Yun Xi was startled when she heard his words. She had long sensed that Yun Dahai was suspicious of her—his eyes were different, sometimes even tinged with sorrow when he looked at her. Many times he had paused as if wanting to ask something, but in the end said nothing. Yun Xi had assumed he would never voice his doubts, yet today he asked so directly that she was momentarily stunned.
“Father… why do you ask that?”
“You are not my Xier.
My Xier never liked interacting with people, and she hated learning to read. When she was little her health was always poor. Her mother only had this one precious child—she cherished her deeply and never let her do any household chores.
Because of that, even at seven she still couldn’t dress herself or cook, nor did she understand anything about the world outside.
“But ever since you woke up from that illness, you’ve changed. Suddenly you can read, you understand so many things about the outside world. For a time, I even suspected someone had swapped my daughter. But your mother insisted she had watched over you constantly and never left your side. We discussed it in private—yes, you have changed, but you look exactly like our Xier.”
Yun Xi couldn’t help feeling a bitter amusement.
So they had suspected her long ago, while she naively kept trying to hide it.
She truly had no talent for acting.
“Yes… Father— no… Uncle Yun. You’re right. I am indeed not your daughter. Yet at the same time… I am your daughter.”
Yun Dahai froze at her addressing him as “Uncle Yun.”
Her vague words only deepened his confusion.
Seeing this, Yun Xi explained, “To be precise, this body truly is your daughter Xier’s. But the soul inside it… is not.”
Body?
Soul?
Yun Dahai’s confusion grew even deeper.
Could a body and soul be separated?
And if separated, how could a person still live?
Yun Xi gave a bitter smile.
“In truth, I can’t explain how all of this happened either.
I come from another world—another time—nothing like this era at all.
More accurately, a time far later than this one.
That world is highly developed, rich in resources, and everyone is equal.
Everyone has their own work and livelihood, and starvation simply cannot occur.
“In that world, I fainted… and when I woke up, I was here. When I realized I had come to this impoverished place and was occupying your daughter’s body, I was shocked. It took me a long time to adapt. As for reading and writing… in my world, everyone can read.”
She explained the basics, but she did not reveal her true identity or the secret embedded in her arm.
Everyone was allowed to have their own secrets.
Yun Dahai never imagined he would hear something so unbelievable from the mouth of the girl who looked exactly like his daughter—something so shocking it defied all reason.
He silently digested her words for a long time, unable to speak.
At last he said quietly, “Since you are here now… living in Xier’s place… then continue calling me Father. I believe Xier, in the afterlife, would agree.”
Yun Xi felt her nose sting with emotion.
This poor father could not yet bear the truth that his real daughter was gone, yet he was comforting her instead.
“Thank you, Father. I will live well—for Xier’s sake.”
“What was your original name?” Yun Dahai finally asked.
“I was also called Yun Xi.”
“…Good. This must be Heaven’s will. Heaven has given you a second life—cherish it well. Since you say everyone in your world can read, then from now on, teach the village children. If anyone asks, say that I taught you. And what we discussed today—must never be spoken to a second person. Not everyone can accept something this strange.”
“Father, don’t worry. I understand.”
Yun Dahai continued to ask about various things from her world, and Yun Xi answered each question.
“So the world truly has progressed that far… No wonder you know so much,” Yun Dahai muttered with a sigh.
“Then it’s settled. From now on, think of ways to help our village prosper. Tell me what needs to be done, and I’ll handle the rest.”
The two talked for a long time—from the village’s current hardships to future development, even to the possibility of encouraging marriage alliances with other villages and opening up the community.
Yun Xi felt fortunate.
If Yun Dahai hadn’t been the village chief, with a broader perspective than ordinary villagers, anyone else might have already declared her a monster.