Сhарtеr 4: Dinnеr
Jiаng Ci oреnеd thе сar door аnd gоt out, then оpenеd thе trunk аnd рullеd оut a рilе оf gifts.
Seеing this, Si Jianhuа frowned slightlу аnd walkеd ovеr tо hеlp Jiаng Сi cаrrу thе itеms. Аftеr tаking them, hе loоkеd at her seriouslу and sаid, “You dоn’t nееd tо bring anything whеn coming bасk tо уour оwn homе.”
This was thе first timе Si Jiаnhuа hаd spоken to Jiang Сi sо stеrnlу, thоugh it was far less sеvеrе cоmpаred to Wеn Qiаnуuе.
She understооd Si Jianhua’s mеaning. Aftеr mаrrуing Wеn Qianуuе, he had treated her as his оwn daughtеr.
Ву bringing gifts fоr dinnеr, she wаs treating hersеlf like а guest.
Si Jiаnhua didn’t wаnt her to see herself as a guest but hoped she would understand that this was also her home.
She nodded obediently and said, “Okay, I won’t bring anything next time.”
After a moment’s thought, she added, “I just wanted to buy some food and daily necessities for you. They’re nothing expensive—just things I picked up on the way home.”
Hearing her say “picked up on the way home,” Si Jianhua immediately brightened up.
But then he glanced at Jiang Ci’s beaming face with a hint of confusion.
He had felt something was off, and now he finally realized what it was.
His daughter was unusually well-behaved today—no sarcastic remarks or glaring looks directed at him.
She even seemed to be in a good mood and was acting gentle.
How rare, how rare.
If only she could stay like this forever.
Wen Qianyue stood to the side without speaking, but her expression was thoughtful.
Ever since that phone call yesterday, she had sensed something was different.
But none of that mattered. Of course, she knew her daughter was the most outstanding—the usual rudeness and defiance were just an act.
This was her daughter’s true self.
No matter what she was thinking now or why she seemed to have suddenly come around, as long as she was safe and healthy, that was all that mattered.
The meal was already prepared. After washing her hands, Jiang Ci helped bring the dishes to the table.
Five dishes and one soup, all her favorites.
Sweet and sour pork ribs, spicy chicken, vinegar-braised cabbage, braised eggplant, pickled fish soup, and seaweed egg drop soup.
Wen Qianyue watched her daughter silently eating across from her for a while before asking, “What have you been busy with lately?”
Swallowing the food in her mouth, Jiang Ci looked up and replied, “Majoring in business administration, minoring in computer science, and I joined the school’s taekwondo club.”
The girl’s tone was gentle, and her answer was detailed and earnest.
“I haven’t neglected dance and calligraphy either.”
Although she had already asked someone to inquire about these matters, this was the first time Jiang Ci had patiently volunteered to share them herself.
Wen Qianyue’s expression softened considerably, and she no longer looked as stern as she had when they first arrived.
After a moment’s thought, she said with concern, “Your studies are important, but your health is the foundation of everything. Take good care of yourself living alone outside, or you could move in with me.”
Jiang Ci was pleasantly surprised—it was rare to hear such caring words from Wen Qianyue.
It was clear she seldom spoke this way, which made her words sound increasingly stern as she spoke.
“Okay, I will.”
Seeing Jiang Ci so obedient, Wen Qianyue felt pleased and used her chopsticks to pick up a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs for her daughter.
“Since you like this, eat more. Help yourself—don’t just bury your head in your rice.”
Jiang Ci obediently put the pork ribs into her mouth.
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between mother and daughter, Si Jianhua felt his confidence soar.
With a cheerful smile, he said, “In half a month, it’ll be your mom’s 44th birthday. I’ll call your brother home then—you two siblings haven’t met yet.”Jiang Ci paused the hand holding her chopsticks.
In her previous life, she hadn’t returned for meals, nor had she come for her mother’s birthday.
She had never even met that stepbrother. It was only after the apocalypse that she learned he had died in the line of duty while on a mission before the disaster struck.
In this life, what she wanted to change were the life trajectories of herself, Ms. Wen Qianyue, and her stepfather Si Jianhua.
As for this stepbrother, she would leave it to fate.
After all, she wasn’t familiar with him, nor did she care whether he lived or died.
Besides, she didn’t know when or on what mission he had died in the line of duty. Without any concrete information, she couldn’t very well ask Si Jianhua to lock his son up.
Wen Qianyue chimed in, “Beichen is a very good kid. Didn’t you always want an older brother? Make sure you get along well with him from now on, understand?”
Jiang Ci nodded, though inwardly she dismissed the idea.
Whether that guy would even survive was uncertain. The matter of getting along could wait until he was actually alive to do so.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Si Jianhua looking at her with a foolishly happy expression.
After a moment’s thought, she picked up a piece of spicy chicken with her chopsticks and offered it to him tentatively. “Would you like some?”
Si Jianhua’s pupils contracted slightly, his face filled with excitement and flattered surprise. He quickly picked up the spicy chicken from his bowl and put it in his mouth, nodding repeatedly as he praised, “Mhm, delicious!”
As if she had been the one to cook that plate of spicy chicken.
Wen Qianyue shot a helpless glance at the hopelessly pleased Si Jianhua.
This was just the beginning. The more he interacted with her, the more Si Jianhua would come to appreciate how wonderful her daughter was!
Si Jianhua, who had wanted a daughter but ended up with a son, had gotten her precious girl for free—what a bargain!
A faint ache spread in Jiang Ci’s heart, and her eyes grew warm. This was her mother, who said one thing but meant another, and her stepfather, who treated her as his own flesh and blood.
In her past life, she hadn’t cherished them properly, too busy opposing Ms. Wen Qianyue and, by extension, giving Si Jianhua the cold shoulder.
But by the time she wanted to care for them, it was too late—her parents were no longer there.
No matter what Wen Qianyue and Si Jianhua asked, Jiang Ci answered fluently.
The whole family enjoyed the meal happily.
…
After the meal, Jiang Ci didn’t stay long, as she still had many things to do.
Both Wen Qianyue and Si Jianhua were exceptionally happy today, so they went along with whatever Jiang Ci said and didn’t press her to stay longer.
Leaving Xianglan Villa, Jiang Ci headed to the snack street.
The snack street near the university district was very famous, operating 24 hours a day. Some stalls catered to daytime customers, while others specialized in the night market.
Students from several nearby universities loved to come here for shopping, dates, and gatherings.
After parking her car in the underground lot, Jiang Ci savored the feeling of strolling through the bustling streets.
She soon turned into the snack street.
Twenty portions of takoyaki.
Twenty grilled squid skewers.
Twenty grilled sausages.
Twenty portions of oden.
Twenty vegetable pancakes.
Twenty portions each of Xiao Wuzi pancakes, multigrain pancakes, Beijing roast duck, grilled Orleans chicken legs and wings, flatbread-wrapped skewers, grilled sweet potato skins, grilled pork belly, sour and spicy noodles, Weizifu chicken strips, pan-fried buns, and so on.
She paid first and planned to pick everything up later.
It was just after lunch, and each stall was relatively idle, but with Jiang Ci’s arrival, the entire street sprang to life, bustling with activity.
The weather in March was still a bit chilly, but the whole street was steaming with warmth, full of life and energy.
Jiang Ci returned to the parking lot and retrieved her camera from the car.Wandering here and there, capturing snapshots of the bustling streets and the vibrant human spirit.
Skyscrapers, blue skies with white clouds, narrow alleys with humble homes, street vendors…
Young couples kissing on street corners, families of three strolling hand in hand, elderly couples with silver hair and unsteady steps, seniors dancing in the square…
Every moment is precious.
It is the prosperity and vitality that became rare after the disaster.