Switched Marriage: The Coddled Little Wife Chapter 3 Just Waiting to See You Eagerly Courting Rejection

Li Chuxia spoke with complete honesty; throughout both of her lives, she had never once encountered Qin Yang.

During her previous life, the bond between Lin Jiayi and Qin Yang was frosty at best. By the time Lin Jiayi returned to her family home after the wedding ceremony, they still hadn't met, and since Qin Yang's profession kept him out of town, Li Chuxia never had a reason to cross paths with him.

Once the Li Family’s enterprise began to flourish, her mother-in-law became protective, wanting to sever ties with the "vampires" of her maiden home. Consequently, Li Chuxia only sent money back, visiting her own relatives even less as the years passed.

Eventually, Lin Jiayi and Qin Yang divorced, and Li Chuxia reached the end of her life without ever having laid eyes on that particular brother-in-law.

Her only knowledge of him came from rumors: he was said to be a man of ice, lacking any spark of human emotion, and a relentless workaholic who would sacrifice his home life for his career.

Noticing that Li Chuxia seemed sincere, Sun Lanlan felt a sense of relief and remarked, "Having a job is a blessing. You get a monthly salary and grain rations. Most people can only dream of marrying a man with a steady career."

Li Chuxia gave a side-long glance, her eyes shimmering with a playful light as she teased, "Then you should work hard to find yourself a man with a job as well."

At this moment, her power to change the world was limited, but she could at least plant a seed of doubt, hoping her dear friend would avoid that scumbag in this new timeline.

Sun Lanlan’s cheeks turned a bright crimson. "Hey, we are discussing your life! Why are you turning the focus on me?"

Confident that Li Chuxia wasn't actually upset, Sun Lanlan began to open the paper-wrapped bundle she had brought along.

"This is my wedding present for you. Knowing your sister, your mother likely won't provide much of a dowry for you. Take this fabric and sew yourself some proper clothes."

It was a length of red plaid cloth, roughly four or five yards—just the right amount for a new coat.

A wave of warmth filled Li Chuxia’s chest.

Earlier today, her mother and Lin Jiayi had headed into the city to purchase wedding supplies, leaving her behind to guard the house. Li Chuxia knew perfectly well that every item bought was intended for Lin Jiayi.

It mirrored her past life exactly. Back then, the Li Family had offered a bride price of three hundred yuan and could afford nothing more. Aside from eighty yuan, the Qin Family had also contributed a piece of fabric.

Her mother always preached about matching social status; the attitude shown by the in-laws dictated the parents' response. They purchased two new outfits for Lin Jiayi, and even the gift from Sun Lanlan was confiscated just to bolster Lin Jiayi's appearance.

Her fingers traced the texture of the cloth softly. "Thank you, Lanlan. I am truly lucky to have a friend like you."

"Don't be so formal with me," Sun Lanlan said, waving her hand dismissively. "If Qin Yang ever tries to bully you, you let me know. Though, he’s never home to do it anyway. It’s actually Li Guangyuan I’d worry about; with that huge, rough build of his, I doubt I could take him in a fight. It’s a blessing you aren't marrying him."

She let out a hearty laugh at her own joke.

Li Chuxia joined in the laughter, though her thoughts were darker.

Li Guangyuan did indeed possess a violent streak. Early in their marriage, he had behaved honestly because she was so capable. However, as their wealth grew, his ego inflated; he began seeking other women and finally showed his true, brutal nature.

It wasn't that she lacked the means to divorce him; rather, all their business assets were registered in his name. Leaving him meant forfeiting the massive estate she had built.

Since she had sacrificed so much to build that empire, she refused to let go easily. Instead, she took up Sanda classes.

Domestic violence? She decided to see who was truly stronger, eventually beating the man so severely that he never dared raise a hand to her again, even flinching when she entered a room.

Li Chuxia was a woman who was ruthless to others, but even more merciless toward herself.

Once Sun Lanlan departed, Li Chuxia grabbed her scissors and began to cut the red fabric. She was taller and more slender than Lin Jiayi; while she could wear her sister's baggy hand-me-downs, clothes tailored specifically for her frame would never fit Lin Jiayi.

She had just finished cutting when the mother and daughter duo returned, their arms laden with net bags full of purchases.

Stepping into the room and spotting the fabric spread across the kang bed, Lin Jiayi immediately demanded, "Where did you get that cloth?"

"Lanlan gave it to me so I could sew a new dress," Chuxia answered calmly.

"You just cut it because it was a gift? Was it truly meant for you, or the whole family? Why didn't you ask Mother before touching it? You've ruined such high-quality fabric!" Lin Jiayi snapped.

Mother Lin also looked pained at the sight of the cut cloth. "Your sister is right. Any gift the Sun Family gives us is a social debt I must eventually repay. You are an adult; don't you understand how these things work? Now that you've cut it, how am I supposed to return the favor to the Suns?"

Li Chuxia put down her sewing tools, her eyes drifting toward the bags in their hands. Her voice carried a hint of feigned regret. "I must have misunderstood. Lanlan told me it was for me—she wanted me to wear her gift as a new dress for my wedding. I didn't think it through. But now that I reflect on it, wearing a friend's gift for a wedding isn't quite right. Surely Mom will be providing my wedding clothes. I'll explain it to Lanlan tomorrow. Even if it's cut, it isn't a disaster. I'll tell her our family appreciates the Sun Family's kindness, and as for the favor, don't worry, Mom. Since I'm the one who used the cloth, I will be the one to pay them back whenever they need help."

Lin Jiayi felt a surge of panic and instinctively shifted the net bags behind her back. Every item inside was for her alone.

Mother Lin wasn't worried about sharing the goods; she was feeling a prick of guilt from Li Chuxia's words. What truly annoyed her was the idea of Li Chuxia telling Sun Lanlan that the Lin Family had officially accepted the "favor."

In their culture, gifts for major events like weddings were usually presented on the day of the ceremony, not a week early.

She had only been echoing her eldest daughter's complaints, but if this girl actually spoke to Sun Lanlan and the Sun Family decided not to give a proper wedding gift later, the Lins would lose out. After all, she had already given gifts when the two Sun sons got married.

"Enough, enough! Why all this chatter? It's already cut, so just wear what you want. Our family isn't that petty. You're making me sound ungrateful. You're a girl about to be wed; don't concern yourself with the family's social debts. Just focus on yourself and don't bring shame to this house."

As she spoke, Mother Lin handed the bags to Lin Jiayi, signaling for her to hide them away.

Li Chuxia pretended not to notice their secretive behavior and returned to her needlework.

Lin Jiayi stared at the fabric with blatant jealousy, thinking to herself: Truly a peasant at heart—treating a scrap of cloth like it's gold. She really was lucky in the last life.

Remembering that Li Guangyuan was hers in this life, and that Chuxia was destined for that frigid man—meaning all the suffering would fall on her sister—Lin Jiayi’s eyes filled with arrogance.

"That color is very festive. When you wear that at the wedding, I'm sure Qin Yang will love it." Just wait until your warmth hits his wall of ice, she thought.

Li Chuxia didn't even look up. "I hope he does."

Lin Jiayi: "..."

How shameless!

She narrowed her eyes. "Second Sister, what kind of betrothal gift do you think the Qin Family will provide? I've heard they are quite wealthy, and Qin Yang has a good salary. When they take in a bride, it must be something grand, right? Aren't Mom and Dad wonderful for finding you such a great match?"

Li Chuxia looked up, appearing puzzled. "Eldest Sister, are you still dreaming, or have you lost your memory? Wasn't the Qin Family marriage originally yours? You were the one who rejected it and insisted on switching with me. If you truly believe the Qin Family is the better choice, go talk to Mom and Dad and switch us back. I actually think the Li Family is quite nice."

Lin Jiayi stammered, "...Who said the Li Family isn't good? Besides, Mom said... from now on, we aren't to mention the switch ever again..."

What if the Li Family heard about this and backed out?

Her mother had gone to great lengths to swap the grooms; she couldn't let this brainless girl ruin everything. She needed to ensure Li Guangyuan had a perfect impression of her before the wedding.

Watching her sister’s shifty eyes, Li Chuxia suddenly realized the truth behind the situation.