Chapter 3

Yu Li had just worn herself out smashing and destroying things at the Wu family’s house, her heart racing from the exertion.

Turning around, she saw the man standing quietly under an old locust tree, holding the bag of her belongings.

He had broad shoulders and a slim waist, standing tall and upright. The sunlight highlighted his sharply defined features, making him appear even more dashing and aloof. His peach-blossom eyes seemed full of emotion even when he wasn’t smiling. A high nose and thin lips, with a hint of roguish charm at the corners, completed a look that perfectly matched Yu Li’s tastes.

She bit her lip and, recalling how he had leaned down to kiss her on the forehead, his skin glistening with sweat, her cheeks flushed. Embarrassed, she quickly pretended to adjust her bangs, glancing away as if distracted by something else.

This man certainly was handsome. But what captivated her wasn’t just his outward appearance…

Lu Guanshan noticed her shyness and couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

She looked so lovely like this. Though a country girl, her skin was as delicate as jade, untouched by makeup. Her jet-black hair, snow-white skin, rosy cheeks, and cherry lips radiated a natural beauty. Her bright, clear eyes sparkled like gems reflecting the springtime lake, carrying a pure and luminous charm.

Lu Guanshan’s gaze deepened as memories of that moment of reckless passion flashed in his mind.

Her beauty went far beyond the surface, leaving a far more profound impression on him.

“Comrade Yu Li,” he began, his tone earnest, “what happened today was unexpected, and I owe you an apology. Wu Guohua is my comrade, and before I came here, I did hear some rumors that he might be involved with the commissar’s daughter.

Initially, I thought it was none of my business, but now that you’ve officially ended things with him, I hope you’ll consider me instead.

My name is Lu Guanshan. I’m 26 years old, with no bad habits. I currently serve in the 761st Unit in the south. I’ve never been engaged or had any romantic relationships. My only family is my grandfather and grandmother, who are both kind-hearted people.

If you agree, we can start discussing marriage.”

Yu Li bit her lip slightly, remembering the original owner of this body and her dire situation at her parents’ house. She hesitated.

She did need a place to settle, but ending her engagement with Wu Guohua and marrying Lu Guanshan right away felt a bit rushed.

Seeing her hesitation, Lu Guanshan quickly assured her, “After we’re married, you can live with me as part of the army community. I promise to treat you well!”

He admitted to himself that he had fallen for her at first sight.

Even though he was suspicious of the Wu family’s actions, he hadn’t reported them to the authorities.

If he had, Yu Li’s reputation would have been tarnished regardless of her explanations. Instead, this turn of events seemed like a stroke of luck, enabling Yu Li to end her engagement with Wu Guohua and start anew with him.

Faced with Lu Guanshan’s promise, Yu Li thought for a moment and replied directly, “Comrade Lu, although we’ve already… been involved, marriage is a big decision that affects one’s whole life. I need time to think it over. Can you give me some time?”

Lu Guanshan nodded immediately. “Of course. I’ll stay at the guesthouse in town tonight and wait for your answer tomorrow.”

Yu Li: …

One day? Well, better than nothing. She needed to go back to her family’s house first and assess the situation.

The two agreed, and after Lu Guanshan dropped her off near her village and handed her the bag, he headed for town.

Yu Li, with thoughts of whether to marry Lu Guanshan swirling in her mind, made her way home.

As soon as she reached the door, she heard a sarcastic voice.

“Well, well, who do we have here? It’s our dear little sister-in-law! You still remember the way home? I thought some people’s rear ends were permanently stuck at the Wu family’s place!”

Yu Li followed the voice and saw her eldest sister-in-law squatting by the doorway, washing clothes while casting a sideways glare at her.

The memories of the original Yu Li had almost fully integrated with her own, and along with them came the emotions.

Yu Li had two older brothers, both married with children.

Her eldest sister-in-law, Gao Xuelian, had married into the family early and now had an eight-year-old son. With a domineering and sharp-tongued personality, Gao Xuelian had bullied the original Yu Li for years. Though Yu Li’s mother tried to protect her, every argument with Gao Xuelian turned into a massive uproar. Gao would even call her family over to join the fight, threatening to escalate matters further.

This constant conflict left Yu Li deeply afraid of her eldest sister-in-law. After her engagement, she often escaped to the Wu family under the guise of taking care of Wu Guohua’s ill mother, avoiding Gao’s scolding. Yet every time she returned home, Gao Xuelian would greet her with sarcastic remarks, saying the most hurtful things imaginable.

Yu Li’s second sister-in-law, Wang Xinghua, had a mild temperament. She had a daughter and, like Yu Li, was another target of Gao Xuelian’s bullying.

According to the book’s narrative, after Yu Li’s death, her entire family met a tragic end.

Yu Li’s parents died shortly after, consumed by grief over their daughter’s fate. Gao Xuelian took control of the family. Not long after, the second brother and sister-in-law’s daughter, Shiliu, died of a high fever. Unable to conceive another child, the second sister-in-law and her husband were coerced by Gao into spending all their money on supporting her son, claiming he would take care of them in their old age.

But Yu Li’s eldest brother and the second brother and sister-in-law worked tirelessly their entire lives, even selling their rural land to send Gao’s son, nicknamed “Banzuo,” to the city. Once Gao had swindled them out of all their savings, she brazenly announced that Banzuo wasn’t even a child of the Yu family and would never take care of them in their old age.

The eldest brother died on the spot from the shock, while the second brother and sister-in-law lived destitute and died of illness under a bridge. Gao Xuelian then reunited with Banzuo’s biological father in the city, leaving the Yu family in ruins.

Thinking of this, Yu Li felt an overwhelming urge to strangle Gao Xuelian.

When Gao noticed Yu Li’s silence, she sneered again.

“Some people are so guilty they don’t dare say a word when they come home! I’ve never seen anyone so shameless—always running off to her fiancé’s house, ignoring her own family’s work, neglecting her nephew. Always—ah!”

Before she could finish, Yu Li stepped forward and kicked over Gao Xuelian’s washbasin.

Gao shrieked, her voice like a lit firecracker, and stood up, hands on her hips. “Yu Li, you little wench! What are you doing? Huh? Trying to start a rebellion? Why did you kick over my basin?”

Yu Li wasn’t about to back down. She went straight for a fight. “You’re the wench! Your whole family are wretches! I just got home, and you’re already mouthing off. Who do you think you’re cursing? Listen up, Gao Xuelian—stop acting like a rabid dog, biting everyone in sight!

I put up with your insults before, but starting today, if you dare to curse me again, I’ll knock the top off your skull!”

Gao Xuelian pointed a trembling finger at Yu Li, furious. “You dare talk to me like that? I’m your sister-in-law! The eldest sister-in-law is like a mother! You think I won’t slap you?”

Just as she finished speaking, Yu Li’s mother, Chen Ailan, stepped out of the house. She glared coldly at Gao Xuelian.

“Her mother is still here. Who gave you the right to play ‘mother’?

Good job, Li! I was sewing in the house and heard everything your sister-in-law said. If she dares to insult you again, call me. I’ll deal with her myself!”

Seeing her mother, Yu Li felt a sudden pang of emotion, and all her anger melted away.

“Mom.”

She walked over, ignoring the dark-faced Gao Xuelian behind her, and followed her mother into the house. Fighting back her emotions, she said, “I’ve ended my engagement with Wu Guohua.”

Chen Ailan froze, her expression complex. “Why? My daughter is so wonderful—why would they call off the engagement?”

Yu Li’s eyes reddened as she threw herself into her mother’s arms and briefly explained what had happened.

Chen Ailan’s chest heaved with anger. “That shameless old hag from the Wu family! I only let you help them because I felt sorry for their situation as a widow and her son. How dare they behave like this?

Fine, let the engagement end! People like them don’t deserve you! When Wu Guohua comes back, I’ll have your father and brothers beat that scoundrel senseless! But what about this… Lu Guanshan you mentioned? Is he reliable?”