Chapter 19 Saving a Life

“You’ve given Lin Anran so many things—did you give away all the good stuff in our family, you spendthrift woman!” Upon hearing her husband shouting, her aunt’s husband scolded loudly.

“I gave her what? My brother and sister-in-law died young. She’s my only niece. Of course, I’ll give her my best,” her aunt replied.

Hearing her aunt worry about her, Lin Anran was moved to tears. She thought, My aunt is the only person in this world who cares about me. I must treat her well, just like the original owner would.

She called into the house, “Aunt, I came to see you.”

Hearing Lin Anran, the quarrel stopped, and her aunt came out. Seeing the tears on her aunt’s face, Lin Anran’s heart ached. I must live well here! she thought. I’m the most famous doctor of the 20th century—I won’t live like this.

Her aunt, stunned at how much Lin Anran had changed, asked, “Are you really Anran?”

Inviting her in, her aunt said, “You came! I’ll make you some good food.”

Her uncle, seeing Lin Anran, glared at her and left. After a few steps, he stopped and looked back, shocked—was this really the same chubby, lazy Lin Anran from before? He asked again, “Are you Lin Anran?”

Her aunt ignored him and quickly held Lin Anran’s hand. “Anran, your face?”

“I’m fine, Aunt. I’m not hungry. I didn’t come for food—I just wanted to see you,” Lin Anran said, trying to hide the truth but failing.

“Could it be Gao Ershan hit you? That brat—I’ll go settle this with him!” Thinking of the three days she hadn’t returned home after marriage, her aunt was clearly furious. She grabbed a stick leaning against the wall and stormed off to confront Gao Ershan.

Lin Anran quickly held her aunt’s hand. “I’m fine, really.”

“You’ve lost weight and suffered a lot. You’ve become so beautiful,” her aunt said. Lin Anran noticed the gray strands in her aunt’s hair and felt a pang of sadness. “Aunt, I’m okay. I was foolish before, giving you trouble. From now on, I’ll never let you get hurt.”

Her aunt, hearing this, felt proud. She hugged Lin Anran warmly. “If anything bothers you, tell me.”

Looking at her aunt—the only blood relative in this world—Lin Anran wept. This was her Aunt Lin Yuan, who doted on her, treating her like a precious jewel despite the hardships of life. Lin Anran hugged her tightly. “Aunt, I love you.”

Blushing, Lin Yuan replied, “Silly child, don’t talk about love. Come inside—I’ll make you something good to eat.” She guided Lin Anran to sit on a wooden bench and busied herself in the kitchen.

Lin Anran looked around the sparsely furnished house. It had been carved into a hill. Inside, there was an old paulownia wood bed, a darkened table, and a few cabinets. Seeing this, Lin Anran felt deep sadness.

Soon, her aunt made a bowl of noodles with an egg—the best she could offer. As night fell, Lin Anran prepared to leave, unsure where to go but not wanting to trouble her aunt. Her uncle had yet to return, likely unwilling to see her.

Hearing that Lin Anran intended to leave, Lin Yuan grabbed her hand. “You haven’t been home in so long. Stay the night—it’s dark and unsafe.”

“I’m fine, Aunt,” Lin Anran replied.

Seeing her attempt to leave, her aunt grew angry. “If you go, I won’t recognize you anymore.” Lin Anran had no choice but to stay in the small side room. The bed was hard, the blankets dusty—sleep was difficult.

As night fell, she dozed off, entering her hidden space. She collected the egg, fed the livestock, milked the cow, and made milk tablets using her abilities. She fed the fish, shrimp, and geese, tended the animals, replanted grass, and checked her computer, watching some TV. Soon bored, she thought, It’s the 1980s—better to study. She reviewed theoretical knowledge to reinforce her memory.

Having not eaten well recently, she cooked a simple meal. Feeling tired afterward, she lay down on the bed and slept—this was the most comfortable night she’d had in a long time.

She woke feeling refreshed, retrieved flour and eggs from storage, planning to give them to her aunt. Now much thinner, she could fit into an M-size outfit, so she took a proper set of clothes for a job interview.

Seeing that it was getting late, she left her hidden space, placed the eggs and flour on the ground, and observed her still-sleeping aunt. She left quietly, unsure where she was heading. Thinking quickly, she decided to go to the county hospital to apply for a job—she had been a famous doctor in the 20th century.

She crossed three mountains, feeling tired, and rested on a rock before continuing. Walking from morning into afternoon, she finally arrived in the county town, a place both unfamiliar and vaguely familiar, stirring many emotions.

While walking, she noticed a man in his forties or fifties lying on the busy street, eyes closed. She rushed over and checked his radial pulse—none. She quickly checked his carotid pulse—still none.

She positioned him properly and began CPR, performing mouth-to-mouth and chest compressions. Soon, a crowd gathered, watching the young girl pinch his nose, blow air into his mouth, and press on his chest repeatedly. The onlookers murmured, embarrassed, thinking it shameful for such a young girl to act this way publicly.

Lin Anran ignored their judgment, focused on saving him. Placing her ear to his chest, she heard a heartbeat of around 80 beats per minute and observed steady breathing—only then did she relax slightly.

The crowd suggested taking him to the hospital. Lin Anran addressed them: “He’s unconscious. Quickly take him to the hospital. Can you help?”

“Alright, everyone, let’s do it together!” The crowd lifted the man. Lin Anran felt uneasy and directed them to carry him carefully.

A middle-aged woman, dressed unusually well, appeared. Seeing her husband, she shouted, “Old Chen! What happened? What’s wrong?”