Chapter 1

Elena and Selina were sisters from the same village. Our fathers were killed in action at the same time, and years later, we were both adopted by General Julian’s father, who lived in the capital.

However, on the slow train to the capital, I drank some water that had been tampered with. I ended up squeezed into a bunk with the special aviation captain, Julian, for an entire day and night.

From that point on, I was branded as a gold digger, destined to be the foil to Selina.

Selina was the epitome of kindness and grace, while I was perceived as a deceptive, wicked vixen.

Selina was hardworking, ambitious, and obedient. Not only did she land a good job, but she also had a loving husband, happy children, and the adoration of her parents-in-law.

As for me, I was branded lazy and vain. I provoked Julian, the eldest son of the Julian family, only to be divorced and kicked out of the house within two years, eventually dying at the hands of my second husband, who was abusive.

But this time, after getting off the train, I was reborn.

I vowed that in this life, I would never entangle myself with Julian again.

But Julian didn’t believe me.

After entering the Julian family courtyard, Julian handed me a book, just like he did in my previous life. The title was:

"Self-Respect and Self-Love: Correcting Women’s Ideological Issues"

He warned me with a cold, harsh tone: "Comrade Elena, this book is very suitable for you. Read it carefully."

"Oh! Elena, did Julian give you this book because he thinks there’s something wrong with your thinking?" Selina leaned in, her round face full of surprise.

"Julian, is there some kind of misunderstanding between you and Elena? Did she do something to upset you?"

Julian didn’t respond, his cold, sharp eyes fixed on me.

Unlike in my previous life, I didn’t throw a tantrum demanding he take responsibility. Instead, I quietly took the book: "Thank you, Captain Julian. I will study it diligently."

It didn’t matter that he hated me. I wouldn’t cling to him; I would just focus on being myself.

Perhaps seeing that I didn’t bring up what happened on the train, Julian’s expression softened slightly.

He took a stack of money from his pocket and divided it between me and Selina.

"Mom and Dad have gone to another province to oversee disaster relief. I have to return to the base tonight. Take this money and these vouchers; buy whatever you need."

After giving these instructions, Julian left in a hurry.

The day and night on the train—even though nothing had truly happened between Julian and me—left me exhausted from the side effects of the drugs.

I had no interest in watching Selina perform her act of sisterly affection. I moved into the room I had occupied in my previous life and lay down on the familiar bed, feeling more determined than ever to stay away from Julian.

In my previous life, this room had become my bridal chamber with Julian, but he had never stepped foot inside it.

My eyes grew increasingly sore. I closed them to hold back the moisture, to hold back the bitterness of my past life.

From today on, I am a brand-new me.

I will never again want the things that were never meant for me.

In this life, my only desire is to help my mother escape the clutches of my stepfather, and then for us to live a simple, peaceful life together.

The next morning, I was planning to call home to let my mother know I had arrived safely.

I didn’t expect that as soon as I went downstairs, I would see a familiar figure in the lobby!

"Mom?"

Evelyn turned around, waving at me with a mix of excitement and unease: "Elena, the day you left, I dreamt that you were beaten to death. I was so worried that I followed you here secretly..."

"Mom!"

I rushed over to hug her, my nose stinging with tears.

My mother had been beaten by my stepfather for so many years; her greatest fear was that I would follow in her footsteps.

And yet, in my previous life, I really had been beaten to death.

"Mom... dreams are just fake. Now that I have General Julian’s backing, who would dare to hit me?"

"That’s good, that’s good."

Evelyn pulled me back to look me over, asking with concern: "Have you met the General and his wife yet? Are they kind to you? Did you mention to them about helping you find a suitor?"

"If you get married in the village, there’s no one to protect you. I think the eldest son of the Julian family who picked you up is quite good. He’s already a chief captain of the special aviation squadron at such a young age."

"Mom, don’t say things like that anymore. In this life, I will never reach above my station to pursue Julian!"

I refused instinctively.

"Silly girl, don’t be afraid! You’re pretty; just smile at him more. What man could remain unmoved? Once you make the relationship official and become the daughter-in-law of the General’s family, you won't have to worry about—"

Just then, someone kicked the front door open.

I looked up and locked eyes with Julian’s mocking gaze.

Chapter 2

Both my mother and I turned pale.

Julian was blunt: "The Julian family only has room for those with upright character and ambition. If you’re looking to land a rich husband, I suggest you leave as soon as possible."

"No! Please... Comrade Julian, I’ll leave immediately, but if Elena goes back, it’s all over. Her stepfather is a—"

Julian kept walking upstairs, completely ignoring Evelyn.

Evelyn was so anxious that tears rolled down her face. She grabbed her bundle on the floor, ready to leave: "Elena, it’s all my fault. You stay here and be good. I’ll leave right now!"

"If I hadn’t been blind and found a husband who is less than an animal, you wouldn't have been forced to hide here to preserve your dignity..."

I knew my mother had my best interests at heart.

After my father died, hooligans often knocked on our door at night to bully us, a lonely widow and her orphan daughter, which was why my mother wanted to find a man to rely on.

Who could have known that my stepfather was a beast, and after drinking, he even attempted to crawl into his stepdaughter's bed.

I couldn’t let Evelyn return to the village, so I settled her into a guesthouse, stayed to comfort her, and didn't return to the Julian household until nightfall.

As soon as I entered my room, I saw a tall, military-green figure standing by the window.

"Captain Julian?"

He hated me to the core, so why would he be waiting in my room?

I was puzzled, then heard Julian say coldly: "The day after tomorrow at eight in the morning, I’m taking Selina and you to the martyrs' cemetery to pay respects to your fathers."

"Also, don’t even think about harboring any ulterior motives."

So, he had come specifically to warn me.

Yet, I had no way to refute him.

"I am very grateful to the Julian family for bringing me to the capital. I have absolutely no intention of marrying you. If you are worried, I will bid farewell to your parents once they return."

Now that the reform and opening-up policy was in full swing, there were opportunities to make money everywhere. If I worked hard, I could support both my mother and myself.

Julian’s stern face remained emotionless. As he left, he dropped one final sentence: "It had better be that way."

Not long after he left, I heard Selina’s happy, coquettish laughter in the hallway, followed by Julian’s gentle, low-toned instructions.

It was the same in my previous life; Julian always treated Selina and me with completely different attitudes.

I gave a bitter laugh. Fortunately, I no longer had any intention of marrying Julian; otherwise, I would be losing face and heart all over again.

Knowing that Julian would be home for the next two days, I deliberately avoided him.

I told Evelyn about going to the martyrs' cemetery, and she was very eager to pay her respects.

After all, back in our hometown, there was only an empty grave.

Julian didn’t object to this.

But on the morning of our departure, my eyelid kept twitching.

I tripped while walking down the stairs and fell directly into Julian’s arms.

The man’s strong hands gripped my waist so tightly it hurt. I was still in a state of shock when I heard Selina’s accusation from the second floor.

"Elena, a few days ago you swore you had no designs on Julian. Why are you intentionally throwing yourself into his arms first thing in the morning? Was the book he gave you a waste of time?"

I snapped back to reality and hurriedly pushed Julian away.