Chapter 4

It was still early dawn, but outside already buzzed with footsteps and people calling out to each other. Sun Li said this place was just an old manor used for storage, but she didn’t explain much—Suo Xiao actually thought she had wandered into some nameless little town.

Suo Xiao jumped up, sitting dazedly on the cold stone bed. Thinking about her beloved backpack—the one that had been through thick and thin with her through so many school seasons—she panicked and quickly jumped off the bed to look for it.

Luckily for her, Sun Li was truly an angel in disguise. The backpack was still safely sitting on the table, not hidden away by any mysterious force.

Though it wasn’t torn or unzipped, a quick check showed several things missing: her thermos had vanished into thin air, the Mentos candy box was crushed to bits, and only a few headache pills remained, as scattered and fragile as her current life. The wooden comb, utility knife, silly magazines, her green diary with a pen, old bus tickets and some loose change — everything else was a messy jumble, like stuff picked out from the trash.

Suo Xiao stared blankly at the headache pills, thinking even swallowing the whole pack wouldn’t fix her situation. Being thrown into this world, the things she brought along felt like carrying a suitcase full of heartbreak — just something to comfort herself.

Sun Li passed by the hallway, glancing through the window frame and saw Suo Xiao sitting motionless on the bed, eyes fixed on the floor as if lost in a century-long thought.

She hurried over and softly knocked on the door:

“Miss, breakfast is almost ready!”

“Uh, yeah. I know,” Suo Xiao replied, still not taking her eyes off the empty spot.

Was it really necessary to shout like she was selling bread? Did she look like someone who hadn’t eaten for a week? It was just that her hair hadn’t been brushed yet.

Suo Xiao slowly got down from the bed and changed into a new set of clothes. Gotta say, Sun Li was really thoughtful — her clothes were neat and tidy every day.

Today, Suo Xiao wore a long dress, colored like the gentle hues of a calm evening sky—soft enough that she almost felt like if she spun once, she could float right up into the clouds. On the fabric, graceful birds soared among delicate patterns of clouds and water.

She stretched her shoulders to ease the stiffness, then slowly wandered around the courtyard, taking a deep breath of the cool, crisp air. “Haaa...”

As soon as she exhaled, she felt like a dried fish soaked in ice water—coming back to life bit by bit.

She walked down the hallway to Tan Mian’s room, knocked gently, and peeked inside. He was lazily washing his face.

Aha!

Suo Xiao suddenly remembered something and turned back to her room. On the table, breakfast was already laid out, steam rising like a warm invitation. Without hesitation, she grabbed the tray excitedly and returned to Tan Mian’s room.

She waited for him to finish washing and brushing his hair before starting to eat together. The meal was the usual combo, but somehow today she found joy in it, like eating rice mixed with tears but still tasting the deep flavor of love and care.

Tan Mian wore a deep blue outfit today, decorated with patterns of a bright moon, green bamboo, and a fierce white tiger. If his hair were a bit longer, he’d look like a noble young master with extraordinary charm!

“Looking sharp!” Suo Xiao said.

Tan Mian silently sized her up. Suo Xiao felt a bit strange… maybe he was overthinking?

She caught something in his gaze she couldn’t quite describe, so she nervously banged the table:

“What are you staring at? Sit down already! I’m starving here!”

Tan Mian calmly picked up a steamed bun and put it on her plate, then slowly ate his own portion. Suo Xiao was used to his slow, nibbling style, so she didn’t mind at all.

She ate like the wind, and by the time she wiped her mouth, he was still chewing slowly—like he was afraid of biting his own tongue.

"Didn’t you say yesterday you were in so much pain you could barely move? And now you’re walking around like nothing happened?"

Tan Mian shrugged.

— I don’t know. I feel way better today. Maybe that medicine from yesterday really worked.

Suo Xiao suddenly remembered and took a sip of water before asking:

— You mean that bottle the old lady brought yesterday?

He nodded. She just gave a short “Ah” and continued:

— Anyway, I’m going to the district later. Kind of like heading into the city.

Tan Mian frowned.

— The district? For what?

"Sun Li said she wanted to shop for some things and asked me to go with her. I’ll also take the chance to learn more about this place... But seriously! I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that we got pulled in here through a mirror!"

“Hello! May I come in?”

Sun Li’s voice rang out—sweet as peach jam, but it still made Suo Xiao jump.

She rushed to the door, and as soon as she opened it, a wave of fresh floral scent swept in, like someone had accidentally cracked open a bottle of luxury perfume.

Even Tan Mian inside had to lift his head—and then froze, like he’d just been spellbound.

Dưới đây là bản dịch tiếng Anh tự nhiên, giữ đúng sắc thái hài hước, sinh động và một chút lãng mạn cổ trang của đoạn truyện:

Sun Li stepped inside, her peach-pink gown gently flaring with each step, the swirling patterns on the fabric as if painted with a peacock-feather brush. Her face was a picture of delicate beauty, and she smiled with the kind of bashfulness that made it painfully clear she knew just how deadly gorgeous she looked.

Suo Xiao froze on the spot, muttering under her breath like chanting a mantra:

"Pretty... so pretty..."

Sun Li gave a graceful curtsy, her smile dancing in her eyes:

— I knew it—you really were here. So? What do you think of my new outfit? Zi Qiu had it custom-made. And the scent—too strong?

Suo Xiao stepped back to let her in, still looking like she’d been hit by a bolt of lightning:

— No, not at all. The scent is... really gentle.

Sun Li giggled behind her hand like a proper noble lady. She placed a small vial of medicine on the table, then turned to Tan Mian:

— There are six pills inside—take two a day, and in three days your injuries will ease. Suo Xiao and I will be going out for a bit. Just rest, and don’t worry.

Tan Mian didn’t dare meet her eyes. He awkwardly took the bottle and mumbled,

"Okay… sure."

Before Suo Xiao could say anything, Sun Li grabbed her hand and dragged her out without giving her the chance to protest.

As the two reached the courtyard, they ran into Sun Zi Qiu standing outside the room opposite, holding a little notebook—looking half like he was taking notes, half like he was monitoring truants. When he saw the two girls tugging and laughing like they were heading to a festival, his brows furrowed. He muttered to himself,

"What nonsense are they up to this time…?"

Sun Li, naturally tuned in, raised her voice on purpose:

— Dear brother, I’m heading into town against the wind, to chase a little taste of winter! If your heart longs for anything, whisper it now, and I’ll carry your wishes with me.

Zi Qiu looked up at the sky, then back at her:

— Winter’s not even here yet. Why so impatient? I assume this sudden outing is just for some small amusement… maybe a bite to eat, a stroll?

Just then, a servant rushed out from the study, arms full of documents, and respectfully informed:

— Miss, Da Gui has taken the carriage to deliver the goods to Shang Duy. Please postpone your trip until tomorrow!

Sun Li stomped her foot:

— I said no one was to use the carriage! What do you expect me to do now?

The servant bowed with an apologetic look. Zi Qiu frowned and said calmly:

— You should think ahead. If today’s delivery falls through, we’ll be tossing away a big profit.

Sun Li stomped again, her skirt twirling like a dancer’s spin:

— Ugh!... Whatever, I’ll walk then! Let’s go!

"Wait…" Zi Qiu spoke up lazily:

— Did you bring enough money this time? If you end up in debt again like last time, it won’t look good.

Sun Li froze, patted her silk pouch at her waist, then her eyes went wide:

— Oh no! I almost forgot! Xiao Hua! Bring me my money, quick!

Standing beside her, Suo Xiao watched Sun Li chirp like a sparrow and suddenly felt a strange tug in her heart. That carefree flair, the way she flitted from thing to thing, so bold yet so innocent… It felt familiar somehow, like a memory just out of reach. But for the life of her, she couldn’t recall who it reminded her of.

Dưới đây là bản dịch tiếng Anh tự nhiên, giữ nguyên chất dí dỏm, pha lẫn cổ trang và hiện đại một cách mềm mại như bản gốc:

Sun Li dragged Suo Xiao out the gate, trailed closely by two silent attendants whose footsteps were so synchronized they seemed more like shadows than people. The narrow path beneath thick canopies only deepened the stillness. The only sounds were the occasional cries of birds—shrieking like they were calling to each other from another world.

The prolonged silence made Suo Xiao a bit uneasy. She finally broke it with a hesitant question:

— Is going to the county for shopping really that urgent? I mean… I’m not questioning you, it’s just… kind of sudden.

Sun Li smoothed her long hair and glanced at her:

— You wouldn’t understand. I’m absolutely obsessed with medicine-dyed silks—and don’t even get me started on brocade from Nghê Châu. Once those beauties are in my hands, no one else can even compare! There’s a shipment arriving today, but our staff took the carriage all the way to Shang Duy. They won’t be back for days. If I don’t snatch them up within the first two days, she will sweep in and snatch it all. And without those things, how can I possibly be at peace?

“She who?” Suo Xiao narrowed her eyes, curious.

Sun Li shrugged, her voice thick with disdain:

— My rival in every sense of the word. The kind of woman who grabs every good thing she sees like it’s her birthright—and then acts proud of it. But the laws of heaven turn in cycles — would they truly let her pass others by so freely, without stirring a single ripple?

Just then, Sun Li stopped walking, bent down to pick a small wildflower, and handed it to Suo Xiao with a sigh:

— “Look at this flower—so lovely, but the moment I touch it, it wilts. Don’t you think that’s a pity?”

Suo Xiao hesitated, gently sniffed the blossom, and asked:

— “Who is this woman anyway? She must be bold as hell to even trouble you. If she can get under your skin, what hope do the rest of us have?”

“You’ll understand the moment you meet her~” Sun Li said lightly.

As they walked further, the trees began to retreat, allowing sunlight to squeeze through the leaves like honey spilling over cracks, gilding the dirt path. When Sun Li pushed aside a big branch like pulling back a theater curtain, three golden words popped into Suo Xiao’s view: “Thanh Chương County”

Of course, she couldn’t read them—Sun Li told her what it said.

From afar, it already looked like a temple fair. As they got closer, the liveliness truly hit. The wind wandered drunkenly down the streets, teasing the red lanterns hanging from shop fronts, making them sway like flirtatious hips. Hawkers shouted in every pitch imaginable, tempting even passersby with no money to linger and take a peek.

It was all very festive, sure—but the crowds surged like a broken dam, carts and carriages jostling with noisy chaos. Suo Xiao got shoved, dodged a wheel, and screamed internally: “What the hell?!”

But the thing that really threw her off—more than the yelling, the bumping, the noise—was how tall everyone was.

Why on earth were the people here so tall?

Not tall in a lanky scarecrow way either—tall and built. Suo Xiao was 1.65 meters tall, but standing next to Sun Li, she barely reached her shoulder. At first, she thought Sun Li was just freakishly tall. But then—just a moment ago—she bumped into an old man with a hunched back… and even he was taller than her.

By a whole head.

Dưới đây là bản dịch tiếng Anh, giữ nguyên tinh thần hài hước, sắc sảo và hiện đại–cổ trang pha trộn như bản gốc. Tui cũng lồng chút mỉa mai và biểu cảm cho tự nhiên:

Suo Xiao stood awkwardly in the middle of the crowd, murmuring to herself like reciting a mantra:

— “What in the world... Did I stumble into a tribe of giants?”

Right then, Sun Li came bouncing back from a street stall, holding a skewer that smelled absolutely delicious. She beamed:

— “This is the county’s ultimate specialty!”

Suo Xiao was speechless.

On the skewer were two fat, crispy spiders, their legs still slightly curled, roasted to a perfect golden brown.

Sun Li took a big bite without flinching, then turned to ask with a straight face:

— “What? You want a frog skewer instead?”

“Ah—no, no!” Suo Xiao flailed her hands as if swatting away demons.

But then again... she wasn’t scared of spiders or bugs in general. Gritting her teeth like a soldier marching to war, she took a deep breath, shut her eyes, and bit into one.

Hmm… apart from looking like something that’d send people into a coma, it actually didn’t taste too bad!

After finishing, Sun Li pointed to a tall building at the far end of the bustling street:

— There’s a super popular boutique near the market—I want to swing by and take a look. Coming?

“Sure, why not.”

Suo Xiao walked beside her, craning her neck to scan the crowd. In the back of her mind, she was secretly hoping she might spot Wang Ni wandering around here somewhere.

But before her fantasy could fully unfold, bam!—she crashed straight into a man carrying baskets of peaches. The baskets tipped, and the peaches spilled everywhere, rolling down the street like a hailstorm in broad daylight.

And that wasn’t all—while flailing for balance, she accidentally slapped a passing girl square in the face. The girl shrieked like lightning had struck her.

People nearby stopped what they were doing to enjoy the drama. Sun Li rushed over in alarm to help her up. Meanwhile, Suo Xiao just wanted to dunk her face into a sewer and swim straight back to her old world—but she still scrambled to pick up peaches from the ground.

Some of them had already been squashed into mush by passersby, looking more like smoothie than fruit.

Oddly enough, the peach seller didn’t seem angry. He just calmly collected the remaining intact ones, put them back into his basket, and walked off.

Suo Xiao was about to apologize when the slapped girl exploded:

— What kind of brute are you?! Do you walk like a rampaging buffalo?! Where are your eyes?!

Suo Xiao bowed quickly, palms pressed together:

— It was entirely my fault. I wasn’t paying attention—please forgive me.

“Oh? Forgive you? Then should I ask you for a rag too, so I can wipe off the powder that cost me ten taels of silver, and the dress I haven’t even worn yet?!”

Sun Li, off to the side, gave a thin smile:

— Your dress is still white as boiled rice noodles, sweetie. Maybe it's your eyes that need some wiping?

The girl’s tone changed instantly. She tossed a sideways glance and then forced a sugary smile:

— Sun jie! Long time no see—your beauty’s grown even more striking! Truly makes people turn their heads for another look... or three. I only hope your maid here can learn a thing or two from you. Wouldn’t want anyone to mistake you for someone who associates with common rabble.

Suo Xiao blinked, utterly confused.

Her inner thoughts were screaming: “Huh?! You two… know each other? Then what’s with all this passive-aggressive ‘sisterly love’ energy going on?”

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