After Transmigrating into a Cannon Fodder Real Daughter, the Plot Changes

Chapter 125 Part 1 – Some Things Just Can’t Be Rushed (I)

After hanging up the phone, Jiang Li smiled excitedly. “I hadn’t received the birthday present from Third Uncle and thought he’d forgotten my birthday. I didn’t expect him to actually come in person!”

Tong Yi said helplessly, “I heard everything you said just now.”

Seeing his strange expression, Jiang Li looked surprised. “Why do you look so unhappy about it?”

Tong Yi quickly tucked away his true feelings. “Why would I be unhappy? It’s a good thing that Third Master Feng came for your birthday. You should hurry back to your campus so he doesn’t have to wait too long.”

Jiang Li looked at him suspiciously. “But I think you were acting a little strange just now.”

Tong Yi pointed at his pant leg. “It’s not me being strange—it’s my legs and feet. They suddenly feel really cold. I don’t even know why.”

“…” Jiang Li had nothing to say on that—it would be strange not to feel cold after playing in the water in the dead of winter!

“You’d better go change your pants and shoes quickly. You’ll get rheumatism if you keep this up,” she finally advised.

Hearing the concern in her voice, Tong Yi’s mood suddenly improved. “I will, of course. Don’t worry. You’d better go back now—don’t let your uncle wait too long. It’s not every day he comes to visit.”

Indeed, it had been a while since Jiang Li last saw Feng Qi, and she did miss him, so she didn’t linger. “Then I’ll go out and get a taxi. I’ll let Wen Wan know that my Third Uncle came and that I’m heading back first.”

“Alright.” Tong Yi reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “And… Jiang Xiao Li, happy birthday. I’ve told you before—every year on your birthday, you can ask me for one wish. That promise is good for life.”

Jiang Li grinned. “I haven’t thought of what I want yet. I’ll let you know when I figure it out.”

After saying that, she turned and ran out of the amusement park without looking back. Tong Yi watched her retreating figure, and the corners of his mouth curled up before he noticed it.

When he was standing in the water carrying Jiang Xiao Li just now, her arms had wrapped around his neck, and they were so close that he could practically hear her heartbeat. After getting out of the water, he couldn’t bring himself to set her down right away, so he carried her for a bit before putting her on the steps nearby.

And yet she had let him carry her quietly, without any objections. If it had been another guy, she probably would’ve punched him the moment he asked to carry her, right?

Thinking about it like that, Tong Yi suddenly felt more confident. He believed that the moment Jiang Xiao Li realized her feelings, she would definitely fall for him.

…

Meanwhile, Wen Wan was carried out of the haunted house by Lin Zhao. Before going in, she had planned to pretend to be scared, but once inside, she realized she was genuinely frightened.

Unlike Jiang Li, who had dragged her out, Lin Zhao had picked her up and carried her out princess-style. After leaving the haunted house, he led her to find Tong Yi and Jiang Li.

They found Tong Yi at the water swing bridge, but Jiang Li was nowhere to be seen. Lin Zhao immediately noticed that Tong Yi’s pant legs were wet and asked in surprise, “Did you guys just play on the water swing bridge?”

Earlier, he had seen on the surveillance cameras that Jiang Li and Wen Wan had briefly stopped by but ultimately didn’t go on the ride. Yet Tong Yi had actually convinced Jiang Li to try it?

Tong Yi smiled smugly. “Yeah, it was pretty fun. If you guys want to play, you can try it too.”

Wen Wan shook her head immediately. “Doesn’t seem fun at all. You should go change your pants and shoes. It’s not good to stay like that.” Then she asked, confused, “Where’s Jiang Li? Did she go to the restroom?”

Tong Yi shook his head. “Her uncle came to celebrate her birthday, so she went back to campus first.”

“Why didn’t you go with her? Jiang Li told me before that you’re related to her family. Her uncle must know you, too. You could’ve gone with her.” Wen Wan looked surprised. If it were her parents coming to see her, she’d definitely bring Lin Zhao along with her!

Tong Yi: “…”

If Jiang Xiao Li felt the same way about him, he would definitely shamelessly go along to make an impression in front of Third Master Feng and work on getting his approval. But right now, Jiang Xiao Li clearly didn’t have that kind of feeling for him yet—if, at this point, her protective uncle saw through his intentions, the consequences would be serious!

Yeah… better wait a bit longer. Some things just can’t be rushed.

…

After leaving the amusement park, Jiang Li immediately hailed a taxi and had the driver take her back to her university. The moment the taxi stopped at the campus gate, she saw Feng Qi’s car parked there. She ran over to tap on the window, but Feng Qi opened the door before she could.

Once Jiang Li got in the passenger seat and buckled up, Feng Qi started driving toward the villa he had purchased for her graduation. Though no one had lived there permanently, it was well-maintained and always ready for occupancy. After getting out of the car, Jiang Li immediately demanded, “Third Uncle, what birthday gift are you giving me this year?”

Feng Qi smiled. “What do you want for your birthday?”

Jiang Li thought about it and shook her head. “I don’t really lack anything. I can’t think of anything I want right now.”

Tong Yi had said she could ask him for a wish every year on her birthday, but she hadn’t come up with one either. To her, birthday gifts are something others give, and you just accept them. What she really wanted was a joy at receiving one.

“If you can’t think of anything, then just wait patiently,” Feng Qi deliberately kept her in suspense.

Jiang Li nodded, then changed the topic, “I’m planning to treat some friends to a meal tomorrow. Will you come with us, Uncle?”

“If I join you guys, won’t it make things awkward?” He asked back.

Jiang Li thought for a moment and answered honestly, “I wouldn’t feel awkward. As for whether others would, I’m not so sure.”

Feng Qi reached out and rubbed her head. “Then I won’t go. Have fun with your peers.”

Jiang Li linked her arm with his. “Even if you’re not coming to the dinner, I’m already really happy that you came to celebrate my birthday today.”

Feng Qi took out a small box from his pocket. “Open it and see.”

Jiang Li opened the box and found a small jade Buddha pendant inside, its workmanship looked especially delicate.

Feng Qi explained, “Boys wear Guanyin, girls wear Buddha. I wish your life to always stay peaceful and smooth.” Although he never really believed in superstition, after hearing how efficacious the Buddha at Lingjue Temple was said to be, he went to request this consecrated jade Buddha. Whether it actually worked or not was secondary—as long as it offered some peace of mind.

Jiang Li eagerly took out the jade Buddha pendant and put it around her neck. Only then did she say, “I really like this birthday gift, Third Uncle.”

“Well, if you like it, you can make me a cake as a thank,” Feng Qi said again.

Jiang Li smiled. “Sure. I’ve baked so much that I think I can open a cake shop in the future—when it was Tong Yi’s birthday, I baked him birthday cakes, too.”

Feng Qi raised an eyebrow. “You made a cake for Tong Yi?”

Jiang Li nodded. “Yeah. For your birthday next year, Uncle, I’ll bake one again.”

Feng Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly. After a moment, he asked, “What time exactly is your birthday gathering tomorrow?”

“Six in the evening. Since there’ll be quite a few people, I figured it wasn’t suitable to host it at home, so I booked a restaurant in advance,” Jiang Li answered honestly.

After a few seconds of silence, Feng Qi said, “I’ll be free then—let me attend, too.”

Jiang Li was surprised. “Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t go?”

Feng Qi smiled. “You can just tell them I’m your older brother.”

Jiang Li replied helplessly, “My high school friends all know you, and so does Tong Yi. If I really said that, they’d probably think I’ve lost my mind.”

Feng Qi glanced at her. “You don’t want me to go?”

Jiang Li immediately gave in. “How could I not want you to come? Even if you didn’t want to go, I’d still drag you along!”

Feng Qi rubbed her head again. “Good girl.”

Jiang Li: “…”

‘Why does it feel like Third Uncle is acting weird today?’

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