Early autumn of 1979.
At the steel plant in the provincial capital of Yang Province, at the home of the plant director, Luo Hongxing—
A woman wearing a floral dress, tall, about 1.68 meters, with an oval face, fair skin, and long hair. The most attractive thing was her pair of clear and bright eyes, as bright as stars.
The aura she carried attracted attention at first sight; she was the focus wherever she went.
Looking at the dazzling appearance of the woman in front of her, a trace of jealousy flashed in the eyes of the real daughter of the Luo family, but it quickly disappeared.
With a gentle and considerate face, she said, "Zhiyao, your parents told you to stay. The Song family is so poor. Do you really want to go back and suffer?"
Hearing this, the girl called Zhiyao felt that something was off.
At that moment, she was holding only a few clothes she usually wore, without taking any of the expensive things bought by the Luo family.
She, who was always cold and indifferent, now had a reluctant expression on her face. "It's time to correct the mistakes of the past. Although I'm reluctant to leave my parents, I know I can't occupy your place. That would be unfair to you."
When the real daughter of the Luo family heard her words, a trace of surprise flashed across her face. Shouldn't the other party cry and beg to stay under everyone's persuasion?
Why was she so calm?
She planned to persuade her again, but then heard that cold voice once more, "From now on, I am Song Zhiyao, and you are Luo Meixin!"
A dramatic story had happened between the two of them. She had occupied Luo Meixin's life for 18 years. By normal standards, Luo Meixin should have disliked her upon returning.
It would be impossible for someone to be so generous—one grew up in a privileged family, the other in poverty.
The Song family was poor, with only a mother raising three children. Luo Meixin had cried miserably on the day she returned.
In the Song family, she was the eldest sister who had to take care of her younger siblings every day, often without enough to eat. Naturally, she had no energy left for studying. After graduating from high school, she could only become a factory worker.
Song Zhiyao vaguely remembered Luo Meixin's original words: "Mom and Dad, if I could have grown up with you like Zhiyao did, I might have graduated from college and brought honor to you."
As soon as these words were spoken, the Luo family looked at Song Zhiyao with strange expressions, as if it was her fault that Luo Meixin didn't get into college.
Zhiyao had been smart since childhood, always top of her class. When the college entrance exam resumed, she was only 16, a freshman in high school.
Despite the Luo family's opposition, she took the exam and was admitted to the best medical university in China, finishing a five-year course in just two years.
A genius like her couldn't be found anywhere else in the steel plant compound—or even in the entire provincial capital.
She had now been accepted into the pediatrics department of the best hospital in the city.
Back then, the Luo family had been very proud.
Even if Luo Meixin had stayed in the Luo family, she would not have achieved such results. It wasn't that she didn't study in the Song family—she simply wasn't capable of skipping grades.
The college entrance exam had only resumed two years ago, and Luo Meixin had already failed it twice, proving her lack of aptitude.
Yet, the Luo family now blamed Zhiyao for the situation. Their recent attitude had been strange.
The Luo family's behavior made Song Zhiyao let go of her last bit of attachment. Their misplaced lives needed to be returned to their rightful paths.
Whether Luo Meixin's complaints about the Song family were true or not, Zhiyao had no intention of staying with the Luo family.
Luo Meixin was secretly glad that Song Zhiyao was so understanding. She even reached out to hold her hand, pretending to be close, but was inwardly jealous of Zhiyao's fair, slender fingers.
On the surface, she said gently, "Zhiyao, you're not even a full doctor yet, so your salary must be low. In the Song family, only your mother works, and your younger siblings still go to school. It must be hard for the two of you to support the whole family."
Zhiyao caught the gloating tone behind those words.
She was sensitive by nature, though she wondered if she was overthinking.
Even as an intern, she earned 30 yuan a month plus some subsidies—a decent income for that time.
Her mentor had said that if she performed well, she'd become a permanent staff member in three months, with a pay raise. The better she did, the higher her future salary would be.
Zhiyao had quietly set a goal to become a chief physician as soon as possible.
She wouldn't avoid the responsibilities she owed to the Song family and planned to support her siblings until they graduated.
After thinking things through, Zhiyao glanced at the Luo family and turned to leave.
Who would have thought that Luo Meixin, who had been holding her hand, would suddenly refuse to let go? In Mother Luo's eyes, Zhiyao was now the one pushing Meixin.
Meixin was trying to make her look bad so Mother Luo would side with her.
The real backbone of the family was Father Luo, but if Mother Luo could turn everyone against Zhiyao, they would eventually all support Meixin.
Zhiyao seemed cold on the surface, but she was actually sentimental and cared about these relatives. Seeing Mother Luo's disappointed expression, she fell speechless.
But she wasn't stupid. She realized Meixin was trying to frame her.
So, when Meixin fell to the ground, Zhiyao also dropped to the floor, pretending she couldn't get up.
She deliberately leaned her head on Meixin's body.
Mother Luo, Liao Shujuan, rushed over and scolded, "Song Zhiyao, how dare you! You said you wanted to leave, but now you're not willing and are pushing Meixin?"
She pulled Meixin from the ground, ignoring the fact that Zhiyao was still lying on top of her.
'Song Zhiyao, is she a pig? Why is she so heavy?' Meixin grumbled inwardly.
Hearing Meixin's complaint, a spark flashed in Zhiyao's eyes.
Meixin hadn't said that aloud—she had thought it. Zhiyao was stunned but remained calm.
As Mother Luo's scolding continued, Zhiyao slowly got up from Meixin's body.
Meixin appeared worried but was secretly proud.
'It seems the book was right. Song Zhiyao is emotional and bad at expressing herself. No matter which family she's with, once I gain control, she'll definitely listen to me.'
Zhiyao heard her again—and now, she was certain she could read Meixin's thoughts.
She stayed calm on the outside, but inside, she was shocked. Was this even scientifically possible?
She carefully recalled how it happened. When she touched Meixin, she'd felt a shock—she had thought it was static electricity.
But now Meixin was talking about a book? Could this really be a fictional world?
Just as she was pondering, Meixin's inner voice sounded again:
'Now that I've traveled through time and space, I won't be as stupid as the original Meixin. I'll make good use of this genius, Song Zhiyao, and take everything she creates—her patents, her success, her wealth.
And most importantly, I'll pit both families against her, make her trust me, and then—hehe!'
"Travel through time and space? Original owner?" The terms were unfamiliar, but Zhiyao was smart—she quickly pieced it together. This wasn't the real Luo Meixin anymore.
This girl knew her future and her success. Zhiyao had no doubt that she'd become powerful someday.
But that future wouldn't be used by anyone.
Her silence didn't mean she was weak.
She valued friendship, yes—but she would not be manipulated or hurt by anyone.
Not the Luo family.
Not the Song family.
No one would become her weakness.