She was a dreamy girl, in the bloom of youth. Yet, why did she seem a bit dazed, a bit foolish, and sometimes even lost in thought? And why did she dress in such an old-fashioned and unsophisticated way? What could have caused this flower of a girl to change like this?
In the bathroom, Shangguan You looked at the tender face reflected in the mirror and spaced out. The girl in the mirror was sixteen years old, in the prime of her youth. Her choppy bangs covered her smooth forehead, and her ebony hair was combed into a ponytail, neatly tied behind her.
She was swathed in an oversized school uniform that enveloped her slender frame, and a pair of large glasses perched on her face, covering most of her cheeks. Plain, stiff. These were Shangguan You's first impressions of this body's appearance. How could someone living in a room fit for a Princess look so hopelessly plain?
She shook her head and took off her glasses; she was unused to wearing them from her previous life. A clear glimmer flashed through her dark, glossy eyes. Once the glasses were removed, the girl in the mirror brightened up considerably. So the glasses also had a concealing function.
She carefully washed off the blood on her nose and rinsed her hands under the running water. Originally, there was an exquisite and ancient purple bracelet on her wrist, now stained by her blood.
The water cleaned the bracelet, and as she washed, a warm feeling spread from her wrist throughout her body, making her feel exceptionally comfortable.
Suddenly, a purple light flashed, and the bracelet on Shangguan You's wrist vanished.
"Ah," Shangguan You couldn't help but exclaim at the eerie scene before her. What was going on? The bracelet was clearly on my hand; I can feel every bead distinctly. I can sense the warmth of the beads, so why can't I see them with my eyes?
She rubbed her wrist vigorously, and a bizarre sight suddenly appeared before her: a gigantic purple space materialized in front of her eyes.
A fountain carved from ZiyuPurple Jade was gushing crystal-clear Spring Water. In the middle of the spring, a giant purple lotus—a Purple Lotus—bloomed. It was her first time seeing a lotus of such a hue.
The lotus petals unfurled, revealing a golden pistil at its heart. The fragrance of the lotus wafted through the air, refreshing to the senses. In the water, there were multicolored goldfish swimming among various stones.
On both sides of the pond, assorted flowers and plants flourished, with trees bearing green fruit growing alongside them. A small tower casting purple light stood erect beside the pond.
A large purple gate materialized before Shangguan You's eyes. Medicine King Tower—three golden characters gleamed at the top of the tower.
What's inside the tower? Shangguan You wondered, walking into the Medicine King Tower in a daze. Her hands braced against the purple gate; a gentle push would open it.
"Miss, are you alright? Doctor Li is here." Zhang Ma's anxious voice came from the door. The Young Miss has been in her room for half an hour; why hasn't she come out? Nothing bad has happened, has it?
"Oh, I'll be right out."
Shangguan You shook her head. I mustn't let anyone else learn of these strange phenomena. The scene before her eyes disappeared without a trace, and the purple bracelet on her hand turned invisible. This must be the kind of space described in novels.
She thought of the items inside the space—the Spring Water, flowers, fruit, and the treasures that must be in the Medicine King Tower. Suppressing the joy in her heart, she changed into pale pink loungewear and stepped out.
"Young Miss, let Doctor Li examine you. I heard from Miss Zhu Li that you got hit on the head by a basketball. You mustn't be hurt!"
"Zhang Ma, I'm really fine," Shangguan You shook her head. Right now, I'm in perfect health. And it was a blessing in disguise; because of the blood, I've obtained a space others can only dream of!
"Young Miss, please put Zhang Ma's mind at ease. Let Doctor Li take a look."
"Miss, I'll examine you." Doctor Li was a middle-aged surgeon from the military hospital and also Shangguan You's family doctor here.
"Oh."
Shangguan You sat quietly on the sofa, letting Doctor Li lift her eyelids and check her head and tongue, enjoying the treatment of a patient.
"Miss, it's just a fright. You should rest more. Zhang Ma, prepare some calming medicated meals to help the Young Miss calm her nerves."
After a while, Doctor Li gave his diagnosis and left in a rush.
Zhu Li stared blankly at the scene before her, never expecting the plain and stiff Shangguan You to be so wealthy. When her own family members fell ill, they could barely afford to visit a clinic, let alone a hospital. And Shangguan You even has a family doctor!
"Zhu Li, snap out of it." Shangguan You waved her hand in front of Zhu Li to bring her back to her senses.
"Ah, Youyou, I never imagined your family was so rich! What about your parents?" Zhu Li asked, a hint of dejection in her voice. "I thought you were just like me. My family runs a small food stall, and we barely make ends meet. If I go to university, the burden on my family will be even heavier. I thought we shared the same plight, since you always kept to yourself in a corner. That's why we gradually became close friends. But looking at you now... I suddenly feel the gap. You're a wealthy young lady, while I'm just an ordinary person, as common as could be."
"Young Misses, your meal is ready," Zhang Ma said, having seen off Doctor Li, addressing the two daydreaming girls.
"Youyou, aren't we waiting for your father and mother to come home for dinner?" Zhu Li asked cautiously.
"They are in Beijing. I live here alone," Shangguan You replied coldly, a wave of disdain washing over her at the thought of her so-called father.
"Ah!" Zhu Li exclaimed, a sudden understanding dawning on her. Youyou lives alone here. She must be the illegitimate daughter of a wealthy family, her identity kept secret, which is why she's been exiled here. No wonder Youyou always seemed so stiff and quiet; she must be struggling with low self-esteem because of her status. "Youyou, don't worry," Zhu Li said, trying to comfort her. "You'll go home someday."
While Zhu Li felt a pang of envy, she also worried for Shangguan You. My family may be poor, but we're happy. Youyou has wealth, but she's all alone.
"I'm fine, Zhu Li. No matter my background or identity, we're friends, aren't we?"