Chapter 437: Setting Off
“Vivian—”
Looking at the well-made dumplings on the table, Jia Na’s eyelashes fluttered unconsciously, and at the same time, she took out a cylindrical box from her thorn bracelet.
“Huh? Why does this box look so familiar?”
Vivian couldn't help but ask, her face filled with confusion as she looked at the cylindrical insulated box Jia Na had taken out.
“Because this is the insulated box you brought over last year.”
Saying that, Jia Na opened the lid of the insulated box and took out the dumplings she had prepared earlier.
“Ah, you’re—”
“I specially made them for you.”
Last year, on New Year's Day, Vivian had entrusted the Door Spirit to deliver the dumplings she had made to Jia Na, and she also didn't forget to bring Jia Na a small bottle of vinegar.
However, aside from the dumplings' appearance being somewhat close, their taste was truly indescribable.
Even the vinegar Vivian had specially prepared for Jia Na was sweet and sour apple cider vinegar, not rice vinegar.
But even so, when Jia Na, who was spending the New Year alone at the time, saw the dumplings in the insulated box, an indescribable warmth welled up in her heart.
The emotions of homesickness, loneliness, nostalgia, and gratitude at that moment are still etched in Jia Na's memory to this day.
And one of Jia Na's New Year's wishes last year was to personally make a batch of dumplings for Vivian to taste.
Therefore, several days ago, Jia Na had already started preparing for this during her free time before meditation.
Finally, with the help of magic, Jia Na successfully made corn and fresh pork dumplings based on her memories from her previous life, and she also obtained rice vinegar from the pickled cucumber stall in the cafeteria.
“Jia Na, the vinegar I prepared for you this time is the rice vinegar you mentioned, and the meat filling is also the one you talked about before, made with celery and pork. Let me tell you, the taste of celery is like rusty iron, especially after it's crushed, the taste is just…”
Listening to Vivian's rambling, a genuine smile unconsciously appeared on Jia Na's face.
“Then try the dumplings I made. My meat filling is made with corn and pork, you might be more used to it—”
“Corn and pork?”
When Vivian heard Jia Na say that the meat filling of her dumplings contained corn, which she preferred, Vivian's eyes couldn't help but light up slightly.
“Then let’s eat quickly, I wasn’t very full just now.”
Saying that, Vivian pulled Jia Na to sit down at the small dining table and handed a small bowl full of rice vinegar to Jia Na.
Vivian herself, on the other hand, prepared a plate of salad dressing for herself.
“Compared to that sour, teeth-grinding rice vinegar, I think dumplings with salad dressing suit my taste better.”
With that, Vivian used a fork to take a dumpling from the insulated box, placed it on her plate, then dipped it in a large amount of salad dressing, and put it into her mouth.
Watching Vivian eat, Jia Na merely raised an eyebrow slightly, then took out a pair of chopsticks from the insulated box, picked up one of the celery-filled dumplings Vivian had prepared, dipped it in rice vinegar, and put it into her mouth.
“So delicious!”
Vivian, who had finished tasting the corn and fresh pork dumplings first, praised them generously.
Similarly, Jia Na, after tasting a celery and pork dumpling, also showed a satisfied smile.
“Vivian, the taste of the dumplings you made this time is exactly the same as the dumplings I used to eat in my hometown.”
“Really?”
Hearing such high praise from Jia Na, Vivian's eyes couldn't help but sparkle with excitement.
“Then I'll make them for you every New Year from now on!”
After speaking, Vivian forked out another large dumpling from the insulated box and put it into her mouth.
“I found that corn-flavored dumplings are especially delicious even without salad dressing!”
“Haha, then eat more, I made a lot this time.”
After Vivian transitioned to the Sorcerer Path, her appetite had noticeably increased. Therefore, to ensure the other person was full, Jia Na specially made three large plates of dumplings.
“I'm definitely going to eat all of them today, not leaving a single bit for you.”
Watching Vivian's “gluttonous” manner of eating dumplings one after another, the smile on Jia Na's face never ceased.
Even the slight sadness she felt due to homesickness dissipated considerably with Vivian's constant praises.
“Thank you, Vivian.”
Hearing Jia Na's sudden thanks, Vivian was only briefly stunned before shrugging indifferently.
“It's nothing, what's there to thank? You're my best friend, after all.”
“Yes, best friend.”
A good friend who could make her feel the warmth of home even in another world.
“Happy New Year, Vivian.”
And, Happy New Year, Jiang Bai.
After New Year's Eve, Jia Na's life returned to the two-point-one-line routine between her dormitory and the library.
During this time, the Nightingale Opera Troupe was also preparing for their relocation, so Jia Na no longer needed to report to the troupe.
Thus, during this period after the New Year, Jia Na lived a relatively peaceful life.
And after this brief period of calm, the day of the Dordogne-White Tower Trial finally arrived.
“Whoosh—!” Accompanied by the sound of a steam whistle, a massive, all-silver steam airship landed on the tarmac of the Turin Airship Station.
“Have you brought all your luggage? Is anything left behind?”
Hearing Anthony-Black Sparrow’s reminder, Jia Na checked and then shook her head.
“Principal Anthony, could you give me a moment? I’d like to say goodbye to my friend.”
“You may. There’s still half an hour until the airship takes off, so manage your time well.”
“Understood.”
With that, Jia Na quickly left the airship entrance, passed through the security check, and went outside.
“Jia Na, I’m over here—”
“Liji!”
Looking at Liji-Xiaosi waving to her in the cold wind, Jia Na jogged over to her and gently hugged her.
“I’m sorry, Jia Na. I’ve been busy with graduation recently, so I couldn’t make it to your farewell party.”
“It’s okay, it’s nothing—Oh, by the way, did the troupe leader tell you that the Nightingale Opera Troupe is moving to Dordogne? Do you want to come along?”
Hearing this, Liji-Xiaosi nodded, then smiled bitterly and shook her head.
“Jia Na, I’m not as talented as you. At my level, I’d just be ‘devoured alive’ by the local actors in Dordogne. Besides, I’m also quite reluctant to leave Turin.”
Saying that, Liji-Xiaosi took out a finely crafted new scarf from her handbag.
“Look at you, such a big star, still wearing that old scarf around your neck. It’s too undignified. Quickly change into this new one I brought…”
