Chapter 96: Cousin Has Grown Up

So it was him.

So he came from No. 2 High School.

So the Hongsheng Group belonged to his family.

So…

All in an instant.

Jiang Ning’s gaze toward that young man was filled with deep disgust.

He was the one who drove Qi Wen to suicide.

And afterward, he faced no punishment whatsoever.

He didn’t even show up at Qi Wen’s funeral.

Just as Jiang Ning’s rage was reaching a point she could no longer suppress—

Gao Jingyi noticed something was off.

“What’s wrong?”

One sentence.

Like a bucket of cold water being poured over her head, Jiang Ning was instantly brought back to her senses.

Then she began to repeatedly remind herself:

That was in her past life. In this life, as long as she interfered appropriately, he wouldn’t get the chance.

After taking several deep breaths—

Jiang Ning finally managed to temporarily press that fury down into the depths of her heart.

“Nothing. Just feeling a little stuffy.”

“Then I’ll go out with you for some air.”

Gao Jingyi didn’t care at all that Luo Chengming was still singing. She grabbed Jiang Ning’s hand and stood up, leading her out of the room.

After the two of them left—

The singing in the room stopped too.

Sensing the strange atmosphere in the private room—Luo Shanshan simply picked up her little bag and followed them out as well.

At this moment—Jiang Ning and Gao Jingyi arrived in the third-floor lobby.

They found a spot to sit down.

Feeling the cool breeze drifting through the hall from time to time, Jiang Ning pulled up her collar.

“Can you tell me about that guy just now?”

Gao Jingyi knew Jiang Ning was asking about Luo Chengming, and asked curiously:

“What about him?”

“I’m just curious why you were kind of cold to him.”

Faced with Jiang Ning’s question, Gao Jingyi fell silent for a moment. Then she looked around cautiously and whispered:

“I’ll tell you something, but you must not tell anyone else.”

Seeing how secretive Gao Jingyi looked, Jiang Ning nodded solemnly.

“I noticed… he has a weird obsession with girls who can dance.”

“What do you mean?”

Then—Gao Jingyi told Jiang Ning about something she had personally witnessed.

Even though she only described the important parts—Jiang Ning still couldn’t help but frown deeply.

Dance studio.

Terrible, anguished screams.

An upperclasswoman in her second year took a leave of absence.

Luo Chengming’s parents went to No. 2 High School.

Luo Chengming transferred schools.

These phrases were already beginning to sketch a clear picture in Jiang Ning’s mind.

After thinking it over—Jiang Ning suddenly realized—In her previous life, Luo Chengming dared to push Qi Wen to death not just because of his personality.

More importantly, it was because of his family’s indulgence.

So…

Hongsheng Group, huh…

Jiang Ning’s clear, water-like eyes narrowed slightly on their own.

Just then—Luo Shanshan’s voice called out from behind.

“So this is where you were! I’ve been looking for you forever.”

Seeing someone else approach, Gao Jingyi immediately stopped talking and shot Jiang Ning a glance.

Jiang Ning understood and nodded.

Then, when she saw that Luo Shanshan had brought her bag out, she immediately guessed her intention.

Turning around, she said to Gao Jingyi:

“It’s getting late. We’re heading out. What about you?”

“I’m still waiting for Tang Yexuan. You guys go ahead.”

“Alright, take care. Let’s hang out again next time.”

——————

The first high school reunion after graduation ended with Jiang Ning and Luo Shanshan leaving early.

To be honest, Jiang Ning didn’t feel any regret at all.

Because in her past life, she had already seen through the true nature of these gatherings—Either showing off, or on the way to showing off.

Pointless.

Not nearly as joyful as curling up at home under a blanket.

As for the Hongsheng Group matter—Jiang Ning had already bumped it up on her to-do list.

Even though she couldn’t go up against them just yet, this was only the beginning.

So in the days that followed—Jiang Ning either stayed home doing her winter break homework, or practiced piano at Teacher Du Xinrui’s house.

She also ran back and forth between the Station Shop and the University Shop whenever she had time.

Although both stores were already operating smoothly—Customer traffic, thanks to deliberate promotion by CFC and McRonald’s, had also picked back up.

In fact, it was even busier than before.

But now that the holidays had arrived, and considering staffing over the New Year—Jiang Ning, while offering triple pay, also hired a few more winter temps to fill in.

Amidst these ongoing arrangements—

The first New Year since Jiang Ning’s transmigration arrived quietly.

New Year’s Eve.

Jiang Ning was woken up by the sound of firecrackers.

In this era where fireworks weren’t banned—Every household would light off strings of firecrackers to boost the festive spirit.

The result being—As soon as Jiang Ning poked her head out of the blanket, she could smell the strong scent of smoke and sulfur.

It was pungent.

But it was also part of the New Year’s atmosphere.

So Jiang Ning didn’t mind it.

Though of course, it’d be better if people didn’t start so early.

The sky had only just begun to lighten.

Sigh.

With a sigh, Jiang Ning pulled her head back into the blanket.

At noon.

Jiang Ning was sitting in front of the TV, laughing at the weird shows being broadcast.

Even though she knew the entertainment industry in this world was different from her original one—

She still couldn’t help but laugh at the familiar bits.

Just then—

The landline next to her rang.

Jiang Ning instinctively picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Ningning?”

“Oh, Auntie? What’s up?”

Hearing Jiang Ning’s voice, Tian Cuilan also walked out of her room, looking at her with a puzzled expression.

After Jiang Ning answered with a few “mm-hmms” and hung up, she asked:

“What did your aunt say?”

“She said don’t go too late tonight, and no need to bring any dishes—she’s already made a lot.”

“Oh.”

Tian Cuilan responded and went back to cleaning her room.

Watching her mom busying around the room, Jiang Ning shook her head.

Actually, her aunt had just reminded her over the phone not to let her mom bring that guy over.

But Jiang Ning didn’t relay the message.

After all, that guy was still locked up inside.

Even if her mom wanted to bring him, she couldn’t.

In the afternoon.

Her mom still ignored the aunt’s advice.

She cooked several dishes at home, completely disregarding the side-eyes from Miss Jiang, packed them onto her bicycle, and set off.

When the mother and daughter duo arrived at the aunt’s house—

Tian Wenhao was downstairs taking out the trash.

As soon as the young man saw Jiang Ning and her mom, he hurried over to help carry the food.

While her mom went up the stairs first—

Jiang Ning leaned close to Tian Wenhao with a mischievous smile and asked:

“Cousin, is your girlfriend here yet?”

With that one question, Tian Wenhao was startled and immediately looked up at Tian Cuilan, who was already half a floor ahead.

He shook his head.

“Not there yet.”

“Not there yet?” Jiang Ning raised her brows and pressed on.

“Then how far have you two gotten?”

“First base, second base, or a home run?”

Upon hearing that—

Tian Wenhao didn’t respond, only blushed and climbed the stairs with his head down.

Seeing this, Jiang Ning couldn’t help smacking her lips.

“My dearest cousin, don’t tell me…”

“You’re still a pure and innocent little guy?”

The moment she finished speaking, Tian Wenhao, face flushed, shot back:

“Who says that?!”

Then he realized he might’ve said too much, shut his mouth at once, and quickened his pace up the stairs.

Which, of course, Jiang Ning wasn’t going to let slide.

Her gossip senses were instantly activated.

“Cousin, are you for real?!”

“You did it?!”

“When did it happen?!”

“Which hotel?!”

“Did you keep the bedsheet?!”

(End of this chapter)