Chapter 25: Who Is It For?

After getting off the plane, it would still take an hour by car to actually reach South City.

The small city was just as she remembered it—no glaring, reflective skyscrapers under the sun, just low-rise residential buildings that gave off a lively, vibrant atmosphere.

The greenery along the streets was thriving, and it was always green here throughout the year. As soon as spring arrived, the air was thick with the scent of spring, and little flowers bloomed along the roads.

In South City, having a snowstorm once a year was enough to get everyone excited. Social media would be flooded with snow scenes.

Unlike Jing City, where Jiang Mingzhi had already witnessed several snowfalls in just a few months, the snowfall in South City would amaze people from the south.

The mother and daughter pair checked in at the best hotel in the city. Jiang Mingzhi’s family home in South City was a villa on Changhe Road.

To own a villa in South City would cost about 3 to 5 million yuan, which wouldn’t even be enough to buy a rundown old apartment in Jing City.

That villa had been given to her grandparents, but now her uncle’s family was living in it. Even if Jiang Mingzhi returned, she wouldn’t want to stay there.

Her grandparents held traditional gender roles, favoring their grandson over her. They had a son, and they loved their grandson much more than they loved Jiang Mingzhi.

When Jiang Mingzhi was given some factory shares, her grandparents were unwilling to give them to her. It was only with the help of Qiu Tang, who contacted a lawyer, that she was able to secure them.

Qiu Tang told her to rest for a bit while she went out to find a flower shop to order a bouquet for the next day’s offering to the deceased.

Jiang Mingzhi put down her backpack and pulled out her phone. “I’m not tired. I have plans to meet a friend.”

They had come a day early, so there was plenty of time. She had already contacted a friend in South City.

To her, these friends felt somewhat distant since she hadn’t kept in touch much after moving to Jing City.

For them, however, it had only been four months since they last saw each other.

Jiang Mingzhi wanted to buy some local specialties from South City to bring to her friends.

Qiu Tang asked, “Are you going alone? Should I come with you?”

Jiang Mingzhi smiled. “Mom, do you think I’m three years old? Besides, I’ll probably have to show you around South City.”

Qiu Tang thought for a moment and agreed. “Alright, but come back early, no later than eight.”

She hadn’t been back to South City for six or seven years, and she felt less at ease here than in Jing City. She certainly didn’t want Jiang Mingzhi to return home as late as she did last time—after 11 PM.

“Okay, then you stay and have dinner at the hotel. I’ll go out and eat with my friend,” Jiang Mingzhi replied obediently, heading out of the hotel and casually hailing a red taxi to meet her friend at their agreed location.

It was just past 6 PM, and the sky was painted red with the setting sun. As her gaze followed the sky downward, she saw five or six-story tall trees, their red and green hues reflecting off each other, creating a lively and vibrant scene. Further down, she saw people and cars orderly streaming along the streets after work. It was a city with a leisurely and energetic atmosphere.

Her friend, Cui Li, stopped in front of her on an electric scooter. She was Jiang Mingzhi’s middle school classmate and her desk mate for half a semester in high school.

Cui Li parked her scooter, took off her helmet, and hung it on the bike, then said with surprise, “Wow, you’re even more beautiful now! I saw two guys talking to you while waiting at the traffic light. They must have been asking for your contact information, right?”

Jiang Mingzhi smiled. “Yeah, it’s been a long time, you’ve become more beautiful too.”

Cui Li adjusted her bangs and grinned. “Hehe, let’s not flatter each other. I know you want to try the local snacks. I’ll take you there. I’m hungry too.”

There were many local snacks in South City, popular among students. These weren’t trendy or famous spots but rather cheap and delicious street food stalls.

Most of these places had six or seven tables for customers, while smaller ones were just a narrow storefront, less than two meters wide, with no space for seating—either takeout or eat standing on the street.

The benefit of a small city was that the places to eat were concentrated. There were three well-known and delicious spots near their meeting place.

The two of them first walked to the first stall to buy a freshly fried pork tenderloin. The tenderloin was thin, not coated in batter, but after rolling in the hot oil, it remained juicy and tender. The boss brushed on a secret sauce that made it so fragrant, you’d almost want to lick the skewer clean.

This stall was among the top three most popular spots among students. After buying the tenderloin, they also picked up some baked flatbread about ten meters down the street. The crust was crispy and golden, with a strong aroma of sesame and green onions.

Finally, Jiang Mingzhi was holding a few snacks and they sat down at a small shop with seating.

They ordered a bowl of the special small meat soup with broth to go with the flatbread and tenderloin. Jiang Mingzhi felt that this trip was really worth it.

Today, all the food was paid for by Jiang Mingzhi. While it wasn’t a large sum, Cui Li was very happy, since her allowance was quite limited.

The two girls sat at a small, brightly lit roadside shop, chatting about their classmates and the teachers who had taught them.

Jiang Mingzhi nodded while eating, sometimes widening her eyes in surprise at the gossip.

“She dropped out and got married!?”

Cui Li swallowed a bite of the fried tenderloin, licking her lips before replying, “Not really married, she dropped out to go work with her boyfriend. Her grades weren’t great, and she couldn’t keep studying. I heard she’s pregnant.”

Jiang Mingzhi was so surprised she forgot to drink her soup.

Cui Li continued, “They definitely won’t get married now, they’re not of legal age. I heard they’re planning a wedding in two years, and then they’ll get the certificate when they’re of age.”

While eating and chatting, time passed quickly. By the time they finished eating and left the shop, the sky had turned a deep shade of blue.

The two of them walked down the street, hand in hand. Though they’d been a bit unfamiliar when they first met, now it felt like they were sisters.

Cui Li’s eyes scanned the shops along the street. “To be honest, I really don’t know what the local specialties of South City are. Are you buying gifts for a few friends?”

Jiang Mingzhi replied, “Three or four.”

Cui Li clapped her hands. “Oh, right, the ink stick you asked me to buy from Xue Yang, I brought it. It’s in my bag. I’ll take it out for you now, or I’ll forget later.”

She took off her bag and handed it to Jiang Mingzhi to hold. Then she unzipped it and took out a dark brown gift box.

“It’s a four-tael ink stick. Xue Yang said it’s the best from his family, over 100 yuan per tael. He didn’t want to charge me at first. Who are you giving it to?”

The ink from South City was famous, and since Cui Li practiced calligraphy, she usually used ink that cost about ten yuan, which was already considered good quality.

Jiang Mingzhi took the box. “Thank you! Make sure to give him the money.”

“By the way, I also got you a gift.” Jiang Mingzhi put the ink box into her own bag and then pulled out a light blue gift box.

“It’s a bracelet.”

Cui Li took the gift box, her eyes widening. “I know this brand, it’s really expensive, right? I can’t accept this.”

Jiang Mingzhi gently held her hand and slipped the box into her bag, winking playfully. “You can accept it, my stepdad is rich.”

Cui Li laughed, swallowing hard. “Well… then I’ll accept it. Thank you.”

Jiang Mingzhi’s family was already considered well-off in South City, and after moving to Jing City, she could still be considered wealthy. She must really be rich now.

The two of them continued walking. Cui Li still wondered who the ink stick was for.

Jiang Mingzhi had contacted her as soon as she arrived in South City, and Cui Li figured it must be for a very important friend, someone worth preparing a gift for even before returning.

She hadn’t expected Jiang Mingzhi to make such a good friend so quickly. While there was a little discomfort in her heart, she was also happy for her.