Chapter 3: Mother and Daughter Travel Together

While Xia Qingfeng was still lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt a gaze on her. She turned her head and saw the little girl staring at her, curiously. 

Then, the little one spoke, and her greeting made Xia Qingfeng lose her composure completely.

“I’m fine, old lady!” The little girl said casually.

Those words—*”old lady”*! It was the exact same greeting her daughter, Xiaoxiao, had always used when they reunited in the past. *This is Xiaoxiao, my daughter—so we both crossed over together.*

And then, a heartwarming scene unfolded, with a lot of hugging and kissing from Xia Qingfeng, all directed at Xiaoxiao. However, it was mostly one-sided affection, as Xiaoxiao ended up with a look of complete disgust on her face, finally breaking free from her mother’s grasp.

“Alright, Mom, enough already, my face is all red from your kissing,” Xiaoxiao said, rubbing her face. “Hurry up and tell me what’s going on here.”

Xia Qingfeng finally relented, letting Xiaoxiao go. She sat back down and explained, “Xiaoxiao, we’ve traveled to another world.”

In truth, when Xiaoxiao first woke up and saw her little arms and legs, she had already suspected as much. The changes were too obvious, and since she had read more than her fair share of “transmigration” novels, it was easier for her to accept the reality of it all.

Xia Qingfeng then recounted everything she had just experienced in the dream. “Xiaoxiao, this place is called the Dayu Kingdom. Yes, the same ‘Dayu’ who tamed the floodwaters. But this kingdom doesn’t actually have anything to do with Dayu. It’s not even recorded in history. I think it’s the kind of world those young doctors used to talk about at the hospital—an ‘alternate historical period,’ something like that. Judging by the clothes and culture, it’s similar to the Han Dynasty in ancient China. The writing is Clerical Script, but there are many differences, too. For example, paper has already been invented, and there’s not just copper coin currency, but also silver coins and silver notes. Oh, by the way, I have the original owner’s memories. She could read and write, do calligraphy, and was skilled at embroidery. She was quite accomplished in everything—music, chess, calligraphy, painting. Hahaha, I really lucked out with this transmigration. Not only am I young again, but I also have all these new skills!”

Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but roll her eyes. *Sigh*, even after everything that’s happened, Mom can still laugh about it. It’s a huge deal to transmigrate into another world, but she’s still in her usual playful mood. Not only is she a doctor, always serious in front of people, but behind closed doors, she’s a total goofball. She used to be more serious when she was older, but now… Now that she’s back to being 19, *well*, it looks like the fun is just beginning again.

When Xia Qingfeng was 19, she had already divorced, and though she raised Xiaoxiao alone, her bright and cheerful personality had kept things positive for both of them. She always put on an optimistic, sunny face for her daughter, no matter how tough things were. 

Xiaoxiao had always been very sensible, the type of child who was often compared to “other people’s children.” She understood the hardships of her mother’s work and had always been independent, handling her own affairs from a young age. She took care of both her studies and her life without causing her mother any worry. By the time she was in her teens, she could even cook, wash clothes, and take care of Xia Qingfeng, often making sure to let her mother rest and relax. 

Xia Qingfeng, excited, continued, “This country’s surname is ‘Ling.’ The current emperor is an old man, over sixty. Daughter, in this era, living to sixty is considered very old. I heard he has quite a few sons. The original owner was the daughter of a minor official, and this is all she knew.” Xia Qingfeng waved her hand, “But anyway, this is none of our business. Let’s talk about our plans next. Since we’ve come and taken over the original body, it’s likely we can’t return. So, let’s just live well.”

Xia Qingfeng thought back to the moment when she fainted and smelled gasoline. *Was that car involved in an explosion? If so, then our bodies are likely scattered into pieces.* Just the thought of it sent a shiver down her spine.

She quickly shook it off, then said, “Well, in the world we came from, we were both widows, with no ties or burdens. Plus, we’re both well-educated. We’ll definitely be able to make a good life for ourselves here in ancient times. And, hey, we’re now transmigrators, haha!” She finished with a chuckle, only to receive another eye-roll from Xiaoxiao.

“Mom, I’m hungry. We’ve been through a lot this morning. My body’s only three years old, and I can’t handle this much. Let’s eat and talk at the same time,” Xiaoxiao said, clutching her small belly.

Xia Qingfeng looked up and realized it was already almost noon. The original owner had jumped into the river in a hurry, and hadn’t eaten breakfast. Hearing her daughter’s complaint, she realized that she was also quite hungry.

She looked at Xiaoxiao, who was frowning and holding her belly, and couldn’t help but laugh. *So cute! I can’t resist touching her little face.* She walked to the kitchen.

Xia Qingfeng was familiar with this type of stove. In her past life, she had volunteered for medical aid in remote rural areas every year, offering free consultations to villagers. She had stayed with them, eating and living as they did. In those areas, they used stoves connected to large kang beds. Even in the poorest mountain villages, they had brick stoves. But this one? This one was made of mud—a simple earth stove. *It looks like it could collapse if the fire gets too big.*

She glanced at the grain bags—rice and flour. The original owner had grown up in a wealthy household, so she wasn’t used to coarse grains. She had only eaten rough food during the past few months while fleeing. The rest of the time, she had always had enough to eat. After finishing her embroidery work, she would go to the town to buy some rice and flour, and though the mother and daughter didn’t eat much, they still saved a bit of copper each month.

Xia Qingfeng started a fire and boiled water, preparing to make noodles. Just then, Xiaoxiao came over and said, “Mom, let me help.”

Looking at this tiny girl, Xia Qingfeng couldn’t help but feel a surge of love. She rubbed Xiaoxiao’s head and said, “You’re still too young. I’ll do it, you go rest on the kang.” Her eyes tinged with a hint of sadness. In her past life, due to her busy work, Xiaoxiao had often been raised by her grandparents, and she hadn’t had the chance to spend as much time with her.

Now that she had been given a second chance at life, Xia Qingfeng felt this was the universe’s way of making up for lost time. She would get to accompany her daughter as she grew up, something she hadn’t been able to do in her past life.

She steadied her emotions, lifting her head to find that Xiaoxiao had already managed to get a small stool and used a stone to reach the cupboard, pulling out bowls and chopsticks. She placed them neatly on a small table by the side.

The water was boiling. Xia Qingfeng swiftly dropped the freshly pulled noodles into the pot and added some wild vegetables that Li Aunt had given them earlier, sprinkling in a bit of salt.

The noodles came out of the pot, plain and simple—no meat, no eggs, just a thin, clear broth. But both mother and daughter knew that in this rural setting, especially in ancient times, being able to have such a meal was already a blessing. Their priority was to fill their stomachs first.

Xia Qingfeng set the small table on the kang, and they both sat down, eating as they chatted.