The Bad Girl's Quick Transmigration System: Traveling Back and Forth

It was early summer, and Qingxi Village, nestled beneath Qingyufang, was shrouded in vibrant life. Newly planted rice seedlings, lush and green, swayed gently in the breeze along the ridges of the fields. At the entrance to the village, a lush old locust tree cast a dense, green shadow. Beneath its shady branches, a group of villagers gathered, enjoying the cool breeze and chatting.

Time passes, and the winds of Qingyufang still caress the land, but some memories, like the roots of an old locust tree, are deeply rooted in the hearts of the villagers, enduring ever more vividly. Someone first mentioned that a few days ago, a propaganda team arrived in the town across the mountain, still preaching the same old principles of "gender equality" and "everyone has food to eat." But listening to them, it always felt less authentic and moving than what Lin Wei and the others had said back then.

"Ah, speaking of Miss Lin Wei and her team..." A long sigh came from Aunt Zhang, who sat in the center. Her complexion was now rosy, and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes held a satisfied smile, but at the mention of "Lin Wei," that smile turned to deep nostalgia, and her voice choked with sobs. "She was a great benefactor to our Qingxi Village!"

The villagers, young and old, gathered around, all wore similar expressions. Yes, Lin Wei's team, the group of young people who had ignited the flames of hope in their land over a decade ago. They were like a breeze, dispelling the gloom and gloom that enveloped the mountain village; like a ray of light, illuminating the gloomy lives of many.

"Aunt Zhang, please tell us more about how Miss Lin Wei persuaded Uncle Zhang to be his good husband," a young wife whispered, holding her child. When she married, Uncle Zhang was already a well-known good husband and father in the village. She had only heard of him in legends, but had never personally experienced him.

Aunt Zhang wiped the corners of her eyes with her apron and nodded, her thoughts seeming to go back to that stormy night.

"At that time, my family had a really bad temper. When he was tired from working in the fields and felt unhappy, he would drink a few cups. If he drank too much, he would no longer be him. He would find trouble when he got home and hit people. It was common for me to have bruises on my body. Aunt Zhang's voice was low, with a hint of fear, "The children were so frightened that I could only hide in the corner of the bed and get beaten. Those days were just one day at a time, and there was no end in sight. Sometimes I thought, I might as well die."

The elderly women around nodded with deep feeling. Wasn't that how women, in many places back then, lived? "Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog" and "A man beating his wife is natural"—these old sayings shackled them like shackles.

"Just when I was going through the most difficult time, Lin Wei and the others arrived." Aunt Zhang's eyes lit up, as if she had seen a ray of light in the darkness. "It was a day in early spring. A group of young people dressed in sexy green leather military uniforms came to the village. The leader was a girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, with short hair and bright eyes, revealing a sense of shrewdness and righteousness. She was Lin Wei."

"They said they were responding to the Empress' call to the countryside to promote new laws, organize farmers' associations, and help everyone live a better life. At first, many villagers didn't believe them, thinking they were just some officials from the city, just going through the motions and leaving. The men were even more dismissive, saying, 'What do women know?' 'Just stay home. It's inappropriate to come out and show up in public.'"

Uncle Wang, the village's veteran scholar, who had taught in a private school for several years in his youth, chimed in, "Yeah, I had my doubts back then. After all, since ancient times, it's been 'men manage the outside world, women manage the inside,' and 'women's virtue lies in their lack of talent.' A young woman leading a team of soldiers, managing village affairs, and even talking about 'gender equality' is truly novel, and even a little... hard to accept."

"But Miss Lin Wei and her team are different. They don't put on airs. They asked the village chief to find them an abandoned warehouse, which they simply cleaned up and settled in. During the day, the male team members worked in the fields with the villagers, harvesting wheat, planting rice, and carrying manure. They worked enthusiastically on all the dirty and tiring work, not like the pampered city soldiers at all. The female team members, on the other hand, visited every household, chatting with us old ladies and young wives, asking about our lives and whether our children were easy to raise."

Aunt Zhang continued, "Miss Lin Wei often came to my house. She saw me always keeping my head down, afraid to speak, and with injuries on my body, and she knew something was wrong. One time, she deliberately avoided my husband and took me to the creek outside the village, where she softly questioned me. I didn't dare to say anything at first, fearing he would find out and beat me even harder. Then Miss Lin Wei held my hand and said, 'Aunt Zhang, don't be afraid. We're here to help everyone. Now that the Empress is in power, the world has changed. It's no longer the world where men could bully women at will. The new law stipulates that men and women are equal. Women are human beings with dignity and are protected by the law. Domestic violence against your wife is illegal!'"

"Is it illegal?" Aunt Zhang's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief. "Is beating your own wife illegal?"

"Yes!" Miss Lin Wei said firmly, "Aunt Zhang, think about it, if a man gets angry outside and comes home to beat people up, what kind of warmth can there be in this family? How much of a shadow will it leave on the children's hearts if they grow up in such an environment? Women are not bought animals or punching bags for men. Women are equal partners like men, and they are supposed to support the family together. You gave birth to children for him, managed the housework, and worked in the fields. What right does he have to beat you?"

Lin Wei's words were like a hammer, hammering down on Aunt Zhang's heart. "Yeah, why?" She had never thought about it; she just felt it was her fate.

"Miss Lin Wei also told me that the country now has a new law to protect the rights of women and children. If he dares to hit you again, you can sue him! We will help you!"

"But...but he is my man, and the children still need a father..." Aunt Zhang was still hesitant. The deeply rooted traditional concepts could not be changed in a short time.

"Aunt Zhang, a good man loves his wife and children, not beats them," Lin Wei patiently counseled her. "A real family requires harmony between husband and wife, and mutual respect and love. Don't worry, I'll find a chance to talk to him."

Aunt Zhang was feeling very nervous at the time, but Lin Wei's sincere and determined eyes gave her a sense of inexplicable courage.

Two evenings later, Uncle Zhang returned drunk again, smashing dishes and pots as soon as he entered the room. Aunt Zhang was so frightened that she quickly shielded the child behind her. Just then, the door opened and Lin Wei walked in with two male team members.

"Brother Zhang, are you at home?" Lin Wei had a calm smile on her face, but her tone was unquestionable.

Uncle Zhang, his drunken eyes hazy, saw several men in military uniforms, including a young girl, and immediately became angry: "You...what are you doing here? What do you think of meddling in my family's affairs?"

"Brother Zhang, you can drink, but you can't act crazy when drunk, and you certainly can't hit your wife and children." Lin Wei stepped forward and stood in front of Aunt Zhang and the children.

"I beat my wife, what's it to you? You little girl, you dare to teach me a lesson? Get out!" Uncle Zhang said as he was about to push Lin Wei.

The male team member next to him immediately stepped forward and blocked him steadily. Although Uncle Zhang was drunk, he knew that these people were not easy to mess with, and he was a little dazed for a moment.

Lin Wei took the opportunity to say, "Brother Zhang, I'm not here to lecture you. I'm here to reason with you and explain the new laws. This is the new dynasty of Her Majesty the Queen, and new laws have been promulgated. The laws clearly stipulate that old customs that discriminate against women must be abolished and equality between men and women must be implemented. Husbands and wives should respect, love, and support each other. Domestic violence is a serious violation of the law and must be punished!"

"Punishment? I beat my own wife, what else can you do to me?" Uncle Zhang stiffened his neck, obviously unconvinced.

"Brother Zhang, think about it. Why do you work so hard outside? Isn't it for this family, so that your wife and children can live a good life?" Lin Wei didn't confront him directly, but instead gently persuaded him. "But when you get drunk, you beat people up, making the house a mess. Your wife and children are always worried. How can we call this a good life? How can children grow up in fear? Your wife cries every day. Who will help you with housework and take care of the family?"

"When you hit her, she felt pain physically, but it hurt even more emotionally! She was the one who shared your bed and bore your children! How could you bear it?"

Lin Wei's voice was low, but every word was clear and pointed. She didn't speak harshly or bully others, but simply calmly stated the facts and analyzed the pros and cons.

"The new law also states that if a couple's relationship breaks down, they can divorce! After a divorce, women can also share the family property and remarry, and they are still protected by the law. Brother Zhang, would you rather guard a cold home filled with fear and beatings, or would you rather live a good life with Aunt Zhang, asking her to help you manage the household and raise your children healthy and happy?"

"Think about it again. Not only is drinking harmful to your health, but if you accidentally hurt someone because of drinking, breaking the law and getting arrested, your family will be torn apart! Your child will be left without a father. Can you bear it?"

Lin Wei's words were like a key, unlocking the rusty lock in Uncle Zhang's heart; like a bucket of cold water, clearing his foggy mind. He stared blankly at Lin Wei, then at Aunt Zhang, huddled beside him, trembling and clutching her child, and the children's terrified eyes. How many times had he beaten her over the years? How many times had he scolded her? When had there ever been laughter and joy in their home? He was simply consumed by frustration, drinking and beating, never once considering the consequences.

"I...I..." Uncle Zhang, half sober, a look of shame and bewilderment crossed his face. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but words failed. Finally, he slumped down, crouching on the ground, his head in his hands, sobbing painfully. "I'm not a human being... I've let them down..."

Seeing Uncle Zhang like this, Lin Wei knew the knot in his heart had been untied. She breathed a sigh of relief, and her tone softened. "Brother Zhang, it's good that you know you were wrong. A prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold. As long as you treat Aunt Zhang and the children well, quit drinking, and work hard, this family will definitely get better. We believe in you."

Then, she turned to Aunt Zhang and looked at her encouragingly: "Aunt Zhang, if he does something naughty again, don't be afraid. Learn to resist and say no loudly! Remember, you are not alone. The new law will protect you, and we will support you!"