I Came From Heaven [Transmigration/Time-Travel] - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Since he brought up my beautiful motherland, I became incredibly proud. I even changed my sitting posture to a somewhat cramped but more self-important cross-legged position. The ‘Air Conditioner’ looked even more expectant, his eyes wide and glued to me. He was genuinely curious, and even the maid next to him looked like she was waiting for a magnificent performance.

Hey! I’m not a storyteller! Curiosity killed the cat! The more I say, the more mistakes I’ll make. What if I accidentally step on a landmine again and they pin me to the ground to eat dirt? Can you consider my feelings, please?

So, I stroked my chin with my finger, feigning an expression of being hesitant to speak. The ‘Air Conditioner’ actually saw through my reservations. He propped his head up with his hand, lazily half-closed his eyes, and waved his hand like a lord:

“There are only the three of us in this carriage. Feel free to speak; I will not hold it against you. Of course, if it is genuinely difficult and you cannot say it, I will not force you.”

Hmph! Easy for you to say! Who knows what terrible things you’ll do to me if you get upset? With those kidney-tonic-eating guards of yours, any one of them could kill me a thousand times over, and the methods would never be the same.

Internal complaints aside, I had to keep smiling and nodding. I grabbed my bag and rummaged through it. Forget it, I should just let these ancient people experience the power of science and broaden their horizons.

I pulled out my power bank and waved it at the ‘Air Conditioner’ and the maid, beginning my barrage of excited talk: “Do you know what this thing is?”

Disregarding his dignity, the ‘Air Conditioner’ leaned closer to me, his gaze locked on the power bank in my hand. The maid also looked on with confusion. Both of them shook their heads blankly. Speaking of my power bank, I snagged it during a Double Eleven sale on Taobao. It’s 20,000 mAh, with solar and flashlight functions! Not $998, not $99.8, but only $59.8, and shipping is free, dear! Oops, got sidetracked.

Pulling my thoughts back, I cleared my throat and began my unbelievable hype: “This thing is used to charge. What is ‘charge’? Let me show you.”

I flipped the switch, and the little light bulb on the power bank lit up. The narrow carriage instantly brightened. When the maid saw this small object emit miraculous light, she actually clapped excitedly. Oh my god—people who haven’t seen the world are so easy to fool! The ‘Air Conditioner’ was more reserved. He nodded satisfactorily, reached out, and snatched the power bank to play with it for a while. Then he looked up at me and suggested:

“This object is indeed rare. I see that you, my lord, are penniless and new to this place. Why don’t you sell this thing to me? The price I offer will surely not disappoint you.”

Huh? What good is it to you? Are you going to use it as a flashlight when you get up in the middle of the night? If I sell this, I’ll lose one of my tools for fooling people! From a long-term business perspective, how can I succumb to this small temptation?

I quickly shook my head and explained: “You truly can’t use this thing. Once the battery runs out, it’s a useless piece of junk. Only I know how to make it shine permanently.”

The ‘Air Conditioner’ observed the power bank, clearly reluctant to part with it, but eventually handed it back to me with lingering doubt. My brain worked quickly. I immediately put the power bank back in my bag and changed the subject:

“These are all just small things. My Celestial Dynasty has tools that can fly in the sky! Even places that would take you three or four days of fast, non-stop riding to reach, if you board this tool—it roars like a soaring dragon piercing the clouds—it’s instantaneous! You can leave in the morning and arrive by noon.”

Of course, delays due to air traffic control are extra! Hehehehe…

“Is that so? Such a mysterious, divine object?” the ‘Air Conditioner’ stared at me in disbelief.

Once I got started, I couldn’t stop and continued to spin tales:

“And there’s more… things that run on the ground, things that sail on the water—they’re all much faster than anything you have here… balabla…”

I don’t know how long I talked, but it was so long that dusk had fallen outside. The two people in front of me kept asking, “What else? What else?” as if listening to a myth. I was truly parched, so I finally put a stop to my silver tongue.

Just as the small space fell into an awkward silence again, the carriage slowly came to a halt. A guard’s deep voice came from outside the carriage: “My lord, we have arrived outside the city gates of Cangshun Prefecture.”

The maid stood up and lifted the curtain. I, too, curiously peeked outside. The city gate was built with massive bricks, and a few guards stood watch on either side. The three large characters “Cangshun Prefecture” were suspended high up. How should I describe it? It looked exactly like the ancient cities of Yangzhou or Chang’an in historical dramas; it was nothing surprising anymore.

The ‘Air Conditioner’ only glanced briefly before closing his eyes to rest again. The maid was like an attentive little bee. Before her master could speak, she already understood his thoughts and ordered directly: “Enter the city.”

…

Soon, our entire group rode into Cangshun Prefecture city. I kept clinging to the window, curiously watching the scenery of the ancient city. To be honest, life for these ancient people was really quiet. In an era without internet or electronic devices, entertainment came entirely from the small markets composed of vendors gathered in groups.

What surprised me was that people hadn’t returned home despite the hazy nightfall. Children jumped around with candied skewers, running through the streets. The clamor of shouting and the noise of traffic was ceaseless. The citizens wore the satisfied smiles of those who had enough to eat and warm clothes to wear. Their contentment and enjoyment suggested what was likely a prosperous age.

I turned around and sat up straight, quietly observing the ‘Air Conditioner,’ who was resting. A little drum started beating in my heart. I was probably about to be kicked off the carriage. After all, we had agreed beforehand. No matter how thick my skin was, I couldn’t actually cling to his leg and refuse to leave. So, I curled my hand and coughed in front of my lips.

The ‘Air Conditioner’ still didn’t open his eyes. I coughed again—still no reaction. Was he sleeping, or playing dead? Pfft! The maid chuckled, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Hey! What’s so funny?

“My lord Ji, stop coughing. If you cough anymore, your throat will go hoarse. We will be staying at an inn tonight. Our master is a great, reasonable person. You will stay one night with us. As for tomorrow, you will have to make your own plans.”

Hearing the maid’s words, I was so moved by the ancient people’s kindness, hospitality, simplicity, and amiability that I was almost driven to tears. I threw myself onto the ‘Air Conditioner’s’ feet. Yes, I must fully embrace the drama queen within; the acting must be over-the-top:

“My lord! We met by chance, and it’s all thanks to this serendipity! You are simply a living Bodhisattva! Sijie has no way to repay you!”

The ‘Air Conditioner’ flinched slightly at my commotion. He lifted his foot and gently kicked me away, then reached down to smooth his robe:

“Can you not be quiet?”

Uh… it seems… I went too far with the act…

After getting out of the carriage, I saw only small courtyards and low houses. Only the nearby restaurants and inns stood tall. Relatively speaking, these multi-story buildings were probably the equivalent of a five-star hotel in this ancient city. To put it more simply, they were the so-called downtown commercial district (crying-laughing emoji).

The burly men led the horses toward the stables, and I tightly followed the maid, afraid of losing the group. I suddenly realized a problem: we had been traveling for almost a day, and I still didn’t know what the ‘Air Conditioner’s’ name was. I couldn’t keep calling him ‘Air Conditioner’; giving nicknames is impolite.

I quickly reached out and patted the maid’s shoulder: “Miss.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve had such a delightful conversation with your master for so long, and I still don’t even know his proper address! That’s so rude of me!”

The ‘Air Conditioner,’ who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped. He turned around to look at me, but instructed the maid:

“Xi’er, go ask about the rooms and also tell the manager to prepare dinner. We’ve been traveling for so long; everyone is hungry.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“My lord Ji, you can call me Shuixin.”

Pfft! Could he be any more effeminate? A grown man called by this name! No wonder he didn’t want to tell me at first! Hahahaha! I forced back my laughter and nodded with a serious face:

“My lord Shuixin.”

It’s genuinely hilarious!