The next day, He Jinxia got up early, without any makeup, picked up the suitcase she had packed the previous day, and cheerfully left the dormitory.
In Hua Country, high-speed rails are advanced, with fast and smooth rides. Relying on her memory, she effortlessly took out her information card to buy a ticket, wait for the train, and board it.
After crossing a province, in just two short hours, the high-speed train arrived at Qingdu.
The weather in May was already quite hot. He Jinxia wore a loose, oversized T-shirt, shorts on her legs, and a sun-shielding black hat on her head. Except for the mask she wore on her face, she looked just like an ordinary person.
She dragged her suitcase, following the crowd off the train, went through security, and looked for the exit.
Once she left the high-speed train station, she hailed a cab and sped straight to her home.
On the way, He Jinxia didn't put on any airs and chatted amiably with the driver. Noticing her easygoing nature, the driver even curiously asked, "Aren't you hot?"
He said, "I've driven several girls before, each one wore a hat on their head, a mask on their face, some even wore long sleeves and pants. It's so hot lately, don't you feel hot dressed like this, or is it the latest fashion trend?"
He Jinxia reached up and touched the mask on her face, replying, "They're probably wearing them for sun protection. I'm wearing a mask because I have a bit of a cold, and I don't want to spread it to others."
The driver suddenly understood and continued to chat with He Jinxia about the famous scenic spots in Qingdu.
After chatting for a full half-hour, the driver didn't recognize He Jinxia at all.
This made He Jinxia feel the urge to touch her mask again, her mind itching with the thought that maybe she could take off the mask now, considering how hot she felt...
But she still didn't have the courage to take it off.
Upon arriving at her destination and getting out of the car, He Jinxia immediately recognized the supermarket from her memory, and her mood became even more buoyant, hastening her steps. But as she reached the supermarket entrance, she started to hesitate about going in.
Memories of her mother flashed through her mind, and He Jinxia suddenly felt timid.
In her previous life, she was an orphan. In this life, having taken over someone else's body, she naturally had to show filial piety to that person's parents.
But, would her mother...
"Jinxia? Is that you, Jinxia? You're back!" Suddenly, an excited female voice rang out beside her ear, pulling He Jinxia back from her wandering thoughts.
He Jinxia looked up to see a gentle and beautiful middle-aged woman standing in front of her, her expression one of excitement.
Mrs. He saw her staring blankly and promptly extended her hand to grasp He Jinxia's arm and pull her into the store, taking her suitcase as well, and complained a bit, "You should have at least let me know you were coming back, so I could have prepared beforehand."
He Jinxia blinked and shifted her gaze to the woman earnestly concerned about her, and the hesitancy and sense of alienation in her heart suddenly dissipated.
This was her mother, her only relative in this world.
He Jinxia said somewhat sheepishly, "Mom, wasn't I just trying to give you a surprise?"
Mrs. He glanced sideways and scolded, "Surprise? More like a scare!"
Thinking of something, Mrs. He's face lit up with joy as she said, "What a coincidence, scare, Jinxia, it's all about you. Can't you be a little less mischievous?"
He Jinxia shook her head, coughed slightly, and replied with mock solemnity, "No, if I didn't give you a scare, how could I call myself Jinxia?"
"Haha!"
The mother and daughter laughed and talked as they sat down in front of the supermarket's checkout counter.
When customers came to purchase items, Mrs. He paused their conversation to grab products and scan them on the sensor. He Jinxia seized the opportunity to glance around the whole supermarket.
A supermarket opened in a small location wouldn't be very big, a compact space of just over a hundred square meters, with no second floor.
"Jinxia, are you hungry? I'll close up now and cook something for you," Mrs. He's voice reached her ears.
He Jinxia quickly shook her head and took her mother's hand, "Mom, it's still early, no need to rush."
Mrs. He frowned, "What do you mean early? Not early at all, I still need to go out to buy groceries. You seldom come back, so we can't miss any chicken, duck, fish, or meat. We need to have a lively celebration!"
He Jinxia's nose tingled with emotion as she playfully shook Mrs. He's hand, "Mom, you don't need to make such a fuss. It's just the two of us. Keep it simple. We can't finish all those dishes; it's such a waste!"
"Also, I will come back to see you more often in the future. When I earn more money, I'll buy a house for you in Imperial City. If you feel bored, I'll invest in a small supermarket for you to run there."
Mrs. He patted her hand with a face full of contentment, "Good, good, good, I'll wait for Jinxia to earn money to support me. Since you came back today, and I'm happy, I want to prepare a big feast. It doesn't matter if we can't finish it all; there are many stray cats and dogs around that we can feed."
Seeing her mother react this way, He Jinxia knew that her words didn't make an impact, feeling a bit disheartened.
However, she quickly gathered her spirits and perked up again, "Mom, there's really no need to go to so much trouble."
Mrs. He waved her off, resolute, "Enough, it's decided. I only see you a few times throughout the year. What's wrong with wanting to cook a lavish meal for you?"
He Jinxia's face twisted into a bitter smile as she said helplessly, "Okay, okay, okay, everything as you wish, Mom!"
Mrs. He's frown relaxed into a smile, even the tips of her brows dipped in mirth, "Alright, I'll close up now. You wait inside the shop, and I'll be back quickly after buying the groceries!"
But this time, He Jinxia shook her head, "The shop is still doing well right now; there's no need to close up just for me. Either I'll go grocery shopping with you, or I'll stay here and take care of the cash."
Mrs. He paused for a moment, looking carefully at her daughter, and only then did she feel that Jinxia seemed different.
She said cautiously, "Jinxia, didn't you use to dislike staying in the shop?"
The former He Jinxia, who looked down on her ordinary background after entering the entertainment circle and lacked support, didn't even want to come home during holidays, let alone help Mrs. He mind the shop.
Although He Jinxia never directly said it, Mrs. He could probably tell.
He Jinxia's eyes shimmered as she spoke softly, "Mom, I was immature before, I worried you. I won't be like that anymore. Mom, you've worked hard these years and also—Mom, I'm sorry."
The original He Jinxia truly owed Mrs. He an apology.
But she hadn't managed to say it before she left, and now that these three words came from He Jinxia's mouth, her heart surged with complex emotions, and her eyes soon reddened.
Mrs. He was stunned for a while before she accepted that her daughter had actually apologized to her.
Before, Jinxia would have never spoken such words, let alone apologized to her!
Because she had no husband, she feared her child lacked love. She pampered Jinxia from an early age and indulged her every whim, which led to Jinxia becoming somewhat spoiled. All of this, she was well aware.
She had thought about correcting it, but could never bring herself to be too harsh—Jinxia was the apple of her eye. In the years after her husband passed away, if not for Jinxia, she might not have even wanted to continue living.
She never expected that being kicked out of the JY girl group would have such a big impact on Jinxia, making her so sensible and even caring about her.
Mrs. He found a reason for He Jinxia's change of heart on her own, patted her shoulder, and, with a hint of sourness at the tip of her nose, kept repeating the same word, "Good, good, good."
"I'll go buy groceries right now; you stay put in the shop," Mrs. He turned her head, wiped her face with her hand, and hurriedly left.
Watching Mrs. He's hurried departure, He Jinxia's face blossomed into a warm smile.
A new life, how wonderful.
Having a mother, what a blessing!