By the time you read this, I’ll have found my relatives and left. Believe we’ll meet again. Don’t worry. I had urgent matters and had to leave suddenly. You’re a good girl. I have nothing to give you, but the chain on the table is called the “Phoenix Token.” Treasure it. It will bring you good luck. Goodbye! Those meant to meet will meet again.
Long Daxhai 2000/7/15
Originally, Grandpa Long was called Long Dahai. Lan Lan found a beautiful bracelet that perfectly matched her fair, flawless hand. The bracelet featured translucent green jade beads with red cords on both sides, and large red jade stones on each end. The red jade reflected a lively radiance, adorned with a dragon on one side and a phoenix on the other, creating a dazzling display.
Lan Lan never expected that this bracelet would bring her an entirely different life journey.
[Text: Chapter Six – Crossing Over Like This]
On August 15, Mid-Autumn Festival, Lan Lan called her mother to check in. She felt unsettled as if something was about to happen. During the call, she urged her mother to take care of her health, knowing she would be most worried if anything happened to her. Fortunately, her mother’s health was good, and her younger sister was in her third year of university, set to intern next year. With graduation approaching, Lan Lan hoped for an improved family situation.
Although the family living conditions had improved in the past two years, she felt exhausted, constantly having to enhance herself while managing work pressure and complex interpersonal dynamics.
She had to put in more effort than others to maintain her position. Even the strongest person would feel tired after several years. Recently, she felt physically and mentally drained, wanting to relax and travel but rarely having the opportunity. Fortunately, the company provided a free annual trip for the past five years, allowing her to visit a few places.
Lost in thought, she remembered she hadn’t called her sister yet. She quickly dialed her sister’s number, who was studying in Guangzhou.
“Xiaoting, give me your account; I’ll transfer about 30,000 yuan. Be sure to use it sparingly; it should be enough until you graduate. Any extra can go to Mom.”
“Sister, what are you doing? Today is a reunion festival; don’t sound so melancholic! It’s like you’re about to leave.”
“Xiaoting, I feel unsettled today, like I’m about to leave. I’m scared something might happen.” Lan Lan rarely showed such sadness; she was usually strong and happy, so why was she so sentimental today?
“You must be too tired and overthinking. Go get some sleep and enjoy the moon tonight! Is anyone going to ask you out?”
“Silly girl, even if someone asks, I won’t necessarily agree. I’ve never wasted time and emotions on people I don’t like!”
In fact, many male colleagues had shown interest in her over the years, but she couldn’t muster any enthusiasm. She had tried dating a couple of times, but things would always cool down. Lan Lan couldn’t understand why she was easy-going with people yet ended up feeling emotionally vacant.
She loved her sensible sister, reminiscing about their childhood working in the fields and cooking together.
“Sister, you must work hard! Quickly find me a brother-in-law!”
“Alright, alright! I’ll work on it. You’re even more anxious than Mom. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!”
“Sister, same to you. I love you! Take care and don’t get too tired! Bye!”
Hearing her sister’s playful words, Lan Lan’s eyes moistened. Silently, she added in her heart: Little sister, I love you too!
In the evening, she invited Zhang Li over for mooncakes. Shortly after dinner, Zhang Li’s pager rang. “Lan Lan, I’ll take a call!” she said.
Less than five minutes later, Zhang Li called from downstairs, “I have something to do and must leave. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!” Undoubtedly, Cheng Hua had called her.
“You traitor, abandoning friendship for love. Go ahead, or someone might come to settle the score with me.”
Quietly gazing at the large, round moon, she thought of the poem “Thoughts of Home Grow Stronger on Festive Days” and wondered what her mother was doing.
Would she be thinking of her?
The phoenix token bracelet given by Grandpa Long was shining brilliantly in the moonlight, creating a wave of drowsiness. Tired, she would sleep. Spending the festival alone wasn’t enjoyable. Why had she been so sleepy all day? She had even gone to bed early for the occasion.
Lan Lan slept soundly, unaware that the phoenix token was emitting intense red and green light, illuminating her body. In her dream, she felt incredibly comfortable, wishing she could sleep like this forever.
[Text: Chapter Seven – First Day in Another World]
“Whose daughter is this? Why is she lying here?”
“I don’t know. Seems like we’ve never seen her before.”
“Why is this girl dressed so strangely?”
Heavens! Someone was making noise early in the morning, preventing her from sleeping. How annoying! Lan Lan opened her eyes furiously.
“She’s awake! She’s awake!”
Lan Lan looked around. This was a small mountain village, lush and green, with a beautiful lake nearby. Several people surrounded her, wearing clothes reminiscent of the Tang Dynasty. Where was she? How did she end up here? Could she have crossed over? Although she enjoyed reading time-travel novels and fantasized about meeting a handsome man, she never expected to actually cross over. Wait, she should confirm first.
Looking around, she saw a round-faced, kind-looking aunt in her fifties and asked, “Auntie, where is this place? What dynasty is this?”
The aunt was stunned and replied, “Girl, you don’t know? It’s the 115th year of the Tianlong Dynasty, and we’re in Longling Village, under Changan County’s jurisdiction. Why don’t you come to my house and sit down, have some water and something to eat?”
“Thank you, Auntie!” Lan Lan struggled to sit up, feeling sore all over her body.
The aunt’s house was a small wooden cabin by the lake, simple and reminiscent of her childhood home. She soon cooked a bowl of egg noodles. Although Lan Lan had a modern aversion to noodles, her hunger overcame her reluctance. Given the aunt’s humble circumstances, having a bowl of noodles was generous.
In the evening, while chatting with the aunt, Lan Lan learned that her husband’s family name was Zhang. They had a son, Zhang Dazi, who was a cook in the army, and a daughter, Zhang Ermei, who was married and living well in a neighboring village.
When she asked about my background, I had to lie: “My parents died in a flood, so I came out alone to find relatives. I couldn’t find anyone and ran out of money, wandering and hungry, unknowingly arriving here and fainting from hunger.” I felt helpless and sad thinking about what would happen next. Fortunately, the aunt didn’t press further.
“How pitiful! Look at how beautiful you are. Don’t worry, stay at my place first. Rest and then slowly find something. If I have food, you’ll have food too! It’s just one more pair of chopsticks,” Aunt Zhang said kindly, holding my hand.
“Auntie, thank you so much!” I gratefully looked at this stranger helping me.
“Lan, you’ll sleep in the next room. Here are some clothes my second sister used to wear. Just make do with them!” The aunt handed me a blue coarse cloth dress.
“Auntie, of course not. I don’t know how to thank you enough,” I replied eagerly.
In the evening, Uncle Zhang returned from the fields, dark-skinned and honest, showing a friendly smile. He seemed a simple man who had no objection to my staying.
Lying on the hard wooden bed, my thoughts raced. How did I end up here?
Isn’t every time-travel story supposed to have a trigger? What was hers? She used to think about time-traveling, but now she was in another world, in an unknown era. What should she do? She felt lost and helpless.
