Reborn in the 1970s, remarried to a powerful but childless man, her scumbag husband is furious.

Jiang Yan nodded and said indifferently, "Hello."

He then ignored the girl and walked in.

Yun Yao had already messaged him, saying that Xiao Ya was coming to stay at their house temporarily.

He had completely forgotten who Xiao Ya was until Yun Yao reminded him that she came from the Gobi Desert, and then he remembered.

However, they haven't seen each other for so many years, and they've all grown up. They've become quite distant from each other and won't be like they were when they were children.

Xiao Ya felt a little disappointed when she saw Jiang Yan's cold attitude towards her.

She closed the door, hurriedly straightened her clothes, and came in.

"Brother Jiang Yan." When Yun Yao saw Jiang Yan return, she jumped up from her chair and ran over to hug him without even putting on her shoes.

Jiang Yan looked at Yun Yao with a doting expression in his eyes, reached out and ruffled her hair, "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

He walked over and took the shoes from Yun Yao.

"Mom said you've finished your project, so you should be able to stay a few more days at home this time, right?" Yun Yao asked eagerly.

Jiang Yan nodded. "Okay, I'll check your exam results in a bit, and I'll tutor you a bit over the next few days."

Upon hearing that Jiang Yan was going to tutor her, Yun Yao's lips trembled.

"You've finally come back, can't you at least not mention homework?"

Jiang Yan wasn't buying it. He was fine with anything at home, but he absolutely couldn't mess up his homework.

"You and Xiaoshu will be in sixth grade next semester. This will affect which middle school you can get into, so you have to take it seriously."

Although their grades would definitely get them into Bayi Middle School, Jiang Yan still hoped they could score even higher.

When Yun Shu heard that Jiang Yan had returned, she happily came out of her room.

Xiao Ya saw Jiang Yan and his two siblings chatting and didn't want to disturb them. Just as she was about to go into her room, Yun Yao called her back.

"Sister Lijun, come here quickly."

Jiang Yan knew about Xiao Ya's name change, and he looked over at her.

Xiao Ya walked over, looked at Jiang Yan, and nervously took the initiative to say, "Jiang Yan, it's been a long time."

Jiang Yan hummed in agreement. "I heard you got into the Normal University. Congratulations."

He also learned about this news from Wenrou. He remembered that Xiaoya's grades used to be quite poor, but he didn't expect that she could get into a teachers' college through her own efforts. She was really amazing.

"Thank you." Xiaoya didn't know what to say, so she could only say it shyly.

She knew Jiang Yan was just being polite; compared to Peking University, the university she applied to was indeed nothing special.

Besides, Jiang Yan was admitted to Peking University with the highest score in the country back then, and now he has been admitted to graduate school. After graduation, he will be a PhD from Peking University.

They were the same age, but Jiang Yan had already left his peers far behind.

After Jiang Yan finished speaking, he fell silent again.

Just then, Wenrou returned from grocery shopping. When she saw Jiang Yan, she smiled and said, "Xiao Yan is back."

She bought a lot of meat and vegetables today, originally planning to take advantage of Xiaoya's visit to improve the family's meals. Now that Jiang Yan is back, she's in for a treat.

"Brother Jiang Yan," Xiao Shi'an greeted Jiang Yan politely.

Jiang Yan reached out and picked up Xiao Shi'an, then smiled and teased him.

"You guys play first, I'll go cook." Wenrou said, then carried the groceries into the kitchen.

"Wenrou, Auntie, let me help you." Seeing this, Xiaoya followed Wenrou inside.

"No need, you go play with them." Wenrou didn't let Xiaoya help her; she could manage on her own.

Xiao Ya looked at it, then walked over with some difficulty.

She felt a little awkward in front of Jiang Yan and didn't know what to say.

Jiang Yan wasn't a proactive person either; if Xiao Ya didn't speak first, he wouldn't ask.

He sat to the side, checking Yun Shu and Yun Yao's test papers and helping them circle the wrong questions.

Seeing this, the little girl had no choice but to ask, "Do you need my help?"

Jiang Yan shook his head. "No need, you can go about your business."

The little girl stood there, not knowing what to do.

Yun Shu and Yun Yao were playing with their younger brother, while Xiao Ya could only sit on the sofa, fiddling with her fingers out of boredom.

In the end, she went to the kitchen to help Wenrou with the cooking.

At home, she often helped Sister Wang cook, so she was used to doing these things.

Wenrou seemed to notice Xiaoya's embarrassment. She had thought that since she and Jiang Yan hadn't seen each other for so many years, they must have a lot to talk about.

Unexpectedly, the two acted as if they didn't know each other when they met, speaking even less than strangers.

However, Wenrou knew that Jiang Yan wasn't someone she was close to. She noticed the disappointment on Xiaoya's face and comforted her, "Don't overthink it. Xiaoyan has always been like this. He doesn't talk much to anyone. He'll get used to it over time."

The little girl nodded. "Mmm."

After the meal was ready, Jiang Yan washed his hands and, together with Xiao Ya, helped Wenrou serve the food.

Huo Yanchuan returned at this time and greeted Jiang Yan when he saw him.

During the meal, Xiao Ya sat next to Yun Yao, while Yun Yao sat between her and Jiang Yan. Jiang Yan habitually peeled shrimp for his two younger sisters.

Yun Shu and Yun Yao both love to eat shrimp, so Wen Rou often buys them for them.

These shrimp were all transported from the south, and they are extremely expensive.

But as long as the children like it, Wenrou will buy it every few days.

While other families might hesitate for days before even considering a single meat meal, Wenrou never mistreats her children.

It was the first time Xiaoya had ever seen such large shrimp. She didn't know how to peel them, so she didn't eat them.

Seeing that she was eating vegetables, Wenrou put a few pieces of meat in her bowl.

"Thank you, Auntie Gentle," Xiao Ya said hurriedly.

"Don't be shy, eat whatever you want," she said with a gentle smile.

Although Xiaoya responded, she still didn't reach for the shrimp with her chopsticks.

Besides the fact that shrimp were scarce to begin with, and that they were Yun Shu and Yun Yao's favorite food, plus the high price, she was really embarrassed to eat them.

Jiang Yan thought that Xiao Ya was a guest after all, and he had been peeling shrimp for the two girls. Worried that she wouldn't be able to pick up the shrimp, he used serving chopsticks to pick up a few shrimp for her.

"Thank you." Xiao Ya hadn't expected Jiang Yan to serve her anything, and after a moment of surprise, she thanked him, feeling flattered.

Jiang Yan could tell that the little girl didn't know how to peel shrimp, so he slowed down his movements.

Seeing this, Xiao Ya imitated Jiang Yan and slowly peeled a shrimp, then put it in her mouth.

The shrimp meat was even sweeter than regular meat, and Xiaoya had never eaten anything so delicious before.

She looked at Jiang Yan with some gratitude and found him slowly and methodically eating his meal.

The little girl turned her head and continued eating the rice in her bowl.

After the meal, Xiaoya offered to help Wenrou wash the dishes.

Although Jiang Yan didn't speak to her, Xiao Ya felt a warm feeling in her heart when she thought about the scene of him picking food for her earlier.

Jiang Yan didn't think too much about it. Although he had been at home these past few days, he had spent most of his time in his room.

"Xiaoya, the photos are ready. Go and send them back to your mother." Wenrou went to the photo studio early in the morning to pick up the photos, and when she came back, she handed Xiaoya all the previous photos.

Xiao Ya took the photo, thanked her, and went out to the post office to mail it.

She had just come downstairs when Jiang Yan also came out.

"Little girl, I'll have Jiang Yan take you there. The post office is quite far, and you don't know the way." A gentle voice came from upstairs.

Jiang Yan went downstairs and looked at Xiao Ya, his attitude still very indifferent. "Let's go, I'll take you there."

He was also focused on completing the task that Wenrou had given him, and he didn't see the shy look that flashed in Xiaoya's eyes.

She nodded and whispered her thanks.

Jiang Yan walked in front, with Xiao Ya following behind him, and the two of them didn't speak again.

Just then, Fang Xinyou walked towards them.

She saw Jiang Yan and was about to greet him when she noticed that there was another person following behind him.

Fang Xinyou was taken aback when she saw Xiaoya.

She remembered that Xiaoya used to spend a lot of time with Jiang Yan in the Gobi Desert, and the two families had a very good relationship back then.

Xiao Ya didn't see Fang Xinyou and was thinking about how to start a conversation with Jiang Yan.

She thought for a while, then took the initiative to ask, "Jiang Yan, what was university life like? Did you have a lot of classes back then?"

"You'll find out about university life once you start school. As for how many courses there are, that depends on your major."

Jiang Yan didn't say much. After explaining to Xiao Ya, he fell silent again.

In his view, he was just a gentle person sent to guide the way.

He only needs to complete the task; he doesn't need to actively seek out topics to chat about.

His answer was actually true, but it sounded rather perfunctory to Xiaoya.

She gave a slightly awkward "oh," knowing that Jiang Yan probably didn't want to talk to her anymore, so she didn't ask any more questions.

But in Fang Xinyou's eyes, they were just chatting.

Thinking of Jiang Yan's usual cold attitude towards her, Fang Xinyou looked at Xiaoya with jealousy in her eyes.

"Jiang Yan," Fang Xinyou called out to Jiang Yan.

Before Jiang Yan could say anything, she smiled and said, "I received my admission letter from Peking University. We'll be alumni then. I heard the food at Peking University is delicious, is that true?"

Fang Xinyou said this to show off in front of Xiaoya.

Sure enough, when Xiao Ya heard that Fang Xinyou had also been admitted to Peking University, she began to feel inferior.

She knew she wasn't smart and didn't study as well as Jiang Yan.

She was able to get into Beijing Normal University because she had put in several times more effort than others over the years.

Fang Xinyou also lives in the military compound, so she and Jiang Yan must have grown up together, right?

Thinking of this, the little girl lowered her head even further.

She dared not look at Jiang Yan and hid her thoughts, afraid that others would see them and laugh at her.

Fang Xinyou saw the clothes on Xiaoya's body and a hint of mockery in her eyes.

"I don't know." Jiang Yan didn't even glance at Fang Xinyou before lifting his foot and walking forward.

He took a few steps and noticed that Xiao Ya was still standing there, so he said, "Wu Lijun, aren't you going to the post office? Hurry up, they'll be closing soon."

Xiao Ya responded and hurriedly followed.

Upon seeing this, Fang Xinyou's expression changed drastically with anger.

She never expected Jiang Yan to be so kind to that country girl, even taking her to the post office.

Even though he was better than her in looks, temperament, and grades, Jiang Yan didn't even want to look at her.

Fang Xinyou watched Xiaoya and Jiang Yan leave in a jealous manner, and she vowed in her heart that she would make Jiang Yan fall in love with her.

Over the years, she has always made Jiang Yan her role model in everything she does. Originally, she was just jealous that Jiang Yan was more outstanding than her.

But at some point, after seeing Jiang Yan become increasingly outstanding, her jealousy of him gradually turned into admiration, and now, she also harbors a secret fondness for him.

Jiang Yan is now very attractive, both in appearance and temperament.

Fang Xinyou could also sense Xiaoya's feelings for Jiang Yan, so she regarded her as her rival in love.

However, she didn't believe that Jiang Yan really liked that country girl, after all, she was so unsophisticated.

Besides, Jiang Yan is a graduate student at Peking University. He's so outstanding, how could he possibly be interested in someone from a normal university?

Jiang Yan took Xiao Ya by bus to the post office. He led her inside and helped her mail the photos back.

If it weren't for Jiang Yan's help, Xiao Ya wouldn't know what to do.

She looked at Jiang Yan, not knowing what to say, and could only say "Thank you" again.

"You're welcome," Jiang Yan said, walking ahead.

After taking the little girl back, he considered his mission complete and went to his room to continue reading.

He had originally planned to stay at home for a few more days to spend time with his two younger sisters, but the next day his advisor called him and said that there was a new research topic, one that he had always wanted to work on.

Upon hearing the good news, Jiang Yan told Wenrou and went back to school.

After Jiang Yan returned to school, Yun Yao was furious and even called him, saying he didn't keep his word.

Jiang Yan had no choice but to coax her for a long time on the phone before he could calm her down.

Xiaoya only stayed at Wenrou's house for a week before the school notified her that she would be starting military training.

Wenrou drove her to school and brought all her luggage, as well as the daily necessities she bought at the wholesale market.

"If you need anything in the future, just call this number." Wenrou gave Xiaoya her home phone number before leaving, and also told her to take good care of herself and not to worry her mother.

Xiao Ya nodded, said goodbye to Wenrou, and went to register with her luggage.

Although she hadn't interacted much with Jiang Yan these past few days, the thought of him picking food for her and taking her to the post office filled her with gratitude and a touch of girlish crush.

She didn't know when she would see Jiang Yan again. Looking at her plain clothes, she thought to herself that she must dress up nicely next time they met.