The False Heiress In The 1980s

5. A New Home

Mother Xia stepped back from the doorway, a nervous smile on her lips. "Come inside. It's not much, but... it's home."

Lin Yuqi took a hesitant step inside, feeling a wave of unfamiliar emotions wash over her.

The house was small, with mud walls that were clean despite their rough texture.

The floors were packed earth, swept neatly, and the faint smell of burning wood drifted in from the kitchen.

The windows were covered with faded curtains, their original colors lost over time.

Simple though it was, the place exuded a kind of quiet warmth—something she had rarely felt in her previous life.

As Lin Yuqi looked around, she noticed the few pieces of well-worn furniture: a small dining table with a couple of wooden stools, and a bench near the hearth.

There was no luxury here, just the basic necessities, arranged with care.

She could sense Mother Xia's efforts to make the house neat and presentable, as if trying to prove something.

Mother Xia's eyes were full of anxiety as she watched Lin Yuqi's reaction, her hands wringing together.

"It's not much... I was worried you might find it too simple," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Lin Yuqi turned to her, and a pang of emotion tightened in her chest.

In her previous life, she had grown up as an orphan, moving from place to place, never knowing the warmth of a real family.

She had always longed for a home like this, however simple, where someone cared.

Now, in this life, she was given a second chance to experience what family could mean.

She took a deep breath and met Mother Xia's gaze, giving her a reassuring smile. "It's perfect, Mom," she said, the word "Mom" feeling foreign on her lips but comforting in a way she couldn't explain.

"I'm here now, and I'll help the family however I can. Don't worry—I'm the real daughter, and I want to make this my home too."

Mother Xia's eyes filled with tears. The lines on her face softened, and she reached out, pulling Lin Yuqi into a warm embrace.

"You're a good girl," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Lin Yuqi returned the hug, closing her eyes as she felt the sincerity in Mother Xia's touch.

This was what she had longed for, the embrace of a mother—a feeling she had never experienced in her previous life.

Before they could say more, the door creaked open, and Father Xia entered, his clothes dusty and sweat-soaked from the fields.

Beside him was Xia Tian, her younger brother, now 18, with a hoe slung over his shoulder. Both of them froze as they saw Lin Yuqi standing in the room.

"Daughter, you're... here," Father Xia said, his voice deep and warm, though a bit hesitant.

His eyes shone with a mix of happiness and uncertainty, as if he wasn't sure how to greet the daughter he had only just learned about.

Xia Tian's face broke into a wide grin, though he looked somewhat awkward, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

Lin Yuqi's lips curved into a small smile. "Dad. Brother." The words felt right, even though she was still adjusting to her new reality.

Father Xia gave a hearty chuckle, though he rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed.

"We'll go wash up first. Don't want to get the house dirty," he said, glancing at the dirt clinging to his clothes.

Xia Tian nodded enthusiastically. "I'll be quick," he added before following Father Xia back outside.

After they left, Mother Xia took Lin Yuqi by the hand and led her down a narrow hallway to a small room at the back of the house.

She opened the wooden door and gestured inside. "This will be your room," she said, her tone gentle, yet her eyes still wary, as if fearing judgment.

The room was small but tidy.

A single bed stood against one wall, its thin blanket neatly folded at the foot.

A simple wooden desk sat beside the window, and a small cabinet occupied the corner, waiting to hold the few belongings Lin Yuqi had brought with her.

The faded curtains over the window stirred lightly with the breeze, casting soft shadows on the walls.

It wasn't grand, but there was a sense of care in the way everything was arranged.

"Rest for a while," Mother Xia suggested, stepping back toward the doorway. "You must be tired from the journey. I'll start preparing dinner."

Lin Yuqi set her suitcase down beside the bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in her bones.

She looked around the room, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Mom. I'll rest for a bit," she replied.

As Mother Xia left, quietly closing the door behind her, Lin Yuqi sat on the edge of the bed, letting the reality of her situation sink in.

This house, though humble, was the closest thing to a real home she had ever known.

Here, she wasn't just a discarded daughter; she was Lin Yuqi, the real daughter, with a chance to belong.

The sounds of Mother Xia working in the kitchen drifted through the walls.

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