Volume One, Chapter Three: An Unexpected Rescue

With several hours remaining before her second sister’s accident, Sun Yaqin decided to return home first. The house was a newly built three-room tile-roofed dwelling. Her father’s job transfer wouldn’t take effect until next year, so the three rooms were still empty for now.

Her second sister was currently living in one of the rooms, furnished with only the most basic household items.

Sun Yaqin had initially considered lighting a fire but quickly abandoned the idea. After all, in her previous life, she had never learned how to start a fire, so it was better not to trouble herself.

She glanced at the yellow clock on the table; soon it was 7:30 p.m. Taking a deep breath, Sun Yaqin stood up and headed toward the home of her fourth uncle, Yang Zhigang.

The lights at Yang Zhigang’s house were dim and flickering. Sun Yaqin approached and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” a voice called from inside.

The door creaked open, and a delicate young girl exhaled against the window, melting a small hole in the frost on the glass. Only upon recognizing Sun Yaqin did she open the door fully.

The girl raised an eyebrow and appraised Sun Yaqin with a trace of envy in her eyes.

“Yaqin, what brings you here?” she said lightly, her tone tinged with reluctance.

Sun Yaqin was barely a month older than Yang Huifang, yet this “Yaqin” was spoken with clear unwillingness.

“My fourth uncle said the restaurant ran out of cabbages and asked for a few from my second sister. Since my second sister isn’t feeling well, I told her to rest at home. You should deliver them instead.”

Yang Huifang crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe. “I’m not going! Yalin is working at our family restaurant. Even if she’s unwell, she should’ve told our parents in advance. If someone’s going, it should be you.”

“I need to take care of my sister, but here’s five yuan for you,” Sun Yaqin said.

At once, Yang Huifang perked up. “Five yuan? Sun Yaqin, don’t bluff!” She burst into laughter.

Without further words, Sun Yaqin produced five yuan from her pocket and waved it before her eyes. “Are you going or not? If you don’t, I’ll go myself!”

Yang Huifang snatched the money. “Fine, I’ll go!” In these times, workers earned just over fifty yuan a month; five yuan for an errand was a great deal.

Yang Huifang’s physique was similar to Sun Yalin’s, and she loved to imitate Yalin’s gait and tone. In the previous life, when Yalin worked at the restaurant, Yang Huifang frequently bullied her. After Yalin was assaulted, Yang Huifang even added fuel to the fire, saying Yalin had seduced Brother Long and deserved it, that she was lowly and to blame.

Sun Yaqin bore no psychological burden over Yang Huifang’s fate—it was the justice she deserved.

With Yang Huifang agreeing, Sun Yaqin turned to leave but secretly followed her.

The thugs had been waiting outside the abandoned factory for some time. Seeing Yang Huifang approach, they exchanged glances and rushed forward to tie her up.

“Boss! We’ve got her!”

The old factory had no electricity, and it was bitterly cold in winter. If it weren’t for their long-standing desire for Sun Yalin, Xiang Jinlong wouldn’t have made her suffer such torment in the dead of winter.

Yang Huifang’s mouth was gagged; she could only emit muffled sounds, her hands bound behind her back.

Xiang Jinlong grabbed her roughly and threw her onto a worn table. When she tried to flee, he seized her legs.

He then instructed his men, “Guard the door.”

Two subordinates reluctantly went to the entrance. The cold outside made them stamp their feet and rub their hands to stay warm, while Sun Yaqin watched secretly from the alley.

Hearing faint noises from inside, the two guards grew restless. Their leader was inside with a woman, and they were stuck outside. Irritated, they lit cigarettes to calm their nerves.

After a while, Sun Yaqin saw that the matter was likely settled and prepared to leave. But the cold was biting, and her feet numbed; she took a step and fell, making a noise.

The thugs immediately looked toward the sound. “Who’s there?”

One of them inhaled deeply, stubbed out his cigarette underfoot, and cautiously approached the noise.

Sun Yaqin dared not speak or move. Sitting on the ground, she picked up a brick nearby.

When the two thugs drew close and saw her by moonlight—a young girl—they swallowed nervously and squatted down.

Their voices took on a lecherous tone. “Little sister, why are you out alone so late? Want big brother to walk you home?”

“Brother your sister!” Sun Yaqin hurled the brick at one of them.

The man, wearing a hat, felt a warm trickle run down his head.

“Damn it! How dare you hit me! I’ve got this evil fire burning inside me today, just waiting to be unleashed!”

Sun Yaqin shouted for help. The other thug bent down to cover her mouth, but she struck him with the brick again, making him howl.

Perhaps fueled by adrenaline, Sun Yalin felt her blood boil. Her frozen feet regained feeling, and she sprang up and ran.

The two thugs, both injured, were momentarily stunned. “Chase her! Don’t let her get away!”

“Help! Help!” Sun Yaqin closed her eyes and summoned all her strength to run toward the main road. She dared not look back; only she could save herself now.

Hearing the cries, nearby lights flickered on, but no one dared to come out.

Ahead, a tall figure appeared. Though backlit, the man’s face was blurred, but he wore a dark green military uniform. Sun Yaqin immediately blocked his path. “Save… me!”

She stumbled and fell into his arms. The man’s broad shoulders and narrow waist were sturdy despite the bulky coat, and his warm chest radiated heat.

The man looked closely at her face.

It was her.

Qin Xiangdong’s heart tightened as if gripped by invisible hands. It pounded wildly. Nervously raising his arms, unsure where to place them, he finally grasped Sun Yaqin’s shoulders.

Just as he was about to speak, the two pursuers arrived. Seeing Qin Xiangdong, the thugs fled immediately.

“Wait here for me!”I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.