Rose glanced at Ashe beside her.
She couldn't help sighing inwardly.
Ever since she met Ashe, Rose felt like her whole world had been turned upside down.
She couldn't beat her in a fight, couldn't drive her away by acting aloof, and Ashe ignored her barbs.
Just like that, Ashe had become her roommate, and just like that, Rose had been held in her arms all night.
Even though they'd known each other for only a day and a night,
Rose still felt as if her life had been completely interrupted and started over.
I was supposed to be the cool, aloof type, okay?
What was this supposed to be?
Where had this woman who left me helpless come from?
Oh, right. I brought her here! Damn it!
Ashe had no idea that Rose was wrestling with her feelings beside her.
Seeing how Rose seemed completely unfazed by her arm linked through hers,
Ashe had no intention of letting go.
But at that moment, Ashe's thoughts weren't on Rose.
She was thinking about Mengmeng, whom she was about to see.
Ashe's fingers were already itching.
It had been ages since she'd pinched the soft, chubby cheeks of her little angel, Mengmeng.
She'd brought Rose along to help sort out Mengmeng's employment situation.
After that, Ashe could take Mengmeng with her.
Then she'd call Qilin, take the two of them out to eat, go shopping, and watch a movie.
Then Ashe could openly have one girl in each arm without worrying about being called a playboy.
Hold hands, pinch cheeks.
Wouldn't that be wonderful?
As for why she wasn't bringing Rose along too,
Ashe believed you had to take things one bite at a time and one step at a time.
Things had already moved fast enough today. Getting too eager could easily lead to trouble.
Besides, Rose had already told her in the car
that she had something to take care of.
Going by the original story, the only thing Rose needed to deal with right now was probably those two hapless brothers, Ge Xiaolun and Liu Chuang, at the police station.
As for those two, Ashe had no interest in meeting them ahead of time.
After all, a person's energy was limited.
She was already struggling to keep up with Qilin and the others!
How could she find time to think about them?
Besides, whether it was Liu Chuang or Ge Xiaolun,
they were both prized assets of Earth's Super Seminary.
And Ge Xiaolun was Dukao's future candidate for Earth's chief god.
Who knew how many people were keeping an eye on them already?
Ashe had no interest in becoming one more person under scrutiny.
Slack off when it was time to slack off, and work hard when it was time to work hard.
For now, Ashe just wanted to enjoy life while getting stronger.
After all, she'd lived a second life. She might as well do what she pleased.
She let her thoughts wander for a while.
The two had just reached their meeting place.
They were about to look around
when a lively voice called from behind Ashe.
"Big Sis Ashe! I'm over here!"
Turning toward the voice, they saw a woman in a white shirt hurrying toward Ashe.
She recognized her as Mengmeng.
Before Rose could react,
Ashe, who had just been holding Rose's arm,
let go without hesitation and hurried to meet her.
As soon as Mengmeng reached her,
Ashe naturally pulled her into a hug.
She affectionately patted Rui Mengmeng on the head.
Looking at Rui Mengmeng's radiant smile,
Ashe held a hand up to her own chest and compared their heights.
She nodded approvingly.
"Mengmeng, you've grown taller again! Great job eating properly!"
"Hehe, of course."
"I always listen to what you tell me, Big Sis Ashe."
Rui Mengmeng returned Ashe's enthusiastic hug, letting her feel just how much she'd grown lately.
Then the two of them let go.
Rui Mengmeng scratched her head, looking a little embarrassed.
Ashe looked at Rui Mengmeng, who was noticeably more grown-up in both height and figure than in the original story.
She felt a little like a proud mother who'd raised her daughter.
After all, she'd invested a lot of time and effort in Rui Mengmeng over the past ten years.
Unlike Qilin,
Rui Mengmeng was someone Ashe had sought out and befriended herself.
When she'd read the original story, she'd really liked this sweet, hardworking girl.
So, a year or two after arriving in this world,
Ashe had used a trip to the countryside near Juxia City as an excuse
to meet Rui Mengmeng, who had been helping out with farm work from a very young age.
Then, after she told Ai Anguo and his wife about Rui Mengmeng's family situation,
the kindhearted couple had immediately stepped in to help.
After Ai Anguo and his wife passed away,
Ashe had kept helping Rui Mengmeng's family each year, saying it was what they had wanted.
After all, Ashe had a system and wasn't short on money.
Within reason, it was easy for her to help Rui Mengmeng's family improve their lives.
Of course, the honest, hardworking nature of Rui Mengmeng's family hadn't changed because of Ashe's help.
After turning eighteen, Rui Mengmeng had moved out on her own, working while studying for her exams.
Ashe had helped her find a job and introduced her to reliable teachers who were good at teaching.
Why hadn't Ashe just used her system to solve all of Rui Mengmeng's problems?
The reason was simple: fruit you picked through your own effort always tasted sweeter than fruit someone else gave you.
Ashe would help Rui Mengmeng work hard, but she wouldn't spoil her and ruin her.
"By the way, how's Grandpa doing lately?"
"I've been so busy recently that I haven't had time to visit him."
"Grandpa's doing well. He even told me to tell you not to worry, Big Sis Ashe."
"That's good. When I have time, I'll go back to the countryside with Qilin to visit him."
"Mm-hmm."
She chatted with Rui Mengmeng about everyday things for a little while.
Before you continue