The Yang family brought Li Yue Shu to a secluded spot in the back mountains. Once they confirmed they were alone, she turned to Li Yue Shu with a friendly smile. "Sister-in-law, we're all family. There's no need for things to get so ugly between us, don't you think?"
Li Yue Shu remained expressionless. "Is this why you brought me all the way out here?"
Madam Yang's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. But she quickly recovered. "Sister-in-law, I know you didn't willingly marry into this family. You're a young girl. Who would want to become a stepmother and marry a simpleton? I'd be resentful too."
"I know you and your cousin have a very close relationship. I specifically went to your village to find your cousin so you two could catch up."
Li Yue Shu blinked, not yet recalling any cousin from the original body's memories. At that moment, a man emerged from behind a nearby tree.
Looking at the tall, thin, and utterly ordinary man before her, Li Yue Shu finally connected him with the image of her cousin from her memories.
This was indeed the original body's cousin. With his silver tongue, he had convinced the original body that she was destined for greatness, constantly coaxing good items from the family for him.
To outsiders, the original body and he appeared to have a very close relationship, like a devoted couple. In reality, the original body was merely flattered by his constant praise.
The man put on his usual fake smile. "Cousin Yue Shu, it's been a long time. You've gotten even more beautiful!"
This wasn't just flattery. Li Yue Shu was now fairer-skinned and more rounded in her figure.
More importantly, the presence she exuded, the very way she stood, the single glance from her eyes, commanded attention.
The man's eyes lit up even brighter. "I heard your husband is a simpleton now, and you have to be a stepmother to four children. Your cousin was heartbroken when he heard the news."
Upon hearing this, Madam Yang smiled. "You two haven't seen each other in over a year, you must have so much to talk about. I won't disturb you. Take your time."
She turned to leave but lingered nearby, keeping watch.
Seeing this, Li Yue Shu understood everything.
Her gaze turned icy, a hint of killing intent flashing in her eyes as she looked at Madam Yang.
She had thought that after the incident with Shen Wang last time, the Shen family would have learned their lesson. Now, it seemed they truly had no fear of death!
The man noticed her cold expression but paid it no mind. Rubbing his hands together, he approached. "Cousin Yue Shu, I know you must have many suppressed grievances. Your cousin is here specifically to see you today. If anything is bothering you, tell your cousin!"
A lecherous glint flashed in his eyes as he reached out to grasp Li Yue Shu's shoulder.
From his hidden vantage point, Shen Wei saw this, a murderous intent flaring in his handsome eyes. His hand had already gripped a fallen leaf.
In the next moment, Li Yue Shu suddenly grabbed the man's hand. "Do you know what happened to the last man who had ideas like that about me?"
The man froze, not understanding her words. But as he met her cold gaze, he felt as though he had plunged into an ice cellar.
Meanwhile, Shen Wei, hidden nearby, suddenly recalled Shen Wang who had tried to intercept them before. He raised an eyebrow slightly and dropped the leaf.
*Crack!*
With a crisp sound, the man's arm bent backward at an unnatural angle.
Simultaneously, Li Yue Shu kicked out at him.
"Ah—"
Accompanied by a scream, the man crumpled to the ground.
Madam Yang, hearing the commotion, rushed over, her face a mask of terror. "Sister-in-law, what are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing!"
Li Yue Shu didn't hesitate, kicking out at Madam Yang with full force.
She didn't hold back, sending Madam Yang flying several meters.
Li Yue Shu looked down at Madam Yang. "Do you know what happened to Shen Wang last time he did something like this?"
Madam Yang's face contorted in pain. Upon hearing Li Yue Shu's words, her expression turned to pure horror.
Seeing her reaction, Li Yue Shu knew she understood.
She let out a cold laugh and turned to the man. "I'll give you two choices. Either I cripple your future happiness, or you do to her what she wanted you to do to me."
The familiar words echoed, and Shen Wei raised an eyebrow. A sudden thought sparked in his mind.
He silently withdrew, just as he had arrived, leaving no trace of his presence.
"No... you can't do this!" Madam Yang's face drained of all color. "Li Yue Shu... Sister-in-law, this is all a misunderstanding! I just heard you and your cousin were close, and I was worried you missed home after being away for over a year. I just wanted to arrange for you to meet. I had no other intentions."
Li Yue Shu stared at her coldly. "Who told you I was close to him?"
"Li Xiang Ru, she told me!" Madam Yang blurted out without hesitation.
Li Yue Shu's gaze darkened, a flash of coldness in her eyes.
She then turned back to the man. "Have you considered? How will you choose?"
The man clutched his groin, cold sweat still beading on his forehead.
Meeting Li Yue Shu's chilling gaze, he had no doubt about the truth of her words.
He looked at Madam Yang, his eyes filled with a furious hatred, as if he could devour her.
Madam Yang, ignoring her pain, scrambled backward on hands and feet. "Don't come near me! If you dare, I... I won't let you go!"
Faced with her blustering threats, the man naturally feared Li Yue Shu more.
As he advanced, Madam Yang, her face pale with terror, grabbed a handful of debris from the ground and threw it at him.
The ground offered only dirt and dry leaves, which felt like nothing against his body. However, it ignited the man's rage.
If this woman hadn't come to the village and instigated things, he wouldn't be in this predicament!
With that thought, the man unleashed all his fury on Madam Yang, showing no mercy.
"Ah—Let go of me! Get away!"
Madam Yang thrashed like a madwoman, but a woman's strength was naturally weaker than a man's, and all her struggles were futile.
The man furiously ripped at Madam Yang's clothes and gnawed at her for a while, but he didn't take things any further.
He turned to look at Li Yue Shu, his expression a mixture of indecision and fear.
Li Yue Shu crossed her arms, her expression calm. "Why are you looking at me? Continue. I won't disturb you."
The man's face twitched, turning crimson with embarrassment. "I... that... it hurts..."
Li Yue Shu suddenly remembered she might have kicked him earlier.
At this moment, she seemed to sense something and glanced in a particular direction.
Li Yue Shu pretended to pull a bottle from her sleeve and tossed it over. Although she said nothing, the man somehow understood her meaning, his expression freezing.
Madam Yang's eyes widened. She snatched the bottle from the man's hand and gripped it tightly.
"Li Yue Shu, you wicked woman!" she spat, glaring furiously at Li Yue Shu. "You're a woman too, how can your heart be so venomous!"
Li Yue Shu sneered. "I'm merely returning to you what you intended to do. How does that make me wicked?"
Madam Yang's face turned red, but she had no retort.
Li Yue Shu's gaze casually shifted back to the man. "My patience is limited. If you're unwilling to make a choice, I can choose for you."
"No, no, no! I'll choose, I'll choose!"
The man eagerly reached for the medicine in Madam Yang's hand, which she was reluctant to give up.
As they struggled, their bodies grew closer, and their clothes became increasingly disheveled.
Just then, Li Yue Shu heard approaching, chaotic sounds.