“Sis, we made your favorite braised fish and spicy dry pot. It’s almost ready, you came back at just the right time. Come on, let’s go eat.”
She happily pulled Yun Mojiu toward the living room.
At that moment, Yun Changhong and Du Qing emerged from the kitchen one after the other, both wearing aprons. One carried an electric rice cooker while the other held bowls and chopsticks.
When they saw Yun Mojiu, their faces lit up with genuine joy.
“Xiao Jiu’s back!”
“Why are you just standing there? Go wash your hands and eat!” Du Qing urged with a smile.
After Yun Ruoxia and Yun Mojiu went to the kitchen to wash their hands, Yun Changhong and Du Qing exchanged glances. Their heads leaned in close, as if they were secret agents meeting, looking rather mysterious.
“Hey, Old Yun, did you see? Xiao Jiu’s hand is wrapped in bandages.”
“That damned Xie Jingling!”
“Alright, alright, let’s not bring up anything upsetting later. The important thing is that Xiao Jiu is home. From now on, we’ll make sure she never suffers again.”
“Mhm.”
As soon as Yun Mojiu and Yun Ruoxia reappeared, the two quickly pulled apart.
“Come, come, let’s eat!” Du Qing beckoned.
Yun Changhong pointed at the dishes with a proud smile. “Xiao Jiu, come see what delicious things Dad made for you.”
Yun Ruoxia pretended to pout. “Sigh, no one loves me anymore~”
“You brat, didn’t we make your favorites too?” Yun Changhong huffed.
Yun Ruoxia stuck out her tongue and made a face at him.
The whole family burst into laughter.
At the dinner table, no one brought up anything unpleasant.
With Yun Ruoxia, the family’s little ray of sunshine, around, the atmosphere stayed lively, and everyone enjoyed the meal.
After dinner, Yun Changhong rushed to wash the dishes.
Meanwhile, Du Qing took Yun Mojiu and Yun Ruoxia to the living room to watch TV.
They tuned into a comedy variety show, and the three of them laughed nonstop at the guests’ antics.
“What’s so funny?”
Yun Changhong, having finished the dishes, walked over with a plate of washed fruit and sat beside Du Qing.
Yun Ruoxia animatedly filled him in.
Once she finished, she pulled out a few scripts from the side.
“Mom, Dad, Sis, help me take a look, which of these scripts is the best?”
Yun Ruoxia was studying acting and was already in her third year of university.
Since her sophomore year, she had been taking on minor roles in film crews.
Even if they were just small parts without any lines, she embraced them wholeheartedly, never complaining about the hardship or exhaustion.
She truly loved this profession.
Though she was still an unknown actress far from the limelight, her dream was to one day become an award-winning movie star.
Her family fully supported her dream.
To Yun Changhong and Du Qing, whatever their children loved was what mattered most.
The three of them took the scripts and read through them one by one.
Yun Mojiu quietly made her calculations.
Finally, she pointed to one of the period dramas.
“Little sister, go audition for this supporting female role.”
“This one?”
Yun Ruoxia took it and studied it carefully.
“But the director of this show has only directed one other project before, and it wasn’t particularly outstanding. The other two scripts are from well-known directors, even if the roles are smaller, like eighth or ninth female lead, wouldn’t those be better?”
She hesitated.
Yun Mojiu smiled. “Trust me. After this show, you’ll gain some popularity.”
“Really?”
“Mhm.”
She had already divined the outcomes of the other two scripts.
One would flop without even making a splash.
The other, starring a male lead who would leak spoilers, would end up shelved.
So, even if she landed the female lead in those two dramas, it would be a complete waste of time.
But this period drama was different.
Though it had a small director and modest production, the plot was gripping, the characters rich and engaging, it was destined to be a hit upon release.
Aside from the female and male leads, who would attract the most fans, the fifth female role was the audience favorite.
Given Xia’s current standing, the female lead was out of reach.
But with some effort and her lucky charm, the fifth female role was practically in the bag.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you, sis! I’ll go for the fifth female role!”
Yun Ruoxia cheerfully raised the script high, her face alight with excitement.
Her unconditional trust made Yun Mojiu press her lips together slightly.
The family watched TV for a while longer before heading to their respective rooms.
Back in her familiar bedroom, Yun Mojiu lay sprawled on the soft bed, staring blankly at the white ceiling as she quietly pondered.
No matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t figure out why she had transmigrated to another world only to return.
If she couldn’t make sense of it, she wouldn’t dwell on it.
She got up and went to the bathroom.
Fresh out of the shower, just as she finished drying her hair,
Knock, knock, knock.
A soft rapping came from the door.
She opened it to find Du Qing standing there, holding a cup of warm milk with a gentle smile.
“Mom, you’re still up?”
“Mhm.” Du Qing handed her the milk. “Drink this first, it’ll help you sleep better.”
Yun Mojiu took it and, just like countless times in her childhood, downed it in one go.
Du Qing took the cup back, hesitating as if she had more to say.
But in the end, she only murmured, “Get some good rest.”
Just as she was about to leave, Yun Mojiu tugged at her sleeve, her tone laced with a hint of childish pleading.
“Mom, I want to sleep with you tonight.”
Truthfully, she could tell her parents cared deeply and had so much they wanted to say, but they held back, afraid of reopening old wounds. They pretended everything was fine, masking their worry with cheerfulness.
She needed to move forward, and so did they.
She didn’t want her parents to carry this burden, fretting over her forever.
Some things were better said outright.
“Of course.”
Du Qing patted her hand and chuckled. “I’ve been wanting to ditch your dad anyway. His snoring makes me want to stuff cotton balls up his nose.”
Yun Mojiu laughed. “Dad would throw a fit if he heard that.”
Mother and daughter burst into laughter together.
They climbed into bed, lying side by side.
Yun Mojiu nestled affectionately into Du Qing’s arms, just like when she was little.
Neither spoke for a while.
Finally, Yun Mojiu broke the silence.
“Mom, don’t worry. I divorced Xie Jingling because I don’t love him anymore. Nothing he does can hurt me now. To me, he’s just a familiar stranger. From now on, I’ll focus on loving myself and living well. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“Really?”
Du Qing was surprised to hear Yun Mojiu say she no longer cared for Xie Jingling.
She had assumed it was his infidelity that drove Yun Mojiu to a heartbroken, desperate divorce.
“Absolutely true.” Yun Mojiu nodded with a smile.
“Good. What’s past is past. We’ll stay far away from people who aren’t worth it and just live our lives well.”
Du Qing gently patted Yun Mojiu’s back.
“My precious daughter is so outstanding, she’s bound to meet someone even better. And even if she doesn’t, it doesn’t matter, your parents will take care of you for life. When we’re old, there’s still your little sister.”
Yun Mojiu chuckled. “It’s not like I’d need my sister to support me.”
“Ah, I’m just saying,” Du Qing laughed as well.
Seeing that Yun Mojiu didn’t seem to be forcing a smile, she finally felt the heavy weight in her heart lift.
…
Early the next morning.
“Sis, I’m off to my audition!”
Yun Ruoxia hurriedly grabbed her bag and dashed toward the door, waving at Yun Mojiu as she passed through the courtyard.
“Wait a second.”
Yun Mojiu stepped forward and handed her a prepared talisman.
“What’s this?”
Yun Ruoxia looked puzzled at the triangular charm in her hand.
Yun Mojiu smiled. “Something to bring you good luck. Keep it with you at all times. I’ll be waiting at home for your good news.”
“Mm-hmm, thanks, sis!”
Delighted, Yun Ruoxia tucked the charm into her pocket.
After seeing her off, Yun Mojiu was about to turn back when her gaze suddenly caught on the elderly neighbor across the street watering her flowers.
Studying the old woman’s face, Yun Mojiu’s brow furrowed slightly.