Chapter 1: Rebirth in 1967

In 1977, Zhong Xiao never lived to see the spring of liberation. She died alone and in despair, on this land to which she’d been exiled by the scheming of those she had trusted as “family.” Her final words before death were—

“I want to go home, I want… to eat meat.”

She was only thirty, yet her voice was hoarse as an octogenarian’s, her eyes sunken, her face aged and haggard, with a deep, long scar slashing across her left cheek, red and black and terrifying.

Those ten years in the countryside had been ten years of living hell—finally, it was over. She was free. Yet she was unwilling, Zhong Xiao was still unwilling...

When she opened her eyes again, the scent of meat woke her.

She snapped her eyes open and sat bolt upright in bed, only to be met with a piercing pain in her forehead.

But Zhong Xiao had no time for pain.

In ten years of exile, she’d suffered every hardship, endured every agony. When that stepmother had deliberately arranged for a man in the village to try to violate her, Zhong Xiao had grabbed a pair of scissors and slashed open her own once-stunning face, then pointed the bloodied tip at the man, shrieking that if he dared take a single step closer, they’d die together.

The man, seeking only a bit of profit and tempted by her beauty, was not about to throw his life away. Seeing how ruthless she was with herself, he panicked and fled.

So this little pain now was nothing. Zhong Xiao shouted immediately:

“Meat! Where’s the meat? Give me meat to eat!”

The people beside her were obviously stunned. Seeing her like that, they hurried to the kitchen and brought her a bowl of braised pork, handing it over.

Zhong Xiao saw the braised pork.

Her eyes reddened.

She didn’t bother with chopsticks, just devoured the meat and the broth, not leaving a single drop. She nearly stuck out her tongue to lick the bowl.

In fact, she fully intended to.

But out of the corner of her eye, she saw three or four pairs of incredulous eyes staring at her.

Her movements halted. She looked at each of them, and as she did, her eyes grew even redder.

There was the wastrel father who tricked her into the countryside; the scoundrel who coaxed her into tearing up her engagement and eloping; the smiling, treacherous stepmother; and the shameless little sister, who secretly had an affair with the scoundrel and even bore his child.

They’d all conspired, soft and hard tactics combined, luring and deceiving.

They’d tricked Zhong Xiao into going to the countryside alone.

Then, carrying off the assets originally meant for her, they fled to Harbor City, escaping retribution.

Using Zhong family’s capital, they caught the wave of shipping and reform, multiplying their fortune in a few short years and living in luxury.

How did Zhong Xiao know all this? Because her dear little sister and beloved stepmother sent her photographs every month—showing off their new limited-edition Chanel, their new mansion, imported sofas and jewelry from abroad.

Accompanied by a note:

“Thank you, Sister, for suffering alone in the countryside and making the Du family’s fortune!”

And that wasn’t all. After they’d grown rich, they often sent supplies, food, clothing, and money to her village—but always with one condition.

None of it was for Zhong Xiao, and they were to “take good care” of her on the family’s behalf.

So the local bullies—hungry for the goods sent by the Du family—found ever more creative ways to torment Zhong Xiao.

Eventually, the stepmother even mailed the villagers a camera, demanding photos of Zhong Xiao’s misery. Whoever abused her to satisfaction would receive a special reward.

Zhong Xiao was tortured to the point of wishing for death, her body bearing no unscathed patch.

Ten years. A full ten years.

At this moment, Zhong Xiao’s eyes were red as she looked at these people, hatred surging in her gaze.

But—

Why were they here?

Had they died too?

No, that couldn’t be.

Her peripheral vision swept the room. This was unmistakably the old Zhong family estate!

If they were to die, it would be in Harbor City or abroad. Why would they be in Canton?

Just then, her stepmother, Yang Yuehe, spoke, “Xiao Xiao, don’t be angry, please? Your sister didn’t mean to push you down the stairs. She just lost her balance, and you happened to be in the way. It really wasn’t on purpose. I’ve already punished her severely. Can’t you… forgive your sister?”

Pushed her down the stairs?

Wasn’t that the incident from a month before she’d been sent to the countryside, ten years ago?

In a flash, Zhong Xiao’s brow trembled.

She… she’d been reborn?!

Hand trembling with excitement, Zhong Xiao nearly upended her bowl.

She’d thought that her dying wish had touched the heavens, granting her a bowl of braised pork before her soul departed.

But she’d been reborn!

Yang Yuehe was still nagging by her side, “Xiao Xiao, your sister didn’t know any better, she…”

A sharp crack rang out!

A clean, resounding slap landed. Yang Yuehe’s head snapped to the side, her footing lost as she stumbled several steps away.

While the others stood frozen in shock, Zhong Xiao spoke coldly,

“You know she’s a brat and you still didn’t teach her properly? As her mother, you ought to be dragged outside and beaten to death!”

Zhong Xiao’s sudden slap left everyone dumbfounded.

Especially Yang Yuehe, who had always played the part of the loving, trustworthy stepmother before Zhong Xiao. She could hardly believe that Zhong Xiao had slapped her so soundly.

Stars danced before her eyes; she could barely stand.

Her little sister, Du Ying’er, flew into a rage, leaping up and pointing at Zhong Xiao’s nose, cursing,

“Zhong Xiao! You’re a damned wretch! No matter what, my mother’s your elder! How dare you hit her!”

She lunged to fight, but Yang Yuehe held her back,

“Ying’er, Ying’er, don’t… She’s your sister, you must respect her…”

Du Ying’er and Zhong Xiao had always had a rocky relationship. The mother and daughter would often play good cop and bad cop before Zhong Xiao.

Every time they quarreled, Yang Yuehe would pretend to scold her daughter and comfort Zhong Xiao.

So to outsiders—

Yang Yuehe was the world’s best stepmother, treating her stepdaughter better than her own child.

But in truth, all of Du Ying’er’s tricks were taught by Yang Yuehe.

And it was precisely because Yang Yuehe had played the humble, accommodating act for so many years that, after moving to Harbor City, she could let loose and torment Zhong Xiao in every way possible.

At this time, Zhong Xiao and Yang Yuehe were supposed to still be on good terms, for the stepmother’s humility suited the tastes of a capitalist’s pampered daughter.

By rights, she ought to pretend ignorance and slowly maneuver against this venomous woman.

But—

After living twenty years as a capitalist’s heiress, suffering ten years of torment and death, then being reborn—

Should she endure? Should she pretend?

Nonsense!

She’d been given a second chance—if she didn’t destroy these vile people, she’d be letting heaven down for granting her this opportunity!

She was done pretending. From this moment on, she would tear all pretense away, expose their true faces, and take back what was rightfully hers!

Seeing Du Ying’er still fuming and ready to lunge at her, Zhong Xiao rolled up her sleeves, got off the bed, and declared,

“Yes, it’s my fault—I only slapped your mother and forgot about you, right? Here, let me give you a good one to teach you a lesson…”

She raised her hand to strike, but her wrist was caught.

A large, calloused hand gripped her tightly.

Without looking, Zhong Xiao knew who it was.

Her former “beloved,” the scoundrel Zhou Yongxin.

Indeed, Zhou Yongxin’s voice sounded beside her,

“Xiao Xiao, don’t be impulsive. She’s your sister, just a child who doesn’t know any better. Be more forgiving.”

So he’d grabbed her right hand?

No matter.

Again—a sharp smack!

With her left hand, Zhong Xiao struck Zhou Yongxin hard across the face!

A child who doesn’t know any better?!

Du Ying’er was only a year younger than Zhong Xiao—did being a year younger give her immunity?

Zhong Xiao sneered at Zhou Yongxin, “Didn’t you swear you loved me most? Yet you’re siding with this little wretch?!”

After Zhong Xiao struck both Yang Yuehe and Zhou Yongxin, her father, Du Huacheng—who had been standing dumbfounded—finally reacted. He stood and roared,

“Zhong Xiao! Don’t go too far! You’re a young lady—slapping this one and then that one, behaving like a vulgar shrew from the countryside—how utterly disgraceful!”

Zhong Xiao’s gaze swept over him, brimming with hatred, making Du Huacheng flinch.

She turned to face him, and he instinctively stepped back, covering his face.

This… this unfilial daughter—after hitting Yang Yuehe and Zhou Yongxin, could she possibly…

Could she be about to hit her own father?