I turned reality into a romantic comedy

Even Lin Mu, who was practically exhausted from sleep, perked up a bit after hearing Xu Youwei's remarks. After all, she really wanted to complain that even though the three of them were classmates, they hadn't had any contact or communication with each other until the fourth grade. Rather, before that, Chen Junqian was only best friends with his deskmate Zhong Yu and the class monitor Lu Cheng.

“Okay, let’s be more precise. The two of them met at least in 2009 or even earlier, because according to Lin Mu, they met in person at the Shanghai World Expo during the summer of 2010.”

Zhu Wenyun readily changed her speech based on Xu Youwei's suggestions, and then gave her own opinion.

"Although I don't have online friends, I think even friends you know in real life should be known for at least a year before you think about going on a trip together, like Lin Mu, right?"

"Yes, that's exactly how I am."

"So, if we work backwards, it must have been in 2009 or even earlier. The main problem is that we don't know Junqian's QQ password, otherwise checking the chat history would have been the most convenient option."

Zhu Wenyun's seemingly casual remark caught Xu Youwei's attention, who was also reeling from Shen Nianqiu's attack. However, Mu Mu, who was already half-awake, became even more sober, instinctively shrinking back and somewhat hesitant to admit that she seemed to be able to access Chen Junqian's QQ account.

This doesn't mean she knows her childhood sweetheart's QQ password. It's just that before Chen Junqian had his own mobile phone, around 2010, including during the Shanghai World Expo, he always used her tablet to log in to his QQ. The password should have been automatically saved, but she doesn't know if it still works now.

However, seeing the attitude of the two girls beside her, Lin Mu decided to give up on bringing this up. After all, she felt that even childhood sweethearts should have their own little privacy. Qianqian hadn't read her diary, had he?

How long will she stay here?

"I heard it will take a week."

"A person from Lin'an?"

"Yes, I'm from Lin'an, and I go to school there."

Listening to Zhu Wenyun and Xu Youwei's rapid-fire questions and answers, which sounded like an intelligence exchange, Lin Mu, who was now almost fully awake, tilted his head and realized the purpose and reason for their gathering.

"So it's because of Sister Shen? She came to see you?"

Faced with Lin Mu's question, Zhu Wenyun and Xu Youwei tacitly chose to remain silent, keeping their eyes and mouths closed and speaking in riddles, only nodding to Lin Mu as their answer.

"So, neither Weiwei nor Wenjun... likes her?"

Carefully crafting her words, Mu Mu could only say that although she had also suffered a setback with Shen Nianqiu yesterday, after a day, she was almost indifferent to it. She was eating and drinking as usual without taking it to heart. This was mainly because Shen Nianqiu herself had shown her goodwill later on. After all, in her sister's eyes, Shen Nianqiu was one of the least threatening people.

If the other party hadn't already been inseparable childhood sweethearts with Chen Junqian, and if there wasn't even a slight possibility that they might meet in the future, Shen Nianqiu would have even thought of buying a gift in advance, just like she did with Chen Xi, before they even met.

"I do not like her."

When faced with Lin Mu's second question, it was not Xu Youwei who first and foremost expressed a clear attitude, but Zhu Wenjun, who had seemed to have no emotional fluctuations.

In Chen Junqian's absence, Zhu Wenyun revealed for the first time why her speech and personality adaptability were both rated D by the system. Every word she said left Lin Mu at a loss for words. Even Xu Youwei, who had always thought her ideas were excessive, belatedly realized that something was wrong and then remembered that Zhu Wenyun had even organized this three-person meeting in advance.

"My mind is a mess right now. I don't even know what to write anymore. I don't even want to go on the summer trip with Junqian that I've been planning for so long. It's all because of her."

Lin Mu and Xu Youwei didn't even have time to dwell on Zhu Wenyun's mention of the summer vacation trip, because her rambling continued. The tip of her right thumb was pressed impatiently against the precocious girl's lips, not biting her nails, but simply repeating the opening and closing of her lips and teeth meaninglessly, making a soft but clear clicking sound.

"She clearly doesn't understand anything, yet she keeps using that expression to say those nonsensical things. She's barely even met any real people. She's just indulging in a romance with her imagination through online chat logs. It's just that Junqian happened to meet her expectations. It's the strangest thing to mistake this good luck for fate."

If Shen Nianqiu were present, she would probably be sweating profusely because of Zhu Wenjun's remarks. After all, the other party's subjective speculations really hit her awkward feelings in some places, and it could even be said that they were exactly the same.

Having barely emerged from her own world, Zhu Wenyun, remembering the two other girls in front of her, lowered her fingertips, reorganized her thoughts, and tried her best to convey her meaning:

"No matter what, both Lin Mu and Xu Youwei should feel that offline memories are more real and precious, and that the relationship between the three of us and him is the right one."

As she spoke, she turned to look at Xu Youwei again.

"Haven't you been buying Fireworks magazine all along? You should remember that I wrote in a previous issue that childhood sweethearts are the ones who should be together the most. No one can replace the memories of growing up together. These characters who suddenly appear are ultimately just to drive the plot forward, to help the male and female protagonists better understand their relationship, and to take their feelings to the next level."

Upon hearing the phrase "childhood sweethearts" and this irrefutable argument, even Lin Mu, who had never read Zhu Wenyun's novels, subconsciously nodded in agreement.

"Therefore, we should have a common goal."

Zhu Wenyun was the first to extend her hand.

And so, an even stronger alliance than the unbreakable one between Lin Mu and Xu Youwei, the childhood sweethearts alliance of the three was officially established in the summer of 2012.

P.S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing.

PS2: There's only one chapter left before the second volume officially concludes.

Chapter 82: Let's go back to the way things were before, okay? (Two chapters combined)

"So, what kind of gift would Xixi like?"

As soon as her afternoon nap ended, Shen Nianqiu began planning her trip to see Chen Xi. However, this time it didn't seem like she was going to face any enemy guarding the pass; it had a completely different meaning.

"Then we'll have to go to the bookstore to pick one out."

In fact, besides Lin Mu, Chen Xi also knew about Shen Nianqiu's existence in Guoning. After all, the two of them almost shared Chen Junqian's New Year's Eve, and Chen Junqian would never deliberately avoid talking to Shen Nianqiu when they talked on the phone. It's just that his sister wouldn't take the initiative to ask her about it.

"A bookstore...that's fine, let's go then, I've had a good sleep."

After tidying herself up in front of the mirror in front of the sink, Shen Nianqiu couldn't wait to pull Chen Junqian out of the house, and along the way she kept asking him about Chen Xi.

"Xixi is easy to get along with, but she might be a little socially anxious. She'll be fine once she gets to know her."

Shen Nianqiu and I took a taxi straight to the Education Bookstore in the center of Guoning City. It is one of the two largest bookstores in Guoning, and most of the common books on the market can be found here.

However, just like the city library that Chen Junqian and Zhu Wenyun often went to, the bookstore was full of all kinds of students, whether they were having study sessions or doing homework together, during holidays. From elementary school students to high school students, you could hear them laughing and talking all the time.

"So what kind of books does Xixi like to read?"

"Don't worry, you'll know how to buy it if you just follow my lead."

As the brother who knows his sister's preferences best in the world, Chen Junqian skipped over the bookshelves in front of the door, including the Ten Deadly Sins, children's literature, and online literature series, and walked straight to a certain bookshelf inside, stopping in front of a set of best-selling books.

“Here, if you want to give Xixi a gift, this is the most suitable one. She has been reading this series recently, but there are too many books in the series, so she has not bought them all. Sister, you only need to pick two books that she has not read yet.”

"My First Science Comic Book?"

"Hmm, Xixi likes the Global Treasure Hunt series, the Children's 100 Questions and Answers series, and the Survival series, but she probably likes the Global Treasure Hunt series the most, since she's a history buff herself... Let me see."

As he spoke, Chen Junqian picked out 'Egypt' and 'France' from the bookshelf in front of him.

"I remember she hasn't read these two books yet, so let's buy them."

"Okay, I'll listen to my brother."

Shen Nianqiu didn't know much about Chen Xi, the future family member and sister-in-law she had already decided on. Seeing that Chen Junqian had arranged the gifts perfectly, she simply nodded in agreement, took the two unopened new books, and went to the front desk to pay.

After resolving the issue of the gift that Shen Nianqiu had been longing for, Chen Junqian took the initiative to contact his younger sister. She had already finished her tutoring class for the day and was watching TV alone at home. When she heard that he was bringing someone over, she didn't have any particular reaction and said that the two of them could come directly.

Chen Xi's family situation is actually quite similar to Chen Junqian's own family. After all, the year just ended, Chen Xi's father, like Chen Junqian, accepted the company's transfer order and went to another place. He is currently in Xinjiang. Although his mother is at home, she is busy running extracurricular tutoring classes during the summer vacation, so most of the time the child is alone at home.

However, Xixi is indeed a child who knows how to pass the time very well. After all, in her words, there are so many books to read, TV shows to watch, and games to play in this world that she always feels that she doesn't have enough time.

Of course, if Chen Junqian were willing to come and accompany her, it would definitely be better for the two of them to be together than for one of them to be alone, since the compatibility between the two of them is indeed greater than the sum of its parts.

Unlike Gu Linguo's family, whose home renovation was basically complete and ready for them to move in, Chen Xi's family also bought a house in Yunqi Jinyuan, even on the floor below the two of them. However, because there was no one in charge of the household at the moment, and because she would not officially start school until next year, the house was temporarily left untouched. This was unlike Gu Linguo, who could go to her new home or Chen Junqian's place whenever she wanted.

I wish time could pass faster.

As the girl, resting her chin on her hand, turned the pages of the book, she had just had this thought when she heard the doorbell ring. She slid over in her slippers and opened the door, only to be greeted by a big hug.

"Finally, I've met Xixi! I'm Shen Nianqiu—"

Seeing his sister, who was being held by Shen Nianqiu and looked utterly dejected, Chen Junqian quickly reached out and separated the two. He felt that his older sister was indeed being a bit too enthusiastic. Anyone who didn't know better would think that it was a new son-in-law visiting his father-in-law for the first time, as if she was about to offer him a cigarette any second.

Oh, this time they were handing over the books they had just bought.

"Your brother told me that Xixi loves watching this the most, so I'm giving it to you!"

"Ah... thank you, Sister Shen. Brother, please come in and sit down."

After meeting both Chen Xi and Gu Linguo, who were the same age, Shen Nianqiu was certain that she would not mistake them for each other again. Even disregarding the difference in appearance, the atmosphere surrounding these two girls was completely different, making it hard to imagine how they became good friends.

Once they arrived at Chen Xi's house, Shen Nianqiu had clearly abandoned all her aggressive stance and seamlessly switched to praise mode.

"Xixi is so cute! I heard she's in the school choir. Actually, I'm in the choir too. We can exchange ideas more often here. And Xixi's voice is amazing."

“Ah, yeah.”

This was probably the first time Chen Xi had received such straightforward praise from an older person other than Chen Junqian. She felt a little embarrassed as she politely brought over the tea, instinctively averting her gaze and returning to her room with the two books Shen Nianqiu had given her.

"I...I'll go put the book down for a bit."

"XiXi's room has so many books, literature, history..."

Watching Shen Nianqiu continue to praise her all the way, Chen Junqian, who was sitting there, wanted to facepalm. The scene in front of him was giving him a strange, distorted impression, and it was really hard for him to keep his composure.

However, his older sister wasn't being overly attentive for no reason. After all, Chen Xi's family did have the most books among all the girls around him, even more than Zhu Wenyun.

Of course, this is mainly due to family conditions and financial resources. Zhu Wenyun herself prefers to borrow books from the library rather than buy them.

As it turns out, a girl who is good at roasting people is also the best at coaxing them. After all, both situations require analyzing and grasping the target's personality pain points and itch points in a very short time. Shen Nianqiu is undoubtedly one of the best at this, and she managed to win over Chen Xi in no time.

Thinking about it carefully, although Chen Xi herself didn't have any particular fondness for Guo Ning's childhood sweetheart trio, and even felt a bit disgusted by one of them, Xu, who had shown her a lot of embarrassment, she eventually met two other girls who could accurately grasp her emotional intelligence. It has to be said that this was a kind of fate.

If we divide the camps like this, it seems that the six girls around him have become two opposing sides, the Allies and the Entente, in a three-on-three battle.

Although Chen Junqian himself felt that the alliance between the two sides was quite fragile.

Shaking his head to clear away these random thoughts, Chen Junqian overheard Shen Nianqiu inviting Chen Xi to go out with them, perhaps to karaoke or something.

The "Battleground in Progress" message in the system fell completely silent once again.

In this respect alone, the younger sister's results were even better than Mu Mu's.

Because any girl who is with her will subconsciously and naturally overlook her. Even if he and his sister are singing lyrics like "dimples and long eyelashes, irresistibly charming" in a karaoke room, Shen Nianqiu will just sit there quietly and smile and clap along for them.

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"You're not going again. I heard you talking about it just the other day."

"Yes, I'm sorry, Grandma. We had already agreed on this beforehand."

“I have nothing to apologize for. When that girl was your age, she was still asking us for money. My granddaughter knows how to earn money and is still willing to spend money on me.”

After all, she was her own granddaughter with whom she had lived for over a decade. Grandma Zhu could tell at a glance that Zhu Wenyun wasn't in a good mood. Sitting there, picking vegetables, she grinned at her:

"Is it that they can't go?"

"No, it's just that I suddenly didn't want to go."

At this point, Zhu Wenyun neatly tied her long hair into a bun at the back of her head. The tall girl skillfully tied her apron hanging on the wall. However, completely different from her clean and neat movements, her tone was full of confusion and hesitation.

"If there are some things I haven't figured out, it feels like there's no point in going on a trip together, so it's better to put them aside for now."

Not wanting her grandmother to worry about things she herself hadn't figured out, Zhu Wenyun quickly changed the subject:

"Oh, Grandma, I picked up my report card from school yesterday. I got second place overall and seventh in the grade."

Although the elementary school graduation exam doesn't affect any subsequent middle school admissions, the school still graded the papers and ranked them. Upon hearing this, Grandma Zhu sighed.

“I’m not worried about your grades, but our family can’t afford to buy you a house in the Ningzhong area, so you’ll have to go to Jinzhong for junior high.”

"It's okay, Grandma. I'll get into Ningzhong High School when I take the high school entrance exam."

"That's not it. As I was saying, I'm definitely not worried about your grades. The main thing is that if you go to study at Jinzhong High School, you won't be with that boy anymore, right? It'll be fine, okay?"

Faced with her grandmother's question, Zhu Wenyun's hands paused subconsciously for a moment, then she smiled at her grandmother again:

"It's okay, it's just that we don't go to the same school. His new home is quite close to mine, so it's fine."

"Let me think about it. Next year, next summer vacation, the three of us will go on a trip together again. By then I will definitely have more money saved than I have now, and we will go even further, wherever we want to go in the country."

"Junqian has been teaching me how to make desserts recently. I'll let Grandma try some next time."

"hiss--"

As she spoke, Zhu Wenyun accidentally made a small cut on the pad of her right index finger with the kitchen knife in her hand. She had long since made such a basic mistake, even though she was past the time when she was a kitchen novice.

Not wanting her grandmother to see, the girl discreetly hid her finger and then ran to her room to find a band-aid and put it on.

A little blood seeped from the wound, just as psychological emotions were transformed into actual pain on a physiological level.

Zhu Wenyun hated this feeling.

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Xu Youwei stood outside a fenced-off construction site, gazing at the scenery inside.

This old building, which was supposedly originally a department store, was abandoned a few years ago. For a long time, it has been the main base for various vendors from other places to sell cheap clothes and small commodities under the banner of "clearance sale" or "fire sale". It is also one of the places she and Chen Junqian went to most often after school. The two even considered setting up their doomsday base here at the beginning.

A little further to the left is the alleyway they used to frequent. Xu Youwei and Chen Junqian used to set off firecrackers, play with snow spray cans, chase cats, and tease dogs there. But now even the walls with their mottled murals have been torn down, and cement dust floats in the summer sun.

Countless evenings after school overflowed from the cracks there, shimmering like broken gold in the dust.

But if you blink again, you'll realize that all of this is just wishful thinking. All you can see are demolition workers in overalls walking around the ruins, carrying away waste in carts.

Before I knew it, it was dusk.

Xu Youwei lingered there for a long time, unwilling to leave.

A massive, serene crimson sun slowly sank between the high-rises of Guoning. The girl finally took her first steps. She didn't walk fast, but as time passed, her silhouette gradually shrank until it disappeared completely into the fiery sunset.

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