Volume One, Chapter Seven: She Will Not Return

“It must be the Ji family!” Pei Zhongmou ground his teeth, speaking with venom. “They must be holding a grudge against us, trying to steal something before leaving for the countryside as revenge.”

Pei Yu’an immediately chimed in, “That’s right. Yesterday I humiliated Ji Junxiao, and he even hit me. Now he’s surely getting back at us.”

All three turned their eyes to Lin Ranran.

Lin Ranran’s heart skipped a beat; she shook her head hastily, “I don’t know anything. They didn’t tell me.”

Lin Su’e, convinced it was the Ji family, began cursing between sobs, “It must have been that father and his sons! They’re nimble enough—stealing something is child’s play for them. Call the police, we have to get them arrested!”

Lin Ranran only wanted to empty the house of that scoundrel Pei Yu’an, never imagining she’d cause trouble for the Ji family. She quickly interjected, “Auntie, you mustn’t call the police.”

Pei Zhongmou’s eyes widened, his voice gruff, “So you’re trying to protect them?”

Lin Ranran looked aggrieved, hurriedly explaining, “Uncle, you’re mistaken. Isn’t the Ji family about to leave for the countryside? If you report them for theft now, they’ll definitely be detained and investigated. If you find the missing things, fine, but if not, they’ll surely bite back at the Pei family. I’ve heard they’ve already applied for a reinvestigation into the embezzlement case. If they find evidence, then they won’t be sent away at all.”

Pei Yu’an’s expression changed dramatically. “Ranran, is that true? They’ve really applied for a reinvestigation?”

Lin Ranran nodded solemnly, “Yes, I’ve heard from reliable sources that their application has already been submitted.”

Pei Zhongmou’s face grew dark and grave. After a moment’s thought, he told Lin Ranran, “Ranran, keep an eye on the Pei family. If anything happens, inform your cousin at once. As for today’s incident, don’t breathe a word of it. I’ll investigate in secret. I’d like to see who has the gall to steal from me!”

Lin Ranran was delighted, but put on a serious face. “Don’t worry, Uncle, I know what to do.”

“Yu’an, see Ranran out,” Pei Zhongmou instructed.

Pei Yu’an and his mother escorted Lin Ranran to the door.

Lin Ranran sighed with feigned regret, “I was just about to get control of the finances, and now it seems all for nothing.”

Lin Su’e, heart aching, pulled out five hundred yuan and pressed it into Lin Ranran’s hand. “Take this, just in case you need it for the Ji family. The gold and jewelry may be gone, but you must get your hands on their finances.”

This aunt still has money!

Lin Ranran took the cash, smiling. “Don’t worry, Auntie, I’ll manage.”

Pei Yu’an wrote out a new IOU for Lin Ranran.

Looking at the slip, Lin Ranran’s heart leaped with joy.

That scoundrel Pei Yu’an now owed her four thousand yuan! What a profitable trip!

With her golden finger activated, life couldn’t be any more perfect!

Lin Ranran lingered at the Pei family’s gate for a long while, but her handsome husband was nowhere to be seen.

He must have grown tired of waiting and gone home.

So be it.

Now that she had money, why not sweep through the market and fill her space with supplies?

Afraid someone might recognize her, Lin Ranran put on a mask, covering her face completely.

Passing by the consignment shop, her eyes sparkled with an idea. She might as well sell off everything from her cousin’s house. Second-hand goods—she had no interest in using them herself.

Striding into the shop, she sought out the manager, lowered her voice, and said, “Sir, I have a batch of old furniture. You know, the kind that can’t see the light of day. I want to sell it cheap. Do you dare buy it?”

The manager looked her up and down before replying, “That depends on whether the goods are any good.”

Lin Ranran’s lips curled with confidence. “I’ve stashed it all in that alley over there. Come and see for yourself.”

The manager followed her into the alley, and the moment he saw the pile, his eyes went round with surprise.

Goodness, all solid, quality furniture! A bit old, yes, but the timber was clearly first-rate.

Seeing his reaction, Lin Ranran knew the deal was as good as done. She named her price at once, “Two hundred for the lot. How about it?”

The manager hesitated, “That’s a bit steep—one hundred, at most.”

Lin Ranran countered, “Sir, hire a few skilled carpenters, give these pieces a fresh coat of paint, make a few modifications, and you can sell them as new to the supply cooperative. With just ten items, you’ll have made your money back. If I weren’t pregnant, and if the other consignment shops weren’t so far, do you think I’d bring you such a good deal?”

At that, the manager slapped his thigh. “Fine—two hundred it is!”

Lin Ranran reminded him pointedly, “Sir, this batch really can’t be exposed. Be careful—don’t let anyone see it.”

The manager nodded vigorously. “Don’t worry, not a soul will know.”

With two hundred yuan in hand, Lin Ranran was so pleased she nearly floated out of the shop.

The manager, still savoring his luck, grinned from ear to ear. “Miss, if you get anything good in the future, remember to come to me!”

Lin Ranran’s eyes flickered with new thought. She tested, “What about gold and silver jewelry? Would you buy it at a low price?”

The manager’s eyes lit up instantly, and he replied without hesitation, “Absolutely! Of course I would!”

At this time, anyone wanting to sell gold or silver jewelry privately could only do so through designated institutions like the People’s Bank of China.

But most of the Pei family’s gold and silver had dubious origins, so she’d have to sell at a loss.

Lin Ranran said, “The current price of gold is forty yuan per gram. I’ll sell it to you for fifteen. You can easily turn around and sell it for twenty, making a tidy profit. But this deal has to stay private, you understand.”

The manager nodded without blinking, “No problem at all!”

Clenching her teeth, Lin Ranran sold two thousand yuan worth of gold.

Watching the cash pile up, she was overjoyed.

The manager, meanwhile, was so delighted he could barely contain himself—today was a windfall.

Lin Ranran had planned to shop at the supply cooperative, but changed her mind, knowing the state-run department store had a wider, better selection.

With a wave of her hand, she hired ten men for ten yuan to act as bodyguards and marched straight to the department store.

The moment she entered, Lin Ranran was like a small creature who’d stumbled into a treasure trove, her eyes shining with excitement.

From the food section to daily necessities, then textiles and hardware, she bought without hesitation, her hands never faltering.

The staff watched in awe. They’d never seen such a generous customer—several quickly gathered around to serve her exclusively.

“My goodness, whose wealthy wife is this? She must be loaded,” one whispered.

“She spent two thousand yuan in one go! What does that even mean? I only make ten yuan a month,” another added.

“People like that make the rest of us despair,” muttered a third, envy and jealousy thick in the air.

Lin Ranran directed her hired men to carry the goods into a nearby alley, paid their wages, and sent them on their way.

Once alone, she swiftly packed everything into her space.

Now, with so many supplies, she wouldn’t have to worry about food or drink when they moved to the countryside.

Passing the market, she stopped to buy fragrant roast chicken and crispy, glossy roast duck, and carefully selected rice, vegetable, and flower seeds.

Her steps were halted again by a bookstore. Unable to resist, she went in and picked out a large stack of books.

She imagined the days ahead in the countryside would be much easier with these books for company.

Once her shopping was done, Lin Ranran finally headed home, thoroughly satisfied.

Meanwhile, at the Ji family’s dining table, everyone sat in silence. The food was laid out, but no one touched a bite.

Mother Ji kept glancing at the door, her face etched with anxiety and hope.

They’d waited nearly an hour, stomachs rumbling, yet no one dared eat first.

Mother Ji, resolute, told everyone, “We have to wait for Ranran. No one eats until she’s back.”

Father Ji was already in a foul mood these days. He’d finally come out to eat with his family, only for his daughter-in-law to vanish—he was more than a little annoyed.

“Wait for her? Do you really think she’s coming back? Brother, you must be incredibly tolerant to send her to the Pei family. Don’t you think your head is green enough?” Ji Junyao complained bitterly.

Mother Ji’s eyes reddened at those words, and with tears she pleaded with Ji Junxiao, “Xiao Xiao, you must not have waited for her. She’s angry. Go to the Pei family and bring her home.”

“Don’t, brother! She’ll just humiliate you with that Pei fellow,” Ji Junyong warned.

“Exactly! Lin Ranran is too vicious—she wants to push our whole family into a corner,” Ji Junshan said angrily.

Father Ji’s face darkened further. “Eat! Anyone who speaks again can go stand in the courtyard as punishment!”

If anyone hated Lin Ranran, it was Father Ji. Imagine—a vice commander, outwitted by a woman! How could he stomach it?

It was all his useless eldest son’s fault!

A grown man, brought down and drugged by a malicious woman—what a disgrace for a soldier!

Father Ji shot Ji Junxiao a fierce glare.

Ji Junxiao said, “You eat. I’ll go bring her back.”

Even if he had to resort to force, he’d bring Lin Ranran home, if only to give the family an explanation.

He’d play the part until they left.

Now that everyone was in such low spirits, this woman was simply hateful!

Mother Ji urged, “Be gentle—make sure you coax Ranran back.”

Father Ji snapped, “You’re not going! Ji Junxiao, go stand in the courtyard for two hours. No dinner for you!”

Ji Junxiao had just stood when a burst of cheerful noise came from outside.

Lin Ranran bounded in, left hand holding a glossy roast chicken, right hand a fragrant roast duck.

“Careful, Ranran!”

Everyone’s heart clenched as their eyes darted to her slightly rounded belly.

Ji Junxiao reacted immediately, rushing to steady her and gently guiding her into a chair.

Only then did the family breathe a collective sigh of relief.

“Just in time for dinner—I’m starving! Husband, hurry and chop up this chicken and duck. Tonight we feast!”

Oblivious to the strange looks, Lin Ranran called out cheerfully.

The Ji family exchanged glances, their eyes full of shock and confusion.

She hadn’t just returned—she’d brought roast chicken and duck!

Such an anomaly could only mean trouble.

They hadn’t tasted meat in nearly a month.

Every paycheck had gone to her, and the little meat she bought was only enough for herself.

Mother Ji, worried for her pregnancy, always gave her share—everyone else could only look on.

Now, with these chickens and ducks suddenly appearing—could they be poisoned?

“Hurry, husband, my arms are about to fall off!” Lin Ranran urged as Ji Junxiao stood frozen.

He snapped back to reality and hurried to the kitchen with the chicken and duck.

Mother Ji, dabbing away grateful tears, ordered, “Yao Yao, reheat the dishes. Your sister-in-law is pregnant and can’t eat cold food.”

Ji Junyao, standing aside wide-eyed and slack-jawed, could hardly believe it. At her mother’s call, she stammered, “Ah… yes, right away.”

She carried the dishes to the kitchen, glancing back repeatedly.

What mischief was her sister-in-law plotting now?

The younger brothers, after their initial shock, eyed Lin Ranran with suspicion.

“Ranran, are you tired?” Mother Ji came over and gently took her hand.

“I’m fine, Mom. Oh, and I passed by the pharmacy and bought you some medicine. This herbal mix is wonderful—good for internal and external use.”

She pulled a carefully wrapped bundle from her bag and handed it over.

Mother Ji’s hands trembled as she accepted it, tears brimming in her eyes. “This… is for me?”

“Yes, Mom. Your health isn’t great—you need to take care.”

“Oh, Ranran, you’re so thoughtful.” Mother Ji finally couldn’t hold back her tears.

Lin Ranran glanced at her silent father-in-law, her heart thumping—he was still angry with her. Cautiously, she addressed him, “Dad.”

He looked up, his gaze cool. “Mm.”

Mother Ji quickly smoothed things over. “Don’t mind him, Ranran. He’s just been worried lately and is in a bad mood.”

Lin Ranran’s eyes reddened, her voice catching. “It’s all my fault. I was too thoughtless before and brought trouble on everyone. I realize now how wrong I was. I’ll turn over a new leaf—please give me a chance to make amends.”

The family was once again struck dumb with shock.

This woman—usually so willful and selfish—how could she have changed so completely in just one day?

It was simply too hard to believe.