Golden light cascaded from the ninth heaven, illuminating the encircling mountains.
Within these mountains resided a spirit clan known as the Lin family.
At this moment, within the Lin family, an overbearing old woman stood before a group of thinly clad children, lecturing them.
“I don’t care what means you use later, but give it everything you’ve got. As long as you catch the eye of any young master or young lady inside, and are chosen to stay as a maidservant, you’ll have a bright future ahead of you.”
“I’ve taught you all for so long—don’t embarrass me later by forgetting your manners! If you lose face, you’ll be in for a lesson when we return!”
The old woman scolded sharply, and all the children nodded in unison. In these past months, they’d been disciplined by this woman countless times, and well understood her severity, so none dared act out. Yet their eyes brimmed with curiosity. When they’d been sold here, they were told the Lin family was like an immortal palace—what could it truly be like? Though shackled by their circumstances, their curiosity had not been snuffed out.
Amidst them, a particularly small and frail girl seemed out of place. Her expression was blank, wooden, as though all feeling had been worn away by suffering.
In truth, she had simply forgotten to eat breakfast and was now famished.
Four months earlier, after a baby brother was born at home, to save on food and make some silver, her family sold her to a broker, who in turn sold her here.
The stewardess had told her that if she wasn’t chosen today, she’d be sent back to the broker.
Thinking of that place, she shuddered. “I’d rather die than go back there.”
The old woman went over the instructions once more, and she strained to listen like the others. But hunger made her dizzy, and she only managed to catch the gist.
“Hope nothing bad happens.”
Soon after, she and the rest were brought into the courtyard. She watched as the overbearing stewardess, usually arrogant and domineering before them, bowed and scraped before a few children about their age, face full of flattery. She couldn’t help but think—‘So this old woman has this side to her too.’
“Wang Po, which of these are the better ones? Help me pick two,” one boy said coolly, with an air of command.
Wang Po quickly nodded. “Young Master, you must be joking. These children are all about the same—healthy, clever, and without issues.”
The boy’s face remained unchanged. “There are always differences, even among equals. Just speak your mind.”
Wang Po looked troubled. The boy sneered and tossed a gold ingot at her. “Speak up, or I won’t be so polite.”
“Yes, yes, then I’ll pick out the best of the bunch.”
Wang Po scrutinized the group. No one dared meet her gaze. At last, she picked out a few, and the boy pointed to them without further inspection.
She had seen it clearly from below—last time, she’d secretly seen those few slip Wang Po something, but hadn’t understood at the time. Now it made sense.
This seemed to signal the start, as other young masters and young ladies began their selections.
Time trickled by, and for some reason, not a single person chose her. She began to grow anxious, feeling cast aside.
Not knowing what else to do and overcome by hunger, she suddenly collapsed to the ground.
“That hurts.”
Her knee collided with the earth, pain and itchiness stabbing like needles—she was certain her skin had broken.
“Look at her, how ridiculous, hahaha!”
Everyone burst out laughing, and no one came to help her. Wang Po fixed her with a fierce glare, as if to say, “You’re dead when we get back, I’ll definitely send you away!”
‘I must stay. I can’t go back to the broker. I have to stay!’
Her vision was blurring, but she clung to that thought.
At that moment, a girl who hadn’t chosen anyone since the start—apparently just there to observe—grew bored and began to leave. As she passed by, the girl, without knowing why, reached out and grabbed the hem of her skirt.
Everyone froze in shock.
“What are you doing? Let go of your filthy hand at once!”
“Unbelievable, how dare you offend Miss Huanhuan? Do you know who she is? Daring to act like this, are you seeking death?!”
A burly guard stepped forward, intent on kicking her away, but was halted by a firm, “Wait.”
“Hold on.”
“Yes, Miss.”
The girl looked down at her, and she finally saw her clearly. For the first time, she realized such a beautiful person could exist in this world—bright eyes, radiant teeth, features like a painting, dressed in pale yellow like a little immortal descended to earth.
The little immortal gently asked, “Why are you stopping me? Do you need something?”
She lowered her head, not daring to meet those icy, clear eyes, stammered for a while, and finally squeezed out, “I don’t want to leave. I want to stay.”
“So that’s it, I understand. You want to be with me, right?”
The little immortal smiled like a blossoming flower, and she felt as though the whole world paled before that smile, nodding blankly.
“Interesting. You’re the first to say that to me. Truly interesting.”
The little immortal playfully lifted her chin. “Your eyes are quite pretty. I suppose I can agree. But if you come with me, you’ll belong to me for life, understand?”
She didn’t quite understand what that meant, but just nodded dumbly, for it was all she wanted right now.
The little immortal laughed with delight, like receiving a beloved toy. “You’ll be my first maid, maybe even my only one.”
“So from now on, you’ll be responsible for my daily life—no slacking! My name is Lin Huanhuan. What’s yours?”
“Dong Yun’er.”
“Not a great name, but it’ll do.”
……
Like a fleeting montage, Dong Yun’er’s memories drifted away, and she thought of her childhood once again.
The smell of earth pressed at her nose, her head was heavy and aching. Her back and chest burned as if swollen by fire, every ounce of strength drained from her body.
With all her might, she pried open her eyes a crack. Amid the endless darkness, a burning fire filled her world.
The person from her dreams stepped out, ragged but more real than ever, and appeared at her side.
Looking at the one she thought of day and night, kneeling before her with concern, her first thought was: “Am I still dreaming, or have I already died?”
Yet the pain in her body, the heat from the campfire, and the solid feel of the earth in her palm all reminded her—this was reality, undeniable and inescapable.
Once certain it was real, she couldn’t hold back her smile, her lips curling up wildly. Even the pain from her wounds faded away.
“You’re finally awake. Thank goodness. Does anything still hurt?”
Dong Yun’er smiled so radiantly that Lin Huanhuan thought something might be wrong, and was about to check her over when Dong Yun’er spoke: “You saved me again, Miss. I’m so happy.”
“But now, I really never want to leave you again. What should I do?”
Ten years ago, she’d been saved by the girl she called Miss.
Ten years later, it had happened once more.