Jiang Hongyan struggled to get out of bed. With great effort, he carried a stool over to the wall, doing everything he could to avoid making even the slightest sound, afraid of disturbing the others.
He then set his phone in place and turned on the timer.
He took several full body photos of himself in succession and immediately sent them to Sheng Yan.
Sheng Yan kept her eyes fixed on the screen. The moment she received the photos, she opened them at once.
But this time, the miracle did not happen.
Jiang Hongyan did not appear beside her.
Jiang Hongyan remained fully conscious as well, hoping with all his heart that he would return to their warm home in the next instant.
But nothing happened.
He was still in the farmer’s house.
【Jiang Hongyan: Yanyan, it seems I can’t go back…】
The moment Sheng Yan saw the message, her eyes filled with tears once again.
But compared to never seeing him again, she would rather know he was alive. Her trembling fingers typed across the screen.
【Sheng Yan: It’s okay. As long as you’re alive, that’s all that matters. As long as you’re safe, I can bear not seeing you…】
As soon as she sent the message, tears streamed down her face.
Jiang Hongyan was no different. Tears rolled down from the corners of his eyes. It was as though fate delighted in tormenting people, allowing him to survive but refusing to let him return to his own world.
The two people who loved each other were separated by two different worlds, unable to meet.
Looking at the photos of his severe injuries, Sheng Yan’s tears would not stop falling. She wanted nothing more than to stay by his side and take care of him, yet she could not even do something so simple.
Then she suddenly thought of something.
She quickly pulled out a tissue to wipe away her tears.
Opening the camera, she took a picture of the teapot, teacups, and candleholder, then sent it to him.
Since he could transport objects to her by sending photos, could she send things to him the same way?
If she could, then she would be able to send him supplies in the future and make his life a little easier.
After Jiang Hongyan received the photo and opened it, the objects that had mysteriously disappeared earlier reappeared before him.
He hurriedly sent her a message.
【Jiang Hongyan: Those things are back!】
Sheng Yan was overjoyed.
【Sheng Yan: That’s wonderful! I’ll send you some things right away.】
Jiang Hongyan knew she was only thinking of him, but he was currently staying in a farmer’s house. If a number of objects that did not belong to this era suddenly appeared out of nowhere, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. They might even think he was some kind of monster.
【Jiang Hongyan: Yanyan, don’t send anything just yet. I’m staying in someone else’s house, and it would be difficult to explain if a lot of strange new objects suddenly appeared. They might even think I’m a demon.】
【Sheng Yan: I understand. I won’t send anything too large, only things you might actually need.】
It was already after five in the morning.
Sheng Yan searched through the bedroom and found the gold necklace and gold ring they had bought when they got married. They had remained in their box all this time and had hardly ever been worn.
She also photographed several small glass ornaments sitting on the table and sent the pictures to him.
【Sheng Yan: Gold isn’t very large, and I’m sure you’ll be able to use it. As for the glass ornaments, you can take them to a pawnshop and ask about them. They should be worth some money.】
Sheng Yan had never heard of the Great Sheng Dynasty before, but she believed that gold was valuable whether in ancient times or the modern world.
As for glass, that dynasty probably had not invented it yet, so perhaps it could fetch a very good price.
As long as he could live more comfortably, she would be happy.
Looking at the gold jewelry, Jiang Hongyan’s thoughts instantly drifted back to their wedding several years ago.
He had bought those pieces for her, and she had carefully kept them all this time.
Holding the jewelry tightly against his chest, he missed her and their daughter more than ever.
He wished he could return immediately, but there was nothing he could do.
【Jiang Hongyan: Yanyan, I’ve received everything. I’m sorry for making you go to so much trouble.】
【Sheng Yan: After all these years together, do we still need to say things like that? As long as you’re doing well, I’ll be happy! Once your injuries have healed, find a way to leave that family’s house. After you’re living on your own, it’ll be much easier for me to send you things without worrying about anyone finding out.】
【Jiang Hongyan: Okay!】
【Sheng Yan: Then get some rest. I need to catch up on some sleep. I might have an interview today.】
【Jiang Hongyan: What happened? Wasn’t your previous job going well?】
【Sheng Yan: The company wasn’t doing well and laid people off. I don’t have a job anymore. I submitted a lot of résumés earlier, so I should start receiving interview invitations today.】
In truth, the company’s poor business was not the only reason.
After Jiang Hongyan’s accident, Sheng Yan had been overwhelmed with grief. She was frequently distracted at work and could no longer perform her duties properly.
That was why her name had ended up on the list of employees to be laid off.
When Jiang Hongyan learned what had happened, he became deeply worried. After his accident, only she and their daughter remained in that world, and they still had a mortgage and car loan to repay.
When he had still been there, his monthly income had been enough to cover both loans, while her salary had gone toward the family’s everyday expenses. The family of three had lived a fairly comfortable life.
Now, however, every burden had fallen onto her shoulders alone.
How much pressure must she be under?
Separated by two different worlds, there was nothing he could do for her.
His gaze accidentally fell upon the teapot and teacups on the table, and suddenly an idea came to him.
【Jiang Hongyan: Yanyan, after a few days, I’ll find a way to send you some objects from this dynasty. See if you can sell them as antiques. If you can, it’ll help ease some of the financial pressure.】
Of course, Jiang Hongyan would never send her the teapot and teacups sitting on the table.
They belonged to someone else, the very people who had saved his life.
Taking them without permission would be no different from stealing.
So he would wait until after he had left this place, then buy some items from this era and send those to her instead.
After reading his message, Sheng Yan thought it over. Earlier, she had only been thinking about sending him supplies and had not considered this possibility.
【Sheng Yan: The Great Sheng Dynasty never appeared in history, so I’m not sure whether the things from your world can really be sold as antiques.】
【Jiang Hongyan: We’ll give it a try. If it works, then that’s naturally for the best. If it doesn’t, I’ll do everything I can to earn gold and silver over here. I won’t let you shoulder the family’s burdens alone.】
【Sheng Yan: Okay.】