Chapter 2: Step-Mother’s Scolding

A year later, the apocalypse indeed arrived, and Zhao Xiulan managed to survive for several years in the apocalypse relying on the supplies in her space.

Unexpectedly, she had an accident during a rescue mission for a companion, and after being injured and unconscious, she ended up in this era.

With the space in hand, even in this era of scarce resources, Zhao Xiulan’s life wouldn’t be too difficult.

The throbbing pain in her forehead persisted, and Zhao Xiulan felt dizzy all over.

She reached out to touch her forehead, which was burning hot. The high fever made Zhao Xiulan extremely uncomfortable.

This time, the high fever was caused by Zhao Xiulan’s stepsister, Li Lijuan.

The son of the production team leader, Liu Jianguo, liked the original owner and often took care of her, which made Li Lijuan very jealous.

Despite warning the original owner several times, Li Lijuan still caught her talking to Liu Jianguo and confronted her privately. In a fit of anger, she pushed the original owner into the river.

Although the original owner was rescued, she developed a high fever and passed away. Coincidentally, Zhao Xiulan’s soul crossed over and occupied her body.

Zhao Xiulan didn’t have time to pity the tragic fate of the original owner when she heard a sharp voice outside the door.

“You lazy good-for-nothing girl, do you think we’re feeding you for nothing? It’s scorching outside, and you haven’t even prepared lunch for us yet. What are we going to eat later?”

Zhao Xiulan furrowed her brow. The one speaking was her stepmother, Ma Yumei, whom the original owner had suffered greatly under and greatly feared.

Now that the original owner was in such a state with a high fever, did they still expect her to cook?

Without a response from Zhao Xiulan, Ma Yumei angrily kicked open the door. “Zhao Xiulan, are you deaf or mute? Are you itching for a beating? Let me tell you, get up quickly, or I’ll beat you!”

As Ma Yumei spoke, she forcefully uncovered the quilt covering Zhao Xiulan and lifted her up.

The frail Zhao Xiulan was lifted up by Ma Yumei as if she were lifting a little chick.

Zhao Xiulan furrowed her brow even deeper and tried to push Ma Yumei away, but then she heard her younger sister, Zhao Xiu Zhu, entering the room, pleading with Ma Yumei, “Auntie Mei, my sister has a high fever. Let her rest for a while. I’ll cook.”

As Zhao Xiu Zhu spoke, Ma Yumei began to sneer sarcastically, “What’s wrong with having a fever? We all have to sacrifice and overcome difficulties. In the production team, who gets to rest just because they’re sick? Is she so precious?

“Besides, when you’re sick, you need to move around more to get better!”

“But Aunt Mei… My sister’s body can’t take it anymore…” Zhao Xiu Zhu replied timidly, looking worriedly at Zhao Xiulan’s weak face.

“Hmph, she’s just pretending to be lazy, faking it, not wanting to work. Spoiled brat, the bourgeois young lady, with a hedonistic attitude.” Another mocking voice chimed in, belonging to Zhao Xiulan’s stepsister, Li Lijuan.

The original owner’s mother used to be a young lady from a landlord family. Later, to avoid punishment, she married Zhao Weiguo, a poor farmer for three generations.

Ma Yumei and Li Lijuan often liked to bring up this matter.

Hearing Li Lijuan’s words, Zhao Xiu Zhu lowered her head, afraid that Li Lijuan would target her next.

(End of Chapter 2)