RIRW – Chapter 4

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Zuo Dan had grown up eating the fruits her grandmother cultivated.

In their small courtyard, there were a few fruit trees, but Zuo Dan knew that was only part of it. Her grandmother’s real orchard had always been shrouded in mystery.

Before she turned ten, she often accompanied her grandmother to the orchard, but every time they went, she would fall asleep. Her grandmother always took her to the orchard during her naps, and by the time she woke up, they would already be there. Similarly, when she fell asleep in the wooden cabin in the orchard, her grandmother would bring her back.

After she turned ten, her grandmother stopped taking her to the orchard. When she asked about it, her grandmother claimed the orchard had been sold, and only the gardens surrounding their home remained. Zuo Dan believed her without question and never brought it up again.

By the time her grandmother passed away when she was sixteen, Zuo Dan had never been to that orchard again.

However, the image of the orchard remained vivid in her mind, especially the small wooden plaque by the fence. It still bore the little sun she had drawn on it so many years ago. How could a chalk drawing have lasted all this time?

Could it be that she had traveled back to the past?

The possibility made Zuo Dan’s heart race. If she could travel back to the 1970s, then returning to her childhood might not be impossible either.

Hugging her chest, Zuo Dan cautiously stood up and scanned her surroundings. Remembering the wooden cabin in the orchard where clothes she and her grandmother had worn were stored, she hurried in that direction.

The clothes she used to wear as a child were obviously too small now, but her grandmother’s might fit. Anything was better than being half-naked.

Following her memory, Zuo Dan quickly found the small wooden cabin. When she entered, she was surprised to see the cabin filled with supplies.

She remembered the cabin only having some daily essentials and a wooden bed where she would sleep. When had it become so packed with items?

There were large bags of rice and flour, various living supplies, and enough to fill over half the cabin. There were even some clothes.

Zuo Dan hastily grabbed a jacket to put on. Once covered, she finally felt at ease enough to examine the cabin in detail.

It was indeed small, only about twenty square meters, and now over ten square meters were filled with supplies. Farming tools were neatly stacked in one corner, likely used for maintaining the orchard, and beside them stood a small wooden table.

On the table lay a letter.

Seeing the handwriting on the envelope, Zuo Dan grew excited. She rushed to the table, picked up the letter, and tore it open.

“My dear granddaughter, If you’re reading this letter, it means Grandma is no longer with you. I’m so happy that you’ve finally inherited the Zuo family orchard. I hope you won’t blame Grandma for keeping secrets from you. It’s a family rule that anyone inheriting the orchard must first have their own unique journey. Grandma worried that telling you too soon might disqualify you from inheriting it.

…

Grandma doesn’t know what challenges you might face, so I’ve already prepared many supplies for you. You can live here for a while if needed… Dandan, my dear granddaughter, no matter what difficulties you encounter, don’t be afraid. This orchard will always be your support. Grandma can’t be with you forever, but I hope this orchard will give my Dandan a peaceful and happy life.

…

Dandan, you must remember: never tell anyone about this orchard—not even the closest people in your life. Remember Grandma’s words.”

By the time she finished reading the letter, Zuo Dan’s face was already streaked with tears.

It turned out this orchard didn’t exist in the real world; it had always been within that ancestral pendant. Her grandmother had relied on this orchard to raise her.

She hadn’t returned to the past after all.

“Grandma, I promise to take good care of the orchard,” Zuo Dan murmured, wiping away her tears.

After glancing through the supplies her grandmother had left, Zuo Dan closed the cabin door. There was no urgency to take anything out just yet.

Leaving the cabin, Zuo Dan wandered the orchard, marveling at the trees laden with fruit. Miraculously, fruits of different seasons were ripening all at the same time.

She picked a red apple, took a bite, and was greeted by the familiar, sweet flavor. After finishing the apple quickly, she thought about how much time had passed since she entered this space and began to wonder how things were outside. Silently wishing to return, the scenery in front of her shifted abruptly.

When she returned to her room, she had barely registered the change when loud knocking interrupted her thoughts.

“Zuo Dan, what on earth are you doing in there? This isn’t just your room!” came Zuo Huan’s voice, shouting angrily from outside.

“Dandan, if you don’t open the door now, I’m going to break it down, and then I’ll tell your grandma about this!” Xu Fengxia’s angry voice called out.

Zuo Dan quickly changed out of the clothes she was wearing and put on her old ones. With a thought, the clothes she had just taken off disappeared into the orchard.

She strode to the door and opened it.

Zuo Huan, who had been leaning against the door to push it open, stumbled forward and nearly fell to the ground. Her face turned red with anger. “Zuo Dan! What’s wrong with you? You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Seeing Zuo Dan’s composed appearance irritated Zuo Huan even more.

Although she hated to admit it, Zuo Dan’s facial features were more delicate than hers. If it weren’t for the fact that Zuo Dan often worked in the fields, she would completely overshadow her.

Xu Fengxia stepped inside, her glare sharp. “Dandan, what were you doing? Your cousin Huan has been knocking on the door for ages! Why didn’t you open it? This isn’t your private room. Why did you lock the door?”

Zuo Dan knew she was partially in the wrong. But she also knew that apologizing wouldn’t help in this situation. If anything, it would only embolden these two to push her further.

She rubbed her head and said, “I was just about to wash up, so I locked the door out of habit. Then I started feeling really dizzy and lay down on the bed. I must have passed out for a bit and didn’t hear anything. Auntie, you know my injury hasn’t healed yet. The doctor at the clinic said it’s a serious one.”

Using her injury as an excuse made Zuo Huan seethe with anger. “What’s so special about you? You just bumped your head, and now you’re acting all frail. I bet you’re just being lazy.”

Zuo Dan smiled calmly. “Well, why don’t you try bumping your head too? Then you’ll get to ‘be lazy’ like me. After all, it’s just a bump, right?”

Zuo Huan was immediately at a loss for words. She glared angrily and turned to Xu Fengxia. “Mom, look at her!”

Xu Fengxia’s face darkened, ready to scold Zuo Dan further, but before she could, Zuo Dan yawned and waved dismissively. “Alright, say whatever you want. I’m going to finish washing up.”

With that, she walked over to the wooden bucket by the bed, wrung out a towel, and began wiping her neck.

She couldn’t take her clothes off here, so she just wiped herself down as best she could. She planned to sneak into the orchard later to take a proper bath.

“Dandan! Is this how you talk to your elders?” Xu Fengxia stormed over, raising her hand to strike Zuo Dan.

She had done this plenty of times before. As an elder, disciplining her niece was her right, wasn’t it? Even if Zuo Dacheng and his wife didn’t like it, what could they do?

Fortunately, Zuo Dan was quick to react. She stepped back just as Xu Fengxia’s hand came down and shouted, “Go ahead, Auntie, hit me! Hit my head! If you kill me, you’ll have to pay with your life!”

Zuo Dan was genuinely furious now. She could tolerate Xu Fengxia’s petty schemes, but physical violence was a different matter.

Her grandmother had never laid a finger on her, and there was no way she would let Xu Fengxia do it.

Xu Fengxia froze mid-swing, unnerved by Zuo Dan’s fierce shout and the sight of the bandage on her forehead.

What if she really did hit her too hard and something happened? Wouldn’t she have to pay with her life?

No, that wouldn’t do. Her life was too precious; she still had a future to enjoy. There was no way she’d risk it for this little brat.

Realizing this, Xu Fengxia clenched her raised hand into a fist and pointed a finger at Zuo Dan instead. “You wretched girl, just wait! I’ll tell your grandma and parents about this. They’ll deal with you!”

With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out.

Zuo Huan had been waiting to enjoy the show, but she was stunned when her mother backed down so easily. Frustrated, she glared at Zuo Dan before quickly following her mother out.

Outside, Zuo Huan grabbed Xu Fengxia’s arm. “Mom, why didn’t you hit her? She needs to be taught a lesson!”

Gritting her teeth, Xu Fengxia replied, “Did you see the state she’s in? If I end up injuring her further, won’t that be a huge problem for us? Don’t worry. There will be plenty of opportunities to deal with her later.”

She had managed to keep Zuo Dacheng and his wife under her thumb; there was no way she would lose to this little girl.

Once the injury on Zuo Dan’s head healed, she would make sure to teach her a proper lesson.

Zuo Huan pouted, disappointed. “Mom, I don’t care. I want my own room. I don’t want to share with her anymore. What if she locks me out again?”

“She wouldn’t dare!”

“I don’t care if she would or wouldn’t. I just want my own space. I’m already eighteen. I need my privacy! What if I start dating and someone visits me at home? There won’t even be a proper place for them to sit! Didn’t Auntie have her own room when she was my age?”

She had been planning this for a while. Having her own room would mean she could invite friends over and decorate it however she liked, making everyone envious.

Xu Fengxia hesitated. If her daughter wanted to find a good match, she needed to provide some leverage. They couldn’t cross certain lines, but holding hands and stealing a kiss here and there was fine.

After all, her sister-in-law had done the same when she was young.

But there weren’t any extra rooms in the house. Someone would have to move out.

As Xu Fengxia mulled over the situation, Zuo Dan couldn’t have cared less about her schemes. With the orchard in her possession now, she felt a newfound sense of security and hope for the future.

Her mood brightened, and even her steps felt lighter.