“Ran Yan’er, you have only two choices: either stand up and return to your place, or complete your cycle of curse. But you should understand that regardless of which you choose, the previous Ran Yan’er will disappear.” A gentle male voice, yet with an indescribable coldness.
I instinctively looked up, searching for the source of the voice, but it seemed to come out of thin air, leaving no trace.
I desperately searched and ran in the direction of the vanishing voice. My choice was apparently correct, seeing the increasingly bright light ahead, a relieved smile finally forming at the corner of my mouth.
No matter how meaningless my life might be, one thing was clear: my ultimate goal was to survive.
Dazzling light. I shielded my eyes, unable to adapt. My blurry gaze saw the image on the other side of the light – the same familiar image, that stunning face remarkably similar to mine, yet with an added softness and weakness.
A blinding white light attacked my eyes.
I smiled at the front, finally showing a relieved expression. I had finally arrived – I could finally rest, truly exhausted—
My body began to lose consciousness and fall, ultimately losing all sensation.
When I woke up, everything felt strange. I looked around blankly, at the unfamiliar world, unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar people—with no sense of familiarity.
A plain yet gentle voice echoed in my mind: was this truly my choice?
I stared blankly at my surroundings, somewhat understanding—this environment, these scenes were often seen on television, no wonder they seemed familiar.
I looked at the soft bed made of fine rosewood, carved with intricate patterns. Elegant silk covers, warm curtains made of plain-colored fine gauze. Beyond the screen was the outer room, my view partially obscured. Looking back, to the left of the screen was an elegant, delicate dressing table positioned beside a latticed window.
I stared dazedly at my environment; it felt familiar—I had seen it countless times in dreams. But now, truly being here, an inexplicable chill swept through my body.
“Miss, you’re awake!” A maid in emerald green entered, her worried face showing relief as she cupped my face.
I unconsciously looked up, watching her moving lips, unable to hear anything. A clear answer in my heart told me that the owner of this body was likely congenitally deficient.
I tried hard to read her lips, having learned lip reading for orphanage children during my time there.
A sense of powerlessness overwhelmed me—why was this happening?
My congenital deficiency and treatment were nothing special—except perhaps my father’s identity as the Emperor’s tutor.
Everyone told me that I and my unseen mother were rejected by my “father,” without reason or explanation.
My once-proud eloquence and sharp perception—now left me with nothing. Was this truly my choice?
“Yan’er, you’re finally awake!”
The voice belonged to a young, delicate woman, her spirited eyes anxiously examining me.
I had been lying sideways, not noticing anyone’s arrival until Wu’er gently pushed me, making me react.
I smiled at the woman before me, not knowing her identity, yet smiling distantly.
The woman seemed more sorrowful seeing my smile, murmuring: “Yan’er, what were you thinking? Why did you try to throw yourself under your father’s carriage? You shouldn’t do something so extreme. Why would you do such a foolish thing?” She spoke with a mournful expression.
I struggled to read her lips, the sudden hearing loss making me uncomfortable. Despite having learned lip reading, it was different without sound—now I realized lip reading wasn’t as easy as I’d imagined.
Seemingly noticing my silence, she continued talking, not waiting for my response, eventually speaking so much that I grew tired of trying to understand.
“Yan’er, say something! What’s wrong!” The young woman, seeing my dazed state, suddenly grabbed and shook my shoulders forcefully.
I looked fearfully at the woman, who was probably my mother, despite being nearly my own age in my previous life.
I tried to recover from the shock, reading her lips: “It’s okay, Mother, your daughter is fine.” However, her caring gaze and worried expression showed genuine concern, something I’d desperately wanted as an orphan.
“Yan’er, remember, don’t make mother worry again. Don’t do foolish things. Don’t be sad, don’t cry—let those who make you cry wish they were dead!
The woman’s delicate face suddenly turned fierce, her elegant face now wearing a cold smile, losing her previous gentleness.
I stared blankly at this woman I called mother—fragile exterior, but with a heart that defied everything, unyielding and strong.
I actually admired her, making an effort to smile at her. I understood clearly she was my only support here, the only one who truly cared about me.
“Mother, I won’t worry you anymore. I’ll live strongly!” This response apparently surprised her, my determination unexpected.
“Since that’s the case, I’m relieved. Yan’er, don’t worry. Mother will soon take you away from this abandoned courtyard!” With a resolute tone, she left me with just a glimpse of her purple figure—extraordinarily strong.
I let out a light sigh, hanging my hands weakly, my eyes fixed on my chest. The jade pendant still hung around my neck, its white light emitting an indescribable eeriness.
I forced a smile into the air, muttering to myself: “Ran Yan’er is a 21st-century new human, how can she be defeated by such a small setback? Since I’ve already arrived in this unknown country, I must strive to live.” After saying this, I laughed three times into the air to boost my courage.
“Miss, miss…”
I seemed to hear someone calling me from behind, but my hearing impairment had reduced my sensitivity. I turned around to see Wuer looking worried.
“Miss, are you okay… I think I just saw you…” she said, pointing at the lingering smile on my face.
“Hehe… I was practicing my pronunciation!” I awkwardly smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed.
My personality has always been quite cheerful. Even as an orphan, I never gave up on myself. After all, living is for oneself. Actually, ever since my “mother” left, I’ve been considering how to arrange my life and solve my shortcomings.
“Wuer, I’ll give you two choices now: either be my confidante or my good sister. Choose one!” I said.
Wuer stared at me blankly—was there a difference between a confidante and a good sister?
“Miss, what’s wrong? Did I do something wrong?” Wuer asked fearfully.
“Don’t you dare cry! Try crying and see what happens!” I needed to find a way. Otherwise, life would be difficult, and my plan would drown here.
I wore a proud smile, snapped my fingers dramatically in the air, wiggling my little bottom, and confidently headed towards the dog hole! Haha, a man can bend and stretch, and so can a little girl.
I stared at the dog hole, my eyes sparkling, nodding with satisfaction in my heart.
“You go first, I’ll cover the rear!” I gave a coquettish smile to Wu’er beside me. She was struggling to crawl in, her little buttocks raised – not an easy feat. I, the owner of this body, am eight years old and quite small, but Wu’er is five years older, naturally much larger.
“Miss, we finally got out!” Wu’er looked at me with a radiant face, her longing no less than mine.
Chapter Four: Visiting the Pleasure House…
“Come, I’ll take you somewhere good!” I hooked arms with Wu’er, striding forward proudly. But as we walked, people seemed to stare at us, their faces a mix of amazement and confusion.
“Miss, maybe we shouldn’t go out anymore. Look how they’re staring at us like we’re monkeys – I’m getting goosebumps!” Wu’er hid behind me, whispering, not daring to lift her head.
