The morning sun rose slowly over Qinghe Village, spreading golden light across the mud houses, narrow paths, and scattered farms.
Chickens clucked noisily, children laughed as they chased each other barefoot, and women gathered near doorsteps, whispering as they shelled beans and washed clothes.
But that morning, the air felt… different.
It was thick.
Heavy.
Jiang Yanyan stepped out of her house, carrying a bamboo basket filled with freshly made buns and fried pancakes.
Steam curled gently upward, releasing a tempting fragrance into the air.
She tied her hair neatly, adjusted her simple pale-blue dress, and began walking toward the village market.
She didn't notice it.
But eyes followed her.
From behind broken fences.
From beneath half-closed windows.
From the shade of ancient trees.
And among those eyes one pair burned with venom.
By the time Jiang Yanyan reached the market, murmurs had already begun.
Did you hear?
Hear what?
"About Liu Meilin… I heard she's been sneaking out at night."
No way…
I swear! My cousin saw her talking to strange men at the riverbank.
Tsk tsk… so that glow-up wasn't clean after all.
The whispers slithered through the crowd like poisonous snakes.
Jiang Yanyan sensed the shift instantly.
The smiles were stiffer.
The greetings colder.
The stares sharper.
A woman she often sold buns to hesitated before taking her food.
Another customer glanced around nervously before approaching her stall.
Her fingers tightened around the bamboo basket.
But she said nothing.
She kept working.
Because she knew gossip was a blade you couldn't block. You could only outlast it.
At noon, after selling most of her food, Jiang Yanyan packed her stall and prepared to leave.
That was when a young boy ran toward her, panting.
"Sister Meilin! My grandma fainted near the river! She keeps calling your name!"
Her heart skipped.
Old Madam Zhang lived alone near the riverside. Jiang Yanyan had often brought her food.
Without hesitation, she followed the boy.
The dirt path narrowed as they moved away from the village. Tall reeds swayed on both sides, whispering softly in the breeze.
The river glimmered faintly ahead.
But something felt… wrong.
The boy suddenly stopped.
Then turned.
And smiled.
It was not the innocent smile of a child.
It was twisted.
Before Jiang Yanyan could react
Hands shoved her violently from behind.
Her body flew forward.
The world spun.
Then
SPLASH!
Cold water swallowed her whole.
The river was deeper than she imagined.
Her heavy body dragged her downward.
Water rushed into her nose and mouth.
Her arms flailed wildly.
Fear exploded in her chest.
"I can't die not like this!"
She struggled desperately, kicking, clawing, pushing upward.
Her lungs burned.
Her vision blurred.
Just when darkness began creeping in
A powerful arm wrapped around her waist.
She was yanked upward violently.
SPLASH!
She broke the surface, choking violently.
Strong hands dragged her to shore.
She collapsed onto the wet mud, coughing uncontrollably, water pouring from her mouth.
Her entire body shook.
Her hair clung to her face.
Her chest heaved violently.
Then
A familiar voice trembled above her.
"Are you insane?!"
Lu Jianfeng knelt beside her, his usually calm face pale, eyes burning with terror and rage.
He grabbed her shoulders.
"Why would you follow someone here alone?!"
She coughed violently, barely able to speak.
They said… grandma Zhang…"
His grip tightened.
There was no boy. No fainting.
Cold realization slammed into her.
A trap.
Her body went icy.
Lu Jianfeng pulled her fiercely into his chest.
Her wet face pressed against his soaked shirt.
For a moment he didn't care about propriety, gossip, or shame.
He only knew
He almost lost her.
His heartbeat thundered wildly beneath her ear.
She felt his arms shaking.
That was when she realized
He was scared.
Truly scared.
By evening, the entire village had erupted.
"Someone tried to kill Liu Meilin!"
"She was pushed into the river!"
"Who would do such a thing?!"
The Liu brothers stormed out like furious beasts.
Second Brother Liu Qiang smashed a stool against the wall.
"If I find who did this, I'll break his legs!"
Third Brother Liu Ming's eyes were bloodshot.
"She almost died…"
Even Zhao Lihua, who once despised her, stood silently in the corner, fists clenched, lips trembling.
That night, Lu Jianfeng stood guard outside her room.
Did not sleep.
Did not sit.
Did not move.
Beyond the village, beneath a crooked tree near the abandoned hut, Chen Yuyang stood quietly.
Moonlight washed over his gentle smile.
His eyes glittered with madness.
So she survived…
He chuckled softly.
"No matter."
"This was only the beginning."
His gaze drifted toward Lu Jianfeng house.
Possessive.
Twisted.
Obsessed.
"I will tear apart everything you love."
Inside her room, Jiang Yanyan lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
Her clothes were dry.
Her hair combed.
Her body warm.
But her heart was cold.
This was no longer simple village life.
This was war.
Her fingers curled slowly into fists beneath the quilt.
"If you want my life…"
"Then come."
"I will make you regret it."
And in the silent darkness
The real battle began.