this chapter is brought to you by mio
as translator, proofreader and editor!
Jiang Ci replenished the inventory in both kitchens and the barbecue street stall, then pulled Song Jinchuan to the backyard. She then informed him that she was going home for a while and handed him the store keys.
“Over the next few days, could you help me open the store and manage the staff? I’ll give you the meal points later, and you can pay for them on my behalf.”
Upon hearing this, Song Jinchuan stiffened, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Ci. “Your home… isn’t in this world?”
Jiang Ci raised an eyebrow, surprised that Song Jinchuan had figured this out. However, she saw no reason to hide it from him, especially since she would completely disappear from this world during her absence, so she nodded calmly in response to him.
“Then…” Song Jinchuan’s voice was hoarse, “will you come back?”
“Of course, my store is still here, so I’ll definitely come back,” Jiang Ci replied.
Song Jinchuan nodded, but still couldn’t fully relax. After all, she was going to another world, and anything could happen. If she didn’t come back, would he never see her again?
Jiang Ci noticed him sitting silently across from her, seemingly reverting to the way he was when they first met. She felt a bit puzzled. “What’s wrong?”
Looking into Jiang Ci’s limpid eyes, Song Jinchuan shook his head. He wasn’t sure how to tell her about his current feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, so he swallowed all his emotions back into his heart.
Jiang Ci thought it over for a moment but still couldn’t figure it out, so she continued discussing the shop’s affairs with him.
Song Jinchuan nodded, his dark eyes fixed on Jiang Ci.
“Are you leaving early tomorrow morning?” Song Jinchuan asked.
Jiang Ci nodded, her hair fluttering as if reflecting her good mood. “Yes, it’s been a while since I last went back. The sooner I go, the sooner I’ll return.”
She didn’t elaborate much about her own world.
That night, Song Jinchuan could barely sleep, constantly listening for any movement next door, afraid that Jiang Ci might suddenly disappear without a word.
However, Jiang Ci slept in for once. After getting up, she specifically bid farewell to Song Jinchuan before returning to her room with her box of gold, beef, lamb, and some delicious vegetables and mushrooms for her parents.
Song Jinchuan silently walked to Jiang Ci’s room, listening as she said goodbye to Hui Hui and Xiao Lulu. Then, the room fell silent.
Although Jiang Ci repeatedly assured him that she would come back soon, Song Jinchuan still felt a wave of panic wash over him. He instinctively took a few steps toward Jiang Ci’s room but then stopped.
*
pls do not share this anywhere or u will always stub ur toe when u walk past a door frame !! this translation has been stolen from mioscorner.com, pls only read there i’m begging u :kneels:
Jiang Ci had no idea that Song Jinchuan would be so emotionally affected by her departure. A flash of white light later, she opened her eyes to find herself lying on the bed in her rented apartment.
For Jiang Ci, it had been several months since she last slept in this bed.
Having grown accustomed to the bed in the hotpot restaurant, she felt a bit unaccustomed to returning to this simple rented room.
She got up, looked around at the familiar decor, and stretched her stiff body out. Finally, she was back.
After a brief moment of reflection, Jiang Ci began packing her things and called her landlord to inform her that she was moving out.
The landlord, a kind-hearted elderly woman, sighed sympathetically when she heard Jiang Ci was returning to her hometown. She assumed Jiang Ci was like many others who couldn’t make it in the big city and had no choice but to go back to their hometown.
Jiang Ci didn’t explain any further. After hanging up, she prepared to bring in the shoes she had left outside.
As soon as Jiang Ci stepped out of her room, she was met with the sight of a shirtless man emerging from the bathroom. She was about to avert her gaze when she suddenly noticed the pink towel he was using to dry his hair—it looked suspiciously like hers.
The man, mistaking Jiang Ci’s glance for admiration, puffed out his less-than-toned chest and flashed her a greasy smile.
Jiang Ci’s face darkened. She immediately went to knock on her roommate’s door. After what felt like an eternity, the roommate finally appeared, dressed in a slip dress and moving sluggishly.
Seeing Jiang Ci at the door, the roommate was visibly surprised. “You’re back?”
“I remember the rental agreement clearly stating that no guests are allowed, and yet you let your boyfriend use my towel? How disgusting!” Jiang Ci’s voice was cold and direct.
Jiang Ci was known for her sweet appearance and easygoing nature, rarely showing such anger. Her sudden outburst left the girl stunned for a moment before she could respond.
“It’s just a towel, no big deal. I’ll pay you back if it’s that important. Why are you being so aggressive?” the roommate retorted, clearly annoyed.
“Fine, pay up. And my body wash and shampoo too. I bet your boyfriend used them as well. I find it gross when others use my things. Let’s say 300 yuan in total. Transfer it to my WeChat,” Jiang Ci said. She had already noticed the scent of her newly purchased strawberry cream body wash and shampoo wafting out from the bathroom.
She loved the fragrance so much that even the toiletries prepared for her at the hotpot restaurant were of the same scent.
“Hey, what’s with the attitude? Who do you think you are?” The roommate’s boyfriend chimed in, raising his hand as if to push her.
However, Jiang Ci quickly stepped back and raised her phone. “I warn you, if you lay a finger on me, I’ll call the police immediately. I’m recording this as evidence.”
Taking advantage of their hesitation, she swiftly retreated to her room and locked the door.
Jiang Ci knew when to stand her ground and when to back off, ensuring that she would never come out on the losing end.
She promptly sent the evidence she had gathered to the landlord.
Not long after, Jiang Ci heard the sharp voice of the elderly landlady, along with her son and daughter-in-law, berating the couple in the next room. The trio left the pair speechless, and they had no choice but to pack up and leave.
Once the commotion died down, Jiang Ci peeked out of her room and called out to the woman next door, “Don’t forget to transfer my 300 yuan, or I’ll come to your company to collect it.”
The woman shot Jiang Ci a venomous glare. Whether out of genuine fear or not, Jiang Ci received the transfer shortly after they left.
She had already packed up all her belongings, deciding to leave her toiletries in the bathroom behind.
With a large bag of items, she quietly stored everything in her space when no one was around, leaving only a lightweight suitcase filled with gifts for her parents.
After handing the keys back to the landlord, Jiang Ci walked out of the rental apartment she had lived in for several years.
The sunlight outside was particularly bright today. Pulling her suitcase along, Jiang Ci couldn’t feel any reluctance in her heart despite preparing to leave. Instead, she was filled with anticipation for returning home.
Before leaving, she made a trip to the city center to check on her hotpot restaurant. Although it was still covered with construction cloth, the outline of the building was already faintly visible from the outside.
After gazing at it for a while, Jiang Ci left with a satisfied heart.
Once she left the city center, she headed straight to the train station and bought a high-speed rail ticket back to her hometown. Her hometown was a fifth or sixth-tier city without an airport, but the high-speed rail was fast, taking just over three hours for her to arrive.
As she sat on the train, Jiang Ci leaned against the window, watching the scenery rush by. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she instinctively said, “Song Jinchuan, look, this river is so beautiful.”
After saying it, she froze, turning to look at her puzzled seatmate and offered them an awkward smile.
Jiang Ci dozed off after a while, and when she opened her eyes again, the scenery outside had gradually become familiar. She felt a surge of excitement—she was almost there.
Stepping off the train, she was greeted by a wave of scorching heat. It was almost noon, which was the hottest time of the day.
She boarded the bus home, and after just a few stops, she arrived at the bus station near her house.
Outside the neighborhood was a lively square with well-maintained greenery, where many neighbors loved to stroll and relax in the shade.
However, it was now the time when most families were preparing lunch, so there weren’t many people around. Crossing the street in front of her, she walked into the alley where her family’s supermarket stood at the entrance of the neighborhood.
The supermarket door was open, and a neighbor who had just bought something was chatting with Mother Jiang at the counter.
From a distance, Jiang Ci’s eyes welled up with tears.
Mother Jiang seemed to sense something and looked up in Jiang Ci’s direction. She froze for a moment, then hurried out from behind the counter, even forgetting to finish her conversation.
“Old Jiang, Old Jiang!” Jiang’s mom called out loudly as she walked out.
From the back room came Father Jiang’s voice, “What’s wrong?”
“Your daughter’s back!” Mother Jiang’s voice was filled with joy as she jogged straight toward Jiang Ci.
Jiang Ci also quickened her pace, pushing her suitcase, and was soon enveloped in her mother’s warm embrace.
Breathing in the familiar scent of her mother, Jiang Ci’s racing heart finally settled.
“Oh my baby, why are you back now? Have you eaten yet?” Mother Jiang held Jiang Ci tightly, asking repeatedly.
“Oh, my big girl is back! Why didn’t you call us? I could’ve picked you up from the station,” Father Jiang said as he emerged from the kitchen, still wearing an apron and holding a spatula, his face beaming with happiness.
“I took the bus back. It wasn’t too much trouble,” Jiang Ci replied with a smile.
“I’ll go buy some dishes from the braised food stall up front,” Father Jiang said, then hurried out, not even taking off his apron.
“Ci Ci’s back! Such a grown-up girl now. Are you seeing anyone?” The speaker was a regular customer at the store, a woman in her fifties who loved matchmaking. Every time Jiang Ci returned, she would ask her the same question.
Jiang Ci shook her head, “Not yet.”
“Well, it’s time for you to start! I know a few young men who are good-looking and have high incomes. Should I introduce you to one?”
“It’s alright, my daughter isn’t in a hurry, she’s only twenty-five,” Mother Jiang responded with a cheerful smile. “Sister Zhou, didn’t you say you had radish stewing at home?”
“Oh dear, I forgot all about it,” the auntie in front of them exclaimed, her expression changing as she hurriedly ran off.
“Don’t mind her. In our family, there’s no rule that says you must marry by a certain age. It’s all up to my baby’s own wishes. If you want to get married, go ahead. If not, your parents can still take care of you,” Jiang’s mother said with a gentle smile, her voice as tender as always.
ugh her parents are so sweet QAQ
