After a few days of living here, Yao Yao had pieced together the basics. The young woman in the house was Su Mi, the one looking after her. And she herself was the third daughter of the Shang family. Except instead of living in some noble estate, she was stuck in this shabby little house.
The world itself was strange. Half medieval, half modern, like it couldn't make up its mind. They had toilets, but still cooked with wood. No heaters, no air conditioners—but one single stone could heat or cool a room. A world that picked whatever convenience it liked, tossing the rest.
Her reality, however, was much less glamorous. Broken windows. Old furniture. Su Mi patching things together just to get by.
As for her origins…
Yao Yao had been born to a mistress. According to Su Mi, though, her mother had actually been her father's true love—the woman he'd wished to marry. But illness took her when Yao Yao was only two.
The official wife, Shang Qing Ye, was nothing more than a political marriage. Still, she had given the Shang family plenty: two daughters, Shang Ying Ying and Shang Min Min, and a son, Shang Jun.
"For a loveless marriage, they sure have plenty of children," Yao Yao muttered, lips curling.
Her father, Shang Zhao had left a year ago on a mission under the king's command, taking Shang Jun with him. The rest of the family stayed in the main estate. And Yao Yao? She had been sent away years ago by Shang Qing Ye, accused of carrying a contagious illness.
Her thoughts drifted as she stared into the mirror. Large pink eyes sparkled back at her. She tilted her head, completely smitten.
"Well… if I have a baby girl like this in my past life," she murmured, tilting her head slightly, "I wouldn't even need a husband. I'd just admire her all day."
She stroked her black hair, soft and straight as silk, then pressed her cheeks with both palms.
Round. Rosy. Perfect.
Her lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"I've got to be the most adorable five-year-old on this planet," she whispered, convinced. She puffed them out and poked them with her fingers. "Ah… so soft."
Her small hands curled into fists as she swayed side to side, struggling to contain her excitement.
"Seriously, how can anyone look at me and not love me?"
Right beside her, Su Mi stood frozen, a laundry basket in hand, watching Yao Yao's antics in awe. Since her fever broke, Yao Yao had been acting strangely. This was the third straight day she sat in front of the mirror with that blissful expression.
Su Mi set the basket down, her mind drifting back to the day the window had shattered from Yao Yao's power. She stepped closer.
"Yao Yao, do you… feel anything strange?"
Yao Yao blinked, finally pulling her gaze from her reflection.
"Ever since that day… when the window broke," Su Mi added, serious now.
Yao Yao hadn't felt anything since that day. The mysterious pulsing sensation has vanished, as if it never happened.
"I feel fine," her gaze drifted guiltily towards the patched-up window before flickering back to Su Mi, "I'm sorry for breaking the window."
Su Mi looked at the window, which was only half-taped. The temporary fix barely held the glass in place. If only her magic were stronger, she could have fixed it right away.
"It's not your fault." Su Mi rested a hand on Yao Yao's small head, her tone firm but gentle. "Yao Yao, you might be awakening your magic powers. The Shang bloodline is known for strong magic—it wouldn't be surprising if you inherited it."
The words rang in her ears long after they were spoken.
Magic… my magic?
It sounded ridiculous, like something from a storybook. But the longer she thought about it, the more her chest stirred.
Magic. Real magic. If it was in her, then what could it do? What kind of life could it give her?
Her heart beat faster.
…And then vanity slipped in.
If I really have magic, then maybe… just maybe… I can use it to stay youthful forever?
Her gaze dropped to her hands, her lips pressing together in thought.
If this is my life now… then maybe it's not just another chance. Maybe this time, I'll keep it glowing.
Before Yao Yao could sink too far into her daydream of eternal youth, Su Mi clapped her hands together.
"I know! Let's go to the city," she said with a sudden smile. "We can pick up a glue potion to fix that window."
***
The journey wasn't easy. The city was far, and without a carriage, they had no choice but to walk. Before long, Yao Yao's little legs started to give out.
She turned to Su Mi with dead fish eyes, "Su Mi… is there flying magic in this world so we don't have to walk ever again?"
Su Mi laughed and scooped her up. "Alright, princess. Since you're so weak, I'll carry you."
Yao Yao crossed her arms with a pout. "This isn't weakness… it's adapting to the local culture! I mean, why walk when we can fly?"
"Sure, sure."
Despite the pout, Yao Yao settled in comfortably, her small arms hooking around Su Mi's neck. She leaned closer, pretending it was all a bother when really… she liked it.
She liked Su Mi—gentle, kind, always fussing over her with soft words and good meals. The house was simple, but warm and lived-in. And it felt good, being cared for, leaning on someone again. Something she hadn't let herself have in years.
Secretly, she was happy to be a child again.
Tilting her head up, she asked lightly, "So, Su Mi… is there flying magic?"
"Nope," Su Mi said with a chuckle. "Only creatures born with wings can fly."
Yao Yao frowned. "What kind of magical world is this if you can't fly?!"
"Magical world..?" Su Mi arched a brow.
Yao Yao flailed her hands. "I mean… um… hey! Is that the city?!"
At last, the city rose ahead, its stone walls gleaming under the sun. Guards in bright armor stood tall by the gates.
Inside, the streets buzzed with people, and magic was everywhere. Yao Yao's eyes darted from side to side, trying to catch everything at once.
This is amazing.
Everywhere she turned, there was magic. A man hefted a heavy sack as though it weighed nothing, light spilling faintly from his palms. At a food stall, fire sparked to life with a snap of fingers, roasting skewers in seconds. Children raced past, giggling, little sparks trailing behind them like fireflies.
Her head whipped so fast Su Mi almost laughed. Watching her, Su Mi's lips softened into a smile. "Let's buy some candy later before we leave, shall we?"
Yao Yao blinked, tearing her gaze from the crowd. "Candy?" Then her eyes lit up. "Yeah… okay! Wait, is it magical candy?"
Su Mi chuckled, shaking her head. "What's a magical candy…" She tilted her chin toward a row of shops ahead. "Come on. Let's find the glue potion first. The shop should be that way."
They walked further, the crowd parting around them. Yao Yao clung to Su Mi's hand, still craning her neck. That was when her sharp eyes caught sight of a middle-aged woman, likely in her forties, stepping out of a shop. Two young girls trailed close behind—one older, one younger.
The woman's beauty set her apart from the crowd, so refined as though she belonged to another world. The two girls beside her carried themselves with the same air, their clothes fine and neat, their posture straight, like little noble ladies.
Yao Yao's eyes followed them without blinking. She tugged at Su Mi's sleeve, whispering in envy, "Su Mi, look… they're so pretty. And they look so rich."
Su Mi's gaze followed Yao Yao's pointing finger, surprise flickering across her face for an instant. Then the woman turned, her eyes sharp as they landed on Su Mi—like she'd caught them staring. The look was fierce, cutting.
Su Mi stiffened, then bent down quickly, her whisper a sharp hiss at Yao Yao's ear.
"Yao Yao… that's your mother."
Mother.
She meant Shang Qing Ye, the one who had sent her away to live in poverty.
Yao Yao froze. From this distance, she couldn't even tell if the woman was staring straight at her or at both of them. But the slight frown on her face was clear enough. Displeasure. Like their existence alone was offensive.
Then, just as quickly, the woman peeled her gaze away, dismissing as though they weren't worth another second of thought.
A carriage rolled to a stop at the side, its polished frame gleaming under the sun. The woman stepped forward and her daughters followed behind her. The crowd shifted without needing to be told, parting in silence to make way for them.
Yao Yao's gaze lingered on the shimmer of silk, the polished shoes, the little details of wealth she'd never had. Her chest gave a small, tight pull.
They looked so rich… and yet she sent me to that tiny house, with broken windows?!
Technically, the broken window was her fault, but she wasn't about to correct the thought.
Then—
Her face lit up with sudden determination.
"We should go greet her," Yao Yao announced.
Su Mi's eyes widened, as though she hadn't heard right the first time. "Huh?"
Yao Yao nodded firmly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"After all, I'm way too cute to be stuck in poverty."