Chapter 4: Bookstore

Pulling her gaze back, Lin Yumo flipped open the example problems section of the math chapter. A solid geometry problem immediately caught her eye.

Strangely, even though she hadn’t yet finished reviewing her junior high knowledge—and this kind of problem should have been unfamiliar—it gave her an odd sense of déjà vu.

It was like… she had done it hundreds, even thousands of times before.

Suddenly, Lin Yumo realized—this must be the advantage of rebirth. She might not remember the exact knowledge points, but the way of thinking through problems was already etched into her bones.

Hugging the book to her chest, the weight in her arms felt inexplicably reassuring.

When she turned, her eyes caught sight of a “College Entrance Exam Real Questions Compilation” on the lowest shelf. She hesitated for a moment, but still bent down to pick it up.

Sooner or later, she would need it anyway.

In her previous life, she had chosen the science track, so this time she planned to do the same—firstly because she was familiar with it, which would help her make a study plan, and secondly because she genuinely preferred science subjects.

The cool air from the AC outlet ruffled the ends of her hair. Standing in front of the physics section with her math materials in hand, she let her eyes sweep over the array of problem sets.

Her fingertips traced the raised texture of the hard cover of Must-Do Questions for the College Entrance Exam. In her last life, her lack of solid understanding in force analysis had led to struggles with later physics problems.

“If your foundation’s weak, start with the simplest method,” she thought, tiptoeing to pull down Innovative Design.

After a moment’s thought, she also grabbed the matching One Lesson One Practice.

With her physics materials chosen, she headed to the English section.

Under the warm light, Lin Yumo looked at the College Entrance Exam Must-Memorize Vocabulary cover, the “3500 Words” printed in bold. She pressed her lips together and picked it up.

After the vocabulary book, her eyes searched the shelf in front of her. She pulled out Outstanding High School Essays—composition skills were important too.

Finally, she selected the provincial mock test collection from among the many practice paper sets before leaving the English section for the chemistry and biology areas.

She paused briefly in these two sections, her fingers hovering and then withdrawing. “There’s still time to study after school starts—no need to rush.”

In junior high, these two subjects weren’t covered much. In high school, everyone would be starting from the same point. As long as she listened carefully and practiced diligently, her grades shouldn’t suffer. Summer vacation was too short to cover everything, so she decided to wait until school started to buy materials for them.

At checkout, the cashier glanced at the carefully chosen study aids and smiled.
“Studying so hard already?”

Lin Yumo smiled shyly. “Early bird gets the worm.”

Walking out of the bookstore, the golden afterglow of the sunset gilded the side of her face.

Hugging her new books tightly, she suddenly remembered something. She took out a sticky note from her bag and solemnly wrote under “Today’s Plan”:
“8:00–9:00 p.m. Physics Chapter 1, memorize 20 words.”

Outside the car window, the setting sun bathed the city in a warm orange glow.

Leaning against the glass, Lin Yumo opened the lunchbox Aunt Wu had prepared. The scent of jasmine pastries instantly filled the car.

“Aunt Wu’s cooking is still the best…” She took a small bite, the sweet but not cloying taste melting on her tongue.

After starting work in her past life, she had never eaten jasmine pastries like this again.

The tiny jasmine petals embedded in the pastry reminded her of her childhood, when Aunt Wu was always inventing new snacks for her.

The car passed under a stretch of trees, dappled light flickering over the pastry in her hand.

She suddenly realized how much familiar warmth she had overlooked in this taste.

In her past life, busy with school and work, she had taken these everyday moments for granted.

She suddenly wanted to go home early—to tell Aunt Wu that today’s jasmine pastries were especially delicious, and to ask if she could make more tomorrow.

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The sunset poured into the living room through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Not long after Lin Yumo arrived home, she heard her parents returning.

Hearing their voices, she ran out of the study, her footsteps thudding lightly on the floor.

“Dad! Mom!” Like a joyful little bird, she darted toward the door, but stopped abruptly just before colliding with her mother.

The twenty-five-year-old soul inside her almost forgot—right now, she should be more reserved.

But when she looked up and saw her mother’s young face, her eyes still grew hot.

Her mother’s fingertips, carrying the slight coolness of early autumn, gently clasped her hand in return.

“Your father took a detour past B University to pick me up today.” Her eyes crinkled with a warm smile as she placed her handbag on the walnut cabinet in the entryway.

The clasp clicked open, the sound crisp in the quiet living room.

Leading her mother toward the living room, the cool silk of her skirt brushed against her calves. It reminded her of the last time she had seen her mother in her previous life, with fine lines etched on her face.

“Dad’s such a big man, and he still can’t do without you,” she teased, drawing out her tone and burying her face in her mother’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent.

“I think he’s becoming more like a child every day,” her mother laughed, turning to meet her father’s helpless gaze.

Her father loosened his tie, the faint rustle of his suit audible as he bent down.

“Our Little Jasmine has grown up—she even dares to tease her father now.”

He pretended to scold, but couldn’t hide the affection in his eyes.
“Ruru, help me take off my tie.”

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

Her mother’s slender fingers worked skillfully at the deep blue tie, the sunlight gilding her lowered lashes.

Watching the tenderness flowing between her parents, Lin Yumo realized—happiness was hidden in these everyday details.

“Dad, you really are like a little kid.”

The jasmine tea on the coffee table sent up curling wisps of steam, tracing gentle lines in the air.

Aunt Wu came over from the dining table with a tray. “Madam, dinner will be ready soon.”

Her eyes crinkled with a warm smile as her gaze swept fondly over the family of three.

“Alright, thank you.” Her mother carefully folded the removed tie, the silk glinting softly in her palm.

Watching her parents standing side by side, Lin Yumo thought—this summer she had been given again was truly blessed.