From Zero to Farm Hero: A New Life in the Alps

Qin Li began packing up everything that reminded her of Sun Yi, determined to purge her life of his presence. But the process was agonizing. She spent the entire night sorting through items and crying over the memories they brought back.

Each trinket, each keepsake, carried a story—a fragment of their past love. The dusty corners of her memory came alive with vivid scenes: laughter, promises, dreams they had shared.

Despite their current animosity, they had once been deeply in love. Their marriage had begun in defiance of all odds. They had eloped, sneaking into the civil registry office to get their marriage certificate.

It was a bright summer day. Qin Li wore a blue floral dress, a foreign brand that cost 1,500 yuan—an extravagance Sun Yi had saved for three months to afford. She had sat on the back of his bicycle, her long hair streaming in the breeze, feeling as if they were characters in a romantic drama.

There had been no wedding banquet, no photos, just a small gathering of friends in his humble dorm room. When her parents found out, they stormed in and humiliated him in front of everyone. Her father slapped him twice, accusing him of seduction and threatening legal action. Her mother declared him a toad lusting after a swan.

Her parents dragged her home, confiscated her phone, and tried to force her to divorce him.

But Qin Li fought back with everything she had, even going on a hunger strike. She fainted from starvation and ended up in the hospital, where her father, moved by her determination, secretly helped her escape.

Sun Yi had been deeply touched by her devotion and vowed to make her life better. Qin Li could still remember his words: "I'll give you the life you deserve—free of worry, full of joy. One day, your parents will see me in a new light."

They started their life together in a tiny 15-square-meter rented room in S City, working tirelessly to make ends meet. With her degree in German, Qin Li quickly found a stable job, supplementing her income with weekend tutoring gigs. She handed every cent she earned to Sun Yi, supporting his dream of starting a business.

His journey began modestly, selling seafood at a local market. As his business grew, he opened a restaurant specializing in crayfish, which gained popularity after being featured on TV. With the profits, he bought their first house and car, then ventured into real estate, riding the wave of S City's property boom. Restaurants became chains, brands were established, and eventually, he founded a full-fledged food company.

When Sun Yi achieved success, his first act was to bring Qin Li back to her parents' house, silencing all who had once scorned him.

Her parents, who had once despised him, now welcomed him with open arms. For a time, the story seemed to have reached a fairytale ending.

For several years, Sun Yi fulfilled his promises. He was generous to Qin Li and her family, indulging their every request. Qin Li's brother, Qin Ming, was even given a position at one of Sun Yi's restaurants, though he proved to be a disaster—embezzling funds, mismanaging supplies, and costing the business money. Sun Yi tolerated it all for Qin Li's sake, but resentment began to fester.

Over time, his frustration with her family's greed turned into contempt for her. He saw her as weak, complicit in enabling their endless demands.

Then came the issue of children. Sun Yi wanted a child to inherit his business empire, but Qin Li's past abortions had left her with complications. Two miscarriages later, she refused to try again, further straining their relationship.

The love that had once united them faltered under the weight of betrayal, resentment, and unfulfilled dreams.

Qin Li spent the night replaying these memories, crying until there were no tears left. As dawn broke, she realized their relationship was like the proverbial chicken rib: tasteless and bitter, yet hard to discard.

If it weren't for Xu Jing, she might have still believed there was hope for reconciliation. But Sun Yi's heart was no longer hers, and she knew she had to let go.

Yet knowing and doing were two different things. The wound was too fresh, too raw.

Her phone rang. It was her mother.

Without preamble, her mother asked, "Did you divorce Sun Yi?"

"No," Qin Li replied, "but—"

Her mother cut her off. "You mustn't divorce him. If you do, you'll end up with nothing. You're 28, no longer a young girl. Divorce would ruin your life and shame your family. You've had your passionate love story—it's time to face reality. Maintaining your current lifestyle is what matters now."

"Mom, do you even know what kind of life I'm living?"

"Of course I do," her mother said briskly. "The pain will fade with time. At least you have a roof over your head and food on the table. You're the envy of so many. If you divorce, you'll lose everything. Be grateful for what you have."

"Mom, don't push me," Qin Li pleaded.

"I'm not pushing you. But if you divorce, how will your father and I manage? Do you expect us to support you for the rest of your life?"

"I can take care of myself."

"Don't be naive," her mother snapped. "Listen to me. Don't take this too seriously. Let the years pass—when he grows old, he'll come back to you."

Her mother's relentless insistence left Qin Li feeling suffocated. She mumbled a vague response and hung up.

People say a marriage without parental support is doomed. But the same could be said of divorce. Society might have progressed, but it still judged women harshly, even those who were financially independent.

Her mother's words echoed in her mind: "When he grows old, he'll come back to you."

The thought of living the rest of her life as it was now, waiting for that distant "someday," filled her with dread.

Setting her phone aside, Qin Li sat in silence before gathering the mementos of her relationship with Sun Yi. She boxed everything up and called for a courier to deliver it to his office. Whether he kept it or discarded it, she no longer cared.

It was time to move forward. She told herself, Let's end this gracefully

Qin Li sent Sun Yi a message, proposing a compromise. She no longer asked for five million yuan in cash or any other assets—just an equal share of their home.

The house had cost 1.5 million yuan when they bought it. Though she hadn't contributed financially, her unwavering support for his business had been invaluable. Now, with the house worth 5 million, she felt it was fair to claim half as marital property. If he agreed, she'd agree to the divorce.

But Sun Yi didn't respond.

By evening, frustration pushed her to reassemble the shredded divorce agreement. The terms were glaringly unfair: Sun Yi offered her a mere 50,000 yuan while retaining all other assets.

Qin Li didn't know the full extent of his wealth, but it was certainly far more than a few hundred thousand. It became clear—Sun Yi had planned this for some time, quietly transferring his assets and leaving only this token amount.

Suddenly, panic seized her. If he could transfer their savings, what about the house?

She searched frantically for the property deed but couldn't find it. Of course, it was with Sun Yi. He had always been shrewd in business, far savvier than her. Naively trusting in their marriage, she had never considered the possibility of betrayal.

Determined, she decided to visit the housing transaction center to investigate.

Just as she was about to leave, the sound of keys turning in the lock froze her in place.

Relief mixed with fury when the door opened, but instead of Sun Yi, three strangers entered—two men and a woman. One of the men, dressed in a suit and tie, carried a folder.

All four of them stared at one another in shock.

"Who are you? Why are you breaking into my home?" Qin Li demanded.

The man in the suit quickly recovered. "I'm a real estate agent with Pacific Realty. The owner of this property listed it for sale. I'm here with potential buyers."

Qin Li's heart dropped like a stone. "That's impossible! I never listed this house for sale!"

The man calmly explained, "The listing came from the owner—a gentleman with the deed. Here's a copy of the document."

He handed her the photocopy, and her hands shook as she scanned it.

It could only have been Sun Yi.

She staggered back, barely able to stand. How could he do this?

The couple there to view the house exchanged glances, then asked, "So… is the house still available?"

Before the agent could answer, Qin Li shouted, "No! It's not for sale! Get out, or I'll call the police!"

The agent tried to speak, but her hysteria left no room for argument. Flustered, he ushered the couple out.

Once alone, Qin Li slammed the door shut and collapsed against it, sliding to the floor. She sobbed uncontrollably, her cries echoing through the empty apartment.

Back when they'd bought this house, their love had been so strong that the idea of divorce had seemed laughable. She hadn't cared whose name was on the deed. Now, she regretted that decision with every fiber of her being.

Fueled by desperation, she grabbed her bag and rushed to Sun Yi's office.

But the receptionist stopped her at the front desk.

"I'm Sun Yi's wife," Qin Li declared. "I need to see him now."

"I'm sorry," the receptionist replied awkwardly. "Mr. Sun isn't in."

"What about Xu Jing?"

"She resigned," the receptionist said.

"Are you all conspiring against me?" Qin Li's voice cracked as her composure crumbled. Years of suppressed anger erupted as she yelled, "Your boss is a scumbag! He's cheating on me with Xu Jing! Tell him if he doesn't show himself, I'll expose everything—online, in the news, everywhere!"

Her outburst attracted a crowd of curious onlookers. Murmurs spread among them as more gathered to watch the scene unfold.

The receptionist, clearly uncomfortable, glanced around for help. But neither Sun Yi nor Xu Jing was present to defuse the situation.

Qin Li's rage took over. She began smashing whatever was within reach—pamphlets, pens, even a decorative vase. Shards of glass littered the floor, and no one dared to approach her.

The crowd whispered among themselves, desensitized by the countless stories of betrayed wives confronting mistresses. To them, Qin Li was just another spectacle.

When her fury subsided, the reality of her actions hit her. She had become the very caricature she despised—a desperate, humiliated woman airing her pain in public.

As the crowd's eyes bore into her, Qin Li felt a wave of shame. What had she accomplished? Nothing. All she had done was expose her wounds for the world to ridicule.

Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed through the crowd and ran.

By the time she reached home, exhaustion and despair had consumed her. She locked herself in her bedroom, shutting out the world.

She grabbed a bottle of liquor, gulping it down until her head spun. When the bottle was empty, she hurled it at the mirror, shattering both glass and her reflection.

The thought of ending it all crept into her mind like a venomous whisper. If she died, there would be no more betrayal, no more uncertainty, no more pain.

The idea took root, spreading through her like poison.

Without hesitation, she picked up a shard of glass and pressed it to her wrist.

This would end it. No more anguish, no more shame.

And then, with trembling hands, she slashed.