Chapter 1: Not One to Be Messed With

The Fang family were the village butchers. Fang Daleng and his wife Wang Cuixiang had five sons and one daughter. Each of their sons was tall and strapping, and together they were known in the village as the Five Tiger Generals—no one dared to cross the Fang family.

Their daughter, Fang Yuan, was infamous in the surrounding villages for being a troublemaker. She’d grown up running wild behind her brothers, never once bothering to reason with anyone.

Because of this, Fang Yuan’s marriage prospects were a real headache. In the end, she was betrothed to the eldest son of the Lu family from the neighboring village—a man who had already broken off an engagement once before.

On the day of the wedding, just as Fang Yuan’s brothers finished escorting her to the Lu family, Li Meng—the woman previously engaged to Lu’s eldest—came barging in, wailing that Fang Yuan had stolen her fiancé. She even claimed she was pregnant with his child.

Anyone who knew of Fang Yuan’s reputation wouldn’t dare cause a scene at her wedding.

Fang Yuan’s wildness was no joke. Without a word, she flipped the table.

She grabbed Lu’s eldest and gave him a good beating—hands, feet, the works. Li Meng, who’d come to make a scene, was stunned; she’d finally met someone fiercer than herself.

Trying to show her devotion to Lu Feng, Li Meng threw herself in front of him to protect him, but Fang Yuan just took them both down together.

In Fang Yuan’s words, “A shameless woman like her deserves a beating.”

When Lu’s mother saw the chaos, she thought to herself, “Neither of these girls is easy to deal with.” Slapping her thigh, she wailed, “We’re in trouble now.”

It was only when Lu’s father hurriedly called in his second and third sons that someone managed to stop Fang Yuan’s one-sided rampage.

Lu’s eldest had his face scratched, his hair a mess, and in the confusion, someone even kicked him. He sat on the ground, looking utterly pathetic.

Fang Yuan smoothed her hair, put her hands on her hips, and glared at the Lu family. “I don’t want this disgraceful man. You tell me—what are we going to do about this?”

Lu’s mother was completely cowed by Fang Yuan’s beating. This girl was even fiercer than her own mother-in-law had been. And with five equally unruly brothers backing her up, Lu’s mother didn’t even dare feel sorry for her son Lu Feng. Instinctively, she said, “Whatever you say, we’ll do.”

Lu’s second son, who’d come in to break up the fight, frowned. Could they really just agree to anything? Was this something to promise so lightly?

Fang Yuan looked the shabby house up and down—nothing caught her eye. But the two young men who’d just come in were quite good-looking.

The one with the droopy brows and gloomy eyes especially stood out. Fang Yuan asked, “He’s one of yours?”

Lu’s parents quickly followed her gaze and introduced him, “That’s our second son.”

Fang Yuan eyed the young man with a sullen face. He was a bit thin, but not bad-looking—just not very cheerful. She asked offhandedly, “Is he engaged?”

Lu’s father, not sure what Fang Yuan was getting at, stammered, “No, not yet.”

Lu’s mother quickly added, “Our second son is a good student—famous even in the county. He’s going to college.”

Fang Yuan turned to the young man at the door and asked, “Do you have a girlfriend?”

Lu’s second son was a reserved type, used to taking charge outside, rarely letting others dictate the pace. But today, the Lu family was clearly in the wrong. Two women had barged in, causing such a scene, and he was trying to figure out how to settle things.

Especially since the Fang family was not to be trifled with, and Fang Yuan herself was as tough as her reputation suggested. The whole time, he hadn’t relaxed his frown.

Lu’s father hurried to answer for him, “No, no, he doesn’t have the means. All our money went to getting the eldest married.”

And after all that, they’d had to arrange two engagements—first one, then another. What a waste.

Lu’s father was afraid if he spoke too slowly, Fang Yuan would turn on his second son next.

Fang Yuan pointed at the young man at the door, her tone fierce. “I’m asking you. Answer for yourself.” She looked ready to kick him if he didn’t.

Why was she taking it out on him instead of Lu’s eldest? Lu’s second son glanced at Fang Yuan, who didn’t even bother to look at him properly. This girl was really something.

He just wanted to know what she was getting at. In a clear, bright voice, he replied, “No.”

Fang Yuan snorted, clearly unimpressed. A grown man, answering whatever she asked—probably no backbone. But at least his voice sounded nice.

Fang Yuan declared, “Fine, it’s settled. Today, I’ll be your second son’s wife—the wife of a college student.”

This was the second shock of the day for everyone in the room. Since when could you just swap grooms like that?

What kind of female warlord was this, snatching a husband right in the groom’s own house? Didn’t like the eldest, so she just switched to the second son.

Everyone in the room, even Li Meng—the reborn woman—was stunned. Was this the rich man’s wife she’d envied for half her life?

Fang Yuan was even bolder than someone who’d lived two lifetimes. Who would dare to think of something like this?

Li Meng wasn’t simple either. Just from her name, you could tell she came from a cultured family.

If she’d already broken off the engagement with Lu Feng, why come ruin his wedding today?

Because yesterday, she’d fallen and, upon waking, somehow learned that Lu Feng—her former fiancé—would one day have a house, a car, and status. He’d be out of her league. So, as the reborn heroine, she’d come to seize her chance.

Today, Li Meng was burning her bridges, determined to win back her love and chase a bright future with the future rich man, Lu Feng—playing out the reborn heroine trope.

Clinging tightly to Lu Feng, Li Meng was determined to never let go. She wanted a good life this time, and she’d do whatever it took to win him.

But Fang Yuan’s words shocked Lu’s second son the most—his eyes went wide. Wasn’t this a bit too casual? He considered himself worldly, but he’d never seen anything like this.

But he could tell this woman was wild and unreasonable. Besides, no one here had the final say—this would have to be settled with the Fang family later.

Let them try reasoning with this crazy woman. Lu’s second son, clear-headed, simply kept quiet.

Lu’s father, timid all his life, was so scared he hiccupped. “Is… is this really okay?” He didn’t even think to ask if his second son was willing.

Lu’s mother stopped crying. Though timid, she was shrewd—she couldn’t let her promising son be snatched away like this.

Fang Yuan might be good enough for the eldest, but she wasn’t worthy of her second son.

She stammered, “No, no way. My son’s going to college—he’s going to bring honor to the family.”

Li Meng wanted to snatch Fang Yuan’s happy ending, to drive away her rival.

Seeing the Lu parents faltering, she rolled up her sleeves and cursed, “Shameless! You think you deserve a college student?”

Fang Yuan shot Li Meng a contemptuous look. “I’ve got more shame than you. You tried to steal my fiancé—who do you think you are? Only a woman as shameless as you would want a man like that.”

Li Meng tried to retort, but Fang Yuan grabbed a dirty rag and slapped it across her face. “Eyesore. Shut up.”

She acted without hesitation, not giving Li Meng the slightest regard.

Lu’s mother, watching from the side, shrank back in fear and immediately fell silent along with Li Meng.

Fang Yuan looked around the room with disdain. “I’m an unmarried woman. If I leave your house and become a divorcee, I’m not taking that loss. Your Lu family owes me an explanation.”"