Chapter 26: Urging Marriage

After passing along the message, An An couldn’t help but ask, “Mama, is it really your friend?”

Seeing that his mother seemed to actually know the other party, the little one wasn’t so scared anymore.

Mainly because the “thing” had just said it wanted to give him a cupcake.

He had heard from Third Uncle that cupcakes were really tasty.

Bai Ruoqiao also felt much more at ease now.

If it really was that useless system, then it shouldn’t be too big of a problem.

After all, they had coexisted for more than thirty years—they understood each other’s personalities well.

It was just a simple-minded thing without any schemes.

The only thing she worried about was the half that had merged—did it also have an independent consciousness like the system? If so, who was in control?

But some things weren’t suitable for An An to hear.

However, the system had already read her thoughts.

Suddenly, An An blinked and said, “Mama, Tong Tong told me to say something to you.”

Bai Ruoqiao paused and nodded. “Go ahead.”

An An opened his big eyes wide and, like reading a newspaper, recited word by word:

“The one bound to his soul is meaningless now—everything is under my control.”

Bai Ruoqiao took a moment to process the sentence, and soon understood what it meant.

It was saying that the half of the data that had bound itself to An An’s soul was now under the system’s control. Even if time were reversed, it would remain intact.

Just like with her—even after going back in time, what she already had still existed.

The other part, however, lacked independent consciousness; it was merely some lost data that had reappeared.

Upon hearing this, she was finally relieved.

Looking up again, she saw the little one’s eyes sparkling—there was no more fear, only curiosity.

She opened her mouth but suddenly felt a headache coming on. How was she supposed to explain the system to An An?

The biggest concern was that An An might blurt it out to others.

She thought for a moment, then suddenly cupped An An’s little face and said seriously:

“An An, your health has never been good since you were born, so Mama prayed to the gods. Now, a god is living inside your body to help make you stronger. But you must never tell anyone about this—not even Daddy. Otherwise, the god will get angry and take Mama away.”

She knew how powerful the system was. As long as she completed its tasks, not only would she get rewards, but her body would also be gradually transformed.

In her previous life, even in her sixties, she still looked youthful—that was because her body had already been transformed.

As for the system’s tasks, she wasn’t worried.

As its name suggested, the tasks it gave were all related to learning.

As long as you met the goals, you’d get a reward. Even if you didn’t, there was no punishment—it would just wait.

In her last life, she had chosen economics as her subject.

She just didn’t know what subject An An would choose.

But she didn’t plan to interfere in that—she’d let An An pick whatever he liked.

Anyway, the subject could be switched at any time, even if it meant starting over.

Unexpectedly, after hearing her explanation, An An’s eyes filled with fear again.

“Mama, Mama, I don’t want a god. The god will take you away!”

Hearing the little one on the verge of crying, Bai Ruoqiao felt both guilty and helpless. She could only reach out and hug him, gently patting to comfort him.

“Don’t be afraid, An An. The god is here to help us. As long as you don’t tell anyone, it won’t happen. It even saved Mama’s life once.”

“Really?” The little one stopped crying instantly.

“Really. When has Mama ever lied to you?” Bai Ruoqiao gently rubbed his tear-stained cheeks.

“Then I definitely won’t tell! I promise!” he said, nodding solemnly and firmly.

Bai Ruoqiao couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Alright, Mama believes An An definitely won’t tell.”

“I definitely won’t!” An An immediately covered his mouth.

Bai Ruoqiao was amused and gave him a pat on the bottom. “Okay, get up now. Are you hungry?”

“I am!” The little guy was helped up, clutching his round belly as he blinked his big eyes.

The food had been better these past couple of days, and his belly had visibly plumped up.

Bai Ruoqiao brought him some clothes and helped him get dressed.

Once the two were dressed, they held hands and left the room. After washing up, they went to eat breakfast.

On the stove, a few large meat buns and boiled eggs were still being kept warm in the iron pot.

Bai Ruoqiao hadn’t expected Zhao Sihai to have had time to make buns so early in the morning.

She figured he probably packed buns for lunch too.

—

Over at the People’s Commune Management Committee, Zhao Sihai had been busy since his first day.

Early in the morning, he happened to run into Director Liu from the Revolutionary Committee, who needed to go to Qingshan Brigade.

After giving him a ride, Zhao Sihai even helped out with the fieldwork before returning to the management office. The tractor hadn’t even cooled off yet before he had to rush off for another delivery.

He’d been on the move all morning and didn’t get a break until noon.

Still, after half a day of work, both Secretary Wang and Director Liu were quite impressed with him.

Not only did he know how to get along with people, but he also had solid practical skills. In just one morning, he had already gotten to know most of the staff.

Director Liu noticed he had only brought four buns with him. Though they were made of white flour, with his build, it clearly wasn’t enough to fill him up. So Liu suggested he join them for lunch at the canteen.

The others chimed in and began playfully nudging him out the door.

Just as they stepped out of the office, they saw an elderly lady with white hair, dressed in a blue Zhongshan suit, briskly walking over with a basket in hand.

Everyone clearly recognized her and paused to greet her.

Director Liu smiled and said, “Auntie, here to bring lunch to the Secretary again? Oh, I can already smell it—is that twice-cooked pork again?”

“That’s right,” the old lady said cheerfully. “You folks heading to lunch? Want to share some of my twice-cooked pork? I made a lot today.”

Director Liu quickly declined, “We’re just heading to the canteen. They’re serving braised pork today.”

“How could that be the same?” the old lady retorted. “Not to brag, but my twice-cooked pork is definitely better than Old Sun’s braised pork.”

“Of course it is! Why else would the Secretary be hooked on it?” someone joked. “You better get going then—he’s in the office now. Don’t let it get cold, or we’ll be the ones getting scolded.”

The old lady playfully glared at them. “If he dares scold you over this, tell me. I’ll scold him right back!”

Everyone burst out laughing.

Then the old lady noticed the unfamiliar face among them. “And who’s this…?”

“Auntie, let me introduce you,” Director Liu said enthusiastically. “This is our new driver, Zhao Sihai. He’s rock-solid when it comes to driving that tractor!”

Clearly, Director Liu was quite satisfied with Zhao Sihai.

The old lady gave him a warm, kind smile. “Comrade Zhao, you’re really handsome and sturdy—definitely look like someone strong and reliable. Are you married?”

Everyone instantly shivered a little at the familiar line and looked at Zhao Sihai with sympathy.

This old lady had a habit of using her meal deliveries as a cover to pressure her son into marriage—often extending the “mission” to the single workers at the office too.

But Zhao Sihai responded with a gentle smile. “I’ve been married for years. My son is already four.”

The old lady immediately looked both regretful and envious.

See? Young and already with a four-year-old son.

Her own son was already 26 and still single. All her white hair was from the stress.

She couldn’t help but think again about that impressive young woman she’d met the other day at the ration store.

The good ones really are in high demand.

And her son? Who knows when that “iron tree” of his might finally bloom.