After absorbing all of the original owner’s memories, Lu Qingran finally believed that she had transmigrated.
“What a fool… not even afraid of death, yet afraid of a substitute marriage?” Lu Qingran muttered softly, feeling it wasn’t worth it for the original owner to die like that.
Since she was already here, she would make the best of it.
Someone who could rise to become the manager of the largest department store in Nanshi within six years was certainly no ordinary person. Lu Qingran’s mind raced, and she quickly came up with a plan.
Struggling to her feet, she walked out of the cramped woodshed and immediately saw a mother and daughter arguing at the doorway of the main house.
The sun was already climbing high in the sky.
Its harsh glare made Lu Qingran squint, and her already aching head felt even more dizzy.
“Mother, Lu Qingran didn’t die—let her get married!” Lu Qingqing shouted loudly the moment she saw her.
Her voice was shrill, her words cutting. Lu Qingran had the urge to slap her twice.
Step by step, she walked to the doorway of the main house and, without even lifting her eyes, asked, “Where is my father? And Grandpa and Grandma—are they here?”
“They’re not. Since you’re still alive, hurry to the kitchen and start the fire. It’s almost noon. Your grandparents will be back soon to eat,” Yao Shi said impatiently.
Now that her soul had changed, how could Lu Qingran be intimidated by a mere village woman? Knowing her father and grandparents weren’t around, she said nothing and simply turned back toward the woodshed.
“Where are you going? The kitchen is this way!” Lu Qingqing called out.
Lu Qingran didn’t stop, as if she hadn’t heard a word.
“You little wretch! You’re already up and still not cooking—do you want the whole family to starve?” Yao Shi scolded sharply.
Only then did Lu Qingran stop.
She turned around and said coldly, “If you want me to marry into the Yan family, then shut up.”
Hearing this, Lu Qingqing was instantly delighted.
She didn’t dare curse anymore and quickly said to Yao Shi, “Mother, I’ll help you start the fire.”
Just as she finished speaking, the courtyard gate was pushed open.
Lu Dayong, Lu Eryong, and the elderly couple of the Lu family walked in.
The two men carried hoes on their shoulders, while the old woman held a basket.
Yao Shi immediately put on a smiling face. “Father, Mother, husband—you’re back? Qingran bumped her head trying to kill herself today. I’ve been taking care of her and haven’t had time to cook lunch yet. Rest for a bit—I’ll make it right away. Qingqing, hurry and bring water for your grandparents, your father, and your second uncle to wash their hands.”
“Yes, Mother,” Lu Qingqing replied obediently.
Grandma Lu frowned. “What is that good-for-nothing making a fuss about now?”
Yao Shi quickly put on a pitiful expression. “It’s about the marriage. You know Qingqing was betrothed by her grandfather and father to the eldest son of Yan Er’s family. But you also know how poor their situation is. Qingqing is filial—if we find her a better family, she’ll surely repay us in the future. Qingran is the same age as Qingqing—both are fifteen this year, old enough to marry. I know the Yan family is poor, but we’ve already accepted their bride price. If we don’t send a daughter to marry over, we’ll have to return it.”
As soon as Yao Shi finished speaking, Lu Qingran, standing at the woodshed door, let out a cold laugh.
The Lu family was already aware of this marriage arrangement. Thinking of the half-tael of silver the Yan family had given as a betrothal gift, they didn’t hesitate.
“Let Qingran marry over,” Old Master Lu said decisively.
As if she had expected it, Lu Qingran slowly walked to the center of the courtyard and said, “I’ll marry—but I have one condition. If you agree, I’ll go.”
“What condition?” the old woman asked.
“I want to sever all ties. From now on, I will have nothing to do with the Lu family.”
The moment she said this, the old woman began cursing loudly. Old Master Lu and Lu Dayong couldn’t believe she would say such a thing. In their eyes, Lu Qingran had always been timid and submissive. On the other hand, Yao Shi and Lu Qingqing were delighted—they couldn’t wait to sign and send her away.
Seeing that they said nothing, Lu Qingran wasn’t in a hurry.
She simply turned and walked leisurely back toward the woodshed.
It was only early April, but the sun was already scorching. She had no intention of standing there baking in the heat. Seeing her leave, Yao Shi and Lu Qingqing were so anxious they broke into sweat, afraid she might change her mind. Yet they didn’t dare say anything, worried they might ruin things.
“Make lunch first. After eating, Second Son, go invite the village chief,” Old Master Lu said.
Not far away, Lu Qingran heard this and knew he had agreed. She felt a trace of sorrow for the original owner.
“Father, no—Qingran is just confused for a moment,” Lu Eryong protested.
“Since she said it, she must bear the consequences. Whether she lives well or poorly in the Yan family will be her own choice. If you don’t want to go, I’ll invite him myself,” Old Master Lu said coldly.
Lu Eryong was honest and had always obeyed his parents. Though reluctant, he didn’t dare argue further.
Lunch at the Lu family was simple: a pot of coarse rice mixed with sweet potatoes, and two vegetable dishes with barely a trace of oil—almost like boiled greens. Even so, the men were given priority, and Yao Shi’s two sons had full bowls. As for Lu Qingran in the woodshed, it seemed everyone had already forgotten she existed.
In the small, dark woodshed, Lu Qingran looked at the filthy quilt, then at the hard bed made of two wooden planks, and finally just sat down at the edge.
The door wasn’t closed. The faint sweet smell of sweet potatoes drifted in, making her stomach growl loudly.
Hearing her stomach protest, Lu Qingran made a bitter face and complained inwardly: “Heavens! If you’re going to send me through time, at least give me a warning! My department store, my food court, my newly renovated house—I didn’t even get to live in it for a day, and now it’s all gone!”
As soon as she finished speaking, she froze in shock.
A spacious hall. Shiny marble floors reflecting the light. A bubbling fountain.
This… wasn’t this the department store where she had worked for six years? Had she come back?
Excited, Lu Qingran ran through the building. But soon she noticed something strange.
Her department store had been the largest mall in Nanshi, always packed with people—especially during holidays. How could there not be a single person? Not even staff?
“Out!” she thought suddenly.
In the next second, she was back in the woodshed.
“Go in!” she said again.
And she returned to the mall’s entrance hall.
After repeating this several times, Lu Qingran finally confirmed that she hadn’t gone back to the 21st century. Instead, the entire department store had followed her into the past, becoming her secret space.
Overcome with emotion, she silently praised the heavens again and again, almost wanting to kneel and offer incense.
The building had nine floors: seven above ground and two underground, each with different themes and functions.
The first floor was for cosmetics and jewelry, filled with dazzling international brands.
The second floor was women’s clothing—fashionable outfits, shoes, and accessories.
The third floor was men’s clothing.
The fourth floor was for children—cute clothes, toys, and stationery.
The fifth floor was home goods, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
The sixth floor was dining, offering all kinds of food and drinks.
The seventh floor was leisure, with a cinema and a gym.
The first basement level was a large supermarket and pharmacy, containing everything needed for daily life—food, clothing, and essentials.
The second basement level was a parking lot.
Aside from Lu Qingran, there wasn’t a single person in the building.
Yet all the lights were on. She didn’t know if everything was still stocked, but she had no time to check each floor.
She was starving—so hungry she felt she could eat two large bowls of rice.
On the sixth floor, the food court was empty, but everything was still there. At the bun stall, steaming hot buns sat in the bamboo steamer. Lu Qingran ate two meat buns in a row before stopping, then cooked herself a bowl of noodles. Finally, she poured herself a cup of milk tea.
Only then, holding her drink, did she begin to leisurely explore the department store floor by floor.