After Splitting from the Family, The Wardrobe Became a Portal to Modern Times

Lin Xiaoman and her younger brother Lin Erhu are orphaned after their parents die saving their grandparents from a collapsing house during an earthquake. The following year, a severe drought strikes Hedong Village, leaving the family with barely enough grain to survive. Old Man Lin and Old Madam Lin, greedy and cruel, decide to split the family to reduce the number of mouths to feed. They attempt to cast the siblings as idle burdens, planning to give them only a meager share of grain and force Xiaoman into an unwanted marriage. Lin Erhu fiercely defends his sister’s strength and labor, exposing the hypocrisy of their uncle’s family who neglect farm work while their cousin studies. The confrontation escalates until Xiaoman calmly agrees to the separation but demands the return of their mother’s dowry, citing dynastic law. She reveals she possesses the original dowry list, threatening to involve the clan elder if the grandparents do not comply. Fearing public scandal and the loss of the valuable items they have already appropriated, the grandparents reluctantly agree to return the dowry and grant the siblings sixty catties of grain, two acres of land, and the old, dilapidated house at the west end of the village.

After the family split is finalized with the help of the former clan elder Lin Youwang and the current clan elder Lin Daqiang, the siblings move into their ruined home. While cleaning the empty wardrobe, Xiaoman pricks her finger on a splinter, and her blood activates a mysterious portal within the cabinet. Stepping through, she discovers a parallel world that resembles modern-day China, complete with supermarkets, film studios, and advanced technology. Initially confused by the strange clothing and customs, she realizes this world offers abundant resources and cheap goods. She and Erhu explore the new realm, witnessing a film shoot where extras are paid to fight over steamed buns. Recognizing an opportunity, they participate in the scene, earning their first cash and securing a large supply of food. They learn that money from this world can be used to buy essentials back home, where prices are exorbitant due to the famine.

The siblings begin a routine of foraging in the mountains of their world and selling wild mushrooms and ginseng in the modern city. They encounter Granny Liu, a kind elderly woman who helps them sell their harvest for over five thousand yuan. With this capital, they purchase clothing, food, and household items, drastically improving their living conditions. They also discover that chestnuts, which they previously ignored, are edible and valuable. Xiaoman shares this knowledge with the village clan elder, who organizes the entire village to gather chestnuts, ensuring that no one starves during the winter. This act of generosity earns the siblings respect and goodwill throughout Hedong Village, contrasting sharply with the disdain shown by their grandparents.

Meanwhile, Old Madam Lin accidentally reveals to her husband that she pushed Xiaoman’s mother in front of a falling beam to save herself during the earthquake. This confession is overheard by their eldest grandson, Goudan, who secretly plans to exploit the information. The grandparents, realizing their cruelty has been exposed to at least one family member, live in fear of retribution. Xiaoman and Erhu continue to thrive, using their earnings to buy ingredients for hot pot and other delicacies, while also planning to start a small business. They remain cautious about their secret portal, ensuring that their dual-life activities do not compromise their safety. The story concludes with the siblings enjoying a hearty meal, confident that their hard work and the discovery of the portal will secure their future against the backdrop of ongoing scarcity in their home village.