1. Birth of Villains

"Ruoruo, you're back?" Aunt Mei's voice, warm and welcoming, echoed from the entrance of the farmhouse.

"Yes, Aunt Mei," Fu Yunrou replied with a gentle smile. "I'm here to pick up the baby. I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you to watch him."

Aunt Mei chuckled, her face wrinkling in delight. "Not at all, he's such an obedient little one."

"I brought some apples from town for you and Uncle," Fu Yunrou said, pulling out a bag of fresh fruit. "They're very fresh; please enjoy them."

"Oh, you're too polite..." Aunt Mei waved her hand dismissively. "The baby's been awake, waiting for you. He's been restless ever since you left."

Fu Yunrou sighed softly. "He's a little too clingy these days."

Aunt Mei nodded with a smile. "Well, you are his mother. Of course, he's attached to you."

Under the shade of a tree in the courtyard, the baby, Chi Wen, lay in his cradle, bored and blowing bubbles. He overheard the conversation between Fu Yunrou and Aunt Mei, rolling his eyes internally. He wasn't waiting for her. He was simply resigned to his fate, suspecting she might one day leave him behind for good.

Though he pretended not to care, a flicker of anger began to rise within him. Why hadn't she even glanced at him yet? He was convinced she didn't care, and this just confirmed his belief that she would eventually abandon him.

Chi Wen sulked quietly, but despite his irritation, he found himself drawn to her voice. A slight frown appeared on his small, chubby face.

At that moment, the soft fabric above his cradle was pulled aside, revealing Fu Yunrou's cheerful, smiling face. "What's wrong with my little one? Why does he look like a grumpy old man?" Her soft fingers lightly tapped his forehead, and she leaned down to pick him up. She pressed her cheek against his, cooing, "Are you upset that Mommy didn't take you with her? Don't worry, sweetheart, next time, I'll bring you along."

Fu Yunrou had gone to town to pick up a package. Living in such a remote village meant the nearest delivery point was far, and she had ordered a lot of baby supplies online. The load was too heavy for her to manage while carrying the baby.

Chi Wen, however, was not buying her excuses. He had heard this promise before and didn't believe her one bit. As much as he tried to stay angry, the warmth of her touch and the gentle tone of her voice gradually softened his expression. He instinctively leaned closer to her.

Satisfied that she had calmed him down, Fu Yunrou smiled and said her goodbyes to Aunt Mei. "Thank you again, Aunt Mei. We'll head home now."

"Take care on the way," Aunt Mei called out. "And don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

With Chi Wen in her arms, Fu Yunrou left the courtyard and strolled along the winding path that led to their modest home.

The house they lived in was an old, yellow mud structure, once abandoned by a farmer who had built a newer home. Though not glamorous, it was sturdy and well-maintained, surrounded by a high wall that offered both privacy and safety for Fu Yunrou and her baby.

The yard was simple but well-kept, with rows of vibrant vegetables growing in the small garden. Bright red chilies hung from their branches, juicy cabbages filled the field, and tall persimmon trees dotted the landscape. Under the walls, flowers that Fu Yunrou had planted during her pregnancy blossomed, adding color and charm to the courtyard.

This house had once belonged to Aunt Mei. Over a year ago, when Fu Yunrou arrived in the village, Aunt Mei had kindly taken her in and looked after her during a difficult time, even helping her through childbirth.

Fu Yunrou was deeply grateful for the kindness Aunt Mei's family had shown her, especially in a village where some of the locals had been less than welcoming.

Inside the house, Chi Wen waited patiently for Fu Yunrou to feed him. But to his dismay, she had become lost in thought, her eyes distant as she gazed out of the window. Chi Wen frowned. What was taking her so long? He was hungry, and she didn't even seem to notice!

He let out a small cry of frustration, snapping Fu Yunrou out of her reverie. She looked down at him, startled. "Oh, my sweet boy, you must be starving! Mommy will feed you right away."

She smiled warmly, picked him up, and laid him gently on the bed. With practiced ease, she changed his diaper, wiped him clean with a warm towel, and finally began feeding him.

Chi Wen, having anticipated this moment, had already closed his eyes before the familiar scent of milk reached him. His tiny body curled up like a shrimp as he latched on eagerly.

Though three months had passed, Chi Wen still couldn't fully accept his situation. Despite having the mind of an adult, he was stuck in the body of an infant, and the humiliation of it all weighed on him. He tried to resist, but eventually, he had to give in. After all, he was just a baby now.

Fu Yunrou watched her son feed, feeling a twinge of guilt. She had been gone for almost an hour and a half—too long, in her opinion. Next time, she promised herself she would hurry back sooner.

As the baby finished feeding, his eyelids grew heavy, and soon, he drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Fu Yunrou carefully placed him in his crib, her heart swelling with affection as she watched his innocent face.

In that moment, she was grateful for the choice she had made to keep him.

It had been over a year since she had transmigrated into this world, and the memories of her arrival were still fresh in her mind. The confusion, the disorientation—it was all a blur now, but she remembered how overwhelming it had been. She had woken up in the body of the infamous stepsister from the novel The Movie Empress, a character destined for a miserable end.

She recalled the original character's tragic fate: a once-proud young woman, cast out of her family, ridiculed by the public, and ultimately driven to her death. Fu Yunrou had known the story well, but living it was another matter entirely.

On the day she arrived, she had fled from the reporters who were eager to expose her downfall, running away without a second thought. Somehow, she had ended up in this small village, hiding from the world.

And then she found out she was pregnant.

The memory of that realization hit her hard. She had been terrified at first, unsure if she was ready for motherhood. But as time passed and she felt the baby move inside her, she knew she couldn't give him up. She wanted to rewrite his fate, to give him the love and care he deserved, and to make sure he never suffered the way he had in the story.

Fu Yunrou sat by the crib, watching her son sleep soundly. Yes, she had made the right decision, and no matter what challenges lay ahead, she was ready to face them—for both of their sakes.