Chapter 1

    The Bitter Life of Li Yin

    "If you lose... you must marry me, Li Yin."

    Those words still echoed in her head until the twilight of her life, even though decades had passed since they first started dating. Li Yin still remembered the words ‘Chen Donglu’, her husband, said all too well. Every single time she thought of them, a smirk couldn’t help but twitch at the corners of her mouth.

    However, it was not a smile of joy,

    but one of scorn.

    He said those words to make himself appear as an ambitious and fascinating boyfriend, like a man who could make the heart of a young woman just as ambitious as him flutter with excitement.

    When meeting someone who shares the same thoughts, enjoys life in the same way,

    it's undeniable that one's heart would flutter.

    There were not many men who could captivate someone like 'Wang Li Yin'. He also happened to be the first and only man in her life.

    Unfortunately, she was not the only one for him…

    In her adventurous youth, Li Yin was determined to run her own business, and he was dedicated to run his. They were competing against each other, with a bet of marriage. Then, came a time when she needed his help, she was ready to join hands and combine their businesses together.

    Li Yin married him amidst a sensational media frenzy and the gaze of many crowds.

    After that, their companies merged into one,

    unparalleled by any other.

    But just a few years later, the simple yet extravagant love between Li Yin and Donglu was no longer the same.

    As she started to work harder, dedicating more to her work than she did in her youth, preparing for a future with Donglu, he was secretly having an affair with 'Li Zhu', Li Yin's half-sister, and blaming it on Li Yin’s lack of time for him.

    He said it was all her fault, but how could his lack of 'honesty' be her fault?

    Selfish bastard

    His excuses were always so simple, not addressing the issue, not communicating or expressing his dislikes. Instead, he opted for betrayal the first chance he got. It didn’t matter if he got caught in the act, he would just shift the blame onto her anyway.

    Only scums behave like that!

    When Li Yin discovered the truth, she felt no sorrow, for her love for him immediately turned into deep resentment.

    How dare they…

    She wanted to make them pay!

    As a businesswoman, every decision had to be made with caution. Every step she took had broad implications. It would impact her employees, her company, and the stock market, making those disgusting acts of those two unworthy of her losing any more than she already had.

    But still…

    If her life was ruined,

    then they should not deserve anything good!

    Divorcing Donglu was something she could not bring herself to do. If they divorced, the company they had merged would have to be split into two, causing the stock to plummet.

    Employees would worry about their job security, and the talented ones might be poached by her competitors during this vulnerable time. This meant a risk of business collapse. In the business world, there are always competitors ready to step on you any chance they get. Plus, it would take a long time for everything to go back to normal.

    The nonsensical family matters should not cause changes in the company. Therefore, it's not surprising that someone like her would prioritize the stability of the business. She had struggled with it for many years; she could not allow herself to lose it because of two wicked people.

    Let those two be.

    Li Yin became heartless, not only indifferent towards them but also offering a ruthless proposition that they could continue their affair, but she would not divorce Donglu. A devil like her would never let those who betrayed her be happy. The half-sister could hope that she would get married but that would never happen. If she chose to be a mistress, then she must live as one forever!

    All of Li Zhu's shares had to be transferred to Li Yin. The sister should have no part in her company, and half of Donglu's shares had to belong to Li Yin as well.

    Li Yin was well aware of her wickedness.

    The more they suffered, the happier someone like Wang Li Yin became, someone who never easily bestowed mercy on anyone.

    She pressured them, becoming a significant obstacle in proving the path of love for the two unfaithful ones. Donglu understood the business rationale well.

    Eventually, they agreed,

    and that immediately changed the president's position in the company.

    Donglu, once having the most shares and thus holding the presidency, was now replaced by Li Yin, with the majority of shareholders siding with her and always ready to vote for her.

    She was pleased with the benefits,

    even if it came at the expense of a shattered family life. But why should someone like her care about ‘family’?

    As long as she was happy, whatever Donglu did in response no longer affected her.

    If he changed his mind about the divorce, it would’ve been too late. Someone with more power and money like her could do anything - she could use money to settle anything, then everything ends. As for justice..., forget about it because she would never give in again.

    When striking a snake, you strike it dead.

    At that moment, Li Yin chose only to take their benefits for herself, watching the tears and the resentment of those two snakes who had everything taken from them.

    Seeing them lose what they once had brought her great satisfaction.

    Yet, that was still not the ultimate breaking point…

    Even after these events, Li Yin never once showed interest in the two of them. She continued living her life as if nothing had happened, allowing them to stay in her house so they would have to keep seeing her face.

    Her - the one who took everything from them.

    When Donglu was demoted, Li Zhu was certainly displeased, having to live in the house under Li Yin's oppression, powerless to retaliate. So, she did the most obvious thing which was to get pregnant immediately, knowing well that Li Yin was in poor health and unable to bear children, which was one of the reasons Donglu grew tired of his wife.

    One day, while Li Yin was applying makeup to go to work, Li Zhu, in her nightgown, came to her, one hand caressing her belly, and said in a faint voice,

    "Sister... I'm sorry, but I'm pregnant now."

    "So?"

    Li Yin had completely lost interest in their affairs.

    "I know you hate me but I’ve made the decision," Li Zhu spoke softly, then took Li Yin's hand. "Once this child is born, I will give it to you as your child, since you can't have one... Maybe having a child could bring you more happiness."

    Li Zhu spoke while trying to sound guilty,

    But upon hearing that, the first thing that came to Li Yin's mind wasn't pain but a clear recognition of how the other side intentionally humiliated her to the utmost!

    Li Zhu said she felt sorry for Li Yin’s inability to have children, but really she was planning to give her child to her, to emphasize the fact that she had no heirs, and to pave the way for her own child to inherit the fortune.

    At that moment, Li Yin was left with no one around her, no heirs, no husband, only money and status, which couldn't help in this matter. Facing these irritating problems of her husband and sister again, she couldn't hold herself and pushed her sister to the ground.

    The pregnant woman fell to the ground and started crying out,

    "Sister Yin..."

    "Get out of my sight!"

    Li Yin shouted, pointing at Li Zhu’s face, "You still have no remorse. Someone like you, besides not having the intelligence to achieve like what I did, even at your best, you can only depend on me for a living, and yet you’re here running your mouth. Disgusting!"

    "Why would you say that, Sister!" Li Zhu cried out, looking pitiful, but Li Yin found her even more repulsive.

    Utterly conscienceless…

    The intense quarrel was heard outside. At that moment, it was unknown when the foolish husband entered the room, but when he saw Li Zhu sitting on the floor, with her beautiful face covered in tears, he immediately realized everything.

    Poor Li Zhu, she’s being bullied!

    "Li Yin! I didn't think you could do such a thing to your own pregnant sister," he said meaninglessly, as his thick palm struck Li Yin's face.

    Slap!

    He had slapped her. Far from feeling remorse for his action, he quickly went to hug Li Zhu.

    "You're disgusting, Li Yin," he turned to say. "I didn't know you could be this vile, selfish, and greedy. Your desires never end!"

    Li Yin could only respond with a scornful smile.

    She propped herself up to a sitting position, her cheek burning with pain, yet she still forced a smile, tasting the metallic tang of blood in her mouth.

    But she didn't care about the blood.

    Li Yin smirked disdainfully, then proudly declared, "How am I disgusting? Because, in the end... I now own everything of yours!"

    She had worked herself to death, starting this business from scratch. Finally, when she could have rested and had a simple family life, her husband cheated on her with her own sister.

    Was it her fault that her husband was unfaithful?

    Was it really her fault that her sister stole her husband?

    And was she wrong to be furious about these evil things!?

    At that moment, Li Yin was beyond reasoning. She kicked the two of them out of the mansion, severed ties, and seized everything they owned for herself.

    What happened to them no longer concerned her.

    If you're going to be bad, then be bad all the way in!

    She dealt with both of them to her satisfaction, then stood with her arms crossed, watching them cry as they left her house. Just thinking of that scene made the villain like her feel happy.

    However…

    As years went by, Li Yin, once that young blossom, aged and entered her twilight years.

    She was now a dying and lonely chairwoman. She chose not to start a new family or adopt any child. Even her long-time husband couldn't be trusted, then how could a child she brought in?

    She decided not to trust anyone again, choosing only to trust herself. And because of that…

    She was now all alone.

    "What a pity,"

    Li Yin said before leaning back against a soft pillow, her eyes closing from exhaustion, her hands resting slowly moving on her abdomen.

    All of the thoughts from just moments ago were only the past…

    She had been beautiful, intelligent, and talented. But as time passed, the once vibrant flower became a weak, old woman lying exhausted in her bed. Her once firm skin now wrinkled, her once bright eyes were dimming with age.

    Li Yin lay thinking about many things, especially her younger days.

    If anyone saw Li Yin's end, they could only shake their heads at the tragic life of this businesswoman.

    Immense wealth,

    but such an empty life...

    "If I could go back to my youth, what would I change in my life?" Li Yin murmured, then closed her eyes, her breaths growing fainter every moment, her hands too weak to even call her personal nurse.

    It seemed her final moment had indeed arrived.

    But...

    When she opened her eyes once again,

    The scene before her was no longer the same. Her spacious and luxurious room had turned into the small bedroom from her childhood!