Volume One, Chapter 2: Going to Rescue Second Sister

Perhaps it was because of the hard fall earlier today, combined with the exhaustion of such a long, bumpy journey, that Sun Yaqin found herself drifting into a hazy slumber as she mulled over her thoughts.

I do not know how much time had passed when the ticket collector stood up, gripping the luggage rack to steady herself while clutching a leather bag. "Tiexi Village! We’ve arrived at Tiexi Village! Any passengers getting off?"

Sun Yaqin blinked, waking in a daze. The sun was nearly setting; once they passed Tiexi Village, they would be close to Beibin City.

She shook her head, forcing herself to wake up. There were important tasks ahead. Changing her second sister’s fate from her previous life was simple enough, but ensuring those villains received the retribution they deserved would require some careful planning.

Soon after, the collector shouted again, "North Beibin Road! Anyone getting off?"

Sun Yaqin stood up and pushed toward the front. "I’m getting off!"

"If you're getting off, move faster! So many people are anxious to get home! Hurry up!"

Sun Yaqin couldn't be bothered to argue. Once off the bus, she headed toward Yang Zhigang’s restaurant.

Even though Sun Yaqin’s family lived in the countryside, she dressed more fashionably than the girls in the provincial capital. Her older brother frequently traveled south for work and would bring back stylish clothes for his older sister and two younger sisters. She owned jeans and denim skirts, and even a down jacket, which had only recently become popular. Combined with her naturally beautiful, sparkling eyes that seemed to captivate anyone who looked at her, she drew many gazes along the way.

Sun Yaqin lowered her head, pulled her scarf tighter, and kept walking. Although the snow on the ground had been packed down, it still crunched beneath her boots, and she quickened her pace.

It wasn't quite dinner time yet, so the restaurant was quiet. Shen Lianxia, Yang Zhigang’s wife, was sitting in a chair, cracking melon seeds. Sun Yalin was sweeping the floor. As Shen Lianxia spat seeds onto the ground, she barked at Sun Yalin, "You didn't sweep this corner clean. Do a better job! We’re only letting you work here out of kindness because we’re relatives; otherwise, look at the neighbors—who would hire a temp? Move faster!"

Sun Yalin, who was never one to talk back, simply glanced at Shen Lianxia and continued sweeping.

*Creeak.* The restaurant door opened, and a gust of cold, howling wind rushed in. The military-green cotton quilt hanging to block the draft was pushed aside as a slender figure stepped inside.

Judging by the girl’s attire, it was clear she was a customer. Shen Lianxia quickly put away the melon seeds and plastered on a practiced, welcoming smile.

"Miss, here to eat? How many in your party?"

Sun Yaqin habitually stomped the snow off her boots with her head down. When she looked up, Shen Lianxia’s smile vanished instantly, as if she had mastered the art of face-changing.

"Why are you here?" Shen Lianxia threw the plastic bag of melon seeds back onto the table and went back to snacking, looking completely indifferent.

Sun Yaqin ignored her entirely and looked straight at Sun Yalin. "Second Sister!"

She struggled to suppress her internal turmoil, but her voice still trembled slightly. No one could understand what it felt like for her to see her sister standing there, alive and well.

Seeing her younger sister’s eyes redden, Sun Yalin assumed it was just the freezing weather. She quickly dropped the broom and beckoned her over. "Yaqin, why are you here? Come in quickly! It’s cold by the door!"

As Sun Yaqin walked inside, Shen Lianxia snapped, "Don't come in! Your shoes are covered in snow; you'll make a mess. Customers will be here soon! Don't get in the way of our business."

"I have something to talk to my second sister about!"

"Whatever it is, it can wait until she’s off work. She’s an employee of this restaurant now; she can't slack off!"

Sun Yaqin let out a cold laugh. "Oh, so you actually know this is a restaurant? For a second there, I thought you were running some massive state-owned enterprise." She turned to Sun Yalin. "Second Sister, let’s go! We don’t need this lousy job!"

"Yaqin, stop causing trouble! Fourth Aunt, I’ll go outside with Yaqin to talk!"

"I said no, and I mean no!"

Sun Yalin grew annoyed. "Fourth Aunt, if you’re going to be like that, then I quit. My sister traveled all this way, and I can't even speak to her?"

Shen Lianxia was about to retort when Yang Zhigang emerged from the kitchen holding a cleaver. He gave his wife a look before smiling at the two sisters.

"Yaqin is here, is she? Don't mind your Fourth Aunt; she’s just in a bad mood! Go ahead and talk; just make sure Yalin is back to work before the dinner rush."

Yang Zhigang assumed his kindness would earn him gratitude, but Sun Yaqin didn't even glance at him. She grabbed her sister and walked out the door.

After the sisters left, Shen Lianxia looked at her husband. "Look at that! Those are your two precious nieces for you—no manners and no upbringing. That’s how they treat their elders."

"Enough, keep it down. If today’s business works out, we’ll save a lot of money later. Besides, Brother Long isn't someone to mess with; helping him will be good for us in the long run."

Shen Lianxia scoffed, "Brother Long, Brother Long... the man is barely twenty. Don't you feel even a little bit sorry for your niece?"

Yang Zhigang raised an eyebrow. "Sorry for her? She’s not my own daughter. Besides, in that family, only the eldest son and daughter have jobs. The eldest is already married. Those two are just money pits waiting to be fed. If Brother Long hadn't taken a liking to Yalin, do you think I’d bother with these poor relatives? Brother Long isn't a bad catch; it might even turn into a real marriage. The eldest sister’s family has neither money nor influence. From now on, spend more time with the second brother and third sister, and don't pay much mind to the rest."

Sun Yaqin led her sister to the road where the tragedy had occurred in her previous life. "Second Sister, tonight, Fourth Uncle will ask you to go to his house to pick up some vegetables. When you leave, walk along this path—take the left fork and head straight home. Don't go anywhere else. If anyone asks later, just say you weren't feeling well and sent me instead. I’ll be home a bit late tonight."

Sun Yalin was bewildered. "How do you know Fourth Uncle is going to ask me to pick up vegetables tonight?"

Sun Yaqin gripped her sister's hand, anxious but with a gaze of absolute determination. "Second Sister, don't ask so many questions for now. I can't explain it yet. Just do as I say. Once tonight is over, I’ll tell you everything. Remember what I said—don't let Fourth Uncle and his wife know, and whatever you do, don't leave the house once you get home."

Though Sun Yalin didn't know what her sister was planning, she trusted that Yaqin wouldn't harm her. She agreed, though she felt nervous, worrying if her sister was getting into something dangerous. Her sister was usually eccentric, but the steady, mature look in her eyes just now seemed far beyond her years.

"I understand. You head home first. There’s only one quilt at home, so we’ll have to huddle together. I’m going back to the restaurant, or Fourth Aunt will throw another fit."

Sun Yaqin nodded. "Second Sister, please, don't forget what I told you."

Sun Yalin looked back and forced a sweet smile. "Don't worry, I remember!"

The sky was growing dark. Sun Yaqin felt a sense of trepidation; she was terrified that the horrors of the past might repeat themselves.