When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds

She made it onto the train back to F Province without a hitch. Tan You was in good spirits, watching the scenery fly by outside her window. The farther she got from the city that had brought Ji Li so much sorrow, the better her mood became.

Around noon, the Beauty System suddenly played a video for Tan You. It was footage of Wen Zhe pacing in front of Ji Li’s apartment.

Tan You smiled. "He’s not important."

Wen Zhe was in a foul mood. He felt like a complete idiot for coming to find Ji Li with a cake in hand. Yesterday, she’d given him the cold shoulder, and not only had he not gotten angry, he’d actually thought of coming to coax her.

And what happened? She just up and left?

Seeing Wen Zhe’s stormy expression, the landlady asked curiously, "You didn’t know Ji Li was going back home? You come looking for her so often, I thought she would’ve told you something so important."

Wen Zhe looked a bit discomfited. "She mentioned it yesterday, but I thought she was just saying it out of anger."

"She told you. You’re the one who didn’t take her seriously." The landlady shook her head. "She left first thing in the morning."

She saw Wen Zhe often. At first, she’d worried that Ji Li wasn’t a proper young woman. But after seeing Wen Zhe a few times, she realized he was the unreliable one, the one who wasn’t ready to settle down.

It was a good thing Ji Li came to her senses and got out before she was in too deep.

Wen Zhe’s face was dark. He resentfully placed the exquisite little cake on the lid of a nearby trash can. "Fine, leave! If you’re going to leave, then don’t ever come back!"

Watching Wen Zhe walk away, the landlady couldn’t help but shake her head. Some people don’t cherish what they have, but once it’s lost, getting it back is next to impossible.

’Oh well, why should I worry about other people’s business?’ Picking up the cake from the trash can lid, the landlady shook her head in pity. "Such a nice thing. What a waste."

Just then, an old man collecting scraps passed by. The landlady called out to him, "A young man just put this on the lid. I saw it’s brand new and unopened. If you don’t mind..."

"I don’t mind, of course I don’t mind!" The old man’s face lit up. "Thank you! How kind of you to think of me."

The landlady waved her hand. "I’m just passing along the gift. Oh, by the way, I have some cardboard boxes in my apartment..."

After watching the full video, Tan You closed her eyes to rest again. "You don’t need to tell me about Wen Zhe in the future. I don’t care."

"Okay," the Beauty System replied. "Host, do you want to be a streamer? I can help!"

"I do need your help," Tan You said without hesitation. ’This little system really has its uses, especially when it comes to driving traffic.’ If she had to do it all on her own, she could manage the account, but it would take much longer.

The Beauty System immediately puffed out its little chest. "I... I’ll do it!"

Tan You said, "To make good videos, I’ll need a talented photographer. Have you gotten any responses to the message you posted on the forum?"

Beauty System: "Not yet..."

Tan You: "No rush. Without seeing the actual location, people might not believe it. Let’s wait until we get to my hometown."

Tan You could shoot videos herself, but she couldn’t compare to professional photographers. But all of this required money. Without money, nothing would work.

Around two in the afternoon, Tan You left the train station, suitcase in hand. After turning down numerous offers from drivers soliciting passengers, she boarded a public bus.

Ji Li didn’t have much money, so Tan You had to be frugal with every cent. Fortunately, after arriving in town, she unexpectedly ran into a relative from Ji Li’s mother’s side of the family.

According to Ji Li’s family seniority, Tan You was supposed to address him as Fifth Uncle.

"You’re Ji Li, right?" The man had clearly recognized her, and his tone was full of pleasant surprise.

"I am. Fifth Uncle, what are you doing here? I was just worrying about how to get back." Tan You’s original plan had been to rent a motorcycle in town to get back to the village.

She hadn’t expected to run into someone she knew here. This would save her a lot of trouble.

"Are... are you back to visit family?" Fifth Uncle asked tentatively, his eyes landing on the suitcase next to Tan You.

"Not exactly. How is Grandma’s health? I’m back for good this time. The village has been kind enough to look after her these past few years, but from now on, I’ll be the one taking care of her." Tan You stated her plan concisely, and Fifth Uncle’s eyes immediately lit up.

"You’re really not leaving again?" He was thrilled for a moment, but then he shook his head. "You worked so hard to get through university. What can you do back here in our little mountain village?"

"You’d be better off trying to make it in a big city. At least there are more opportunities there."

Tan You understood his good intentions. "Big cities aren’t that easy to live in either. The monthly salary you earn just goes to the landlord. You also have to pay for utilities, gas, and so on. Food and lodging all cost money."

"Maybe there will be opportunities back here, too."

Fifth Uncle took a drag from his cigarette. "Well, you make your own plans. I’m heading back. Want a ride?"

"Thank you, Fifth Uncle. How are things in the village now?" Tan You hopped into the back of Fifth Uncle’s three-wheeled vehicle without any ceremony, asking for information along the way. Although she had seen some things in the videos, she still wanted to hear it from the villagers themselves.

"It’s the same as always. The young people have all left, so it’s just us fifty and sixty-somethings left in the village. We farm our fields on most days. It doesn’t earn much, but it’s enough to get by. As long as no one gets sick, life is manageable."

Tan You understood. "I see. Did you just come from that mountain specialties shop? You didn’t look too happy."

"Don’t even mention it. I came to ask about prices in advance. The autumn harvest is in a few months, and that’s when everyone in the village goes into the mountains to gather those specialties. But the price these buyers are offering is even lower than last year’s!"

Fifth Uncle was furious, but he didn’t know what to do.

Tan You furrowed her brow slightly. "I see."

’She was already getting an idea for her first pot of gold. But Tan You didn’t like giving people hope prematurely. She would only say something when she was ninety percent sure of it.’

The three-wheeler wound its way up the mountain road. Tan You narrowed her eyes. "Fifth Uncle, do they sell used motorcycles in town?"

Fifth Uncle: "You looking to buy one? I’ll help you look around later. I can make sure you get one without any major problems."

"Okay. Now that I’m back, it’s a necessity." ’Coming back means spending money,’ Tan You had already expected as much. ’So, I still need to work hard to make money. With money, I can do so much more.’

When they arrived at Ji Li’s grandmother’s house, the old woman grasped Tan You’s hands, tears streaming down her wrinkled face. Tan You was extremely uncomfortable with such sentimental scenes. Thankfully, other villagers were there to help comfort the old woman.

The old house was suddenly bustling with activity as everyone asked about Ji Li’s life outside, why she had come back, and so on.

Tan You repeated the same explanation she had given Fifth Uncle. The villagers praised Ji Li for being a filial daughter, but inwardly, none of them were optimistic about her decision. Tan You could see what they were all thinking, but no matter what, she knew she had to try before she could know the outcome.