Chapter 2: Abandoned

Following the path of the medicinal garden uphill, a small tea plantation rested on the slope near the valley. The area was not small, and it seemed to host a variety of plants, which Luo Qiao, as a northerner, couldn't differentiate.

In her past life, Luo Qiao was a wood-based ability user. Her wood-based special ability was different from others'; while other wood-based ability users could only use their power to promote plant growth.

Luo Qiao's wood-based special ability also included healing and attack powers. Seeing these plants made her feel a sense of kinship, but that was all in the past. Luo Qiao sighed and continued walking forward.

Curiously looking around this place, she wondered why she was the only one here. Before she could figure it out, she felt someone pushing her and heard someone say, "Wake up, have some food before you sleep again."

Luo Qiao opened her eyes, slightly confused, but as she regained her senses, she realized she was still in the same house as before. She laughed at herself for the dream she had just had.

Lu Yichen brought food over and asked, "Do you need me to help you sit up?"

Luo Qiao replied, "No need, I can do it myself."

Looking at the large bowl brought in front of her, filled with potatoes and dried green beans stir-fried in minced meat, lying on a bed of white noodles—all of which smelled delicious—Luo Qiao knew from the original host's memory that pure white flour was not something every household could afford nowadays.

She felt somewhat surprised and flattered. To be honest, she was dying to eat; although she could eat her fill in the apocalyptic world, the grains were grown using special abilities, and the seeds had mutated long ago, stripping away the unique natural aroma of the food.

However, Luo Qiao knew nothing about what had happened to her since the original host had fainted, which left her constantly uneasy.

Seeing Luo Qiao take the bowl but just staring off into space, Lu Yichen said, "Why aren't you eating? Does it not suit your taste?"

Luo Qiao jumped, shook her head quickly, and said, "No, it's not that, I just..."

Lu Yichen said, "Eat first. After you finish your meal, I'll tell you anything you want to know."

After he finished speaking, he turned and left the room.

Luo Qiao breathed out and said to herself, "It's true, the most important thing is to eat."

When Lu Yichen came back in, Luo Qiao had surprisingly finished the entire bowl of noodles to the last drop, still feeling a bit hungry, to tell the truth. It was simply too delicious.

A bit embarrassed, Luo Qiao's cheeks turned red as she said, "It was so delicious, I ate a bit too much."

After saying this, she lowered her head and sneaked a peek at Lu Yichen.

Lu Yichen, with a hint of amusement, looked at the somewhat frail and pretty girl, which reminded him of his sister far away in the Capital City.

Luo Qiao cleared her throat and asked, "How came I to be here?"

Lu Yichen pondered for a moment before answering, "Your foster parents left with Zhao Guibao—oh, that's the child who was swapped with you. The Zhao Family claims that you're not their biological daughter, saying their own daughter died shortly after she was born."

Luo Qiao sneered inwardly, thinking, "Gao Suhua, you've got some nerve. But this is also good; it saves me from slaving away at the Zhao Family like the original host."

But then she quickly turned her thoughts to her own household registration and said, "Thank you for taking me in and feeding me. I will repay you in the future."

Lu Yichen replied, "You fell and injured your head yesterday, losing quite a bit of blood. The doctor said you shouldn't be moved, so you were settled here for now. Auntie Gao from the village chief's family has been looking after you; she just had to leave for a bit."

Luo Qiao nodded slightly and said, "I've caused you trouble."

Yet, in her heart, she thought of how the original host had been abandoned.

Lu Yichen added, "You should rest for now. Once you're better, we can talk to the village chief to sort things out."