Chapter 2

Li Wei woke early the next morning, the sounds of chickens clucking and the faint hum of village life pulling her from the depths of a restless sleep. For a few blissful seconds, she forgot where she was, her mind hovering between worlds. But as her eyes adjusted to the dim light filtering through the thin curtains, reality crashed down on her.

This isn't a dream.

She sat up slowly, her body stiff and sore, and rubbed her temples as if trying to massage away the remnants of the shock from the day before. She had transmigrated—no doubt about it—into the body of a poor village girl in rural China. The reflection staring back at her from the cracked mirror still haunted her thoughts, a younger, weaker version of herself.

Li Wei was used to waking up in a luxury penthouse, where crisp white sheets and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her. Here, it was a rundown shack that barely held together. The room smelled musty, like old wood and damp earth. She glanced around, taking in the cracked walls, the small wardrobe, and a rickety table that looked ready to collapse at any moment. Everything felt foreign and uncomfortable.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Mei, the girl who had fussed over her the day before, poked her head in. Her round face was lit up with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with genuine concern. "Sister Wei, are you feeling better today?"

Li Wei took a deep breath, reminding herself that she was no longer the cutthroat CEO with sharp words and sharper instincts. At least not outwardly. "Yes, thank you, Mei," she said, forcing a smile that felt strange on her lips. "I'm feeling much better."

"Good! Mother says you should take it easy today, but we'll need your help later. The harvest is coming soon, and we have a lot of work to do." Mei's enthusiasm was infectious, but the thought of farm work sent a shiver down Li Wei's spine. She had never so much as touched a hoe in her previous life. The most she'd ever done outdoors was play a round of golf with business partners.

But here, in this life, that was her reality. She was no longer the wealthy, powerful businesswoman; she was a village girl in a world without luxury.

Mei lingered for a moment, her brow furrowed as if she wanted to say something else, but then she flashed a bright smile and hurried off with a quick, "I'll bring you breakfast!"

Li Wei exhaled, staring at the closed door, her mind buzzing with thoughts. She needed to figure out more about this life—who this "Li Wei" was and what her situation entailed. In her past life, information was power, and even here, in this rural world, it would be no different.

Rising to her feet, she approached the wardrobe. Inside were a few threadbare garments, folded neatly despite their obvious age. She dressed quickly, the rough fabric scratching against her skin. As she moved about the room, small flashes of memories belonging to the original owner of this body flickered in her mind. It wasn't much, but it was enough to give her a sense of who she was now.

The original Li Wei had been a quiet, timid girl—overshadowed by her family, rarely speaking out of turn. Orphaned young, she had been raised by her aunt and uncle, who, while not cruel, had treated her more as a burden than family. She had spent her days working in the fields, helping with chores, and trying her best to stay out of trouble. No wonder no one expected much from her. In the eyes of this village, she was just another poor, forgettable girl.

Li Wei frowned. That won't do.

If she was going to survive—and thrive—in this world, she couldn't afford to be timid. She needed to transform this life, not just survive it. The 1980s might be rural and backward now, but she knew what was coming. The economic reforms would change everything. China was on the verge of becoming an economic powerhouse, and she was in the perfect position to take advantage of it. The thought stirred something deep inside her—a spark of excitement.

But first, she needed a plan.

She needed to learn more about the village, the people, and the resources available to her. With nothing but her modern business instincts and the memories of this timid girl, she would need to rely on her wits. Luckily, that had always been her strength.

A knock at the door signaled Mei's return, this time with a bowl of steaming congee. The rich, savory smell filled the room, stirring Li Wei's stomach. "Here, Sister Wei. Eat up," Mei said, her cheerful demeanor infectious as she set the bowl on the table.

As Li Wei ate in silence, she observed Mei carefully. The girl had a natural kindness, her bright eyes filled with warmth—a rarity in the cutthroat world of high finance where Li Wei had come from. She had always kept people at arm's length before, trusting no one. But here, perhaps allies would be more valuable than ever.

"Mei," Li Wei began, her voice steady. "Tell me more about the village. Who are the most important people here?"

Mei raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise crossing her face. "Why are you asking about the village, Sister? You lived here your whole life. You know these things."

Li Wei paused, caught off guard. Of course! Memories rushed through her—simple village life, familiar faces—but she needed more context. "I guess I just want to make sure I understand everything better. It's been a little overwhelming."

Mei studied her for a moment, then nodded, her expression softening. "Well, okay! The village head is Uncle Zhao. He organizes everything—work in the fields, any disputes, and he talks to the people from the county when they come. He's fair, but strict. Then there's the Li family—they own a lot of land. Very powerful. We work for them during the harvest."

Li Wei filed that information away, her mind already spinning. She would need to meet this Uncle Zhao and figure out where the real power lay in the village. The Li family, too, sounded like they would be worth keeping an eye on. If they were wealthy and influential, they could either become allies or obstacles in her future plans.

As Mei continued chatting about village life, Li Wei nodded along, her curiosity piqued. "What do they grow?" she asked, feigning casual interest.

"Mostly rice and some corn," Mei replied, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "And vegetables, too! Oh, and we have a few fruit trees—peaches, apples. It's hard work, but it's worth it."

Li Wei smiled, encouraging her to continue. "That sounds lovely. What do you enjoy most about living here?"

Mei thought for a moment, her brow furrowing as she considered the question. "I guess I like the community. Everyone helps each other. If someone has a sick family member, the whole village pitches in. We have our struggles, but we're all in it together."

Li Wei nodded, appreciating the sentiment. It reminded her of the connections she had always found difficult to forge in her previous life—a network of trust and support in a world that often felt lonely. But in this world, perhaps that sense of community could be an asset.

For now, she would play the role of the quiet village girl, but soon enough, they would see who she really was.