Chapter 17: Each with their own thoughts

A home, temporarily hers, yet one that brought Li Yaqin a sense of novelty and warmth.

The yard wasn't large, but it was meticulously organized.

Several unidentified flowers and plants grew in the corner, swaying gently in the breeze, as if welcoming their new owner.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground, dancing and shimmering, adding a touch of life to the small yard.

“When we accompanied the troops, we chose these kinds of brick houses with small courtyards.”

Li Qiang said, pushing open the slightly ajar gate, his voice tinged with pride.

“The place is spacious and comfortable. It might not be as clean as an apartment building, but it's down-to-earth and makes you feel secure.”

The wooden door creaked open slowly, like a whisper of time, or a friendly greeting between old friends.

A faint scent of earth, mingled with the aroma of food, wafted through the air, bringing Li Yaqin a sense of inexplicable peace.

As soon as she entered, Li Yaqin's gaze was immediately drawn to a figure.

It was her sister-in-law, Li Zhaodi.

Her sister-in-law stood in the center of the courtyard, her figure slightly plump.

Her belly was high and round, like a ripe watermelon, bearing the promise of new life.

She wore a faded blue blouse paired with black trousers, looking simple yet capable.

Her short, thick, jet-black hair accentuated her slightly square face, conveying a sense of determination and simplicity.

Her name was extremely common in those days, reflecting the elders' earnest hopes for a boy.

Later, her sister-in-law attended a literacy class, learned a few characters, and felt that the name "Zhaodi" was too straightforward.

So she took it upon herself to change her name to Li Panpan.

Li Yaqin secretly thought that this name change was good; it retained the original name's meaning while adding a touch of elegance and expectation.

However, fate seems to always play tricks on people; the more one expects something, the less likely one is to obtain it.

In Li Zhaodi's maternal family, having a son and carrying on the family line seemed like an inescapable curse, deeply etched into everyone's hearts.

Even though Li Zhaodi's mother had already given birth to five daughters, like five beautiful golden flowers, it still couldn't satisfy the elders' desire for a boy.

Li Yaqin remembered Li Qiang mentioning with a heavy expression that because of this, Li Zhaodi's family had suffered a lot of scorn and ridicule in the village.

Those scornful glances and harsh whispers pierced Li Zhaodi's mother's heart like needles.

They also made young Li Zhaodi experience the coldness of human nature at a young age.

Those idle remarks, like invisible knives, cut into Li Zhaodi's heart piece by piece, causing her immense torment.

Later, she married a soldier, and things improved slightly.

Li Zhaodi stood in the courtyard, the afternoon sun slanting across her.

It outlined a soft curve in her protruding belly, like a sculpture brimming with hope.

But Li Zhaodi's face bore an undisguised weariness, like a wheat stalk bent low by the burdens of life.

Despite this, Li Zhaodi still managed a forced smile to greet Li Yaqin's arrival.

That smile was like a faint ray of winter sunshine; though not warm, it was enough to dispel some of the chill.

Her eyes held both curiosity about this sister-in-law she had never met before.

She examined it as if it were a novel object, yet with a hint of scrutiny.

There was also an anticipation for their future life together, complex and sincere, like a medley of flavors, difficult to describe.

Deep within that anticipation lay a deeper anxiety, like a huge shadow looming over Li Zhaodi's heart.

Yes, she was afraid—afraid of becoming a birthing machine like her mother, unable to give birth to a son.

If that were the case, what would become of her?

Li Zhaodi dared not imagine that her mother's fate might be her own.

In this era, a woman who couldn't bear a son couldn't stand tall.

She had seen too many first wives abandoned by their husbands because they couldn't produce a son.

The fates of those women were more tragic than the last.

These things were etched into Li Zhaodi's heart like knives.

The thought kept her awake night after night.

Li Zhaodi's gaze fell on Li Yaqin, scrutinizing her closely.

This girl, though her skin was a bit dark, had delicate features, a slender figure, and an outstanding air about her; she was clearly not an ordinary rural girl.

"Qiangzi didn't explain clearly what she was doing here," Li Zhaodi muttered to herself, her voice barely audible.

Li Zhaodi muttered to herself, her voice barely audible.

Li Yaqin stepped into the courtyard, her feet sinking into the damp earth, a stark contrast to the concrete pavements she had walked on in the city.

As a 20th-century botanist, she had a natural affinity for the land.

But at this moment, this affinity was suppressed by another complex emotion.

Why had she come here?

A transmigration into a book, a new space—this was her entire new life.

Now, she found herself in a completely unfamiliar era.

And a group of people… she needed to handle with care.

Especially her sister-in-law, Li Zhaodi.

Li Yaqin's mind raced. She had essentially been parachuted into her brother's family.

As a newcomer, establishing herself was paramount, but she had to strike the right balance.

Being too flamboyant would invite gossip; being too weak would leave her vulnerable to manipulation.

She had to be like a sugar-coated pill, sweet to the eye, yet not to be easily swallowed.

Li Yaqin set this tone for herself in her mind, and a perfectly measured smile appeared on her face.

This smile was neither ostentatious nor overly humble, like a small flower quietly blooming in a corner.

"Hello, sister-in-law."

She spoke softly.

Her voice was very soft, carrying a hint of barely perceptible probing, like tentatively reaching out tentacles in this unfamiliar environment.

A polite greeting first, to lower the other person's guard.

Li Yaqin gave herself a mental pat on the back.

Li Zhaodi's tense nerves relaxed slightly upon hearing "sister-in-law."

Like ripples spreading across a lake touched by a gentle breeze.

She subtly withdrew her scrutinizing gaze, a faint smile playing on her lips as a response.

But that smile carried a hint of aloofness and politeness, as if seen through a thin veil, indistinct.

Inwardly, however, she thought, "This sister-in-law is quite adept at handling things; I wonder how long she'll stay."

Li Yaqin secretly observed Li Zhaodi's reaction.

Good, no immediate hostility.

However, this distance and politeness were expected.

After all, she was a complete stranger to her.

"Hungry?" Li Zhaodi's voice was hoarse, like dried orange peel, conveying a sense of weariness.

She turned and walked towards the house.

Her protruding belly swayed gently with each step, like a heavy burden, making it hard for her to breathe.

Was she testing her intentions?

Or was it just polite talk?

Li Yaqin wondered.

Never mind, since she was already there, she might as well play along, figure out the situation, and then make her own plans.

Li Yaqin followed behind Li Zhaodi.

Her gaze subtly swept over every corner of the yard.

Mud-brick houses, mud floors, farm tools piled in the corners.

And there was the faint smell of firewood in the air…

All of this was so out of place with her past life, yet undeniably real.

Li Yaqin took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale this unfamiliar scent, letting it seep into her lungs and seep into her very bones.

She told herself that from this moment on, she belonged to this era.

Having come to the military region, she had to adapt to everything here as quickly as possible.

Not only adapt, but also take root here and fulfill her purpose for coming to the military region.

Her spatial ability and the pills containing it were her greatest assets.

She would make good use of these pills to carve out a place for herself in this era.

Li Yaqin clenched her fists silently.

The three of them entered the house, one after the other.

The room was dimly lit.

The furnishings were simple, consisting only of an old eight-immortal table and a few long benches.

A faded New Year's picture hung on the wall.

The painting depicted a chubby baby holding a large carp, symbolizing abundance year after year.

However, this festive scene couldn't dispel the oppressive atmosphere permeating the room.

This atmosphere was like aged wine, strong and complex, making it hard to breathe.

Li Yaqin knew that the days to come wouldn't be as carefree as the baby in the painting.

She would be facing real, living people,

and the complex web of interests behind them.

And she had to be the ultimate winner in this game.

Li Yaqin's gaze hardened.