Qiu Yingying is reborn and bound to a learning system.

Qiu Yingying bit her chopsticks, recalling her past life when she would make a fuss over the smallest things and her eyes would well up with tears. A slight smile crept onto her lips. Now, she no longer panicked and complained when faced with problems; instead, she calmly considered solutions. It turned out that hitting a wall and suffering setbacks, being fortunate enough to be reborn, and with the support of a system, could truly transform a person.

During this time, Fan Shengmei, who lived under the same roof, was also busy. She worked as a senior human resources specialist at a foreign company, and her days were filled with screening resumes, scheduling interviews, coordinating departmental needs, and mediating employee disputes.

In order to save more money and to make room for the new tenants who were about to move in, Fan Shengmei offered to move into that small partitioned room and give up the master bedroom, which had the best lighting and the most spacious room, for a small amount of rent.

Every morning, Fan Shengmei would wake up half an hour earlier than Qiu Yingying, carefully applying light makeup in her cramped cubicle, changing into a well-tailored but somewhat worn business suit, and hurrying to the company in slightly worn high heels. Returning home exhausted in the evening, she never complained, only occasionally sighing at her reflection in the mirror before quickly perking up again to plan for next month's rent and savings.

Qiu Yingying observed this and felt a growing respect for this insightful and resilient older sister. Although they lived in the same apartment, 2202, they each followed their own pace, busy with their own lives, occasionally eating together and sharing gossip.

The days slipped by quietly in this busy yet undisturbed state, and as the day Guan Juer came to Shanghai drew closer, Qiu Yingying's anticipation grew stronger.

That weekend, Qiu Yingying was sitting in the living room learning flower arranging from the system, her scissors nimbly snipping the rose branches and leaves, while Fan Shengmei was nestled on the sofa organizing recruitment reports.

"The landlord sent a message; the new tenants must have arrived." Fan Shengmei put down the documents in her hand.

A silver-gray sedan was parked at the entrance of the residential area. The door opened, and a little girl wearing a light blue dress climbed out of the car.

She was slender with fair skin, her hair neatly styled in a low ponytail, and wore black-rimmed glasses. Her face showed a hint of timidity and restraint, clearly indicating that she was a well-behaved girl who had been well protected by her family.

Standing next to the little girl was a middle-aged couple. The man was wearing a neatly pressed shirt and trousers, carrying several suitcases with brand logos. The woman was wearing an elegant cheongsam and holding a thermos. She was holding the little girl's hand and talking to her, her eyes full of reluctance.

A while later, the couple, leading the little girl, walked down the hallway and knocked on the door. Fan Shengmei opened the door with a polite smile and said, "Are you a new resident? My name is Fan Shengmei. Welcome to 2202. We'll be neighbors from now on."

Qiu Yingying smiled and took a not-too-heavy suitcase from him: "Hello, I'm Qiu Yingying, I live in the second bedroom."

Guan Juer paused for a moment, then gave a shy smile, gently pushed up her glasses, and said in a soft voice, "Hello, I'm Guan Juer. I'm interning at a Fortune 500 company in Financial Street. Thank you for your help." She was introverted, and her eyes darted around a little when she spoke, showing the naivety and awkwardness of someone fresh out of school.

Guan Juer's parents quickly thanked her, but Guan's mother subtly sized up Fan Shengmei, her gaze sweeping over her slightly worn business suit, then over the worn heels of her shoes, and finally glancing at the cramped cubicle behind her. A flash of disdain crossed her eyes, but she didn't say it out loud for the sake of saving face. Turning back to Guan Juer, she repeatedly nagged, "My dear, when you're out there alone, be careful about everything. Don't talk to just anyone, and make sure to lock the doors and windows when you go to sleep at night, understand?"

These words sounded polite, but there was a hint of distance between them. Qiu Yingying frowned slightly upon hearing this, but Fan Shengmei seemed oblivious, still smiling as she took the suitcase from Guan's father: "Uncle and Auntie, don't worry, the security in this community is quite good. Guan Guan's master bedroom has good lighting and is very safe."

The group carried their luggage upstairs, and the moment they pushed open the master bedroom door, sunlight flooded in. The room was spacious and bright, the floor was spotless, and Fan Shengmei had previously had someone tidy it up. A potted green ivy sat in the corner, looking refreshing and cozy.

As Guan's mother entered the room, she reached out and touched the wardrobe door, then pressed the firmness of the mattress, muttering to herself, "This room is alright, it's just that the furniture is a bit old. I'll send you a new set of bedding later." Guan's father opened his suitcase and took out his daughter's books and clothes one by one. They were all simple and of good quality, indicating that she came from a well-off family and had a strict upbringing.

Fan Shengmei and Qiu Yingying helped carry the luggage into the room, then tactfully withdrew, leaving the family to have a private chat.

A short while later, Guan Juer's parents came out carrying empty suitcases, saying they were going to drive home. Guan's mother held her daughter's hand, repeatedly reminding her of the precautions before reluctantly following Guan's father downstairs. Before leaving, she took a final look at the house, her brow slightly furrowed, still feeling it was a bit too small.

After seeing her parents off, Guan Juer stood alone in the stairwell, looking at the empty corridor, her eyes slightly red. She was naturally introverted and slow to warm up to people, and this was her first time leaving home to work alone in Shanghai, so she couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive.

Qiu Yingying walked over and handed her a bottle of warm water, speaking softly, "Don't be sad. If you need anything in the future, feel free to come to me."

Fan Shengmei leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, looking at her. Her tone was a bit gentler than before: "Everyone's like this right after graduating. You'll get used to it eventually. If you run into any trouble at work, you can ask me. I've lived in Shanghai for a few years, so I know a thing or two about it."

Guan Juer took the water, whispered a thank you, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

Qiu Yingying gave herself a thumbs-up, encouraging herself to study harder!

Qiu Yingying gave herself a thumbs-up, clenching her fist and mentally encouraging herself: "Study hard, master all your skills to gain a foothold in Shanghai!"

Seeing Guan Juer's energetic appearance, Fan Shengmei couldn't help but smile. She turned to Guan Juer, who was still standing in the stairwell, and suggested, "Guan Guan just arrived, so you probably haven't bought anything for your home yet. Why don't we go shopping with you at the nearby mall? We can buy some daily necessities and pick out a few clothes for work."

Qiu Yingying immediately chimed in, "Yes, yes! The nearby shopping mall may not be big, but it has a good selection of clothes, shoes, and daily necessities. We'll go with you so we can help you choose."

Guan Juer was still a little reserved, but hearing their enthusiastic suggestion warmed her heart. She nodded gently and said softly, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

The three changed into more casual clothes. Fan Shengmei was still wearing her smart business attire, but she changed into flat shoes. Qiu Yingying wore a milky white sweatshirt and jeans, which made her look even sweeter and more lively. Guan Juer was still wearing her light blue dress and white canvas shoes, looking like a well-behaved high school student.

As they strolled through the mall, Qiu Yingying pulled Guan Juer into an affordable women's clothing store, pointing to a few simple shirts and skirts: "Look at this, the fabric is comfortable and versatile, perfect for work. Many of our interns wear this."

Fan Shengmei then helped by checking the fabric and the cut: "This shirt has a good cut and it accentuates your waist. You have a small frame, so it will definitely look good on you. And this skirt is knee-length, so it's formal but not too stiff."

As Guan Juer listened to the two men's suggestions, her tense nerves gradually relaxed, and she began to try on the clothes herself. She picked out two shirts, a skirt, and two pairs of comfortable flat shoes. When she checked out, she saw that the prices weren't too expensive, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

As evening approached, the three of them grew a little hungry. Qiu Yingying suggested, "There's a Lanzhou noodle restaurant nearby that's really authentic. Shall we go get some noodles?"

Fan Shengmei and Guan Juer had no objections, so the three of them turned into the lively alley next to the residential area. The ramen shop was small, with several wooden tables neatly arranged, and a price list with red background and yellow lettering hanging on the wall. The owner, speaking with a Northwestern accent, warmly greeted the customers.

The three found a seat by the window, and Qiu Yingying called out familiarly, "Boss, three bowls of beef ramen, with an egg and vegetables!"

Soon, three steaming bowls of ramen were served. The broth was rich and flavorful, the noodles were chewy and smooth, and a few thin slices of beef were placed on top. They were also served with a golden fried egg and bright green vegetables, making them look incredibly appetizing.

Guan Juer picked up her chopsticks, carefully took a bite, and her eyes instantly lit up: "So delicious!"

Seeing her delighted expression, Qiu Yingying smiled and said, "Right? I often come here to eat when I work late. The owner is super nice."

Fan Shengmei took a sip of hot soup, and the warmth spread from her stomach. She looked at the two girls opposite her, one lively and energetic, the other shy and well-behaved, and couldn't help but smile.

During lunch, Qiu Yingying chattered away, sharing her funny stories about work with Guan Juer, complaining about how crowded the subway was during rush hour, and talking about the skills she had learned. Guan Juer listened with great interest, occasionally asking a question or two, her eyes full of curiosity.

Fan Shengmei then added workplace tips, telling Guan Juer what to pay attention to when starting her career and how to deal with difficult clients.

In the time it takes to eat a bowl of ramen, Guan Juer's initial shyness had mostly faded, and she gradually became more talkative. She talked about her internship at a foreign trade company and the fun things that happened at school, her eyes brimming with youthful energy.

By the time they left the ramen shop, it was already dark, and the streetlights in the alley were gradually turning on, casting a warm yellow glow on the three of them. Qiu Yingying and Guan Juer walked ahead, chatting side by side, their cheerful laughter occasionally breaking the silence.

Fan Shengmei followed behind, watching the two girls' backs with a gentle smile on her lips.

A gentle evening breeze carried the coolness of late summer. Qiu Yingying turned to Guan Juer beside her and said with a smile, "Guan Guan, from now on we're best friends! We'll look after each other in Shanghai!"

Looking at Qiu Yingying's bright smile, Guan Juer felt a warm current welling up in her heart. She nodded vigorously, a radiant smile spreading across her face: "Yes! Good friend!"