Shi Hai had indeed noticed Jian Sichun's discomfort.
"Yeah, she's the type who feels worse herself when she hits someone else."
"She's very kind... just like Mom."
"But she still did it."
"Yes..."
Shi Hai patted Zhu Lingjie on the shoulder, advising her.
"She'll be a great friend. Make sure you get along with her."
"I will cherish her."
"I'll talk to her later, so don't worry."
"Okay, that's good..."
Zhu Lingjie felt relieved.
If Shi Hai promised something, he would certainly follow through, and she trusted him to comfort Jian Sichun properly.
Next, it was her turn to strengthen her relationship with Shi Hai.
It was a rare opportunity to be alone together, so it would be a shame not to try.
But when it came to her turn, Zhu Lingjie became nervous again.
"Also, you can just call me by my name..."
"Yeah, that makes sense."
Shi Hai thought it would be strange to keep calling her by her full name since they had known each other for so long.
Since they were friends, the way they addressed each other should be more intimate.
"Then I'll call you Lingjie? Or, like my mom, Lingling?"
"Um..."
Zhu Lingjie quickly covered her mouth.
In her previous life, Shi Hai always called her "Lingling," and every time she heard it, her face would light up with a smile.
If he called her "Lingling" now, Zhu Lingjie felt she would be smiling all the time.
Given her usually expressionless face, a sudden change might seem odd, like a slit-mouthed woman...
And she knew her ears were soft, easily swayed by sweet talk, turning her into a blushing mess.
So she opted for the safer choice.
"Ling... Lingjie is fine!"
"Okay, then you can call me by my name too... but my name is only two characters, so calling me 'Hai' might sound a bit awkward?"
Zhu Lingjie thought about how she used to call him and blushed.
She used to call him "husband" and, when feeling playful, "darling."
When in a maid outfit, it was "Master," and in a traditional bellyband, it was "Sir."
Looking back, it wasn't just sweet; it was downright embarrassing.
Oh no, oh no, oh no!
Zhu Lingjie's heart screamed silently, her face burning.
"My mom also calls me by my full name, so it's better to stick with that... huh? What's wrong?"
Seeing Shi Hai unusually shy, scratching his cheek with an awkward laugh, he said.
"Haha, nothing, it's just... it feels quite rare to hear you call my name."
"Ah..."
Hearing this, Zhu Lingjie felt very guilty. She really hadn't called Shi Hai's name much in the past.
Despite being childhood friends, she hadn't done the things a childhood friend should do.
How many bad memories had she left him with?
Bowing to apologize, she began to speak.
"I... umm..."
But before she could apologize, Shi Hai covered her mouth.
"Don't apologize; it's not your fault."
"Umm..."
"I was just feeling a bit sentimental."
After releasing her, Shi Hai continued.
"I mean, although I've known you for a long time, it feels like I'm truly meeting you now."
"..."
A strong sense of déjà vu hit Zhu Lingjie.
In her past life, after explaining her social anxiety to Shi Hai, he had the same expression and sentiment.
The words he said afterward, she would never forget.
Without thinking, she murmured.
"Let's start over."
"—!"
Shi Hai was just about to say that himself, surprised that Zhu Lingjie beat him to it.
Zhu Lingjie had changed so much.
The childhood friend he remembered always wore a cold, indifferent face, no matter how her appearance and body matured.
But now, she could call his name, talk to him normally, and even show a cute, shy side.
The change was astonishing.
It was as if she had grown up overnight.
Overnight...
Shi Hai closed his eyes, then opened them again, smiling.
"Yeah, let's start over."
At the same time, he considered the possibility.
The three girls he met yesterday—Tian Shui, Jian Sichun, and Zhu Lingjie...
They might all be reincarnated.
…
With their combined efforts, they spent an afternoon cleaning Zhu Lingjie's house thoroughly, making it spotless and new.
"This should do it."
"Thank you..."
"Friends help each other; it's expected."
"I'll help with dinner tonight too."
"That would be great. My mom's cooking isn't the best. Yesterday, it was thanks to Jian Sichun helping out; otherwise, I would've had to cook again."
"Sichun can cook too..."
"Yeah, she did pretty well, though she's a bit slow. She seems very capable but doesn't cook often."
"If I help, it will definitely be faster and better. I'm confident in my cooking skills..."
After all, Zhu Lingjie cooked daily for her beloved husband.
To ensure Shi Hai had the best meals without getting bored, Zhu Lingjie mastered a wide variety of dishes, reaching a level of proficiency that could easily land her a job at a high-end restaurant.
Her knife skills were particularly impressive.
However, her demeanor while holding a knife could be intimidating.
"Then I'll take you up on that."
"Okay, I'll start preparing the ingredients..."
Though she seemed calm, Zhu Lingjie was internally fired up.
This was her first important performance, and she had to give it her all!
"Sure, get the money for the ingredients from my mom, or contact her before she gets off work to go shopping together."
"Alright, I'll contact Mom... and Sichun too..."
"I'll tell her the cleaning is done, and she can move in with you."
"Yes, yes."
Shi Hai accepted the task of comforting Jian Sichun since he needed to talk to her anyway.
"I'll head back now."
"Wait, take this..."
Shi Hai turned back, seeing Zhu Lingjie holding out a key.
"This is... your house key?"
Zhu Lingjie nodded.
"Are you sure about this?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I'll take it. But make sure to lock your rooms."
Taking the key, Shi Hai saw Zhu Lingjie blushing and teasingly asked.
"If I don't lock the door... will you come in?"
Shi Hai blinked, then grinned.
Wow, she could joke now?
Her social anxiety recovery today was phenomenal.
Her psychologist would probably cry and bow to Shi Hai.
"I have a habit of knocking."
"As expected... that's so like you."
Zhu Lingjie smiled.
She knew Shi Hai would say that.
But...
You may have a habit of knocking...
But I don't.
Waking her husband up was a wife's duty.
Even if they weren't married yet, it was within the duties of a childhood friend, right?
Cooking for him, waking him up, going to school together...
Everything she missed as a childhood friend, she would make up for!
<+>
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