From seven in the morning to eleven, from sunrise to the blazing midday sun, Lin Erxia and Lin Ailian were too exhausted to even speak. Their throats were so dry they felt like they were smoking. Lin Ailian still insisted on covering up, sweat on her face already forming a curtain of water.
Lin Erxia’s hands ached from gripping the hoe. She kept switching between left and right, only to end up with both hands hurting. Looking at her own muddy, pitch-black hands—thin and shriveled—they looked just like black chicken claws.
She couldn’t help but sigh. Why is my fate so bitter? Even across two lifetimes, I still can’t compare to the female lead.
In her previous life, she had also been born in the countryside. There were two siblings in her family, and she was the eldest. Her family heavily favored sons over daughters, but she had a stubborn, unyielding personality—she was determined to prove to her parents that a daughter was no worse than a son.
She pushed herself relentlessly. Primary and middle school weren’t too costly, but although her excellent grades exempted her from tuition in high school, living expenses were unavoidable. Her father refused to let her attend and wanted her to work in a factory instead. In the end, she sought out the village head and teachers, forcing her father to relent so she could go to high school.
Even then, he gave her no living allowance. She survived by collecting recyclables on campus to exchange for money, eating just one steamed bun soaked in water each day. From a small mountain village, she made her way into university, and later secured a decent job in a big city.
When she returned home in success, it should have been her moment to slap her parents in the face—to make them realize the gravity of their son preference.
But in the end, she realized how naïve she had been. Her father and younger brother clung to her like parasites, draining her for two painful years.
After drifting through life in misery, she finally understood she couldn’t go on like that. If she did, her entire life would be ruined. In a fit of determination, she hired people to beat up both her father and her brother.
Strangely enough, once she became aggressive, they became afraid. They didn’t even dare report her to the police. Still, she had to give them a portion of her income every month—otherwise they would never let her go.
Just as her life began to improve, she was diagnosed with cancer. She took it in stride. Knowing she didn’t have many years left, she let go of all restraint and lived freely.
She went back home once more, telling them someone was urgently selling a house that she wanted to buy for the family. She even brought them to see it.
Her father and brother liked it immediately, but she claimed she didn’t have enough money and that the family needed to contribute. They schemed to have the house registered under their names. After putting on a show of reluctance, she agreed.
Still wary of being tricked, they demanded proof. She transferred her money first, prompting them to transfer theirs as well. But it was all part of a setup—her money had merely moved between her own accounts, while their family savings were transferred into another account of hers.
She even had her brother beaten again, then disappeared without a trace. No matter how hard they searched, they couldn’t find her—she was traveling constantly, never staying in one place for long.
Later, she heard that her father and brother were wailing in misery. With their savings drained, they had no choice but to survive by hauling bricks in their old age.
She only smiled faintly at the news. In peace and quiet, she left that world behind.
Having lived here for fifteen years, even though this was a world from a novel she had once read, the people and events around her were real—warm and alive. Since regaining her memories, she had gradually begun to integrate into this life. She could no longer treat it as just a story.
This was her second chance—her real life from now on.
Fortunately, although her father was a bit unreliable and her mother was gentle and weak, they truly loved her. There wasn’t any severe son preference in this family. It made up, in a way, for the lack of familial affection in her past life.
Finally, after the team leader inspected and approved their work, Lin Erxia and Lin Ailian carried the weeds they had cut to the edge of the field, piling them up for someone to haul away.
The small iron hoe was scorching hot from the sun, but they still held onto it. Pulling the towels from around their necks, they wiped the sweat streaming down their faces and necks. Their cheeks were flushed red from the heat. As they walked, they took off their straw hats and fanned themselves, though it did nothing to lift the damp strands of hair clinging to their temples.
Their backs were already soaked through, but Lin Erxia couldn’t worry about that now. She returned home first, put away the tools in the storage shed, then went to record her work points. There, she saw Lin Yuliang sitting by a small table near the shed, dressed in a clean white shirt, neatly writing in a small notebook.
She couldn’t help but feel envious. Compared to her—working like an old ox—the difference was just too great.
Ahead of them stood a female educated youth, tall and slender. When it was her turn, her soft voice rang out:
“Comrade Lin Yuliang, I earned three work points this morning.”
Lin Yuliang didn’t respond verbally. He glanced at the team leader beside him, who nodded, and then he made a note in his book.
“Thank you, Comrade Yuliang,” she said, turning away with a gentle smile that lingered even as she left.
When it was Lin Erxia and Lin Ailian’s turn, each of them received three and a half work points. Lin Yuliang nodded and recorded it, and the two hurried off.
A strong laborer could earn ten work points a day. Most women earned seven or eight; even nine was rare. Their total of seven work points for the day wasn’t bad—but it had taken a heavy toll on them.
Even though Lin Erxia had grown accustomed to this level of labor, the exhaustion in her body didn’t lessen. After parting with Lin Ailian, she dragged her heavy steps back home.
In the courtyard sat her second uncle’s daughters, her own siblings, and a few others. All of them had flushed red faces, sitting under the shade of the parasol tree, fanning themselves with straw hats and wiping sweat. Only Lin Yubao seemed a bit more energetic.
Holding a glass jar filled with water, Lin Yubao lit up when he saw her.
“Fifth Sister, drink some water!”
Lin Erxia didn’t stand on ceremony. She grabbed the jar and gulped it down in one go, finally easing her parched throat. She handed the jar back and collapsed onto a wooden stool, too comfortable to move again.
Lin Yubao eagerly ran off to refill it, then came back and sat beside her, waiting for their parents to return so they could drink too.
Lin Erxia praised him generously, “Xiaobao is so thoughtful. The water you poured is so sweet—I’m not thirsty anymore. I’ll buy you candy next time.”
Hearing this, his dirt-smudged face broke into a wide grin, his eyes narrowing into slits.
“Then drink more, Sister! I’ll bring you water every day—even to the fields!”
“Then I’ll have to thank you properly—buy you even more candy.”
He beamed even brighter, showing a row of small white teeth.
“Sis, I want White Rabbit candy!” he said, smacking his lips.
“Deal!”
This kid was so simple—he was already satisfied before she’d even properly made the promise. Still, he was undeniably adorable, a bit slow but endearing. No wonder their father liked teasing him.
Just as she was joking with her little brother, Sun Xiaoyun came out, shaking her arms, glancing at them with a fake smile.
“Erxia, today it’s your mother and me cooking. Since your mother isn’t back yet, you go start the fire and cook. I’ll help you. Hurry up. Dachun and Sanqiu should rest—they’re exhausted.”
She clearly ignored Lin Erxia’s fatigue. Lin Dachun and Lin Sanqiu were about to get up to help, but Lin Erxia stopped them. They were already worn out—especially the younger Sanqiu.
She knew her aunt was deliberately picking on her, but she didn’t care. She didn’t want the two of them to hear those barbed remarks.
“Alright, Aunt,” Lin Erxia agreed without hesitation.
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