Chapter 4: The Bookstore  

After withdrawing her gaze, Lin Yumo flipped to the example problems section in the math chapter, where a solid geometry problem caught her eye.  

Strangely, even though she hadn’t fully reviewed her junior high school knowledge yet, this problem—which should have been unfamiliar—gave her an inexplicable sense of familiarity.  

It was as if… as if she had solved it countless times before.  

Lin Yumo suddenly realized that this must be the advantage of rebirth. Though she couldn’t recall the specific knowledge points clearly, the problem-solving mindset was already ingrained in her bones.  

Holding the book close to her chest, its weight inexplicably brought her comfort.  

As she turned, she caught sight of *College Entrance Exam Past Papers* on the lowest shelf. After a moment’s hesitation, she bent down and picked it up.  

She’d have to tackle it sooner or later anyway.  

In her previous life, she had chosen the science track, so this time, Lin Yumo still intended to stick with it. First, because she was already familiar with it, making it easier to devise a study plan.  

Second, she simply preferred science subjects.  

The cold air from the AC vent ruffled the ends of her hair as she stood in front of the physics section, arms full of selected math materials, scanning the shelves lined with countless exercise books.  

Her fingertips traced the raised texture on the hardcover of *Must-Solve Problems for the College Entrance Exam*. In her past life, her weak grasp of force analysis had led to persistent struggles in physics.  

*”If the foundation is weak, start with the most basic method,”* she thought, standing on tiptoe to pull down *Innovative Design*.  

After a brief consideration, she also grabbed the accompanying *The First Version* from the shelf.  

With her physics materials selected, she moved to the English section.  

Under the warm glow of the lights, Lin Yumo pursed her lips at the *3,500 Words* printed on the cover of *Essential Vocabulary for the College Entrance Exam* before picking it up.  

After choosing the vocabulary book, her eyes skimmed the towering shelves until she spotted *Excellent High School Essays* and added it to her pile—essays were important too.  

Finally, she pulled out a collection of past exam papers from Province A from the array of mock tests before leaving the English section for chemistry and biology.  

Lin Yumo lingered briefly in these two sections, her fingers hovering and then withdrawing. *”There’s still time to study after school starts. No need to rush now.”*  

Junior high had only covered the basics of these subjects, and in high school, everyone would essentially start from the same level. As long as she paid attention in class and practiced diligently, her grades wouldn’t be too bad. The summer break was too short to cover everything thoroughly, so she decided to buy study materials for these subjects later.  

At checkout, the cashier smiled at her carefully selected books and asked, “Working so hard already?”  

Lin Yumo smiled shyly. “The early bird catches the worm.”  

As she stepped out of the bookstore, the setting sun cast a golden glow on her profile.  

Clutching her new books tightly, she suddenly remembered something and pulled a notepad from her bag. Under *Today’s Plan*, she wrote solemnly: *”8:00–9:00 PM: Physics Chapter 1, memorize 20 vocabulary words.”*  

Outside the car window, the fading sunlight bathed the city in a soft orange hue.  

Leaning against the window, Lin Yumo gently opened the food container Wu Ma had prepared. The delicate fragrance of Jasmine Cake instantly filled the car.  

*”Wu Ma’s cooking is still as amazing as ever…”* She took a small bite, savoring the sweetness that melted on her tongue without being cloying.  

In her past life, after starting work, she had never tasted such authentic Jasmine Cake again.

The crushed jasmine petals in the pastry reminded her of her childhood, when Wu Ma would always make all sorts of treats for her in different ways.  

Suddenly, she wanted to go home early. She wanted to tell Wu Ma how especially delicious the Jasmine Cake was today and ask if she could prepare more tomorrow.  

……  

The evening glow streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows into the living room. Not long after Lin Yumo returned home, she heard the sound of her parents arriving.  

Lin Yumo rushed out from the study at the noise, her footsteps making soft thuds on the floor.  

“Dad! Mom!” She fluttered to the doorway like a cheerful little bird but abruptly stopped just before reaching Mother Lin.  

A twenty-five-year-old soul ought to be more reserved.  

Yet when she looked up and saw her parents’ youthful faces, her eyes still grew warm involuntarily.  

Mother Lin’s fingertips were still slightly cool as she gently squeezed her daughter’s hand in return.  

“Your father went out of his way to pick me up from B University today,” she said, the corners of her eyes crinkling with a tender smile as she placed her handbag on the walnut cabinet in the entryway.  

The clasp made a soft *click*, crisp and clear in the quiet living room.  

Lin Yumo led her mother toward the living room, the silk skirt brushing against her calves. The cool, smooth sensation reminded her of the fine wrinkles on her mother’s face the last time she had seen her in her past life.  

“Dad, you’re such a grown-up, yet you still can’t bear to be apart from Mom,” she teased, deliberately drawing out her words as she buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, greedily inhaling that familiar scent.  

“I think he’s becoming more like a child too,” Mother Lin replied with a laugh, turning her head just in time to meet Father Lin’s helpless gaze.  

Father Lin loosened his tie, the fabric of his suit rustling faintly as he bent down.  

“Our little Jasmine has grown up and even dares to poke fun at her father now.”  

He pretended to look stern but couldn’t hide the affection in his eyes. “Ruru, help me with my tie.”  

The intimate nickname for her mother made Lin Yumo’s heart tremble.  

Mother Lin’s slender fingers nimbly worked through the dark blue tie, the sunlight gilding the edges of her lowered lashes.  

Lin Yumo watched the warmth flowing between her parents, realizing that happiness was hidden in these mundane little details.  

“Dad, you really are such a child.”  

The jasmine tea on the coffee table steamed gently.  

Wu Ma walked to the dining table with a tray in hand. “Madam, dinner will be ready soon.”  

The laugh lines at the corners of her eyes softened as her gaze swept tenderly over the family of three.  

“Alright, thank you for your hard work,” Mother Lin replied, carefully folding the removed tie, the silk shimmering softly in her palm.  

Lin Yumo watched her parents standing side by side. This summer, given a second chance, was precious.  

……