Chapter 37: Method

He Chengyang was internally screaming, nearly going mad.

He simply couldn't understand what Zhao Chengyu saw in Li Yaqin.

Was it her faded, coarse cloth clothes?

Or her mud-caked cloth shoes?

Or perhaps her unremarkable face?

He Chengyang was utterly baffled, and he even felt a ridiculous urge.

He wanted to rush up to Li Yaqin, point his finger at her, and shout at her.

"Li Yaqin, what makes you think you can look down on him? What right do you have?"

"Do you even know who he is? He's Zhao Chengyu! The future head of the Zhao family!"

"A country girl like you, to have his favor is a blessing you've accumulated over eight lifetimes!"

"You actually dare to refuse? Are you out of your mind?"

Li Yaqin felt this absurd blind date was utterly pointless for her.

She had to make these two arrogant men understand in a decisive and unquestionable way.

She had no interest in their so-called "wife" status; she only cared about her own interests.

All she wanted was a stable, well-paying, and easy job—nothing more.

As for Zhao Chengyu and He Chengyang, no matter how outstanding or powerful they were, in her eyes, they were ultimately just ordinary people.

But she, Li Yaqin, possessed the powerful force to change her destiny—her spatial ability.

This was a secret that these ordinary mortals could never understand or attain.

Li Yaqin's mind raced, calculating the pros and cons.

The eldest son of the He family, the young master of the Zhao family—these two names represented considerable power and status.

Their abilities were undeniable; they were exceptional individuals, standing at the very top of the pyramid, capable of turning the world upside down with a flick of their wrist.

The more this was the case, the more wary Li Yaqin became. A marriage between people of unequal social standing was destined to be a tragedy.

She didn't want to become a victim of the power struggles within wealthy families.

She was just a country girl, and there was indeed a gap between her and them.

But Li Yaqin wasn't an ordinary person; she had ways to make them look at her differently.

However, true equality between them was impossible, let alone controlling them.

After all, their upbringing was different.

Rather than being bound by them in the future, it was better to take the initiative from the start.

Right now, these complex thoughts had to be put aside for the time being.

The most important thing was to first clarify her position and attitude with these two people.

Indeed, she needed to probe their background first, to see what benefits she could gain from them.

She needed to make them understand her thoughts, so they would have a clear understanding of her position.

She needed to let them know her "demands" and see what conditions they could offer.

She needed to see if she could use them to gain more benefits for herself.

To avoid any unnecessary trouble later.

Li Yaqin knew very well that Zhao Chengyu and He Chengyang were both cunning and scheming.

A slight misstep could lead to them plotting against her and getting her into trouble.

But she wasn't afraid; she had plenty of ways to deal with it.

But there was no need; it would be a waste of time!

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She couldn't panic; the more critical the moment, the more composed she needed to be.

She had to be careful, absolutely not letting them see any flaws.

She needed to see if she could extract as much value as possible from them.

Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.

She had to play this role well, convincingly, flawlessly, making them believe her words.

Li Yaqin's eyes hardened, leaving no room for doubt, as if she had made a firm decision and was fully prepared.

"I want a simple, easy job, preferably one that doesn't require too much physical exertion and allows for regular working hours, like guarding a warehouse, just opening and closing doors."

Li Yaqin's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but each word was enunciated clearly, ensuring the other party could hear her.

Every word had been carefully considered, as if weighed on a scale.

"I want to work at an oil and grain factory, or a slaughterhouse," Li Yaqin stated her request directly.

Famine is coming; this is Li Yaqin's biggest secret, and also her best opportunity to gain profit.

With work, exchanging goods will be much easier.

Profiting isn't always straightforward; with a little care, she can accumulate wealth.

Although she's currently in a world set in a bygone era, the terrible famine hasn't disappeared; it's just delayed by a few years.

Oil and grain mills, or slaughterhouses, are the two places most likely to yield supplies during this special period.

Working there allows her to stockpile large quantities of grain and meat.

This is the most important thing right now—solving the problem of food and clothing.

With sufficient supplies, she can better utilize her spatial abilities.

Only then will she have the energy to do other things.

To maximize her own benefit and gain a foothold in this era.

Li Yaqin knows very well that what she wants is control over everything, not dependence on anyone.

What she wants is absolute control, the ability to control her own destiny.

“As for the house, I’d like it to be big, preferably with a yard, because I like to grow my own fruits and vegetables. I can be self-sufficient.”

Li Yaqin spoke, a simple, honest smile on her face.

Having a place to live, a private space of her own, would allow her to make better use of the space.

It would also allow her to do things that she couldn’t let outsiders know about.

“As for becoming the adopted daughter of the Zhao and He families, let’s forget about that. I have a brother and family, and I don’t want to be separated from them.”

Li Yaqin spoke her opinion slowly, each word carefully considered, as if weighing it repeatedly on her tongue.

Becoming their adopted daughter sounded glamorous, granting her the protection of two powerful families.

In reality, it would be a constraint, restricting her in every way and preventing her from acting freely.

Seemingly glamorous, but actually restrictive in every way.

She didn’t want to be bound by these two families, becoming a pawn in their game, manipulated at their mercy.

What she wanted was the opportunity to control her own destiny, not a life controlled by others.

Upon hearing Li Yaqin's words, He Chengyang sneered inwardly. This woman truly didn't know her place.

A mocking smile played on his lips, a hint of contempt in his eyes.

“Becoming the He family’s adopted daughter means you’re now connected to us. Without our protection, a country girl like you would easily become a target, a pariah.”

He Chengyang’s voice was cold, like a biting winter wind, like a chilling blade, piercing straight to the heart.

His words were both a warning and a veiled implication.

They implied the He family’s overwhelming power, capable of easily crushing everything.

They also implied the danger and predicament Li Yaqin might face if she refused their offer.

Li Yaqin’s heart sank slightly. He Chengyang was telling the truth.

Without a powerful background, in this era, one could easily become a target, at the mercy of others.

Especially in this particular era, relationships between people were complex and delicate; a slight misstep could lead to utter ruin.

However, she possessed a spatial ability—her greatest secret, her greatest trump card.

And then there were those miraculous elixirs, capable of altering one's appearance, even determining life and death.

This was her greatest source of confidence, giving her the assurance to establish herself in this era, unafraid of any challenge.

As long as she utilized these resources effectively, she could survive in this era, and thrive better than anyone else.

She paused for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons, carefully considering Zhao Chengyu's words.

"Alright!"

Li Yaqin finally spoke, her tone tinged with helplessness and compromise, but her eyes remained resolute, unwavering.

She had to make a choice, a choice that would determine her future.

And this choice might change her entire life, leading her down a completely different path.

Agreeing to become their adopted daughter would indeed grant her the protection of two powerful families in the short term, avoiding unnecessary trouble.

But in the long run, this wasn't the best choice; it would limit her development, preventing her from freely pursuing her goals.

She needed time, a safe environment, a place where she could develop in peace.

This would allow her to gradually accumulate strength and continuously improve her abilities.

To make thorough preparations for the future.

Li Yaqin secretly resolved to seize this opportunity and turn the tables.

To strive for the greatest benefit and create a better future for herself.

To live a comfortable, carefree life, free from worries about food and clothing.