Chapter 002: Rescued and Brought Back to Life

"Uncle, how is Jiao’er doing? I brought a bowl of lean pork and egg soup for her."
A woman's voice suddenly sounded from outside the door, interrupting Lu Jiao’er’s wandering thoughts.
"Not yet, Jiao’er just had a fever. The doctor said that once the fever breaks, she’ll wake up. Thank you for coming to see her and for bringing food," came her father's familiar reply to the visitor, who had been keeping vigil at the door.
"We’re all family—no need for thanks! If I hadn’t found out so late… Luckily, Jiao’er’s fate is blessed, and she’s alright. I only had time to make some soup for her," the visitor replied.
"It’s alright. Fortunately Jianye arrived just in time, or we wouldn’t have even known that soldier had left. Come in, it’s not convenient to talk out here," her father invited.
The two continued chatting as they pushed open the door and entered.
This time, Lu Jiao’er didn’t close her eyes but instead turned them toward the newcomers.
The first through the door was a middle-aged man. When she got a good look at him, Lu Jiao’er was stunned. She stared in disbelief—he bore a remarkable resemblance to her father from a previous life.
"Jiao’er, you’re awake? She’s awake, Auntie Jiao’er is awake!"
Lu Jianping hadn’t expected to find his daughter watching him so intently. Delighted, he hurried over, exclaiming loudly to the woman behind him.
"Thank goodness, that’s wonderful," the woman echoed joyfully as she followed him in.
Lu Jiao’er was still in a daze when Lu Jianping’s large, calloused hand landed on her forehead.
"Papa…"
Looking at this man who resembled her father from a past life, Lu Jiao’er’s eyes grew hot and she called out instinctively.
"Good, good. You’re alright now. Your aunt came to see you," Lu Jianping said, relief flooding his voice as he felt her now normal temperature.
"Auntie, thank you for your trouble."
Her visitor was indeed family: her uncle Lu Jianye’s wife, her aunt. The Lu family was close-knit.
"No need for thanks among family," Fang Liping replied, handing over the soup.
The health clinic was crowded, not a place for long conversations. Neither Lu Jianping nor Fang Liping lingered.
After Lu Jiao’er finished the entire bowl of lean pork and egg soup, Fang Liping gave a few parting instructions and left with the empty bowl.
Not long after, the door was pushed open again, and another woman entered, leaving Lu Jiao’er momentarily stunned.

So similar—truly, so similar.
If Lu Jianping resembled her father from a former life, then this woman looked very much like her mother, though perhaps even more beautiful.
"Jiao’er really is awake! I just ran into your aunt outside—she said you were fine and had eaten a bowl of pork and egg soup," Su Yulan said, her face alight as she saw her eldest daughter sitting up in bed. Having just heard the good news, she was only now able to breathe easy, her heart finally at rest upon seeing her daughter’s color returned.
"Yes, she finished all of it and her fever is gone," Lu Jianping added with obvious relief.
Falling into cold water in winter—so long as there was no fever, there would be no pneumonia. His eldest daughter had survived the worst.
Su Yulan handed the basket she’d brought from home to her husband, then gently touched her daughter’s forehead, cheeks, and hands. Finding her temperature normal, she broke into a smile, never suspecting the soul within was no longer her own child’s.
By now, Lu Jiao’er had recovered from her shock. Looking at these parents who felt both familiar and strange, she didn’t hesitate to make a request: "Mom, Dad, I’m fine now. I want to go home."
She had no reason to stay in the clinic—surely treatment here wasn’t free! According to the memories in this body, the family wasn’t well-off. Every extra day meant more expenses and work left undone, both at home and in the fields.
Besides, there were scores to settle and wrongs to avenge. The original owner of this body wasn’t a fool—how could anyone wander to the river on such a cold day, much less fall in by accident? Lu Jiao’er scoffed inwardly.
Soon after, Lu Jianping brought the doctor to examine her, and she was discharged.
The Lu family lived in the town, not far from the clinic—a ten-minute walk at most.
Su Yulan supported her daughter as they walked, with Lu Jianping carrying the basket and keeping close by. The three walked in silence.
Fortunately, it was a cold day and there were few people about. Along the way, they encountered only a few elderly folks warming themselves at their doorsteps, who greeted the family with curiosity and familiarity.
Lu Jianping and Su Yulan exchanged polite greetings without pausing, intent on getting home.
Sandwiched between them, Lu Jiao’er observed her surroundings—there was a familiarity here that reminded her of her old home in the south from her former life, leaving her feeling lost and uncertain.
"Elder sister, Mom, Dad, you’re finally back!"
"Big sister, you’re really alright?!"
"Thank goodness you’re better, big sister. Mom, Dad, big sister!"
At that moment, several children—older and younger—spotted them from afar and came running, eyes wide with concern as they peppered Lu Jiao’er with questions.
"Your sister is fine now. She’s recovered."
"Let’s go in and let your big sister rest," Lu Jianping and Su Yulan said, pleased by the children’s concern but not wanting to linger outside. Each took a child by the hand and hurried home.

The Lu family’s house was just a few steps away.
Lu Jiao’er was ushered inside by a five-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl, into a rectangular house of yellow earth bricks topped with tiles.
They passed through a main hall and a courtyard, then another hall and another courtyard, finally arriving at a hall with a loft and a small kitchen. Lu Jiao’er realized this was now her home.
"Zhu’er, take your sister upstairs to rest," Su Yulan instructed her youngest daughter as soon as they entered. She was worried about well-meaning visitors disturbing her recovering child.
Lu Jiao’er understood her mother’s intent and, without protest, followed Zhu’er up the stairs to the loft.
"Sis, you lie down and rest. If you need anything, call me," little Zhu’er said, leading her past a large wooden bed and through a small doorway to another fifteen-square-meter loft, also furnished with a big bed.
"Alright, Zhu’er, have you eaten? Do you want to nap with me?"
The little girl was thin and her patched clothes spoke of their modest means.
"We’ve eaten, Sis. I’ll nap with you," Zhu’er replied, happy to stick close to her beloved big sister, who was always kind and generous to her siblings.
The two sisters lay side by side under the quilt. While Lu Jiao’er listened to the sounds from downstairs—sure enough, visitors had already arrived—she drifted off to sleep despite thinking she wouldn’t be able to.
When she awoke, the room was dim and Zhu’er was gone. Lu Jiao’er sat in a daze for a moment before collecting herself.
Soon, Su Yulan and Zhu’er called her downstairs for dinner.
That evening, the Lu family’s meal was particularly generous: a large bowl of chicken soup, a plate of poached chicken, a bowl of greens, and white rice. Lu Jiao’er knew these dishes were especially for her.
In times like these, her family treated their daughter well—at least they were not obsessed with having sons.
Urged by her family, Lu Jiao’er finished a large bowl of chicken soup and a bowl of rice before being allowed to stop.
Afterwards, she made an excuse to use the toilet, persuading Su Yulan and Zhu’er not to follow her. Slipping out the back door, she headed straight for the Luo family without hesitation.