Reborn into the 70: Turning Adversity into Her Dazzling Path

Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Lonely

”Sure.” Gu Lingling smiled as she patted Liu Yaxin’s curly little hair. At six years old, Liu Yaxin’s hair was naturally curly, making her look as adorable as a doll.

Politely declining Wang Shuxia’s offer to stay for a meal, Liu Yating rode her bike to take her home.

Today, she was going to her grandmother’s house. Even though she had already asked Hao Lianlian to send word ahead, she didn’t want her grandparents to wait too long.

After being reborn, the people Gu Lingling most wanted to see were her grandmother’s family and her younger brother, Yao Jingsong, who had grown up at her grandmother’s house since childhood.

Yao Jingsong and Gu Lingling are twin siblings. Originally, he was named Gu Jingsong, with the nickname Baobao.

When Yao Ruanqian married Gu Chunhai back then, the Yao Family was initially reluctant. They wanted Yao Ruanqian to marry a son-in-law who would join their family.

But Old Mrs. Gu wasn’t willing to let Gu Chunhai be a son-in-law who joined them; out of her three sons, the second one was the most capable.

So the two families discussed it, agreeing that if Yao Ruanqian had a son first, he would take the Yao surname, inheriting the Yao Family’s legacy. Any subsequent children could belong to the Gu Family.

Old Mrs. Gu thought that was fine; after all, the eldest son’s son would inherit the Gu Family’s legacy, and having one less son sharing the inheritance seemed just right.

But unexpectedly, Yao Ruanqian died from complications during childbirth, and five or six years passed without her having another son.

After Yao Ruanqian passed away, the Yao Family didn’t plan to take him back immediately. But within a year, Yao Jingsong was raised by Wang Meili to be fearless.

The child, not even seven years old, dared to use a knife.

Yao Zhenjiang saw the situation as unacceptable. If he continued to be raised by the Gu Family, this grandson would be ruined.

Initially, they wanted to take Gu Lingling back as well, but Gu Lingling had been so wooed by Wang Meili and Gu Juan that she listened to no one. For this, Yao Zhenjiang was truly saddened.

However, no matter how hurt he felt, she was still his granddaughter. Every now and then, he’d send things for her or invite her to stay at their house.

Every time Gu Lingling stayed over, she would fight with Yao Jingsong. The siblings acted like enemies when they met.

Later, when Yao Zhenjiang wanted to bring Gu Lingling over, she simply refused to go.

Thinking back about it, Gu Lingling would just love to slap herself a few times—how foolish!

As Gu Lingling stood at her grandparents’ house, hesitating about whether to push the door open, Yang Yunhai, who was at the military base, was at that moment knocking on Liu Yating’s house door.

”Brother Yunhai,” Liu Yaxin bounced around in excitement, showing off, ”We’ve steamed delicious buns today; Brother Yunhai is in for a treat.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Wang Shuxia followed behind, smiling, ”Is my cooking that bad on a regular basis?”

”Bad.” Liu Yaxin pouted and frowned, ”Mom needs to learn from Sister Lingling.”

Wang Shuxia, ”...”

Can’t this child stop undermining me? Is she really mine?

”Little girl, you only have eyes for your Brother Yunhai, don’t you see Brother Ziqiao?” Su Ziqiao playfully rubbed Liu Yaxin’s curly hair, teasingly jealous.

”Don’t rub my hair,” Liu Yaxin pouted and glared at Su Ziqiao, ”Sister Lingling styled it for me; don’t mess it up.”

After saying this, she adjusted it herself a bit.

A strong protest.

”Sister Lingling? Who’s that?” Su Ziqiao asked.

”She’s Yating’s schoolmate, named Gu Lingling,” Wang Shuxia replied with a smile, inviting them both inside, ”This child’s cooking skills are truly impressive; you two are in for a treat, with ground vegetable buns.”

”Gu Lingling? Who would choose a name like that?” Yang Yunhai’s lips curved slightly upward, images of that confident girl on the mountain surfaced in his mind.

The way she described food made it sound like it was the most exquisite delicacy in the world.

So, almost driven by an unknown force, when Su Ziqiao had invited him along, he decided to come.

But the buns were genuinely delicious.

Yang Yunhai had stomach issues, so whenever possible, he was quite picky about what he ate.

Yet, after taking a bite of the ground vegetable bun, his taste buds seemed to open up completely, and he couldn’t help but take a couple more bites.

Truly delicious.

No wonder that old man, known for being hard to please with food, praised them endlessly.

”Mm, really good,” Su Ziqiao, resembling a pig, nodded while eating, ”That girl’s cooking skills aren’t just talk.”

Yang Yunhai glanced at Su Ziqiao without speaking, but it was clear his bun-eating pace increased noticeably.

Little did he know at that moment how much of a nuisance this foodie would be in the days to come.