Chapter 7: Strangers

Suddenly, a small figure rushed out.

It was Li Xiaoyong. Like a young calf protecting its cub, he unhesitatingly stood in front of Li Yaqin.

"Mom, don't hit my sister!"

He spread his arms, his thin body struggling to shield his sister behind him, his youthful face full of stubbornness.

"Sister, I believe in you. You will definitely have a good life!"

Li Xiaoyong's voice trembled slightly, but each word was emphasized, as if making a vow.

He looked up at Li Yaqin, his eyes filled with unwavering trust and pure, unconditional love—the love of a younger brother.

"Xiaoyong..."

Li Yaqin looked at the small figure standing in front of her, her heart trembling slightly.

Looking at Li Xiaoyong's youthful yet resolute face, she felt that unconditional trust and protection, and a warm current flowed through her heart.

Although she was selfish and self-serving, she was somewhat perfunctory towards her younger brother.

The kindness the original owner had shown Li Xiaoyong had been reciprocated.

At least, in this oppressive, suffocating home, there was still one person genuinely caring for her, standing by her side without reservation.

"Alright, alright, stop fooling around, let's get to work."

Watching this scene of deep affection between the siblings, Li's mother, who had been raising her hand high, finally let it fall limply.

Her heart softened, and she let out a long sigh, her voice filled with weariness and helplessness.

"Mm."

Li Yaqin nodded speechlessly, her desire to escape this home growing even stronger.

This life was truly unbearable; she didn't want to stay a moment longer.

Looking at Li Yuehua, who had come with Li Xiaoyong.

Li Yaqin lowered her head. This damned life!

Her sister and brother didn't have to do farm work, only she did, working herself to the bone like an ox.

"Alright, stop standing there, get to work."

Mother Li waved her hand again, her tone much gentler, as if her anger had dissipated into the fields.

She bent down again, her rough fingers skillfully pulling up the weeds, continuing her daily labor.

Li Yaqin silently followed behind her mother, bending down to weed as well.

But her mind was already far away, plotting how to use her special ability to completely change her fate and escape this suffocating home.

Li Yaqin silently followed behind her mother, bending down to weed as well.

Her hands moved mechanically and numbly, but her mind had already wandered far away.

She bit her lower lip, feeling the damp cold of the soil, but a fire ignited in her heart.

No, I can't live like this forever!

I can't be like my mother, trapped in this land, never to rise again.

Space… her jade bottle, it can definitely help me change my fate.

I need to think carefully about how to use it to achieve my plan step by step.

First, I need to change the situation of being framed…

The sun was blazing, and the water in the field was slightly hot from the heat.

Li Yaqin bent over, planting rice seedlings into the soil one by one, beads of sweat rolling down her cheeks and soaking her clothes.

“Yuehua, come here for a moment.”

Her mother’s rough voice came from the edge of the field. Li Yaqin straightened up, wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, and looked in the direction of the voice.

Li Yuehua was squatting by the field washing her hands when she heard her mother call.

She stood up, brushed the dirt off her clothes, and quickly went to her mother's side, asking with a puzzled look, "What's wrong, Mother?"

Li's mother carefully took an envelope from her bosom and handed it to Li Yuehua.

The envelope was slightly yellowed, the edges curled up slightly, and the words "For the Li Family" were written on it, the handwriting strong and powerful, exuding the ruggedness of a soldier.

Li Yuehua's heart suddenly raced, her fingertips trembling slightly. She had a strong premonition that this letter must be related to Li Dayong, whom she thought about day and night.

"This is..." Li Yuehua's voice trembled, carrying a hint of expectation and unease.

"This is a letter Dayong sent back," her mother said in a low voice, looking at her daughter with a complex expression. "Take a look."

Li Yuehua took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she took the envelope, her fingernails gently scratching open the seal, and took out the neatly folded letter inside.

She read it word by word, her gaze fixed intently on each syllable, afraid to miss a single detail.

The letter was from Li Dayong to his parents, filled with longing and care for his family. He said he was doing well in the army and there was no need to worry.

Suddenly, Li Yuehua's gaze froze, her face turning deathly pale.

She read in the letter that he had married a woman, the sister of one of his comrades.

He also said that he would bring his wife back to visit his parents in a while.

Li Yuehua felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, leaving her utterly chilled.

She couldn't believe her eyes, staring repeatedly at those lines, each word like a sharp knife piercing her heart.

Li Yuehua gripped the letter tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, almost drawing blood.

She felt dizzy, as if the whole world was spinning.

She couldn't understand why her brother Dayong would treat her like this.

Had he forgotten their vows?

had he forgotten the happy times they had spent together?

A surge of intense hatred welled up inside her. She wanted nothing more than to rush to Dayong and confront him, demanding to know why he had betrayed her.

But where could she find him?

She felt utterly lost about the future, unsure of what to do.

“Yuehua, what’s wrong?” Looking at her daughter’s distraught state, Li’s mother asked with heartache, her eyes reddening.

“Mother, I’m fine,” Li Yuehua managed a weak smile, her voice trembling with tears.

“Dayong is married. That’s a good thing. I should be happy for him.”

“It’s good that you think that way.” Li’s mother nodded with relief, gently patting her daughter’s shoulder. “Let’s go home.”

The two walked side by side home, the setting sun casting long shadows.

Li Yuehua walked silently, head down, tears streaming down her face, dripping onto the soil beneath her feet.

Back home, Li Yuehua locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone.

She lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind a complete blank.

She and he had grown up together, childhood sweethearts, inseparable, spending countless happy times together climbing mountains to raid bird nests and catching fish and shrimp in the river.

They had made so many beautiful vows, promising to be together forever. But now, everything had vanished, leaving only endless pain and memories.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe Dayong would marry someone else! This letter must be fake!"

Li Yuehua suddenly sat up in bed, crying hysterically, her hands gripping the blanket tightly, her knuckles white.

"Sister, don't cry." Li Yaqin pushed open the door and came in, looking at her sister who was crying her eyes out.

But she felt little sympathy; instead, a barely perceptible sense of satisfaction flashed through her mind.

Li Dayong was married; this was good news for her.

She looked at her sister with feigned concern and said, "Dayong is married now, that's a fact, we all have to accept it."

"Crying won't solve anything, let's think about what to do next."

"I won't accept it! I won't accept it!" Li Yuehua cried her heart out, shaking her head desperately, tears blurring her vision.

“I’m going to find him! I want to ask him why he did this to me!” Li Yuehua struggled to get out of bed, but Li Yaqin grabbed her tightly.

“Sister, calm down!” Li Yaqin held her sister tightly, her voice trembling.

“Where are you going to find him now? He’s in the army; you won’t be able to see him!”

“I don’t care! I’m going to find him!” Li Yuehua struggled violently, trying to break free from Li Yaqin’s embrace, but the hold only tightened.

“Sister, listen to me!” Li Yaqin’s voice rose a few decibels, tinged with anxiety.

“Even if you find him now, what can you do? He’s already married. Do you want him to abandon his wife and be with you?”

Li Yuehua froze, staring blankly at Li Yaqin, tears streaming down her cheeks, unable to utter a single word.

“Sister, we're all grown up now. We can't be as willful as children anymore.”

Li Yaqin gently patted her sister's back, comforting her tenderly. “Da Yong has his own choices, and we should respect them.”

“But…but I…” Li Yuehua's tears welled up again, choking her words.

“I really love him so much!”

“I know, I know,” Li Yaqin said softly, hugging her sister tightly, her eyes also slightly red.

“I know you're sad, and I'm sad too. But we can't live in the past forever; we have to look forward.”

Li Yaqin sneered inwardly. Li Yuehua and Da Yong?

So what if they were childhood sweethearts?

They still couldn't withstand reality.

Men are all unreliable.

However, this gave her an opportunity to shake Li Yuehua's resolve…