C5 Her Stepmother Zhou Qian

In the afternoon, Zhou Qian returned from the factory on her bike. As soon as she got home, she greeted Ann Jue with a smile, "What would you like for lunch? I'll make it for you! I remember you used to love braised pork ribs. How about I make that?"

After a moment of thought, Ann Jue replied, "Haven't you and my dad been earning less since last month? Let's skip the pork ribs. Just stir-fry some greens. Mrs. Zhou, I'm sorry for scolding you before. I didn't mean it, please don't be upset..."

Zhou Qian looked at her, surprised, and her eyes quickly filled with tears. She walked over and embraced her, saying, "I'm not upset, Jue. You lost your mother and it's hard for you to accept me, I understand. I'm not thrilled about this situation either. But I have no choice; I still need to take care of your older brother. He's currently living with his grandmother and he's quite unhappy with me too. It's just that I really..."

Ann Jue gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Zhou Qian's eyes and nodded, "I understand. You've been very kind to me."

Through tears and laughter, Zhou Qian hugged her and then stood up to head to the kitchen. "Just wait a bit, the meal will be ready soon. If you're bored, feel free to watch some TV!"

Ann Jue acknowledged and settled on the sofa, turning on the TV. She wanted to catch up on the news and reflect on past events. Now that she had been given a second chance at life, she was determined to prevent the regrets of her past from happening again.

Today was September 21st, 1992.

Seeing the date, Ann Jue felt an ominous sensation. Why had fate chosen this day for her rebirth? She was convinced there had to be a reason. Otherwise, how could she have stumbled upon such an extraordinary opportunity? Lost in thought, she instinctively reached for her neck.

Oh, where was her Peace Jade Button?

Ann Jue stood up abruptly, then sighed and sat back down. She hadn't met Zhang Jian yet, so how could she be wearing the Peace Jade Button he had given her? She chided herself for the oversight.

Still, that Peace Jade Button had brought her much solace during tough times. Zhang Jian always chose the finest items for her, and despite its unassuming appearance, the Peace Jade Button was expertly crafted from a piece of glass species Imperial Green Jade. Zhang Jian had once apprenticed with a jade carving master. Though he wasn't a master himself, he had more than enough skill to carve a Peace Jade Button. He had lovingly polished it and placed it around her neck as a talisman for peace of mind.

Ann Jue had a deep affection for her Peace Jade Button. From her hospital admission until her passing, she would fiddle with it countless times each day, occasionally reaching out to touch it, finding solace in its presence. This ritual gradually became a comforting habit for her.

Now, without the Peace Jade Button, she felt an emptiness, a sense of being ungrounded.

Ann had always been a serene soul, her love for reading being her only pastime. If it hadn't been for her desire to financially support Duan Chen's doctoral studies, she would never have forsaken her own chance to pursue graduate studies, settling instead for a teaching position at a less prestigious university. Ultimately, it was poverty that dictated her path. In high school, her academic performance was commendable, and she aspired to join the Archaeology Department at Capital University. However, due to concerns about job prospects and earning potential in the field, she heeded her teacher's advice and enrolled in a teacher's college in Beijing to study history. Securing a high school teaching job upon graduation was considered a respectable achievement in her small hometown.

Yet, life's unpredictable twists meant that Ann Jue, who had maintained a dignified distance from romance throughout her university years, found herself smitten with Duan Chen shortly after graduation. He was well-read, witty, strikingly handsome, and shared her hometown roots. Ann, who had never experienced the stirrings of young love, quickly fell for the charming Duan Chen. Like her, Duan was impoverished, and his family could no longer support his doctoral pursuits. So Ann, in her quest for employment, relinquished her own dreams and took up a teaching role at a modest university, earning a meager 800 yuan a month. Despite the low pay, she was content, knowing her sacrifice enabled Duan Chen to continue his education and solidified their loving relationship.

But then...

Ann Jue shook her head, refusing to dwell on those memories any longer. She steadied herself and returned her focus to the television news. Still, the nagging sense of disquiet and fear lingered, compelling her to wonder: What exactly had transpired on September 21st, 1992?