chapter 3

The car rolled to a gentle stop at the front gates of our estate. My heart, strangely lighter than it had been in a long time, beat with excitement. The moment the car door opened, I jumped out, my little shoes pattering against the stone path as I bolted toward the familiar figures waiting near the entrance.

“Grandpa! Grandma!” I shouted, my voice clear and bright.

For the first time since I had been reincarnated into this world, I ran toward them not as a detached adult stuck in a child’s body, but as the child I appeared to be.

My grandparents froze, eyes wide in astonishment. They had seen me that very morning — withdrawn, serious, far too mature for my years. But the little girl who now threw herself into their arms was completely different. The me standing before them brimmed with childlike energy, cheeks flushed, eyes sparkling.

“Is this… really our granddaughter?” Grandma whispered in disbelief, her hand pressed against her lips.

Grandpa chuckled, though his voice trembled slightly with emotion. “Seems like the heavens finally returned her childhood to her.”

Their stunned expressions quickly melted into joy. I felt the warmth of their embrace, stronger than anything else in the world. My chest swelled with happiness I didn’t know I was capable of anymore.

I tugged at Grandpa’s sleeve, trying to clamber up onto his lap. But before I could manage with my little arms and legs, he scooped me up effortlessly, placing me securely on his knees.

“There we go,” he said with a laugh, bouncing me slightly. “My little princess belongs right here.”

My heart soared. No matter how much maturity I carried inside me, moments like this made me want to melt into the role of a true child.

Grandma sat beside us, her face glowing with affection. “Now tell us, darling, how was your first day at kindergarten?”

At once, three pairs of eyes — Grandpa’s, Grandma’s, and even my brother’s, who had just stepped in behind me — turned expectantly in my direction.

I grinned, swinging my short legs. “It was… fun! Really fun. I made three new friends today — Ming, Mei, and Tao! We built castles with blocks, and then we played tag outside. They even shared their biscuits with me. Kindergarten is… good!”

The pride in their eyes made me puff out my chest.

“Three friends in one day? That’s wonderful!” Grandma exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “See, didn’t we tell you it would be good for you?”

Grandpa stroked his beard, smiling with satisfaction. “Our little one isn’t just smart, she’s also popular already.”

Even my brother’s expression softened for a moment. “Told you so,” he said smugly, though his eyes danced with mischief.

But then, a wicked thought crossed my mind. A slow, devilish grin spread across my lips as I leaned closer to my grandparents.

“Grandpa, Grandma,” I whispered dramatically, “do you know what Brother did today? He… he made fun of me in front of everyone at kindergarten!”

My brother froze. His confident smirk vanished in an instant.

“W–what?!” he stammered, eyes wide. “I did not! She’s twisting the truth again!”

Grandpa’s brows knitted together, his voice stern. “What exactly happened?”

I put on my most pitiful face, widening my eyes to shimmer with unshed tears. “He laughed at me and even pretended to be scared of me when I glared at him! Everyone saw! It was so embarrassing…”

Grandma gasped. “How could you tease your little sister like that, in front of strangers no less?”

“It was just a joke!” my brother protested desperately, waving his arms. “She’s exaggerating, as always!”

But my grandparents were already glaring at him.

“Don’t you dare make your sister feel small,” Grandma scolded, her voice sharp despite her usual gentle nature. “She finally opened her heart today, and you mock her? Shame on you!”

“Yes,” Grandpa added firmly, his tone carrying finality. “A brother should protect, not ridicule.”

My brother looked as if he wanted to sink into the floor. He knew resistance was futile.

I, meanwhile, sat in Grandpa’s lap with a victorious smirk, watching the scene unfold. Checkmate.

Of course, I knew it was all in good fun. My grandparents were fully aware of my brother’s antics and my playful tattling, but they indulged me anyway. Still, the look of defeat on my brother’s face was priceless.

“Hmph!” I stuck out my tongue at him. “That’s what you get for making fun of me!”

“You little devil,” he muttered under his breath, but I caught the reluctant smile tugging at his lips.

I couldn’t help but laugh — a genuine, carefree laugh. For once, it felt good to play the part of the pampered youngest child, the favorite of both the Wei and Mei families.

Then, before my brother could retaliate, I hopped off Grandpa’s lap and ran toward my room, where my nanny was already preparing warm bathwater.

My nanny greeted me with her usual gentle smile. “Young miss, you seem very happy today.”

“I am!” I replied cheerfully, letting her guide me to the tub. As she washed my hair, I chattered nonstop about my day — the games, the friends, the silly faces Brother made.

After my bath, wrapped in soft pajamas, I felt refreshed. I immediately picked up the phone and dialed my other grandparents and uncle.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle!” I greeted excitedly when they answered. “Guess what? I went to kindergarten today, and it was fun! I made three friends!”

Their delighted laughter and praise filled the line, warming me from the inside out. I talked animatedly, repeating every detail as if they had been there themselves.

That evening, just as always, my parents called. The moment I heard their voices, a lump formed in my throat. Even though they weren’t physically with me, their concern and love always reached across the distance.

“Sweetheart, how was your day?” my mother asked gently.

“It was good, Mama! I went to kindergarten and made friends. You don’t need to worry about me, okay?” I replied, my voice bright though my heart ached with longing.

My father chuckled softly. “Our brave little one. We’re proud of you. Remember, no matter where we are, we’re always thinking of you.”

I pressed the receiver close to my ear, whispering, “I know. I miss you. But I’ll be fine. Everyone here takes care of me.”

After the call ended, I sat quietly for a while, hugging my pillow. My chest ached with the strange mixture of longing and contentment.

That night, as I lay in bed, I thought about the day. Just that morning, I had dreaded kindergarten, certain I would never fit in. But somehow, against all expectations, I had laughed, played, and even tattled like an ordinary child.

Maybe… maybe this was what I needed.

For the first time since my reincarnation, I felt at peace with my new life. I was still me — an adult in thoughts — but perhaps it wasn’t so bad to live as a child again. Surrounded by my loving family, with friends waiting for me at school, maybe this second chance at childhood could be something beautiful after all.

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