Chapter 141 Good Times (Side Story 1)
"A timely snow promises a bumper harvest; next year will be just as good!"
A sigh pulled Shen Yujiao back from her wandering thoughts. She subconsciously looked out the window. The heavy snow was falling like goose feathers into the courtyard, creating a vast expanse of white that softened her heart.
The moment the pot lid was lifted, steam instantly billowed out, blurring the previously clear snow scene into nothingness.
In the kitchen, the parents of both the Jiang and Chen families were busy preparing for the New Year's Eve dinner. The two families decided to eat together again this year. Smelling the rich aroma of the food, Chen Yujiao's stomach rumbled.
"What are you thinking about?"
Feeling a warm touch on her face, Shen Yujiao looked up and met Jiang Chen's tender eyes. She reached out and took the glass from her face, smiling as she asked, "Did you heat up the milk?"
Jiang Chen smiled and nodded: "Your favorite Want Want Milk is just warm."
Holding the glass in her hands, looking at the pool of milky white liquid clinging to the sides of the glass, she couldn't help but smile as she took small sips.
Jiang Chen saw this and laughed, "This isn't Daxia anymore. We can drink as much as we want. Why are you being so smug?"
Shen Yujiao glanced at him sideways: "We'll be eating soon. If you drink so much, how will you eat later?"
It was a familiar look in her eyes, but Jiang Chen felt that Shen Jiaojiao's relaxed appearance was more pleasing to the eye than the Crown Princess or Empress Shen in their palace attire.
Hearing this while busy in the kitchen, Jiang's mother laughed and scolded, "That's right! You've been feeding Jiaojiao snacks again! She won't be able to eat her meal later!"
It's been a long time, truly a long time. Even the scolding sounds comforting. Jiang Chen suddenly understood why Shen Yujiao was in a daze earlier. The house was still familiar, but even after returning for more than half a year, he still often felt a sense of disorientation.
It's unclear where reality lies.
"Don't worry, it's all true," Jiang Chen said, placing his large, warm hand on Shen Yujiao's knee. "This time, you're really back."
"Um."
Shen Yujiao put down her glass and placed her small hand on the back of his hand. The room was filled with the aroma of cooking, and the two of them were the only ones who remained quiet amidst the lively atmosphere.
“Xiao Chen…” Grandpa Shen, who was playing chess by the window, waved to Jiang Chen: “Hurry up and take your grandpa’s place. That old stinky chess idiot, I get annoyed whenever I play chess with him.”
Although Grandpa Jiang gave up his seat for Jiang Chen, he was still fuming and wouldn't let it go: "You old rascal, you always cheat when we play chess! I haven't complained about you, and you're still accusing me..."
"What do you mean I cheated! It's clearly because your chess skills are too bad!"
Shen Yujiao sat on the sofa watching the two old friends bicker. She exchanged a glance with Jiang Chen and couldn't help but laugh out loud. She patted Jiang Chen's hand, then got up and went to the kitchen to help the elders.
"Oh dear, Jiaojiao, what brings you here? Go sit down and rest for a while, don't get covered in cooking fumes."
As soon as she stepped into the kitchen, several elders urged her to go back. She pleaded sweetly for mercy several times, but no one responded. In the end, she had no choice but to be kicked out and obediently sit by the window watching her grandfather and Jiang Chen play chess.
Seeing her disappointed expression, Grandpa Jiang took an orange from the fruit plate and gave it to her.
"I heard Jiaojiao submitted an application to change her major?"
“Yes,” Shen Yujiao took the orange, peeled it neatly, cleaned the white pith off the flesh, then broke it in half, put one half back in Grandpa Jiang’s hand, and placed the other half next to Grandpa Shen: “My major ranking is pretty good, and I have a chance in the first semester. If I apply now, I won’t have to repeat a year.”
Grandpa Jiang nodded and started eating an orange: "Why did you decide to study archaeology?"
Shen Yujiao studied at Peking University, and was admitted to the top law program. However, she suddenly changed her mind after the start of the semester and submitted an application to change her major as soon as the first semester ended.
Normally, such applications to change majors are submitted at the end of the academic year, but her situation was special. She published an outstanding academic paper in the first semester, which caught the eye of an archaeology professor. In addition, she herself was willing to do so, so she submitted her application to change majors as soon as her grades came out.
"I... discovered that I actually quite like this major."
Unlike Jiang Chen, she didn't have any particularly persistent dreams or hobbies. The law school at Peking University was just the best option among the choices she could apply for within her academic range. But by chance, she transmigrated and found something she liked.
During the Great Xia Dynasty, she handled most of Jiang Chen's memorials. Later, after Jiang Chen gradually became capable of handling matters independently in the court, she began to help the Empress manage the trivial affairs of the palace, clan etiquette, and court etiquette. Countless historical events are hidden in these trivial fragments of life.
At that time, she stood in the torrent of history as a later visitor and looked at the present from that perspective. The corner she was able to glimpse was very different from what later generations thought. If this journey could become the opportunity for her to open the door to archaeology, then her journey of studying and working would have a completely different meaning.
The law school is full of talented people, and there are plenty of outstanding lawyers in the future. The industry is not lacking in people like her. As for archaeology, such a wonderful experience as time travel is not something that everyone can have. Perhaps if she changed to a major that can be applied to practical use, she could create more brilliant sparks with this world.
“If you like it, that’s good,” Grandpa Jiang said, taking the other half of Grandpa Chen’s orange. “In this life, it is a great blessing to find something you love. Only by liking something can you persevere.”
Shen Yujiao peeled another orange, glanced down at it, moved it from Jiang Chen's hand to the two elderly people's hands, and agreed, "That's what I think too."
Jiang Chen watched as the oranges beside him disappeared, and couldn't help but look up at her with a resentful expression.
"Jiaojiao, help Mom serve the dishes!"
As soon as the kitchen door opened, the aroma of food rushed into her nostrils. Shen Yujiao patted Jiang Chen's shoulder and called out loudly, "Coming!"
Behind me, I heard the arguing voices of two old men: "Why did you eat the orange that Jiaojiao peeled for me again!"
Shen Yujiao stumbled, then couldn't help but smile.
Whenever the two families eat New Year's Eve dinner together, the dishes are always very plentiful, with a whole table full of delicious food. Just looking at the dishes on the table is enough to make your mouth water. Before the meal, the two grandfathers share their hopes for the coming year, and the remaining younger generation raises their glasses to toast. All the good fortune and abundance of the year are incorporated into this New Year's Eve dinner.
After the New Year's Eve dinner, the two families stayed together to celebrate the New Year and make dumplings. The Spring Festival Gala was playing on TV, but no one watched it; they just listened to it as background noise. The two old men drank a few extra cups of wine during the meal, so we decided to let them go to sleep first.
While Mr. Jiang was rolling out the dough, the two mothers were helping Jiang Chen make dumplings, with Shen Yujiao assisting. At the other end, Mr. Shen was in charge of cooking the dumplings and packing them into boxes, half of which would be taken to the Jiang family later.
While waiting for the dough to wrap, Mrs. Shen caught a glimpse of Jiang Chen's deft movements and exclaimed, "Wow, Xiao Chen's dumplings are getting prettier and prettier!"
Shen Yujiao, who was sitting to the side and stuffing meat filling into Jiang Chen's dough with a small spoon, pouted when she heard this. Her mother was here again!
Jiang Chen spoke before Shen Yujiao could, his eyes filled with indulgence as he looked at her: "It's because Jiaojiao put in the filling so well."
With that, Shen Yujiao's lips curled into a smug smile as she said, "That's right."
Seeing their two children so sweet and affectionate, Jiang's mother and Shen's mother couldn't help but exchange a glance and smile secretly.
Feelings cannot be hidden. The care shown in the details is hard to fake, especially since they have been in love for ten years in another world. Some tacit understandings and deep affections have been engraved in their bones and cannot be erased.
Therefore, the elders have seen the intimate actions of the two after they were discharged from the hospital. Although they have not yet officially acknowledged their relationship, both families are well aware of their feelings for each other.
Before the dumplings were even cooked, the red envelopes had already been handed out. After the two grandfathers slowly woke up, they gave lucky money to each of the younger generation, followed by the parents giving lucky money to their children.
This was Shen Yujiao and Jiang Chen's favorite moment. Because of the closer relationship between their two families than that between outsiders, they had always received double the amount of New Year's money since they were little.
Holding a thick stack of red envelopes in her hand, Shen Yujiao smiled and looked at Jiang's parents, "Uncle Jiang, Aunt Cheng, Happy Chinese New Year! I wish you good luck, continuous joy, all your wishes come true, everything goes smoothly, and a happy and fulfilling life in the new year!"
Mr. Jiang handed over his red envelope first, and said with a smile, "I wish our Jiaojiao good health this year. Uncle also wishes Jiaojiao all the best and academic success."
Jiang's mother smiled and took out another extra-thick red envelope from behind her back: "My dear Jiaojiao, this is the only wish I have for you since you were little. I hope that good things will happen to you in the coming year."
"Let Jiaojiao be our Xiaochen's wife!"
"Who wouldn't want our Jiaojiao? I love her so much! If you don't want her, I'll take her away tonight!"
"That brat Jiang Chen, if it weren't for the fact that I'm counting on him to marry Jiaojiao'er someday, I'd beat him up!"
Jiang's mother's cheerful voice was something Shen Yujiao had heard since she was a child. Even though she hadn't said anything explicitly, she still blushed deeply. She hesitated for a moment before accepting the red envelope, but it was finally stuffed into her hand—"Happy New Year, Jiaojiao!"
Holding the red envelope in her hand, Shen Yujiao smiled brightly and said, "Okay."
Regardless of which option is better, it's still a sign that her family loves her.
Shen Yujiao was admitted to Peking University, and Jiang Chen went to military academy as he wished. Therefore, even during the Spring Festival, he didn't have much vacation time. He went back to school after eating glutinous rice balls.
Life in the compound became more leisurely, and Shen Yujiao originally planned to stay at home and study historical materials, but suddenly she received a call from her new homeroom teacher—
"Shen Yujiao, hurry up and pack some light luggage. There's a major excavation project I'm taking you with me. Hurry up, I'll pick you up at the entrance of your apartment complex tonight!"
"Huh? Oh... okay!"
After a brief moment of stunned silence, Shen Yujiao quickly got out of bed and ran to the storage room to rummage through her suitcase. Seeing her hurried appearance, her mother asked, "What's wrong with you?"
"My teacher is taking me to do a project, Mom, please help me pack a few changes of clothes."
Shen Yujiao's new teacher is named Zhou Wei. Shen's mother has also heard of him. He is a rising star in the Department of Archaeology at Peking University. He became a professor at the age of thirty. In addition to being a university teacher, he was also hired as an expert by the Bureau of Culture and Tourism and related archaeological departments. He has participated in many key national projects and is a rare talent.
Unfortunately, the older he got, the more eccentric his personality became. In addition to teaching a few undergraduate students in the archaeology department, he would also work on projects with master's students. He had a limited number of students under his tutelage, and he would only take on one or two students per year. Therefore, the "Zhou School" was extremely prestigious.
Therefore, upon hearing that Shen Yujiao was going to participate in an important project with him, Shen's mother no longer hesitated and immediately helped her daughter pack her luggage. Although Shen Yujiao has not yet fully joined Zhou's sect, no parent would miss such an opportunity as soon as she started school.
Although Zhou Wei was eccentric, he had one redeeming quality: he was decisive and efficient in his work. He repeatedly emphasized speed in teaching his students. Although he was not wealthy, he understood the principle that time is money.
Seeing the little girl who had been snuggling with her on the wicker chair on the balcony that morning now sitting in the archaeological team's vehicle, Ms. Qiao slowly lowered her hand to say goodbye. Watching the car disappear into the distance, she felt a sense of disorientation.
Her daughter seems to be growing up too fast.
In the past six months, she has increasingly felt that her daughter's sometimes innocent and charming appearance is just to make her happy. Once she decides to do something, she will do it and succeed. Shen Yujiao's tenacious stubbornness has become stronger and stronger.
It's like... a period of time, the time that witnessed her growth, has suddenly disappeared.
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