One week later...
The golden hues of the sun settled on the rooftops of the small village, painting everything in a soft gold. The air buzzed with excitement — far more than usual. Today wasn't just any other day.
Today, Lin Che, Nan Lu, and Old Master Zhang were leaving for the capital.
And not just for any reason — they were going to attend the grand celebration of the Gong family, one that had already become the talk of every villager and beyond.
From the moment the invitations arrived, the whole village had been abuzz with gossip. People had seen the news online — flashy advertisements, trending posts, and short clips of the Gong estate preparations flooding social media. The Gong family had truly spared no expense.
It was said to be a party that would "shake the entire upper circle."
And now, three simple villagers were heading straight into that world.
The narrow dirt road in front of Lin Che's house was packed with people. Children ran about with small flags they'd made from old newspapers, old grannies waved handkerchiefs, and the men stood around talking about how rich people "must even breathe different air."
It was chaotic and touching all at once.
Lin Che stood near the gate, holding her small suitcase in one hand, while her grandmother tugged at her other hand with a mixture of pride and worry written all over her face.
"Che'er," her grandmother said, her voice thick with emotion, "when you reach the capital, remember to stay out of trouble, alright?"
Lin Che laughed softly. "Grandma, when have I ever been trouble?"
Her grandmother gave her that look — the one that said she knew her granddaughter far too well. Lin Che immediately lowered her gaze, a guilty smile tugging at her lips.
"Okay, okay," she relented, nodding quickly. "I'll stay out of trouble. I promise."
Her grandmother sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from Lin Che's forehead. "The city is not like here. People there… they're not as simple as we are. You'll have to keep your wits about you, child."
Lin Che nodded again, but her throat tightened. She didn't want her grandmother to see how sad she felt. Leaving her behind like this — even if only for a while — felt like tearing off a piece of her own heart.
Thankfully, many of the villagers had already promised to help take care of the old woman while Lin Che was away. She wasn't so frail yet, but still, Lin Che couldn't help worrying.
Meanwhile, Nan Lu was pacing around excitedly, trying to balance her small bag on her shoulder while talking to everyone at once.
"Grandma Lin, I'll take care of her! Don't you worry! If she dares to cause trouble, I'll make sure to pull her back by her hair!"
Lin Che rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like I'm some troublemaker."
Nan Lu grinned. "Well, aren't you sometimes?"
Old Master Zhang chuckled from the side, his worn hat pulled low over his eyes. "Let's go before this whole village blocks the road," he said gently.
Their bus ride to the capital took nearly four hours.
For Lin Che, it was a mix of emotions — nervousness, nostalgia, and a faint ache of longing that refused to go away. Every turn of the bus wheels seemed to take her farther from her old life — and closer to something unknown.
Nan Lu, however, was having the time of her life.
The moment the tall buildings of the outskirts began to appear, she practically pressed her face against the window, eyes sparkling.
"Che Che, look! Look! That building—how many floors is that?!" she shouted. "Heavens, it's taller than the mountains back home!"
Lin Che winced. "Nan Lu, your voice—people are staring."
Nan Lu turned to the passengers, unbothered, and smiled brightly. "It's my first time here!" she announced, as if that justified everything.
Old Master Zhang sighed quietly. "That girl's lungs could scare a tiger back into its den."
Lin Che stifled a laugh, covering her mouth.
As the bus rolled deeper into the city, the scenery shifted dramatically. The fields and hills were replaced by towering skyscrapers that gleamed beneath the afternoon sun. The roads were wide, the air thrummed with movement, and the buildings stretched endlessly, each one more magnificent than the last.
For Nan Lu, it was almost too much.
She twisted around in her seat, her mouth open in pure awe. "I can't believe people live like this! Look at those cars! That's not even a car — that's a spaceship!"
"Nan Lu," Lin Che muttered, half amused, half mortified.
But Nan Lu couldn't be contained. "You don't understand, Che Che! I was supposed to come here for college, remember? But my parents couldn't afford the fees. So I studied online instead! I used to imagine what this city looked like every single night… and now look!"
Her voice cracked slightly — not from loudness this time, but from emotion.
Lin Che's chest softened. "Then I'm glad you're seeing it now."
Nan Lu's grin returned immediately. "I'm not just seeing it. I'm living it! For the next few days, I'm basically a rich city lady!"
Old Master Zhang chuckled again. "Just don't start demanding servants, young lady."
Nan Lu clutched her chest dramatically. "I would never! ...Maybe just one."
Lin Che and Old Master Zhang exchanged a helpless glance, both smiling.
When the bus finally pulled into the capital's main station, the sun was already beginning to dip, the sky painted in shades of gold and rose. The three stepped out into the bustling crowd, blinking against the overwhelming lights and sounds.
True to their word, the Gong family had sent someone to meet them.
A tall man in a perfectly pressed suit stood by a sleek black car, holding up a small sign with their names on it. His posture was straight, his expression polite but distant — the kind of person who radiated wealth and discipline even without saying a word.
"Old Master Zhang?" he asked. "The Gong family has been expecting you."
Old Master Zhang nodded, his tone humble. "We didn't expect such an arrangement. Thank you for coming."
"The pleasure is ours," the man replied with a short bow before leading them toward the car.
Nan Lu nearly gasped when she saw the vehicle.
It was long and shining, the kind of car that looked like it could cost more than the entire village combined.
"Che Che," she whispered as she climbed inside, "if this is the car, what will the house look like?"
Lin Che smiled faintly. "We'll find out soon enough."
The car ride took nearly forty minutes.
Outside the window, the scenery grew grander — the busy streets giving way to cleaner, quieter avenues lined with towering trees and security gates. The air seemed to grow more refined with every turn.
Nan Lu was silent for the first few minutes, too stunned to speak. Then, gradually, her voice returned — but softer this time, filled with wonder instead of noise.
"I never thought I'd see something like this up close," she murmured, gazing at the tall buildings that looked more like glass sculptures. "It's beautiful… so beautiful it almost doesn't feel real."
Old Master Zhang watched her with a faint smile. "Reality or not, we're in it now."
When the car finally turned into a long, private driveway, all three of them fell silent.
The Gong estate rose before them — an elegant mansion bathed in the warm glow of dusk. Its towering gates gleamed with intricate carvings, and the walls stretched endlessly, guarded by lanterns that flickered like jewels. The gardens around it were lush and perfectly trimmed, with fountains and marble paths that shimmered faintly under the fading light.
Nan Lu's mouth fell open.
"This…" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "This is their house?"