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

Qin Li's suicide attempt was fortunately thwarted. She had acted impulsively, but fate—or perhaps sheer luck—intervened.

The first to discover her was Qu Dani. They had planned to go renew Dani's driver's license together, but when Qin Li failed to show up or answer her phone, Dani grew concerned and went to her apartment.

After knocking for what felt like forever with no response, Dani was about to leave when she heard the sound of shattering glass. Alarmed, she rushed to the neighbor's apartment and climbed onto the balcony to peer inside. What she saw chilled her to the bone: Qin Li lying in a pool of blood.

Dani screamed for help and called an ambulance. Even now, the memory sent shivers down her spine. Had she ignored her instincts and left, the outcome would have been unthinkable.

The doctors managed to save Qin Li in time. After removing the glass and stitching up her wounds, the nurse assured them that she was no longer in immediate danger.

When the nurse left, Dani's bottled-up anger finally erupted. She jabbed a finger at Qin Li's forehead.

"Was it worth it? Throwing your life away for that piece of trash?!"

Qin Li stared at the ceiling, her voice barely audible. "It wasn't worth it. I won't do it again."

Her pallor and exhaustion softened Dani's anger. Though she had so much more to say, she could only sigh.

"Just divorce him, Li. Stop dragging this out. The pain will fade, and you'll move on. You're still young. You'll go to new places, meet new people. This isn't the end, I promise."

"It's not him I can't let go of," Qin Li whispered. "It's the memories. I gave him everything. We loved each other so fiercely once. How can he act like none of it mattered? He's erased me from his life as if I was nothing."

Dani nodded solemnly. "I get it. I really do. But you were too trusting. This is a hard lesson, but it's one you need to learn. Don't let it define you."

Before Qin Li could respond, the door opened, and a young woman walked in.

Dani didn't recognize her, but Qin Li did immediately—it was Xu Jing.

Even after everything, Qin Li still harbored bitterness toward the woman who had wrecked her marriage. Her tone was icy. "What are you doing here? Come to make sure I'm dead?"

She braced herself for gloating or smugness, but Xu Jing shocked them both by dropping to her knees.

"I'm six weeks pregnant," Xu Jing said, clutching Qin Li's hand. "Please, let us be together. I'm begging you."

Qin Li froze, a thousand emotions crashing over her. The fragile peace she had pieced together shattered once again.

A barren wife and a pregnant mistress—the contrast was cruel beyond words.

"You want me to sign the divorce papers? Fine," Qin Li said, her voice trembling. "But don't you dare pretend you're the victim here."

"I'll even pay you," Xu Jing added, her tone almost pleading. "You asked for two million, right? I'll make it happen."

Dani's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are all mistresses this bold now? You waltz into someone's life, destroy their marriage, and then demand they step aside?!"

Xu Jing straightened her back, her voice firm. "Love is equal for everyone. I didn't plan for this to happen, but love doesn't care about plans. Sun Yi and I are in love."

"Love?!" Dani exploded. "You're unbelievable. Do you have any shame at all?"

"Your marriage is already over," Xu Jing said. "Why not let it go? Why keep everyone trapped in misery? Be free. Move on."

"You shameless—" Dani raised her hand, but Qin Li grabbed her wrist before she could strike.

Qin Li's voice was steady, but her eyes burned with pain. "You think Sun Yi and I didn't love each other once? You think you're special? There will come a day when someone else takes him from you, just as you took him from me."

Xu Jing hesitated, her bravado faltering. "But we have a child. That changes everything."

That sentence cut deeper than any insult. Qin Li flinched but held her composure. Dani, however, couldn't take it anymore. She slapped Xu Jing hard across the face.

"Don't act so smug," Dani snapped. "What goes around comes around. Mark my words—you'll regret this."

Xu Jing stumbled back, clutching her cheek. She wailed dramatically, "Don't hit my stomach! I'm pregnant!"

"Nobody touched your stomach, you drama queen!" Dani yelled.

At that moment, the door burst open, and Sun Yi stormed in. He took one look at Xu Jing on the floor and assumed the worst.

"What did you do to her?" he shouted at Qin Li. "If anything happens to her or the baby, I won't forgive you!"

Dani stepped in front of Qin Li, shielding her. "Oh, please. Your wife nearly died because of you, and all you care about is your mistress?"

"This is none of your business," Sun Yi growled.

"Well, it is now," Dani shot back. "Li is my friend, and I won't let you bully her. You'd better tread carefully, or I'll make sure the whole city knows what kind of man you really are. How long do you think your business will survive when everyone knows you're a cheating scumbag?"

For a moment, Sun Yi looked stunned. His arrogance faltered under Dani's threat. Grabbing Xu Jing's arm, he helped her to her feet and glanced at Qin Li's bandaged wrist.

"Can't we just end this peacefully?" he muttered.

Qin Li stared at him, her heart a cold, empty void. This was the man she had once loved enough to sacrifice everything for. Now, she couldn't even summon anger—only regret for ever giving him her heart.

Qin Li looked at Sun Yi, her voice steady and resolute. "Bring me the divorce papers. I'll sign them."

Sun Yi froze, disbelief flashing across his face. Then, nearly trembling with excitement, he asked, "You're agreeing to the divorce?"

Before Qin Li could reply, Xu Jing elbowed him, urging caution. He quickly composed himself, afraid she might change her mind. "I have the agreement saved on my phone. I'll print it out at the nurse's station. Wait here."

Grabbing Xu Jing's hand, he practically bolted from the room. Their eagerness to finalize the split was a punch to Qin Li's gut.

"Despicable," Qu Dani spat.

She turned to Qin Li, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure about this?"

Qin Li nodded, her expression more determined than ever. "I've made up my mind. He's a tumor I need to cut out. The sooner, the better."

Dani squeezed her hand. "I support you, no matter what."

A few minutes later, Sun Yi returned with Xu Jing, holding a freshly printed agreement.

Without glancing at the document, Qin Li picked up a pen and signed her name. She wasn't interested in fighting over assets or hashing out the past anymore. She just wanted it all to be over.

"We'll finalize this at the civil affairs office tomorrow," Qin Li said.

Sun Yi nodded eagerly. "I'll pick you up in the morning."

Her tone turned icy. "You can leave now. I need to rest."

Not wanting to linger, Sun Yi tucked the agreement under his arm, wrapped an arm around Xu Jing, and left.

Dani closed the door behind them, muttering, "Good riddance. Honestly, I wish they'd choke on their happiness. You could've fought for the house, though. It's only fair."

"I don't want anything that ties me to him," Qin Li said firmly. "Let them have it all. I need a clean break to start fresh."

Dani hesitated. "What about your parents? What will you tell them?"

"I'll figure it out later. For now, I just want the divorce finalized."

Dani nodded. "Fair enough. Do you want me to come with you tomorrow?"

Qin Li shook her head. "I can handle it."

Dani gave her a reassuring squeeze. "I'm here if you need me. Anytime."

Qin Li managed a weak smile. "Thank you."

That night, Qin Li couldn't sleep. Even though she was done with Sun Yi emotionally, moving on from the memories they had built together would take time.

Divorce, she realized, was like surgery. The process of cutting away something deeply entwined was painful, leaving wounds that would take time to heal. Scars would remain, but someday they would fade.

For now, she felt relief—like a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

The next morning, Sun Yi arrived promptly. Qin Li had just finished getting ready when his car pulled up outside.

She climbed into the passenger seat, her movements mechanical. Though she'd ridden in this car countless times before, she knew this would be the last.

Sun Yi tried to make conversation. "Did you have breakfast?"

"Let's just go," Qin Li replied coldly.

Her distant tone silenced him. He started the car, the tension between them thick and suffocating.

At a red light, he glanced at her hands. The bandages around her wrist were still faintly stained with blood.

For a moment, guilt flashed in his eyes. Despite everything, they had once been a team, bound by love and shared struggles. But his thoughts quickly shifted back to Xu Jing and the future he was building with her.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked.

"Yes," Qin Li replied simply.

"Don't do anything like that again," he said, his voice awkward.

"I won't," she said, her tone void of emotion.

Her indifference unsettled him. Sun Yi had expected more resistance, more pleas, more reminders of the woman who had once loved him so fiercely. Instead, she was letting go with startling ease.

Trying to justify himself, he said, "Li Li, don't hate me. I really want a child—someone to inherit my business. You're a good woman. You'll meet someone better, someone who can give you the life you deserve. Thank you for understanding."

Qin Li suppressed a bitter laugh. She was amazed at her own composure. "Spare me the empty platitudes, Sun Yi. We both know the truth. This marriage failed because of both of us."

They reached the civil affairs office in silence.

Inside, the clerk asked, "Are you both certain you want to proceed with the divorce?"

Without hesitation, they answered in unison, "Yes."

The process was quick, thanks to the agreement they'd already prepared. In a matter of minutes, their marriage was legally over.

As they exited the building, Qin Li took a deep breath. Freedom.

She didn't spare Sun Yi a second glance as she walked away, heading in the opposite direction.

Their chapter was closed, and she was ready to write the next one alone.