Chapter 2: Planning

In this family, there was the beautiful and pampered eldest sister, Li Yuehua, and the second brother, Li Qiang, who supported the family business.

Below were the beloved youngest brother, Li Xiaoyong, and two older sisters who had died young. Li Yaqin, the fifth child, seemed particularly insignificant.

In this patriarchal family, Li Yaqin was destined to be a despised and sacrificed tool.

However, unexpectedly, it wasn't her parents who sold her.

It was her sister, Li Yuehua, who had been quite kind to her.

Li Yaqin could understand Li Yuehua's thoughts.

After all, she was on the verge of rising to prominence, and selling a not-so-close younger sister seemed like no big deal.

But understanding was one thing, but to watch herself be sacrificed, sold like livestock?

She couldn't do it!

Deep within her, a resentment and anger grew wildly like weeds, threatening to consume her.

But now that she was "Li Yaqin," she couldn't just sit idly by!

Li Yuehua wanted to climb over her to get ahead? No way!

She was determined to destroy Li Yuehua's ladder to power and make her taste the bitterness of being trampled underfoot!

Back in her room, Li Yaqin placed the basin on the floor and gently removed her shoes and socks.

She carefully immersed her small, red, and cracked feet in the warm water.

A warm current slowly rose from her feet to her heart, making her let out a long, comfortable sigh.

While soaking her feet, she rummaged through a tattered cabinet and found a relatively clean cloth, carefully wiping her face.

This body hadn't been properly washed in a long time; her face and body were covered in dust and grime, rough and unpleasant to the touch.

Li Yaqin couldn't help but frown, but could only sigh helplessly.

As Li Yaqin washed herself, she thought to herself that once she had money, she would buy the best soaps and skincare products to take good care of her body.

The beauty pills in her spatial dimension couldn't be used yet.

Li Yaqin touched her rough cheeks, knowing full well that in this era of scarcity, suddenly becoming beautiful

would be like a beacon in the darkness, only attracting unnecessary trouble.

Those hungry men, those jealous women.

Even… she dared not think further, fearing she would be arrested as a demon.

After washing up, Li Yaqin poured the water from the basin into a larger wooden tub.

This was the Li family's used wash water for the day, already somewhat murky.

In this house, she was always the last to use water, the last to eat, and even this wash water had to be leftovers.

It was utterly disheartening.

Li Yaqin's eyes darkened, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

She would remember every single injustice she suffered in the Li family.

The day she turned the tables, she would make them look at her with newfound respect!

Trying to leech off her? Dream on!

She'd had enough of this miserable life!

This life was unbearable!

However, she couldn't leave the Li family right now.

Without a letter of introduction, she was helpless.

Penniless, she struggled to even eat.

More importantly, Li Yuehua, that ticking time bomb, was always by her side, ready to obliterate her at any moment.

She had to find a way to solve her immediate predicament before she could leave. She needed to use her spatial ability to gather supplies first, and then plan for the future.

She needed to gather supplies quickly; the mountains were a natural treasure trove.

Firewood, herbs… these were all good things that could be exchanged for money.

She had to hurry, before she was sold off, to accumulate as much wealth as possible.

Maybe one day, these things would save her life.

Li Yaqin felt a wave of helplessness.

A sense of frustration welled up inside her; she felt utterly helpless.

But at least she had her cheat-like ability; she could still salvage the situation.

"Hoo…" Li Yaqin let out a long breath, temporarily suppressing her frustration.

Going to the kitchen, she picked up a cleaver from the corner and began chopping sweet potatoes and wild vegetables.

This was the Li family's dinner for tonight. Once her mother brought the rice, she could cook porridge.

After chopping the vegetables, Li Yaqin went to wake Li Xiaoyong.

She pushed open the bedroom door, and a strong stench of sweat hit her.

It made her frown involuntarily.

Inside the bedroom, Li Xiaoyong was fast asleep, sprawled on the dark wooden bed.

This dark wooden bed was made from a century-old log that Li's father's grandfather had felled from the mountain years ago.

It was crafted by the best carpenter in town and was the Li family's most valuable possession.

The story had mentioned that this dark wooden bed was the Li family's most valuable possession.

It was made from a century-old log that Li's father's grandfather had felled from the mountain years ago and crafted by the best carpenter in town.

Li Yaqin remembered that when Li Yuehua got married, her mother had forced Li Xiaoyong to give up this bed, saying it was for Li Yuehua's dowry.

Li Xiaoyong had cried for days because of this.

"Xiaoyong, get up!" Li Yaqin put the basin of water on the ground, walked to the bedside, and gently nudged Li Xiaoyong.

"Don't bother me, let me sleep a little longer!" Li Xiaoyong rolled over, mumbled, and went back to sleep.

"Mom wants you to get up, wash your face, and eat!" Li Yaqin nudged him again.

"Okay, okay!" Li Xiaoyong sat up impatiently, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

Seeing he was awake, Li Yaqin turned and went back to her room to get her shoes.

She needed to put them on quickly to avoid being scolded by her mother.

Li Xiaoyong watched Li Yaqin's practiced movements with sleepy eyes.

So different from his usual timid self, he rubbed his eyes again.

"Fifth Sister, you seem a bit different today," Li Xiaoyong asked, puzzled.

Li Yaqin paused, not turning around, but simply saying, "How so?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it, it's just a feeling..." Li Xiaoyong scratched his head, "Never mind, forget I said anything."

Li Yaqin didn't say anything more. She quickly left the bedroom and put on her shoes.

Although young, Li Xiaoyong was very perceptive.

She had to adapt to this identity as quickly as possible and couldn't reveal any flaws.

"Fifth Sister, why are you so diligent today? Usually, Mom has to urge you several times before you move," Li Xiaoyong asked while washing his face.

"I'm afraid Mom will get angry," Li Yaqin said casually, her tone carrying a hint of the original owner's timidity.

"Hmph, you're such a coward!" Li Xiaoyong pouted, clearly dissatisfied with Li Yaqin's answer.

Li Yaqin ignored him and went to the stove.

She poured the chopped sweet potatoes and wild vegetables into the pot, added some water, covered it, and started a fire.

"Fifth Sister, when do you think Eldest Sister is coming back? I miss her so much," Li Xiaoyong asked, sidling up to Li Yaqin after washing his face.

"I don't know," Li Yaqin replied indifferently.

Of course, she knew when Li Yuehua would return, but she wouldn't tell Li Xiaoyong.

"Eldest Sister always brings me delicious food when she comes back. I wonder what she'll bring this time," Li Xiaoyong said, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Li Yaqin sneered inwardly.

Every time Li Yuehua returned, she would bring Li Xiaoyong some rare city trinkets to win him over.

The original owner of this body could only watch longingly, receiving nothing in return.

"Fifth Sister, do you think Eldest Sister is living a good life in the city?" Li Xiaoyong asked again.

“Yes, eldest sister was the first person in our village to get into high school. She'll definitely be successful in the future.”

Li Yaqin's tone carried a hint of envy, reflecting the original owner's true feelings for Li Yuehua.

“Will eldest sister take us to the city to enjoy a better life?” Li Xiaoyong's eyes gleamed with hope.

“Yes, eldest sister is so good, she definitely won't forget us,” Li Yaqin said, but her heart was cold.

How could Li Yuehua possibly take them to the city to enjoy a better life?

She couldn't wait to get rid of these burdens forever!

“Fifth sister, you're so kind,” Li Xiaoyong suddenly said, his voice muffled.

Li Yaqin was stunned; she hadn't expected Li Xiaoyong to say something like that.

"What's wrong, you little snotty-nosed brat, want to cry again?"

"No, I just feel like you've been extra nice to me today."

"Silly boy, I'm your sister, if I don't help you, who will?"

"Hehe, Fifth Sister is the best!"

Li Yaqin was taken aback; she hadn't expected Li Xiaoyong to say something like that.

She turned to look at Li Xiaoyong, only to see him looking at her with genuine sincerity.

"Silly boy, I'm your sister, if I don't help you, who will?" Li Yaqin's tone was full of affection.

This was the original owner's true feeling towards Li Xiaoyong.

"Hehe, Fifth Sister is the best!" Li Xiaoyong smiled happily.

In this family, only Li Xiaoyong was genuinely kind to her.

"Alright, stop grinning like an idiot, hurry up and eat."

Li Yaqin said, ladling the cooked porridge into a bowl and handing one to Li Xiaoyong.

"Mmm!" Li Xiaoyong took the bowl and ate heartily.

Li Yaqin also ladled herself a bowl of porridge and ate it slowly.

But in her heart, she was already plotting tomorrow's plan.

She was determined to make Li Yuehua pay the price, to make her taste the bitterness of being trampled underfoot!