The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 10

Since that day, the weather had grown noticeably colder.

Jiang Zhinan’s body was especially sensitive to the cold, so recently she mostly stayed indoors and rarely went outside.

A’Ning, on the other hand, remained as active as ever—perhaps even more so than before. Outside of study hours, she was usually nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Zhinan had once asked her about it, but A’Ning only said she was going out to exercise and gave no further explanation.

Jiang Zhinan could sense that the girl was hiding something from her. Yet, without a good opportunity to question her, she eventually let it go and let A’Ning do as she pleased.

That was until one particular evening.

It was late, and Jiang Zhinan, exhausted from reading at her desk, had dozed off.

In a haze, she thought she heard A’Ning get up and quietly drape a coat over her before slipping out the door. Her footsteps were light and deliberate, though Jiang Zhinan couldn’t tell where she was headed.

Jiang Zhinan tried to lift her eyes to look, but sleep overtook her entirely, and she couldn’t manage it.

Time passed unknowingly. Darkness deepened outside, lights flickered on, and the candle on her desk had burned down halfway.

When the night wind stirred the lanterns outside for who knew the nth time, A’Ning finally returned, blending into the shadows, carrying an incredibly pleasant fragrance—like osmanthus flowers.

“Miss,” she said, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she sat beside Jiang Zhinan, the flickering candlelight dancing in her eyes. “Wake up. Let’s go to bed soon—don’t catch a cold.”

“Mmm.” Jiang Zhinan murmured, still half-asleep, but somehow she absorbed every word.

You’ve been gone this long, and only now do you care about me? Jiang Zhinan silently scolded.

And all that talk about worrying I’d catch a cold what a sweet lie.

“Wake up, Miss,” A’Ning said again, her tone almost imperceptibly indulgent. “I brought something delicious for you. If you don’t get up, how will you taste it?”

Before Jiang Zhinan could respond, A’Ning had already placed a small basket she had brought on the table and taken out a plate of osmanthus cakes.

The fragrance immediately filled the room, coaxing Jiang Zhinan to slowly open her eyes.

Before her was a plate of exquisitely made treats—delicate, soft, and sweet, each piece crafted with care.

“Where did these come from?” Jiang Zhinan asked softly, her curiosity piqued by the irresistible aroma.

“Try it first,” A’Ning said, a trace of extra delight shining in her eyes, but offering no answer.

Jiang Zhinan nodded, and under A’Ning’s watchful gaze, picked up a piece and bit into it. It was even better than it smelled—crispy on the outside, soft and tender inside, leaving a lingering sweetness even after she swallowed.

“Delicious?” A’Ning asked softly, her brows slightly furrowed with a hint of nervousness.

“Yes,” Jiang Zhinan nodded sincerely. “Very good.”

“I’m glad you like it,” A’Ning said, visibly relaxing at the affirmation.

So Miss really does like it—she’s not pretending this time.

That meant all her efforts hadn’t been wasted. From now on, she would work even harder to make more delicious things for Miss.

“Here,” A’Ning said, smiling as she handed Jiang Zhinan a handkerchief after finishing the cake.

Jiang Zhinan wiped her mouth, still curious about who had made these pastries.

“Guess,” A’Ning said, unexpectedly dodging the question and posing a new one instead.

“Aunt Wang?” Jiang Zhinan guessed.

“No,” A’Ning shook her head.

“Then Aunt Song?” Jiang Zhinan tried again.

Still, A’Ning denied it.

Jiang Zhinan paused, stumped. She ran through all the names of the cooks in the kitchen, yet couldn’t figure it out. Before she knew it, she was watching the girl before her put on a mock pout.

“You never thought.” A’Ning sighed, then leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them.

“Maybe I made them?” she said softly, her voice almost pitiful, as if scolding Jiang Zhinan for not guessing right.

That revelation left Jiang Zhinan utterly stunned.

“214” She paused, frantically checking with the system to see if she had accidentally given A’Ning any sort of cheat.

“No, you’re imagining things,” the system replied. “If I had any perks, you’d get them first.”

“When did A’Ning’s skills get this good?” Jiang Zhinan still found it hard to believe.

“She practiced,” the system said with a smile. “She’s put in countless hours just to make you happy.”

Jiang Zhinan thought about it—no wonder she hadn’t seen A’Ning around lately. She had been learning to do this.

“And this isn’t all A’Ning’s learned,” A’Ning said before Jiang Zhinan could even respond, as if reading her thoughts. “I can make buns and dumplings, cook dishes you like, and even prepare the soups you enjoy. Whatever Miss likes, I’m learning to make it.”

Her words were sincere to the extreme, like a little dog waiting for its master’s praise. Even Jiang Zhinan couldn’t help but lift her hand and gently pat her on the head a few times, her voice tinged with genuine warmth.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her gaze especially gentle. “But you should also remember to rest.”

“Mm,” A’Ning nodded repeatedly, agreeing wholeheartedly. For a moment, the atmosphere was pleasantly harmonious.

By candlelight, they chatted idly over pastries, and before long, it was nearly time to rest. Tomorrow was the lantern festival that Yang Zimo had mentioned, and Jiang Zhinan had planned to take A’Ning early to see it. So tonight, she insisted that A’Ning head back and get some sleep.

A’Ning complied without hesitation. She didn’t linger, instead picking up the basket from the table, ready to leave.

A breeze lifted the green cloth covering the basket, revealing its contents fully to Jiang Zhinan.

Inside, there was an entire tray of pastries.

It was clearly not intended for Jiang Zhinan herself. The pastries were arranged with such meticulous care and artistry—it was obvious a lot of effort had gone into them. If they were meant for her, A’Ning wouldn’t have bothered with all these details.

“So, who’s the other tray for?” Jiang Zhinan finally asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

“For a friend,” A’Ning replied with a soft smile, her features calm and serene.

This was the first time Jiang Zhinan had ever heard the word friend come from her mouth.

After leaving Jiang Zhinan’s quarter, A’Ning did not rush home to rest.

She glanced around, and seeing that no one was nearby, she walked down a small path.

The path was lined with flowers, plants, and bamboo. It was rarely used, but now A’Ning had worn it into a clear trail.

At the end of the path, someone was waiting.

A graceful young man stood there, dressed in a flowing teal robe, its hem swaying gently in the night breeze.

“Master,” A’Ning said softly, stopping before him and lowering her head in respect.

“Didn’t I tell you that when we’re alone, you don’t need all these formalities?” he said with a faint sigh.

Moonlight gradually emerged from behind the clouds, spilling a silvery glow. It fell across his face, revealing him to be Jiang Yu’an’s second elder brother: Jiang Chengxuan, the second young master of the Jiang family.

A’Ning’s lips curved slightly as she said, “I am but a humble maid. How could I disregard the respect owed to elders?”

Before Jiang Chengxuan could respond, she had already lifted the basket from her arm and placed it into his hands.

“These were made by me,” she said with utmost reverence. “Master, if you don’t mind, please try them.”

“No rush,” Jiang Chengxuan replied, taking the basket and setting it on a nearby stone table. “Tell me, what would you like to learn today?”

“The same as yesterday,” A’Ning said without hesitation, dropping all pretenses. “I’d like to continue practicing chess.”

“I haven’t fully grasped yesterday’s game yet,” she added.

“Very well,” Jiang Chengxuan nodded, then led her inside.

They sat across from each other in silence, only the crisp sound of chess pieces striking the board filling the room.

After all, the previous day, A’Ning had asked everything she had wanted to know: why he was willing to teach her so much, what his intentions were, and what he hoped to gain.

“Simply because it’s interesting,” he had said then.

Perhaps it really was just because it was interesting.

A’Ning couldn’t see everything clearly just yet. But through his eyes, she could sense that not a single word he spoke was a lie.

Indeed, it was interesting. A maid not only learning swordplay but striving to master music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and more.

And even daring to harbor feelings for her mistress that she shouldn’t.

Truly fascinating.