Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 1: She’s Not the Only One Who Came Back

"Chuxia, you need to listen to your mother. Within a ten-mile radius, Li Guangyuan is a highly sought-after young man. He is just as capable at fieldwork as you are. If you two team up, how could your life together be anything but good? Your mother isn't trying to hurt you."

"When the time comes, I will ask for a 300-yuan bride price for you. Don't you worry, Mom will keep that money safe for you; it will serve as your backbone in the years to come."

Lin Chuxia stared at the middle-aged woman standing before her, finally shaking off the shock and regaining her senses.

She was certain she had perished in a car crash, yet she had unexpectedly returned to her twenty-year-old self, the very year she was wed.

Her family was currently arranging her marriage to the man who was her husband in her previous life—a farmer from the neighboring village named Li Guangyuan.

Upon hearing his name, Lin Chuxia’s pulse quickened. Just as she opened her mouth to reject the proposal, a figure suddenly rushed into the room, shouting, "I refuse to marry anyone named Qin! I want to marry Li Guangyuan!"

It was Lin Jiayi, her older sister.

Startled by the outburst, Mother Lin snapped, "What kind of tantrum is this? Stop speaking such nonsense."

"This isn't nonsense, Mom. I don't want to marry into the Qin Family. I want to join the Li Family and marry Li Guangyuan. Let my younger sister be the one to marry Qin Yang instead."

Lin Chuxia narrowed her eyes. Had her elder sister also been reborn?

Observing her eldest daughter’s eyes turning red with desperation, Mother Lin stood up and pulled her to the side. "Child, I chose the Qin Family very carefully for you. Qin Yang is a laborer. Even though he works elsewhere, he sends money home every single month. Once you are married, you can live with him and won't even have to deal with the burden of serving your in-laws..."

Lin Chuxia watched the pair with a detached calm. Her mother's habit of trying to deceive her never changed; in the end, it was nothing more than cold indifference.

Suddenly, she raised her voice. "Yes, sister, Mom is right. In that case, let me marry into the Li Family. You’ve never done a day of fieldwork at home; how would you survive if you married into the Li Family?"

Lin Jiayi whipped her head around, her bloodshot eyes glaring at Lin Chuxia. "Are you trying to compete with me?"

Lin Chuxia spread her hands innocently. "I am only thinking of what is best for my elder sister."

Mother Lin also felt that Lin Chuxia’s point was valid. "Your younger sister is correct. I searched everywhere to find a match for you where you wouldn't have to toil in the fields." A husband's home was a far cry from the comfort of a parental home.

Lin Jiayi took a step back, her expression turning fierce. "If Mom and Dad don't agree to this, I'll just kill myself!"

Mother Lin had never seen her eldest daughter act this way. She quickly tried to soothe her. "There’s no need to marry if you don't want to. We will look for a different proposal tomorrow. We won't marry you into the Qin Family; I promise we will find you a better match."

Lin Jiayi’s face, which had briefly softened, became anxious again at those words. "I don't want anyone else! I only want to marry Li Guangyuan. If I don't, I'll die and let you all see the consequences!"

How could Mother Lin dare to refuse? She hurriedly gave in. "Alright, alright, alright. You shall marry Li Guangyuan. Later, I will have the matchmaker speak to the Qin family to call off the wedding. What a shame, it was such a fine proposal! Dad, perhaps you should seek out another matchmaker..."

Before Mother Lin could finish her thought, Lin Jiayi grabbed her. "Mom, why go through all that trouble? My younger sister needs to get married too, doesn't she? Let her marry Qin Yang. You said it yourself—it's a great proposal. It would be a waste not to give it to her."

She now looked at Lin Chuxia with a meaningful glint in her eye, a sharp contrast to her earlier desperation.

Lin Chuxia met her gaze and finally confirmed her suspicion.

Her elder sister had indeed been reborn.

Her desire to swap the marriage arrangements was likely because she had witnessed how glamorous Lin Chuxia's previous life had appeared.

In that past life, Li Guangyuan had eventually risen to become the CEO of a publicly traded company. The Li Family became incredibly wealthy, and Lin Chuxia was the envied Mrs. Li. However...

Lin Chuxia lowered her gaze, a cold sneer appearing on her lips.

The matter was settled quickly. After lunch, Mr. and Mother Lin headed out, and by the time evening arrived, everything was finalized.

Mr. Lin spoke plainly. "Today, your mother and I have finalized the marriage arrangements for both of you. Qin Yang returns next month, which is the perfect time to handle the wedding. His job requires his fiancée's documents, and I have already handed Chuxia’s over to the Qin Family. We have also set the date with the Li Family. Since there are only a few auspicious days next month, we decided both weddings will happen on the same day. It saves us the trouble of preparing twice."

Lin Chuxia kept her head bowed in silence. She hadn't expected the arrangement to proceed so smoothly, which proved just how much effort her mother had exerted for the sake of her older sister.

Lin Jiadong, having just come home from school, asked in confusion, "Wasn't elder sister supposed to marry Brother Qin Yang? Why were second sister's documents given to the Qin Family instead?"

Lin Jiayi was thrilled by the outcome. Irritated by her younger brother’s questioning, she kicked him. "Why are you interrupting when the adults are speaking?"

Mr. Lin felt it was time to clarify things; he didn't want his own household to be in chaos regardless of what outsiders might say.

"We have weighed the options. While the Qin Family is a good prospect, Jiayi’s temper is not a good fit for them; they might feel we tricked them if we sent her. It is better for her to marry the honest Li Guangyuan. Chuxia, you are hardworking and capable; you will thrive no matter who you marry. By marrying into the Qin Family, you are going to lead a life of fortune."

Lin Jiadong couldn't help but chime in again, "Dad, aren't you worried elder sister might trick the Li Family if she marries Guangyuan?"

As expected, he was met with another kick.

Mother Lin glared at her youngest son. "What are you saying? The Li Family are simple farmers; what could your sister possibly take from them? Your father and I have discussed this with both families. For our second daughter, the Qin Family will provide a 300-yuan dowry. Jiayi will marry into the Li Family, who will provide an 80-yuan dowry. The Li Family has nothing to complain about."

She then turned to Lin Chuxia. "Second daughter, don't worry. With your parents backing you, there is nothing to fear. Once you join the Qin Family, just focus on winning over your husband and you will have everything. I will keep the dowry money for you; remember, it is your backbone."

Lin Chuxia narrowed her eyes slightly, maintaining her timid facade as she replied simply, "I understand. I will do as Mom and Dad say."

Once the discussion ended, the girls were sent to their rooms to sleep, but Lin Jiayi lingered behind.

Seeing her eldest daughter beaming with joy, Mother Lin approached and gave her forehead a playful tap.

"Are you happy now? I don't know what came over you; the Li Family is far below the Qin Family. Qin Yang has a steady government job with a salary. If he gets a promotion, you would have been the wife of an official. What does Li Guangyuan have? He’s just a farmer. Even the dowry was small; you are bound to face hardships once you move there."

Lin Jiayi hugged her mother’s arm, acting like a spoiled child. "Mom, I know you want the best for me. I wasn't being impulsive. I heard Qin Yang is rarely home. Even if he earns well, marrying him is no different from being a widow. Don't look down on Li Guangyuan just because he's farming now. It doesn't mean he'll be a farmer forever. He is capable. Just wait; he will definitely surpass Mr. Qin."

At the mention of Qin Yang, a flicker of resentment crossed Lin Jiayi’s eyes—a bitterness so deep she hadn't even wanted to utter his name since her rebirth.