Before being reborn and getting married, the pampered young lady emptied her family's assets to

Chapter 5: One should have backbone, but also be pragmatic.

Anmin slowly took two steps back, away from the door, and retreated to the shadows in the courtyard.

The argument inside continued, with Qin Shulan's sobs and Wei Yaozong's forceful voice mingling together.

Anmin took a deep breath of the cold, dry air from the Northwest, which made her throat ache.

She looked up at this unfamiliar and desolate place, and the last trace of hesitation and hope in her eyes was completely extinguished.

All that remained was the icy coldness of a rock and the resolute determination of a desperate gamble.

She put down her suitcase, as if letting go of the last unnecessary ties.

Then, Anmin straightened her back, like a wild grass that would stand tenaciously even in the wind and sand, and stepped forward.

The argument inside the door abruptly stopped.

The curtain was suddenly pulled open, revealing Wei Yaozong's gloomy and wary face and Qin Shulan's red, tear-stained eyes.

And then there were the gloating looks from Wei Hong and Wei Ling behind them.

Anmin's face showed no tear stains, only the weariness of a long journey and an almost transparent calm.

She looked at Wei Yaozong, her voice not loud, but clear enough to pierce the silence.

"Uncle, I heard what you and Aunt said."

An Min didn't give them time to react and continued, "Don't worry, I won't implicate the Wei family. My mother taught me that a person should have backbone, but also know when to be pragmatic."

Her gaze swept over the various expressions on the faces of the people in the room, finally settling on Wei Yaozong's face with an indifferent clarity.

"Auntie, could you please tell me where there is a cowshed nearby, or an abandoned cave dwelling or shack? I'll move there tonight."

"From now on, the Wei family and I will go our separate ways. Whether I live or die, whether I am good or bad, it is none of your business, and you are none of my business either. You don't need to worry about being implicated by me."

After saying that, she looked away from everyone and turned to leave.

His thin back looked particularly stubborn and isolated.

“Minmin!”

The icy northwest wind, whipping up sand and dust, lashed against her face, stinging her skin.

But it is far less cold than the icy plain in my heart that was nurtured by my loved ones.

From this day forward, she will have no home.

"Minmin! Wait! Minmin..."

Behind me came my aunt Qin Shulan's heart-wrenching cries, filled with sobs and panic.

Before long, staggering footsteps caught up.

An Min stopped in her tracks, but did not turn around.

Qin Shulan finally caught up and grabbed An Min's cold wrist.

"Minmin...my child...I'm so sorry...Auntie is so sorry..."

Qin Shulan sobbed uncontrollably, her face streaked with tears.

Looking at Anmin's face, which resembled her sister's, she felt as if her heart was being repeatedly cut by a dull knife.

"It's because your aunt is useless...it's because your aunt couldn't protect you..."

Anmin turned around and looked at the woman who was now in a sorry state, her eyes filled with guilt and pain.

She harbored no resentment, simply withdrawing her hand, her voice calm and utterly undisturbed.

“Auntie, don’t say that. You have your difficulties. The Wei family is your home, and your cousins ​​and uncles are your support. I understand.”

Her words made Qin Shulan feel even more ashamed.

She would rather Anmin cry and make a scene than speak so calmly.

"You can't just leave like this. It's getting dark. Where will you go?"

Qin Shulan wiped away her tears and hurriedly looked around at the desolate landscape.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, Auntie."

As if she had made up her mind, she hurriedly ran back into the house, leaving Anmin standing alone in the cold wind.

There seemed to be arguing coming from inside the house again, but soon Qin Shulan came running out with a cloth bag and a tattered kerosene lamp.

She shoved the lantern into Anmin's hands and then, without a word, stuffed the heavy cloth bundle into her arms.

"Here you go, there are some steamed buns, a few eggs, and some money inside... not much, it's what my aunt secretly saved up..."

Qin Shulan's voice was extremely low, tinged with the nervousness of someone caught doing something wrong, her eyes darting warily into the house. "Your uncle... ignore him. Go to the east end of the village, past that small hill, there's a row of abandoned old cave dwellings."

“The one on the far right, half of the door is broken, but it can still keep out the wind. It used to be used to store miscellaneous items, but it has been abandoned for several years and no one goes there. You can make do there for the night, at least you have a roof to cover you.”

Anmin looked down at the cloth bag and lantern in her arms; the rough cloth wrapped a thin but burning heart.

She didn't refuse, and said softly, "Thank you, Auntie."

"I don't need the money. I have money in my own hands. Auntie, don't feel guilty. I understand and I know what's going on."

An Min reached out and finally hugged Qin Shulan, stuffing her money, along with the gift she had prepared for her—a silver bracelet—into her pocket.

For Anmin, it was enough that she could guide her and feed herself.

"Don't thank me, Auntie is feeling...sad..."

Qin Shulan's tears welled up again. She looked at An Min, hesitated, and finally just sighed heavily.

"Go quickly, it's too cold. Tomorrow... tomorrow your aunt will try to see if she can bring you some water and food..."

An Min nodded, picked up her suitcase, carried the lantern in one hand, and turned to walk in the direction Qin Shulan pointed.

The dim, flickering glow of the lantern was the only faint light she had in this unfamiliar and cruel Northwest.

Following Qin Shulan's directions, An Min quickly found the row of abandoned cave dwellings.

The one on the far right, as expected, was just half a dilapidated wooden door, creaking and groaning in the wind.

She went inside, and a strong smell of dust and mildew hit her.

The cave dwelling was small. By the light of the lantern, one could see some broken farm tools and hay piled up inside, with thick spider webs in the corner.

Despite the harsh environment, Anmin's heart found a strange sense of peace.

At least, this place belongs entirely to her; there is no one to scrutinize, exclude, or scheme against her.

She hung the lantern on a protruding nail on the wall, carefully inspected the cave door, and after confirming that it could not be locked from the outside, she took a deep breath.

She moved some wooden stumps from inside the cave dwelling to block the door, quickly tidied up a clean space, and ate the steamed buns and eggs her aunt had given her.

Having experienced her previous life, Anmin is not so demanding about her environment.

She had experienced even harder times than this.

After resting, An Min focused her mind and entered her personal space.

The warm, bright air, carrying a faint scent of grass and trees, instantly enveloped her.

Anmin's exhausted body let out a satisfied sigh.

She walked into the wooden house, a thought stirring in her mind.

There was a pile of things outside the cabin, so I took this opportunity to tidy them up.

See what we can use.

The large crystal chandelier that Anjia moved over floated steadily on the beams of the wooden house, emitting a soft and bright light.

Although we don't know where the electricity comes from, it seems that we don't lack these things here.

Exquisite European-style sofas, carved coffee tables, and chaise lounges covered with soft velvet have replaced the original bare floor.

The heavy Persian carpet taken from Anjia covered the entire floor of the wooden house, and it was soft and silent to walk on.

Several unassuming landscape paintings that she had taken from Andy On's secret room were hung on the wall.

In the corner sits the small grand piano that I brought from home.

The large bed she had taken from her mother's room, with its exquisite carvings and soft mattress, was placed by the window.

They laid out brand-new silk bedding, also from home.

The curtains have been replaced with heavy velvet curtains that were brought in from home, and they are now drawn tightly shut.

She walked to the corner and opened a large mahogany wardrobe that she had taken from Andy On's secret room.

Her clothes were neatly hung inside.

There were several classic-style dresses and cheongsams left by her mother, as well as some simpler clothes that she bought herself later.

In a smaller cabinet next to her, her underwear, socks, and other personal items were neatly arranged.

This is her other home.

(End of this chapter)