Chapter 3: Beginning

The night grew darker, and the wind grew stronger.

After finishing her meal and cleaning up the dishes, Li Yaqin returned to her room.

She lay in bed, unable to fall asleep.

Scenes from the novel, memories of her past life, and Li Yuehua's hypocritical face flashed through her mind.

"Li Yuehua, you want me to take the blame? Just you wait! I'll make you regret this!" Li Yaqin said through gritted teeth, her eyes gleaming with hatred.

"Knock, knock, knock!" Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Li Yaqin's thoughts.

"Who is it?" Li Yaqin asked, her voice tinged with wariness.

"It's me, your eldest sister!" a familiar voice came from outside the door.

Li Yaqin's heart skipped a beat. Li Yuehua was back!

Why was she back so early? Could it be…

Something had happened, some unforeseen event?

"Fifth Sister, open the door quickly! I'm back!"

Li Yuehua's voice came again, tinged with urgency.

Li Yaqin took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

She walked to the door and opened it.

The night was deep, the dim yellow light of the kerosene lamp flickering on the tattered window paper, illuminating two figures inside.

Li Yaqin stood in the doorway, looking at the glamorous Li Yuehua before her, a cold smile creeping across her face.

Dressed like that, she really thinks she's a city girl? Doesn't she care about being laughed at by the villagers?

"Eldest Sister, you're finally back!" Li Yaqin's face plastered with a joyful smile, but inside she felt nauseous, as if she'd swallowed a fly.

She quickly stepped forward and affectionately took Li Yuehua's arm.

As if the two were some kind of close sisters, acting, anyone could do that.

"Yes, I'm back," Li Yuehua replied indifferently, her gaze sweeping over Li Yaqin.

Her gaze was like that of someone looking at a lowly country bumpkin, full of contempt.

"Big sister, why are you so late? Did something happen on the way?"

Li Yaqin asked with concern, her voice tinged with a hint of probing, as if confirming something.

"Nothing, just a little delayed on the way," Li Yuehua said casually, walking into the house as she spoke.

She tossed the package she was carrying onto the table with utter nonchalance.

"Big sister, have you eaten? I'll go heat some food for you," Li Yaqin said solicitously.

But her gaze subtly swept over Li Yuehua's stomach, trying to discern something.

"No need, I ate on the way," Li Yuehua said, sitting down on the bedside.

She began to take off her shoes, revealing a pair of brand-new leather shoes, strikingly bright in the dim light.

"Big sister, how are you doing in the city? Have you missed us?" Li Yaqin leaned close to Li Yuehua, asking feigned concern.

Inwardly, she had already thoroughly disliked Li Yuehua from head to toe.

"I'm fine, just a bit busy," Li Yuehua replied perfunctorily.

Her eyes, however, kept glancing towards the door, as if anticipating something.

"Big sister, did you come back this time for something?" Li Yaqin finally couldn't hold back any longer.

She needed to find out Li Yuehua's purpose in returning as soon as possible to better implement her plans.

"Hmm, something's happened." Li Yuehua's eyes flickered, as if she hesitated whether to tell Li Yaqin.

"What's wrong, elder sister? Tell me!" Li Yaqin pressed, inwardly sneering. What couldn't she tell me?

Did she think I'd harm her?

"It's nothing, it's just..." Li Yuehua hesitated, a hint of shyness on her face.

"Elder sister, are you having some trouble? Tell me, maybe I can help."

Li Yaqin continued, her tone full of concern, but she already had a vague idea of what was going on. Could it be...?

"Fifth sister, I..." Li Yuehua looked at Li Yaqin, her eyes filled with complex emotions, as if she had a thousand words to say but didn't know where to begin.

"Elder sister, what's wrong? Don't scare me!" Li Yaqin's face showed worry. It seemed the fish was finally taking the bait!

She sneered inwardly. It seemed things were developing exactly as she had predicted.

"Yaqin, I'm pregnant." Li Yuehua finally spoke, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, yet it exploded in Li Yaqin's ears like a thunderclap.

"What? Pregnant?" Li Yaqin exclaimed, her voice trembling.

Her eyes widened, a thousand thoughts flashing through her mind.

Unmarried pregnancy in this era was something to be condemned.

What kind of world is this? Unmarried pregnancy is a crime of indecent assault, punishable by public criticism.

How could Li Yuehua be so careless? How could she be so brazen?

Was she sure the man would take responsibility?

Here it comes, here comes the scapegoat.

Anyway, she'd rather die than become that tragic scapegoat in the book.

“Yes, I’m pregnant.” Li Yuehua nodded, a happy smile spreading across her face.

That smile, however, was glaringly jarring to Li Yaqin, almost like a devil’s smile.

“Big sister, this is wonderful news! Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Li Yaqin forced a smile, suppressing her shock.

Her mind was racing.

“I only found out recently myself,” Li Yuehua said, her eyes gleaming with happiness.

“Big sister, what are you planning to do? Who’s the father?” Li Yaqin asked, her mind filled with questions.

This was different from her memories of her past life; Li Yuehua hadn’t told her family about the pregnancy!

What was going on?

“The father… you know him too, it’s Li Dayong,” Li Yuehua said, a shy smile appearing on her face.

"Does he know you're pregnant?" Li Yaqin asked, feigning indifference.

Of course, she knew from her past life memories.

But to escape this family, to escape Li Yuehua's control,

to escape her tragic fate from her past life, she could only suppress her disgust and feign agreement.

"He...he doesn't know yet," Li Yuehua said, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes.

"Then what are your plans? Eldest sister, you have to tell him quickly!" Li Yaqin said, her heart filled with worry.

"I...I haven't thought about it yet," Li Yuehua said, a look of confusion on her face.

"Eldest sister, don't be afraid, whatever decision you make, I will support you!" Li Yaqin grasped Li Yuehua's hand and said firmly.

"Fifth sister, thank you," Li Yuehua said, moved, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Sister, don't be so polite with me," Li Yaqin said with a smile, but her heart was ice-cold.

She had to quickly devise a new plan to destroy the letter that had led to her tragic fate, only then could she trample Li Yuehua underfoot!

Only then could she change her own miserable destiny!

The night was deep, and a cold wind howled.

Li Yaqin and Li Yuehua lay in bed, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Sister, are you asleep?" Li Yaqin asked softly.

"Not yet, what's up?" Li Yuehua replied.

"Sister, are you really planning to marry that Li Dayong?" Li Yaqin asked, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty.

"Yes, I love him," Li Yuehua said, her tone filled with determination.

"But, he's a soldier, he's away from home most of the time. It will be very hard for you to raise the child alone," Li Yaqin said tentatively, observing Li Yuehua's reaction.

“I’m not afraid of hardship. As long as I can be with him, I’ll be content,” Li Yuehua said, a happy smile on her face.

“Eldest sister, you’re such a fool,” Li Yaqin said, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

“Fifth sister, you don’t understand. For him, I’m willing to do anything,” Li Yuehua said, her eyes gleaming with fervor.

“Love? Can love put food on the table?” Li Yaqin sneered inwardly. She didn’t believe in any of that nonsense about love!

In this world, only money and power are truly reliable!

“Fifth sister, you’ll understand someday,” Li Yuehua said, her voice tinged with mystery.

“I hope so,” Li Yaqin said, closing her eyes and falling silent.

Li Yuehua also closed her eyes, a happy smile playing on her lips.

She had already sent her boyfriend the news of her pregnancy; he should be back soon.