Chapter 54 – Luo Yuzhou: Just You and Me

As her body plummeted downward, Jiang Zhi Ning tightly shut her eyes, bracing for pain.

But the expected agony never came. Instead, she felt something soft beneath her.

Jiang Zhi Ning slowly opened her eyes a sliver and saw that she was already on the ground.

“My bones aren’t broken?” She looked shocked. “That’s great!”

“Ow… Ow… Master, you’re crushing me…” a pitiful voice whimpered from beneath her.

Looking down, Jiang Zhi Ning realized that Guo Lai had cushioned her fall.

She quickly stood up and scooped him into her arms, planting a big kiss on his fluffy cheek. “Thank you, Guo Lai!”

Guo Lai, chubby little hands trying and failing to rub his aching back, sighed. “Master, you’d better work on leveling up.”

Determined, Jiang Zhi Ning nodded. “I can’t keep falling out of trees like this. How many more points do I need to level up?”

“10,086 points.”

Clunk—her brain froze.

“…Forget it, I’ll just keep climbing trees slowly,” she sighed and began picking up the scattered chestnuts on the ground.

The path ahead is long and difficult.

After gathering the chestnuts, she collapsed onto the floor of the wooden cabin inside her space.

Just as she was about to rest, Guo Lai brought over a bowl of spring water.

Jiang Zhi Ning gulped it down in one go.

As she wiped her mouth, her eyes fell on the blood-red jade bracelet on her wrist.

“Guo Lai, this bracelet looks fragile and stands out too much. Can’t it be hidden?”

The crimson jade was rare and, set against her fair skin, very eye-catching.

Lately, many people had asked where she bought it.

She feared it would attract unwanted attention—especially from Shen An An, who in her past life used this very bracelet to become the richest woman in the region.

“Of course it can be hidden,” Guo Lai said, munching on bamboo shoots as he sat on the floor.

Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

“But Master doesn’t qualify yet,” he said bluntly. “You’re not high-level enough.”

Oof. Right in the feels.

She sat up in mock shock. So I’m the clown all along…

Sighing, Jiang Zhi Ning took another sip of spring water. “I’ve decided—I’m going to level up no matter what!”

After resting a few minutes, she returned to the real world to start making candied chestnuts.

She first washed about a pound of chestnuts, scored the surface with an “X,” and tossed them into a pot along with 30 grams of sugar.

After adding a bit of oil and 300 ml of water, she covered the pot and brought it to a boil.

The sweet smell drifted through the house, attracting two little greedy bugs—Xi Xi and Song Ye—who came running eagerly.

She simmered the pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the water had evaporated, she stirred quickly to coat the chestnuts in syrup. Wanting a caramelized flavor, she let them cook a bit longer for a slight char.

“Mommy, I want some!” Xi Xi’s eyes were practically glued to the chestnuts.

“Alright, Mommy will serve them right away. They’re best when hot,” Jiang Zhi Ning said as she scooped them into a bowl.

Song Ye quickly picked one up and took a bite. The golden chestnut was plump, sweet, and soft—his eyes lit up.

“Delicious!” he exclaimed. “Can I bring some to big brother?”

Jiang Zhi Ning patted his head. “Of course.”

He thanked her and happily packed some into a small bowl to bring to Song Chen.

But Xi Xi, with her delicate fingers, struggled to hold the hot chestnuts.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhi Ning sat down and placed Xi Xi on her lap, peeling one for her.

Xi Xi took a bite, her eyes turning into crescents as she smiled, then gave Jiang Zhi Ning a kiss on the cheek. “Xi Xi loves Mommy!”

Jiang Zhi Ning returned the kiss. “Mommy loves you too.”

Inside, the atmosphere was cozy and warm.

Outside, Song Ye was hurrying to deliver the treats to Song Chen.

“Here, big brother, try one!” he offered excitedly.

He squeezed one gently—pop—the flesh appeared.

Not wanting to disappoint him, Song Chen took a bite. His eyes flashed with surprise: Her cooking is actually really good!

“Isn’t it delicious?” Song Ye grinned. “This is the best chestnut I’ve ever had—though I’ve never had one before…”

Hearing that, Song Chen felt a pang of guilt. Their biological mother had abused them, and their early lives had been miserable.

Even after moving in with Song Yuzhou, life didn’t immediately improve—he was too busy with military affairs to properly care for the kids.

“I’m sorry… I haven’t taken good care of you,” Song Chen said guiltily.

Song Ye looked up, eyes sparkling with tears. “Big brother… I like Mommy.”

“Xiao Ye…”

“Ever since she came, we’ve had so many snacks… and she makes delicious food herself. I feel so happy these days. I really like her.”

Song Chen bit his lip. He knew how much his younger brother had longed for a loving mother.

“I understand,” he said softly, patting his brother’s head. “Eat while it’s hot.”

“Mhm!” Song Ye excitedly munched on the chestnuts, unable to hide the joy in his eyes.

Since there were matters to attend to at the base, Song Yuzhou didn’t come home that night.

Worried that no one would prepare breakfast, Jiang Zhi Ning got up early.

But to her surprise, Song Chen had already made sweet potato porridge and taken Song Ye to school.

She looked into the pot, still steaming, and saw there was quite a bit left.

Did he… make this for me? she wondered in disbelief.

Then she shook her head—No way. He really doesn’t like me that much.

After drinking some warm porridge, she went back to bed to catch up on sleep.

When Song Yuzhou returned home, Jiang Zhi Ning and Xi Xi were playing on the seesaw.

“Daddy!” Xi Xi squealed, running over to him.

He scooped her up and walked over to Jiang Zhi Ning.

“Finished with your tasks?” she asked casually.

“Yeah.”

“Have you eaten? I can cook noodles for you,” she offered warmly.

“I’ve eaten. Go pack your things—we’re going away for three days,” he said in his deep voice.

“Huh? Where are we going?” Jiang Zhi Ning blinked in confusion.

“I have three days of leave. I want to take you somewhere. Pack now—we’re leaving soon.”

Though curious, she didn’t ask further and went inside to pack.

When she came out with her luggage, she noticed Xi Xi wasn’t around.

“Where’s Xi Xi?”

“I dropped her off with Sister Zhi Lan. She’ll look after her for three days. I also asked her to help with Song Chen,” he said, taking her suitcase and holding her hand.

“So… it’s just the two of us?” she asked, surprised.

“Mm. Just you and me,” Song Yuzhou replied, pulling her gently out the door.

Jiang Zhi Ning couldn’t help but wonder: Where are we going?