C1 Transcending

Sung Zhu felt an all-encompassing pain throughout her body.

It was a pain so intense that it took her a considerable amount of time to even begin to understand what had happened after she awoke.

After a lengthy period of confusion, Sung Zhu came to a startling realization—she had somehow become smaller!

How was this even possible? She was a 32-year-old woman on the brink of becoming a chief surgeon. With her hands now so tiny, what could she possibly do with her surgical expertise?

How had she suddenly turned into a little person?

This was not the kind of thing one experienced in a nightmare!

"Zhu, are you awake?"

While Sung Zhu was still lost in her thoughts, an elderly man approached her, his voice filled with warmth and kindness, which immediately soothed her.

"Don't be scared, Zhu. Grandpa is here! I won't let you go to such dangerous places anymore," the old man said with deep concern, gently placing his calloused hand on Sung Zhu's forehead.

The moment his hand made contact, Sung Zhu was overwhelmed by a powerful, comforting sensation—a profound sense of kinship.

Then, a flood of strange images rushed into Sung Zhu's mind, catching her off guard and causing a throbbing headache.

"Zhu, what's wrong? Are you feeling ill? Tell grandpa quickly!"

The old man, alarmed by Sung Zhu's pallor, vacant gaze, and pained expression, was ready to carry her out in search of a doctor.

"Grandpa, I'm okay," Sung Zhu assured him, having assimilated the memories of the body's original owner and grasping the situation. She urged the old man to set her down.

She had traveled through time.

She had ended up 62 years in the past, transformed into an eight-year-old girl.

The elderly man before her was her grandfather, affectionately known as "grandpa."

The two of them lived together, reliant on each other in this secluded and impoverished area. The body's original soul had been too adventurous, falling from a small hill and separating from the body.

Now, she inhabited this body, and there would be no more Sung Zhu, the 21st-century surgical prodigy—only the young girl Sung Zhu.

"Really?" The old man was still not entirely convinced, examining her face closely.

"Yes, I'm truly fine now. I'm sorry, Grandpa. I promise I won't go to dangerous places like that again."

Sung Zhu looked up at the elderly man with earnest eyes.

Though it was her first encounter with him, she could sense the genuine affection he held for her in his heart.

The bond between the original Sung Zhu and this man was truly strong and profound.

So, despite being an outsider, she quickly embraced the role, regarding the elderly man as her own grandfather.

In the modern world, she had been an orphan, always yearning for the warmth of family. Finding it here was a true blessing for her.

"You're alright, that's a relief. Grandpa has been so worried about you. If anything feels off, you tell me right away, okay?" The old man's expression softened as Sung Zhu's fever subsided, easing his concern.

Oh, what would he do if something happened to her? How could he face his late son?

"Grandpa, I'm hungry," Sung Zhu said, clutching her belly with a look of discomfort.

"Oh dear, Grandpa's been forgetful. Just wait, Zhu. I'll cook you some porridge right away. The doctor mentioned you're not fully healed yet, so you should stick to porridge."

The old man's face showed a hint of remorse as he comforted Sung Zhu before hurrying off to prepare the meal.

Watching his retreating figure, Sung Zhu's eyes moistened with unshed tears.

The feeling of having family was indescribably precious.

"Sung Zhu, rest assured, I will live well for you and dutifully honor Grandpa."

Drying her tears, Sung Zhu resolved to cherish life to the fullest – for the sake of the original Sung Zhu and for herself.