“Grandma’s house is still the same as usual,”
Fang Chenxi suddenly remarked with a sigh.
“Not entirely. Look at the outside of the courtyard and the second floor; they’ve actually been renovated.”
As Lu Yuyao spoke, she instructed Jiang Ling, “Jiang Ling, take some tea leaves out of the cabinet.”
Fang Chenxi smiled but said nothing.
She knew the house had been renovated, of course.
It was just that, for her, the last time she had returned to New Village was before her Rebirth.
“Okay,”
Jiang Ling replied.
She stood up, took the tea leaves from the storage cabinet, and poured some into the cups of the three people at the table.
The two worked together—Lu Yuyao grabbed the kettle while Jiang Ling distributed the tea leaves.
They shared a strange sense of chemistry.
Fang Chenxi watched silently, her gaze shifting between the two.
A mysterious light flickered in her phoenix eyes.
Her guess had been correct; after not seeing them for two days, the relationship between Jiang Ling and Lu Yuyao had grown closer.
Lu Yuyao carried the kettle of boiled water and poured it into the empty cups in front of Jiang Ling and Fang Chenxi.
The fragrance of tea filled the air as the steam rose.
Fang Chenxi lowered her head and let out a soft laugh, feeling as though she was the outsider visiting the house.
But that was indeed the case.
Lu Yuyao tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
After playing outside all afternoon, her bun had become a bit loose, so she tightened her hair tie.
She then looked toward Fang Chenxi.
“Sister Chenxi, are you finished with your family matters?”
“Yes, so I came to hang out with you guys.”
Fang Chenxi subconsciously glanced at Jiang Ling before smiling.
“That’s perfect. Grandma was just complaining two days ago that you didn’t tell her you were back this time.”
Fang Chenxi gave a bitter smile.
Lu Yuyao wasn’t lying.
When she first arrived, Grandma Dong Hui had indeed pulled her aside for a long bout of concern and complaints, saying she hadn’t sent a single message or let them know she was safe during all the years she was gone.
Grandma Dong Hui had always treated her like a biological granddaughter, and Fang Chenxi felt guilty.
She had indeed been negligent in that regard.
However, seeing Fang Chenxi standing safely before her, the dissatisfaction in Dong Hui’s heart instantly vanished.
It was enough that she was back.
The older woman smiled and said she would cook plenty of delicious food for the three of them tonight.
Fang Chenxi remembered that before her Rebirth, she hadn’t returned to New Village for a long time.
Back then, it was around New Year’s Day, and because of family matters, she hadn’t been able to return to the village with Lu Yuyao to celebrate.
She had been very regretful about it.
Returning here again, the scenery remained, but the people had changed.
As they revisited the old place and chatted, the conversation naturally drifted toward childhood memories.
Lu Yuyao smiled gently, talking about the fun things the two of them had experienced in the village back then.
At that time, Fang Chenxi hadn’t moved away yet.
Fang Chenxi nodded with a smile, responding to every word.
However, both of them tacitly avoided mentioning any unhappy memories.
Jiang Ling propped her chin on her hand and listened silently.
Occasionally, she took out her phone to see how much the collections for her new book had grown.
Compared to these story settings she already knew, she cared more about the work that put food on her table.
The First Recommendation for the new book had ended yesterday.
Looking at it now, the results over the past two days were quite good.
Collections had increased by over 1,000, and the book had even unexpectedly climbed onto several charts, including the New Book Chart and the Collection Chart.
Jiang Ling looked into it briefly.
Aside from the Bestseller Chart, the other internal charts weren’t very useful; for a new book like hers, they mostly just provided more exposure.
But Jiang Ling was already satisfied.
If things continued at this pace and she received all the follow-up recommendations, there was a high probability this book would make money.
Jiang Ling felt a bit more relaxed.
At least she wasn’t like when she first started, constantly staring at her phone and worrying over a few gains or losses in collections.
“By the way, my father said that after school starts, we might have to switch buildings.”
Jiang Ling froze, the surprise on her face plain to see.
She looked at Lu Yuyao and subconsciously asked, “Switch buildings?”
“I heard about that too.”
Fang Chenxi was quite calm, unlike Jiang Ling.
“The three grades are going to be separated. The teaching buildings on the other side of the campus that were under construction have been renovated. The teachers have been discussing the details of moving the classes over the last few days.”
The two spoke with such certainty that it didn’t seem like they were making it up.
However, Jiang Ling was completely dazed.
She knew that the teaching buildings on the other side of the campus were being renovated, but the Original Book never mentioned anything about switching buildings — ‘Was this another Butterfly Effect caused by my Transmigration?’
Fang Chenxi had reacted the same way when she first heard the news, but she soon thought nothing of it.
During the summer break, she had heard her parents talking about school matters.
Fang Quan — Fang Chenxi’s father — was a shareholder in the school, so he knew about it early on.
Jiang Ling wanted to ask for more details, but both girls shook their heads.
They didn’t know anything else, nor did they particularly care.
However, Lu Yuyao felt it was a bit of a pity.
After switching buildings, it wouldn’t be as convenient to find Jiang Ling and Fang Chenxi.
Jiang Ling was only surprised for a moment before she realized a problem.
If they switched buildings, what would happen to The Club?
She pulled out her phone, planning to ask Ji Qingyan if she knew about this.
If it were true, the school would likely notify the Club President of each club.
Ji Qingyan replied quickly.
[Yes, I only received the notification today. However, the Club Classroom will remain the same; it’s still in the Dongyue Building. It seems the classrooms in the Dongyue Building will be emptied and no longer used for teaching.]
‘Then if I want to go to the club to slack off, doesn’t that mean I’ll have to walk quite a distance?’
Jiang Ling’s face slumped.
***
A short while later, rhythmic footsteps echoed in the courtyard.
It seemed Dong Hui was back.
The three stood up in unison and walked out.
Sure enough, Dong Hui’s hands were full, carrying large bags and small packages.
The three rushed forward to take them.
Lu Yuyao even began to complain, “You didn’t tell us you were buying so much stuff. You should have let us go and help you carry it!”
Dong Hui just chuckled, her eyes filled with affection as she looked at them.
“It’s fine. Your grandma is still healthy. Besides, the supermarket isn’t far from here.”
After carrying the things into the living room, they followed Dong Hui’s instructions to take out the ingredients needed for tonight’s meal and put the rest in the refrigerator.
The house became lively now that more people were around.
Dong Hui originally wanted the three of them to sit and wait for dinner, but the girls insisted on helping in the kitchen.
Dong Hui had already witnessed Lu Yuyao and Fang Chenxi’s cooking skills.
Back in middle school, the two were mischievous and had left the kitchen in a complete mess under the pretext of helping.
However, Jiang Ling truly surprised Dong Hui.
Washing vegetables, cutting them, and preparing ingredients — her skilled technique was barely different from someone like Dong Hui, who had been cooking for decades.
Perhaps because she often helped Jiang Ling, Lu Yuyao had also learned a bit.
Dong Hui and Jiang Ling took on the bulk of the cooking, while Lu Yuyao stayed on the side to peel shrimp, peel garlic, and help with small tasks.
Now, it was Fang Chenxi’s turn to be stunned.
She really didn’t know how to do anything.
Usually, at home, she was someone who lived off food delivery.
What could anyone expect her to do?
The kitchen was filled with laughter and chatter.
Seeing Jiang Ling and Lu Yuyao busy helping Dong Hui while she stood at the kitchen door watching them helplessly, Fang Chenxi felt a surge of regret.
Why hadn’t she thought about practicing her cooking skills before?
Jiang Ling secretly laughed when she saw her dazed expression.
‘So even the Heroine has things she’s not good at.’
She looked around and then waved her over.
“Fang Chenxi, come help me steam the rice.”
“Okay.”
As if finding a lifesaver, Fang Chenxi walked quickly to Jiang Ling’s side.
Jiang Ling taught her step-by-step how much rice was appropriate, how to wash it, and how to operate the cooker, finally giving her something to do.
Smart, beautiful, and capable.
Most importantly, she was her granddaughter.
Dong Hui watched happily from the side.
The more she looked at Jiang Ling, the more she liked the girl.