After Being Blackened All Over the Internet, I Ruled the Military Variety Shows-Chapter 104 This Name Sounds Somewhat Familiar

As the grandparent and grandchild in the hospital sat in silence, Jiang Lingxi and Lu Zhengzheng finally finished their meal and returned to their residence.

When they opened the door they hadn’t seen in nearly ten days, the room sensed the owners’ return and automatically lit up, presenting Jiang Lingxi with a spotless room just as it was when they left.

Lu Zhengzheng, familiar with the place, pushed the suitcase inside and turned to see Jiang Lingxi staring at the enormous crystal chandelier in the living room, lost in thought. "Oh, Sister Tong has been sending a cleaning lady over every couple of days. Today, she must have just cleaned. Xixi, you got caught in some rain earlier, too. I’ll run some hot water in the bathroom. You should have a nice soak to relax before going to sleep."

Watching Lu Zhengzheng dash off to the bathroom after speaking, Jiang Lingxi stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Instantly, the room became quiet.

From now on, regardless of where she roamed, this place would be her harbor, where she’d come back to rest.

Though no one awaited her with a lantern, the entire room would light up for her upon entering.

Changing out of her still slightly damp clothes in the bedroom, Jiang Lingxi walked out to see the kitchen light was also on, unsurprisingly finding Lu Zhengzheng busy at work.

"What are you doing?"

Lu Zhengzheng, stirring a pot on the stove with a spoon, responded, "I saw some ginger and scallion in the fridge, so I made some ginger scallion water to prevent a cold. Xixi, you’re not strong. It’s safer to drink this. You really can’t afford to catch a cold now; otherwise, Sister Tong will kill me."

Seeing her so serious, Jiang Lingxi couldn’t help but smile. "...It’s not that bad, is it?"

"Why wouldn’t it be?" Lu Zhengzheng was about to casually mention the packed schedule Sister Tong had set for Xixi. Noticing Jiang Lingxi’s tired expression, she promptly swallowed her words. "Uh, the hot water is ready, Xixi. You should have a soak. By the time you’re done, it should be ready to drink."

If she told Xixi now, she wasn’t sure if she’d sleep well at night. Better to let Sister Tong discuss it with Xixi tomorrow.

Jiang Lingxi sensed Lu Zhengzheng was holding back but didn’t ask further.

It was nothing more than her work arrangements. Even if she didn’t hear it now, she’d find out from Tong Yue tomorrow.

For now, a good soak was more important. It had been over a week since she had a proper bath.

She emerged from a comfortable bath and drank a bowl of hot ginger scallion water. After reminding Lu Zhengzheng to get some rest early, she took her phone and returned to the bedroom.

After plugging in her phone to charge, she glanced at the weather forecast displayed and set the phone to silent, flipping it screen-down on the bedside table before tucking herself in and closing her eyes.

She naturally didn’t notice the phone’s screen lighting up several times shortly after she closed her eyes.

*

Hospital.

Xu Ling’an nestled on the companion bed beside her grandmother’s hospital bed, holding an elderly phone given to her by her grandmother, staring at the simple four-word text she just sent: "Goodnight, sister."

Gao Lan accompanied her granddaughter in silence for a moment, noticing the slight pout forming on the girl’s lips. "No reply?"

"Mm, my sister must be resting already."

"It’s not even ten yet."

"Maybe she has a good routine, early to bed and early to rise."

Gao Lan was genuinely curious about the girl who saved her granddaughter.

Being familiar with her own child’s nature, she knew An’an seemed obedient on the surface but had a stubborn streak identical to her late husband.

Once she set her mind on something, she never looked back. Yet the people or things that would earn their recognition were rare.

This was the first time she’d seen her granddaughter hold such a fond memory of someone she’d only met once.

If the person were a boy, she’d suspect her child might have a crush.

"Since she’s probably asleep, you should put the phone down, too. You have to get to school for morning classes tomorrow, so better sleep early."

After a final glance at the screen with no message returned, Xu Ling’an pressed her lips together and handed the phone back to her grandmother, tucking herself in. "Goodnight, Grandma."

"Mm, goodnight."

She closed her eyes, and darkness enveloped the surroundings, but the hospital corridors were never without sounds of footsteps going back and forth.

In the familiar background noise she’d grown accustomed to before sleep, Xu Ling’an felt as if she had drifted back two hours ago.

A slight chill from the drizzle permeated the air, the passersby on the street hurried past without interaction. Amidst her panic and despair, a warm hand suddenly reached out, pulling her back from the darkness to the world of the living.

Her body, chilled from the rain, slowly warmed with the touch of that hand.

*

The next day was clear and bright.

The rain from the previous night left the air especially fresh.

Lu Zhengzheng, rubbing her still groggy eyes and yawning, emerged from the spare bedroom. After recognizing the figure meditating on the soft cushion by the balcony, she woke up instantly.

"Xixi, you’re up so early!"

Jiang Lingxi slowly exhaled, bracing her hands on her knees to stand up. She glanced at the faint dark circles under Lu Zhengzheng’s eyes. "Stayed up late?"

"No, no, no," Lu Zhengzheng quickly waved her hand but eventually lowered her head to admit under Jiang Lingxi’s perceptive gaze, "I couldn’t resist browsing on my phone before bed, and time flew by. Suddenly, it was one in the morning. I promise I won’t do it again."

Jiang Lingxi’s soft hum left Lu Zhengzheng unsure if she believed the promise.

"I’ll get started on breakfast now."

Feeling a bit pressured, she used the excuse of making breakfast to slip away quickly!

Watching Lu Zhengzheng scurry off to the kitchen, Jiang Lingxi returned to the bedroom to change into clothes for going out later. She picked up her phone, which had been charging all night, as she left.

Sitting on the couch in the living room, she opened her phone and finally saw the messages sent last night while she was sleeping.

She glanced at Tong Yue’s message asking her to come to the company in the morning to discuss upcoming work plans.

She intended to talk to Tong Yue anyway, so this visit was inevitable.

Another message came from Jiang Wenhu, reminding her of Jiang Lingxu’s release date, suggesting it would be best if the family could welcome him, if possible.

Jiang Lingxi decided to reply later since she didn’t yet know if she would be available, planning to respond after meeting Tong Yue.

The last, and earliest, was from Xu Ling’an.

Jiang Lingxi stared at the simple "Goodnight, Sister" onscreen, and after a few seconds, she began typing a reply: "I went to bed early last night and just saw your message. After getting caught in the rain, is everything okay today?"

As soon as the message was sent successfully, Gao Lan, who was half-reclining in the hospital bed reading a newspaper, picked up the phone, read the newly received message, and slowly typed: "I am An’an’s grandmother. Thank you for what you did last night. An’an went back to school early for classes and hasn’t caught a cold. Thank you for your concern."

Lu Zhengzheng brought out a plate of freshly fried egg pancakes and saw Jiang Lingxi staring at her phone daze on the living room sofa. "Xixi?"

Jiang Lingxi snapped out of her thoughts as Lu Zhengzheng called her, pressed her lips together, and continued typing: "Good morning, Ma’am, you’re too kind."

"An’an mentioned she forgot to ask the benefactor’s name last night. Could you please share your name so I can save it in my contacts?"

"Jiang Lingxi." freewebnøvel.coɱ

Gao Lan, updating the contact name of someone newly added by her granddaughter, muttered to herself, "This name... sounds somewhat familiar, doesn’t it?"