Khiết Anh, the owner of a large fresh flower shop in City X, drove home as usual after finishing work.
While relaxing on the sofa, she suddenly saw the scene before her eyes blur and then plunge into darkness.
Suddenly, a light shone directly into her eyes, startling her, and she quickly raised her hand to shield herself from it.
At the same moment, a gentle female voice suddenly echoed in her ears: "Khiết Anh! Khiết Anh!"
The light faded. She lowered her hand and looked around, searching for the voice as she asked, "Who? Who's calling me? It's not the Black and White Impermanence, is it?" She shivered slightly.
A girl appeared, with fair, rosy skin, eyebrows like painted strokes, large, sparkling eyes, a high, delicate nose, and lips like vibrant peach blossoms. She wore strange clothes, like those in the historical dramas Khiết Anh often watched.
The girl let out a laugh like the gurgling of a stream, then reassured her, "Don't worry, young lady, I am not the Black and White Impermanence.
My name is Cao Khiết Anh, and I am the eldest daughter of General Cao.
I have been ill since childhood. Last month, I went to worship Buddha and pray for peace, and the abbot there told me my life was about to end, but someone would take my place and live out this life.
Perhaps because we share the same name and died at the same hour, fate has brought you here to take my place in caring for my parents and younger sister."
Khiết Anh asked in disbelief, "Take... take your place? Does that mean I'm dead? And not only that, but I've transmigrated to ancient times, just like in the novels?"
The girl nodded. "That's right!"
Khiết Anh sank to the ground, saying, "No way! I didn't have an accident, wasn't hit, wasn't sick at all. How could I be dead?"
The girl said with a hint of awkwardness, "You were summoned back, not fated for an early death!"
Khiết Anh looked up at her with a glimmer of hope. "So, does that mean I can go back? Right?"
The girl shook her head coldly. "You and I are bound by an invisible thread of life. Therefore, when I unfortunately met an early demise, your soul was immediately summoned by heaven and earth and hidden within my body to continue living out the rest of my life in my stead."
Khiết Anh once again fell into despair. "I can't go back?"
The girl nodded. "I was fated for an early death. Now that I've met you, I have a wish I hope you will grant."
Khiết Anh stood up and looked at her, saying, "You want me to take your place in caring for your family?"
The girl nodded slightly, tears streaming down her beautiful cheeks. "My parents love me very much. My younger sister, though small, is very understanding.
I always wanted to do many things for them, but now fate has decided otherwise. Moreover, my time is running out. I beg you, please promise me you will try your best to fulfill my filial duty to my parents and love my younger sister in my stead."
Khiết Anh hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "That's fine. I no longer have any family there. Being alone like that has been long enough. I agree to live on in your place, to take good care of them for you. Please rest assured."
The girl smiled, tears still falling profusely. She took Khiết Anh's hand and said, "Thank you, thank you, Khiết Anh. You are a good girl, and you will find your own happiness. I wish you always joy." With that, she turned and walked towards the light, gradually disappearing.
It turned out she was also named Cao Jieying, fifteen years old, the noble eldest young lady of the Cao Manor, with a gentle and kind disposition, proficient in various musical scores. Her parents were Cao Yanzhong, who, though cold and stern, deeply loved his wife and children, and Liu Suzhen, a gentle, thoughtful, and tolerant woman. Her younger sister, Cao Jie'an, twelve years old, the Cao Manor's clever and quick-witted second young lady, loved her elder sister dearly and was skilled in both literary arts and military strategy.
Truly a picture-perfect family.
“Mmm…” A soft voice gently murmured. Around her, several other women buzzed excitedly: “The eldest young lady has woken up! Quickly, inform the General and Madam!” The sound of footsteps and a door opening quickly echoed, then fell silent again.
Her thick, long eyelashes fluttered slightly. She slowly opened her large, sparkling eyes to take in her surroundings.
Suddenly, two faces peered close to hers. Reacting instinctively, she shrieked: “Ah!!! Gh-gh-ghost!!!!” This startled the other two, who shrieked in return and fell backward. Meanwhile, she struggled with all her might to drag her weary body into a sitting position.
The two of them appeared to be twin sisters. Their hair was styled in twin buns, adorned with a few flower petals. Their fair skin and delicate features, combined with their pale orange outfits, accentuated their identical innocent and adorable appearance.
And so, the three of them simply stared at each other for a long, long time.