1. When Life Gives You Lemon

Mai slowly opened her eyes and was met by a woman and a man staring down at her.

"Oh my, her head looks quite small. Was she born prematurely?" asked the woman in a worried voice, furrowing her brows.

"Hmm, she looks fine, but you're right. Her head is very small. I hope it won't affect her intelligence in the future." replied the man, also wearing a concerned expression.

What the hell are they talking about? 

Mai blinked and reached her arms up towards them but was shocked when she couldn't see her own arms.

What the hell? Where are they?

She became irritated and overwhelmed with emotions. Something broke inside her, and she began to cry loudly. A shrill baby voice emerged.

Huh? What's this? Why am I crying like a baby?

"Come to mama." the woman suddenly said, lowering her arms towards Mai and lifting her up to her chest.

Argh! Go away, you stupid woman.

Mai struck hard at the breasts, but they remained where they were, large and firm. Ugh, she became annoyed and was about to cry again but suddenly felt something being thrust into her mouth.

"Mmm." It feels quite comfortable now.

Ugh. I'm sucking on breasts. Gross!

Mai hit the chest hard, causing the woman to exclaim loudly, "Oh my, my little daughter is energetic. There's spunk in her."

The man suddenly sighed deeply and poked Mai on the cheek.

"Too bad it wasn't a boy. I was so sure."

Sure? Sperm isn't a certainty!

Mai swung her arm hard at him, but it ended up as a gentle tickle on his cheek, making him smile lightly.

What the fuck happened to me?

Mai went to bed early so that she could take her dog out the next morning before going to work.

Is this still a dream?

Nine years later, in February, Mai sat in the garden glaring at her tutor, who sat with furrowed brows, staring at her. She looked to the right where her twin sister, Anni, sat with a middle-aged woman, her mentor, one from the court. They drank tea and discussed while Anni tried to paint. Mai loved to draw as a child and felt that this was pure torture. Anni was born with a square face with distinct masculine jaws, and her skin was dark, and she had a large head. She looked exactly like their father. Mai, on the other hand, had inherited her mother's feminine petite features, and it scared her that she looked like herself when she was a child in her previous world. She had now accepted that this was her life now, even though it was difficult.

Her tutor slammed the table hard with his black brush.

"Focus! What did Confucius say..."

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Mai interrupted in a docile voice without looking up at him.

Why do I have to learn about Confucius when Anni can sit there and draw? It was unfair.

She pouted, puffing her cheeks, and glaring at her tutor.

"That sentence suits you well."

 The tutor struck her hand hard, and Mai felt a tender blow on her nails. She gritted her teeth and massaged her fingers. She sighed deeply and stared at the old scrolls on the table in front of her.

She had ended up in ancient China or something similar because everyone had mysterious Xianxia names or Chinese names and roamed around in flowing robes, a hanfu she only knew from reading too much Xianxia and Wuxia novels. She thought she was dreaming at first but dared not commit suicide because what if she died?

Mai was from the Liu family where her father, the leader, Liu Chenglong, and her perverse mother, Liu Meiyun, resided. Yes, perverse was the correct word to describe her. Even at this age, she forced Mai to drink breast milk, which puzzled her. How had her mother managed to produce breast milk in her body when she wasn't pregnant anymore?

Mai had not yet been given a name since her parents didn't know what to do with her because of her small head. Instead, she had been given the nickname "Little Lump" until they found a suitable name for her.

Mai simply called them mother and father because she felt no emotional connection to them – just like her parents from her previous world.

They never spent time with her and only focused on Anni. According to them, Mai was dumb, so there had been a private tutor on the side she could talk to. The world was called Earth, just like the Earth Mai was from, so it was surreal. At the age of 5, Mai had run out of a rabbit hole in a zoo, but when she came out, there was a big boy who had jumped down on her and landed on her head, her skull got a proper gash that bled. She was taken to the emergency room, and since then, her parents thought she had become dumb because she couldn't keep up with the private elite school. They always apologized to the teachers that it was the head injury that had impaired her brain function.

Is this fate laughing at me?

"Are there two Earths?" she muttered quietly.

Her dog was probably nothing but skin and bones now. She missed him every day and broke into a long sigh. He was only 3 years old when she came here.

The same afternoon when Mai got a break, she would go to the river to throw stones in the water, which was a way to clear her mind. She had just passed the window to the living room when she heard the tutor's voice mentioning her name. Her heart skipped a beat, and she stopped and stood right by the edge of the window, listening carefully.

"Your daughter is far too slow to learn. Either it's because she's not interested or it's simply because she's not intelligent enough."

Liu Meiyun sighed deeply and said, "Tch. I knew it; she was born a deformity. That little head was a sign. We should have done something about her long ago."

"Meiyun, she is just a child. Let's wait until she grows older." said Liu Chenglong in a gentle voice.

"Little Lump, what are you doing?" The gardener stood and stared at Mai, who had a rake in his hand.

"I'm feeling the cold building. The sun is warm." she replied and hurried towards the stream.

It was large, and on the other side lay a lush forest with dark green mountains where the tops kissed the mist.

Mai sat down and threw small stones into the water.

*Plop*

She became irritated every time she thought about her head. She fumbled with her right hand and collected a bunch of small stones, squeezing them tightly.

"What are you doing?" To her left stood suddenly a boy wearing a white robe.

His black hair was tied up in a knot and they seemed to be the same age. His clothes were clean, and his skin was flawless with dark eyes that had a turquoise and purple glow. They somewhat resembled a galaxy.

Mai stood up, brushed her bottom, and walked over to him. She studied him carefully and looked around. There was no one else present. This was the Liu clan's territory, and no one had permission to enter.

She furrowed her brows. "Are you lost Young Master? You're on forbidden grounds."

The boy raised his right eyebrow and replied in a flat tone "Really? I can do as I please. What were you doing before?"

Mai didn't like his attitude, but his company was a hundred times better than her fake family.

"Throwing stones so I don't kill anything else." she answered and bent down. She picked up a handful of small stones and threw them into the stream.

*Plop Plop Plop*

"Just kill something else instead. There are animals in the forest." said the boy pointing to the other side of the stream.

"I carry no weapons, and nobody teaches me anything except literature. My sister has a mentor visiting who teaches her to become a court lady." Mai said suddenly feeling irritated.

She didn't want to be a court lady, yet they were treated differently.

What if they dump me in a pleasure house?

"Fuck my life!" she exclaimed loudly and turned around but before she could run home she suddenly felt the boy grab her left hand.

She looked at him in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"What does that 'fuck' you said mean?" he asked in a curious voice.

Fuck! He's a quick learner!

Mai had forgotten that they didn't use that expression in ancient China.

"It means you've messed something up or something is messing you up."

The boy looked at her and then at the large mansion building behind her.

"Is it wise for you to go home now?"

Mai furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"You've messed something up. Shall I help you escape?"

The boy's offer was tempting, and Mai hesitated for a moment.

She wasn't dumb.

If she got caught which was 100% likely worse things would happen to her than death – The flower house. She let go of his hand and bowed deeply to him.

"Thank you so much for your offer Young Master but I'm afraid I can't. My break is almost over. Have a good day."

She hurried to run towards the mansion feeling her heart crawling up her throat.

Was it a mistake to decline him?

The boy looked at his hand and rubbed his fingers.

"So 'fuck' is a word one can use. Maybe I should try it."

He chuckled, bent down, and picked up a clump of stones. He threw them into the stream.

"Fuck the Imperial House and its rules! Everyone can kiss my ass!"

"Crown Prince, there you are. Thank goodness we found you." A eunuch came running towards him panting.

He was dressed in a yellow robe and wore a black hat. Behind him two others ran just as breathlessly and behind them a large group of people dressed in military attire carrying swords walked slowly.

The boy looked up at them and said, "Why do you keep bothering me all the time? Can't I have a moment of peace to gather my thoughts?"

"You've been here for a long time already," replied the eunuch catching his breath.

He reached out his hand. "Shall we go back, Crown Prince?"

The boy furrowed his brows and replied in a cold voice, "If I said no would you still drag me away?"

He sighed, swatted the hand away and walked off with the group. He cast one last glance at the stream and the mansion and narrowed his eyes.

"The Liu family has two daughters. I wonder which one she was." he muttered looking at his left hand.

He could still feel the warmth of the girl's hand.

A smile spread across his lips. "This trip wasn't in vain after all. It's a good thing I listened to my mother this time."

When Mai returned to the garden the tutor and her parents were waiting for her. She thought they would scold her and quickly knelt placing her head on the grass. She waited nervously.

Have I come back too late? I'm sure I was on time.

"Little Lump. Have you been by the stream as usual?" asked her mother in a soft voice that would make Mai weak in the knees if she were a man.

She dared not answer and chose to remain silent.

There was silence for a moment before her father spoke.

"We've been too harsh on you in the past years. Mother would like to make it up to you and has prepared a surprise for you."

He looked behind Mai where the stream was. "You love that stream so we thought you'd like to see where the water comes from."

Mai had actually always wondered what it looked like on the other side of the mountain where the stream flowed.

"I would love to Father. Thank you very much."

"Come Little Lump. It's a short trip." said the mother and Mai walked with her towards a large hill leading into a cave area.

There was the sound of rushing water roaring loudly. At the top of the cave was a small path leading to a huge waterfall with a beautiful view down to the stream which looked like a snake winding its way. There were dark green tall slender mountains reminiscent of Hạ Long Bay.

"We can call it the Magic Snake. It grants wishes but only if you sacrifice something in return."

The mother stood behind Mai who was completely captivated by the view.

She had a fear of heights and felt a cold rush in her stomach. They were so high up that she couldn't see the bottom of the waterfall and there was fog at the top.

"How far down is it Mother?" asked Mai as her heart pounded rapidly.

"Far."

"I wish you were never born."

Huh? 

Mai was about to turn around. She felt a hard push on her back and suddenly a cold wind passed grabbing her throat and pulling her over the waterfall. She slid on the wet rock and fell. The wind pricked her stomach and her skin stung as if something was trying to tear her face off. Her clothes and hair fluttered, and she felt shivers and froze. The air was thin and icy cold, and Mai struggled to breathe. Adrenaline pumped and her heart pounded hard. She gritted her teeth and stretched out her arms. With difficulty she managed to tilt her head upward and saw her mother standing with a devilish grin. She turned around and disappeared.

Is this the end then? Just take me already! 

She looked down at the stream now resembling a living snake. Its body glowed and turned into a green color. It moved towards her resembling a hologram.

She kept falling for several minutes and closed her eyes.

Some said you should embrace death, but Mai hadn't reached that age yet.

*Splash*

She felt a hard blow to her stomach and received a thorough belly flop that took her breath away. She opened her eyes and saw water. She sank and felt a terrible burning pain in her abdomen curling up into a ball. This was worse than the belly flop from the diving board in elementary school. The water was icy cold, and the current was strong pulling her in a specific direction. She tried to swim and surfaced occasionally to catch her breath, but it was difficult. The water kept dragging her down and she got water everywhere. Her stomach had a piercing pain, and she was sure there was significant damage.

"Help me!" she shouted in a hoarse voice.

She choked on water and tasted something foul which she spat out.

*Crack* 

Her head hit something hard, and she was about to lose consciousness. She forced her eyes open and suddenly she glimpsed a person on the other side and cried out for help. The person didn't react and walked away. Mai tried again and this time the person looked at her. It blurred for her, and she closed her eyes and everything turned black.

Mai felt a hard blow to her chest and abruptly opened her eyes. She was met with a blue sky. She coughed up all the water and her body shook violently. She was freezing and everything around her felt icy cold.

"You have a strong will. The river wanted you but you refused to give up."

There stood a middle-aged man in front of her with a brown wooden staff. He wore a light blue robe and had short black beard and hair with a stern face.

"Ugh. So cold" Mai curled up into a ball her teeth chattering violently. ¨

Her body couldn't stop shaking and she tried to shut out everything around her for a moment. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body. She stopped shaking and opened her eyes.

"Thank you, sir, for saving me."

She knelt and pressed her forehead to the ground. Water droplets dripped down, and her breathing was heavy.

I almost drowned.

Suddenly she felt pain on the right side of her head. She felt blood and something else gooey. A green plant had lodged itself in the wound.

"Let me see properly." said the man and she looked up at him.

He studied her face and glanced up at the waterfall squinting.

"You must be the Liu family's daughter."

"Not anymore." Mai grunted feeling a stabbing pain in her heart. Her head was injured but her heart hurt more.

"Do you want revenge?" The man suddenly asked his tone shifting.

Mai wasn't a vengeful person and shook her head. If she died she would haunt them from her grave.

"If they dispose of you in that manner do you not think they have done other things?" The man persisted.

Mai didn't really know her parents, so she felt no connection to them.

Why waste time on them?

"What concern is it of mine what they have done to other people?"

"Your twin sister is being raised to be a court lady, but they've literally thrown you out. Do you really feel nothing inside? Why aren't you angry about your treatment? Are you even human?"

Everyone in Thousand Blossom City knew about the Liu family and her sister but no one knew she existed. Mai was the black sheep. It was just like in her previous world. She broke into a long sigh. Suddenly overwhelmed by emotions tears welled up.

"I'm tired of fighting a battle I can't win. Everyone judges me and I can't perform better than my sister. Nothing is fair in the world." She sniffled tasting bitterness.

At least she wasn't bullied here as she had been in the previous world, but this was just as bad. They had tried to kill her. If she hadn't survived she might have been truly dead. She felt a pit in her stomach and suddenly became afraid.

"What about my dog who is probably dead now?" She muttered softly.

She stood up and brushed the dirt off her clothes as best she could.

"There are many ways to seek revenge but how do I become strong?"

"If you disguise yourself as a boy and join the military more doors will open than if you were a girl" the man replied.

Mai thought the idea was good, but she feared one thing. She was afraid of being beheaded if discovered. She wasn't interested in a Mulan plot right now.

"Everyone knows the Liu family and I resemble my mother."

"The Liu family has cut all ties with you and no one knows what you'll look like as an adult. With a little adjustment I can easily disguise you. Are you interested? The choice is yours." the man said waiting for her decision.

Mai nodded and approached him.

"It's ironic that as a child I wished to be born a boy." she muttered softly.

She hadn't been super lucky with her magical time travel.

"I didn't sign up for this crap."

"If God gives me crap then I'll use it as best I can."

They walked along the river and suddenly stopped at a random spot. The man stooped by the water's edge and tapping the surface with his right index finger.

*ping ping ping*

White ripples formed on the water, and he stepped onto the nearest one beginning to walk with Mai following. They didn't sink into the water and their feet didn't touch it at all. It looked like they were flying.

"He's like a god!" Mai murmured completely mesmerized.

I hit the jackpot by falling over the waterfall. Ha! Ha! Ha!