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Chapter 1: A Shameless Lunatic

Eighteen-year-old Ayuan was recognized in Tianxiang Village as the most obedient, well-behaved girl—she always listened to her parents.

If they told her to go east, she would never dare to go west.

With such a daughter, Shen Xiuying felt completely at ease, convinced it was proof of her own good upbringing.

But this was no longer the real Ayuan. This was Cheng Yuanyue, a modern fashion designer who had transmigrated into the body of her namesake in a period novel.

When she realized who she had become, she remembered the few short lines describing this character in the book.

And in the very next moment, she recalled the tragic fate awaiting this “perfectly obedient” village girl: her family would marry her off to an old man. That old man had… peculiar preferences in bed, especially after drinking.

In the book, this gentle, compliant girl lasted less than three months after the marriage before being tormented to death.

Yes—Cheng Yuanyue was just a minor, pitiful side character. She was only mentioned at all because she once saved the gravely injured male lead. But before he could repay her, her family forced her into marriage, and within three months she perished.

Back when she had first read the novel, Cheng Yuanyue (the modern one) had been furious—furious that the girl shared her name, furious at her weakness. Ayuan never resisted her family, never dared to speak up. Even saving the male lead, she told no one, so the merit was stolen by the heroine. And then she was casually written off, beaten to death by an old man.

Back then, the reader Yuanyue had felt pity, helplessness, and a bit of scorn—“pitiful people often have their own flaws.”

Now, standing before her, was the original Ayuan’s mother, Shen Xiuying. A dark-skinned middle-aged woman in a faded floral shirt, hair tied up with a rubber band, speaking to her about her marriage.

The background of the story should be around 1988.

“Ayuan, since you were little you’ve always been the most sensible, the most obedient. Your brother got into trouble this time, and our family has no other way. We begged Boss Qiao, and he said if you marry him, he’ll make sure you live well—never worry about food or clothing. Be good, listen. As long as you marry Boss Qiao, he’ll put in a good word, and your brother will be fine. He’ll be home the day after tomorrow.”

Dressed in a faded white blouse, Cheng Yuanyue lowered her head like a dutiful daughter. “Mother, since you’ve arranged it, I’ll listen to you. But… will Big Brother really be back the day after tomorrow?”

To avoid suspicion, she perfectly mimicked the original Ayuan’s meek demeanor. Shen Xiuying noticed nothing amiss.

When her eldest son got into trouble, Shen Xiuying’s first thought was to sell her daughter’s marriage. In this family, Ayuan had no say at all. Once a decision was made, her only road was to marry.

When her brother made mistakes as a child, she was the one beaten.
If her brother went hungry because she didn’t cook in time, she was the one beaten.

She was Shen Xiuying’s second daughter.

She also had a younger sister, only ten, with a lame leg from a childhood injury. The original Ayuan loved her dearly, never letting her suffer the slightest grievance.

Two days ago, her elder brother, Cheng Jiafu, injured someone in a fight. The victim called the police, and Jiafu was taken away.

Shen Xiuying found out that to bring him home, the family would need to pay 500 yuan in compensation.

They didn’t have that kind of money—so she set her sights on her eldest daughter. Boss Qiao had coveted Ayuan for a long time, and now, seeing the chance, he offered a bride price of 630 yuan, plus promised to pull strings at the police station.

“That’s more like it. Your father’s legs are no good, and your brother is the pillar of this family. Now that he’s in trouble, as his sister, it’s your duty to help him. Tomorrow morning I’ll dress you up nicely. When Boss Qiao comes, you’ll leave with him.”

“I’ll do as Mother says,” Yuanyue nodded gently. “As long as Big Brother comes home, I’ll do anything.”

“I knew you were the most sensible. If not for Boss Qiao, your brother might spend years inside. He’s a good man, he’ll treat you well, as long as you stay obedient.”

“Mm.”

“Since you’re marrying tomorrow, no need to go to the fields today. Stay home and pack your things.” Shen Xiuying sighed as she looked at her daughter.

Her girl was beautiful, meek, obedient—such a shame to marry her off like this. If not for her son’s trouble, she would never have agreed so early.

But since Ayuan had agreed, she left her at home and went out to work.

Others might not know, but Cheng Yuanyue knew exactly what Boss Qiao was like.

He was fifty-two, a drunk, who beat his wives when he was drunk.

His first three wives had all been beaten to death.

Her mother must know this too. But to her, it didn’t matter—if sacrificing her daughter could save her son, then it was worth it. If Yuanyue resisted, she’d be punished—sometimes by being denied food, sometimes by having her little sister punished alongside her.

To Shen Xiuying, daughters only existed to serve Cheng Jiafu. If they couldn’t, they were worthless, ungrateful—better to throw them out.

“Second Sister.” Her lame little sister Fangfang tugged at her sleeve. “That Boss Qiao is old enough to be our grandfather. What is Mother thinking?”

“She has no choice.” Yuanyue patted her head. “I hid some things in the mountain cave yesterday. I’ll fetch them now. Stay home and watch the house.”

“Second Sister, if you don’t want to marry, we’ll think of another way. There must be another way to save Brother.” Fangfang’s eyes turned red at the thought of her sister marrying an old man.

“Marrying an old man isn’t so bad.” Yuanyue looked at the sky and smiled faintly. “He’s so old—I’ll definitely outlive him.”

If she couldn’t escape marriage, she’d just have to do something else.

In the book, this was when the original Ayuan rescued the male lead and hid him in a mountain cave.

She grabbed a hatchet, packed some food and water, and headed for the mountain.

On the way, villagers saw her and looked at her with pity. Yuanyue only smiled meekly, playing the obedient girl, and walked on.

Behind the village stood Shili Mountain—a towering range, peaks disappearing into the clouds.

After half an hour, she reached a low tree, pushed aside some branches, and revealed a hidden cave entrance.

It was a place the original had discovered as a child, and she often came here to hide.

Yesterday, she had dragged a man into this cave—the male lead of the book.

When she found him, he was bloodied, unconscious, gravely wounded. She had cleaned his wounds, used herbs to detoxify him, and left him food and water.

Now, faint coughing drifted from inside—he was still alive.

Lying feverish on the ground, the man turned toward the noise. He saw a plain-dressed girl approaching, her lowered gaze making her look meek and demure.

She crouched, checked his breath, and muttered, “Still alive.”

“Who are you?” His voice was hoarse.

“Who are you?” she countered.

“I… only remember my name is Lu Chen. Nothing else.” His mind was a blank.

Yuanyue leaned closer suddenly. “How’s your body now?”

Lu Chen’s breathing faltered at her nearness. “Better… thank you…”

Before he could finish, she twirled the hatchet in her hand and asked, “You don’t remember being married, do you?”

“No.” Though he couldn’t recall anything, he was sure he wasn’t married.

“Good.” She set the hatchet down. “Anyway, we’ll never see each other again. I want to sleep with you now. Your body can handle it, right?”

Lu Chen’s fever-hazed mind went instantly clear. What kind of insane woman was this?

And he was still an injured patient—how could she even think of this?

Watching his shocked, indignant face, Yuanyue found it rather amusing.

“Don’t agree?”

Lu Chen glared. “Give me one reason.”

“I’m about to be married off. Isn’t that reason enough?”

He shut his eyes. On the outside, she looked obedient and meek, but every word from her lips could drive a man mad.

“…Then I’ll trouble you to do it yourself. I don’t believe you’d be shameless enough to actually—”

Marry tomorrow, yet wanting to give herself to a stranger today—wasn’t this lunacy?

A shameless lunatic.

Yuanyue only smiled, touched his forehead. Burning hot with fever.

She didn’t care.

Standing up, she began peeling off her white blouse, then her inner garments.

After all, this was just a book. And the man before her was the male lead.

If she wanted to sleep with him, what was the harm?

Lu Chen, thinking she had given up, opened his eyes—only to see her undressing.

His eyes widened in shock. She was serious?!