Just as Sienna slammed her bucket in rage, she failed to notice several newcomers in the camp.

  Among them were veterans back from the front lines, currently tasked with drying grain, and a few military family members visiting from Beldora for leisure. These people weren't picky; they didn't need beds. They simply spread out gunny sacks on the ground to chat or take a nap.

  Every one of them was startled by the loud crash of Sienna’s bucket.

  The person who spoke up was Clara, the twelve-year-old daughter of the Beldora Office Director. She was a cute girl with a round face and round eyes, though her skin was quite tanned. Standing among a group of dark-skinned veterans, she didn't stand out at all.

  "..." Sienna jumped in surprise. She didn't recognize Clara.

  This new batch of support troops had arrived only yesterday and started field work today. They barely knew the officers yet, let alone the daughter of the local Office Director.

  Clara glanced at the empty bucket and kettle in Sienna's hands and offered some well-meaning advice. "Why bother boiling water in this heat? Just grab a bucket from the pond. Let it sit in the sun for a bit, and it’ll be warm enough to use."

  Pond water? God knows how many parasites and leeches were in there. Sienna’s expression soured instantly. Since the person across from her was just a little girl, she didn't bother hiding her look of pure disdain.

  Clara pursed her lips, annoyed. Another one who looks down on us country folk, she thought. And after she had been kind enough to offer advice!

  Having been treated with such contempt, Clara didn't stick around. She walked off with a cold face, already planning to tell her mother that the new female soldiers had their "eyes on top of their heads"—acting like they were too good for everyone.

  However, before going home, Clara stopped to talk to her best friend, Sofia.

  "You tried to help her, and she gave you an attitude? That’s just wrong!" Sofia exclaimed.

  "Exactly. No good deed goes unpunished."

  "..."

  It was high noon, and Roan hadn't gone out. He wasn't napping either; he sat in a cool spot behind the house weaving bamboo baskets. He overheard every word Clara and Sofia said.

  He didn't have a good impression of these new recruits either. They were either reckless or harbor hidden agendas—and they certainly acted like they were above everyone else.

  Roan recalled seeing Sienna "accidentally" ram her luggage into Elena the other day, nearly knocking her over. But since he didn't know Elena, he saw no reason to stand up for her and kept his mouth shut.

  Sienna had no idea she had offended the locals. Still fuming over the lack of hot water, she calmed down slightly after being caught throwing her tantrum. With a dark face, she returned to the room and collapsed onto the wooden boards to sleep.

  By 3:00 PM, the sun was still fierce, though not as lethal as at high noon. It was time for Elena and the others to get back to work.

  "Why didn't you leave me any hot water?" After stewing all afternoon, Sienna finally lashed out at Elena and the group.

  Elena looked at her with cold, indifferent eyes. "Luis gathered the firewood. Tomas hauled the water. Lucy and I handled the cooking. Anita is in charge of the dishes and kitchen hygiene. What exactly did you do?"

  "..." Sienna was struck dumb.

  Elena didn't care about Sienna’s embarrassment and pressed on. "There’s wood in the kitchen and water in the vat. Are you incapable of boiling it yourself? Do you expect everything to be served to you on a silver platter? Are you three years old, or are you just some spoiled princess from a bandit lord’s manor?"

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "Bullshit!" Sienna screamed, her eyes wide. She didn't dare be associated with "bandit lords."

  Seeing that Sienna actually knew how to be afraid, Elena stopped. She had thought Sienna was fearless, but the nineteen-year-old Sienna was actually quite green—her schemes and emotions were written all over her face.

  In her past life, she had been manipulated and oppressed by Sienna. Ultimately, it was her own fault—she had been weak, naive, and so desperate for affection that any small gesture of kindness made her want to give her soul in return.

  Thinking of this, Elena gave a bitter inward smile. If she hadn't received so little love at home, she wouldn't have tried to repay every ounce of kindness tenfold.

  Only those who are loved abundantly can distinguish true kindness. Those who have never had it think anyone who smiles at them is filled with tenderness.

  In her past life, she was stupid. But in this life, Sienna wouldn't get a single advantage over her again.

  "Sienna, you're usually so hardworking—willing to sacrifice your own rest to help the locals dry grain. How can you not even manage your own basic needs?" Elena asked with mock sincerity.

  She was throwing Sienna’s behavior from yesterday back in her face—the time Sienna had "helped" a local just to accuse Elena and Anita of being lazy.

  Sienna’s face twitched with rage. She realized Elena had been faking it all morning. The "concern" had been an act.

  Sienna also noticed a pattern: Elena’s attitude mirrored her own. If she spoke gently, Elena played the part of the loving sister. But the moment she complained, Elena became heartless and cold.

  "You’re welcome to use the kitchen supplies, but remember to replace what you use," Luis added as they walked out together. He had overheard the exchange.

  It wasn't that the men lacked gallantry; they were simply exhausted. After a morning of labor, their arms were heavy and their legs felt like wet noodles. No one was in the mood to be "chivalrous" and let Sienna freeload. Gathering wood and hauling water was backbreaking work.

  As Elena said, everyone had a role. Sienna did nothing yet expected to enjoy the fruits of their labor. That didn't fly anywhere.

  Sienna was nearly bursting with fury. She felt like she couldn't get through to any of them—they were all incredibly stingy. She decided that from now on, she’d just eat and wash up at the local's house.

  With a cold snort, she strode ahead, putting distance between herself and the group.

  I’ll get to the assignment area early and leave a good impression on the squad leader and the scorekeeper. Once I’m in good with the village officials, I’ll find plenty of ways to deal with Elena.

  Unfortunately, arriving early was useless. The squad leader and scorekeeper hadn't arrived yet. Her performance was for nothing.

  The afternoon’s work was still pulling and transplanting seedlings. In reality, the busiest harvest season was nearing its end. Had they arrived before the rice harvest, they would have likely lost three layers of skin from the sheer intensity.

  Elena knew her own body’s limits. She couldn't do this heavy physical labor forever; she had to find another way out soon.

  But in Solana—in her past life—nothing had changed until they returned to the city. What opportunity could she possibly find?

  While pulling seedlings, Elena pondered her future path while working with nimble hands. Having suffered through this in her past life, she knew exactly what to do. Aside from lacking stamina and being unable to lift heavy loads, she was a pro at every type of farm work.

  She hadn't been as fast in the morning because it had been years since she’d stepped into a field, but a few hours was all she needed to regain her "touch."