The harmonious atmosphere lasted until the end of dinner.
Jiang Ling had never felt such a strong sense of family.
Since graduating from the university in her previous life, she had been all alone.
Her roommates and classmates had gradually started working, gotten married, and eventually lost touch.
She herself had been squeezed dry by a black-hearted boss, working herself to death during the day and returning to her rental at night to cook some porridge, with no time to worry about anything else.
Going home for the New Year was also incredibly depressing.
“How much did you earn this year?”
“Why haven’t you saved any money again?”
“You’re at the age to get married, aren’t you? Why are you still coming home alone?”
“You should be more respectful to your boss at work. Help mop the floor and clean the office. If the boss sees it, they’ll naturally give you a raise.”
Words like these constantly poured from the mouths of her parents and relatives, making Jiang Ling feel as if she were being driven insane.
If it weren’t for those few stinking pennies needed to maintain her life, Jiang Ling felt she would have stayed huddled in her rental for the rest of her life.
Right now, at the dining table, several people were talking and laughing.
Lu Yuyao told jokes while Fang Chenxi played along, making Dong Hui laugh heartily.
The atmosphere of home was incredibly thick.
Jiang Ling suddenly dazed.
For the first time since transmigrating into the book, the thought that living like this might actually be okay crossed her mind.
But a moment later, she threw the idea to the back of her head.
‘Wake up, Jiang Ling. This kind of life doesn’t belong to you.’
‘The two true protagonists are sitting right across from me.’
Her mood suddenly became a bit gloomy.
Jiang Ling lowered her head and focused only on stuffing food into her mouth.
‘I better not think about other things for now. Enjoying this brief good time is what matters.’
After eating, they cleared the dishes and cleaned the dining table.
The group gathered around the table again, drinking tea and chatting.
It was obvious that Dong Hui was truly happy; from beginning to end, the curve of her lips never wavered.
Around 8:00 PM, the elderly woman let out a yawn.
On a normal day, Dong Hui would usually go to sleep at this time.
Understanding the situation, the three of them wrapped up the conversation to let Grandma rest.
However, Dong Hui was a bit reluctant to leave.
The happiness of being ‘surrounded by children and grandchildren’ only happened a few times a year, and she wanted to stay and chat with the three of them a little longer.
Lu Yuyao smiled and said, “Grandma, it’s not like we’re going to sneak away in the middle of the night. You’ll still see us when you wake up tomorrow.”
“Yeah, Grandma, go to sleep. I’m actually getting a bit sleepy myself,”
Fang Chenxi added, giving her an out while pretending to yawn.
Seeing that the children were also tired, Dong Hui didn’t stay any longer.
After washing up, she returned to her bedroom, not forgetting to remind the three of them not to stay up too late.
How could she not understand what the children were thinking?
***
There was only one bathroom on the second floor.
At the moment, Lu Yuyao was washing up inside while Jiang Ling and Fang Chenxi waited in line.
Taking advantage of the free moment, Fang Chenxi had already tidied up the room where she would sleep and put away the clothes she had brought.
Jiang Ling was waiting in her bedroom when the door was suddenly pushed open.
Fang Chenxi walked in familiarly and, before Jiang Ling could say a word, sat down beside her on the edge of the bed.
A faint scent of lemon caused Jiang Ling to daze for a moment before her brows furrowed.
She stared at Fang Chenxi.
“How is it that every time you enter someone else’s bedroom, it’s like you’re walking into your own home?”
Hearing this, Fang Chenxi smiled brilliantly and crossed her slender legs.
She was wearing slim-fit jeans today, which made her legs look even longer.
Her phoenix eyes blinked.
“This room was originally where I usually stayed.”
“Smooth talker.”
Jiang Ling rolled her eyes at her, not expecting Fang Chenxi to say anything nice.
In truth, Fang Chenxi wasn’t lying.
Whenever she had stayed over at Lu Yuyao’s house in the past, she had always stayed in this room.
This guest room had a large window, and in the early morning, the sunlight would pour in, covering the floor in gold and making one feel joyful.
“Are we still playing games later?”
Fang Chenxi asked.
Jiang Ling shook her head and refused.
“I don’t have much time today.”
“No time?”
Jiang Ling’s words piqued her curiosity.
She asked, “What else do you have to do later?”
Saying she had no time late at night made Fang Chenxi wonder what Jiang Ling could possibly be busy with.
“Ah, no, I mean I’m a bit sleepy. I’m going to bed soon,”
Jiang Ling hurriedly tried to save the situation after realizing she had misspoken.
Fang Chenxi certainly didn’t believe her.
She wasn’t a 3-year-old, after all.
Her phoenix eyes narrowed as she stared at Jiang Ling, scrutinizing her until Jiang Ling felt her skin crawl.
A moment later, she finally said, “Alright then. If you’re sleepy, go to bed early.”
The bedroom door wasn’t closed.
Just then, Lu Yuyao poked her head in.
She hadn’t seen the two of them outside and realized they were sitting in Jiang Ling’s room.
She said, “I’m finished. You guys can go wash up now.”
After saying that, she left.
“Okay, I’ll go first then.”
Fang Chenxi turned to look at Jiang Ling.
Jiang Ling nodded and watched Fang Chenxi leave the bedroom.
She then quickly stepped forward and closed the door before opening her phone.
Her phone was currently displaying her Author Backend.
Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
Fang Chenxi’s sudden entrance earlier had given her a fright.
Looking at the backend, Jiang Ling couldn’t suppress the grin on her face.
Just a moment ago, a reader named Big Orange Cat had given her a tip worth 100 yuan.
This was the first time she had received a tip since starting the book.
She was just about to thank them.
After sending a private message to thank the reader, Jiang Ling couldn’t help but feel a bit smug.
She knew she could make money by writing novels.
In her heart, she thought, ‘Thank you, Ji Qingyan. Thank you, Lu Yuyao. Thank you, Fang Chenxi.’
‘Without you, this novel wouldn’t have made it this far.’
Jiang Ling scratched her head.
‘I feel like I should save those words for when the novel becomes a massive hit.’
***
It was 11:00 PM.
Jiang Ling finished writing her chapters and shared the joy of receiving the tip with Ji Qingyan.
However, Ji Qingyan seemed to have fallen asleep as she didn’t reply.
Just as Jiang Ling was about to go to sleep in a beautiful mood, her bedroom door was pushed open again.
“Lu Yuyao?”
“Shh.”
Jiang Ling’s eyes widened.
She watched as Lu Yuyao sneakily entered and closed the door.
Jiang Ling sat up and turned on the bedside lamp.
In the dim, yellowish light, Lu Yuyao was wearing long pajamas and holding a tablet in her arms.
It was actually Lu Yuyao.
Jiang Ling had subconsciously thought it was Fang Chenxi entering again.
“What are you doing in my room in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”
The soundproofing in the old house wasn’t good, so Jiang Ling instinctively lowered her voice.
She looked at Lu Yuyao, who had already seated herself comfortably on the edge of the bed.
Compared to Fang Chenxi, she felt more at ease with Lu Yuyao.
It wasn’t like she was going to stage a midnight raid on her.
“I came to have you finalize the outfits.”
Lu Yuyao shifted her body and moved closer.
The girl’s soft, tender side was pressed right against Jiang Ling’s shoulder.
Unlike her bun hairstyle during the day, Lu Yuyao’s beautiful hair hung behind her head, loosely gathered by a hair tie, making her look even more gentle and lovely.
“Look at the tablet. Take a look and see what kind of clothes you want to wear for the next drawing?”
Lu Yuyao’s finger swiped across the tablet.
Seeing that Jiang Ling hadn’t moved for a long time, she nudged her with her elbow.
Magical Girl Combat Uniform, Nun Outfit, Gal JK uniform — the variety of clothes was so vast it was overwhelming.
Jiang Ling felt dizzy looking at them, but Lu Yuyao kept swiping further.
Jiang Ling couldn’t help but ask, “Just how many outfits do you have to choose from? How long is it going to take me to see them all?”
“It’s not that many, just over 200 sets,”
Lu Yuyao answered honestly.
These clothing assets were things she had accumulated from her past drawings.
But considering that it really was impossible to finish looking at them in a short time, and some might not suit her taste, she tilted her head and suggested, “Then how about I filter them down a bit more?”
Jiang Ling nodded.
That would be for the best.
But she still had a question.
“Since you already have so many assets here, why do I still need to wear cosplay and act as your model?”
Lu Yuyao was momentarily speechless.
She hadn’t expected to dig a hole for herself.
She said solemnly, “It’s different. If you wear them, the effect is more direct, and I can draw the details much better.”
“I see.”
Jiang Ling didn’t quite understand the intricacies involved, but seeing Lu Yuyao speaking so seriously, she decided to listen to the professional.
Tap, tap, tap.
Footsteps suddenly echoed outside the door.
Both of their gazes turned toward the door at the same time.
Immediately after, the door handle was pressed down, letting out a creak.
‘Holy crap! Not again!’
The two looked at each other, the panic on Lu Yuyao’s face clear to see.
Jiang Ling felt as if the sky was falling.