With her space now fully stocked with food, clothes, and supplies, Shen Meng focused on acquiring a house. She bought a traditional Chinese courtyard for 380,000 yuan, then paid another 50,000 to have a foundation platform built underneath. After several attempts to put the house directly into her space failed, she discovered that by creating a platform under the house, she could move it. Once she connected the house to a generator she’d bought, it lit up like a small paradise.

She assessed her remaining funds, about 1.17 million yuan, then purchased two modified Jeeps, an old Santana, and a few electric tricycles. She even made several trips to rural areas to stock up on twenty barrels of gasoline.

It’s hard to make money, but spending money is like water. One day, Shen Meng was riding her electric tricycle, phone in hand, watching a live-streaming sale. The host announced a special family celebration with chances for buyers to win prizes, and each purchase came with eighteen freebies. Just as Shen Meng clicked “Pay,” a dump truck hurtled toward her, screeching brakes piercing the air. The impact was intense, jarring her body painfully. Then everything went dark.

“You and your whole family are so heartless!” a woman’s trembling voice shouted nearby. “You claimed you’d treat her like your own daughter when she married in, even though my daughter, still in her prime, became a stepmother to your grandchild. Now that she’s unable to move, you’re feasting as if nothing’s wrong! Where’s your conscience?”

The speaker, Wang Guizhi, had tears streaming down her face as she struggled to voice her outrage. She was naturally gentle, so her attempt to confront them seemed almost pitiful.

“Now, now, in-law,” replied Liu Sanjin, feigning hurt and dabbing at nonexistent tears. “Ever since Xiaomeng married into our family, we’ve treated her with nothing but respect. Her sisters-in-law admire her, too. Who could have imagined that you’d think of us as hypocrites?”

“You…you…” Wang Guizhi’s finger shook as she tried to respond but couldn’t find the words. Around them, the villagers began mocking her attempt to confront the Liu family.

“Granny Wang, Xiaomeng just hasn’t woken up yet,” chimed in Zhou Jiaojiao, stepping forward to defend Liu Sanjin. “You should be clear-headed about this. Xiaomeng was hit by the production team’s cow. Everyone here knows that.”

Another woman added, “You and your husband came all the way only to start a fight without knowing the whole story. It’s embarrassing!”

“You should keep your voice down,” someone whispered nearby. “Her kind are known for making trouble.”

Another muttered, “Probably here to wring money out of the Liu family. I heard the Shen family has a son about to marry. They’re probably hoping to extort the Liu family for the dowry.”

Furious and trembling, Wang Guizhi cast a dark look at the villagers, then grabbed her husband Shen Fugui and headed into their daughter’s room. She wasn’t indifferent to her daughter’s situation but knew that, if Xiaomeng woke, she’d blindly defend her mother-in-law. Ever since marrying, her once-lively daughter had grown submissive and distanced from her family.

Wang Guizhi only knew of her daughter’s accident because a woman from their village working nearby mentioned it. Her daughter had been struck by a cow—a blow that could’ve been fatal. Yet there Xiaomeng lay unattended in her room while the Liu family ate heartily, as if she were expected to fend for herself.

Once Wang Guizhi was inside, Liu Sanjin quickly put on a tearful show, dismissing the neighbors who had gathered to watch.

“Thank you all for your concern, but this is a family matter,” she said, casting a pitiful glance around. The villagers, feeling sympathetic to Liu Sanjin’s display, were quick to rally behind her. If Wang Guizhi caused further trouble, they promised to put her in her place.

Shen Meng was dimly aware of muffled sobbing nearby as she slowly regained consciousness. Opening her eyes, she was greeted by the sight of a crumbling thatched roof overhead, with chunks of mud threatening to fall. Turning her head, she saw that the walls were bare, gray bricks, and that the wooden window frames were covered with tattered newspaper and spider webs. A tiny spider was busily weaving.

Finally realizing she had entered the world from her dreams, Shen Meng felt a sense of calm acceptance. She’d suspected this might happen, though the reality of being hit by a truck was jarring. Her optimistic nature helped her stay grounded; otherwise, the shock might have been overwhelming. However, the weeping next to her was impossible to ignore.

In a weakened voice, she murmured, “Ma…”

“Child! My child, you’re awake!” Wang Guizhi gasped, throwing herself onto Shen Meng in relief.

“Ahh…” Shen Meng gasped in pain, clutching the damp bedding beneath her as she struggled to breathe. Her ribs felt as though they might break under her mother’s weight.