Chapter 11: The Housemaid

After finishing her run, Li Luo stepped into the courtyard—only to be splashed with a bucket of cold water.

“Ah!” she yelped.

Looking up, she saw Han Qiuyu in the yard, covering her mouth, laughter flickering in her eyes though her voice pretended surprise.
“L-Li Luo, I’m so sorry!”

“Are you blind?” Li Luo snapped, slapping her clean across the face without hesitation. Then she turned away, heading into her room for toiletries.

Han Qiuyu froze, then screeched, “You actually dared to hit me?!”

Qin Mian’s voice came from inside, “What’s going on this time?”

“She splashed water on me, so I gave her a slap. Honestly, you’re to blame too. She likes you and can’t stand that a fat woman like me married you, so she keeps picking fights with me,” Li Luo complained.

Qin Mian said flatly, “You’re too useless to handle her yourself, so you blame me?”

Li Luo: “…”

“Brother Qin, Li Luo hit me! Aren’t you going to do something about it?” Han Qiuyu stormed into the room, still furious.

Li Luo shoved her aside. “You two take your time arguing.”

“You, you, you—!”

Li Luo pretended not to hear, striding away. By the time she returned, Han Qiuyu was already gone.

Qin Mian sat at his desk reading.
“How did that woman leave?” Li Luo asked.

“I sent her away,” Qin Mian replied.

Li Luo flicked off the light. “I’m tired. Going to sleep.”

Qin Mian: “…” Didn’t she see him reading? Always thinking only of herself, selfish to the core!

…

The next day, Li Luo took the train back to Qin Mian’s hometown in the south. At the station exit, she saw Old Master Qin and the old lady waiting at the gate, eyes scanning the crowd.

“Father, Mother.”

Since transmigrating, Li Luo had always been dazed when facing these unfamiliar in-laws. She had never properly addressed them before—especially since Old Master Qin had practically kicked her out of the house. But now she greeted them openly.

Old Master Qin’s eyes nearly popped out. The young woman before him was plump but fair, with fine features and smiling eyes. Was this really his daughter-in-law?

His youngest son had said on the phone that she’d slimmed down, become fairer, hardworking, and thrifty. He hadn’t believed it.

After all, she had been gone less than a month—how much could she possibly change?

But seeing her again, the difference was like night and day.

“Luo Luo?” Madam Qin asked cautiously.

Li Luo blinked. “It’s me.”

The old lady looked her up and down, smiling for once. “In just a month, you’ve grown much prettier.” She was still chubby, but now looked healthy and festive.

Before, she had been so unpleasant that you didn’t want to look at her twice. Now, one glance made you want to look again.

Embarrassed by the praise, Li Luo quickly changed the subject: “Why did you both come? Did Qin Mian ask you to?”

“The youngest insisted we come fetch you. Your eldest nephew drove us here in his work car. Look—he’s right over there.” Old Master Qin pointed to a sleek black car parked nearby. He had wanted the boy to wait with them, but the brat refused, saying he was afraid of being frightened by the ‘black bear spirit.’

Nonsense! How was this girl anything like a black bear spirit?

Yes, she was plump, but otherwise quite decent. Her round face even looked dignified and graceful.

Li Luo glanced at the car. Private pedicabs crowded the station, making the automobile stand out even more. The sight of Qin Mian’s nephew filled her with unease, so she quickly looked away.

Old Master Qin asked about her life in the northwest—whether she had adapted, eaten well, or suffered any grievances.

Madam Qin cut in: “Look at Luo Luo now. She clearly hasn’t been mistreated. Thanks to our son’s capability, in less than a month she’s gone from fat, dark, ugly, lazy, and dirty to fair, pretty, clean, and poised. She’s no longer stingy and rude either. And the way she calls us ‘Father, Mother’ is so sweet.”

Li Luo chuckled awkwardly. It was true—she hadn’t been wronged, but somehow she still felt aggrieved.

The three chatted happily until they reached the car.

Li Luo opened the back door for the old couple to sit, but when she tried to get in herself, there wasn’t enough space.

“Luo Luo, sit in front,” Old Master Qin said.

Reluctantly, she obeyed. Opening the passenger door, she caught a glimpse of the arrogant young driver, Qin Jun, then quietly fastened her seatbelt. The soft click of the buckle was followed by the car pulling away.

“Jun, why don’t you greet your little aunt?” Old Master Qin asked.

Qin Jun didn’t even look her way. “I don’t recognize her as my aunt. She was supposed to be my bride, but I refused. Now she clings to my uncle—disgusting.”

“You brat!” Old Master Qin raised his cane.

“Don’t!” Madam Qin grabbed his arm. “He’s driving—what are you thinking?”

“You spoiled him too much!” Old Master Qin muttered, then turned to Li Luo. “Luo Luo, don’t mind this kid’s lack of manners.”

Li Luo only smiled faintly in response.

Qin Jun never once looked directly at her. After dropping them off at home, he drove away without a word.

The Qin family’s courtyard house was on the outskirts of the city: three main rooms with two side wings on each side. Old Master and Madam Qin lived in the east wing. The central room served as the living room. The west wing was Qin Mian’s room, but since he rarely returned, it had practically become hers.

The eldest son and his wife lived in their work unit’s housing.

The east side wing was for Qin Jun and his sister Qin Xinyi, but since Li Luo had married in, they’d been too embarrassed to return.

Li Luo greeted the elders and carried her luggage into her room. The place had long been neglected, especially since the original Li Luo had been so slovenly. Shoes were scattered everywhere, clothes piled high on the bed—most of them Qin Mian’s belongings she had once rummaged through and abandoned.

Back then, she had been at rock bottom and had no energy to clean. Now she rolled up her sleeves. She gathered the clothes to wash, stacked shoes neatly, dusted the clean ones, and stored them in the wardrobe. Then she swept, mopped, and wiped down furniture.

In the living room, Old Master Qin read the paper while the old lady watched TV. Hearing the noise from the yard, they looked up.

Well, well—

The girl who had never lifted a broom was actually cleaning!

“This girl really has become diligent,” Old Master Qin said in surprise.

The old lady snorted. “Don’t count on it. Once she’s out of our youngest’s sight, she’ll probably go back to her old ways in a few days.”

Old Master Qin disagreed. “The youngest straightened her out before sending her back. Want to bet?”

“No.”

“…”

Li Luo gave the courtyard a quick clean, wiped down the clothesline, then washed all the clothes, drying them neatly in the sun.

When Madam Qin cooked, Li Luo lit the stove.

“When Mian was young, he was just like you—always helping me with the fire or chopping vegetables when I cooked.”

Li Luo thought to herself, Funny, I never saw him do that in the northwest. He only came home for meals, leaving me to cook like a free maid.

She needed to find a job. With stable work, she wouldn’t have to live under anyone’s roof or depend on Qin Mian.

Quietly, she listened as Madam Qin reminisced, the two of them preparing dinner together. Afterward, Li Luo silently cleared the table, washed dishes, wiped surfaces, and stacked stools.

Madam Qin leaned back in her chair, satisfied. “Luo Luo, from now on, you’ll be helping more around the house, alright?” Having a daughter-in-law nearby was certainly more comfortable.

Li Luo murmured an agreement.

After tidying up, she went to wash up and finally lay down.

A full day and night of traveling, then cleaning and chores—she was exhausted.

As she drifted off, she silently begged, Please let me wake up back in the modern world. Life here is unbearable.