"Sister Fang, what are you saying? A lawyer's duty is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of their clients.
Moreover, she is your niece and my daughter's friend. I will definitely do my best."
Aunt Fang has been with the Wen family for a long time. Both Zhong En and she are accustomed to her care.
My daughter at school often receives help from Xu Ke Xin.
For public and private reasons, she has no reason not to help.
"I have a general understanding of your situation, so I'd like to go to the law firm tomorrow to apply for free legal aid for you."
Because she is not good at this type of case.
So she had to ask her colleagues for help.
But the lawyers at their firm are expensive, and she's afraid Aunt Fang and the others won't be able to afford it.
Fortunately, the firm has monthly quotas for free legal aid.
It's the beginning of the month, so there should still be openings.
"Thank you... thank you!"
Aunt Fang said tearfully.
Xiu Xiu quickly wiped away her tears. "You don't need to thank me. Tell me more about the situation, and I'll ask around tomorrow. That way, everyone will have a clearer picture."
"Mm-hmm."
Aunt Fang nodded excitedly.
A smile finally appeared on Xu Ke Xin's face, faint, but more beautiful than anything.
"Thank you, Auntie, thank you, Uncle... Thank you."
She finally settled her gaze on Wen Ting Xue and thanked her solemnly.
Wen Ting Xue could feel that at this moment, she truly considered her a friend.
"It's nothing."
Wen Ting Xue smiled, "You've helped me many times too. Besides, we are friends, aren't we?"
That day on the snack street, she had said, "No need to thank me. I'm helping you, not because of you."
So, from enrollment until now, her repeated help was not because she was the class monitor.
It was because of Aunt Fang.
She had never considered her a friend.
But it's okay, friends, they will eventually become friends.
Xu Ke Xin smiled again, still with a faint curve.
"Yes, friends."
A long-lost word.
A long-lost beauty.
After her mother passed away, everyone's attitude changed.
The friends and confidantes she had once bought with money instantly vanished like smoke.
She was forced to grow up amidst the indifference of human relationships and the fading warmth of people, forced to understand the helplessness and fickleness of life.
But she also despised the tendency to kick someone when they're down and to fawn over the powerful.
Therefore, when she stood up from the mud, she no longer needed friends.
She could live well on her own.
Until she met Wen Ting Xue.
This foolish, naive girl.
She was good to anyone who was good to her.
Even if it meant her warm enthusiasm met a cold shoulder, she didn't mind.
It was she who made her believe that friendship could be pure, devoid of benefits or money, requiring only sincerity.
...
"After my sister passed away, her business was taken over by Xu Zi Liang. But he was a gambler, and soon lost everything to others.
To raise money for gambling, he even sold the house that my sister had worked so hard to save.
Taking Ke Xin with him, they moved into a crowded rental room. It was there that he met his current wife."
Mentioning that woman, Aunt Fang's face turned extremely sour.
"I don't know what kind of magic potion that vixen poured into his ear, but he did whatever she said.
They quickly registered their marriage. Ke Xin wanted to leave then, but..."
Aunt Fang pursed her lips, embarrassed, "My husband didn't want me to meddle in my sister's affairs.
Every time I tried to intervene, he would shout and fuss, refusing to let Ke Xin live with us.
Besides, in our household, I handle external affairs and he handles internal matters. So, he's the one who takes care of the children.
If he got unhappy, our son and daughter would suffer. I..."
Aunt Fang covered her face and cried, "I really had no choice, or I wouldn't have let Ke Xin stay with Xu Zi Liang.
It's just that I'm uneducated and unskilled. I can't find any other job besides being a live-in nanny."
As Aunt Fang sobbed, Xu Ke Xin felt pained and hugged her.
After a moment of thought, Yu Xiu Xiu suggested, "In that case, Ke Xin can live with us."
Aunt Fang and Xu Ke Xin looked up instantly, their eyes wide with surprise.
"This... isn't it inappropriate?" Aunt Fang refused half-heartedly.
Yu Xiu Xiu smiled, "There's nothing inappropriate. We have plenty of rooms, and it might not be convenient for Ke Xin to go back now.
Why don't you pack your things tomorrow and move in directly?
Once we get custody of Ke Xin, she will live with us, so your husband won't be unhappy.
Is that okay?"
Yu Xiu Xiu looked at Wen Zhong En and Wen Ting Xue questioningly.
Wen Ting Xue naturally had no objections. "Sure! The room opposite mine is great. We can go to and from school together."
Wen Zhong En's principle was: whatever his wife says, goes, and whatever his daughter likes, he supports.
Naturally, he had no objections.
Moreover, he thought Ke Xin was a good child.
Resilient and proud.
She had her own mind about everything.
Interacting with her would likely be quite rewarding.
"Then it's settled." Yu Xiu Xiu made the decision.
This directly resolved the biggest worry for Aunt Fang and Xu Ke Xin.
The topic returned to the main point.
Aunt Fang said, "After that woman brought her child into the house, that bastard Xu Zi Liang, in order to please her.
He made Ke Xin endure a lot of hardship. He made Ke Xin do all the household chores, cooking, and heavy labor.
As for that woman, she did nothing but eat and spend money downstairs every day.
Soon, they squandered all the money from selling the house. Xu Zi Liang was a useless weakling, and so was she.
Not a single member of the family could earn money. There was no other way. Ke Xin couldn't bear Xu Zi Liang's nagging and begging.
During the summer break between junior high and high school, she found a job. From then on, that family of three depended on Ke Xin.
Ke Xin, out of filial piety, and considering Xu Zi Liang had taken care of her for so many years, found it hard to just abandon him.
Besides, even if she left, where could she go at such a young age?
So, Ke Xin went to school while supporting the entire family, and even paying off Xu Zi Liang's gambling debts!"
Speaking of this, Aunt Fang's anger reignited.
"A while ago, Ke Xin borrowed money from me, saying that debt collectors had come to the door and she had no choice but to pay.
At that time, I really wanted to take her to live with me, but I..."
It was only when Ke Xin was sold to a casino by Xu Zi Liang to pay off gambling debts this time that she decided to fight for custody.
The key was that Ke Xin was also disappointed in Xu Zi Liang and didn't want to waste any more time on him.
Ke Xin is just stubborn.
When she sets her mind on something, not even nine oxen can pull her back.
Similarly, when she gives up on something, not even nine oxen can pull her back.
After Yu Xiu Xiu heard everything, she finally understood why Aunt Fang had been so angry when she learned that Yi Yi had been wronged.
It was empathy.
Her own niece was suffering the same, and her heart ached.
...
After hearing about Xu Ke Xin's experiences, Wen Ting Xue tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
She simply picked up her phone and listened to music to help her sleep.
But she still felt drowsy.
While staring at the ceiling in a daze, a strangely familiar melody struck her ears.
This, this, this...