Everyone else was taken aback and turned to look at her in unison.
Yao Kemei had always been silent at home, passively enduring whatever came her way.
Even when Tan Guihua and Miao Cuilan had tried to stand up for her in the past, she would retreat into her shell like a turtle and gaze at others with resentful eyes.
She had never expressed her own wishes in front of everyone—this was the first time.
However, as her parents, Yao Hai and his wife didn’t care.
Yao Hai scolded, “Zhenzhen is going to visit her aunt. What are you going for?”
“Yeah, you wretched girl, you haven’t even finished the chores at home and you’re already thinking of running off. I’ll break your legs! If anyone should go, it should be your brother.”
Yang Erni cursed at Yao Kemei a few times, then turned to Tan Guihua with an ingratiating smile.
“Mom, what do you think about letting Da Bao go too? He can keep Zhenzhen company.”
As she spoke, she nudged Yao Jigen, who was sitting beside her.
Her sister-in-law lived in the city, where food and daily necessities were far better than in the countryside. Naturally, Yang Erni wanted her precious son to take advantage of this opportunity.
Yao Jigen was greedy and still remembered the good times at his aunt’s house. Hearing this, he clamored, “I want to go, I want to go! Grandma, let me go!”
Tan Guihua hesitated. Zhenzhen’s in-laws would welcome her, but her little grandson had been spoiled by Yang Erni—he was domineering and unreasonable. She was afraid that taking him along would cause trouble for her younger daughter.
Ignoring her parents, Yao Kemei stared fixedly at Tan Guihua and said, “Since Yao Yunzhen can go, then I should go too.”
Yao Hai was furious. He was used to having the final say in his own household, and this wretched girl dared to defy him.
“Yao Kemei!”
Seeing Yao Hai’s angry expression, Yao Kemei suddenly recalled all the hardships of her past life.
She had slaved away in her parents’ home, and after marriage, her parents had clung to her to suck her dry for her brother’s sake. Her husband had beaten and abused her, and the rest of his family had treated her poorly.
She had died in her previous life filled with endless resentment.
In this life, these so-called parents were treating her the same way, trampling her underfoot once again.
Why should they?!
Yao Kemei could no longer hold back. She turned and glared at Yao Hai, enunciating each word clearly:
“My name isn’t Yao Kemei. I am Yao Meimei.”
Unlike Yao Yunzhen, she had only attended elementary school before Yang Erni pulled her out—because her brother was born, and she had to go home to take care of him.
Even though she was the same age as Yao Yunzhen, she could only watch as Yao Yunzhen dressed beautifully and went to school.
From that moment on, she understood even more clearly the differences between them.
Yao Yunzhen’s parents loved her—even her name was carefully chosen. Not like hers, which felt more like a curse than a name.
So, she had secretly given herself a new name in her heart.
Yao Meimei.
She hoped to live as brightly and beautifully as Yao Yunzhen.
In her past life, she never had the chance, nor the courage, to change her name. In this life, she refused to be Yao Kemei any longer.
She was Yao Meimei!
Yao Hai was startled by Yao Kemei’s fierce glare. When he recovered, he felt humiliated. “What nonsense are you spouting, you wretched girl?”
As he spoke, he moved to hit her.
Yao Kemei turned and ran, and the two of them began circling around the table.
Seeing this, Yang Erni quickly took advantage of the old couple’s distraction to pour the barely touched porridge from Yao Kemei’s bowl into Yao Jigen’s bowl.
As for her daughter being beaten—she couldn’t care less.
If you ask her, that wretched girl deserves a good beating.
Ever since yesterday, this brat has grown defiant—talking back at every turn and dragging her feet when told to work.
Yao Yunzhen sipped her porridge while watching the two circling each other.
It was no surprise that Yao Kemei got beaten every other day. What surprised her was that this time, the girl actually dared to run away.
Wait—she had run away yesterday too when her aunt tried to hit her.
Could nearly drowning have actually cleared her mind?
Yao Sheng and Miao Cuilan exchanged a glance but said nothing.
“Enough! Both of you, stop. If you don’t want to eat, then get out.”
Food rations were far too precious to waste.
Yao Hai knew his parents still had a soft spot for the wretched girl, so he reluctantly stopped and sat back down.
Yao Kemei didn’t move. “Grandma, I want to go to Auntie’s house too. And give me the household register—I want to change my name.”
“What’s wrong with your name? Always causing trouble, this one. Stay home where you belong. You’re not going anywhere.”
“I’m changing it. I want to be called Yao Meimei, not Yao Kemei.”
In this life, she had already seen through her parents’ bluster. If they hit her, she’d just run—there was nothing to fear.
Besides, those two old folks would still put on a show of scolding them.
Yao Kemei also resented Yao Daqiang and his wife. They claimed to dote on her, yet they stood by while she was beaten and married off for betrothal gifts.
Yao Yunzhen finished her porridge and spoke up, “Grandma, just give her the household register.”
Tan Guihua had been hesitant—she’d never heard of anyone changing their name—but since Zhen had spoken, she said nothing more and went to fetch the register.
After all, Zhen was the most educated person in the family. If she said it could be done, then it must be possible.
To them, a name was just a name—what did it matter what you were called? You answered to whatever your parents named you.
But if their youngest wanted to change it and could change it, then so be it.
It had to be said, the old couple were quite tolerant toward their children.
And “Kemei” really wasn’t a proper name—maybe it was for the best.
Yang Erni didn’t object either.
This eldest niece was the apple of the old couple’s and her eldest brother’s eyes—the Yao family’s ladder to success. She rarely contradicted her.
Yao Kemei took the household register but felt no joy.
All her struggling and defiance amounted to less than a single word from Yao Yunzhen.
Clutching the register, she stared at Yao Yunzhen’s carefree expression and blurted out, “I’m not thanking you.”
Yao Yunzhen rolled her eyes. “Weirdo.”
She simply disliked the name herself—it wasn’t as if she’d spoken up for the other girl.
There was no sisterly affection between her and Yao Kemei.
She saw clearly the envy and resentment the other girl held toward her.
And she had no intention of sharing her advantages because of it.
Yao Kemei’s suffering wasn’t her doing—why should she yield?
Over the years, their relationship had naturally soured.
Even rolling her eyes, a beauty remained captivating. Yao Kemei stared, mesmerized and unable to look away.
Though few had seen Yao Yunzhen’s true face, she was accustomed to such infatuated gazes. She rolled her eyes again and turned away.
No way was she letting her stare.
Yao Kemei snapped back to reality and quickly lowered her head.
For a moment, she regretted pushing Yao Yunzhen toward Li Yunqi.
No—she mustn’t think that way.
Why did she suffer so miserably in her past life while Yao Yunzhen lived so happily?
She must experience every bitterness she had tasted herself.
Yao Sheng originally intended to keep his daughter separated from Yao Kemei, but unexpectedly ended up bringing both of them to the county town.
However, since they were all family, he couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
He initially considered leaving Zhenzhen in the village, but seeing the eager anticipation on her face, he ultimately didn’t suggest she stay behind.
After all, his daughter’s happiness mattered most.
The letter incident might not have been Yao Kemei’s doing either. Moreover, over the years, Yao Kemei had visited the county town only a handful of times, and in recent years, not at all.
Being unfamiliar with both the place and the people, it would be difficult for her to accomplish anything there.