Chapter 2: and

Probably not.

She had left immediately after pushing Tong Annian into the river. Tong Annian was just a child; it was impossible for her to figure out that she was the one who did it.

Zhao Cuifen disliked Tong Annian very much. To treat this sickly child, the family had spent a lot of silver. Not only were they left with nothing, but they had also borrowed a great deal of money.

She had once suggested that everyone give up on Tong Annian, but the old Tong family refused and even scolded her severely. The whole family doted on and protected this sickly child. Even though there was no food left in the house, they were still finding ways to get her something to eat. It was clear that no matter how much she ate, she wouldn't survive, yet they still wasted so much food.

This made her very angry. She had given birth to three grandsons for the old Tong family, yet she wasn't as important as a girl who wouldn't survive.

That day, she saw Tong Annian leave the house and, for some reason, followed her. Watching the girl standing alone by the river, she had pushed her on an impulse.

By the time she realized what she had done, she had already run back home in a daze. As soon as she entered the house, she heard someone shouting the news that Tong Annian had fallen into the water.

After being in a coma for several days, she had assumed this sickly child was surely dead. Who could have imagined that she would come back to life?

Zhao Cuifen suppressed the panic in her heart and put on what she considered her most amiable smile as she looked at Tong Annian, hoping that Tong Annian wouldn't notice anything.

The corners of Tong Annian’s mouth curled into an imperceptible cold sneer. A thief is always haunted by a guilty conscience!

As the saying goes, a gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. Her current body was only four years old and severely ill; she needed to recuperate for a while. There was no rush to take revenge.

If it really was Zhao Cuifen who pushed her into the river, then she shouldn't blame her for disregarding family ties.

However, she had no family ties to speak of with this Zhao Cuifen. The one who had family ties was that poor girl, the original owner, and she was already dead.

"Nianbao-er! You must take good care of your health, you hear? You are Grandma's lifeline!" Old Madam Tong looked at Tong Annian affectionately.

"Mm, Nianbao-er... will be good."

The soft, milky voice landed gently on Old Madam Tong’s heart. In that instant, the old lady felt so warmed.

"Oh, my little darling! You’ve really tugged at Grandma’s heartstrings!" Old Madam Tong held her in her arms, feeling nothing but heartache.

"Alright! You, hurry and go see what’s in the kitchen, and get it to the fourth daughter-in-law so she can make something nourishing for Nianbao-er!"

Old Master Tong’s words reminded Old Madam Tong.

In a farming household, although the man is the head of the family, the household expenses are entirely controlled by the mother-in-law.

"Right, right, right! I completely forgot about that. I’m going to the kitchen now!" Old Madam Tong stood up in a hurry and shooed everyone else out of the room.

"Mm! Go on then!" The old master watched the old lady leave before turning to look at Tong Annian on the bed. "Nianbao-er, get some rest. Grandpa is going to see if your brothers managed to find any bird eggs to help you recover!"

Tong Annian did not yet understand the original owner's background, so she was actually eager to be left alone.

"Okay! Thank you... Grandpa..." Tong Annian gave Old Master Tong a sweet, milky smile. Old Master Tong stood up and, with his back to Tong Annian, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Although he was happy to hear Tong Annian call him Grandpa, seeing her so weak made his heart ache terribly.

Everyone left to let Tong Annian rest. With the room empty, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and she could finally sort through the things in her mind.

"Space system is starting up, please wait..."

Space system?

Was she hallucinating?

"System startup successful. Confirming identity... Identity confirmed. Tong Annian, female, four years old."

A mechanical, doll-like voice echoed in Tong Annian’s mind, leaving her completely stunned.

By the time Tong Annian reacted, she was already in a strange environment where not a single blade of grass grew.

(End of chapter)