Chapter 3: Dining Companion
Ji Yunqi, who understood contemporary young people who read novels, knew a little about them.
Life’s pace has quickened, and everyone’s burdens have increased, creating a pressing need for a suitable outlet. Web novels are an excellent place for this.
Society today treats everyone like cattle, so naturally, people want to read wish-fulfillment stories, fantasizing about being the protagonist, dominating all.
Gaining a cheat, defeating enemies, seizing luck, marrying a beautiful and wealthy woman, and reaching the peak of life.
Ji Yunqi had heard her son talk about these things frequently. Combined with her own understanding, she could fully imagine what kind of web novels people wanted to read.
However, she didn’t plan to start writing yet because… she was really hungry. If she didn’t eat soon, she felt she might collapse.
There was no refrigerator at home, and although the room had a small kitchen, it was bare except for seasonings like oil and salt. It seemed she would have to go out and buy groceries.
After grabbing her key, Ji Yunqi headed towards the market she had glimpsed on her way back. She hadn’t gotten a clear look at what was available there.
It didn’t matter what was sold there. She had been cooking for so many years and had worked with all sorts of ingredients. Could she really starve to death?
As soon as she stepped outside, she sensed something was off. She could feel many people looking at her, their gazes filled with malice.
At that moment, a gentle breeze brushed a strand of hair across Ji Yunqi’s nose. She then remembered that she was now a woman!
And not just any woman, but a remarkably beautiful one. In such an old neighborhood, there were quite a few perverts. Realizing this, Ji Yunqi could only brace herself and continue forward.
Turning back now would only look like she was trying to hide something. Only when she reached a place with more people would these individuals hesitate, like being afraid of breaking a tile by throwing a rat.
Fortunately, the market wasn’t far. After a short walk, she arrived. The moment she stepped into the market, more eyes turned towards her.
However, most of the gazes were curious or admiring, with very few showing malice. This relieved Ji Yunqi; otherwise, she wouldn’t dare to stay there.
To be honest, Ji Yunqi found it hard to imagine how this girl had lived her life here before. In such an environment, sleeping soundly at night would be a luxury.
Due to current financial pressures, Ji Yunqi only quickly bought some scallions, ginger, garlic, and cabbage before leaving. She could now empathize to some extent.
Without a stable income source, she couldn’t afford more expensive ingredients.
Ironically, the pork she used to buy and cook every day had now become a luxury in her eyes. Life truly was unpredictable!
On her way home, she didn’t take the same route but detoured significantly before returning. This outing had taught her a valuable lesson. Next time, she absolutely had to disguise herself before going out, or she would be in serious trouble if she attracted attention.
Perhaps the only fortunate thing was that her opposite neighbor was a woman. Each floor in this building only had two units, with opposite neighbors.
Ji Yunqi’s opposite neighbor was the woman who had wanted her to become a call girl when she first arrived, although her words were unpleasant.
However, Ji Yunqi hadn’t detected much emotion in that woman’s eyes. Perhaps to her, this girl was just an ordinary neighbor. There were no grudges between them, and since they were both women, she didn’t have to worry about being harmed.
After lightly washing the vegetables, Ji Yunqi picked up the basin of cold leftover rice she had noticed immediately upon returning and made fried rice.
Although this fried rice only tasted of oil and salt… and didn’t even have meat…
“Knock, knock, knock…”
Just as Ji Yunqi was about to enjoy the hard-won bowl of rice, a knock sounded at the door outside.
After venturing out, Ji Yunqi was very self-aware. She knew clearly that she was now a weak woman. Without knowing whether there was danger, she couldn’t impulsively speak.
Leaning against the door, Ji Yunqi asked, “Who is it?”
“Stop pretending. It’s me, no one else. Hurry and open the door. What are you cooking? It smells so good~~”
Hearing the voice, Ji Yunqi recognized it. It was the opposite neighbor. It seemed her cooking had attracted her.
This was a very reasonable explanation. After all, Ji Yunqi was a master chef! Otherwise, how could she have so easily courted her wife when she was young?
She had always prioritized her culinary skills above all others!
Even when educating her son, she had instilled that value. The first skill she taught her son wasn’t fighting, drinking, or smoking, but cooking!
This was because Ji Yunqi firmly believed that with good cooking skills, there would never be a shortage of girls around you. In this era, there were many virtuous women, but very few virtuous men.
Over the years, whenever she had the time, she never let her wife cook. She handled all the housework herself. Although her wife cared for her and always helped her with tasks, she knew very well that this responsibility was hers to bear.
Her son had not disappointed her expectations. In high school, he would bring girlfriends home to eat every other day, and each time, he would cook himself.
Although they were just friends, over time, wouldn’t they become daughters-in-law?
“I wonder if that brat has a girlfriend yet?”
“Hey, hey, hey!!! What are you doing? Why aren’t you answering me?” Just as Ji Yunqi was lost in thought, fantasizing about attending her son’s wedding and holding her grandchildren, the voice outside began to urge her again.
Since she knew the other person meant no harm, Ji Yunqi had no reason not to open the door. They were neighbors, and perhaps she would need their help in the future.
As the saying goes, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. It was important to maintain good relationships with neighbors, especially since this was her only neighbor.
After opening the door, the other party eagerly walked in. Seeing her skillfully enter the house and sit on a chair, Ji Yunqi knew this person had definitely been here before!
“Hey, Xiao Yun’er, didn’t you say you couldn’t cook? The last time you cooked, it was always half rice, half burnt bits. Why does it smell so good this time? I’m practically crying from hunger!”
“Uh… I’ve gained a little experience recently.” Ji Yunqi could only come up with a casual excuse to get by. Otherwise, she couldn’t possibly say she wasn’t *her*, could she?
“Alright, alright. Even though it smells great, I won’t steal your dinner. How about this: starting tomorrow, I’ll buy the groceries, and you can cook at my place. I’ll pay, and you provide the labor. We can both eat well. What do you say?”
Hearing this, Ji Yunqi hesitated for a moment before agreeing. She was indeed facing significant financial pressure now, and she didn’t know what to expect in college.
Having a dining companion now was certainly a good thing.
…
