Nan Mo, who had been wailing hysterically half an hour earlier, was now sitting in a steamed bun shop devouring buns.
It had to be said—following the morning market crowd truly led to delightful discoveries.
Swallowing the last bite of bun contentedly, she said, “Boss, how many buns do you have left? I need a large quantity—I’m not sure if you have enough.”
“We have plenty. If we run out, we’ll make more fresh ones for you.”
“Give me 500 pork buns, 300 beef buns, 200 glass noodles buns, 200 green vegetable and fresh mushroom buns, and 300 brown sugar mantou.”
“So many? Are you in a hurry? If not, I’ll start making them right away—they’ll be ready in about an hour. You can go wander around and come back later to pick them up.”
Hearing such a large order, the boss lady decided not to close up shop yet.
Nan Mo continued snacking while shopping, eventually purchasing over 100 each of fresh meat pies, snow vegetable pies, shredded radish pies, and sweet baked cakes. She also bought over 70 Chinese-style egg burgers.
She paid triple the price, instructing the vendors to continue making these items for three consecutive days, and asked Uncle Qin to pick up the goods daily starting at 8 AM the next day.
Driving to the university district, she delivered mobile phones, tablets, and computers to several part-time university students.
She tasked them with downloading all available variety shows, movies, TV series, novels, various books, and educational materials and videos from the internet.
In the 1970s—an era without internet—these would become her most precious spiritual sustenance.
Running through a mental checklist to see if she’d missed anything worth stockpiling, she browsed online for inspiration and stumbled upon a factory selling vintage cars.
Noting the address was in Hangzhou, she quickly bought a high-speed rail ticket to see them in person.
…………………
“Xiao Mo, focus on your studies! Dad will handle family matters!”
“Dad, I’ve grown up. I’m willing to go to the countryside.”
“What do you know? Do you think going to the countryside is some kind of joke? Don’t listen to the neighborhood committee’s nonsense—stay home!”
“Dad!…”
Ding dong, next stop Hangzhou Station. Please prepare to disembark. Ding dong, next stop…
Nan Mo was jolted awake by the announcement, blinking drowsily while the image of her parents arguing lingered in her mind.
She had dreamed of them again. Immediately, she called Chen Qi and Uncle Qin, urging them to expedite deliveries. She had a strong premonition that her time travel was imminent.
Taking a taxi to the factory, she discovered it specialized in providing prop vehicles to film crews.
Nan Mo purchased two 1970s-era trucks and two military jeeps, then persuaded the owner to help procure 5,000 liters of diesel—any more was impossible.
By the time she returned to Hai Shi, it was past 10 PM, and Xiao Huang had already clocked out.
At the warehouse, Uncle Qin’s deliveries had arrived, and all goods from Chen Qi’s five supermarkets were ready as well.
However, three warehouses couldn’t hold everything, so they agreed to continue deliveries the next day.
After receiving the goods, she checked online orders and felt relieved seeing most were scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
Returning home, she collected the day’s meal—six dishes and one soup—from the kitchen as usual.
For ten consecutive days, Nan Mo didn’t undertake any additional tasks.
Her days consisted of receiving goods at the warehouse and collecting meals at home. During this period, the university students completed downloading all requested materials and delivered them.
She dismissed Xiao Huang, paying a full month’s salary, and retrieved the final batch of gold bars.
Initially, she’d only had intermittent recurring dreams, but recently the scenes had grown increasingly vivid.
Nan Mo knew her departure time had come.
That day, she arranged to meet Uncle Qin, Qin Yue, and Chen Qi for a meal at a private club.
At the table, Chen Qi and Qin Yue simply thought Nan Mo was treating everyone to a meal before going abroad, and even joked about making her pay dearly for it.
Only Uncle Qin knew that once the young lady left, she likely wouldn’t return.
Her flight was scheduled for the afternoon. Nan Mo woke up as usual and packed the six dishes and one soup prepared by the chef.
She declined Uncle Qin’s offer to drive her to the airport and left alone, carrying just one suitcase, departing from this place that had been her true home, even though she hadn’t lived there for long.
Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling window. Every night, Nan Mo dreamed of her 1970s self, yet each day she still woke up to the sting of ultraviolet rays.
It was Nan Mo’s seventh day on Ya Island, and she eagerly anticipated traveling through time every moment.
“Sigh, another boring day.”
Not that she had done nothing—at least she had stockpiled enough coconuts and Wenchang chickens to last several lifetimes.
As the sunset glowed, waves crashed against the reefs. Everyone on the shore was admiring the magnificent evening scenery, and no one noticed Nan Mo being swept away by a sudden wave…
“Xiao Mo, time to wake up!” A gentle woman’s voice sounded by her ear.
The girl on the bed trembled her tightly shut eyelids slightly before finally opening her eyes slowly.
Her gaze was full of confusion as she blinked her bright, dewy eyes, struggling to adjust to the surrounding light.
Gradually, her focus settled on Luo Ci, who stood before her, smiling as she spoke.
“What’s wrong, still not fully awake?” Luo Ci had delicate features and an elegant demeanor, bearing a sixty to seventy percent resemblance to Nan Mo.
At this moment, a warm, affectionate smile graced her lips, and her eyes were filled with maternal love.
“Mom?” Nan Mo called out softly, thinking it was all still a dream.
“Get up now. Your father will take you today.” With that, Luo Ci walked out of the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Nan Mo quickly got out of bed, slipped into her Dimension Space, and rushed to the bathroom to look at her reflection in the mirror. She had traveled through time!
This wasn’t a dream—she could finally reunite with her parents!
Exiting the Dimension Space and changing her clothes, she stepped out of her room and saw Nan Zhengting waiting by the door.
“Oh, don’t just stand there. Look how late it is! Today’s the day you get your diploma—your last day at school. Hurry up!”
While her father was anxiously pacing, Nan Mo’s eyes reddened.
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Nan Zhengting panicked. “What’s wrong? Alright, alright, Dad won’t rush you. Take your time, take your time.”
Hearing this, Nan’s Mother came over and wrapped her arms around Nan Mo. “What happened? Did your father scold you?” She then shot a glare at Nan’s Father.
Nan’s Father looked wronged but still watched Nan Mo with concern.
“Mom, Dad, I was so scared! I just dreamed that you lost me and didn’t want me anymore…” Saying this, she clung to Nan’s Mother and burst into tears.
Nan’s Mother looked helplessly at her husband, torn between laughing at her grown daughter for acting coy and feeling heartache at her distress.
Nan’s Father could only sigh softly, patting Nan Mo’s back gently and comforting her in a soft voice, “How could Mom and Dad ever not want you? Dreams are the opposite of reality. Don’t be afraid~”
At this moment, Nan Mo was truly overjoyed. She finally had parents—she finally had a mom and dad!