Accidentally Marking The Vicious Female Lead After Transmigrating Into A Period Novel - Chapter 20

They say the stomach is an emotional organ, and that couldn’t be truer.

Because she was brooding, Li Yan had no appetite for dinner. After forcing down a few bites, she prepared to head to work. Before leaving, she looked at the Omega sitting at the table eating with gusto, which only made her feel more sullen.

She isn’t affected at all, her face is practically buried in her rice. Truly a wicked woman!

Li Yan didn’t know where this sudden burst of irritation came from. She went to her room, put on her coat, slung her cloth bag over her shoulder, and headed out with her head down.

“You child, why are you in such a rush to go to overtime? You barely ate. Why are you being so earnest?” Li Chunmei, thinking her daughter was just worried about being late, nagged as she chased after her with supplies. “Who knows how many days you’ll be gone this time? If the leaders let you back by New Year’s Eve, I’ll burn high incense for them! Take these to snack on, and some spare clothes…”

“I’ve got the spare clothes. I didn’t bother with the outer layers; I’ll just wash them at the dorm and dry them by the fire. Mom, take them back,” Li Yan replied listlessly, pushing away the items. “And I don’t need food. The canteen has everything. I won’t starve. Alright, I’m going…”

But a mother’s concern is not so easily rebuffed, much like long johns in autumn.

Li Chunmei slapped away her daughter’s hand, unslung the bag, and began stuffing things inside. “I think you’re just being lazy! You stubborn child, I’m your mother, I still have a say…”

Li Yan didn’t hear the rest of the lecture. Her attention was entirely captured by the open bag. Specifically, by what was inside.

Among the lunch box, water bottle, and underwear she had packed, there was now a row of chocolates. They lay quietly next to her lunch box.

Li Yan snapped her head up toward the dining table. As if sensing her gaze, the person who had been eating looked up at the same time. She arched an eyebrow at Li Yan and mouthed silently:

You only just noticed, dummy?

The gloom in Li Yan’s heart vanished instantly. She grinned broadly, unable to look away even after the other woman went back to her food.

“Are you possessed? Why are you acting so weird?” Li Chunmei slapped her arm.

Li Yan winced at the sting but quickly returned to her cheerful self. “Hehe, I’m just happy I have such a caring mom. I’m lucky!” She even planted a loud peck on Li Chunmei’s cheek before running off, giggling.

Li Chunmei was left stunned. Something feels off…

Once outside the village, Li Yan couldn’t help but rummage through her bag. Her fingers dug around until she pulled out the chocolate. She looked at it from every angle, beaming with joy. Finally, she couldn’t resist breaking off a small piece and popping it into her mouth.

Hehe, it’s sweet. Not bitter at all.

She carefully tucked the rest away and walked toward the slaughterhouse with a light step. When one is happy, time flies. Soon, it was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month.

Seeing that the production tasks were ahead of schedule, the workshop director, Qi Haisheng, came by with a wide smile. He ordered the New Year bonuses to be distributed at noon and announced that everyone could head home for the holidays after a quick cleanup in the afternoon.

The workshop erupted in cheers. Li Yan was thrilled; after five days of overtime, she felt like she was falling apart. At least this year was better than the last, when she had to work right through New Year’s Eve.

As Li Yan was tidying up, Qi Haisheng beckoned her over. “Xiao Li, a word.”

“What is it, Director?”

Qi Haisheng whispered with a grin, “Xiao Li, you’ve done great! I’m a man of my word. I’ve submitted your name for the ‘Advanced Worker’ award. If all goes well, you’ll see a pay raise next year.”

Li Yan’s eyes lit up. “Director, how much?”

Qi Haisheng held up five fingers. “This much.”

Five yuan! A five yuan raise at once! In this era, that was a significant amount. This would push her monthly salary past the 30 yuan mark!

“Thank you, Director! Though I worked for it, I know your recommendation helped a lot. Truly, thank you.”

Qi Haisheng paused, unsure if she was thanking him or praising herself. But he laughed it off. He liked Xiao Li, she was hardworking and knew her worth. She took credit where it was due but didn’t steal it from others. Dealing with her was “straightforward.”

“Keep it up! I’ve got high hopes for you.” As he reached out to pat her arm, Li Yan instinctively dodged. Qi Haisheng felt a bit awkward but didn’t overthink it. “Go on then, go get your bonus. There’s good stuff in there this year.”

Li Yan headed to the storage room to get her bag to hold the bonuses. She thought of the chocolates Lin Yishu had packed for her. She had been eating one piece a day, and there was still a good amount left. She’d finish it on the way home.

However, as she approached the storage room, she saw a shifty figure through the window. Even from the back, she recognized him instantly.

Cold fury rose in her. She slammed the door open. “Liu Gang, if you touch my things one more time, I’ll chop your hand off.”

The man jumped and turned around, acting defiant. “I’m telling you, Li Yan, just because you’re cozy with the director doesn’t mean you can talk nonsense! Which eye saw me touching your stuff?”

“Both eyes,” Li Yan said coldly, stepping forward.

Liu Gang flinched. Li Yan rolled her eyes internally. This man never learned. She’d beaten him several times, and though he trembled at the sight of her, he still tried these petty provocations.

“Scram,” she commanded.

Liu Gang started to leave, but a second later, he was kicked to the floor, landing face-first.

“You…” He clutched his backside, looking up in terror.

Li Yan’s eyes were dark with rage. “You stole my things. Give them back!”

She had planned to let him go, but then she realized, the chocolates were gone.

The workshop crowd began to gather. A female coworker who liked Li Yan chimed in, “Liu Gang, it’s one thing to be jealous of Li Yan, but stealing? That’s low.”

“Nonsense! Who saw me steal? Steal what?” Liu Gang shouted, even as he tried to hide something behind his back.

The coworker sneered. “Hide it all you want. Show us your hands then.”

“Why should I? Just because you say so…..ARGH!”

He let out a blood curdling scream as Li Yan grabbed his wrist and twisted. His grip failed, and a dark, messy, squashed glob fell to the floor.

Seeing the chocolates melted and ruined by his grip, Li Yan snapped.

“Scum,” she hissed, and with a sharp yank, she dislocated his shoulder.

“Ahhh….!” As Liu Gang’s arm hung limp and Li Yan looked ready for more, coworkers rushed in to pull them apart. “Li Yan, calm down! This is the workshop!”

Even as she was held back, her temper flared. Qi Haisheng arrived, heard the story, and sighed. He didn’t punish her, he just told her to go home.

Li Yan looked at the ruined, blackened chocolate, her heart aching. Even as she walked out of the factory gates laden with New Year gifts, she couldn’t find it in her to be happy.

But as she walked a few steps, she saw someone standing by the road holding an umbrella. She froze.

Lin Yishu walked toward her with a smile, holding the umbrella over Li Yan’s head. She brushed the snow off Li Yan’s shoulder and said softly:

“I’ve come to take you home.”

A sudden wave of grievance and warmth flooded Li Yan’s heart.