"I’m fine." Xu Mumu shook her head, "I probably only have a few years left to live."
"What’s really going on?" Xu Xue frowned, remembering how healthy Xu Mumu used to look, certainly not like someone with a short life.
"Just consider it karma for what I did to you in a past life." Xu Mumu smiled lightly.
"You are not her." Xu Xue said seriously.
"I am her." Xu Mumu looked at Xu Xue. At first, she also thought she wasn’t, but she couldn’t help but believe what the old blind man had said.
Xu Xue didn’t want to speak. This person was indeed as annoying as ever.
"What’s going on with you? I remember you were always in good health, right?" Xu Xue still wanted to get a clear answer.
"It’s not a physical issue; you don’t need to ask too much. Some things you shouldn’t know." Xu Mumu said helplessly.
"Then what is the issue? Is there anything we can help with?" Xu Xue pursed her lips.
"No, don’t think too much about it." Xu Mumu smiled, suddenly feeling that Xu Xue wasn’t that unlikable after all.
After seeing Xu Xue and her husband off, Xu Mumu fell into deep thought, wondering how to explain to her family that her body might not endure much longer. She wasn’t sure if her parents could handle it.
Having just sent off her grandparents, she didn’t want to see her parents suffer the pain of losing a child.
But before Xu Mumu could think it through, Yin Yang came to discuss the matter with her.
Xu Mumu lay on the bed, lost in silence.
"Why don’t we wait a bit, and then lay the truth out for them, so they don’t keep worrying?" Yin Yang said softly. The truth had to be told eventually; it just wasn’t the right time now.
"Alright, I guess. My body probably won’t hold out much longer." Xu Mumu nodded after a long pause. It was better to tell them sooner, or what if she passed unexpectedly and never got to say anything?
"Don’t talk nonsense, you’re fine." Yin Yang looked at his frail little wife, feeling pain in his heart as well.
"I know my own body." Xu Mumu said with a smile.
After staying in the old hometown for a few days, she left her parents to Yin Yang to deal with.
Back home, Yin Yang also realized Xu Mumu’s condition was worsening, so he worked even harder, spending money as if it were waste paper, hoping it could help more people in need.
But there were benefits too; the Reincarnation Jade in Xu Mumu’s hand had deepened by another degree.
"Little elf, when will this Jade Pendant finally be full?" Xu Mumu looked at it with some anticipation; she didn’t want to die, even if it meant living in a past life filled with hardships.
"Soon, soon, what are you in such a hurry for?" The little elf lay contentedly within the Jade Pendant. It had been so many years, she could hardly remember how many, and she had always been in a state of hunger, never feeling full.
Now she was nearly full, and soon she would take the whole family back.
"How soon? Can you give me a precise number? How much longer can my body last?" Xu Mumu looked at the little elf, relying on her for answers.
"At most two years. Make your preparations." The little elf seriously gave a number.
"Two years, that’s enough. And by the way, this Jade Pendant’s space seems quite large; can I put things inside?" Xu Mumu squinted slightly as she looked at the little elf.
"I guess so? I’ve never tried. Since I gained consciousness, I’ve been in here and don’t really understand my own situation, only that I can take people through time." The little elf tilted her head, looking at Xu Mumu.
Xu Mumu twitched her mouth, this little elf was a trickster indeed.
Exiting her consciousness with the little elf, Xu Mumu picked up her phone and thought better of it. It wouldn’t be good if she lost her phone, so she figured she should try with something else.
Xu Mumu grabbed a financial magazine that Yin Yang had brought back, trying to place it inside.
The item in her hand disappeared instantly, and Xu Mumu’s eyes widened in surprise. It worked; in her consciousness, the book sat safely inside.
"Little elf, can I fill the Reincarnation Jade and take it back with me?" Xu Mumu asked eagerly, looking at the little elf.
"You can." The little elf thought for a moment and nodded.
"That’s great, finally I won’t have to eat expired bread and stuff later." Xu Mumu’s face broke into a radiant smile.
That evening, when Yin Yang came home, Xu Mumu shared the good news with him.
"Is this for real?" Yin Yang was astonished. Even though he knew his little wife and son had superpowers, he found it incredible, and he never imagined something like space could exist.
"Don’t be silly, first make sure all the money is used up, stockpile resources. Life over there is tough." Xu Mumu said seriously.
"Okay, leave it to me." Yin Yang enthusiastically took on the task. With this space, their life would be more secure.
After Yin Yang left, Xu Mumu tested if space could keep things warm and fresh. As expected, the space was static, and things inside wouldn’t spoil even if left for a long time.
Then, Xu Mumu had Madam Chun prepare various foods, and after pretending to store them, she put everything into the space.
As the couple busied themselves stockpiling things, members of the Xu Family visited again, eager to know about Xu Mumu’s condition.
"Brother-in-law, why are you buying so many things lately?" Xu Minghui asked Yin Yang. Although the guy was discreet, he had noticed.
"It’s for future needs." Yin Yang replied with a gentle smile. Now it seemed hiding the truth any longer might not be possible, and it was indeed time to tell.
"What needs?" Xu Minghui’s eyes deepened. Now the whole family had gathered, even Xu Minglei had taken leave to return, standing behind Xu Minghui, curious about his brother-in-law.
"Since you’re all here, I guess you’re waiting for us to speak. Now that everyone is present, Madam Chun, housekeeper, make sure no one comes in." Yin Yang sighed and gave instructions, positioning family members to stand guard.
After inviting the Xu Family up to the second floor, he went to bring Professor Song and Professor Jian over; they also needed to know.
The two elders were already up in age, and they didn’t feel at ease. If he and Xu Mumu were to leave earlier, they hoped the professors could be entrusted to the Xu Family’s care.
The entire family gathered around Xu Mumu’s bed, even Doudou was there.
"Mumu, stop dawdling, hurry and say it. What’s there to hide?" Li Caixia urged anxiously, heart aching to see her daughter’s condition deteriorating day by day, as if someone was carving pieces from her heart.
"Mom, calm down. I’ll tell you." Xu Mumu said helplessly. What was coming, was coming.