Chapter 2: The Next Day

“Brother Zhao, I can dance. Let me dance with you instead of my sister!” Wen Congli quickly said, reaching out to take Zhao Shiren’s hand.

In this conservative era, married couples had to be cautious about appearances even in front of others. Wen Congli’s bold move stirred a surge of excitement in Zhao Shiren. Despite the flush of desire clouding his mind, he still remembered Wen Congyin. Hesitating, he glanced toward her. “What do you think about this...”

“You two go ahead. I really don’t think I’m suitable,” Wen Congyin replied with a serene smile, as if she were blind to the scene.

Wen Congli beamed happily and led Zhao Shiren to the dance floor. She indeed knew how to dance—and danced beautifully. Soon, the surrounding men’s attention was drawn to them. Zhao Shiren’s triumphant expression grew more pronounced.

Director Zhang frowned slightly and looked at Wen Congyin. “Xiao Wen, what’s going on with you? I never heard you complain about any health issues at the hospital during the day. Are you unwilling to be matched with Comrade Zhao? Let me tell you, he doesn’t mind that you’re raising your niece. You should be secretly pleased, not arrogant!”

Wen Congyin had no intention of fooling Director Zhang. She knew Zhang was stubborn by nature and close to Zhao Shiren’s mother, who was quite fond of her. Apart from Wen’s own father, Director Zhang was the most eager for Wen Congyin and Zhao Shiren to marry.

“Director Zhang, I... I’m just thinking about my niece. You know her father passed away, and she’s now raised by her uncle. Living under someone else’s roof as a blacklisted family member, it must be a hard life. That’s why I haven’t been in the mood...”

So that was the reason.

Director Zhang understood and softened his stern, sallow face with a hint of sympathy. “If you care for your niece, you should get closer to Comrade Zhao. Honestly, who else but him can help your niece?”

His eyes hinted at something unspoken.

Wen Congyin smiled faintly without responding, excusing herself to go outside the auditorium to clear her mind.

The school had long since ceased classes. Outside the auditorium was a small grove bathed in pale moonlight. Wen Congyin spread her handkerchief on the fallen leaves and leaned against a tree, her mind drifting—was this the butterfly dream of Zhuangzi, or Zhuangzi’s dream of a butterfly?

She recalled her past life when she was traveling to City A to treat a certain official. With time to spare on the plane, her young apprentice, eager to share a treasure, gave her a historical romance novel in which a minor character, a young aunt, bore her name.

Curious, she borrowed the book and read on. When she woke again, she had become that very minor character.

Just now, mentioning the niece reminded Wen Congyin that this niece was indeed the novel’s minor character, whose fate was tragic. Born under harsh circumstances, her mother died in childbirth. By the age of five or six, she witnessed her father being beaten to death, and her uncle seized all the family property. Though the house was rightfully hers, she lived as a dependent, oppressed and marginalized.

As she grew, it was no surprise her psyche became twisted. Relying on her beauty and intelligence, she constantly antagonized the heroine, acting as a rival for the hero’s affections. Ultimately, the hero uncovered her true nature, and she met a miserable end.

Wen Congyin believed in karma. Since awakening in this body, she vowed to do whatever it took to bring her niece back.

Otherwise, she would be betraying the original soul.

“Captain Geng.”

Just as Wen Congyin pondered how to gracefully end the match with Zhao Shiren without offending anyone and risking petty revenge, a crisp female voice sounded behind her.

She turned from behind the tree to see a pair of figures—a man and a woman.

Wen Congyin was about to step out when she heard the woman in a military jacket say, “We can’t be together.”

Wen Congyin halted mid-step, retreating silently.

She lightly tapped her head in frustration and hid again.

Judging by their attire, these two were no ordinary people. Stepping out now might offend them.

Captain Geng Xu noticed the side profile disappearing behind the tree and slightly raised his brow, though his stern expression betrayed no emotion.

He said nothing. The girl seemed resigned, biting her lip. “Captain Geng, I’ll be honest. My father is old and confused. He supports you, thinking you’ll rise to great heights, which is why he arranged this match. But you must understand your background—it’s destined to fall. Besides, you’ve adopted a comrade’s nephew. My family may not be the top in the Fourth-Nine City, but we are no ordinary household. I don’t want to sacrifice myself for you.”

“I understand,” Geng Xu replied firmly. “Don’t worry, I’ll tell Commander Lin that we have no fate.”

The girl was momentarily stunned, clearly surprised. She looked up at Geng Xu.

Truth be told, from his appearance alone, Geng Xu was far beyond the inexperienced youths of the compound. At twenty-nine, his steady eyes and crisp military uniform made him seem like a sheathed sword—reliable, capable.

Lin Xuxu had been prepared for Geng Xu to lose his temper and curse, deliberately provoking him. She knew she couldn’t disobey her father’s orders, so she tried to poke at Geng Xu’s vulnerabilities to make him back off and tell her father the match was off.

But somehow, at this moment, she felt a twinge of regret.

She wondered if any man she knew could remain so calm and composed in the face of such difficulties.

“If you’re willing to let your nephew be raised by someone else, then perhaps this could work,” Lin Xuxu suddenly changed her tone.

Geng Xu was slightly taken aback but shook his head decisively, not uttering a word.

Lin Xuxu flushed with anger. “Geng Xu! You’re smart—why are you so ungrateful? That child isn’t even related to you. Is sacrificing this match worth it? Remember, my parents have the ability to help clear your mother’s name quickly.”

“That’s impossible. Thanks for your kindness, Comrade Lin,” Geng Xu said. “I’m no genius, just following my heart. As for the rehabilitation, it’s none of your concern.”

Lin Xuxu left, fuming.

Wen Congyin listened from behind the tree, thinking this man was a bit of a stubborn straightforward type, but a principled good man. The name Geng Xu sounded vaguely familiar.

“Are you going to come out?” the man’s voice suddenly asked behind her.

Startled, Wen Congyin shivered and met his silent gaze.

Feeling awkward, she nodded slightly. “Sorry, I didn’t hear anything.”

Geng Xu looked at the young woman stepping out—around twenty, with a calm demeanor and striking eyes, bright and sincere.

“You’d better say that to everyone. That woman’s temper isn’t good,” he warned.

Wen Congyin was about to thank him when she saw Wen Congli pulling Zhao Shiren toward them. Her heart stirred, and she quickly apologized to Geng Xu before pulling him back behind the tree.

“Xiaoli, why bring me to this grove? If someone sees, it’ll cause trouble and misunderstandings,” Zhao Shiren said in an official tone, though his footsteps followed closely behind Wen Congli, showing no intention of leaving.

Wen Congyin couldn’t help but admire the shamelessness of this pair. True to the novel’s depiction of this scoundrel couple, given the chance, they even brought Xiaoli along to sneak into the woods.

Wen Congli stopped and turned, her eyes red as she stared at Zhao Shiren.

Zhao Shiren froze. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you crying? If someone sees, how can I explain this?”

As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her tears.

Wen Congli grasped his hand and leaned her body against him. “Brother Zhao, don’t you understand what I mean? Since the day I first saw you, I’ve loved you. Are you really going to marry my sister?”

Zhao Shiren, softened by her warmth and closeness, felt pleased and intoxicated but still feigned reluctance as he pushed her away. “Xiaoli, this… you can’t do this! If I knew you had feelings for me, I’d never have come here.”

Wen Congli ignored him and threw herself at him, kissing him so passionately it made a loud smack.

Wen Congyin and Geng Xu remained silent.

Geng Xu tried to pull his hand free and leave, but Wen Congyin held it tight. Meeting his puzzled gaze, she explained quietly with some embarrassment, “I am the older sister.”

Geng Xu’s expression shifted from confusion to silent disbelief, mixed with sympathy.

Behind the tree, Wen Congli finally separated from Zhao Shiren.

Zhao Shiren pushed her away. “Xiaoli, you, you… how am I supposed to explain this to your sister?”

“Brother Zhao, you don’t need to explain. This is my choice. Even if you don’t give me a title, I’ll accept it,” Wen Congli said, her eyes filled with longing as she pressed against him.

Her true feelings were different. Zhao Shiren was the best catch she’d ever known, and she wasn’t about to miss this chance.

Moreover, she saw Wen Congyin didn’t appreciate such a good prospect.

Seeing the moment was right, Wen Congyin instructed Geng Xu to stay put, then stepped out. The dry winter leaves crunched beneath her foot.

Wen Congli’s face instantly paled at Wen Congyin’s appearance.

“You…” Zhao Shiren’s heart skipped a beat as he sensed something ominous. Turning back, he saw Wen Congyin looking at them with anger and sorrow. Panic rose in him. “Comrade Wen, let me explain—it’s not what you think.”

“Not what? What else could it be?” Wen Congyin approached, raised her hand, and slapped Zhao Shiren hard. Then she spat at the frightened Wen Congli. “You two adulterers! I’ll let you have your way!”

With that, she ran off.

Fearful of trouble, Wen Congli and Zhao Shiren exchanged glances and hurried after her.

After a while, Geng Xu emerged, looking toward the auditorium. His gaze fell on the handkerchief on the ground, eyes thoughtful and contemplative.