Chapter 1: I Actually Crossed Over

Having crossed over, I will first adapt and, by the way, gather intelligence and contemplate some life issues... However... it seems that earning the first pot of gold is quite difficult

That is her, what does it have to do with you?! Mother Lu is even angrier now. Her family is wealthy, she can leave whenever she wants, why drag you into it?! Now look, she has connections and got into a big company, why hasn't she found you a job too? If you can't find work soon, your family will be in dire straits!

Chunying felt somewhat displeased upon hearing her mother criticize her good friend. However, having not found a job yet, she lacked confidence and could only say softly: "It's not Light Beauty's fault; it's that chubby manager who is always leering and trying to get hands-on with us newcomers. Light Beauty is also quite upset about it..."

The younger version of "Mother Lu" looked puzzled and asked, "What are you looking for Mother Ba for? She might come tomorrow, on the fourth day of the new year."

But as soon as she said this, Mother Lu became furious: "Your father and I have worked hard from dawn to dusk to support your college education, is it just so you can serve dishes in your uncle's small restaurant? You are driving me crazy!"

She tentatively called out: "Dad? Mom?"

Someone outside the door called out "Hey" and rushed in. It was a man around forty years old, dressed in a blue cotton robe and wearing a gray cloth headscarf. With a face full of joy, he hurried to the edge of the kang and asked, "Daughter, are you awake? Does your head still hurt?" As he spoke, he reached out to touch Chunying's forehead.

Heavens, let a lightning strike her back to the modern era! Others are either princesses, consorts, or daughters of wealthy families; at the very least, they come from well-off households, cherished like jewels. Why is her time travel so tragic? She is actually a born child?

Chunying is somewhat confused; this man is clearly her father, and this woman is unmistakably her mother. But why do both of them seem to have aged backward by over a decade? When did such a large mole appear beside her father's nose? How could her mother have shaped her eyebrows to be so arched and thin? Moreover, they are surprisingly dressed like ancient people

Chunying, in a daze, was so exhausted that she unexpectedly fell asleep. After an unknown amount of time, she faintly heard the sounds of children playing outside. As she propped herself up, she felt a heaviness in her head and a throbbing pain in her temples, which made her inwardly exclaim that it was not good. To have fallen asleep like this in the middle of winter surely meant she had caught a cold

At that moment, Xiao Hu jumped up and shouted, "Oh—oh—stay here, stay here! Sister, I want to play with your computer." Saying this, he ran towards Chun Ying's room, startling her. She remembered the new computer she had finally bought after saving money for six months and immediately chased after him, saying, "Don't—"

Chunying secretly curled her lips in disdain, finding it hard to believe. What does she mean by not being able to make ends meet? Mom is really exaggerating. Although Dad and Mom lost their jobs at the state-owned garment factory a few years ago, Dad works as a gatekeeper at a nearby elementary school and still receives a salary. Mom has partnered with her former colleagues to open a tailor shop, which, while not bustling with customers, still generates a modest profit each month. Moreover, she is currently helping out at her uncle's restaurant, earning a couple of thousand each month, so she is certainly not just idling at home.

Aunt Lu Er was speaking to Aunt Lu, looking quite embarrassed: "I had no choice; his father was in a hurry to go to Tongzhou for a trip. Since he needed to stay overnight, I had to accompany him. I couldn't leave Little Tiger home alone, as I wouldn't feel at ease. With the New Year approaching, every household is busy. I had to muster the courage to ask my brother and sister-in-law for a favor, to let Little Tiger stay here for two days. We will be back the day after tomorrow"

Mother Lu smiled warmly: "What is there to be polite about among family? I was just thinking of Little Tiger; with him around, the house will be much livelier! What do you mean by two days? You can stay as long as you like! You two are busy, so just leave it to me. You can take him back on New Year's Eve; it's settled then!"

She actually traveled through time

Mother Lu's anger subsided slightly, but she still wore a stern expression: "Then during the New Year, you should go out less and properly review all your textbooks at home. It's been half a year since graduation; I wonder if you've forgotten everything." She glared: "You are not allowed to associate with Zhang Light Beauty and those bookworms anymore!"

At present, both families are very pleased, and the two gentlemen have happily agreed to have a drink together during dinner to reminisce. However, Chunying is somewhat dumbfounded: with this little bomb around, how can she possibly live?

"Why are you so useless?" Mother Lu, with her left hand gripping a flapping and struggling chicken and her right hand wielding a gleaming kitchen knife, charged out of the kitchen with great vigor. With a fierce glare, she began to scold, "Didn’t you say this time it would definitely work? It’s been over six months, and you still haven’t found a job! Look at your classmates; they are almost getting permanent positions! You haven’t even found a temporary job. I’ve told you long ago not to hang out with that girl Zhang Light Beauty. If it weren’t for her, you would still be interning at that big hotel!"

Chun Yington paused and said: "No..."

Chunying, carrying her bag, moved her weary legs, which had been tired from a day of labor, and struggled to ascend the final step. She took out her keys to unlock the door and, in a lackluster manner, said, "I’m back." It was no surprise to hear her mother’s probing question: "How did it go? Did you succeed?!"

These were all her vague thoughts, yet she felt fully awake, just unable to open her eyes. When she finally recovered from the fever and became completely alert, she was left in a daze.

She extended her hand, bringing it before her eyes, and indeed saw that her hand was half the size she remembered. When she lifted the blanket to look at her body, she was wearing a cross-collared shirt and long pants, yet it was unmistakably that of a young girl.

When she finally regained consciousness, she had lost track of how long it had been. Her entire body was burning, her mouth tasted bitter, and her forehead throbbed painfully. She let out a moan, wanting to open her eyes, but felt so weak that it seemed she didn't even have the strength to lift her eyelids. In her haze, it seemed someone was calling her name urgently in her ear. She vaguely recognized it as her mother's voice and guessed that she must have hit her head and caught a cold, which was why she felt so ill. She mumbled, "It's nothing... just caught a chill..." Her throat was so hoarse it felt like it was on fire. She murmured for "water," and in her daze, someone brought a cup of water to her lips. She drank eagerly, and her throat felt somewhat better.

The noise coming from outside grew increasingly loud, giving her a headache. Annoyed, she got out of bed, randomly slipped on a pair of oversized gorilla slippers, opened the door, and shouted, "Who is it? It's so noisy!" To her surprise, she found her uncle and aunt sitting in the living room looking at her, while their precious son, Little Tiger, was running around them, making all the noise.

Chun Ying did not pay any attention to his words; her mind was filled only with the words of Mother Lu just now: "Children born in the family, children born in the family, children born in the family, children born in the family, children born in the family..."

Chunying pouted in grievance: "I was still helping my uncle with the accounts! Two months ago, thanks to my idea, he made a significant profit and even gave me a bonus of three thousand yuan! Moreover, I have also been helping you at your store; didn't I just help you complete a few orders last month?"

On the octagonal table, there was a brass candlestick and a small wooden bucket. She stared at the candlestick, unable to comprehend why anyone would still use such an item today

After finally calming the Empress Dowager, she was utterly exhausted. Upon returning to her room, she kicked off her high heels and collapsed onto the bed, not wanting to move at all.

The younger version of "Father Lu" casually responded, noticing Chun'er’s dazed expression, and asked with some concern: "Chun'er, what’s wrong? The matter of working in the mansion didn’t work out this time; let’s think of another way next time. Don’t take it to heart, okay?"

The door creaked open, and a woman in her thirties walked in, wearing a blue cotton coat, a green satin lambskin vest, and a dark purple long skirt. Her black hair was styled in a bun, adorned with a jade hairpin, and she had two red silk flowers beside her. She appeared quite fatigued, rubbing her forehead with one hand while holding a bowl of steaming medicine in the other. As she approached the kang, she met Chunying's wide, round eyes and was instantly both surprised and delighted: "Chun'er, you are awake?!" She hurriedly set down the bowl of medicine and called out to the door, "Head of the household, Chun'er is awake!"

She was contemplating: Although Light Beauty mentioned that the hotel was hiring, it seemed to be only a three-star establishment. Should she really go? The hotel industry is quite demanding; if it were a large hotel, it might be different. Otherwise, she would prefer to help out at her uncle's restaurant, occasionally working at her mother's shop to earn some extra money. After saving for a few years, she could open her own small store. Starting her own business means she wouldn't have to worry about unpaid wages, wouldn't have to deal with a boss, and the pressure wouldn't be as great. The hotel industry is quite demanding; if it were a large hotel, it might be different. Otherwise, she would prefer to help out at her uncle's restaurant, occasionally working at her mother's shop to earn some extra money. After saving for a few years, she could open her own small store. Starting her own business means she wouldn't have to worry about unpaid wages, wouldn't have to deal with a boss, and the pressure wouldn't be as great

She was wearing large fuzzy slippers, making her less agile than a little boy. Falling a few steps behind, as soon as she entered the door, she saw him turning on the power and rummaging through his CD case. She hurriedly rushed over to stop him, but her foot accidentally stepped on a high heel that had been carelessly tossed aside. Her body swayed, and she fell against the nearby cabinet. The items on top of the cabinet shook and fell, striking her on the head. She felt a sharp pain at the top of her head, and stars began to dance before her eyes as she fainted in a daze.

Chun Ying obediently agreed, but whether she was truly invested in it was another matter altogether

Hearing her "parents" beside her murmuring about their injuries and illnesses, having been in a coma for three or four days, she almost thought she was destined to die... She had already guessed what was going on, feeling as if a thunderbolt had struck her head, leaving her in a daze.

What is all this about? ... Chunying is even more confused; she has a vague, unsettling thought in her mind

She decided to verify the final point again

Seeing signs of another outburst from her mother, she hurried over, slightly avoiding the chicken and the kitchen knife, and sweetly said: "Mom, please don't be angry. I know you are worried about me. Isn't it hard to find a job right now? I'm just thinking of getting a job first and then choosing a career. I'll work at my current job to gain some experience, and then slowly look for something more suitable. I heard from Light Beauty that a hotel near her company is going to open in a few months and will be hiring after the New Year. I plan to go there and try my luck. What do you think?"

She has a worse headache now; this eight-year-old little cousin and the library brother are like a bomb. The noise just now, needless to say, was definitely caused by him

It seems that the blows she has received are still not heavy enough. The young "Mother Lu" added, "It's all the fault of that Cui family mother and daughter! They caused you to be injured and ill, and they snatched away a good position that you could have had! Your sister put in so much effort to secure a good post for you in the residence, and now it has gone to that Cui girl! They are all born into the same circumstances; it is not easy for anyone. How could that mother and daughter be so ruthless? They are truly devoid of conscience!

Someone was crying by her bedside, and another was sighing. Could it be her parents? Chunying guessed that she was probably very ill, and with great effort, she opened her eyes and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine..." before drifting back into a deep sleep.

Later, she woke up again and heard her mother arguing with someone. It seemed she even said, "The cat cries for the mouse." Could it be that she was arguing with her second uncle and aunt? ... In fact, she was just unfortunate; it had nothing to do with Xiao Hu. Mother should not make things difficult for the child...

This looks like a rural house no matter how you look at it. Could it be that Dad and Mom took her back to their hometown? No, this isn't even the house from their hometown.

Having fallen into a coma, upon waking, I found myself sleeping in an antique-style room. On the table was a candlestick, and a man and a woman, who claimed to be my parents (though they indeed were), were dressed in traditional attire

This is neither her room, nor her home or a hospital. The room is quite large, with the walls painted in white lime, which has already turned somewhat yellow from smoke. At one end, there are two tall cabinets and some boxes, while in the middle stands an eight-immortals table surrounded by four long stools. Against the wall is a shrine, with incense smoke curling up in front of it, where two memorial tablets are placed. At the other end of the room is a large kang, occupying about one-fourth of the entire space. On the kang, there is a small table, a row of small cabinets and boxes, as well as bedding and clothing. She herself is sleeping at one end of the kang, with a warm bed beneath her and a large red floral quilt covering her. The walls and windows are adorned with red paper cuttings.