Xiaoxiao arrived at the Main House, thinking that this must be the farmhouse's principal residence where the elders lived and where meals were likely served. With a nervous heart, she approached the doorway, convincing herself that speaking less would be wise. It is never wrong to start with a knock.
"Come in quickly and take a seat. Your sisters-in-law are in the kitchen; we're about to start eating!" The speaker was a woman who appeared to be about sixty years old, with black hair flecked with white, a rather long face, drooping eyelids, and several missing teeth. She did not seem to be a stern figure; this must be her nominal husband's mother.
As Xiaoxiao entered, the room was full of people, men and women, old and young, all turning their gaze towards her, their eyes filled with surprise. Word had it that the Zhong Family's girl was quite ugly, but upon seeing her, she actually looked rather charming. She was about 1.6 meters tall with a moderate build; however, what on earth was with her hairstyle?
While everyone was sizing up Xiaoxiao, she was also observing everyone else. The room was filled with people with simple and honest faces, the very image of a hardworking farming family. They didn't match the wicked family members often depicted in time-travel novels. Hmm, she'd keep watching. If this was the case, it would be wonderful because she truly wasn't cut out for handling wicked people.
After all, a harmonious family is the foundation of prosperity. Isn't life happiest and most joyful when everyone gets along?
"Dinner's ready! Oh! Third younger sister, what happened to your hair? It was fine just a moment ago, and now you've cut it. Did you borrow my scissors to cut your hair when you said you needed them?" The eldest sister-in-law, carrying the prepared food, walked into the room, chatting as she set down the meal.
"Oh, the ends of my hair were in bad condition, so I cut them off, thinking about letting it grow out again," said Xiaoxiao, feeling a bit guilty, still unsure if such a haircut was permissible in ancient times. Though she had decided to live here, that did not mean she embraced the lifestyle of her body's original owner. She just wanted to be herself and live without feigning agreement with others.
"Let's eat," the patriarch commanded, and everyone sat down to start their meal. Xiaoxiao looked around and nodded in approval. She had imagined that, as in some other time-travel stories, women might not be allowed at the table and might have to wait for their share of food. But it seemed that novels were just novels; the dining arrangement here was similar to what she knew from the modern rural houses she'd been to, where everyone ate at the same table and took how much they wanted. However, the quantity of food might suffice, but the quality was terribly lacking. It was difficult to swallow for someone as picky as herself. It had no richness or flavor and seemed to just be boiled in a pot, almost fit for pigs. The cornmeal pancakes were the only passable item, so Xiaoxiao had one with water before returning to her room without staying back to help clean up.
Don't accuse Xiaoxiao of lacking perception or not knowing her place. If her nominal husband didn't appreciate her, should she still act like a docile girl and obedient daughter-in-law? For whom? She had decided to be true to herself and had no intention of conforming to their expectations.
She recalled what her nominal husband had said the night before, "As you wish, I married you, but don't expect me to touch you. Just get ready to live like a widow."
"Great, I am a time traveler, after all. Who knows who you are? I am not the original person; only a fool would let you touch me." Yes, she happily reached her decision.
She really wondered what issues had existed between her body's original owner and her nominal husband. Ah, forget it. Wait, wasn't her nominal husband absent from the meal just now? Where had he gone? Oh no, she had seen him for only a moment yesterday. What did her nominal husband even look like? She hadn't gotten a clear view at all! This was a mess!