Hao Liping listened to Chen Xiuping’s words, her eyes flickering with a dazed expression. In her mind, aside from Lu Beiting’s flawless face, all she could think of was her nitpicky mother-in-law and her troublemaking sister-in-law.  

She let out a cold snort, then hooked her arm around Chen Xiuping’s and whispered, “Mom, you don’t understand. Gu Yunshen will go to college and settle down in the city. As for that Lu Beiting—hah! Just forget about him. He’s done for!”  

“And Mom, what’s there to worry about? Let Xia Zhi marry him. Marrying a man with a first-class merit award—she might even be secretly thrilled.”  

As she spoke, a trace of hatred flashed in Hao Liping’s eyes. In her past life, Lu Beiting had been injured on the battlefield and returned to the military compound to recover, only to end up permanently damaged—incapable of ever having children.  

Because of that, she had been dragged down too. Everyone around her called her a “barren hen,” and in the end, she suffered daily abuse from her mother-in-law.  

Meanwhile, Xia Zhi and Gu Yunshen thrived in the city, eventually even becoming wealthy business owners.  

But this time, she had been reborn—a whole month earlier. So, a month ago, she had already started showering Gu Yunshen with attention, successfully seducing him.  

In this life, she would be the boss’s wife. As for the title of “commander’s wife,” she’d leave it to Xia Zhi—let her suffer in a living widowhood.  

Today’s incident had been deliberate. She had arranged for Xia Zhi to be absent, hoping to ruin her reputation and make her an object of scorn. Who knew the little wretch would return so early?  

A trace of resentment flickered in Hao Liping’s eyes. How dare that bitch live a better life than me?

Chen Xiuping listened to her daughter’s confident words, her expression puzzled.  

“Are you serious? Liping, that Battalion Commander Lu looks perfectly healthy. How could he be… done for?”  

Hao Liping knew she wouldn’t believe it, so she leaned in and whispered in her ear.  

“It’s true, Mom. I have insider information…”  

Chen Xiuping immediately covered her mouth, staring at her in shock. “R-really?”  

Hao Liping nodded solemnly.  

Chen Xiuping’s expression turned grave. If that were really the case, there was no way she’d let her precious daughter marry into such a situation—who knew how much suffering she’d endure?  

Xia Zhi wiped her tears, her sharp ears catching snippets of their conversation. Her heart jolted with shock, again and again.  

So… Hao Liping was reborn?

And just like that… I’ve been forced into a marriage swap?

Whether it was true or not, Gu Yunshen was already tainted in her eyes—disgusting. Besides, Hao Liping was shortsighted, only seeing the surface of things.  

It was true that Gu Yunshen eventually got into college, but afterward, his vanity drove him to borrow money just to settle in the city.  

In the end, the original host (Xia Zhi) was the one who had to repay all the debts. It was also the original host who pushed and supported him every step of the way, helping him climb to success.  

Once Gu Yunshen became a wealthy boss, he pretended to be a loving husband in public, but in secret, he resented the original host for pressuring him and frequently abused her.  

Chen Xiuping hesitated for a moment before making up her mind and turning to Hao Dazhuang.  

“Husband, since things have already come to this… I think since Yunshen and Liping have already… you know… we might as well let it be. As for Battalion Commander Lu, let’s have Xia Zhi marry him instead.”  

“After all, Xia Zhi has been eating our food and using our things all these years. She’s practically half a daughter to us—it’s the same either way.”  

Xia Zhi nearly rolled her eyes. What do you mean, ‘eating your food and using your things’? The Hao family had taken advantage of the original host’s orphan status, pretending to adopt her while treating her like a servant.  

Not just the Hao family—even the Gu family, once they realized the original host had feelings for Gu Yunshen, called her their “future daughter-in-law” to her face but made her do all the dirty, exhausting work behind her back.  

For nearly three years, the original host had slaved for them without complaint.  

No wonder she’s the female lead in a Mary Sue novel—she just won’t die from overwork!

Because of it, the female lead, who should have been a vibrant twenty-year-old, looked malnourished and worn out. Standing next to Hao Liping, the difference was like night and day.  

Well, I’m not taking this crap! 

When the suggestion of switching brides was made, Gu Yunshen frowned. If he married Hao Liping, wouldn’t he be scorned by everyone around him?

Moreover, everyone in his family adored Xia Zhi—she was efficient, capable, and obedient.

Gu Yunshen spoke without a hint of genuine remorse, his tone dripping with condescension.  

“Zhi Zi, this was my mistake. I misjudged her.”  

As if she should be grateful for his half-hearted “apology.”  

Of course, Xia Zhi is so infatuated with me—she won’t mind. And even if she does, that just means she’s petty.

If he really married Hao Liping, Xia Zhi would regret it sooner or later. She’d be the one crying in secret.  

Xia Zhi rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. Wow, so I’m just the trash collector now?

Before she could even respond, Hao Liping was already stomping her feet in panic.  

“Brother Yunshen! How can you say that?!”  

If he refused to marry her, wouldn’t she still end up with Lu Beiting?  

The thought of that suffocating married life made her tremble in fear, her face pale as she clutched Chen Xiuping’s sleeve.  

“Mom, I have to marry Brother Yunshen!”  

Chen Xiuping patted her daughter’s hand soothingly. “Liping, don’t worry. Now that I know that’s a pit of fire, I won’t let you jump into it.”  

Then, she turned to Xia Zhi with a magnanimous air.  

“Xia Zhi, the Hao family has raised you all these years. Besides, marrying Battalion Commander Lu is a blessing you wouldn’t get even in three lifetimes.”  

If not for knowing the truth about Lu Beiting…  

I wouldn’t even let this little bitch have such a ‘good’ marriage.

Xia Zhi burst into laughter—cold, furious laughter.  

“A blessing? Then why don’t you give this ‘blessing’ to your precious Hao Liping? She is your real daughter, after all.”  

Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms. Where’s my knife?

At this point, she was absolutely certain—Hao Liping had been reborn.  

Chen Xiuping’s face twisted in anger. “Xia Zhi! We’re doing this for your own good! Don’t be ungrateful!”  

If she dared refuse, Chen Xiuping would make sure she couldn’t even marry Lu Beiting—she’d be betrothed to some deadbeat bachelor in town instead.  

No matter what, she wouldn’t let her own daughter suffer.  

A sharp pang of bitterness surged in Xia Zhi’s chest—probably the original host’s lingering emotions.  

Just then, Zhang Xiao, who had rushed over after hearing the news, gasped in horror and immediately grabbed Gu Yunshen’s arm.  

Everyone in the military compound knew Xia Zhi had loved Gu Yunshen since childhood. The Gu family had long treated her as their future daughter-in-law.  

“Y-Yunshen! How could you do this to Zhi Zi? Have you lost your mind?!”  

Zhang Xiao couldn’t even meet Xia Zhi’s eyes, her guilt written all over her face.  

Just hearing about the scandal on her way here had shocked her. How could her son be so reckless? The whole compound was already buzzing with gossip—  

That shameless pair actually hooked up in his fiancée’s own room!

But since it had already happened… if he still married Xia Zhi afterward, wouldn’t they be crucified by public opinion?  

“Zhi Zi, Yunshen was wrong. But you know how much I care about you—all these years, I’ve treated you like my own daughter.”  

Zhang Xiao forced a smile, her voice pleading.  

“Please, for my sake, let this go. From now on, I’ll cherish you as my real daughter.”