I turned reality into a romantic comedy.

"Brother, would you like to hear me sing other songs? Consider it a thank you for helping me earlier. I've learned a lot of nursery rhymes at the choir."

"Okay, then sing, I'm listening."

"Hmm... let's sing this one first."

"Little Erlang, carrying your schoolbag to school—"

"Carry your computer with you, and get help from renowned teachers?"

"Student computer reading book... Ahhh—don't interrupt, you're leading me astray."

"Well, I can only say that I've seen too many ads for Reading Boy student computers on TV, so I felt a little embarrassed and just answered the question subconsciously."

As someone who, in this era, was subjected to the same brainwashing advertising slogan as BBK lighters and e-readers ("Point to where you don't understand"), Chen Junqian felt that his DNA had been completely rewritten, which is why he couldn't help but respond with the adapted lyrics from the advertisement.

"So what was the original word again?"

It means "not afraid of the scorching sun, nor afraid of the raging wind and rain".

"Oh, I see."

Chen Xi nodded with a hint of pride, then spread her two small arms out like a little sparrow flapping its wings, swaying back and forth on the narrow ridge to maintain her balance, while she sang another song:

"Little swallow, wearing a flowery dress, comes here every spring. I asked the swallow why it comes, and the swallow said—"

"Is it clear that labor and management are clearly black and white?"

"Waaaaaah... Brother!"

Faced with Chen Xi, who had stopped and was pouting, looking like she was about to knock him down on the spot, Chen Junqian readily and immediately chose to surrender:

"I'm not going to say anything more, I'm so sorry."

"If you keep causing trouble, I won't sing for you."

After giving this warning with wide, round eyes, Chen Xi, as if afraid Chen Junqian would steal the words again, proactively changed to a fast-paced children's song, the lyrics of which even felt a bit too hot to pronounce:

"Amen, there's a grapevine in front of us, its tender green buds just sprouting. A snail, carrying its heavy shell, climbs step by step upwards—"

"Two orioles are on the tree, laughing at it. The grapes are far from ripe, what are they doing up here now—"

"Ah Huang, Ah Huang, oriole, don't laugh, it will be ripe by the time I climb up!"

Finally, without being interrupted by Chen Junqian's mischievous antics, Chen Xi sang "The Snail and the Oriole" completely for the first time. The child's voice was clear and bright, and compared to the previous slow-paced ballad, Chen Junqian sincerely felt that this kind of song was more suitable for her.

"How is it? Does it sound good?"

"Hmm, it sounds good, I feel like I could be a lead singer."

"That's not enough. Our choir's lead singer seems to have been taking vocal lessons since first grade, and she sings very professionally."

Perhaps because singing while walking was indeed quite tiring, Chen Junqian, noticing that Chen Xi seemed to be considering stopping, took the initiative to speak up:

"Go sit over there for a while, there's a small shop there, I still have one dollar and fifty cents here."

Actually, as a child, Chen Junqian really enjoys having guests at home during holidays, because that means his grandparents will likely ask him to go to the small shop at the village entrance to buy drinks. They won't refund if he buys too much or too little, and he'll have to pay the difference, so he gets another kickback. Today is no exception. The 1.5 yuan he has left is the balance after buying a large bottle of orange juice.

What's Xixi's favorite food?

"McDonald's!"

"Well, let alone our village, we don't have any like that in our city right now."

"Yes, I ate it when I went on a trip with my parents last time, but it was really delicious."

"Although there is no McDonald's, there are fake ones. After all, Xixi probably isn't hungry right now. Even if you were given a real one, you might not be able to eat it."

After thinking for a moment, Chen Junqian gestured for Chen Xi to wait for him there, then jogged to the small shop at the village entrance, quickly selected the item he wanted, and then ran back to Chen Xi's side to show it to her.

"Look, McDonald's."

Seeing the two bags in Chen Junqian's hand, which were supposedly printed with McDonald's iconic 'M' logo and the title of the '5+2' meal, but were actually just small snacks made of gel candy, Chen Xi couldn't help but chuckle, but still clapped her hands in agreement:

"Okay, okay, let's eat this."

Unpack the package, sandwich a few pieces of gel candy deliberately shaped like steaks and vegetables between the candies shaped like hamburger slices, pinch the rather miniature hamburger with your fingers, and then pick up the gummy candy next to it shaped like a cola bottle. It actually looks quite convincing.

They put a bag of McDonald's in their mouths and crunched it, the sweet and sour taste bursting out from the tip of their tongues. The two of them leaned against the stone bench by the roadside and enjoyed the 50-cent bag of McDonald's, but they felt even happier than if they had actually gone into a McDonald's restaurant and ordered a meal.

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"So, my brother had a lot of fun playing with his god-aunt's daughter, who is also his god-sister, yesterday. Shouldn't his sister be called his sister-in-law? ...No, no."

It was still his regular Sunday afternoon live stream with his online friend Qiu. Chen Junqian took the opportunity to share his story with Chen Xi, but unexpectedly, it seemed to cause a little confusion for Qiu.

"Actually, I can sing nursery rhymes too. If you had told me earlier, I would have hummed a lullaby to you when you were sleepy last week."

"Did your sister also participate in a choir?"

"Yes, and I was the lead singer back then. I also participated in a solo singing competition and won first prize. The song I performed back then... Ah, I remember now, let me find the accompaniment."

After a rustling sound from the other end of the internet cable, Chen Junqian heard a familiar prelude, followed by a deep, mature, and gentle voice that was completely different from Chen Xi's crisp, childlike voice.

"I came from the mountains, carrying orchids. I planted them in my small garden, hoping they would bloom early. I checked on them three times a day, watching the blooming season pass. But the orchids remained the same, without even a single bud..."

"Phew, it's been a long time since I sang. How was it?"

"It sounds great!"

If last week it was because he was too tired and the other person was just humming a tune, then this week, after hearing the other person sing such a lyrical children's song in its entirety in his ear, Chen Junqian sincerely believed that his online sister had indeed had experience as a lead singer and even won awards.

"Actually, the internet connection does have some impact. If possible, I would really like to sing it for you in person. Besides 'Orchid Grass,' I also practiced 'Jasmine Flower' for a long time back then."

Seemingly hesitating about something, after a long while, Chen Junqian heard the other person ask him a question, as if tentatively:

Will you go to the Shanghai World Expo next year?

Chapter 32: Localized, but not fully localized

Shanghai World Expo.

When he heard the other person utter that word, Chen Junqian was also unconsciously a little dazed.

For children born in the millennium, the impression of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo is actually deeper than that of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After all, they have a better chance to experience the latter firsthand. At least in Chen Junqian's memory, several of his classmates from elementary school went to the Shanghai World Expo during the summer vacation next year.

However, Chen Junqian is not one of them.

Just as the Children's Palace was merely a place in elementary school math textbooks for him for a long time, the Shanghai World Expo and its mascot Haibao were only seen in news and animation on television, seemingly within reach but actually still somewhat distant.

Qiu, on the other hand, was unaware that Chen Junqian had already gone through such a long process in such a short time, and immediately continued:

"I might go to the Shanghai World Expo with my family next summer, so... so if the timing works out, it would be great if we could meet up there and visit the Expo together."

Chen Junqian remembered that he seemed to have received an invitation from the other party in his previous life, but he refused quite decisively at that time. Unlike his classmate Zhong Yu, who could get along with anyone, he always had doubts about interpersonal relationships in real life. He even felt that if online friends met offline, they would no longer be just online friends.

This time, however, he decided to agree.

"I'll ask Mom and Dad later. After all, the World Expo doesn't officially start until May next year, so there's still plenty of time. If possible, I'll tell you what I think, sister?"

"Ah."

It was probably just because Chen Junqian didn't refuse on the spot that she was surprised. She could tell that he was quite satisfied with his answer. After that, they started chatting about the venues they wanted to visit when they got there.

In fact, given the limited knowledge of elementary school students, unless they grew up watching football with their fathers and had some familiarity with the various small and remote countries on the globe, especially in Asia, Qiu would only know a few well-known countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

This is normal, after all, during Chen Junqian's reborn elementary school years, there was a period when he kept wondering why he couldn't find the country of the 'former Soviet Union' on the world map. Its mystery was comparable to the 'famous' in literary history and the 'Chinese pop stars' in music history.

"I wish I could go shopping with you, my little brother."

Before their conversation ended, the other person repeated something again, clearly showing how much they cared. Chen Junqian could only respond with:

"If I could, I would definitely go."

In fact, his family is not the kind of poor household that you see in "Transformation" living deep in the mountains. They definitely have the assets to go on a trip, especially since his father will be promoted and receive a raise this year. When Chen Junqian graduated from elementary school in his previous life, he went to Xi'an with his parents. That was the farthest trip he had taken from home since he was born, and also the last trip he took with his parents.

As for how to achieve this goal, the best bargaining chips for children to use when they go to their parents to ask for what they want are their academic performance and how well-behaved they are.

Frankly speaking, Chen Junqian is quite satisfied and gratified with his parents in this respect. After all, even two thousand years later, many parents are not willing to follow the agreement between them and their children, just like in the story of Zengzi killing the pig in the Spring and Autumn Period. The level of trust between them has gradually collapsed.

After thinking it over, Chen Junqian took the initiative to propose such a bet to his parents during dinner that evening.

"Dad, Mom, if I get first place in my grade in both the midterm and final exams this semester and next semester, and I get the 'Three Good Student' award at the end of fourth grade, can you take me to the Shanghai World Expo next summer?"

Faced with their son's sudden words, Chen Jun and Wang Hongling were momentarily at a loss for words. After all, Chen Junqian rarely made similar requests or negotiations with them before, and even when he did, it was mostly related to buying books.

Moreover, although their son's grades were indeed always among the best in his class, his mouth was number one in the grade, and he had been number one in the grade for two consecutive semesters, which made the two of them subconsciously feel a little surprised.

However, after exchanging a glance, the couple still expressed their support for their son's "ambition." After all, thanks to his excellent performance over the years, if there were a credit score between parents and children, Chen Junqian's score would undoubtedly be in the highest tier. Even if he didn't take the initiative to propose such a bet, they would most likely agree if he simply asked for it.

"The Shanghai World Expo... it's good to broaden your horizons, and I remember it runs from early May to the end of October, so it's easier to make arrangements if it's a long time. As for your grades, son, just do your best and don't ruin your health by thinking too much about them."

"Uh-huh."

After finishing his conversation with his parents and having dinner, Chen Junqian returned to his room. He sat on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the five Fuwa stickers that he had put on his bedside table two years ago. The stickers together spelled out "Welcome to Beijing."

People always hope to witness and participate in major historical events that will be included in textbooks. Just like how he heard the legend of Liu Xiang, the Asian sprinter, since he was a child, but when he turned on the TV for the first time three years later at the London Olympics, he was a little nervous and watched it with his own eyes, but could only see the desolate scene of him falling down after the start. Even though the Olympics and the World Expo will continue to be held every four and five years, there are only two major events held in the country closest to us.

After all, the level of publicity is different. In Chen Junqian's memory, CCTV would produce and broadcast corresponding animations to promote the Beijing Olympics and the Shanghai World Expo before their opening. He had seen both "Fuwa" and "Haibao is Here" before the former.

Perhaps that's why, as people grow up after their childhood, they feel more and more regretful. Although they haven't reached the point where they are trapped for life by things they couldn't have in their youth, there is still some regret.

Therefore, even without the other party's invitation, he did want to go and see for himself.

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The remaining weeks were mostly uneventful routines. Apart from a certain young lady who kept her promise and actually provided breakfast for him for a month, Chen Junqian's life was quite stable, and he studied hard and exercised diligently.

At noon, I would accompany Lin Mu to the after-school care center, watching cartoons and chatting. After school, I would stroll around the city with Xu Youwei. During breaks, I would talk to Zhu Wenyun, who was still experiencing writer's block but was slowly making progress, about the books she had recently read. Occasionally, on weekends, I would also encounter a random younger sister and a fixed older sister.

Before he knew it, the seven-day National Day holiday had arrived. On the first day of this longest holiday of the year, excluding winter and summer vacations, Chen Junqian unusually took a break and slept until the sun was high in the sky before slowly getting out of bed. He yawned, washed up, and then casually cooked a bowl of instant noodles for breakfast and lunch.

Just as he sat back down at his desk, preparing to finish all his homework on the first day of his vacation so he could have a good time in the following days, the system, which had been quiet for a while, seemed to have been fully charged again, or perhaps it had completed the localization process.

"Although only some functions have been adapted to the laws of this world, it's still better than having nothing at all before."

Compared to the embarrassing situation when it was first reborn and only had a rating function that was essentially a hindsight assessment, the system now speaks with a rather arrogant air, as if to say, "Let me show you what I've got today, kid, and show you the style of the countless classic romantic comedy male protagonists that I've nurtured and supported across the myriad worlds."

"Don't worry, after following you to China for so long, I'm already part of the Chinese system. Those Japanese terms you don't understand, like 'Yamato Nadeshiko,' 'childhood friend,' 'ghost club member,' 'school festival,' and 'student council president,' definitely won't appear anymore, but!"

At this point, as if to emphasize its dignity as a romantic comedy system, the system deliberately stressed its words and paused:

"Even in reality, we should create a decent romantic comedy. Even if it's not for my KPI performance in this world, I'll still help you out as much as I can, considering that I helped you reincarnate according to your wishes. Anyway, I definitely won't treat you unfairly."

Although the other person's tone softened considerably the next second.

So what do you plan to do?