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

Qu Dani started marching toward the salon, but Qin Li grabbed her arm and pulled her back. They could only stand there and watch as Sun Yi and Xu Jing, laughing and chatting, headed upstairs together.

Qin Li quickly paid for their treatments and dragged Dani out of the salon.

Dani yanked her hand away in frustration. "Why are you running? He's the one with something to hide! Why didn't you confront him right there?"

Qin Li avoided her gaze. "There were too many people. I can't afford to lose face like that."

Dani glared at her, exasperated. "The only person who should be ashamed is him! Let everyone see what a scumbag he is—how he's nothing but an ungrateful, cheating jerk!"

"And what's the point of that?" Qin Li countered softly.

"The point?" Dani looked incredulous. "The point is to let out some of that rage! To hold him accountable!"

Qin Li's voice was calm but resigned. "And then what?"

"Then…" Dani faltered. "You divorce him, of course! Why would you stay with a man like that?"

"It's not that simple."

"Why not? You don't have kids tying you down. Divorce should be easy."

Dani's words, though well-meaning, betrayed a lack of understanding. Qin Li sighed. "We've been married for years. It's not as easy as you think."

Dani's eyes widened in disbelief. "You still love him, don't you?"

When Qin Li didn't reply, Dani pressed on. "Li, wake up. This man doesn't deserve you. You've gone through three miscarriages for him. He should be making it up to you, not sneaking around with some floozy. This isn't a personality flaw; it's a moral failure. Why are you still holding on?"

"There's no love left between us," Qin Li admitted quietly. "If I were three years younger, I'd leave without hesitation. But now? You know my situation. I'm 28, unable to have children, and divorced—how would I even start over?"

"So what?" Dani snapped. "You're still alive, aren't you? Life doesn't end just because you leave a man. You pick yourself up and keep going!"

"It's easy to say, but it's not that simple," Qin Li said wearily.

"And what about your parents?" Dani asked. "What do they have to do with this? You didn't ask for their permission to get married, so why should you need their blessing to get divorced?"

"It's complicated," Qin Li murmured. "You wouldn't understand."

"Complicated?" Dani scoffed. "What's complicated is your fear of change! Be honest with yourself. This isn't about love or loyalty—it's about fear. Fear of the hassle, fear of the unknown, fear of standing on your own. But Li, this marriage is a tumor. If you don't cut it out, it'll kill you slowly."

Qin Li looked at her with tired eyes. "Then tell me, what should I do?"

"Gather evidence of his cheating," Dani said bluntly. "Then divorce him and make him pay. If you can take everything and leave him with nothing, let's see if that woman still wants him. Do you even know how much you two are worth?"

Qin Li shook her head. "The accounts are all in his name. He gives me five thousand yuan a month for household expenses."

"Five thousand?" Dani's voice rose indignantly. "And he's throwing money at his mistress while leaving you with scraps? When did you find out about the affair? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I only found out recently."

"And you didn't even try to confront him?"

Qin Li shook her head again. "He hasn't come home in weeks. I can't even catch him to talk."

"That's your problem," Dani said firmly. "The moment he stopped coming home, you should've been on high alert. Men are opportunists—ignoring them just gives them free rein to betray you."

Dani sighed, softening her tone. " Li, it's not worth it. Dump him. I'll introduce you to someone better."

Qin Li laughed bitterly. "Who would want someone like me?"

Dani's eyes lit up with a sudden idea. "Why don't you join that matchmaking show I mentioned? German farmers don't care about virginity or fertility. They'd treat you like a queen!"

"Spare me," Qin Li said, shaking her head.

"I'm serious!" Dani insisted. "You could apply for a student visa, go back to school in Germany, and start fresh. You were in the German language program—this should be easy for you. Once you're there, you can stay with me while we arrange everything."

Qin Li sighed. "Studying abroad costs money. Where would I even get that?"

"That's why you negotiate with Sun Yi. Demand five million, sign the divorce papers, and walk away."

"You're dreaming," Qin Li said. "Even if I left, my parents would never forgive me. And anyway, Sun Yi already gave my family money."

"Where is it?"

"My parents took it to invest in my brother's business."

"And? Did you get any returns?"

"They lost it all," Qin Li admitted.

Dani was incredulous. "Are you serious? Your parents are greedy, and your brother's a parasite!"

"They raised me," Qin Li said quietly. "I can't just turn my back on them."

"Helping your parents is one thing, but why is your brother riding on your coattails? This is absurd."

"They've always favored him," Qin Li said with a shrug. "Now that he has a son, they're even more biased. If I don't give them money, they'll cause a scene."

Dani's voice softened. "Li, come with me. Get away from all of this—your toxic marriage, your dysfunctional family. Start fresh. You deserve better."

Qin Li sighed deeply. She understood the logic but couldn't shake the fear. Making such a drastic change felt insurmountable.

Dani noticed her red-rimmed eyes and stopped pushing. She patted Qin Li's hand. "Take your time. But remember—you deserve happiness."

"Thanks," Qin Li said softly.

"Come on," Dani said, forcing a cheerful tone. "Let's head to the reunion. Everyone's been asking about you. Remember Wang, the chubby girl? She's divorced now, too, but she's living her best life traveling the world with her five-year-old son. That's how women should be—free from societal constraints. Men come and go, but independence is forever."

Qin Li nodded, but her heart felt heavy. She knew Dani was right, but breaking free seemed impossible. It was like knowing a tumor needed to be removed yet fearing the pain of surgery and the uncertainty of recovery.

Dani saw the hesitation on her friend's face and squeezed her hand. "One step at a time."

The reunion was filled with familiar faces—old classmates, each now living vastly different lives. Some had started their own businesses, others were stay-at-home parents, a few had pursued further studies abroad, while others juggled kids and careers. The mothers looked down on the single professionals, who in turn mocked the stay-at-home crowd. Their banter was sharp, but ultimately playful.

Qin Li laughed along with the group, momentarily transported back to the carefree days of college. For the first time in years, her heavy heart felt lighter.

Her routine life—work, housework, and more work—had rarely allowed her to attend such gatherings. Tonight, she realized how much she had missed this camaraderie. She was like a bird, long caged, tasting the joy of freedom once more.

Dani had dragged her to a salon earlier that afternoon for a makeover. With a fresh haircut, a facial, and a touch of makeup, Qin Li looked years younger. A few of the male classmates even teased her, asking if she had a boyfriend.

Though their words were playful, they soothed the insecurities that had plagued her since seeing Xu Jing earlier. Qin Li realized she could still be beautiful, still be desirable—if only she chose to be.

After dinner, the group moved to a karaoke lounge, singing and laughing late into the night.

Qin Li drank more than usual, savoring the warmth of alcohol as it dulled her pain. For a few hours, her worries melted away. She understood why people said, live for today, for tomorrow is uncertain.

When she returned home, the lights were on. For a moment, she thought there had been a break-in. But as she stepped inside, she froze.

Sun Yi was there.

She blinked, thinking the alcohol might be playing tricks on her.

Sun Yi glanced up and wrinkled his nose at the smell of alcohol. "Where were you? Why are you back so late?"

Qin Li laughed, her voice dripping with mockery. "What a rare guest. I thought you'd forgotten which way this door swings."

"I came to get my clothes," he said flatly, "and to bring you the divorce papers. Sign them, and we'll part ways peacefully."

The mention of divorce sobered her instantly. Her eyes locked onto his. "You're really going through with this?"

"Yes," he said without hesitation.

His firm answer hit her like a punch to the gut. She had prepared herself for this moment, even rehearsed what she would say, but now her mind was blank. Tears streamed down her face as she screamed, "Why? What does she have that I don't?"

Sun Yi's impatience showed. "This hysterical act of yours—crying, yelling, throwing tantrums—it's exhausting. Can't you handle this like an adult?"

His dismissive tone was the final straw. Qin Li's vision blurred with rage. Spotting the divorce agreement on the table, she grabbed it and tore it to pieces, crumpling the shreds and hurling them at him.

"I'm not divorcing you!" she yelled. "I'll drag this out forever if I have to!"

Sun Yi's patience snapped. "What do you want from me?"

"What do I want? I want to know where the man I married went. The one who promised to stand by me, who held my hand when I cried after each miscarriage. Do you even have a conscience, Sun Yi?"

Sun Yi scowled, clearly annoyed. "You're still blaming me for the miscarriages?"

"Who else should I blame? I gave up everything to support you!"

"You had the choice to say no," he shot back coldly. "How was I supposed to know your body was so weak?"

Qin Li staggered back, stunned by his cruelty. "How can you say that?"

"Look," he said, exasperated, "even if the miscarriages were my fault, I've more than made it up to you. I've given your family enough—too much, honestly. Your parents and brother are a bottomless pit, and I'm done throwing money into it."

"This isn't about my family!" she shouted. "It's about you! You cheated! You betrayed me!"

"Fine," Sun Yi said with a shrug. "I'm the bad guy. But for your own sake, sign the papers and move on."

His cold indifference drained the fight out of her. Qin Li felt her strength give way to despair. Divorce was just a legal process, a few signatures—but what came after? Would she rise above, as Dani encouraged, or drown in endless pain and bitterness?

Gritting her teeth, she steadied herself. "Fine. I'll divorce you—but only if you give me five million yuan."

Sun Yi's face darkened. "Five million? Are you insane? Even if I had that much, I wouldn't give it to you. Go ask your parents for money."

"No money, no divorce," Qin Li retorted, folding her arms.

"Then I'll see you in court."

"Fine," she said with a bitter laugh. "Let's go to court. Let's see how well your affair holds up under the law."

The argument ended in an impasse. Sun Yi stormed out, slamming the door behind him. His suitcase clattered noisily as he dragged it down the hall.

Qin Li stood alone in the silence of the now-empty apartment. The walls seemed to close in on her, heavy with the weight of her crumbling marriage and uncertain future.