When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds

Tan Tao was the lively type. "To your dorm? Don’t your parents live in town? You’re not living at home?"

Tan You shook her head. "I’m living over in the teachers’ dorms. You can just look for me at the school later. With them going to work and to school, it’s more chaotic if we all live together. It’s quieter for me to live by myself."

Tan Tao thought about it. "That makes sense. You always liked being by yourself anyway. You’re treating us to a meal, so does that mean you have some new product?"

An expectant look appeared on his face as he spoke. Tan You didn’t hide it from him. "I have some ideas. We can discuss them later. You’re my only friend in the village, so of course I hope your future is a good one, not a hard road like before."

Tan Tao was so moved by her words that he was on the verge of tears. He blinked them back. "What about Tan Ying? You don’t hang out with her anymore?"

"We haven’t for a long time," Tan You said, dodging the question. "Let’s not talk about her. We’re on different paths now."

Tan Tao dropped the subject. But the thought that Tan You considered him her only friend made him uncontrollably happy. Tan Qin, who was clutching a steamed bun, suddenly asked, "Am I not Youyou’s friend?"

"You’re the little sister who needs to be taken care of," Tan You said, tapping the tip of Tan Qin’s nose. She looked a little silly and sweet.

Tan Qin was happy inside, but she still mumbled, "I’m older than both of you. I’m the big sister."

Tan You said unhurriedly, "Then who do you listen to?"

"I listen to Youyou, of course," Tan Qin replied without a second’s hesitation. Watching this exchange, Tan Tao felt his own once-confused heart gradually settle. It was as if he could finally see a future ahead.

By the time Wang Hunv came back from the fields, most of the buns were already steamed. Not minding the heat, she plucked one out and devoured it in a few bites. After finishing, she smacked her lips, then grabbed another to eat slowly at the side.

Tan You didn’t pay her any mind. ’The old woman had it rough in the past,’ she thought. ’And this is home. There’s really no need for me to be critical about every little thing. As long as she’s happy eating, that’s enough.’

Seeing there was still meat filling left in the basin, Wang Hunv had the presence of mind to ask about meat patties. "Youzi, are we having meat patties for lunch?"

Tan You glanced at the small amount of dough left. "Yes. I’ll make extra meat patties to bring some for Mom and Dad to try."

Wang Hunv waved a dismissive hand. "You do what you want, as long as you don’t short me on my share."

Tan You shook her head. The old woman had been a foodie her whole life, with no particular obsession for being decked out in gold and silver. But speaking of jewelry, the thought that her own mother, Cheng Wenhui, hadn’t owned a single decent piece after so many years of marriage to Tan Lin left a bitter taste in Tan You’s mouth.

’Maybe when the royalties from my second book come in, I’ll buy Cheng Wenhui some jewelry? She is my mother, after all. At the end of the day, I’m on her side.’

’Speaking of which, I haven’t even started my second book yet. Maybe I should get on that after the placement exams?’ While pondering themes for her new book, Tan You’s hands never stopped moving, pleating the edges of the buns with rapid skill.

Tan Qin watched, dumbfounded. "Youyou... you’re amazing!"

Tan Tao grinned mischievously. "You want to compete with Tan You? You’d definitely lose. She’s always been especially good with her hands. Back when the students used to braid colorful strings, the ones Tan You made were the prettiest in class."

Tan You interjected, "And then my mom came home, saw them, threw them all into the stove, and burned them. I even got a beating from my dad for it."

Tan Tao looked embarrassed. "Your mom... that’s just her personality. She believes students should focus on their studies and not do anything else."

Tan You didn’t want to dwell on those memories. "Let’s not talk about that. You two are staying for lunch. I’m going to make a roasted chicken and bake some bread in a bit."

Tan Tao wouldn’t stand on ceremony with Tan You. ’Being polite is for strangers,’ he thought. ’Are we strangers?’

"Alright. What time are you heading to school this afternoon? If it’s convenient, we could go together?" Tan Tao said with a smile. "We have to set up our stall this afternoon. School’s about to start, isn’t it? My sister and I were selling stuff at the school gate for a while yesterday, and business was great."

Tan You checked the time. "I’ll go right after lunch. I need to check out the dorm and see if there’s anything I need to buy."

Tan Tao clapped his hands. "Perfect! We’ll go together. Do you have anything you need to bring? My sister and I can help you carry it over. It’ll save your grandpa the trouble of making another trip."

Tan Deming chuckled. "Alright, then I’ll take it easy today."

Tan You thought for a moment. "I do have some luggage, actually. You can help me take it later."

She didn’t refuse Tan Tao’s kind offer. Given her relationship with him and Tan Qin, there was really no need to act like strangers.

Tan You spent the whole morning bustling around at home. After steaming the buns, she baked meat patties, a whole chicken, and bread. Lunch was an even more sumptuous affair.

Clutching his stomach, Tan Tao let out a satisfied burp. "Youyou, you could open your own restaurant! This food is amazing."

Tan Qin shoveled rice into her mouth. "I’ll learn how to make this later. This stir-fried pig liver is so good."

Tan You smiled. "It’s not hard. They’re all just common home-style dishes."

She didn’t mind cooking, but she hated washing and chopping vegetables, and she disliked doing the dishes even more. Luckily, with Tan Tao and Tan Qin there today, Tan You could take it a bit easier.

After lunch, Tan You got busy packing her clothes, books, and other things to take to school. She didn’t need to bring her first-year high school textbooks, but she packed up all of her second and third-year ones.

Then came her everyday clothes and shoes, along with the baked meat patties and bread she had made that morning. Taking a closer look, she realized she had quite a lot of things to bring.

Tan Tao and Tan Qin each loaded a large bag onto their electric scooters. Just as they were about to leave, Tan Tao saw that Tan You was going to ride her old, secondhand bicycle and said with a cheeky grin, "I’ll ride the bike."

"I haven’t ridden a bicycle in a long time. I kind of miss it."

Tan You glanced at Tan Tao, knowing he was doing this for her sake. She didn’t say anything more. "Fine. You ride the bike, then. I’ll take your electric scooter."

As the three of them were heading out, Tan Deming called out a final instruction, "Give me a call when you get to your dad’s. How about I buy you a cell phone in a few days? It’s a pain not being able to contact you."

Tan You thought about it and agreed. "Okay. Don’t get an expensive one. As long as it can make calls and send texts, that’s all I need. I’m not picky about that stuff."

Tan Deming waved his hand. "I know, I know, nothing expensive. Hurry up and go now. Be safe on the road."

Naturally, Tan You went to her dorm first. Tan Lin had already come by to clean it once, so it looked very tidy. But Tan Qin was a neat freak; as soon as she arrived, she wet a rag and started cleaning all over again.

Tan Tao didn’t stay idle either. He checked to see if the dorm’s wiring was working properly, then helped Tan You rearrange the room, taking care of any physical tasks he could.

When Li Fugui strolled over with his son in tow, he saw the three of them busy at work. He knocked on the door. "You’re here so early? And who are these two?"

Tan You turned her head. "Oh, Teacher Li. They’re friends from my village. They knew I was coming to school today, so they made a special trip to help me bring my luggage. This is Tan Tao, and this is his sister, Tan Qin."

Tan Tao and Tan Qin greeted him politely, "Teacher Li."