She went to check her space and saw Tuanzi puffing and panting as he helped her organize the things he had just stored.
“Aww, Tuanzi, you’re so capable! I love you so much. Without you helping me in the space, I’d be exhausted doing all this myself.”
“Woman, move aside a bit. Don’t get in my way counting things.”
“Oh, Tuanzi, you’re so good. Whether it’s arranging items or counting the stock, you help me with everything. Then I’ll go make something to eat—what do you want? I’ll make it for you.”
“Sis, I want the chicken drumsticks you fried last time—the ones that smell so good.”
“Tuanzi, you want fried chicken drumsticks? Alright, no problem, I’ll make them for you.”
She had stocked up plenty in her space—frozen meats enough for her and Tuanzi for a long, long time.
She took out two packs of frozen chicken drumsticks and two packs of frozen mid-wings, washed them, and marinated them in seasonings. Later, she’d coat them in fry powder before frying.
An Ning returned to Tuanzi’s side, sitting down to watch him organize the incoming items while chatting with him.
“Tuanzi, besides sorting things and farming, what else can you do? I mean, do you have other abilities?”
Tuanzi looked up at her, eyes blank.
“Sis, I don’t really know. You know I was just born, so I honestly don’t know what I can do. But… sometimes I just realize I can do something when the situation arises.”
“So today, I discovered I can treasure-hunt. I can detect what’s within fifty meters of me.”
“Oh my! Tuanzi even has that ability. Later, I’ll take you treasure-hunting. But Tuanzi, even if we have this ability, we shouldn’t take treasures that belong to others.”
Tuanzi looked puzzled, scratching his head, then seemed to reach a conclusion.
“So, sis, I’ll only search for what you tell me to. If you don’t ask, I won’t use this ability.”
“Alright, Tuanzi, that’s a deal.”
Looking at the time, she saw the chicken had marinated enough and got up to head to the kitchen to fry them.
Carrying a large plate of fried chicken drumsticks and mid-wings into the living room, the aroma caught Tuanzi’s attention. He immediately stopped organizing and dashed over, circling An Ning’s feet.
He kept shouting, “So fragrant, so fragrant! Sis, give me one first—I can’t resist, I’m drooling!”
She handed him two drumsticks and two mid-wings.
“Not too much at once. Freshly fried, eating too many will overheat you. Store the rest in the warehouse—only two drumsticks a day.”
“Sis, I got it! I promise only two a day, not a single extra. Tuanzi is very obedient.”
An Ning ruffled his back fur. Since he was busy eating, she could only pat his back.
“Tuanzi, I’m going out. After finishing your drumsticks, continue your work. I won’t be able to talk to you outside, so behave, okay?”
“Sis, got it.”
Just as she was about to leave, Tuanzi’s words made her pause.
“Got it? What do you mean?”
“Sis, even when you’re outside, you can chat with Tuanzi. You can talk to me with your mind, and no one else can hear it.”
“Wow! Really? That’s amazing and so convenient. So Tuanzi, are you always there? I can talk to you anytime I want?”
“Yes, Sis. As long as you speak to me in your mind, I can hear you—and only I can.”
Knowing she could chat with Tuanzi even outside the space made An Ning very happy.
She wouldn’t need to enter the space constantly, which was much safer for her.
She decided—this space was her final guarantee. She wouldn’t tell anyone, not even the man she might marry in the future.
She came from the future and knew all too well the fickleness of men, and the danger of having valuable things. She wouldn’t risk marriage conflict because of this.
The temptation of the space was too great to test human nature.
An Ning left the space; it was still dark outside. She checked her watch—just past 3 a.m., not yet 4. She realized she had been in the space for quite a while.
Clearly, time in the real world flowed differently from the space—it passed more slowly there. She’d have to test that later.
As she thought this, Tuanzi said from inside the space:
“Sis, the ratio of outside time to space time is 1:5. One day outside equals five days inside.”
“That’s perfect, Tuanzi! We really can communicate like this.”
“Of course, Sis. There are still many magical places in the space I haven’t explored yet.”
“Then we’ll rely on you, Tuanzi!”
“No trouble at all. You even give me so much fried chicken. As long as you keep frying for me, I don’t mind working at all.”
An Ning laughed and scolded him, “You little glutton.”
Lying in the hospital bed, An Ning quickly fell asleep.
When she woke up, the sun was already high. Checking her wrist, it was nearly 8 a.m.
No wonder the hallway was bustling—doctors and nurses were already at work.
She grabbed her toothbrush and towel to wash up in the water room—items Director Yang had brought her yesterday. Otherwise, she wouldn’t even have a toothbrush to use.
After washing up and returning to the ward, Director Yang arrived with breakfast, tidying the bed as well.
“Good morning, Director Yang!”
“Morning! I thought you hadn’t woken up yet. Haven’t eaten? I got you soybean milk, fried dough sticks, and buns—eat while hot.”
“Thank you, Director Yang. I’ll help myself. I only had a bowl of porridge yesterday, so I’m a bit hungry. I was planning to grab breakfast at the cafeteria too.”
“Don’t be so polite with me. Call me Aunt Yang if you like.”
“Aunt Yang, you’re so kind—how could I refuse?”
As they talked, Director Hong entered and greeted them:
“I already got up early, but Director Yang is even earlier than me!”
Looking at the breakfast on the table and in his hands, he laughed:
“Didn’t expect Director Yang to get breakfast so early. Since she did, you should accept this portion I bought too.”
“Uncle Hong, Aunt Yang, since there’s so much breakfast, let’s eat together.”
An Ning immediately called everyone over, taking the opportunity to gather them around.