Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

The night was deeper.

Su Yan stood in front of Li Xiangyang's courtyard gate once again.

This time, her eyes no longer held anger, only utter despair.

She knew all too well what those uniforms meant.

Those were not ordinary law enforcement officers, but staff members at a higher level.

This means that Wang Ming may never return after this trip.

“Li Xiangyang…” she called softly, her voice hoarse.

The courtyard gate opened again, and Li Xiangyang's figure remained as tall as ever.

“I told you to go back.” His voice was impatient.

"I..." Su Yan bit her lip, then suddenly knelt down. "Please, help me..."

"Get up," Li Xiangyang said coldly.

"I'll give you anything..." Su Yan raised her head, her eyes gleaming with a sickly light. "Haven't you always wanted me? As long as you help me, I..."

"enough!"

Li Xiangyang suddenly interrupted her sharply.

His voice was filled with disgust: "Is that how you see me? You think I'm that kind of person?"

Su Yan was stunned.

Under the moonlight, Li Xiangyang's eyes were filled with disappointment and pity.

“Su Yan, have some self-respect.” Li Xiangyang took a deep breath. “You’re a sent-down youth from the city, you’ve received an education, how could you do such a thing?”

"I......"

"You used to look down on us, thinking we were country bumpkins. But now, your own behavior is what makes you truly despicable."

Su Yan felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

She finally understood that the Li Xiangyang in front of her was no longer the naive boy she could manipulate at will.

"Get up," Li Xiangyang sighed. "Don't kneel here. You're still young; don't lose your dignity."

After saying that, he turned and went inside, casually tossing a cotton-padded coat into the yard: "Put this on before you go back inside, don't catch a cold."

“Li Xiangyang…” Su Yan suddenly called out to him as he turned around, “Do you really think I have no feelings for you at all?”

Li Xiangyang stopped, but did not turn around.

“Then tell me,” he said softly, “how much of your affection for me is genuine?”

"It's all true," Su Yan said, her voice trembling with tears. "But is it wrong that I don't want to stay in the countryside?"

Li Xiangyang finally turned around.

Under the moonlight, he saw Su Yan's tears freeze on her face.

“That’s right,” he said calmly, “but you can leave through your own efforts, instead of climbing over others and completely disregarding their efforts to get ahead.”

"Rely on yourself?" Su Yan suddenly laughed, a laugh filled with bitterness. "Don't you know my background? If I told you, wouldn't I know there was danger? I still told you..."

She stood up and brushed the snow off her knees: "I told you my feelings for you were genuine, whether you believe me or not! Otherwise, why would I have told you about my background? I also dreamed of a future with you. It was all true."

"Think about it carefully. Have I not asked you if you would be willing to abandon everything and come abroad with me?"

"What did you say to me? You said the mountains are nice, why go abroad? You have family! Think about it, wasn't it after that time that I started getting close to Wang Ming?"

She paused, then said, "Fine, believe it or not. I'm just asking you, with my background, do you really think I can go back on my own?"

Li Xiangyang fell silent and did not speak for a long time.

Su Yan's words struck him like a stone, creating ripples in his heart.

He remembered that summer evening from his previous life.

They sat under the big locust tree at the entrance of the village, and he excitedly told Su Yan about his hunting skills.

Su Yan leaned on his shoulder, listening quietly, and finally asked, "Will you take me abroad with you? Anywhere is fine. You have this skill, you won't starve anywhere. I come from a poor family, my dad..."

He refused without even thinking about it.

He said the mountains are good, he has family there, and everything he knows is familiar, so why go abroad?

He even laughed at Su Yan for thinking too far ahead.

Looking back now, that was perhaps the most authentic moment for Su Yan.

She was full of anticipation and willing to run away to a distant place with a country boy.

But he personally turned down this opportunity.

So, he's in a complete mess right now!

He hates Su Yan!

If it weren't for Su Yan, he wouldn't have suffered such a tragic fate in his past life!

However, this hatred now seems so pale!

He pushed her away with his own hands!

This led to her betrayal.

From beginning to end, she had a clear goal: either return to the city or go abroad.

“You’re right,” Li Xiangyang said softly, “I did indeed betray your sincerity.”

Su Yan was clearly taken aback, not expecting Li Xiangyang to admit it.

“But Su Yan,” Li Xiangyang continued, “the past is the past. What you’re doing now won’t bring happiness to anyone.”

"Happiness? Li Xiangyang, you're talking to me about happiness? Tell me, how am I supposed to get happiness? Besides my body, what other bargaining chips do I have?"

Su Yan wiped away her tears. "It's my fault. I'd sell myself to get back to the city, I'd do anything for a bite to eat. That's how you all see me. I don't care."

"Okay, tell me, how can I avoid being pathetic, avoid depending on others, and live with hope?"

"If you won't come abroad with me, then Wang Ming is my only chance. Although his father is now..."

Her voice trembled slightly, "But there's always a connection. But now..."

"So you're planning to trade your body for mine?" Li Xiangyang asked coldly.

"Then tell me, what else can I do?" Su Yan suddenly became agitated. "Can you tell me, what way out is there for someone like me?"

Her voice sounded particularly desolate in the cold wind: "Do you know what I fear most? It's not hardship, it's not suffering. What I fear most is that ten or twenty years from now, when my face is full of wrinkles and my hands are rough, I'll look at my weathered face in the mirror and ask myself: What have I lived my whole life for?"

Looking at her, Li Xiangyang felt a pang of pity for her for the first time.

But he still shook his head: "Su Yan, your destiny is your own. Even if you get what you want this way now, won't you ask yourself the same question when you look in the mirror in the future?"

Su Yan was startled.

“Go back,” Li Xiangyang said finally. “Think carefully about what you really want.”

“No.” Su Yan suddenly raised her head, her voice firm. “I’m not going back.”

Li Xiangyang frowned: "What do you mean by that?"

“It means exactly what it says.” Su Yan straightened up. “Either you agree to help me—if you can help me get back to the city, I’ll give you my body, and you can be with whomever you want. Or…”

She took a deep breath. "Marry me."

“Are you crazy?”

"I'm not crazy," Su Yan said calmly. "Didn't you tell me to figure out what I really wanted? I have."

"All I want is a chance to live a decent life. If you think I shouldn't sell myself, fine, I accept that. I'll stay in the village and live with you."

Li Xiangyang looked at her and suddenly felt dizzy.

He had seen her in a wedding dress before.

But on their wedding day, she ran away!

Even if she has her reasons, she would still choose this path given the chance.

And I simply can't accept her!

Now, she is like a trapped beast driven to the brink of despair, even her last act of defiance carries a touch of desolation.

"Su Yan, you're too tired," he said softly.

"Yes, I'm tired." Su Yan smiled. "So I don't want to struggle anymore. Will you take me in? I can cook for you, help you with chores, and have your baby..."

"Stop talking!" Li Xiangyang interrupted her sharply. "Do you know what you're saying?"

“Of course I know,” Su Yan said stubbornly. “I’m shamelessly selling myself. Just tell me. I’m selling myself, do you want it or not?”