“Xiaofeng didn’t mean to push you into the pond. Why are you arguing with a child?”
“Look how badly you’ve frightened him! Lin Ruyuan, apologize to the child right now!”
“……”
In the backyard of the Fang family’s detached villa, everyone else was dressed impeccably. Only Lin Ruyuan stood out—she was sitting by the edge of the pond, soaked from head to toe, wrapped in an oversized military jacket that clearly belonged to a man.
Those two all-too-familiar sentences snapped her thoughts back in an instant.
She had really been reborn.
Reborn into the 1980s—before the nightmare that consumed the rest of her life had even begun.
Lin Ruyuan and Fang Shijun came from vastly different family backgrounds. Their engagement had been arranged by Old Master Fang as repayment for a life-saving favor.
Fang Shijun was handsome and well-mannered, witty and charming. Before marriage, he doted on her in every possible way, attentive and considerate.
After marriage, Lin Ruyuan graduated from college and went straight into business alongside her father-in-law. She had a rare talent for commerce—within a short time, she multiplied the Fang family’s annual profits several times over.
Ten years later, she helped turn the Fang family into the wealthiest household in the capital.
But she was always busy, with little time to accompany Fang Shijun. She even blamed herself for that—and for failing to give the Fang family a child.
Years of relentless work finally broke her health. Thinking she could at last rest and spend time with her family, she stepped back—
Only for Fang Shijun to suddenly bring his childhood sweetheart to their home, demanding that Lin Ruyuan “step aside gracefully.”
He threatened the lives of her family, forcing her to transfer all her company shares to their illegitimate son.
Only then did Lin Ruyuan realize the truth: Fang Shijun—and the entire Fang family—had been covering up his affair all along, waiting for her to die so they could reap the rewards.
As for her own family…
She only learned on her deathbed that her only elder sister had been tortured to death by her in-laws. When news was delivered to the Fang household, no one bothered to tell Lin Ruyuan—causing her to miss the chance to save her sister.
Her parents, devastated, passed away one after the other.
All she had left were her two nieces, whom she had long ago arranged to live safely overseas for the rest of their lives—beyond Fang Shijun’s reach.
It turned out he married her for her ability all along.
Unfortunately for them, Lin Ruyuan would never let them have their way.
Years earlier, she had secretly signed a will: since she and Fang Shijun had no children, all her assets would be donated after her death.
Meaning—
Fang Shijun wouldn’t get a single cent.
When he finally laid his cards on the table, Lin Ruyuan didn’t go easy on him either.
Enraged beyond reason, Fang Shijun strangled her with his own hands.
The suffocating pain still felt terrifyingly real—
And then Lin Ruyuan realized she had been reborn.
Today was Fang Mother’s birthday celebration. As the future daughter-in-law, Lin Ruyuan was naturally invited.
Fang Shijun’s childhood sweetheart, Bai Jingshu, was also present—along with her twin sons.
In her previous life, Lin Ruyuan only knew that Bai Jingshu had married in haste after their engagement. She never suspected anything improper between them.
The Fang family’s protection of Bai Jingshu, she had merely taken as affection toward a “god-daughter.”
But now…
Lin Ruyuan coldly looked at the boy being shielded behind Bai Jingshu and Fang Shijun. There wasn’t a trace of fear on his face.
The twins looked identical. They resembled their mother more, but on closer inspection, they clearly shared similarities with Fang Shijun as well.
“Ruyuan, don’t take it to heart.”
Bai Jingshu looked delicate and pitiful, like a helpless white lotus. Anyone unaware would think she was the one being bullied.
“I don’t mind,” Lin Ruyuan said lightly, curling her lips into a harmless smile. She beckoned to Xiaofeng.“Come here. Let Auntie check whether you were frightened just now.”
Seeing that Lin Ruyuan didn’t seem angry, Ding Yufeng swaggered over and puffed out his chest.
“Apologize.”
“……”
Lin Ruyuan suddenly stood up and, without hesitation, grabbed him and shoved him straight into the pond.
Everything happened too fast. No one had time to react.
By the time they did, Fang Shijun had already rushed forward and pulled the child out.
“Lin Ruyuan! What are you doing?!”
“Waaah—!”
Ding Yufeng was truly frightened this time. He clutched Fang Shijun’s clothes like a lifeline and burst into tears.
Bai Jingshu’s face turned deathly pale as she rushed over to check on her son.
A five-year-old being mischievous was normal—but without proper upbringing, he was nothing but a spoiled brat.
Earlier, Ding Yufeng had deliberately pushed Lin Ruyuan into the water. After she fell in, he even clapped and shouted, “Drowned dog!”
Although autumn temperatures weren’t low, being drenched was still bitterly cold.
The boy sneezed loudly and cried even harder.
Fang Mother, Zhou Aihua, pointed at Lin Ruyuan and scolded,“How could you be so vicious to a child?!”
Fang Shijun’s parents were equally shaken by her actions.
“How am I vicious?” Lin Ruyuan replied calmly.“I simply educated a child who has no parents to discipline him. Three years old shows the roots, seven years old shows the future. If children aren’t taught early, today it’s mischief—tomorrow it’s arson and murder. Jingshu, don’t you agree?”
Bai Jingshu clenched her back teeth, her lips twitching slightly.Agree with what? This was clearly malicious retaliation.
“Heh.”
A soft laugh suddenly broke the tension.
Lin Ruyuan followed the sound, her eyes flashing with complicated emotions.
The man stood nearly six-foot-three, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs. He wore only a dress shirt—his jacket was draped over Lin Ruyuan’s shoulders.
His features were sharp and upright, his nose bridge high. The aura surrounding him was commanding and impossible to ignore.
Compared to Fang Shijun, he surpassed him in every way.
Qin Jianchuan.
The relationship between the Qin and Fang families went back to their grandfathers—Old Master Qin and Old Master Fang had been comrades-in-arms.
Qin Jianchuan and Fang Shijun grew up together. They weren’t especially close, but they weren’t distant either.
Qin Jianchuan was currently a regiment commander in the military, with a promising future ahead.
The only pity was—
In her previous life, he had died young in heroic sacrifice.
What Lin Ruyuan could never understand was why, despite having nothing to do with her, he had left his entire inheritance to her…
Her pupils trembled violently.
“Lin Ruyuan!”
Fang Shijun had completely lost his reason by now. If anything happened to the child, he would never let her off.
He stood up abruptly, stormed toward her, and raised his hand to strike.
Lin Ruyuan didn’t move. She merely bent her knee slightly—
If they fought head-on, she wouldn’t stand a chance.
But striking a man’s weakest spot unexpectedly—
Even a fierce tiger would be forced to kneel.
As expected, Fang Shijun collapsed instantly.
With a “thud,” he knelt before her, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, unable to utter a word.
Qin Jianchuan’s brow twitched. He instinctively shifted his stance.
“Shijun! Lin Ruyuan, are you insane?! How could you strike so viciously?!”
Zhou Aihua screamed as she rushed over to check on her son.
“What are you afraid of?” Lin Ruyuan said coldly.“Your Fang family already has an heir, after all.”
Zhou Aihua didn’t quite hear her clearly—her attention was entirely on her son.
“Shrew! It seems our Fang family needs to seriously reconsider whether to let you marry into us!” Fang Father cursed angrily.
“If that’s the case,” Lin Ruyuan replied briskly,“then that would be wonderful. But it’s not you refusing to marry me—
“It’s me breaking off the engagement.”