In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

On the day of Lidong (the beginning of winter), a sudden heavy snowfall occurred in Sichuan.

Ever since she met Zhu Qingyu at the bus stop near her home that day, Mei Tang has been sitting in front of the Zhu Family Clinic every day, watching the passersby and the bustling streets, waiting for her daughter to come home.

Although even Officer Zhang said she was probably mistaken, because people can't just disappear into thin air, Mei Tang firmly believed that what she saw was her daughter.

Mei Tang thought that Qing Yu must be trapped by something. If she could come back the first time, she could definitely come back a second time.

Last time, she didn't find her in time because she wasn't fast enough to run and pick up her daughter. This time, she must find her, locate her, and pick her up as soon as possible.

Meitang sat at the door of her house every day waiting for her daughter, through summer and winter, rain or shine, even on snowy days.

Her husband, Zhu Lansheng, came out with an umbrella and advised:

"The snow is too heavy, let's go inside and wait."

Meitang reached out her hand to him:

"Give me the umbrella, you go in first, I'll wait a bit longer, just in case Qingyu comes back later."

Mei Tang is fifty-eight years old this year and has been retired for three years. Before retiring, she was the director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Sichuan Central Hospital. She was a top expert in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, and patients always had to book appointments with her as a special specialist, which was always difficult to get.

Zhu Lansheng held the umbrella over her head and reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Mei Tang's ear.

Mei Tang used to be radiant every day, but in recent years she has been heartbroken because of her daughter.

Zhu Lansheng runs the Zhu Family Medical Clinic and is the seventeenth generation successor of the clinic. He has prescribed many medicines for Meitang to treat her condition.

But a heart ailment requires a heart remedy; Mei Tang's once thick, black hair is now streaked with white.

Zhu Lansheng said:

"This year is strange. It's only the beginning of winter, and it's already snowing so heavily. The last time it snowed this heavily was..."

Zhu Lansheng stopped halfway through his speech.

The last time it snowed this heavily was six years ago on the day of the Beginning of Winter, the day my daughter went missing.

Qingyu has been missing for six years.

Just thinking about it made Zhu Lansheng feel waves of pain in his heart, so much so that he could hardly utter the second half of the sentence.

Heavy snow is always accompanied by strong winds.

A gust of wind blew, making Zhu Lansheng lose his grip on the umbrella. He quickly lowered it to shield the two of them, and then advised:

"The wind is too strong. Go inside and wait. You can sit by the window at home and see her right away."

Just then, someone behind them hesitantly called out:

"Mom? Dad?"

That familiar yet long-lost voice!

Mei Tang stood up abruptly, opened her umbrella, and saw Zhu Qingyu standing barefoot under the eaves of the Zhu Family Medical Clinic in the raging snowstorm. She was wearing a thin dress, the hem of which was even stained with blood, and she was looking at them with disbelief.

When Zhu Qingyu saw the familiar front door of her home, and watched her mother and father rushing towards her screaming for their youngest daughter, she had no more strength left. She leaned forward and fell into her parents' arms.

......

When Zhu Qingyu woke up again, she stared blankly at the hospital ceiling and the IV drip hanging next to her. For a moment, her mind went blank, and she couldn't even tell where she was.

She raised her hand, looked at the pink bracelet on her wrist, and recognized the words "Shuzhong Hospital" on it.

It's the hospital where she works.

Why would she be at the hospital where she works in the modern world?

Wasn't she dead?

Someone was speaking in a low voice outside the door. Someone asked:

"It's been five days, and she still hasn't woken up?"

Another person answered:

"Officer Zhang, she hasn't woken up yet."

It's my mother's voice!

She didn't die, she's back!

Zhu Qingyu sat up abruptly and exclaimed:

"Mother!"

The voice was weak and feeble; almost half of it disappeared before it even left the throat.

But even with such a faint sound, Mei Tang suddenly pushed open the door, rushed in, and threw herself at Zhu Qingyu's bedside:

"My youngest daughter! It's Mommy! How are you, my youngest daughter!"

It really is Mom!

Zhu Qingyu hugged Mei Tang tightly, feeling happier than ever before in her life. She buried her head in Mei Tang's shoulder, but after the initial joy, she suddenly felt wronged and cried like a child who had suffered a great injustice:

"Mom, I miss you so much!"

Mei Tang hugged her and they both cried.

At this moment of mother and daughter's reunion, a police officer walked in and asked:

"Dr. Mei? The patient is awake?"

Mei Tang released Zhu Qingyu, wiped away her tears, and said to Zhu Qingyu:

"This is Officer Zhang. He's been keeping track of your whereabouts these past few years. He wants to ask you a few questions. Are you easy to talk to now, or would you like to wait a few days?"

My mother must have reported me missing to the police station for the past few years since I disappeared without a trace. Now that I'm back, the police will definitely come to investigate.

Zhu Qingyu sat against the headboard and nodded to Officer Zhang.

Officer Zhang looked to be in his forties, with a very approachable demeanor. Sitting on a stool at the foot of the bed, he spoke casually:

"Zhu Qingyu, right? Don't be nervous. Six years ago, your mother reported you missing to the police, and I've been handling that case ever since. I just want to understand the situation with you. Where have you been for the past six years? Has anyone intentionally restricted your personal freedom?"

Zhu Qingyu knew why Officer Zhang asked that question. After disappearing for six years, she returned in a state where she had just given birth and almost died. Anyone would think that something bad must have happened to her.

Where has she been for the past six years?

There her husband and children were there five hundred years ago.

Thinking of Gu Zhao and Gu Heng, after seeing her mother's happiness and grievances faded, a wave of sorrow washed over Zhu Qingyu.

Five hundred years ago, and now, whether it was Gu Zhao, her beloved lover, or Gu Heng, her newborn child, everything has changed beyond recognition, leaving only a handful of yellow earth.

She didn't even know where to find their final resting place, or even the last handful of yellow earth.

Unable to contain herself, Zhu Qingyu covered her face and burst into tears.

Officer Zhang clearly misunderstood Zhu Qingyu's reaction and said in a softer tone:

"If so, don't be afraid. We live in a society governed by the rule of law. Just tell me the truth. We police are here to catch bad guys. Once we arrest him, he can't hurt you anymore."

Mei Tang sat by the bed, watching Zhu Qingyu cry, her heart breaking, but she still firmly advised her:

"Little girl, don't be afraid, just tell the police."

Zhu Qingyu took a deep breath, concealing the unspeakable grief in her heart, and said:

"No one hurt me, I just traveled through time."

Seeing that Officer Zhang and Mei Tang both looked like the situation was even more serious, Zhu Qingyu realized that they must think she had a mental problem.

Zhu Qingyu smiled:

"I was just kidding. I don't remember what happened in the past six years. Yes, I must have amnesia."