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

Lin Guodong slammed a file onto Qin Li's face with a fury that could ignite the room. His voice thundered, "How did you screw up this contract? The unit price for Xinrong Foods is missing a zero! Do you have any idea what this means?"

Qin Li picked up the file and flipped through the pages. Sure enough, there was an issue with the pricing. It wasn't her work but Zhang, a team member. Yet, as the team leader, she bore the ultimate responsibility for the oversight. There was no room for excuses.

"I'll fix it right away."

Lin Guodong, still fuming, couldn't shake the thought of the near catastrophe. If it hadn't been for his last-minute decision to have his secretary double-check the document, the consequences would have been unimaginable. A hundred thousand and a million weren't just a difference of one zero on paper. Once the contract was signed, who would cover the loss?

He jabbed a finger at Qin Li's forehead and snapped, "If you don't have the heart to work, then stay at home and stop dragging us down. There are plenty of people ready to take your spot!"

Qin Li bit her lip, swallowing her grievances, and replied humbly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Lin. Please give me another chance. I won't let you down again."

Lin Guodong growled, "One more mistake and you're out. This company has no room for dead weight!"

His words hit hard. Over the years, Qin Li had worked tirelessly—if not with great merit, then certainly with relentless effort. She wasn't a machine and couldn't do everything perfectly. Besides, the company's cost-cutting measures meant she was doing the work of several people, often staying late into the night. Sometimes, no matter how hard she tried, it was impossible to keep up.

When she suggested hiring more staff, management had shut her down with a single response: "If you can't handle it, step aside and let someone else take over."

Qin Li had fought her way up in this state-run enterprise for years. Now that she had the chance to climb the ladder, she wouldn't give up so easily. Her only choice was to endure.

When Qin Li stepped out of Lin Guodong's office with the file in hand, Zhang Fen approached her nervously. "I'm so sorry, Sister Li. It's all my fault."

Though upset after being scolded, Qin Li didn't take it out on Zhang Fen. She replied calmly, "You're capable, but you need to pay more attention to detail. Be careful next time."

Zhang Fen, touched that Qin Li had taken the blame for her, said sincerely, "Thank you, Sister Li. I'll double-check everything from now on."

"We'll stay late and fix it tonight," Qin Li said. "I'll stay to help you."

Just as she finished speaking, Qin Li's phone rang.

It was her mother. Relations between them had been tense in recent years, mainly because her parents favored her older brother and treated her as their personal ATM.

"Where are you?" her mother's voice demanded.

"At work."

"Still working overtime?"

"I have to stay late," Qin Li replied flatly.

Her mother didn't hide her irritation. "You're always working late. Are you trying to dodge me? It's Haohao's birthday tonight. Whether you're busy or not, you must come. Dinner is optional, but bring a gift."

Haohao was her brother Qin Ming's five-year-old son, the only male heir of the Qin family's three generations. Everyone doted on him endlessly, spoiling him into a brat.

"I really can't tonight, Mom," Qin Li said. "I have to work. I'll make it up to him later."

Her mother's tone grew harsher. "No excuses! You must come tonight. And bring your husband. People are gossiping that our son-in-law hasn't visited in half a year."

"Sun Yi's busy these days—"

Before she could finish, her mother cut her off. "Busy? Tomorrow's the weekend. What's so important he can't put it off? It's settled. See you tonight."

The line went dead.

Qin Li sighed heavily, turning to see Zhang Fen watching her. Embarrassed, she said, "I'm sorry, Sister Li. This is all my fault. Why don't you leave early? I'll stay late and finish it myself."

Qin Li hesitated. She didn't feel comfortable leaving, but defying her mother wasn't an option. After a moment, she relented. "Finish it and leave it on my desk. I'll come in early tomorrow to review it."

"Got it, Sister Li. Don't worry," Zhang Fen replied.

Qin Li quickly packed up and left the office. She tried calling her husband, Sun Yi, but his phone was off. With no other choice, she took a cab to his workplace, hoping to find him there.

But what she found instead was a nightmare.

As soon as she stepped out of the cab, she saw Sun Yi holding hands with a young woman. The two were laughing and flirting, completely absorbed in each other. He was tall and handsome; she was young and beautiful. Together, they were the picture of a perfect couple, drawing admiring glances from passersby.

Qin Li froze. She never imagined such a cliché betrayal would happen to her. She didn't know whether to rush over and slap them both or to take photos as evidence. It all happened so suddenly that she couldn't react.

Sun Yi was four years older than Qin Li, an orphan who had grown up with relatives who treated him poorly. He had dropped out of school early to work. They had met at a small restaurant near her college, where he was waiting tables. Despite his humble beginnings, his tall, stoic demeanor had captivated the young freshman Qin Li.

She fell for him at first sight but was too shy to confess. Instead, she frequented the restaurant, stealing glances until he noticed her. Their relationship blossomed naturally, and they had married soon after her graduation.

Over the years, Qin Li gave him her best seven years. When they first wed, he had nothing. She endured hardship by his side, refusing her family's objections. She'd rather sit on the back of his old bicycle and laugh than cry in the passenger seat of a BMW.

With her support, Sun Yi had climbed his way to success, growing his seafood business and opening restaurants and teahouses. Seven years had transformed him from a penniless young man to a wealthy entrepreneur. But those same seven years had worn away the spark between them, leaving only a sense of duty.

Qin Li had sacrificed much for their family, including three pregnancies. The first had been terminated due to financial strain. The second was ectopic, and the third ended in miscarriage. Doctors had warned her of the damage to her body, making future pregnancies difficult.

Sun Yi had once been devoted, never mentioning children again. Qin Li believed they could grow old together, child or no child. But now…

Watching him with another woman, her world crumbled. She stood there, trembling with anger, unsure whether to lash out or retreat.

As much as she wanted to confront them, she knew the likely outcome—divorce.

Did she want a divorce?

Her mind swirled with questions. Divorce would mean dividing their assets, facing public scrutiny, and starting over at 28, with average looks, a mediocre job, and no ability to have children. Society wasn't kind to divorced, infertile women.

But could she turn a blind eye and carry on?

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the couple disappearing into the crowd. Standing alone under the streetlights, her shadow stretched long and thin. The bustling street only deepened her loneliness.

Her phone buzzed again. It was her mother.

"Off work yet? When are you coming?"

"Mom…" Qin Li choked on her words, tears streaming down her face.

Her mother's tone shifted. "What's wrong?"

After a long pause, Qin Li whispered, "Mom, I want a divorce."

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I can't do this anymore with Sun Yi," Qin Li said quietly.

"You two fought again? Didn't I tell you to let him have his way? You're not a child anymore—stop worrying us. We'll talk about this later. Don't forget to buy Haohao's gift. He wants that LEGO set."

The line went dead.

Qin Li stood there, dazed, until the cold wind dried her tears. Steeling herself, she headed to the mall to buy the LEGO set.

Haohao's birthday banquet was held at an upscale restaurant, with three full tables of guests that included family, neighbors, and even some of his kindergarten teachers and classmates.

By the time Qin Li arrived, the celebration was nearly over. Haohao let out an excited squeal when he saw the LEGO set and snatched it up immediately, not even bothering to say thank you.

Her sister-in-law, Liu Xiaojuan, glanced at the price tag on the box and feigned surprise. "This set costs 2,800 yuan? That's so expensive! How can we possibly accept such an extravagant gift from you, Sister-in-law?"

Before Qin Li could respond, her mother cut in. "What are you talking about? It's just over two thousand yuan. It's a small token of her love as an aunt."

Liu Xiaojuan, who had only been pretending, promptly retracted her hand and didn't press further.

Nearby neighbors chimed in with admiration. "Your Li Li really dotes on her nephew. Spending so much on a gift—it's clear how much she loves him."

Qin Li's mother basked in the compliments and added smugly, "Of course! Our Qin Li married such a great man. Do you know how much my son-in-law earns? At least 100,000 yuan a month! He even bought a house for Qin Li in S City. Do you know what housing prices are like there? Several million! And this year, he said he's buying us a Mercedes-Benz for the New Year. But we're so old now—what do we need a car for?"

A neighbor interjected, "Exactly. Cars aren't practical, and learning to drive is such a hassle. Why not just give you the money instead?"

"That's what I told him," Qin Li's mother replied. "So, he gave us a bank card instead. He said it's for Haohao's future—for buying a house when he gets married."

"Haohao's only five, and you're already thinking about his marriage?" someone teased.

"Nowadays, the pressure is enormous," Qin Li's mother replied. "No house or car means no wife. We can't let Haohao fall behind. We need to prepare both hardware and software!"

In truth, Sun Yi hadn't visited Qin Li's family in over six months, let alone handed them a bank card. Her mother was simply making things up. Years ago, she had opposed Qin Li's relationship with Sun Yi because he was poor. But once Sun Yi became successful, she couldn't praise him enough.

As her mother's boasting grew more exaggerated, Qin Li couldn't bear it anymore. She found an excuse to leave. She had delivered the gift and shown her face; her obligations were fulfilled.

"Mom, I still have work to do at the office. I'm heading back," she said.

But her mother grabbed her arm. "Wait! Pay for the meal before you go."

Qin Li pointed at herself, incredulous. "Me? Haohao's birthday banquet—shouldn't my brother be the one paying?"

"You know your brother's financial situation," her mother replied. "What's wrong with you covering it? You're his sister."

Qin Li was used to footing the bill on family outings since her finances were better than theirs. Normally, she would have complied, but her mood was sour today.

"If money's tight, they shouldn't have booked such an expensive restaurant," she muttered.

Her mother bristled at that. "What are you saying? Can't you see that Haohao's classmates and teachers are here? If we don't put on a proper show, Haohao will be bullied in kindergarten!"

Qin Li had heard this argument before. Knowing she couldn't win against her mother's twisted logic, she held her tongue and paid the bill.

Just as she was about to leave, her mother followed her out. "Wait! I need to talk to you."

Reluctantly, Qin Li stopped. "What is it, Mom?"

Her mother hesitated before saying, "You know how housing prices have been skyrocketing these past few years. It's better to invest in a house than count on your children for retirement. Your brother and his wife have been living with us for years. It was fine when they didn't have a child, but now it's inconvenient. So, we're thinking of buying a separate place for them."

Qin Li remained silent, her mother's gaze darting to her face to gauge her reaction. When she didn't protest, her mother pressed on, "Why don't you help us out a bit?"

"How much?" Qin Li asked.

Her mother hesitated for a moment before gritting her teeth. "Three million."