Chapter 1: The Awakening
Lin Yuer had always been practical and grounded in reality, a student immersed in her engineering books, absorbed by the complexities of plastic engineering and modern technology. Yet, on that fateful day, as she sat in her dorm room in Beijing, studying for an upcoming exam, the world around her changed in an instant.
A sudden force, something akin to a rush of wind, swept through her body. Her vision blurred, the room around her darkened, and for a moment, she felt as though she were weightless, suspended in time and space. She gasped for breath, disoriented and confused, but then—just as suddenly—it all stopped.
Lin Yuer opened her eyes, only to find herself no longer sitting at her desk surrounded by textbooks. Instead, she stood in the middle of a lush forest. The air was crisp, and the faint sound of birds singing in the distance filled her ears. Her feet were planted firmly on the ground, and she could feel the soft rustle of the grass beneath her toes. She looked around in stunned disbelief. Where was she?
The tall trees around her had an unfamiliar appearance, their bark dark and aged, the leaves a deep green. She turned slowly, trying to make sense of her surroundings, when a small path appeared before her, leading toward a village. Her heart raced. The peacefulness of the scene, the lack of cars, the absence of the usual modern sounds, was unnerving.
As Lin Yuer tried to gather her thoughts, she noticed something even stranger—she was no longer wearing her modern clothes. Instead of her comfortable jeans and hoodie, she was dressed in a simple blue linen gown, the fabric rough against her skin, and a thin rope tied around her waist. She touched her face, feeling her hair that seemed softer, longer than it had ever been, but her reflection in the nearby stream offered no answers.
A moment of panic washed over her. Was she dreaming? Had she somehow lost her mind? But the crisp air, the gentle breeze, and the odd sense of calm in her chest told her otherwise. This was real.
She stumbled forward, her mind racing as she searched for any sign of familiarity. The village in the distance beckoned, so she decided to approach. She had no choice but to move forward and figure out where she was and how she got there.
As Lin Yuer neared the village, she saw people working in the fields, their clothes simple, their movements efficient. They looked to be from another era entirely—no technology, no modern comforts—just hardworking villagers cultivating crops in the open fields. They didn't notice her right away, but soon, a few of them turned their attention to the newcomer.
One elderly woman, her back bent with age but her eyes sharp, stepped forward. She wore a simple straw hat, and her hands were calloused from years of labor. She looked at Lin Yuer with curiosity.
"Miss, are you lost?" the woman asked in a voice that was both kind and cautious.
Lin Yuer blinked, still trying to comprehend what was happening. She forced herself to speak, her voice trembling with uncertainty. "I... I don't know. I think I am lost."
The woman eyed her more closely, her gaze lingering on Lin Yuer's strange clothes. "You don't look like someone from around here," she said softly. "What is your name, girl?"
"Lin Yuer," she replied, instinctively. It was her name—her only anchor to the world she had known. "I... don't know how I ended up here."
The woman frowned slightly, then nodded as if considering something. "Well, you seem like you need help. Come with me to the village. You must be exhausted. We'll figure things out when you rest."
Lin Yuer hesitated for a moment, still overwhelmed by the bizarre situation she found herself in, but something about the woman's kindness and the serene atmosphere of the village gave her a strange sense of comfort. She nodded, following the woman along the narrow dirt path that led into the village.
As they walked, Lin Yuer looked around, taking in the quiet beauty of the place. The village seemed to be nestled at the foot of a majestic mountain, and the fields stretched for miles, dotted with farmers working under the warm sun. The air was fresh and filled with the earthy scent of the land. There was a simplicity and tranquility to the scene that she had never experienced before.
Upon reaching the village, they entered a modest house. The elderly woman led Lin Yuer inside, where a fire crackled softly in the corner, filling the room with warmth. The smell of herbal tea and wood smoke filled the air. Lin Yuer sat down on a simple wooden bench, her mind still spinning, trying to make sense of everything.
The woman gestured for her to sit, then went to the fire and brewed a pot of tea. "You must be confused, child. This place is far from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. You must have come from a faraway land."
Lin Yuer nodded absentmindedly, her mind racing. This world—this time—was completely alien to her. The customs, the way people lived, everything was so different from the life she had known.
"Where am I?" she asked, almost in a whisper, still struggling to understand the reality of her situation.
The woman gave a thoughtful look before answering, "This is Yunshui Village, in the land of the East. You've arrived in a place where the mountains meet the sky and time moves slowly. Many come here to escape the noise of the world, but few stay for long."
Yunshui Village. Lin Yuer repeated the name in her mind. She didn't know where or when this was, but it felt ancient. How was she supposed to survive in a time like this?
The woman handed Lin Yuer a cup of tea, her gaze softening. "Rest now, young one. Tomorrow, we will figure out what to do with you. But for now, you are safe here."
Lin Yuer took a sip of the tea, its warmth spreading through her body. The heat was comforting, and for the first time since arriving in this strange world, she felt a little calmer. As the tea soothed her nerves, her thoughts began to clear.
She didn't know how she had ended up here or why, but Lin Yuer knew one thing: this world was hers to explore, and it was hers to change.
Her mind began to swirl with possibilities. If she was truly in an ancient time, perhaps her knowledge from the future could make a difference here. Maybe she could do more than survive. She could thrive, innovate, and perhaps even bring about the kind of change that had never been seen before.
Tomorrow, she would begin to shape this new life. But for now, she let herself rest, the warmth of the fire and the quiet of the village settling her into an uneasy sleep.