Chapter 2: Abandoned

As she continued up from the medicinal herb garden, Luo Qiao came across a small tea plantation on the slope near the valley. The plantation covered a significant area and seemed to have various types of tea, but as a northerner, Luo Qiao couldn’t distinguish the different varieties.

In her past life, Luo Qiao had been a wood-element superpowered individual. Unlike others whose abilities were limited to accelerating plant growth, her powers also had healing and offensive capabilities. Seeing these plants made her feel a sense of familiarity, but that was all in the past. Luo Qiao sighed and continued walking forward.

She curiously observed the place, wondering why she was the only person there. Before she could figure it out, she felt someone pushing her and heard a voice saying, “Wake up, get up and have some food before you sleep again.”

Luo Qiao opened her eyes, a bit dazed, and upon fully waking, she found herself back in the previous room. She thought about the dream she had just had and smiled wryly to herself.

Lu Yichen brought over some food and asked, “Do you need help sitting up?”

Luo Qiao replied, “No, I can manage on my own.”

Looking at the large bowl placed in front of her, she saw it contained a fragrant mix of potatoes and dried beans over white noodles. From the original body’s memories, she knew that not every household could afford pure white noodles at this time.

Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, she was eager to eat. In the apocalypse, even though she could get enough to eat, the food was all grown using superpowers, and the seeds had long mutated, losing their natural flavor.

However, Luo Qiao had no idea what had happened after the original body fainted, which made her anxious.

Seeing her hesitating with the bowl, Lu Yichen said, “Why aren’t you eating? Don’t you like it?”

Startled, Luo Qiao quickly shook her head and said, “No, no, I just…”

Lu Yichen said, “Eat first. After you finish, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

With that, he turned and left the room.

Luo Qiao exhaled and thought, “Indeed, eating is the most important thing.”

When Lu Yichen came in again, he found that Luo Qiao had finished the entire large bowl of noodles. She was quite full yet still craving more because it was so delicious.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Luo Qiao blushed and said, “It was so good that I overated a little.”

She then lowered her head and sneaked a glance at Lu Yichen.

Lu Yichen found it amusing to see the petite and delicate girl, reminding him of his sister far away in Beijing.

Clearing her throat, Luo Qiao asked, “How did I end up here?”

After considering for a moment, Lu Yichen replied, “Your adoptive parents left with Zhao Guibao, the child you were switched with. But the Zhao family said you are not their biological daughter and that their real daughter died shortly after birth.”

Luo Qiao inwardly sneered, thinking, “Gao Suhua, you really have the nerve to say that. Well, this is better. At least I won’t have to work like a slave for the Zhao family.”

She then thought about her household registration and said, “Thank you for taking me in and feeding me. I will repay you in the future.”

Lu Yichen said, “You fell and hit your head badly yesterday, losing a lot of blood. The doctor said you shouldn’t be moved, so you stayed here. Aunt Gao from the village secretary’s house has been taking care of you but had to leave for something.”

Luo Qiao nodded slightly and said, “Sorry for causing you trouble.”

Inwardly, she thought that the original body had indeed been abandoned.

Lu Yichen said, “You should rest first. Once you’re better, you can discuss with the village chief about what to do next.”