The gene optimization fluid had a faint sweetness, suitable for minors. After drinking it, the system recycled the empty bottle.
Lin Yan felt an irresistible drowsiness come over her. She knew the gene optimization fluid was taking effect. She pulled the thin blanket over her head and fell asleep.
She slept soundly and woke up to the chirping of birds in the morning. Her body felt slightly sticky and her mouth was dry, indicating she had sweated quite a bit during the night.
Lin Yan threw off the blanket and sat up. She immediately noticed a lightness in her body. Unlike yesterday's discomfort, her body felt perfectly fine now. She did a few movements and realized her current body was closer to her original one than the one in her previous world.
Yesterday, due to discomfort and the need to take the gene optimization fluid, she hadn't had a chance to examine the body's appearance. She took out a small mirror from her luggage and discovered that the original owner's looks weren't stunning, but rather pleasing to the eye, exuding an intellectual beauty that grew on you. Coupled with the original owner's bookish personality, she understood why the male lead would be attracted to her. After all, people tend to desire what they lack.
Lin Yan put the mirror away and looked at Yuan Kangmei on the next bed. Despite saying she wanted to wake up early, she was still asleep.
Lin Yan didn't disturb her. It was still early, and they had both been tired yesterday. Lin Yan picked up her toiletries, opened the door softly, and left.
After washing up, Lin Yan filled a basin with water. Her body had been unwell yesterday, so she hadn't dared to shower. But she had sweated profusely during the night, and the gene optimization fluid had improved her physique, making her unbearable to remain unwashed. She had to shower this morning.
"Lin Yan, you're up so early!" A voice came from one of the elder educated youths who had just opened the door, seeing Lin Yan fetching water.
"Yes, I slept early last night, and I sweated a lot. So I wanted to take a shower. Liu Juan jie, you're up early too!" Lin Yan explained.
"It's my turn to cook today! It's still a bit chilly, let me help you heat up some water for your shower. It's easy, just add more water to the pot." Liu Juan knew about Lin Yan fainting yesterday.
"Thank you, Liu Juan jie! Then, Liu Juan jie, let me help you with the fire!" Lin Yan placed the basin in the utility room and then proceeded to cook with Liu Juan.
After the meal was ready, everyone else gradually woke up. Lin Yan took another basin of hot water into the utility room to take a good shower.
After breakfast, everyone went to the small square in front of the village committee to receive their work assignments from the village head. It was early summer, and not yet harvest season. The main task was weeding. Lin Yan was assigned to cut pig feed. It seemed the village head knew about her heatstroke yesterday and assigned her a lighter task.
Lin Yan took her tools and set off with the others. She followed Liu Juan, who was cooking that morning. Although Lin Yan had a general idea of what pig feed looked like, the current her presumably wouldn't know.
She carefully observed the actions of others, then diligently asked and learned. Her attitude greatly improved the disposition of those working alongside her.
While cutting pig feed, she also discreetly inquired about the village and cross-referenced it with the original owner's memories. At the same time, she collected gossip about the village.
The morning's work concluded quickly. Lin Yan and Liu Juan returned to help prepare lunch. Lunch consisted of sweet potato and rice, with more sweet potato than rice, but it was still considered a substantial meal. Compared to the porridge in the morning, it was quite good. The vegetables were simply boiled. A small patch of land near the educated youth dormitory had been used to grow vegetables, but due to lack of care, they weren't thriving.
The morning's labor had drained everyone's energy for small talk. After a quick meal, they all retreated to their rooms to rest. Zhou Qi had been trying to find opportunities to talk to Lin Yan all morning, but Lin Yan had avoided him. She was focused on adapting to her current life and didn't have the energy or desire to deal with the male lead.
Back in the room, Yuan Kangmei was too tired to say much and collapsed onto the bed. "Lin Yan, I'm so tired! You're much better today, cutting pig feed must be the easiest job, right?"
"But easy work means fewer work points!" Lin Yan replied casually. She knew her special treatment was making Yuan Kangmei uncomfortable. It seemed some matters needed to be addressed soon.
The afternoon's labor continued. Lin Yan gathered the information she needed through conversations. After dinner, she avoided everyone, grabbed her belongings, and headed to a house at the western end of the village.
Lin Yan didn't enter directly but called out a few times at the door. It was after dinner, so people should be home. After she called out a couple of times, someone came out to look.
"You... are you a new educated youth? Who are you looking for?" The person who came out was a middle-aged woman, about forty years old.
"Yes, I'm Lin Yan, a new educated youth. Is this Wu Jian Guo's home?" Lin Yan asked with a smile.
"You're looking for my father-in-law? Do you know him?" the middle-aged woman asked, sounding surprised.
"Yes. I am Wu Jian Guo's granddaughter. My maternal grandfather sent me to find him."
"You're the granddaughter from the eldest brother's family? Come in, come in quickly." The middle-aged woman hurried out and pulled Lin Yan inside.
Lin Yan didn't resist and walked in with her.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law. Eldest brother's granddaughter is here." Even before entering the house, the middle-aged woman called out. "Daughter, I'm your aunt. My husband is the fourth child, so you can call me Fourth Aunt."
"Hello, Fourth Aunt," Lin Yan said with a smile. Looking at the other person's attitude, she realized the family of her maternal grand-uncle were all very kind.
"Lao Si's wife, what are you talking about? Someone from your eldest brother's family is here?" An elder with white hair walked out from the main hall.
"Yes, this is Lin Yan, a new educated youth. She said she's looking for you and is Wu Jian Guo's granddaughter, which means she's from our eldest brother's family!" This Fourth Aunt didn't give Lin Yan a chance to speak. Lin Yan could only smile.
"Girl, you, you are my elder brother's granddaughter? Are you Jing Lin's daughter?" the elder said emotionally.
"Yes, I am Wu Jian Guo's granddaughter and Wu Jing Lin's daughter. This is the letter from my maternal grandfather." Lin Yan produced the letter written by the original owner's maternal grandfather.
The elder's hands trembled as he took the letter. Just as he was about to open it, the woman who introduced herself as Lin Yan's Fourth Aunt stopped him. "Father-in-law, let's go inside to read it. It's not good to keep the girl standing in the yard." Not only had their family members come out and gathered around, but neighbors had also heard the commotion and were peeking from their windows.
"Yes! Lao Si's wife is right. Husband, quickly ask the girl to come inside and sit," an old woman also advised.
"It's my fault. Girl, come, let's go inside and talk." The elder tightly clutched the letter and gestured for Lin Yan to enter first.
Once everyone was seated inside, the elder opened the letter. The handwriting was familiar to him. The letter introduced Lin Yan's identity and asked his cousin to take care of his granddaughter.
"Yes, this is my elder brother's handwriting. Girl, your name is Yan Yan, right?" the elder said emotionally.
"Yes, I am Yan Yan."
"You should call me Third Maternal Grandfather." The elder looked at Lin Yan intently, as if trying to see a familiar person in her. "The last time I saw your mother, you weren't even born yet. And now you're all grown up!"