"...At this point, it might be best to marry Yīnzi to our Sānzhuàng to cut off Li family's second son's hopes. That way, we can finally have some peace. After all, Yīnzi and Sānzhuàng aren't blood-related," an elderly man's voice murmured softly.

"No, that won't do. Li's second son is nothing but a bandit. If Yīnzi stays with us, he'll keep causing trouble every day. We'll never have a moment's peace," a young woman countered.

"Sister-in-law is right. I think it's better to marry her off to my brother. That way, even if Li's second son causes trouble, it won't be at our doorstep," another woman chimed in.

"Oh, so Sister-in-law is just trying to get a free wife for her brother. Why not just say it outright instead of pretending to be so righteous?" the first woman sneered.

"Sister-in-law, how can you be so heartless? I'm only thinking of what's best for the family! Haven't you heard? She got pregnant before marriage, lied about being sick to get an abortion, and was expelled from school. She's not a college student anymore! Her reputation is ruined, and she's mixed up with someone like Li's second son. What good can come of that? My brother taking her in is already a blessing for her!"

"Enough!" a woman's voice, filled with grief and anger, cut through the argument. "Yīnzi is still lying in bed inside. Nothing has been decided yet, and you're already rushing to judge her! Let her decide what to do when she wakes up. There's no need for you to arrange her life for her!"

"Hmph, ever since she came back from school, she's been lying in bed like some delicate young lady, still thinking she's a college student..."

...

As Qiáo Yīn opened her eyes, she heard these familiar voices. She tapped her throbbing head, feeling dizzy and feverish.

What's going on? Wasn't she dead?

After a lifetime of hardship and wandering, she had finally managed to buy a house in a big city and settle down, only to be poisoned to death by her best friend.

In her final moments, her friend had told her, "It was me who broke you and Lǐ Chéngliàng apart! It was me who made sure you could never find him again! And it was me who got you expelled from college! You've been my puppet your whole life, and you still thought of me as your best friend. Now, I want your house, so just die already!"

As the poison took effect and she struggled for her life, her friend had deliberately turned on the TV.

She still couldn't believe it—the man she had spent half her life searching for and waiting for was standing at the forefront of a military parade, dressed in full uniform, his shoulders adorned with stars, exuding an air of dignity and strength.

The years had only honed his military sharpness and depth.

She lay there like a withered leaf, struggling in the throes of death.

A reporter approached Li Chengliang, the leader of the expedition, and asked, "May I ask how you initially decided to join the military?"

Facing the camera, the handsome and composed man's eyes deepened with a distant look. "The reason was quite simple, actually. Someone once said... that boys look their best in military uniforms."

"Who was she?" The host's eyes sparkled, as if uncovering a juicy secret. "As far as I know, you're still our most eligible bachelor!"

"...Just an old acquaintance I'd rather not see again." He paused for a moment, then smiled wryly.

Qiao Yin remembered how bitter, regretful, and furious she had felt upon hearing those words, her eyes wide open as she took her last breath.

When she awoke again, she found herself lying on a hard, earthen bed, covered by a greasy, tattered floral quilt. The voices outside sounded eerily familiar.

Struggling to sit up, her trembling hand lifted a corner of the door curtain, and her eyes widened in shock—her family from twenty years ago was gathered around the square table in the outer room, not a single one missing.

Listening to the familiar voices and taking in the familiar scene, Qiao Yin's gaze fell on the calendar on the table by the bed. The date read June 14, 1990.

She slowly turned to look at the plastic-framed mirror hanging on the wall. Reflected in it was her youthful, delicate face—she was twenty again!

She had been reborn, transported back to the 1990s, to the time when she had lost both her love and her chance at education.

Why now? If only she could have returned a little earlier!

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, she had calmed down. Being given a second chance at life was a tremendous gift from the heavens, and she couldn't be too greedy.

Even though the damage had already been done—she had lost her precious opportunity to attend university—there were still other things she could salvage.

In this life, she would not let go of those who had deceived and hurt her. Not a single one.

And she was determined to find the person she had missed, vowing never to let him slip away again in this lifetime!

Outside, the family was still in a heated debate about how to handle Qiao Yin's situation when, unnoticed, she quietly lifted the door curtain and stepped out. The room fell silent instantly. Qiao Xiuqin quickly rose to her feet and hurried over to support her, concern etched on her face. "Has your fever gone down? You've been in and out of consciousness these past few days. Go back and lie down on the kang."

Under the dim light, Qiao Yin's face was as pale as a sheet of paper, her frail body swaying unsteadily. "Mom... I need some water..."

Niu Sanzhuang, who had been harboring some thoughts since his father suggested marrying Qiao Yin to him, awkwardly stood up and offered his seat. His face flushed as he stammered, "Sit... sit here..."

Qiao Yin was the stepdaughter Qiao Xiuqin had brought into the Niu family, with no blood relation to the Niu children. Marrying her off to the third son of the Niu family would save them the trouble of arranging a dowry or betrothal gifts.

Qiao Xiuqin ignored Niu Sanzhuang and helped Qiao Yin sit down in her own seat. She then picked up the nearby kettle and poured her a cup of warm water. Qiao Yin grabbed the cup and gulped it down in one go.

"Yinzi, are you hungry? Let me cook you some poached eggs," Qiao Xiuqin asked with concern.

But Qiao Yin's heart was burning with turmoil, and she had no appetite. Before she could respond, the sound of someone banging on the gate outside, accompanied by chaotic footsteps and loud voices, echoed through the courtyard.