Chapter 70: Her Long Nightmare

Chapter 70: Chapter 70: Her Long Nightmare

After leaving the noodle shop, Nan Zhi took Nan Yi to the bus station and boarded a minibus headed for the countryside.

It was early, so the bus was nearly empty at first.

But after a few stops along the way, it was almost full.

The aisle was crammed full of vegetable baskets and chicken cages. An indescribable smell filled the stuffy bus, and the air was thick with the sounds of COOING and CLUCKING.

Nan Zhi deliberately pushed the window open a crack.

The cool, early spring breeze blew in, diluting the strange smell.

When she turned to check on Nan Yi...

She found that he didn’t care about the smell at all. His eyes were wide with excitement as he stared into the little black-bean eyes of a nearby hen!

This charming, childlike scene amused the person sitting next to them. ’Kids will be kids,’ they thought.

The next second, Nan Yi looked up.

"Mom, that hen is so plump. It would make for some delicious chicken soup, wouldn’t it?"

Nan Zhi caught the stunned expression of the person across from them out of the corner of her eye and struggled to hold back her laughter.

"Yes, I’ll make you some chicken soup later."

Completely oblivious, Nan Yi smacked his lips.

Soon, they reached the final stop.

They were finally about to arrive at the destination of Nan Zhi and Nan Yi’s trip—

Nan Zhi walked leisurely along the country path.

Nan Yi skipped and bounced ahead, curiously chasing after butterflies.

The breeze was warm and gentle, the spring scenery bright and beautiful.

It was a perfect picture of life.

But Nan Zhi found herself thinking of a winter many years ago...

She must have been about three years old then.

A high fever had erased all her memories from before she was three.

From the moment she woke up, her name was Zhaodi, her father was Zhao Cheng, and her mother was Wang Xiaoyue.

She knew her parents didn’t like her. They always said she was weak, sickly, and a waste of money.

Filled with fear and anxiety, she quickly learned to be a child who could read the room.

She would do chores proactively. To save money, she washed the dishes with cold water, her small hands covered in chilblains, frozen purplish-black.

She would try to please her parents, serving them hot tea and giving them shoulder and leg massages after they came home from work.

But none of it could stop her parents from resenting and disliking her.

Then, on a snowy winter night, her mother led her to a large iron gate. She told her to stand there obediently and not to leave. If someone came out, she was to tell them she couldn’t remember anything and brazenly insist on staying.

She watched her mother quietly, her heart pounding with terror.

She knew her mother was softer-hearted than her father, so she acted cute and coddled up to her, hoping her mother would take her with her.

But her mother still hardened her heart, pulled her hand away, and left.

Only later did she learn that behind that large iron gate was an orphanage—a place for homeless children.

She didn’t understand.

’What do you mean, I don’t have a home?’

’I have a dad, a mom, and a home!’

The week she spent in the orphanage was a long, lingering nightmare.

She thought the nightmare would never end.

Until the day someone came to pick her up.

It wasn’t her mom or dad, but a grandfather she had never seen before.

Her grandfather didn’t look kind. In fact, he looked fierce. His features were sharp and solemn, and he often wore a stern expression. He had a formidable presence; a single glance from him could make ten children cry.

But he was also the one who would tell her bedtime stories;

who would wrack his brain to pick out pretty dresses for her;

who would painstakingly prepare a special sweet treat to coax her into taking her medicine;

...

Perhaps because Grandpa saw that she still longed for her parents, he steeled himself and told her the truth.

It turned out that they weren’t her birth parents; she was just a child they had found in the snow.

Grandpa said you shouldn’t force something you never had to begin with.

Grandpa said it was okay. From then on, they would be family. They would live together and never be separated.

Grandpa also gave her a new name. She took his surname, and he called her Nan Zhi.

Nan Zhi, which means plum blossom.

To bloom in the frost, unafraid of the bitter cold.

This was Grandpa’s beautiful wish for her.

Her nightmare was over.

「...」

At the end of the path was a small burial mound, nearly swallowed by overgrown weeds.

The headstone was covered in dust, the inscription on it blurry and indistinct—

Tomb of Nan Pingshan.

Nan Zhi’s expression softened.

"Grandpa, I’m back."

Nan Yi stopped his playing and stood obediently by her side, adding his own greeting:

"Great-Grandpa, I’m here."

A warmth spread through Nan Zhi’s heart, washing away much of her sadness.

’That’s right. Today should be a happy day.’

She was standing here.

And Nan Yi was standing here too.

"Grandpa, this is my son. His name is Nan Yi. He’s a sensible, well-behaved, and smart boy."

Nan Yi grew a little shy from the praise.

He thought for a moment, then said very seriously:

"Great-Grandpa, you can call me Yiyi. This is my mom. She’s a very gentle, pretty mom who makes really delicious food. I like her a lot! So you don’t have to worry. I’ll take good care of her!"

When Nan Zhi heard the first half, she was still smiling, thinking how childish and cute her Yiyi was.

But as she kept listening, her smile faded.

Her eyes stung badly, and it felt like something was caught in her throat.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze rustled past.

Two leaves spiraled down from the tree above them. PLOP. One landed on Nan Zhi’s head, and the other on Nan Yi’s.

It was as if a large, stern yet gentle hand was stroking their heads.

’A coincidence?’

After experiencing transmigration, rebirth, and Tacticians, Nan Zhi no longer believed anything was impossible.

Nan Yi had never felt the care of a grandparent’s generation before, and he was both fascinated and excited.

He tilted his little face up and asked:

"Was that Great-Grandpa? Does Great-Grandpa like me a lot?"

Nan Zhi smiled warmly.

"Yes, Great-Grandpa saw you from heaven. I’m sure he likes you very much."

Nan Yi couldn’t help but bounce on his tiptoes, his little hands clenched into fists.

"I knew it! I’m going to save this leaf!"

Nan Zhi thought that was a great idea.

"Okay, how about we make it into a bookmark?"

Nan Yi didn’t know what a bookmark was, but that didn’t stop him from being happy.

"Uh-huh!"

As if handling a treasure, Nan Yi carefully placed the bookmark into his little satchel.

Nan Zhi watched him with a smile.

The mother and son were so focused that they didn’t notice someone approaching on the path behind them...

"Nan Zhi! Well, look at you! You actually dare to come back!"

A sharp, piercing shout erupted from behind them!

A bad premonition shot through Nan Zhi. Her body reacted faster than her mind, and she instinctively pulled Nan Yi aside!

Her dodge caused Zhao Cheng, who had been charging at them, to fall flat on his face!

"Ow, ow! My teeth!"

Zhao Cheng wailed on the ground, unable to even get up.

Wang Xiaoyue rushed over nervously.

"Old Zhao! Are you all right?"

As she helped Zhao Cheng up, she started complaining and blaming Nan Zhi.

"You just watched your father fall? You didn’t even help him up? What kind of daughter are you?"

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was full of misery.

As if she, Wang Xiaoyue, were the most tragic, pitiful, and sympathetic person in the entire world.

’...Here it comes. That familiar scent of guilt-tripping.’