CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 16: HOW AM I DIFFERENT FROM BEFORE

In clusters, the crabapple blossoms adorn the branches like scattered bright clouds.

Underneath the flowers, two young girls huddle together on a low divan, each holding a book in their hands.

The older girl in the red dress tilted her head to look at the jade-like little girl beside her. Her brows and eyes were filled with a bright smile, but the words she spoke were not pleasant: "How is it? Can you recognize a few words?"

Blatant ridicule.

Tang Xiaobai didn’t want to talk.

After confidently making a promise to Little Qin yesterday, she returned to Bright Moon Building and started searching for books in her room, but couldn’t find even a single piece of paper with writing on it.

So early today, she went to pester Tang Jiaojiao for books.

Tang Jiaojiao didn’t say a word; she casually pulled out a long cloth bag and tossed it to her.

When she opened it, there was a scroll inside. Once unrolled, it was covered in dense handwritten characters.

The person who copied the text seemed to have practiced calligraphy well, as the handwriting was neat, the scroll clean, without any alterations.

But—

She! Could! Not! Read!

Having arrived in this book world for only a few days and focused solely on Qin Xiao, she didn’t realize she was actually illiterate here!

The scroll was full of characters, and she didn’t recognize even a handful enough to count on a finger.

Even if she did recognize all the characters, she couldn’t read a single sentence.

Because there were! No! Punctuation! Marks!

She barely recognized the three characters on her door "Bright Moon Building" and thought she could become a teacher.

How embarrassing!

Tang Xiaobai put down the scroll and looked up at the sky, letting out a long sigh.

When Tang Jiaojiao heard the sigh, she glanced at her, saw her staring dazedly at the sky and chuckled, "What are you thinking? Why suddenly asking me for books?"

Tang Xiaobai withdrew her gaze from the sky and turned to look at Tang Jiaojiao, her resolve already firm: "Sister! I want to study!"

A daughter must be strong!

She couldn’t stand being illiterate!

If she can’t teach, then she’ll learn with Little Qin!

Tang Jiaojiao listened without concern: "Then continue reading!" After speaking, she lowered her head, engrossed in her own business.

"I don’t mean studying this book."

"Then which book do you want to read? Just name it and I’ll find it for you." Her tone was full of sarcasm.

Tang Xiaobai restrained herself and said, "I mean, I want to go to school!"

Only then did Tang Jiaojiao lift her head, staring at her in surprise: "School? What for?"

"To learn and read!" Tang Xiaobai remembered in the original book that Tang Jiaojiao seemed to be a frivolous beauty and continued, "Both Grandfather and Uncles are scholars, I have half the Gu Family’s blood in me, I was born loving to learn! Even if I wasn’t interested before, now I truly wish to repent and study!"

Her words were full of conviction and resounded firmly.

Tang Jiaojiao laughed: "You used to—" Halfway through, she suddenly furrowed her brows, showing a puzzled expression.

"I used to... how?" Tang Xiaobai asked carefully.

She had no memories of the original self and hadn’t been able to inquire about the past personality of the original Tang Xiaobai from any maid.

But strangely, nobody had found her odd these past few days?

Now, Tang Jiaojiao finally noticed she was different from before?

However, after pondering for a long time, Tang Jiaojiao shook her head, surprised: "You used to be busy with who knows what all the time, and now that I think about it, I can’t recall you ever doing anything serious!"

Tang Xiaobai’s heart stirred, and she suddenly asked, "Sister, you said I hit Gu You last time, why did I hit him?"

"That’s because—" Then suddenly stopped.

"Who remembers such trivial matters between kids!" Tang Jiaojiao furrowed her brows.

Tang Xiaobai’s heart stirred once more and continued probing: "Then do you think I’ve changed a lot compared to last year?"

She asked, and Tang Jiaojiao again showed a puzzled expression, as if recalling something.

After a long while, seemingly unable to recall, finally replied perfunctorily: "What change could there be? Still just as annoying!"

Tang Xiaobai fell silent.

Tang Jiaojiao curiously glanced at her: "Why are you asking these things?"

Tang Xiaobai wiped her face and prepared to ask the last question: "Sister, that person with the surname Yu—"

"Yu Kuang!" Tang Jiaojiao reminded her, "What’s up with Yu Kuang?" Without any surprise that she forgot one of the childhood friends, as if she usually was like this.

Tang Xiaobai paused for a moment, then continued to ask: "Do you remember if I used to have a good relationship with Yu Kuang?"

Tang Jiaojiao seemed impatient: "Didn’t you know whether you were close with Yu Kuang? I’m so busy every day, how could I have time to manage your affairs?"

Tang Xiaobai was silent again.

She knew the answer.

No time to care for her, but Tang Jiaojiao could watch her eat and sleep every day?

It’s not that she didn’t care, but truly doesn’t remember, as if a segment of memory was deleted.

Or perhaps, a segment of memory was implanted, along with her existence as "Tang Xiaobai."

In the original story, there was no "Tang Xiaobai," only "Tang Jiaojiao’s sister," and no scenes or any off-screen plot for this character.

But since she arrived, there were now plot scenes, names, and influences on the characters in the original plot.

In this way, doesn’t her existence become a bug in this world?

So, could it suddenly be fixed one day?

After fixing, would she be able to return to her original world?

"Why are you so weird today?" Tang Jiaojiao suspiciously scrutinized her, "Didn’t you say you wanted to study? Why suddenly asking about Gu You and Yu Kuang? Want to study with them?"

"Oh... study—" The recent discovery left Tang Xiaobai a little dazed, "Sister you said what? I’m forbidden to study?"

"Who’s stopping you from studying?" Tang Jiaojiao glanced at her, "I’m saying no need to go to school, you can invite a teacher home, can’t you? Invite a few or just one, why go to school?"

Tang Xiaobai was silent.

Poverty has indeed limited my imagination.

"Later, ask Little Uncle to see if there are any suitable female teachers—"

"No!" Tang Xiaobai refused, "I don’t want to study at home, I want to go to school!"

After gaining a deeper understanding of her existence, Tang Xiaobai felt her previous concerns were unnecessary.

After all, the original person didn’t exist, so she could do as she wished without anyone suspecting.

Having a rare chance to slip into a book, one must experience everything meant to be experienced.

Nestling in a boudoir surrounded by a bunch of home teachers, what kind of experience is that? She wanted to experience the school life of ancient times!

If Tang Jiaojiao wouldn’t agree—

"Which school do you want to attend? Imperial College?" Tang Jiaojiao not only agreed but mentioned the nation’s top institution right away.

It was Tang Xiaobai who hesitated: "Can Imperial College accept me?"

Tang Jiaojiao laughed heartily: "Can’t you tell I’m mocking you?"

Tang Xiaobai took a deep breath, not arguing with the minor, and continued expressing her desire: "I want to study at an academy!"