Chapter 436 : Departing
Chapter 436: Departing
"Vivian—"
Looking at the fairly decent-looking dumplings on the table, Janna’s eyelashes involuntarily quivered. At the same time, she took out a cylindrical box from the 【Thorn Bracelet】.
"Huh? Why does this container look so familiar?"
Watching as Janna brought out the cylindrical thermal container, Vivian couldn’t help but show a puzzled expression.
"Because it's the same thermal container you brought over last year."
As she spoke, Janna opened the lid of the container and took out the dumplings she had prepared in advance.
"Ah, you mean—"
"I made them especially for you."
Last year, on New Year's Day, Vivian had entrusted the Door Spirit to deliver the dumplings she had made to Janna. She even made sure to send along a small bottle of vinegar.
However, apart from the dumplings having a relatively passable appearance, their taste was, to put it mildly, quite indescribable.
She had even prepared a bottle of sweet apple vinegar instead of rice vinegar.
Yet, despite all that, when Janna—who had spent the holiday alone—saw the dumplings inside the container, an indescribable warmth welled up in her heart.
The feelings of homesickness, loneliness, nostalgia, and being moved—those emotions from that moment remained etched in Janna’s heart even to this day.
And one of Janna’s New Year’s wishes last year was to personally make a batch of dumplings for Vivian to try.
So, a few days ago, Janna had started preparing for this during her spare time before meditation.
In the end, with the help of magic and relying on memories from her past life, Janna successfully made dumplings with a corn and pork filling. She also managed to get some rice vinegar from a vendor selling pickled cucumbers at the cafeteria.
"Janna, the vinegar I brought for you this time is the kind you mentioned—rice vinegar. And the meat filling is the one you talked about before, made with celery and pork. I swear, celery tastes like rusty iron, especially when it's chopped up—that smell is just something else..."
Listening to Vivian’s endless chatter, Janna couldn’t help but reveal a genuine smile.
"Then try the dumplings I made. The filling is corn and pork—you might find it more palatable—"
"Corn and pork?"
When Vivian heard that Janna’s dumplings were filled with corn, one of her favorite ingredients, her eyes lit up slightly.
"Let’s eat quickly then. I didn’t eat much earlier."
Saying that, Vivian pulled Janna to sit at the small dining table and handed her a small bowl filled with rice vinegar.
As for herself, Vivian prepared a plate of salad dressing.
"Compared to that overly sour rice vinegar, I think dumplings dipped in salad dressing suit my taste better."
With that, Vivian picked up a dumpling from the container using a fork, placed it on her plate, dipped it in a generous amount of salad dressing, and popped it into her mouth.
Watching her eat like that, Janna simply raised an eyebrow slightly, then took a pair of chopsticks from the container and picked up one of the celery pork dumplings that Vivian had prepared, dipped it in rice vinegar, and put it in her mouth.
"So good!"
After tasting the corn and pork dumpling, Vivian gave a very generous compliment.
Likewise, after tasting the celery and pork dumpling, Janna also showed a satisfied smile.
"Vivian, the dumplings you made this time taste exactly like the ones I used to have back home."
"Really?"
Hearing such high praise from Janna, Vivian’s eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Then I’ll make them for you every New Year from now on!"
Saying that, Vivian forked up another large dumpling from the container and stuffed it into her mouth.
"I found that even without salad dressing, the corn-flavored dumplings are super tasty!"
"Haha, then eat up—I made a lot this time."
Ever since Vivian switched to the 【Warlock Pathway】, her appetite had significantly increased. So, to make sure she had enough, Janna had specially made three large plates of dumplings.
"I’m definitely going to finish all of them today—not leaving a single one for you."
Watching Vivian devour dumpling after dumpling, Janna’s smile never faded.
Even the faint sadness in her heart from homesickness was eased by Vivian’s repeated words of praise.
"Thank you, Vivian."
Hearing Janna’s sudden words of gratitude, Vivian was momentarily stunned, then simply shrugged it off.
"Why thank me? You’re my best friend, after all."
"Yeah, best friend."
A friend who made her feel the warmth of home even in another world.
"Happy New Year, Vivian."
And Happy New Year, Jiang Bai.
After New Year’s Eve, Janna’s life returned to the usual routine between her dormitory and the library.
During this time, the Nightingale Opera Troupe was also busy with relocation matters, so Janna didn’t need to report there anymore.
Thus, during the post-holiday period, Janna enjoyed a relatively peaceful life.
But after that short peace, the day for the Dordogne–White Tower Trial finally arrived.
Whoosh— Accompanied by a blast of steam, a massive silver-white steam airship landed on the tarmac of the Turin Airship Navigation Station.
"Got all your luggage? Didn’t forget anything?"
Hearing the reminder from Anthony-Blackcrow, Janna did a quick check and shook her head.
"Headmaster Anthony, may I have a little time? I’d like to say goodbye to a friend."
"Go ahead. There's still half an hour before the airship departs. Just keep track of the time."
"Understood."
With that, Janna quickly left the airship entrance, passed through the security checkpoint, and stepped outside.
"Janna, over here—"
"Lichie!"
Seeing Liji Silks waving at her from the cold wind, Janna jogged over and gave her a light hug.
"Sorry, Janna. I’ve been busy with graduation stuff lately, so I couldn’t attend your farewell party."
"It’s okay, no big deal—by the way, did the director tell you that the Nightingale Opera Troupe is moving to Dordogne? Do you want to come with us?"
At that, Liji Silks nodded, then gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
"Janna, I’m not as talented as you. With my level, I’d just be ‘eaten alive’ by the local actors there. Besides, I’m also reluctant to leave Turin."
As she spoke, Liji Silks pulled a finely crafted new scarf out of her handbag.
"Look at you—a big celebrity still wearing that old scarf around your neck. That’s so undignified. Hurry up and switch to this new one..."