Clara Whitfield snapped her eyes open and realized she’d somehow landed in 1982.
Not only had she become a plain country girl, she was being pushed into marriage the minute she arrived.
She lay on a rock-hard kang bed, so stiff it made every bone ache. The air was full of the sharp stink of pickled cabbage and dry tobacco, thick enough to hit her right in the face.
“You’re awake?”
A voice cut in. Clara lifted her head and saw a woman standing by the bed in a red flowered cotton jacket. Early twenties, two glossy braids, a fake smile on her face, calculation plain as day in her eyes.
It was her second sister, Vera Thornton.
Vera curled her lip and gave a pretend sigh. “Big Sis, our family’s got no money, that’s just the truth. We can’t possibly scrape together two dowries.
“I’m about to marry into the county magistrate’s family. Once I’ve got a good life, I definitely won’t forget my own folks.
“And you’re not exactly getting the short end either. Marcus Whitfield is a soldier. Once he leaves the army, he’ll have himself an iron rice bowl. Solid as can be.”
Clara said nothing. She lowered her head and quickly sorted through the strange memories flooding into her mind.
The original owner of this body was twenty-four, the eldest daughter of the Thornton family.
Under her were two younger sisters and one younger brother.
Second sister Vera had a sweet mouth and knew how to put on a show, so she was their parents’ favorite.
Third sister Iris Thornton was quiet by nature and practically invisible at home.
Their younger brother Felix Thornton was the treasure of the whole family. Already twenty, still loafing around every day, spoiled so badly he’d become lawless.
Only the original Clara was different. In this house she was free labor, nothing more. Her father didn’t care for her, her mother didn’t love her. If she was useful, they worked her to death. If not, they could toss her aside anytime.
Half a month ago, the county magistrate’s family had come to propose to Vera.
A rich family had high standards. The dowry had to look proper. Even if the Thorntons emptied out the whole house, they still couldn’t make it happen.
So to make Vera’s marriage work, her parents turned their eyes straight onto the eldest daughter.
The groom’s family, the Whitfields, were famous in Liulin Village for being poor.
The eldest son, Marcus Whitfield, had been in the army for eight years and hardly ever came home. The family had only two mud-brick rooms, both looking ready to cave in.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield were hardworking enough, but their foundation was too thin. Their days were poor from top to bottom.
In the eyes of Clara’s parents, a daughter was spilled water, a thing to trade for money, hardly worth mentioning.
Trading Clara Whitfield’s whole life for Vera’s wealth and comfort? In their minds, that was a bargain.
Once she straightened out all the memories, Clara lifted her eyes to Vera. Her voice was a little hoarse, but her tone was steady. “Whether your life turns out good or bad later, what’s that got to do with me?”
Vera froze on the spot.
Her eldest sister had always been dull, honest, the kind who never talked back even when beaten. Why did she sound like a whole different person today?
Vera quickly buried her surprise. Her smile turned even sweeter as she leaned in, pretending to be sincere. “Big Sis, you can’t say that! Marcus Whitfield is strong, can do any kind of work. If you marry over there, you definitely won’t suffer.
“His family may be poor, but he’s the eldest son, and you’ll be the eldest daughter-in-law. Once they split the household later, you’ll be the one calling the shots!
“You’re not that young anymore either. Better marry sooner, and sooner you can be mistress of your own home.”
Clara laughed coldly inside.
Put plainly, they were selling her for dowry money, and still wanted her to be grateful and obedient.
In her previous life, she had fought her way through the restaurant business for more than ten years, starting with kitchen scraps and grunt work, climbing all the way up to running a restaurant herself. She had seen every kind of person there was.