Chapter 98 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 98

Ji Jingyu’s cooking skills had been honed little by little through more than ten years of difficult struggle.

Back then, when she fled her hometown, she was penniless and had no choice but to make a living carrying dishes. Over the following years, she secretly learned techniques wherever she went, drifting through more than a dozen restaurants, mastering a solid set of culinary skills. From there, she started from nothing, using street stalls as her foundation, gradually expanding her business step by step.

Even after opening restaurants, she never slacked off. She practiced her fundamentals every day and researched new dishes constantly.

With such a foundation, becoming a food category internet up was simply effortless.

For her first dish, she made a river delicacy medley. River shrimp, river clams, and river fish. Three ingredients, each handled with techniques tailored specifically to them, carefully cooked with smooth, flowing movements. The aroma was overwhelming. After plating, she paid special attention to presentation, achieving perfect color, fragrance, and taste. Just looking at the photos was enough to make people nearly drool.

Of course, being an up was not just about having good cooking skills.

Ji Jingyu not only cooked well, she also looked good. She was only twelve years old, with a clean and cute appearance, fair and crystalline skin. Even wearing a simple, elegant floral princess dress, she was extremely eye catching.

Food paired with a loli was the ultimate truth of the ACG world.

Cao Jian helped with filming the entire process, then also handled the editing. At the end of the video, he added a few everyday details, faintly revealing the beautiful scenery of Liu Village.

After the video was uploaded online, with Cao Jian’s recommendation and his existing base, Ji Jingyu’s account gained followers at a rapid pace, easily completing in a short time the basic accumulation that other ups might not achieve even after several years.

And under the premise of consistently producing carefully crafted videos year after year, she firmly captured the hearts of her fans.

Of course, that was a story for later and need not be mentioned for now.

Cao Jian stayed at the Ji household for two days. After teaching Ji Jingyu how to film and edit on her own, he packed his luggage and left.

The videos that followed were all completed independently by Ji Jingyu herself.

Because she had nothing else to occupy her time, she updated very frequently. Ji Xiu did not disturb her, doing his best to shoulder all outside matters himself, leaving her with quiet free time to do what she wanted.

In such peaceful days, twenty days passed in the blink of an eye.

The vegetables that Ji Xiu had rushed to plant with his employees were ready for their first harvest.

Ji Xiu contacted Qi Xiangkang, discussed prices and other matters, supplied his needed goods, and at the same time listed new products in the Taobao store.

As for the hotel, they looked down on such ordinary vegetables and encouraged Ji Xiu to grow some produce that looked expensive and refined.

Ji Xiu replied that he would consider it next year.

With the Taobao store, the hotel, and Qi Xiangkang as three cooperating partners, the farm’s risk was minimized. No matter which side encountered a problem, it would not affect his business as a whole.

With this premise in place, Ji Xiu could safely expand the planting area and try growing other vegetables he had not attempted before.

He led the employees in nonstop work, while also beginning to sow new seeds. This batch of overwintering vegetables would be ready for market next spring.

……

Several months later.

“Uncle Ji, is Jingyu at home?”

After school, Li Shengnan, bundled in a thick cotton coat, ran to the Ji house looking for Ji Jingyu.

Ji Xiu was also wearing relatively thick clothes, sitting at the doorway warming himself by the fire, watching the drifting snowflakes. Hearing this, he pointed casually toward the house. “She’s inside.”

“Thank you, Uncle Ji.” Li Shengnan was very obedient in front of Ji Xiu. After thanking him, she pattered into the house.

The door was not closed tightly. Ji Xiu could hear them inside discussing final exams.

He paused slightly. Was it already almost time for finals?

Over the past half year, the father and daughter had started from scratch, extremely busy. When winter came and there was little to do, they only needed to go up the mountain each day to check on the geese. The rest of the time was free. Ji Xiu had relaxed a bit too much, spending his days warming himself by the fire and watching TV, or browsing the internet to look at fans praising his daughter. He had not even paid attention to what day it was.

He had forgotten that Ji Jingyu was about to go on break.

Sitting at the doorway, Ji Xiu began thinking about what the two of them should do during the holiday.

Stay at home for the New Year?

That was not impossible, but it had been half a year since his divorce, and his family circumstances had undergone a dramatic change. Those who once mocked him for failing to keep a woman now desperately wanted to introduce him to a new wife. Every few days, someone would come to play matchmaker. As the New Year approached, it became even worse, leaving Ji Xiu thoroughly annoyed.

His daughter was already so grown. He only wanted to live quietly for the rest of his life and had no intention of remarrying.

In that case, perhaps it would be better to leave and travel somewhere else for the New Year?

As he was thinking, there was movement at the gate again.

The produce was out of season, and Ji Xiu’s employees had all dispersed. There were usually not many people around, so even a small sound was noticeable.

He looked up and saw a somewhat unfamiliar child’s face.

“Uncle Ji.”

Ji Xiu examined him for a moment, unhurried. “Siyue, what are you here for? Looking for Jingyu?”

Xu Siyue’s expression was a little tense. Awkwardly, he explained, “Final exams are coming. The teacher was worried that Ji Jingyu’s health might not be fully recovered, so she asked me to come check on her.”

“Oh?” Ji Xiu deliberately dragged out the sound.

But he had just clearly heard Li Shengnan say that the teacher sent her to check on Ji Jingyu. Li Shengnan would not lie, nor was there any reason for her to do so.

So what was the truth?

Ji Xiu was an adult. With a little thought, he understood the whole situation and saw through Xu Siyue’s small intentions.

This boy wanted to see his daughter.

But his personality was awkward, and he could not bring himself to admit it, so he used the teacher as an excuse. He had not expected that before he arrived, Li Shengnan had already come.

Ji Xiu thought casually that children really were careless when doing things.

Fortunately, he had never particularly liked this boy to begin with.

Xu Siyue had well proportioned features and delicate brows and eyes. His academic performance was also good. In everyone’s eyes, he was a model “other people’s child.” Parents from inside and outside the village all praised him as promising, and he even had a group of same age little admirers.

Ji Xiu was different. He felt this child’s personality was somewhat troublesome.

He had not forgotten how Ji Jingyu’s space was activated.

Teenagers were shy and ignorant, emotionally immature. Doing small pranks to attract a girl’s attention was understandable.

But the things Xu Siyue said were different from those pranks.

Preference for sons over daughters was a sensitive topic. Ji Jingyu used to be called Ji Zhaodi, clearly showing her family favored boys over girls. Xu Siyue deliberately used this topic to poke at her wound.

Even Ji Jingyu, who was reborn, had been angered to the point of fainting by that sentence. It was obvious how lethal it was.

If she had not been reborn, would she not have become as inferior as a little flower bent by rain?

Moreover, Xu Siyue spoke without restraint. What he said might very well reflect his truest thoughts.

Because of this, Ji Xiu had a poor impression of the child and was unwilling to turn a blind eye and let him pass.

“Just now, Shengnan from next door came over and is talking with Jingyu inside. It sounds like they are discussing final exams. The teacher sent both of you to check on Jingyu? Isn’t that a bit too polite?”

Xu Siyue froze, his cheeks flushing red. He hurriedly made up an excuse, brushed it off vaguely, turned around, and left.

Ji Xiu calmly added another piece of charcoal to the fire and continued warming himself while watching the snow, completely unconcerned.

If he could not even pass this little test, how could he dare to harbor designs on his daughter?

Ji Xiu would not restrict Ji Jingyu’s feelings. Even though she was still young, her mindset was that of an adult, with her own plans, and he would respect her choices.

If Ji Jingyu were willing to be close to Xu Siyue, Ji Xiu could observe calmly.

But over these months of studying at home, Ji Jingyu only interacted with Li Shengnan. Even when Xu Siyue came to the Ji house a few times using various excuses, she always found excuses to avoid him. Clearly, she had no feelings for him and was even a bit annoyed.

Ji Xiu intervening brought him no guilt at all.

More than ten days later, Ji Jingyu finished her final exams and returned home confidently.

Ji Xiu looked at her expression and knew there was no need to ask about her results. She must have done well to be so relaxed. He did not question her and simply waved his hand. “Let’s go. Pack your bags. We’re traveling for the New Year.”

Ji Jingyu happily agreed, bouncing into the house to change clothes. Soon, she came out carrying her homework and luggage, her face full of joy as she left with Ji Xiu.

In her previous life, she had been very rich later on, but because she was busy with her career, she could not travel freely. Her days were no different from a corporate slave’s.

Now, she was young, the family was wealthy, her dad doted on her, and there were no worries. She could go wherever she wanted. If she did not enjoy herself to the fullest, it would be letting down her rebirth.

Not long after the father and daughter left, Xu Siyue’s figure appeared once again at the Ji house gate. Seeing the sealed door, he looked stunned.

He had finally worked up the courage to come apologize and specifically came to look for Ji Jingyu. Why had she gone out?

Helpless, Xu Siyue could only patiently wait for her to return.

But at this moment, Ji Xiu and Ji Jingyu encountered the male lead from their youth abroad.

……

Living so comfortably in Liu Village, Ji Xiu had almost forgotten that this world still had a plot to follow.

Fortunately, the plotline of this world was a simple sweet story route, with no conspiracies or schemes. Even if Ji Xiu slacked off, it was not a big deal.

Still, encountering the male lead made him recall the plot once again.

In this world, Ji Jingyu was the male lead’s first love and white moonlight, as well as the future destined villain.

But before Ji Jingyu could blacken, she died in a car accident, cleanly reborn back to childhood. The male lead, Zhao Xiangnan, sank into grief over his girlfriend’s death and could not escape it, leading to his own early death and the collapse of the world.

This was the first male lead who held goodwill toward the villain. Ji Xiu found it a bit novel and looked at Zhao Xiangnan with a hint of scrutiny.

Zhao Xiangnan was only a fifteen year old boy at this point. He had not yet cultivated the calm composure he would have later. Being stared at by Ji Xiu made him a little uncomfortable. He scratched his head and asked cautiously, “Uncle, what are you looking at?”

“Nothing.” Ji Xiu shook his head and smiled. “Thank you for bringing my daughter back.”

Today was a local town festival. When Ji Xiu and Ji Jingyu went to see it, they were separated by the lively crowd.

Ji Xiu was extremely anxious. He called her, but could not reach her. He was just about to call the police when Ji Jingyu was brought back.

The person who brought her back was the male lead, Zhao Xiangnan.

Zhao Xiangnan smiled. “It’s nothing. When traveling, we’re all Huaxia people. Just a small favor.”

He looked at Ji Jingyu and gave a gentle, big brother like smile. “Don’t get lost again.”

Ji Jingyu had already been shocked when she first encountered Zhao Xiangnan. Now her expression was barely normal.

Hearing his words, she nodded. “Thank you.”

Zhao Xiangnan waved his hand. “It’s nothing. I’ll head off first. Goodbye, Uncle and little sister.”

Ji Jingyu watched his back as he left, her mood complicated.

Ji Xiu raised an eyebrow and asked, “What are you looking at?”

Ji Jingyu seemed not to hear him and did not answer.

Ji Xiu continued, “Do you know him? Is he a friend you knew in your previous life?”

Hearing the words previous life, Ji Jingyu jumped in fright, snapping back to her senses. She glared at Ji Xiu. “Dad, what nonsense are you talking about?”

Rebirth was taboo. The father and daughter both knew each other’s origins, yet neither had pierced that layer of paper. Now that Ji Xiu suddenly brought it up, no wonder Ji Jingyu was startled.

Ji Xiu laughed. “Don’t be so nervous. Alright, alright, Dad won’t say it.”

Only then did Ji Jingyu calm down. She shot Ji Xiu a glare and ran into her room.

Ji Xiu knew she needed a quiet space to calm down, so he shook his head, did not follow her, and returned to his own room to rest.

The father and daughter were no longer as they once were. Flush with money, they booked a suite at the hotel. Ji Xiu stayed in the master bedroom, Ji Jingyu in the secondary bedroom. Because of the lively town festival, they booked five days, planning to enjoy themselves before heading to the next city.

This was the first day.

……

The next day, as expected, when Ji Xiu and Ji Jingyu went out, they ran into Zhao Xiangnan again.

The third day was the same.

This was probably the maintenance of the plotline. Since Ji Jingyu was Zhao Xiangnan’s first love, even after starting over, she was still very likely to become his first love.

Of course, if she wanted to reject it and leave, the story would change.

The plot repair function was very weak. As long as the protagonists were a bit more resolute, the plot could be altered. Otherwise, these worlds would not constantly develop huge collapse loopholes.

Ji Xiu tentatively asked Ji Jingyu whether she wanted to leave early.

Ji Jingyu hesitated for a long time and did not give an answer.

Ji Xiu patted her head. “If you don’t want to leave, then we won’t. Dad will follow whatever you decide.”

Ji Jingyu still did not speak, but she felt very touched inside.

To be honest, she did not yet know how to treat Zhao Xiangnan. Ji Xiu giving her time to think was the best thing possible.

This matter itself was a tangled mess.

In her previous life, Zhao Xiangnan had proposed breaking up. She had been slightly surprised, but readily agreed. After that, she died in a car accident on her way out and was reborn as a child, with no time to sort out her thoughts.

Now, seeing Zhao Xiangnan again, she felt guilt, unfamiliarity, and complexity all at once.

After all, he had been her lover for three years in her previous life.

Even if there had not been passionate love, there had still been gentle, flowing warmth.

If she were to treat him as a complete stranger, not caring or minding at all, she could not do it.

After thinking for an entire day, when Ji Xiu asked her again, her eyes were bright, her thoughts settled. She smiled and said, “There’s no need to change our itinerary over such small things. Let’s just treat it as meeting a new friend.”

Her life was already a brand new existence. Other than her dad, no one knew her secret.

So perhaps she could become good friends with Zhao Xiangnan?

Unrelated to love. Even just as a friend, Zhao Xiangnan was a very good friend. Ji Jingyu was willing to try.

With Ji Jingyu’s attitude settled, Ji Xiu would no longer interfere.

If she wanted to make friends, then let her.

He had said from the beginning that everything should follow its natural course.

During their days in the small town, the father and daughter kept running into Zhao Xiangnan. Even Zhao Xiangnan was surprised by their mutual fate. On the last day, they exchanged contact information, saying they could meet again after returning to the country.

Ji Jingyu took his number, smiled, and generously gave him her own.

Zhao Xiangnan was slightly surprised. His gaze lingered on the smile at the corner of her lips, and he fell into a brief daze.

……

After leaving the town, Ji Xiu and his daughter would go their separate ways from the male lead.

They planned to spend the New Year traveling abroad. Zhao Xiangnan was different. Both his parents were alive, and his family was complete. There was no way he would spend the New Year alone outside. He had to rush home to reunite with his family.

Ji Xiu and Ji Jingyu happily toured several European countries before returning home fully satisfied.

They brought back many souvenirs. Dragging large suitcases, they got off at the village entrance and walked home. Villagers cast noticeable gazes their way.

Word spread quickly. Soon, everyone in the village knew that Ji Xiu and his daughter had returned.

Ji Xiu first went to his elder brother Ji Qin’s house to deliver gifts, then took his daughter home to tidy up and clean.

Halfway through, Xu Siyue ran over and called Ji Jingyu outside, saying he had something to tell her.

This kind of dialogue, filled with the strange atmosphere of an elementary school confession, made Ji Jingyu feel helpless. She gave Xu Siyue a strange look before hesitantly going out.

Ji Xiu cleaned inside the house. Watching them stand face to face talking, he stroked his chin.

Let it be natural. Let it be natural.

……

After spring arrived, Ji Jingyu continued studying at home, and the small farm of Jingfeng Mountain reopened.

Taobao shop fans who had suffered through the winter were overjoyed. They spread the word, celebrating the reopening and placing orders one after another as encouragement and support.

Ji Xiu and his employees rushed shipments nonstop, busy beyond measure.

Fortunately, before long, customers’ enthusiasm eased. Ji Xiu and the employees returned to their previous workload.

To be safe, Ji Xiu recruited more new employees for training, preparing for the time when produce would hit the market in large quantities.

At this point, it could be said that nearly half of Liu Village’s residents were employees of Ji Xiu’s household.

As for the remaining villagers, after seeing more and more tourists, they followed Ji Xiu’s guidance and set up small stalls at home, doing small businesses. Life was decent. Although the money was not as stable as working at Jingfeng Mountain, they were all very grateful to Ji Xiu.

It could be said that Ji Xiu had almost become the most respected person in the village.

As for Ji Xiu’s marriage, after he got angry at an employee who kept pestering him to introduce his sister in law, the matter finally quieted down. No one dared to bring it up again.

However, just as everything was calm and moving forward normally, news came from neighboring Tianjia Village.

Tian Chunfang, after staying outside for more than half a year, had returned in a sorry state.

As soon as the news spread, many people within ten li showed expressions of surprise mixed with a desire to watch the spectacle.

Because everyone had seen Ji Xiu’s changes.

Over the past half year, the Ji family had contracted barren mountains, grown vegetables and fruit, connected with city and provincial businesses, and become internet famous. Things were no longer as they once were, and their wealth had soared.

Although Ji Xiu had never flaunted his wealth or disclosed the prices of his deals with hotels and others, the fact that he could employ so many workers and take his daughter abroad made it obvious that he had earned a great deal last year.

This was a living example of a comeback story.

As for Tian Chunfang, who had given up Ji Xiu, people felt a bit of regret for her, but also a bit of envy.

Because although she had abandoned the very promising Ji Xiu and followed another man, the man she followed was not bad either. He was a hometown man with tens of millions in assets, deeply devoted to her, who went out to work and build his career for her sake. Compared to Ji Xiu, he was not inferior.

On the surface, no one said anything, but in their hearts, everyone felt she was lucky.

Yet now she had returned home in disgrace, rumored to have been abandoned by that city man.

Meanwhile, the husband and daughter she had abandoned had undergone a complete transformation during this time, becoming well known figures throughout the town.

Such a drastic rise and fall was quite a show.

People were very interested in this kind of drama and wanted to know whether Tian Chunfang, upon learning of Ji Xiu’s current changes, would do something to make amends and recover what she had lost.

After all, she was Ji Xiu’s wife and Ji Jingyu’s biological mother.

Perhaps Ji Xiu’s refusal to marry another woman was because he still held feelings for her.

This thought did not exist only among outsiders. Tian Chunfang herself thought so as well.

Tian Chunfang’s experiences over the past half year had also stripped away much of her arrogance, forcing her to recognize reality.

She had followed her first love to another city and moved into a big house. At first, there was good food and drink, with servants attending to her. Life was so pleasant that she forgot to return.

Although she found it strange that her first love refused to touch her, she only thought it was because he valued her and wanted to wait until marriage.

She was extremely proud, thinking that after all these years, this man was still completely under her control.

But it turned out that everything was a lie. That man already had a wife. The reason he refused to touch her was simply to remain faithful to his wife.

He hid her existence from everyone. He only came once every half month, like raising a pet. He waited until this pet lost all ability to survive on its own, then turned ruthless, revealing his true face, throwing her out and leaving her, who had grown used to a pampered life, in utter misery.

He had done it deliberately, wanting her to experience the feeling of being abandoned and betrayed.

After being thrown out, she had nowhere to live and did not even have money for the trip home. Only after countless hardships did she manage to return.

However, once she returned, she heard about Ji Xiu’s current change in status, and a new idea took root in her heart.