Tan You teased, "So you won’t do that now?"

Liuu Min replied solemnly, "Of course. That’s just a past I never knew, and there’s no point in dwelling on it. But you... you’re not just my real past, you’re also my present and my future. Your presence is enough for me to let go of all the bitterness and resentment."

"I won’t ask about things that never happened again. Just like you said, I have a bright future ahead of me."

Tan You said, "Good. I’ll never bring up those experiences again. It’s good to look forward. Don’t let those fabricated what-ifs trouble your mind, because after all, they never really happened."

From Zhang Wangying’s perspective, Liuu Yuming’s story was indeed a tragedy, but in Tan You’s eyes, Liuu Min was the greatest victim. Liuu Yuming had turned her own life into a joke, but Liuu Min’s tragic fate was entirely of Liuu Yuming’s own making.

That was why, after arriving in this world, Tan You found herself subconsciously looking after Liuu Min more. While she did put effort into helping Liuu Yuming, in the end, it couldn’t compare to the care and attention she devoted to Liuu Min.

Learning about Tan You’s origins and what her own life could have been didn’t change things much for Liuu Min. Perhaps because she hadn’t personally lived through that past, she was able to move on from it so easily.

Meanwhile, for Liuu Yuming, after Liuu Min moved to S City for school, her relationship with Xu Jia entered a visibly new phase. Perhaps because the people closest to her no longer opposed her dating, she and Xu Jia became even more affectionate.

After receiving another text from Liuu Yuming saying she was staying out all night, Liuu Min laughed. "Is it time to start preparing her dowry?"

"The way she and Xu Jia are going, I wouldn’t be surprised if a baby came out of it at any time."

Tan You replied, "You can definitely start preparing. Xu Jia absolutely treasures her. He’s already planning his proposal."

As she said this, she sent over a few photos of Xu Jia discussing the proposal details with someone. Seeing the flowers, the ring, and everything else, Liuu Min couldn’t help but shudder. "So over-the-top."

Tan You laughed too. "Your mom loves that kind of extravagance. She cares a lot about appearances. You think Xu Jia doesn’t know her personality? But I have to say, your mom’s flashy and flamboyant nature isn’t the least bit annoying."

Liuu Min thought for a moment. "Maybe it’s because even though she’s flashy and flamboyant, she can provide it all for herself instead of depending on others? Honestly, the fact that you raised my mom to be this way is amazing."

Tan You replied, "I’m not really good at raising people, but I do know one thing: go with the flow and guide it to your advantage. If you want someone to listen to you, give them what they want most. It makes them easier to handle later on."

Liuu Min, of course, didn’t tell Liuu Yuming about Xu Jia’s secret scheming. When Xu Jia even came to her for help, Liuu Min agreed without hesitation and didn’t let a single word slip to her mother.

Luu Yuming truly did love extravagant, grand gestures. When Xu Jia proposed, she accepted without the slightest hesitation. She had no reservations, no apprehension or unease about the future.

Her greatest source of confidence had never been Xu Jia, but rather Tan You and Liuu Min. As long as those two were by her side, she had the courage to make any choice.

After she accepted Xu Jia’s proposal, Liuu Yuming’s life seemed to hit the fast-forward button. By the time her and Xu Jia’s child was old enough to run errands, Liuu Min had already graduated with her doctorate.

"Sister, congratulations on graduating!" Xu Yuan, holding a bouquet of flowers, tried his best to keep a serious face as he handed them to Liuu Min, but he couldn’t stop a grin from spreading across his face.

Liuu Min bent down and scooped up Xu Yuan. "Thank you, Yuanyuan. Where are your mom and dad?"

Xu Yuan hugged Liuu Min’s neck and waved a small arm behind him. "Over there! Sister, you’re so amazing! I’m going to get a PhD when I grow up, too!"

Xu Jia came over and took his chubby son. "That’s an ambitious goal! Being like your sister takes a lot of hard work. Are you afraid of hard work?"

"I’m not afraid! Big boys aren’t afraid of hard work!" Xu Yuan declared loudly. "I’m going to get my PhD when I’m twenty, too!"

Luu Yuming couldn’t take it anymore. She fanned herself and said, "All of you geniuses... one with a bachelor’s, another with a doctorate, and now one aspiring to get a doctorate. Where does that leave me?"

Before Xu Jia could say a word, Xu Yuan was already laying on the charm. "Mom, even though we’re smart, we all listen to you. Doesn’t that make you happy?"

Luu Yuming couldn’t help but break into a smile. "I am. You’re just like your father."

Xu Yuan replied, "I’m my dad’s son, so of course I’m like him."

Watching Xu Yuan so smoothly charm everyone, Liuu Min couldn’t help but lower her gaze and smile. She was also very fond of Xu Yuan. The little guy was especially attached to her; ever since he learned to walk, he’d been stuck to her side like glue.

Most of the family came for Liuu Min’s doctoral graduation. Tang Jing also brought her flowers. "Congratulations on graduating. Your future is brighter than ever." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Liuu Min accepted the bouquet from Tang Jing. "Thank you, Auntie. Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at home resting?"

Not long after Tang Jing and Liuu Jun married, they welcomed the fruit of their love. Just when their little one had gotten a bit older, Tang Jing got pregnant again. Liuu Jun was resigned to it; he hadn’t wanted another child, especially since Tang Jing had transferred to the traffic police precisely because her body couldn’t take the strain of her previous post.

During Tang Jing’s first pregnancy, Liuu Jun had been so worried her body wouldn’t be able to handle it that he was even prepared for them to remain childfree. After she finally gave birth safely, Liuu Jun had solemnly sworn they wouldn’t have any more kids.

He never expected it to happen again.

Tang Jing patted her stomach. "I’m actually in great shape. It’s just you all, always treating me like a porcelain doll. For the past few years, Liuu Jun and his mom have been taking me to all sorts of specialists for conditioning treatments, and they’ve all said I’m perfectly fine."

Liuu Min said, "Well, as long as you’re truly okay. Love really can change a person. You used to be so cool and formidable, and now you’ve become so gentle."

Tang Jing replied, "A good relationship and a happy marriage really do change a person. And of course, all of you are wonderful too. My parents heard you were graduating today and specially booked a restaurant. Let’s all go celebrate."

Liuu Min wasn’t surprised in the least. "Okay! I haven’t seen Grandpa Tang in a long time."

Because of Tang Jing and Liuu Jun’s marriage, Liuu Yuming’s family and the Tang family now saw each other much more frequently. Grandpa Tang was especially fond of Liuu Min—after all, who wouldn’t like a junior who was so mature, intelligent, and driven?

Luu Yuming stood beside Xu Jia, her eyes filled with pride. ’So what if I’m not a genius? My daughter is brilliant and capable! Just how many people graduate with a doctorate at twenty years old?’

She glanced at the chubby son in Xu Jia’s arms and felt a wave of contentment. ’How did life get so good?’

* * *

As she withdrew from the mission world, Tan You stared up at the verdant leaves overhead. A long time passed before she whispered, "I’m guessing the client’s evaluation won’t be very high this time. I’d estimate a B, at most."

This mini-arc is now officially complete. Some readers mentioned before that they don’t enjoy the relationship-focused drama, so Shi Yun plans to write less of it in the future. For example, the romance in this world was mostly glossed over.

With that said, Shi Yun would still like to ask everyone to please, please add this book to your library! If you’re enjoying it, please feel free to recommend it to others. Shi Yun thanks you all profusely!