Time-Traveling Love

Her grandmother instructed her daughter-in-law, Yue’er’s mother, Ruiping, to take Xu Caitong to rest in a room. Yue’er followed behind them, and together, the mother and daughter led Xu Caitong into the room. “Our humble abode is simple, please do not mind it,” said Yue’er’s mother politely. “No, no,” Xu Caitong replied, her heart heavy with the realization of her situation, feeling drained. She didn’t dare to hope for much, having a place to rest was already good enough. The room was typical of a rural dwelling, with earthen walls, a dirt floor, and a small lattice window. The furnishings were basic: a bed, a table, a stool, and a wardrobe. From Ruiping, Xu Caitong learned that three generations lived together in a large house, including her uncles, grandparents, and her husband, who was the fourth son, and they made a living by raising livestock. “Please wash your face, Miss,” said Ruiping, bringing in a basin of hot water. “Thank you, I can manage,” Xu Caitong replied, feeling a bit embarrassed as she took the basin and washed her face with a towel. “Please rest, Miss,” Ruiping said, taking away the basin and signaling Yue’er to leave so as not to disturb Xu Caitong’s rest. “May I know how to address you?” Xu Caitong asked. Ruiping smiled, “You can call me Ruiping.” As Ruiping and her daughter left, they gently closed the door behind them. Looking at the closed door, Xu Caitong collapsed onto the bed, her mind in chaos. She had actually traveled back over a thousand years to the Five Dynasties, heavens! When Xu Caitong woke up, the sun was setting, casting a beam of light through the transparent tiles in the roof. For a moment, she thought she had returned to the past, to her own home, but the earthen wall still in view reminded her she was still in Moon Village by the Moon River. “They must think I’ve disappeared,” Xu Caitong thought, sitting on the bed, overwhelmed by the thought of not being able to return. Indeed, she was lost in the time tunnel, which was quite eerie. She shouldn’t have ventured onto that path, but it was too strange. How could such a moon exist? It was due to some spacetime anomaly, yet she was enchanted and didn’t think twice before stepping onto it. “What should I do? What should I do? Heavens, your prank is too much; it’s not funny at all.” She was so troubled, possibly destined to spend her life here, alone. She silently cried, burying her face in her arms, sobbing softly. After crying for a while, feeling somewhat better, Xu Caitong lifted her head through tear-filled eyes to see a set of neatly washed cloths at the bedside. Ruiping gently pushed open the door, saw Xu Caitong was awake, and smiled, “Miss, you’ve slept for almost a whole day.” “Really?” Xu Caitong responded, still feeling listless. “Are you hungry?” Ruiping asked. Upon mention, Xu Caitong realized she was indeed starving. She nodded, and Ruiping placed some pastries on the small table. Xu Caitong, not standing on ceremony, began to eat, finding the pastries quite palatable. She was so hungry she wolfed down the food. Ruiping watched her, smiling, “Take your time, be careful not to choke.” With her mouth full of pastries, Xu Caitong shook her head at Ruiping, trying to reassure her. Ruiping couldn’t help but laugh at her appearance. After Xu Caitong had eaten her fill, Ruiping handed her the clothes by the bed. “No one here dresses like you, Miss. Wearing such attire will make you the laughingstock.” “Oh,” Xu Caitong said, slipping into the clothes, which were a bit loose. “Just make do with these for now, I’ll sew you some new outfits when I have time,” Ruiping said. “Thank you.” Xu Caitong smiled, but she didn’t quite agree. In the past, whenever she traveled to a new place and saw ancient costume rentals for photo shoots, she would delight in taking a series of pictures. Now, however, she had to wear these costumes every day, walking through the streets and alleys. Since everyone else was dressed the same, not wearing one would indeed make her stand out. With a flourish of her long sleeves, Xu Caitong imitated an ancient woman from films and TV, bowing respectfully to Ruiping, saying, “Thank you, my dear sister-in-law.”