14. Future
Jiang Zhi was unclear about what Jiang Ruyan had concocted in her mind; it was probably something quite abnormal.
She also didn’t know how to explain it.
After all, someone in her situation—both having undergone a gender change and time travel—was indeed a bit too special.
Even if she did say it out loud…
Jiang Ruyan would definitely not believe her; she might think she was telling a joke.
So she didn’t argue and silently handed a tissue to Sister Jiang, whose makeup had been ruined by tears.
“Don’t cry anymore, Sister Jiang.”
Jiang Zhi awkwardly pursed her lips. She had never dated before and didn’t know how to comfort a girl.
Then Jiang Ruyan really stopped crying.
She misunderstood Jiang Zhi’s intention again—this girl didn’t want to bring up the past.
It was her fault.
She had to ask who the child’s father was, stirring up painful memories for others.
Jiang Ruyan changed the subject: “What is the child’s full name?”
“Su Ziqian.”
“Hmm… sounds very cute…”
“Of course!”
Speaking of her daughter, Jiang Zhi’s tone unconsciously took on a hint of pride.
“Qian Qian is very cute; you will understand if you play with her for a bit, Sister Jiang.”
Jiang Zhi actually always thought that children were a troublesome species.
The reason for this viewpoint wasn’t anything special.
It was purely because she knew how mischievous she had been as a child.
Until she met Qian Qian.
Should one say it’s because parents have a special filter when looking at their children?
In any case, in her eyes, Qian Qian was synonymous with cuteness.
She was cute when eating.
She was cute when playing with dolls.
She was cute when brushing her teeth and washing her face.
She was also cute while bathing… well, maybe let’s skip that.
Especially when Qian Qian had just woken up and was throwing a tantrum, she was incredibly adorable!
Wait!
A tantrum?
Jiang Zhi thought of a question.
If she wasn’t throwing a tantrum, then where did Qian Qian get her tantrum from?
Well, who else could it be from?
Jiang Zhi puffed her cheeks, thinking of a certain man whose appearance she did not know, and suddenly felt unhappy.
“By the way, what grade is Qian Qian in now?”
“Huh?”
Jiang Ruyan’s sudden question left Jiang Zhi momentarily speechless.
What grade?
Oh right, Qian Qian was already over six years old; she was already of school age.
Speaking of which, had Qian Qian gone to school in the future?
Isn’t that a silly question!
The future her didn’t look like she was short on money; how could she possibly not let her child go to school?
“Maybe she’s in second grade?” Jiang Zhi said somewhat uncertainly.
Jiang Ruyan twitched her lips: “Little Jiang, please tell me Qian Qian hasn’t never gone to school!”
“……”
Jiang Zhi couldn’t say a word.
She slightly lowered her head, and her beautifully shaped eyes, like peach blossoms, were filled with obscure emotions.
She had not had a chance to think about this issue in these three days.
“She will go.”
Jiang Zhi softly uttered this phrase.
Arranging for the child to go to school might be very difficult, but she would do her best to ensure Qian Qian had a chance to learn.
Whatever other children had, her child should also have.
“How about…”
Jiang Ruyan paused and said, “I can help Qian Qian get a school record? The school won’t be too good, though.”
With her status, it was not a problem to arrange for a familiar child to attend school.
As for Jiang Zhi…
It’s not that she didn’t trust the other party; it was just that there were too many considerations involved.
“Thank you, Sister Jiang, but no need.”
Jiang Zhi shook her head and smiled faintly at Jiang Ruyan.
She still wanted to try on her own.
One must take responsibility for their own child; that was her consistent belief.
Perhaps she did have a bit of macho attitude.
Mostly, she wasn’t that familiar with Jiang Ruyan and felt a bit embarrassed to ask for help.
If it really came to a dead end…
At worst, she could always come to ask Jiang Ruyan later; after all, the outcome would be the same.
Jiang Ruyan didn’t mind being refused: “Alright then.”
“But if there are any problems in the future that you can’t solve, you must come to me, okay?”
“Mm.”
Jiang Zhi looked at Jiang Ruyan’s serious and caring expression, feeling warm inside.
——————
Work time passed like this.
Qian Qian was very well-behaved, sitting alone on a chair watching TV; even if it was a TV show she didn’t understand, she was still enjoying it.
Moreover, this girl had a naturally friendly personality.
Sometimes when guests sat next to her, the little girl would start chatting on her own.
Her innocent and naive words would make the guests burst into laughter.
And Sister Jiang quickly became familiar with Qian Qian.
She probably really liked adorable beings; for the well-behaved and naive Qian Qian, Jiang Ruyan had no resistance whatsoever.
Throughout the day, she must have prepared countless cups of milk tea for Qian Qian.
It was only when Jiang Zhi couldn’t bear it anymore, saying that they shouldn’t spoil the child too much, that Jiang Ruyan reluctantly stopped the feeding.
As for her earlier claim to raise Jiang Zhi’s salary by a thousand…
Jiang Zhi rightly rejected it.
Five thousand a month was already quite a lot; raising it further was simply unreasonable.
The most important thing was that her daily workload was only so much.
Although Jiang Ruyan kindly offered to increase it for her, she felt too embarrassed to accept; that would be too shameless.
At seven o’clock in the evening.
“So, Sister Jiang, I’ll take my leave now?”
Jiang Zhi packed her things, holding Qian Qian’s hand at the door, and said to Jiang Ruyan.
“Mm, bye-bye!”
Jiang Ruyan sat at the bar, propped her chin on one hand, and waved to the two of them with a smile.
“Sister Jiang, do you really not need me to stay here?”
Jiang Zhi still felt a bit uneasy; in fact, she wanted to complain about this yesterday.
Getting off work at seven was too early!
Have you ever seen a coffee shop where the employees leave earlier than the boss? Have you?
Jiang Zhi had worked so many jobs; wasn’t every one of them until eight or nine in the evening?
Not to mention the occasional overtime!
Although the recruitment ad had long stated that the benefits here were abundant, which was why she came, encountering it in reality still made her feel uneasy.
“Oh, come on, there are no customers; what are you staying here for?”
Jiang Ruyan was unconcerned.
“My home isn’t far from here, and I still have things to do at the coffee shop; I’m not in a hurry to leave.”
“Well, alright then…”
Hearing this, Jiang Zhi stopped insisting and patted Qian Qian’s head: “Say goodbye to Sister.”
“Goodbye, Sister!”
The little girl obediently waved her hand, her soft and sweet voice as if it could oozed honey.
“Bye-bye!”
Jiang Zhi led Qian Qian away.
After walking a few steps, she reflexively turned back to take a look, and then saw Jiang Ruyan playing on her computer.
Without a doubt, she was probably playing games.
So it seems, because of Qian Qian’s presence, Sister Jiang didn’t even curse while gaming today.
With the two of them gone, it could be said that they indirectly lifted Jiang Ruyan’s seal.
“Hold on tight.”
Sitting on her beloved electric scooter, Jiang Zhi reminded the little girl behind her.
She drove slowly, fearing that she might drop her daughter; she wouldn’t forgive herself for that.
“Mom.”
While waiting for the traffic light, Jiang Zhi was playing with her phone when Qian Qian patted her back.
“Sister Jiang has become so young!”
“What?”
Jiang Zhi looked at her daughter’s words with a puzzled expression, clearly not understanding her meaning.
What does it mean she looks so young?
She remembered that when Qian Qian first met Jiang Ruyan, she also asked why Sister Jiang’s hair was black.
So strange…
“Do you know Sister Jiang?”
“Of course, Sister Jiang is very nice to Qian Qian; every time she sees Qian Qian, she brings a lot of toys!”
The little girl said: “Qian Qian has also heard mom say that you two are very good turtle… turtles…”
“Best friends?”
“Yes, yes, yes, best friends! Mom, so what is a best friend?”
“A best friend is… a good friend.”
Jiang Zhi answered somewhat absent-mindedly.
Once Qian Qian said that, she finally remembered something and sighed, full of helplessness.
How did she become so foolish?
Qian Qian traveled back from the future, so it was normal for her to know some people she couldn’t even imagine!
So from Qian Qian’s reaction, in the future, she and Jiang Ruyan were still acquainted.
Not only were they acquainted, but they were also best friends, which showed that their relationship had become very close.
The future…
Jiang Zhi pondered, the night sky was dark blue, and the glaring traffic lights gradually became hazy in her eyes.
What will life be like in the future?
It would be impossible not to be curious; she had previously concluded—happiness and fulfillment.
But what kind of happiness?
Is it the same kind of happiness she imagined in the orphanage as a child?
Jiang Zhi didn’t dare ask; thinking of that man named Su Yan made her even more afraid to ask.
So being a coward isn’t such a bad thing after all.
At least at this moment, she felt good about pretending to be a coward; if she didn’t know, she wouldn’t be disappointed. If the answer turned out to be different from what she imagined, she would surely feel miserable.
Though she also clearly knew… the answer would be different.
“Ding ding.”
Simai Lu sent her a message.
Based on her understanding of this online friend, this message at this time was most likely because he was looking for a gaming buddy.
Just as she was about to reply, she heard Qian Qian’s voice from behind: “Mom, the green light is on!”
“Oh oh.”
Jiang Zhi put away her phone, intending to reply later when she got home. She turned the throttle, and the electric scooter glided smoothly; she was driving steadily.
“Qian Qian…”
“Hmm?”
“Do you know what a lottery is…”
“What’s a lottery?”
“…Forget I asked.”
