Auntie Song

After everyone had introduced themselves, Tan Zhuishi followed the usual procedure of selecting class officers, then reminded the students of the rules for military training.

With their classmates' support, Wen Jincheng and Tong Chuhe became class monitors, Fu Zhenzhen became the academic representative, and Tan Xuguang became the sports representative.

"Your seven days of military training begin tomorrow. After you go home today, prepare all the daily necessities you'll need. Electronic devices and other prohibited items are not allowed. We'll check before departure, so don't think you can get lucky and sneak them through."

"There will be no classes this afternoon. Please go home and make thorough preparations. Class dismissed."

The bell rang. It was already lunchtime, and Song Jici planned to take Jiang Nian to the infirmary first, then head home together.

But just then, Fu Zhenzhen approached.

"Ji Ci's big brother, are you two going home together?"

Song Jici answered her:

"I'm taking Nian to the infirmary first to see how serious her foot injury is. Then we're going to my house for lunch. My mom's been missing her for ages."

Hearing this, Fu Zhenzhen gave Jiang Nian a guilt-stricken look.

"Big sister Jiang Nian, I'm really sorry. I wasn't paying attention when I stepped on your foot this morning, and I even caused you to fall into the water afterward..."

"Let me come to the infirmary with you too. If it affects your training tomorrow, I'll partner up with you and help!"

Jiang Nian's lips twitched as she watched the female lead eagerly volunteer. Unsolicited kindness always came with an ulterior motive.

Then she refused with a smile that didn't reach her eyes:

"No need. It's just a little swollen at most. You're 'so' light, you couldn't have hurt it that badly."

But Fu Zhenzhen seemed not to hear the refusal and insisted on coming along. Jiang Nian could only let her.

At the infirmary, Jiang Nian removed her shoe and sock, revealing a red, swollen patch tinged with purple on the top of her foot. The doctor sucked in a breath.

"Someone stepped on you by accident?? An accident did this much damage?"

Song Jici was also a little surprised by the bruise. He hadn't expected someone as frail as Fu Zhenzhen to step on her with such force. He turned slightly and glanced at Fu Zhenzhen with a frown.

Fu Zhenzhen hadn't expected Jiang Nian's body to be so delicate either. She thought resentfully that Jiang Nian really was a pampered heiress, with such tender skin. She was nothing like the girls at Fu Zhenzhen's orphanage, whose faces didn't even redden when she slapped them.

But of course, she couldn't say that now.

"I'm sorry. I really didn't know it would be this serious. It's all my fault."

As she spoke, tears welled in her eyes again.

Looking at the tearful Fu Zhenzhen, the doctor didn't know how to comfort her and could only give an awkward chuckle.

"It's all right. Maybe you're just sturdier than most. Be more careful next time."

Seeing Fu Zhenzhen at a loss for words, Jiang Nian laughed inwardly.

[She's going for the delicate, innocent flower image. Doctor, how could you call her sturdy? Hahahahaha!]

Song Jici hadn't laughed at the doctor's words, but Jiang Nian's thoughts made him turn away and snort.

After the doctor applied the medicine, the three headed toward the school gates. Watching Jiang Nian leave with Song Jici for his home, Fu Zhenzhen spoke as though making casual conversation.

"Nian, are you close to Jici's family?"

Jiang Nian looked at Fu Zhenzhen, unsure what she was up to this time, and gave her a bland, perfunctory answer.

"Our mothers are best friends, so our families know each other pretty well."

"Oh, I see..."

Fu Zhenzhen looked a little envious.

"You're so lucky. I've never even met my own mother."

With that, she lowered her head sadly.

Looking at the dejected Fu Zhenzhen, Song Jici lowered his head and thought for a moment.

Although the kidnapping from back then could no longer be investigated, perhaps he could discreetly probe the information Jiang Nian had revealed that might be connected to Fu Zhenzhen.

"Why don't... you come home with us for lunch?"

At Song Jici's invitation, Fu Zhenzhen visibly brightened. She stepped forward, caught the hem of his clothes, and looked at him pitifully.

"Can I? Can someone like me really come?"

Under that pitiful gaze, Song Jici replied with a hint of deeper meaning, "Of course."

"Yay!" Having achieved her goal, Fu Zhenzhen happily hovered around Song Jici, chattering like a little bird.

Although he had initially intended to gather information, listening to Fu Zhenzhen's nonstop chatter suddenly made Song Jici regret his decision.

Was she a parrot in her previous life? How could she make so much noise?!

Watching Song Jici's misery, Jiang Nian ignored his pleading looks and turned her head away as though nothing were happening.

[Oh, please. Better she pesters you than me. Good luck.]

Watching Jiang Nian walk ahead without a backward glance while Fu Zhenzhen chattered beside him until his head ached, Song Jici screamed from the depths of his soul:

Am I really the fucking male lead?

The car carrying the three soon reached the Song Family Mansion. It passed through the iron gates and drove on for a while before stopping outside the main villa.

Inside the car, Fu Zhenzhen gazed at the splendor everywhere she looked, her eyes reddening with excitement. This was wealth accumulated over generations of the Song Family, a level she could never reach in her lifetime.

After they got out, servants ushered them into the sitting room, where Madam Song had been waiting for some time.

"Mom, we're back."

Madam Song, who had been reading on the sofa, looked up and saw that her son had brought Jiang Nian home.

"Oh, Nian, you're here too! Your godmother hasn't seen you in so long. Come closer and let me look at you!"

Seeing Auntie Song's affectionate expression, Jiang Nian felt a deep warmth.

In the original novel, Auntie Song had always treated the original Jiang Nian as her own daughter. She had also hoped to bring her and her son together, making their families even closer. Unfortunately, the male lead's heart had always belonged to Fu Zhenzhen.

After the original Jiang Nian went to prison, Auntie Song had never been pleasant to Fu Zhenzhen either, and had tried everything she could to get Jiang Nian released.

At the thought, Jiang Nian's heart softened even more. She got up and ran over to Auntie Song, taking her hand and swinging it.

"Godmother, I missed you so much! I missed you every single day I was abroad."

Auntie Song stroked Jiang Nian's head and smiled at her. "You little liar. If you missed me, why didn't you call?"

"Hehe, you're so busy. I was worried the time difference would disturb you. Now that I'm back, I'll call you every day. Just don't get sick of me!"

"All right. I certainly won't."

The two were so affectionate that they completely ignored Song Jici and Fu Zhenzhen.

Only when Song Jici cleared his throat softly did Auntie Song turn her attention to them, then look questioningly at Fu Zhenzhen.

"And who is this?"

Her son's message had only said he was bringing Nian home for lunch, hadn't it?

Watching their earlier closeness, Fu Zhenzhen felt a sense of threat. Faced with Auntie Song's questioning look, she introduced herself politely.

"Hello, Auntie. I'm Jici's classmate, Fu Zhenzhen. I'm sorry for dropping by so unexpectedly."

Song Ling paused at the familiar way she called him Jici and looked at her son.

Song Jici explained softly, "Mom, do you remember when I was kidnapped six years ago? She was the one who saved me."

Song Ling froze, looking at Fu Zhenzhen in surprise.

Of course she remembered.

Six years ago, a business rival of Song Father had hired men to kidnap Song Jici. His original intention had merely been to throw Song Father into disarray and force him to stop attacking his business. But the kidnappers had grown greedy and changed their demands, asking for an astronomical ransom. Song Jici had finally managed to escape that hellhole when their guard was down, only to be caught and tortured by Human Trafficker.

Later, a girl had risked her life to save him by luring Human Trafficker away, allowing Song Jici to be rescued. But when they went back to look for her, finding any trace of her was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

They had thought the girl had long since died, never expecting to encounter her again years later.

Overcome with emotion, Auntie Song stepped forward and clasped Fu Zhenzhen's hands.

"You dear child, thank you for saving Jici back then. If it weren't for you, I might never have seen him again."