moods.

“Relying on the little salary that you get from your part-time jobs, it will be quite difficult to support Zeqiu and Lanyue. And where will you stay afterward?” The woman furrowed her brows, her voice tinged with worry.

“We will move back to our parents’ old home. And don’t worry about the money,” Ting Yang said.

Just last week, when he had turned eighteen, a lawyer had found him and given him a substantial sum of money, informing him that it was the inheritance from his maternal grandparents.

With that money, their lives could become much easier and freer.

“But still…” The woman hesitated.

“We will pack up tonight and move out tomorrow morning. Thank you for taking us in during this time.”

Before the woman could say anything more, Ting Yang turned and left with an indifferent expression.

It wasn’t until he returned to their small room and saw Ji Zeqiu and Ji Yuqiao working on their homework that his cold face softened a touch.

“Big brother, you’re back!” Yuqiao noticed the commotion and looked up. Upon seeing Ting Yang, she sprang to her feet.

She pulled Ting Yang over to sit down and began to massage his shoulders, “Why are you back so late today? Were there a lot of dishes to wash? Are you tired?”

Ever since one time when Yuqiao needed money for school fees and asked a woman who had taken them in, only to receive sarcastic taunting in response, Ting Yang had started to look for part-time jobs outside.

As the families that took them in changed, so too did Ting Yang’s part-time jobs.

From cashier, sweeping floors to moving heavy objects… He had done it all.

Even though the pay wasn’t much, he persisted, determined not to have to carefully watch others’ faces when he and his siblings needed money.

Ting Yang shook his head, “I’m not tired. Sit down, I have something to tell you.”

At those words, Zeqiu looked up curiously, “What is it?”

“It’s not that we’re moving again, is it?” Yuqiao voiced her guess.

“Correct,” Ting Yang replied.

Yuqiao shrugged, seemingly unconcerned, “I knew it.”

She counted on her fingers and then proudly turned to Zeqiu, “We stayed four months this time. My guess was the closest; I win again! Big brother, you owe me two bubble teas now.”

As if to make light of their hardships, Yuqiao and Zeqiu would bet on how long they would be able to stay at each new place they ended up in.

Annoyance flickered in Zeqiu’s eyes, “How come it’s always you who wins.”

Yuqiao stuck her tongue out at him playfully before turning back to Ting Yang, “So where are we going to move next? Has someone agreed to take us in?”

Ting Yang was silent for a moment, “This time, we’re moving back to the Ji Mansion.”

Zeqiu’s body tensed suddenly, his pupils trembling slightly.

“The Ji Mansion? What place is that? Are we going to live in a mansion?” Yuqiao scratched her head in confusion.

“It’s the place where we used to live with mom and dad.” Seemingly touched by the memory, a fleeting expression of sorrow and pain crossed Zeqiu’s face.

After a long pause, Zeqiu’s voice was low, “When are we going back?”

Ting Yang: “Tomorrow.”

Zeqiu nodded, asking no further questions, quietly getting up to pack.

…

Returning to the place where they had once lived after so many years, Ting Yang felt a sense of melancholy in his heart.

The key to the mansion was still with Ji Yiyun. They could only stay at the old Lin Family home for a period of time.

During this time, Ting Yang, along with a lawyer, went directly to Ji Yiyun’s home.

“I hadn’t expected that after so long without seeing you, Ting Yang had grown up so much. He’s so tall and handsome; I almost didn’t recognize you,” Ji Yiyun said with a chuckle as she made small talk.

“Auntie, you should know the purpose of my visit today,” Ting Yang said, without beating around the bush.

“I know, you want to take back the mansion’s key,” Ji Yiyun handed a set of keys to Ting Yang. “Here are the keys. Go home and have a look with your siblings, hehe…”

However, Ting Yang fidgeted with the keys in his hand, seated on the sofa without moving an inch, showing no sign of leaving.

Ji Yiyun’s face turned a shade darker but soon she resumed her cheerful demeanor, “It’s almost lunchtime, why don’t you stay for lunch before leaving?”

“That’s fine, thank you, Auntie,” Ting Yang looked at her.

Ji Yiyun’s face changed slightly, cursing internally for making the offer.

“How about discussing my parents’ inheritance during lunch? When do you plan to return it?” Ting Yang’s voice was detached and cold.

Barely eighteen, his demeanor was already sharp and frosty, bearing some resemblance to Ji Yanli.