Chapter 2: There is Room For the Poor Daughter
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Chapter 2: Reincarnation
"You still know to come home, huh?"
As soon as Daohua stepped through the doorway, her forehead received a light knock.
"Ouch! Third Brother, save me! Grandmother doesn't love me anymore!" Her bright, cheerful voice filled the courtyard.
Then, chaos erupted in the courtyard as they chased each other around.
"You crazy little girl! You’re so restless that you want to bring down the roof if you’re not disciplined every three days! Running around in the hot sun like this, as if there’s gold hidden in the fields calling to you!"
"Of course there's gold! Grandmother, just look at that golden rice—it’s as good as gold, isn’t it?"
"Hogwash! Other girls stay inside all day, while you, on the other hand, seem determined to tan yourself into a piece of charcoal!"
"Grandmother, I’m innocent! I don’t want to get tanned. I only go outside because I know I won't! I inherited your beautiful, resilient skin after all."
"Stop making excuses! Even the best skin won’t survive your rough treatment."
In the courtyard, a little girl in green ran around like a bunny, chased by a spirited old lady who kept pace with surprising ease.
"Yan Daohua, stand still!"
"No way, Grandmother—you stop first!"
"Just wait and see if I can’t catch you today, you little rascal!"
"Grandmother, I’m sorry! I promise I won’t go out at noon anymore!"
"Still talking about 'next time'—you won’t have another chance!"
"Nooo~"
Watching the lively chase, everyone else on the veranda couldn’t help but express admiration.
"Mother’s energy seems to be getting better and better these days," remarked Yan Zhijiang, the family’s third son, watching the scene with a smile.
His wife, Madam Wu, smiled, too. "Absolutely! Ever since Daohua came along, Mother hasn’t had a single moment to rest. With so much activity, it’s no wonder her health has improved."
Yan Wentao looked helplessly at his parents. "Father, Mother, maybe you should intervene. The sun’s still strong out there; they might get heatstroke."
Hearing this, Yan Zhijiang finally managed to suppress his grin, stepping quickly into the courtyard to grab his pink-cheeked daughter, Daohua, and calling to his mother, "Mother, I’ve caught Daohua for you. Let's go inside and properly lecture her."
Seeing her granddaughter being held, the old lady immediately softened. With a quick glare at her son, she reached out to take Daohua from his grasp.
"Why are you holding her so roughly? She’s still just a child. How could she handle being lifted like that?"
Yan Zhijiang sheepishly scratched his nose, a bit helpless. He had known it would come to this. In their household, Grandmother was the only one who could discipline Daohua. If anyone else dared, she would immediately take issue with them.
"Come, let’s go inside," she said, casting a gentle look at Daohua and leading her toward the hall.
Daohua obediently followed, snuggling close to her grandmother. "I won’t do it again, Grandmother."
The old lady gave a huff. "You certainly would if you had the chance. Not this time, though. Your father and mother wrote to say they’ll be teaching you themselves soon. Let’s see how wild you can get then."
Daohua’s cheerful expression immediately dimmed. "Grandmother, can’t we stay? Living in Yan Family Village is quite nice."
The old lady gave her an exasperated look and tapped her on the forehead. "You, my strange child! Some people would jump at the chance to live in a county town, but you act like it’s a punishment!"
Daohua pouted. "Is life in the county town as free as it is here in the village?"
The old lady knew her granddaughter’s nature, so she didn’t press further. She led her to the washbasin, lifting a cloth to wipe Daohua's face. "Lucky you have such fair skin that doesn’t tan easily. Otherwise, always running wild as you do, what would we do about marrying you off when you’re older?"
At the mention of marriage, Daohua shuddered and looked up at her grandmother with exaggerated dismay. "Grandmother, who’s thinking about marriage? I’m still little!" In ancient times, even children had to think about their future prospects!
The old lady couldn’t help but laugh at Daohua's dramatic expression. "Little? You’re nine this year! You’ll need to start learning some proper etiquette soon. Every year, your mother has tried to bring you over, and every time you used me as an excuse to get out of it. This time, though, your father and mother want to bring us both to stay. I’d like to see what excuse you can come up with now."
Daohua rolled her eyes in frustration and wrapped her arms around her grandmother’s. "Grandmother, that’s not fair! I didn’t use you as an excuse. I just can’t bear to be away from you, that’s all!"
"Enough with the dramatics. You’ll have me all dizzy." The old lady pulled her close, making Daohua sit with her.
Looking at her grandmother, Daohua asked again, "So we really have to go this time? There's no way out of it?"
The old lady nodded firmly. "There’s no way out. I don’t know what goes on in that head of yours! Growing up in a village, you’ll only ever be a village girl. But go to the county, and you’ll be the daughter of a county magistrate! Think about that."
Seeing that her grandmother had already planned everything, Daohua’s last shred of resistance faded. "When will we leave, then?"
"Right after the autumn harvest." Seeing her granddaughter’s disappointment, the old lady patted her head. "You’re too spoiled. Going to live with your father, the county magistrate, is something most people would be thrilled about, but you’re still sulking."
"I’m not sulking," Daohua muttered. She just wasn’t sure how to interact with them.
Having been reincarnated, her current parents were actually younger than her past self!
(End of Chapter)
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