Zhiqing was sleeping, so with nothing else to do, she entered the system to continue earning pocket money for it, allowing it to accumulate energy. Whether for a system or a person, efforts must be rewarded. She crafted her works with her own hands and hard work, dedicating countless pieces to the system. In return, the system gave her many things that could be bought outside, and some that perhaps couldn’t be, like the bedding she embroidered for Commander Xu, which was not just regular cotton fabric but a thick twilled damask with not a trace of synthetic fibers. Such pure fabric alone, let alone the embroidery craftsmanship, would be heartbreakingly expensive in the future—a set could easily cost thousands.
But the system acquired it quite cheaply.
She read a book for a while, reviewed her coursework, and then picked up a pen to write Spring Festival coupleets. It seemed she had gotten used to writing them, and it was no longer just about money. However, earning a little extra cash occasionally was quite nice. Besides writing couplets, she wrote many "Fu" characters, selling them alongside the couplets.
This year, she had added quite a few new designs. She wrote with gold foil and crafted couplets, continuously improving and innovating just like any other business. Not just the calligraphy itself, but also the sentences of the couplets and even the choice of brush and paper involved substantial knowledge.
The paper used by Qin Xiangnuan was always of high quality. She didn’t engage in businesses that fooled people. From the start, she approached business with sincerity. There were businesses worth doing and others not. While other people grew shrewder in business, she stayed earnest, yet her business thrived.
She didn’t know exactly how many pieces she wrote, but by the time she stopped, both her wrists ached—yet strangely, it felt gratifying.
She exited the system, and in the outside world, less than half an hour had passed. She had used half an hour outside to gain five hours inside the system. Honestly, this trade-off was worth it for her. Perhaps that’s why her mindset was much stronger than in her previous life.
Not only because she had been reborn, but also because of the time ratio and her immersion in poetry and literature.
Her character strength showed in her appearance too. Under twenty years old, she wasn’t exactly precocious, but she possessed a calm and quiet demeanor that drew attention. She didn’t boast about her abilities because she never felt superior, unlike Qin Xiangmei who had always prided herself on her looks, fully aware of how she acquired them.
It seemed she hadn’t thought about Qin Xiangmei and the Qin Family for a long time.
She recalled that Qin Xiangmei was also due to attend college this year. Originally, Qin Xiangmei was supposed to be a year behind her but had skipped a grade in elementary school, ending up in the same grade as her. Over the years, Qin deliberately avoided her, not out of fear, but disgust for Qin Xiangmei’s face, her voice, everything about her—it was uncertain whether she’d run into her here after so many years of avoidance.
In her last life, Qin Xiangmei had been admitted to Kyoto University. She sincerely hoped not to encounter that woman again. She wouldn’t let Qin Xiangmei take advantage of her again, nor would Qin Xiangmei deceive her of her fate and luck as in the previous life.
As the evening approached, she planned to go to the park with Granny Lu to prepare the food for the next day and to buy some essentials.
"Conghua, let’s go," she opened the door, and Conghua happily scampered out, her plump body wiggling excitedly, her belly nearly dragging on the ground. Yet, she seemed to remember food better than any scolding. Despite getting fatter, Conghua was somehow becoming more endearing.
Conghua was like a dog with a second-child syndrome—just fat but possessing a golden retriever’s temperament, a faithful dog.
In the park, Granny Lu was indeed there.
"Granny, I’m here," Qin Xiangnuan walked in, assisting Granny Lu with washing vegetables, doing a bit more work now so they wouldn’t be as rushed the next morning.
"Why come here?" Granny Lu didn’t want her granddaughter to bother, "You’re about to take the college entrance exam, focus on your studies. I can manage by myself here; it’s not very busy, just kneading dough and picking vegetables. Go back and study."
"It’s okay, I’ve finished my homework," Qin Xiangnuan emptied the vegetables from the basket, picking them up to help, while Conghua lay outside, not entering.
Qin Xiangnuan didn’t let her come in; after all, it was a dining area and she was a dog, running around at such a place was improper. Moreover, during shedding season, it would be disgusting. Not to mention selling to others, they themselves would be the first to eat.
Seeing her insistence, Granny Lu didn’t say much more. Qin Xiangnuan always knew how to handle things properly, relieving adults from worry. She took care of everything, including her life and studies. Such a child should make parents feel at ease, but Granny Lu felt rather sad instead.
The children were too sensible, which was why she felt sad and heartbroken, knowing they had to mature fast. If they hadn’t been sensible, they might not have survived. Their sensibility now stemmed from the hardships they faced in the past.
Now, finally free from suffering, their days were improving, but what the two children had lost could never be regained.
For instance, their childhood, their memories, and their mother.
Thinking of Du Ping, Granny Lu’s heart ached again.
At that moment, Qin Xiangnuan slightly lowered her eyes, her chin sharp—a classic beauty with a full forehead and beautifully shaped lips, much like her unfortunate mother. A fortune-teller once said that Nuannuan was destined for great wealth and honor. She didn’t wish for her to be excessively wealthy; she would be content if her granddaughter could lead a carefree life and marry a good man.
After the grandmother and granddaughter had prepared the dough and tomorrow’s vegetables, they cleaned up the place, took out the trash, then locked the door, ready to head back.
As they passed a newly constructed market, Qin Xiangnuan halted her steps.
"What’s wrong?" Granny Lu followed Qin Xiangnuan’s gaze. Oh, it was recently constructed, unclear what it was for. They built it here without even a road.
"Old lady, let’s buy a unit," Qin Xiangnuan pondered before speaking to Granny Lu.
"Buy this?" Granny Lu was genuinely startled, "Why buy a not yet finished house?" Their family’s Siheyuan was large enough, and moreover, she didn’t place because it was too remote, not near any village or store.