With a shiver, Gu Nian suddenly woke up, staring wide-eyed at the large peach in her hand that had a bite taken out of it, and the sweet taste of peach flesh in her mouth.
What was going on? Wasn't she just daydreaming, yet she actually conjured up some fruit?
Gu Nian took another bite, smacking her lips as she ate, and before long, the large peach had filled her stomach.
Gu Nian closed her eyes, focusing her mind on that place, and upon seeing the scene again, she was so excited she almost screamed.
Heaven certainly didn't treat her poorly. Though it sent her to this godforsaken place, it gave her a life-saving talisman.
Meanwhile, as Lin Sanshui walked farther away, Gu Nian's voice and image grew clearer in his mind.
Suddenly, he stopped, a look of struggle flashing across his face.
That little girl, so small, her mother gone, her brother run away—how was she supposed to live alone in the future?
The child was a good one, though skinny, her features were refined, and she was obedient and sensible.
But... her twin brother, at such a young age with such ruthless means, thinking about it sent chills down one's spine.
But on second thought, it wasn't entirely incomprehensible.
If it were him and his mother and sister had been harmed, he probably wouldn't be any kinder.
Ultimately unable to harden his heart, Lin Sanshui turned the donkey cart around.
From a distance, under the moonlight, he saw Gu Nian still where he had left her, her small body leaning against a tree, arms wrapped around her knees, head resting on them.
That little appearance truly looked very pitiful.
...
The night road was difficult to travel, made even harder by the bumpy mountain path.
Gu Nian's little head hit the cart board, and with a yelp, she woke up.
Opening her eyes to the vast starry sky, she suddenly sat up to look ahead.
"Uncle?" Seeing it was Lin Sanshui, Gu Nian's large, clear eyes were filled with joy, "Didn't you leave?"
Lin Sanshui could only sigh helplessly, "I was afraid that someone might steal you away in the middle of the night without you even knowing, so I came back!"
And that was indeed the case.
He had carried her onto the cart and traveled such a long, bumpy way, and she had only now woken up, having slept quite soundly.
"So, Uncle, are you planning to take me home with you?" Gu Nian was somewhat nervous, but her eyes shone with hope.
Even if the space was real, she was only six years old now, and in the village, everyone shunned her, and she had nowhere to go.
The Lin Family wasn't wealthy, but the couple were kind-hearted people. If they were willing to adopt her, it would be the best thing for her.
Lin Sanshui freed one hand to gently pat the little girl's head, not directly answering.
Taking her back would mean he couldn't abandon her again, but when it came to the adoption question, the complexity of her background left him unsure of what to do.
Gu Nian could see Lin Sanshui's struggle and didn't press further.
He was her savior, and whether or not he decided to adopt her, he had already shown her great kindness.
Lin Sanshui didn't hurry home through the night; passing a village, he found a farmhouse and spent five coins to stay overnight.
It wasn't until the afternoon of the next day that they finally reached home.
Hearing the donkey's bray, Mrs. Jiang came out with a full smile, but before she could speak, she saw Gu Nian sitting on the donkey cart.
Her expression froze immediately. She was eager to find out what was happening, yet was hesitant to speak with Gu Nian present.
Fortunately, the two boys, seeing Gu Nian had returned, quickly gathered around happily, especially Little Hu, who was full of excitement.
Lin Sanshui lifted Gu Nian down from the donkey cart, then instructed his two sons to take her aside to play, before going inside with Mrs. Jiang.