CHAPTER 334: CHAPTER 333: CHANGE

After returning to Beijing, Wan Chu’er became tanned like an African girl, but her mood was much brighter.

The confusion and timidity she had when she left were gone without a trace, replaced by a boldness that straightened her spine once again.

"I’m back!"

The moment Wan Chu’er entered the family mansion, she shouted at the top of her lungs, quickly drawing everyone out.

The old master, Lishan, Xiao Bai, Yan Hui, Mrs. Zhu, one by one, they came out of their rooms, staring dumbfounded at the dark-skinned girl with dazzlingly white teeth, taking a while to snap back to reality.

Wan Chu’er grinned and went over, hugging each of them in turn.

"Grandpa, I’m back!" the old master said warmly, "Good to have you back."

Wan Chu’er smiled, gave the old master a tight hug, then moved to Lishan beside him, and hugged him generously.

"Lishan, brother, I’m back." Then there were two loud pats as Wan Chu’er slapped Lishan’s back boldly, Lishan braced himself and kept his composure.

Before Xiao Bai could step back, Wan Chu’er grabbed him and hugged him too.

"Second Brother, I, Wan Chu’er, am back in action!" Again, two loud pats that made Xiao Bai roll his eyes.

Wan Chu’er tutted, "Second Brother, you are really weak."

Xiao Bai: "..." What kind of idiot is this?

Then Wan Chu’er was already at Yan Hui’s side, "Mr. Yan, how did you get discharged so quickly? You really don’t listen."

Yan Hui started to laugh, opened his arms proactively, and Wan Chu’er, without playing coy, stepped forward for a hug, this time patting Yan Hui’s back gently as if to comfort him.

Xiao Bai cried foul play, accusing her of forgetting her old friends upon seeing a handsome face. Just then, Jiang Kechu walked in through the door, catching the sight of a beaming Wan Chu’er hugging Yan Hui.

Yan Hui’s eyes swept towards Jiang Kechu, he lowered his gaze and intentionally patted Wan Chu’er’s back again before letting go of her.

Jiang Kechu’s eyes were cold, but his face remained expressionless.

Wan Chu’er had no idea and kept on laughing and hugging. Finally, she hugged Mrs. Zhu, shouting, "Mrs. Zhu, Mrs. Zhu, my dearest Mrs. Zhu, did you miss me?"

Hearing the words "my dearest", Jiang Kechu paused mid-step, then continued walking over, just in time to see Wan Chu’er and Mrs. Zhu parting. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, he casually pulled Wan Chu’er, turned her around, and then tightly embraced her.

"There’s me too, hug me, I missed you very much."

Everyone: "..." Shameless!

Wan Chu’er was somewhat puzzled; where did this guy come from? She patted Jiang Kechu’s back subconsciously, and then it clicked. She jumped joyfully, leaping into his arms, and shouted:

"Uncle Jiang, I’ve missed you so much!"

Everyone: "..." Even more shameless!

Jiang Kechu firmly caught Wan Chu’er, started laughing, and showing her off with a proud rotation, before finally setting her down.

He then looked down carefully and was stunned - his beloved girl, how had she turned into a big black girl?

He had only seen Wan Chu’er’s silhouette before and hadn’t actually seen her face, so this shock was unexpected.

Xiao Bai was the first to react and immediately burst into laughter.

"Hahaha..."

Wan Chu’er kicked Xiao Bai and then asked Jiang Kechu, "Uncle Jiang, are you getting tired of me?"

Jiang Kechu immediately pledged his loyalty: "Whatever you are like, I like you all the same."

Only then did Wan Chu’er feel completely satisfied.

Everyone thought they were being too clingy and left to avoid getting jealous, retreating back into the house, while Mrs. Zhu joyfully busied herself in the kitchen.

It wasn’t until much later that Jiang Kechu took Wan Chu’er into the house.

It looked like Chuchu had figured things out during this trip to clear her mind, and Jiang Kechu was relieved.

Now that Jiang Kechu outside was reassured, Xiao Bai and the elder inside also breathed a sigh of relief; they had been quite worried about Wan Chu’er.

Since the kidnapping incident, Mrs. Zhu had said that Wan Chu’er would often stare blankly by herself, not read books, not exercise, and even ignored her favorite computer.

Everyone realized she must be troubled internally. Mrs. Zhu tried to ask Wan Chu’er about it, but whenever Wan Chu’er saw Mrs. Zhu, she’d greet her with a smile, pretending to be carefree. As soon as Mrs. Zhu turned around, however, she would sink back into her own world.

This time upon her return, everyone could tell that Wan Chu’er had finally opened up and was completely revitalized, inside and out.

Xiao Bai thought to himself: It would be best to hand over the collaboration with Dingsheng Technology directly to An Zihao—firstly, to thank him and Mai Qiqi for accompanying Wan Chu’er to relax, and secondly, because he was too busy now to pay attention to Dingsheng’s affairs, and the bit of money there was nothing to him.

After Jiang Kechu had taken Wan Chu’er into the house, Xiao Bai clamored, "Where did you go these past ten days? How did you manage to get such a tan, looking totally transformed? Hurry up and tell us about it."

Wan Chu’er immediately began talking enthusiastically: "I went to many places, saw a lot of things. The world out there is vast and splendid. I used to be so narrow-minded. It is only after going out and seeing the world that I understand what vastness, wildness, and splendor really mean."

The elder listened intently to Wan Chu’er’s endless chatter, occasionally nodding his head. In the end, he asked calmly, "So, what are your plans now?"

At that question, everyone grew quiet and turned their attention to Wan Chu’er. Everyone at the gathering was curious about her answer.

Wan Chu’er chuckled heartily and seriously said, "To remain grounded, study hard, and improve every day."

Everyone: "..." What kind of answer was that.

But the elder nodded and said, "That’s good too."

Everyone thought Wan Chu’er was joking, but from that day onwards, she truly began to seriously behave like a studious student.

She still got up early, but changed her wake-up time from five in the morning to six-thirty. After a forty-minute jog, she’d have breakfast and then chat and take a walk with the elder. Afterwards, she would start reading and studying—two hours at a time—and then she’d help Mrs. Zhu with cooking, even starting to learn how to make simple and delicious meals from her. She’d go to bed early in the evening, no longer practicing martial arts, not stepping foot into the study again.

Everything seemed normal on the surface, but oddly abnormal beneath it.

Her daily life grew more and more like that of a typical girl’s, yet everyone felt that this wasn’t what she was meant to do.

The elder didn’t say anything.

A month later, Xiao Bai finally couldn’t hold back anymore and took Wan Chu’er out to eat.

"What on earth are you up to, girl? I thought you’d come to your senses after the trip, but you’ve become even more mysterious. Are you holding back some big move? Tell Second Brother about it; I will definitely support you."

Wan Chu’er smiled, "What big move? Don’t you think this kind of life is what a normal girl is supposed to have?"

Xiao Bai shook his head: "No, you are no ordinary girl."