"There, there, sweetheart. Don't be frightened," said a somewhat old and gruff voice, intentionally softened as if fearing that any loudness might startle the little bundle in her arms.
Jin Beibei turned towards the source of the sound, meeting slightly cloudy eyes that radiated a familiar warmth and love.
Is this... Grandma?
Jin Beibei was a bit taken aback, not comprehending immediately.
"I think the scare really got to her, mom. Maybe we should take her to the hospital?" Another younger sounding voice rang out, filled with uncertainty.
Upon turning her head, Jin Beibei saw a youthful woman, with exquisite features, kneeling by the bed. She reached out and gently touched Jin Beibei's face, her cold eyes filled with concern and tenderness.
A mum this young?
Jin Beibei was even more confused.
With the drop of the mother's words, a sharp scream echoed in the distance. Although it sounded somewhat distant, it was still spine-chilling, causing the newly-awakened Jin Beibei to shudder unconsciously.
"There's no need for that. She's just frightened. We can have Qian Xiazhi perform some comfort rites later," said the grandmother as she felt the slight tremble of the little body in her arms. She pulled the small head closer into her chest, attempting to cover the child's ears with the inside of her elbow to block out the dreadful crying from outside.
As for not going to the hospital, it wasn't due to a stingy nature, but the belief that the hospital, with its gloomy atmosphere, was unfit for her cherished great-granddaughter.
Outside, the chilling screams continued unabated. Jin grandma's face turned stern, knitting her brows into a knot, making her initially intimidating features more menacing. "Go and close the door. She's making such a fuss, crying and wailing just because she's giving birth - as if she's the only one who's ever done it! If not knowing better, you'd think she's getting slaughtered like a pig!"
"Alright," nodded the young woman. She swiftly went to close the door and as she turned back, her eyes met with Jin Beibei's, who was following her movement with her big, round, clear eyes. Her heart softened and she revealed a warm smile unconsciously, comforting: "You don't have to be scared, Beibei. Your mother and grandmother are both here with you."
Observing the fearsome looking but lovingly-acting Grandma Jin, and her gentle and comforting mother, Jin Beibei started to feel as if she was stuck in a long and terrifying dream.
Her life in the dream was like a movie, playing rapidly one frame after another, until it came to a sudden halt when it got to the end where she tragically died under the wheels of a vehicle.
【Your life is actually a book, a 'Koi Fish' literature from the 80s. However, you are not the protagonist, but the beloved cannon fodder supporting female character in the jade-like family in the book. The female lead character is your neighbor's new-born girl, Shi Nannan, who is the darling of this world, the heaven's cherished daughter. You, and even your whole family, are merely stepping stones for her hard work and fortune on the way to an inspirational life.】
Jin Beibei's eyes opened wide in shock.
Who?
Who was speaking in her mind?
【Jin Beibei, as the cannon fodder supporting female character in contrast to the female lead, your ending will be tragic. You will die, your whole family will die, all will die completely... if there's a chance to live your life again, with the book written by you, how would you change it? 】The voice in her head sounded again, also faintly tempting her: 【Money can push ghosts to grind millstones. Making money can change your destiny. Would you like to try?】
As the voice ceased, Jin Beibei saw the scene where she tragically died under the wheels of a car begin to rewind rapidly, frame by frame, scene by scene, until it finally stopped at the situation she was currently in.
She was lying on a wooden spring bed. An elderly woman, in her fifties, was holding her upper body, one hand covering her ears as she held her in her arms. The other hand was gently stroking her head, repeatedly saying a few words: "Pat pat, don't be afraid."
There was also a young woman squatting next to them, with beautiful features. Although she didn't talk much and appeared cool, she was looking at her with gentle eyes and occasionally stretched out her hand to touch her face.
When she spotted Jin Beibei, her adorable and well-behaved appearance made her lean in and kissed her face.
With the wet touch on her face, Jin Beibei realized she wasn't dreaming and there really was a voice in her head; those scenes playing backward like a movie weren't her illusions.
Almost as if to verify her thoughts, she saw a book with a halo appear in front of her, with the shining golden words 'Koi Fish Life' printed on it.