The girl was sweating, thinking to herself, who talks about their own mother like that? But she chose this moment to come, precisely because Mrs. Daniel Walker had gone to the market and wouldn’t be back for a while. With her experience over the past two years, dealing with a girl of ten or so was more than enough.

She gave a slight smile and said, “A few days ago, I ran into Walker Family’s Eldest Brother at the Lu family’s pharmacy. I heard that David has woken up, so I said I’d come to visit.” As she spoke, she bowed slightly and said, “It’s just that there’s been so much going on at home, I didn’t expect it to be delayed until today. It really shouldn’t have happened…”

“No need for your fake concern.” Grace curled her lips.

“I bought a few strips of ginseng from Liaodong in Hangzhou, just to make up for it.” The Foster Family Girl replied indifferently.

“Oh…” Grace's expression froze instantly. Just the other day, Mother was worrying, saying that after Second Brother finished two more doses of medicine, he could start taking supplements. But high-quality supplements were outrageously expensive, and the The Walker Family was already stretched to the limit just to finish the medicine. Now, they couldn’t even borrow or buy on credit—completely at a loss.

Although Second Brother said that he could recover slowly without supplements, Doctor Brooks insisted that if the lost vitality wasn’t replenished quickly, he’d always be sickly… These past two days, Mother had been so worried she tossed and turned all night.

Following Mother’s principle of “face is worth nothing, practicality is what matters,” Grace bared her teeth in a grin and changed her tone: “Old Chu is at the door. People might think the The Walker Family doesn’t know proper manners. Come in and talk.”

……

The residences in Jiangnan were already compact, and the The Walker Family’s courtyard was even more cramped. As soon as The Foster Family Girl entered, she saw David Walker leaning on crutches, looking at her with a resentful gaze.

The Foster Family Girl’s heart tightened. She quickly gathered her robes and bowed, saying, “Greetings, Walker Family Younger Brother.”

“I’m fine, very fine.” Henry Walker glanced at The Foster Family Girl, a cold smile on his lips. “Sister Foster, long time no see!”

“It has been a long time.” The Foster Family Girl, who had been neither humble nor overbearing in front of Grace, now seemed uneasy before Henry Walker, and actually explained, “For half a year, I was running between Hangzhou and the capital. I only just returned a few days ago and found out you were injured…”

“Is that so.” Henry Walker replied coldly, “Do you think that makes it all right?”

“No, it doesn’t.” The Foster Family Girl took a deep breath, met his gaze, and said, “That’s why I’m here. If you want to hit or scold me, do as you wish.”

Their conversation left Grace and that Uncle dumbfounded. What was going on? The two were clearly old acquaintances, and there seemed to be some story that had to be told…

‘Oh my god, could my brother have had an affair with the enemy’s sister?’ Grace’s imagination ran wild, quickly filling in the blanks, ‘What a melodramatic plot!’

‘Impossible, impossible…’ That Uncle also groaned inwardly, his expression pained, ‘Even if my girl were blind, she’d never fall for such a useless wretch!’

They were both so shocked that when Henry Walker and Miss Foster asked to talk alone, it seemed only natural. Only, when that Uncle helped Henry Walker into the room, he used a bit of hidden strength and threatened in a low voice, “If you dare be disrespectful to my girl, I won’t let you off!”

Little did he know, Henry Walker was already numb to pain. With a bitter smile, he said, “In my current state, who could I possibly disrespect?”

“True enough.” That Uncle looked at Henry Walker’s frail appearance and couldn’t help but laugh at himself. He set him down on a chair, closed the door, and then said to Grace, who was still sitting in the courtyard with her mouth agape, “Please don’t tell anyone about this.”

“Would anyone believe me if I did? I’d just be making a fool of myself.” Grace snapped out of it, shot him a look, and went off to prepare medicine for Henry Walker. Thinking that after today’s last dose, tomorrow they could use the ginseng for nourishment, Grace was overjoyed. Since it was sent by Second Brother’s little sweetheart, she could use it with a clear conscience.

But with Second Brother’s character, how could The Foster Family Girl possibly like him? Even though she was from the enemy’s family, Grace had to admit that Miss Foster was truly beautiful, and apparently literate too. It was said that when the The Foster Family was doing well, the matchmakers lining up at her door could fill an entire street.

The little girl’s gossiping spirit was burning so fiercely, she could have boiled the medicine with it. She wished she could turn into a mosquito and sneak into the west wing to hear what was being said inside.

If she really did hear, she’d probably chase after Miss Foster with a knife…

……

In the west wing, Henry Walker and Miss Foster sat facing each other, their gazes calm as autumn.

“I’m sorry.” Miss Foster said sincerely, “It was my fault that you got hurt.”

“It really was your fault.” Henry Walker’s tone was less harsh, but still cold. “You actually let an idiot do something so dangerous—what ill intentions you must have had!”

Hearing his harsh words, Miss Foster’s face turned pale. She clenched her right hand tightly to her chest, bowed her head again, and said apologetically, “I didn’t think it through. At the time, I just wanted to get rid of your pestering, so I made that kind of bet with you.” As she spoke, her eyes filled with tears and her voice trembled, “I never imagined you’d actually go and block the carriage…”

“You knew I used to be an idiot…” Henry Walker smiled bitterly in his heart. He really had been foolish back then, so foolish he’d take a stick for a needle. Thinking that sounded too weak, he lowered his voice and said, “To save my father, I was willing to risk everything!”

Chapter 0005: Who Is Whose Nemesis?

On the window of the west wing, a spider was spinning its web. Mother wouldn’t let anyone sweep it away, saying it was a good omen.