Chapter 3

I followed Grandma Sarah back to her house.

Only then did I realize her home was in a very unique location.

From the attic, you could see the entire community, but from anywhere else in the community, you couldn't see Grandma Sarah's house.

When Mom and Dad were alive, Grandma was quite reclusive, rarely interacting with us.

So, looking at my only remaining relative, I felt like I was with a complete stranger.

Grandma Sarah was far stricter than I'd imagined.

The day after I arrived, she presented me with a detailed schedule.

It specified when I had to wake up, when to study, when to go out to the fields with her to work, and even how many times I could use the bathroom each day—all meticulously laid out.

I held the schedule, lost in thought.

Grandma Sarah watched me, her expression stern:

"The conditions here are tough, and my expectations are high. If you can't handle it, go find Chief Miller right away and see if he can arrange for you to leave too."

Chief Miller was the unofficial title of the community leader, but Grandma calling him "that guy" ("那小子" in Chinese implies a certain informal seniority from Grandma's side). This immediately told me her standing in the community was anything but low.

I carefully taped the schedule onto the desk Grandma Sarah had prepared for me, then looked at her with determination and said:

"Grandma, I won't regret this. That wealthy couple might not be as kind as they seem. I'd rather stay here with you in these mountains. It has beautiful scenery, and a Grandma who truly cares about me."

As I spoke, I reached out and gently took her arm, a gesture of goodwill.

Grandma Sarah's eyes fixated on me, as if trying to see through my facade:

"You'd better mean what you say. I don't welcome deserters here."

I offered her a sweet, compliant smile:

"I won't be, Grandma. I'll stay here, with you, always."