Chapter 11: Sisters Turn Against Each Other

Li Yuehua calmed herself in Li Dayong's arms.

"Brother Dayong, I'll listen to you. Let's raise the child together."

"Hmm, Yuehua, I have an idea. I don't know if you'd be willing." Li Dayong gently patted her back, as tenderly as if coaxing a child.

"Go ahead, Brother Dayong. Anything you say, I'm willing to do." Li Yuehua looked up, her eyes shining with trust.

“Yuehua, I have an idea. I know it might be a bit unfair to you.”

“But right now, for the child, for our future, this might be the best way.”

Li Dayong paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “I want you to give birth to the child, and then… then register it under your sister Yaqin’s name.”

“I know you’re reluctant, but think about it. If you get pregnant out of wedlock, in this day and age, you and the child will be gossiped about and never be able to hold your heads high again.”

“But Yaqin, she’s a good girl. She will definitely take good care of our child.”

“That way, the child will have your bloodline, a legitimate identity, and can live with dignity in the future.”

Li Dayong revealed his plan, knowing it was somewhat cruel to Li Yuehua.

But he couldn’t think of a better solution.

Li Yuehua was stunned. She never expected Li Dayong to make such a suggestion.

This suggestion was like a sharp knife, piercing her heart.

She lowered her head, tears streaming down her face like a broken string of pearls.

She remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking, her voice trembling violently: "Brother Dayong, I know you're doing this for the child's sake."

"But...but I can't bear to part with him. This is our child, my flesh and blood, the result of ten months of pregnancy and so much hardship."

"How can I send him to someone else, to call someone else 'Mother'?"

"Yuehua, I know you can't bear it, but have you thought about it?"

"If we give birth to the child now, what will the villagers think of us?"

"How will we face all the gossip?" Li Dayong patiently explained.

Most importantly, there's the charge of indecent assault and the public criticism!

Everyone will be ruined."

"Besides, Yaqin is your sister; she'll definitely take good care of the child."

"But..." Li Yuehua still hesitated. She couldn't bear to part with her child.

And she didn't want her sister to bear all of this for her.

“Yuehua, listen to me, this is just a temporary measure. We'll bring the child back when the time is right, okay?”

Li Dayong continued to persuade her. “Besides, haven't you always wanted to go to the city? This is a perfect opportunity for Li Yaqin to take the child.”

“Going to the city will fulfill your dream.”

Li Yuehua remained silent, biting her lip tightly, her heart aching as if being cut by a knife.

“Will you marry me?”

“Yuehua, I want to marry you, but I saved that woman.”

“You were forced to marry her. If it weren't for staying in the army, I wouldn't have married her. I know this is difficult for you, but you have to believe me.”

“I will definitely reunite you and the child. I will definitely marry you.”

Li Dayong cupped her face in his hands, gazing at her tenderly. "Promise me, okay?"

Looking into Li Dayong's expectant eyes, Li Yuehua finally nodded.

"Okay, Brother Dayong, I promise you. For the child, I'm willing to do anything."

Li Dayong hugged her tightly, as if trying to meld her into his very bones.

"Yuehua, thank you, thank you for everything you've done for me."

Meanwhile, Li Yaqin stood not far away, witnessing everything.

She had thought that after everything that had happened, Li Yuehua would have changed.

Li Yaqin stood far away behind a tree, watching her sister and Li Dayong's figures.

She desperately wanted to rush forward and beat the two of them, but hesitated. She couldn't win!

Since transmigrating into this world, she and Li Yuehua had become enemies.

Hoping that her selfish sister would change was less appealing than trusting her own scheme.

But… she had a vague feeling that even leaving this place wouldn't truly rid her of Li Yuehua.

How annoying!

After all, she had witnessed Li Yuehua's selfishness and willfulness far too many times over the years.

But unexpectedly, she was still the same selfish and self-serving Li Yuehua.

Li Yaqin didn't want to go out, but she realized Li Dayong had discovered her. How could she save herself?

"Sister, are you really going to do this?" Li Yaqin walked up to them, her voice trembling slightly.

Li Yuehua saw Li Yaqin, a flicker of panic crossing her face, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Yaqin, you…when did you get here?" Li Yuehua's voice trembled, her eyes darting around, avoiding Li Yaqin's gaze.

She instinctively tried to grab Li Dayong's sleeve, but he subtly avoided her.

"Yes, I heard everything." Li Yaqin nodded, looking at Li Yuehua with disappointment in her eyes.

“Sister, look me in the eyes.” Li Yaqin’s voice choked with emotion.

“Do you really think this is fair to me? I’m your sister.”

“Not your nanny, and certainly not a tool for you to shirk responsibility!”

“Why should I raise your child? Just because you’re my sister?”

This was the question the original owner of this body had asked, a question she had always wanted to know.

“Yaqin, you’re my sister! We’re blood relatives! Please help your sister, okay?” Li Yuehua pleaded, clutching Li Yaqin’s hand.

“Relatives?” Li Yaqin sneered.

“Sister, when have you ever considered me family?”

You only care about yourself, only about your child. When have you ever considered my feelings?

Li Yaqin silently added, “What nonsense!”

“Yaqin, I…” Li Yuehua was rendered speechless.

"Sister, let me tell you, I won't help you raise your child. You'll have to bear the consequences of your own actions."

Li Yaqin finished speaking and turned to leave.

What a pathetic female lead! She really overestimated people's character.

"Yaqin! Yaqin, don't go! Listen to me!" Li Yuehua called after her, but Li Yaqin left without looking back.

Suddenly, Li Yuehua rushed over like a madwoman and grabbed Li Yaqin's arm.

Her fingernails dug deeply into Li Yaqin's flesh, causing Li Yaqin to wince in pain.

"Sister, what are you doing?" Li Yaqin asked in terror, trying to break free from Li Yuehua's grip.

Li Yuehua, however, held her tightly, her strength astonishing.

"Yaqin, I beg you, I beg you, please help me!" Li Yuehua's eyes filled with tears, her voice hoarse as she pleaded.

She knelt down with a thud, tightly hugging Li Yaqin's legs.

"I can't live without Dayong, I can't live without this child!" Li Yuehua cried, tears and snot streaming down her face.

"Sister, get up, let's talk this out," Li Yaqin tried to help Li Yuehua up, but she pushed her away.

"I won't get up! I won't get up unless you agree!" Li Yuehua stubbornly remained kneeling on the ground, her eyes filled with despair.

"I beg you, Yaqin, please help me, please help me..." She repeated this over and over, her voice growing softer and weaker.

Li Yaqin was furious looking at Li Yuehua's state; she hated scheming women the most.

But then, a glimpse of Li Dayong's deep, unfathomable gaze sent a chill down her spine.

His eyes were cold, like a venomous snake, as if he were calculating something.

Li Yaqin's heart skipped a beat. She thought of her jade bottle; perhaps, this was the only way…

She could only sigh inwardly, about to say something.

When a sharp pain shot through her chest, the lingering emotions of the original owner of this body were at play.

She could feel the original owner's disappointment and resentment towards her sister, and also her pity for the unborn child.

But she couldn't make the choice for the original owner; she couldn't let her life be held hostage by someone else's mistakes.

'I'm sorry,' she silently said to the original owner of this body.

'I can't bear this heavy burden for you. I have my own life to live.

If you're willing to be a scapegoat and die in her place, go yourself.

I'm not going. Either you come yourself, or get out.

The pain in her heart had just subsided. Wanting her to take the blame? Humph! Impossible.

Li Yuehua was truly desperate in this era.

Being pregnant out of wedlock meant being gossiped about, being drowned in spittle.

It meant being criticized, demoted, and beaten.

How could Li Yuehua, a weak woman, possibly withstand such pressure?

Moreover, she was pregnant with Li Dayong's child.

She had placed all her hopes on Li Yaqin, on Li Dayong!

But Li Dayong was already married; he could not marry Li Yuehua.

Looking at Li Yuehua kneeling on the ground, screaming desperately, Li Yaqin felt a mix of emotions.

Li Yuehua was truly desperate, resorting to such reckless measures.

She was gambling with her life, betting on Li Yaqin's sympathy, betting on Li Yaqin's kindness.

Unfortunately, she wasn't the original owner of this body, able to harden her heart and ignore Li Yuehua's pleas.

Moreover, she had never had much of a moral compass, so she wouldn't be morally blackmailed.