Roan was drowning in self-reproach. One moment he was pained to death by the loss of the two mats' income; the next, the money in his hand felt like a red-hot coal. He felt he couldn't keep it; he had to return it.

  But remembering Elena’s "don't even try it" attitude, his brow furrowed. He was worried she wouldn't take it back.

  Elena, indeed, would not take it back. She wasn't thick-skinned enough to accept the fruits of someone else's labor for free. Even as a "housewarming gift," the family had already sent over a basket of vegetables—peppers, eggplants, beans... enough to last them a week.

  Back at the cabin, Elena told Lucy about the neighbors. When Lucy heard how the brothers had been agonizing over the money but still gritted their teeth to say they didn't want it, she laughed along.

  "Still," Lucy noted, "those three siblings really do have a deep bond."

  Elena felt a genuine sting of envy. She had a sister and a brother, but far from being like these three, she was lucky if they didn't actively bully her. And then there was her "long-lost" sister, who seemed single-mindedly intent on making her life miserable.

  Speaking of family, it had been a while since she sent her letter home. She wondered if they had received it. Probably not yet, but it should arrive in a few days. When her mother saw it, she’d likely just frown and toss it into a drawer. Elena had taken quite a bit of money and "stolen" six eggs when she left; her mother surely still held a grudge. There would be no care packages for Elena—whatever resources the mother had, she saved for her son.

  A few days later, in Elena’s home, located 15 kilometers on the outskirts of Castora.

  "Did Elena write back yet?" Her father asked upon returning home. Over the past two days, many people at the factory had been talking about their children writing home to report their safety.

  The mother curled her lip. "She sent a note saying she's safe, didn't say much else. The letter is in the drawer; read it yourself if you want."

  The father’s question was merely perfunctory. He didn't actually care about the contents and had no intention of reading it. The couple was currently consumed by their son Leon’s job situation.

  If Octavia had joined the army, her job would naturally have been handed down to Leon. But Octavia was forceful and the firstborn, enjoying a bit more of her parents' doting affection. When Elena suggested going to the countryside, the family simply went along with it.

  Now, however, the couple felt a hint of regret. The father sighed. "It would have been better if Octavia was the one who went..."

  Octavia hadn't graduated middle school back then; when the textile mill was hiring, she took it upon herself to drop out and start working. Strictly speaking, she found the job herself, so the parents felt they had no right to force her to give it up. Before the war, a job at a textile mill was looked down upon, but once the fighting started, unemployment skyrocketed. Now, Octavia’s job was stable, with the mill receiving orders for military uniforms and medical gauze.

  "Hush now! If she hears you say that, she’ll start another scene." Even though she knew Octavia was at work, the mother instinctively glanced toward the bunk bed. Seeing Octavia wasn't home, she relaxed.

  The father sighed. "I’m just having a headache. I talked to the leadership yesterday, and no one can arrange a spot for Leon."

  Finding a job during wartime was no easy feat. Factory positions were in high demand, with dozens of people waiting for every opening. Even a temporary spot or a job as a janitor was out of Leon’s reach, which was why the father was so anxious.

  What he didn't know was that even if the family had forced Octavia, she had already secured her own escape route. If they pushed her to join the Support Corps, she would simply get married. She would never go to such a dangerous and remote place, and she intended to take her job with her to her husband’s family. In the end, it would have been Elena regardless—just like in her past life.

  Elena, reborn, could have found a way to foil Octavia’s plans, but she was simply too exhausted to live every day with parents who didn't love her and a brother she didn't care for. Forcing Octavia was a small matter, but who would have been there to prevent the tragedy that befell Lucy?

  "Try talking to the union people again. I’d hate for Leon to end up on the shop floor," the mother grumbled. She was unhappy that their gifts hadn't yielded results, but she still hoped her husband could find their son an easy office job with tea and an electric fan.

  Humans are always greedy.

  The father understood his son’s limitations better than the mother did. "Don't you know what your son is capable of? Union? Office? I’d be happy if he could just get into the workshop. Leave it be; I’ll think of something else."

  The mother pursed her lips. What’s wrong with my son? He was sweet-talking, filial, and very clever. It wasn't that he couldn't study; he was just young and liked to play. So what if his education was a bit lacking? Sitting in an office would be no problem at all. But she didn't argue; ultimately, securing Leon’s future required the man of the house to pull strings and deliver gifts.

  As they spoke, the sound of a key turning came from the door. Octavia entered humming a tune, carrying half a roasted chicken. "Ryan sent this over to improve my diet."

  Ryan was the man Octavia had been planning to marry. However, once she was cleared from military service, she began to stall. Ryan’s family wasn't wealthy, and Octavia was biding her time, hoping to find a rich man so she could marry into a mansion. She wasn't losing anything by waiting.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Seeing the roast chicken, Mother Song’s mood brightened. She took it with a smile, muttering, "I wonder if your brother is coming home today." It didn't matter if he wasn't; she’d save his portion for him.

  Knowing her mother’s favoritism, Octavia didn't talk back. As long as she got her share, she was fine. She continued humming, clearly in high spirits.

  Her mother looked at her, curious. "What’s got you so happy?"

  "Daisy got dumped." Octavia was ecstatic. To her, it was the ultimate joke—even picking up Octavia's "second-hand" boyfriend hadn't saved Daisy from being tossed aside.

  You want to compete with me?

  Octavia scoffed to herself. Hmph, Daisy, you’re not even in my league!

  Octavia had no clue that Daisy and the man were currently only close friends. Since their staged romance had successfully forced her brother, Elias, into the military, there was no longer any need for them to continue living together; it was simply too inconvenient.

  Octavia sat on the bunk bed. Now that Elena was gone, she had moved to the bottom bunk. The whole bed was hers, and the desk had become her vanity. The house was small, but she finally had a space of her own.

  "It’s just a pity. Daisy managed to dodge the Support Corps."

  But in reality, Daisy getting dumped made Octavia stifle her laughter all the way home. She even had the urge to write to Elena just to rub it in. Then Elena could tell Elias, and Elias would hate his sister to death.

  "Mom, did Elena write back yet? Give me the address; I want to copy it." Octavia was ready to write her letter.

  Meanwhile, on the other side of the textile mill’s residential block, Daisy was moving her luggage out. There was a clear handprint on her face from being slapped, but her heart was full of joy.

  "Get out! Don't you ever come back until your brother’s job is settled!" Daisy’s father slammed the door.

  Daisy didn't care. In fact, she was even feeling excited. Adrian had only borrowed a luxury watch from his manager to successfully pose as a wealthy boyfriend, yet it was enough to make Daisy’s father so giddy with joy that he sent his son Elias straight to the military.

  “Elias, you want to fight with me? You’ve finally taken a fall, haven't you?” Daisy muttered to herself as she walked away.

  Settling Elias’s job? She’d be crazy to do that. Let Elias stay in the army forever. Since she had been kicked out, she no longer had to hand her wages over to her parents. If her mother refused to let go, she’d go to the union. The bridge was burned. Who was afraid of whom?

  Back at the mountain cabin.

  Elena could guess a bit of what was happening at the factory, but she had zero interest. From the moment she left for the countryside, she had no intention of returning—and even if she did, she wouldn't go back to that home.

  As letters began to arrive at various homes, Sienna received a package from her family.

  It was full of food. During work, the other soldiers were all gossiping about it. Even Anita sighed to Elena about how well Sienna’s parents treated her.

  Elena knew about the package. This was one of the things she found most baffling in her past life. Sienna’s adoptive family was wealthy and doted on her. If Sienna could track down where Elena was going, surely she could have found out the truth about her biological parents' character? Seventeen years ago, she was just a newborn. Why did Sienna keep hounding her like a rabid dog?

  Sienna was gloating. "You should come by the camp after work. I’ll give you some red dates; they’re good for you."

  "Your parents sent them to you. Keep them. I don't need any," Elena refused coldly.

  In her past life, the oblivious Elena had accepted some things, and every time she did, Sienna would pointedly ask if Elena’s parents had sent anything. Back then, Elena still had expectations for her family, and the comparison had caused her immense pain.

  "Oh, it's fine! I'll get some for you and Lucy." Sienna was all smiles. This time, she didn't ask if Elena’s family had sent anything. She knew her biological family favored boys, but then again, who didn't? A shadow of gloom flickered across Sienna’s face, but it vanished instantly.

  Elena didn't argue. If Sienna insisted on giving, she’d take. Why turn down food?

  That evening, Sienna brought a handful of dried red dates. Elena accepted them without any psychological burden; she had no intention of returning a gift.

  Stepping into the cabin, Sienna was stunned. It was clean and tidy—there wasn't a trace of its previous ruin. The lighting was even better than in her own quarters. "You’ve got a nice setup here," Sienna said, a bit sour.

  When she saw Elena and Lucy getting ready to haul water, Sienna’s mood lifted. "Goodness, you must be exhausted! Do you have to gather your own firewood too?"

  Seeing Elena pick up a sickle to clear weeds and break ground for a garden, Sienna felt triumphant. "When will you even get to eat any vegetables? It would have been much better to stay with the farmers at the start."

  Elena ignored her, letting her ramble.

  "The camp is waiting for me for dinner, otherwise I’d stay and help," Sienna said insincerely. She was about to leave when she saw Roan approaching with a shoulder pole. Sienna’s eyes lit up, and she walked quickly toward him.

  Elena and Lucy watched, curious. Was Sienna’s goal actually Roan?

  Roan stopped. He looked at her with a chilling indifference.

  "Who are you?" Roan’s expression clearly telegraphed that single question.