Chapter 1 Jumping into the Lake

“Little wife, don’t be afraid! It’ll be over soon~”

That voice echoed in Lin Qiyue’s ears, and a sharp, splitting pain shot through her head. She jerked awake and opened her eyes—only to see a man in his forties or fifties leaning in to kiss her.

Lin Qiyue immediately slapped him.

There was nothing around them for cover, just a tree, and beyond that was a road. Behind her was a vast lake. If she ran there with her hair disheveled, people would definitely misunderstand.

“You dare hit me? You’re just a worthless abandoned village woman! You’d be better off giving in to me. I can at least take care of you at the factory.”

The older man, furious, tried to force himself on her. Lin Qiyue felt utterly disgusted and gave him another slap, then kicked him hard in the groin. She used so much force he’d probably be in pain for a good while.

As the man, enduring the pain, tried to hit her back, Lin Qiyue heard someone coming. To protect her chastity in this conservative era, she had no choice but to run straight into the middle of the lake.

The man saw this and, terrified, turned and fled.

Lin Qiyue still couldn’t believe what was happening—she had transmigrated into a “spoiled wife” novel as a female supporting character doomed to die young.

She was the wife of the male lead.

Because the male lead’s parents had been sent down to the countryside in their early years, they owed a debt of gratitude to the Lin family—specifically to Lin Qiyue’s father, who had helped them survive those tough times.

After the Lan family was brought back to the city in the second year, a major flood hit the countryside. Lin Qiyue’s father died trying to save others, and her mother passed away less than two years later.

To repay the Lin family’s kindness, the Lan family brought Lin Qiyue to the city, cared for her, and supported her education through high school.

But gossip spread through the courtyard: Lin Qiyue was being raised as the Lan family’s eldest son’s child bride. This sparked jealousy in the girl Lan Chuhe liked.

On New Year’s Eve, while everyone was busy, she drugged Lin Qiyue and arranged for her to end up in bed with another boy from the compound. That way, Lin Qiyue would be ruined and unable to marry Lan Chuhe.

But by mistake, that boy avoided the trap by going to the restroom. Instead, the drugged drink was given to the male lead, Lan Yuchu, by his beloved “white moonlight,” Duan Manyue.

After drinking it, Lan Yuchu mistakenly entered Lin Qiyue’s room, and the two of them ended up spending the night in the same bed.

When Lin Qiyue woke up, she had no memory of what happened and just cried uncontrollably.

To smooth things over, Lan Yuchu was forced to marry her.

The day after their wedding, he returned to the army.

In the original story, Duan Manyue later realized it was her drink that caused the incident.

She confessed to her friend Shen Qingmiao, who manipulated her by saying that if Lan Yuchu found out, he’d never like her again, not even as a friend.

This made Duan Manyue too afraid to come clean. Instead, she tried to help Lin Qiyue and console her many times.

She originally wanted to step aside for Lin Qiyue and Lan Yuchu, but didn’t realize Shen Qingmiao—Lan Chuhe’s wife—was the one who had schemed against Lin Qiyue all along.

She kept whispering poisonous words into Lin Qiyue’s ears, saying that Lan Yuchu would divorce her at any moment and that she should quickly find another path for herself.

In secret, Shen Qingmiao once again set up Lin Qiyue—this time to get a spot in the textile factory—by arranging for her to be assaulted by an old man.

Afterward, she kept threatening Lin Qiyue with the incident.

Meanwhile, Duan Manyue, who Lin Qiyue viewed as a love rival, often showed her concern and spoke gently, which made Lin Qiyue feel mocked and overshadowed.

She believed Duan Manyue had stolen the man she loved.

Eventually, Lin Qiyue developed schizophrenia and died unexpectedly.

The male lead mourned her for three years. Duan Manyue waited for him for three years. Only after repeated persuasion from their families did they finally get married and have their happy ending.

The Lin Qiyue who transmigrated into this world had the same name as the original character.

When she ran into the lake, it was partly to scare off the old man, partly hoping it might send her back to her own world.

But unexpectedly, her leg cramped up!

She felt herself sinking with no way to float back up and slowly closed her eyes.

Whether she could return to her world was still uncertain.

What was certain was—she was really about to drown!

Just her luck—she transmigrated only to die right away.

Suddenly, a strong hand grabbed her and pulled her up, swimming toward the shore.

By the time she was saved, Lin Qiyue had lost all strength and passed out.

“Oh my! Whose daughter is this? Trying to jump into the lake?!”

A crowd gathered. Lin Qiyue’s clothes were disheveled and she lay unconscious.

The man who saved her was wearing a military uniform. He didn’t care about appearances and performed chest compressions to expel the water from her lungs.

After several presses, Lin Qiyue began to vomit water and gasp for air.

“Isn’t that the Lan family’s little wife?! Why would she try to jump into the lake? What’s going on?!”

A middle-aged woman recognized Lin Qiyue and cried out in shock upon seeing her soaked and having physical contact with a man.

“She’s married! How can she let another man touch her?!”

“Didn’t you see she was about to die?! This comrade was trying to save her!”

Someone from the crowd who understood the situation stood up to defend Lin Qiyue.

But Lin Qiyue, having held her breath for too long, passed out again.

“This girl’s been in the water too long—her life is in danger! She needs to be taken to the hospital immediately.”

A woman in her thirties, who seemed to have some medical knowledge, urged the man to take Lin Qiyue to the hospital.

“Got it.”

Without hesitation, the man picked Lin Qiyue up and rushed her to the hospital.

The unconscious Lin Qiyue began to recall fragments of memories in her mind. She had indeed transmigrated into a novel—a tragic supporting character named Lin Qiyue. She had never harmed anyone, yet her life had been ruined by mere rumors.

Because of this marriage, even her mother-in-law became cold toward her, believing she had schemed to marry her most outstanding son.

“Comrade, your wife is out of danger now. Once she wakes up, you can go ahead with the discharge process. However, she’s suffering from severe malnutrition. She’ll need to rest and recuperate well after going home. With such a weak body, it’s truly a miracle she survived drowning,” the doctor said.

The man nodded helplessly and replied, “Doctor, I’ve noted your instructions. Thank you.”

The doctor waved it off. “No problem. Just call me if anything comes up.”

The man watched the doctor leave, then sat down beside Lin Qiyue and tucked her blanket in.

Looking at her pale, thin face, he frowned slightly and thought to himself, “I’ve been sending money home every month. Why is she still so thin?”

Lan Yuchu was confused. After getting off the train, he had headed straight home. Along the way, he’d heard some commotion.

Initially, he hadn’t planned to intervene, but when he heard the vulgar threats, he became furious.

That man was clearly trying to coerce someone. When Lan Yuchu tried to step in, he saw a frail figure fall into the lake.

When he rescued her, he realized it was the woman he had married three years ago.

Though he didn’t like her, he also knew the whole situation hadn’t been her fault.

Because he had received sudden deployment orders back then, he didn’t have time to investigate everything before rushing back to the army.

As he was lost in thought, Lin Qiyue suddenly coughed violently, waking up from her nightmare. She felt like she was suffocating and gasped for breath.

Drenched in cold sweat, Lin Qiyue tried to sit up. Lan Yuchu immediately helped her and gently patted her back.

“Here, have some water.”

Lan Yuchu poured her a glass and handed it to her.

Lin Qiyue was indeed parched and took a few sips.

“Thank you… for saving me.” Lin Qiyue looked up and immediately recognized him as the man who had rescued her.

Lan Yuchu took the cup from her, and in that moment, their eyes met.

The memories in her mind confirmed—this man was the male lead, Lan Yuchu.

He had sword-like brows and striking features, with sun-kissed skin and a righteous aura. Though handsome, he looked a little intimidating.

He was tall, well-built, the exact type many girls would swoon over. He wore a dark blue shirt, and his military uniform was folded on the chair.

Lin Qiyue’s heart began to race. His gaze was sharp, almost as if interrogating a criminal. It made her shiver a bit.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know where to start.

Wait—why am I so nervous? she scolded herself. I didn’t even do anything wrong.

She anxiously tucked the blanket tighter around her and asked, her voice slightly trembling, “Y-You’re back?”

Damn it! Why am I stuttering?

Wasn’t she the famous sharp-tongued senior from university? How could she lose her cool like this?

But honestly, this male lead was exactly her type—far too handsome.

Lan Yuchu looked at her timid and nervous expression. It was just like the first time he’d seen her—not very good with words.

“You stay here. I’ll go handle the discharge paperwork.”

After Lan Yuchu left, Lin Qiyue finally let out a sigh of relief.

She was just about to graduate from university in her real life. After getting excited about landing a job as a translator, she hadn’t been able to sleep—then suddenly died from exhaustion.

No way. I have to turn things around. I’m already here—I can’t follow the original plotline, or I’ll just end up dead again.

Stabilize first. Once she had a grip on the situation, she could divorce the male lead and let the original main couple be together. After all, she was his wife now.

After finishing the discharge process and picking up some medication, Lan Yuchu packed up and brought Lin Qiyue home.

On the way back, Lin Qiyue silently grumbled. The original Lin Qiyue was way too frail—just a few steps and she’s exhausted!

Lan Yuchu noticed her weak and weary appearance. She was lagging far behind, looking utterly drained despite carrying nothing.

“I’ve been sending you money. Why are you even thinner than when we got married?” Lan Yuchu finally couldn’t hold back and asked.

Their family wasn’t poor. His parents both had stable jobs, and Lin Qiyue worked as a clerk at a factory, earning at least 40 yuan a month. How could she be this skinny?

Lin Qiyue wanted to explain.

But what could she say? The original Lin Qiyue had been too timid. With just a few words from her sister-in-law, she handed over all her money.

Lan Yuchu’s parents worked long hours and were barely home. She was left to handle all the housework—not only for herself, but also for her sister-in-law’s whole family.

The money Lan Yuchu sent home each month was taken by that sister-in-law as well, leaving Lin Qiyue with nothing.

No wonder she ended up malnourished.