Volume One, Chapter Nine: Get Rid of the Bastard in Your Belly—It's an Eyesore

Lin Ranran understood clearly in her heart that her husband still did not trust her. Well, who could so easily accept her transformation, considering the original self’s notorious past? She did not argue further, simply agreed, “Alright, I understand.” Words were useless; she decided to prove herself through actions.

Lin Ranran took the money and quietly tucked it into her space.

“Lin Ranran, I’m truly grateful you persuaded Mother to see a doctor,” Ji Junxiao said, genuinely appreciative.

He had wanted to take his mother to the hospital, but she always insisted she was in robust health and refused to go, no matter what he said.

A mischievous smile played at Lin Ranran’s lips. “Saying thank you is nice and all, but how about a kiss?” she teased, pointing to her lips.

Ji Junxiao’s face flushed bright red, stammering, “I… I just remembered, Father’s looking for me.” With that, he spun around and fled as if chased by a wild beast.

Watching his retreat, Lin Ranran laughed. Really, the male lead was so innocent—already a father, yet so easily flustered by teasing.

She recalled that month after their wedding when the original self had exhausted every trick to squeeze the life out of him, nearly draining him dry. Her face burned at the memory.

Heavens, why did this come to mind so suddenly? How mortifying.

But then, what was there to be embarrassed about? She had inherited the original’s body; rounding things up, she was the original. All those passionate moments with the male lead—well, rounding things up, those were hers too…

Lin Ranran, your mind is full of nonsense!

She hurried off to wash her face.

From now on, she had to keep her thoughts pure! No more messy, chaotic ideas!

Soon, Father Ji called Lin Ranran to the study.

“Ranran, this is the Ji family’s savings book—one thousand yuan in total. The password is 884523. All this money is what the three of us have saved from our wages and rewards for completing missions over the years. Whether this passbook can safely leave with us depends entirely on you,” Father Ji explained, handing it to her.

Lin Ranran couldn’t believe it. “Father, you trust me so much?”

Father Ji sighed deeply. “Now that the Ji family is in trouble, friends and relatives dare not trust us. The only one I can depend on now is you.”

Lin Ranran knew well that tomorrow, the Pei family would search the Ji family over and over. Desperate for their downfall, they would never let them take money to the countryside and live comfortably.

“Thank you, Father.” Lin Ranran accepted the passbook without hesitation.

“Oh, Father, could you ask someone to buy a few soft sleeper tickets? The journey to the countryside is long—if we could travel more comfortably, it would be easier on everyone,” Lin Ranran suggested after a moment’s thought.

Father Ji looked troubled. “The authorities have their eyes fixed on the Ji family. Every move is watched. We can only buy standing tickets to avoid giving them any excuse. I thought you might not come with us, so I didn’t buy your ticket. But don’t worry—I’ll have someone get you a hard sleeper ticket, and once we’ve passed a few stations and lost their surveillance, I’ll find a way to upgrade you to a soft sleeper.”

Lin Ranran nodded. “Thank you, Father. You’ve thought of everything.”

Father Ji asked, “Do you need to inform your family about going to the countryside with us?”

Lin Ranran shook her head lightly. “No, they all think I’ll divorce Junxiao and marry my cousin. If they know what I’m doing, they might really tie me up and drag me back.”

The original self’s family—all obsessed with money, greedy to the bone. When she married Ji Junxiao, they demanded a sky-high bride price of five hundred yuan. On the wedding day, dozens of relatives came, none bringing gifts; after feasting, they packed away piles of food, displaying their greed without restraint.

Fortunately, the Ji family never minded these things.

Father Ji comforted her, “Child, you’ve suffered. Rest assured, from now on, our Ji family will treat you well.”

Lin Ranran smiled. “Thank you, Father.”

At eleven o’clock that night, Mother Ji returned from the hospital radiant with joy.

“Luckily, I got my infusion in time. The doctor said if I’d waited another day, I’d have needed to be admitted! It’s all thanks to Ranran’s foresight.” Mother Ji held Lin Ranran’s hand, growing fonder by the minute.

Her daughter-in-law had matured overnight; perhaps the Ji family’s move to the countryside wasn’t such a bad thing after all.

Lin Ranran spoke earnestly, “Mother, health can’t be taken lightly. Even minor aches and pains shouldn’t make you hesitate to spend money—treat them quickly. If small problems drag on and become big ones, that’s far worse.”

Mother Ji nodded repeatedly, her smile growing brighter. “Yes, yes, Ranran’s right about everything.”

Perhaps it was her good mood, but Mother Ji felt lighter and fresher.

Ji Junyao handed the remaining money to Lin Ranran, explaining, “Sister-in-law, fifty yuan was spent on Mother’s infusion and medicine. There’s fifty yuan left.”

Lin Ranran pulled her aside and asked, “Why not buy more medicine?”

Ji Junyao hurried to answer, “This is enough for half a year. Mother said it’ll last until after you finish your confinement.”

Lin Ranran pressed, “How long did the doctor say she needs medication?”

“At least a year,” Ji Junyao answered.

Lin Ranran decided immediately, “Then buy enough for a year.”

Ji Junyao hesitated. “But—”

Lin Ranran understood instantly, quietly asked, “Is it because there isn’t enough money?” She pulled another hundred yuan from her pocket and handed it to Ji Junyao. “Don’t tell Mother. Buy it secretly and put it straight in the suitcase.”

Ji Junyao’s eyes brightened. “Alright, thank you, sister-in-law.”

That night, the whole Ji family busied themselves packing. Although they were leaving for the countryside the next day, their mood was not as sorrowful as one might imagine.

Ji Junxiao finished his bath, standing nervously by the bed, not daring to lie down.

Since Lin Ranran became pregnant, he had been sleeping in the dormitory.

Seeing his awkwardness, Lin Ranran understood his concerns. She asked softly, “Husband, why aren’t you coming to bed?”

Ji Junxiao was so nervous his palms sweated. He stammered, “I…”

Lin Ranran reached out to him, her voice tender and coquettish, “Husband, hug me.”

Ji Junxiao was stunned.

Was she inviting him to sleep beside her? Happiness had arrived so suddenly.

“Husband,” Lin Ranran called again, her tone even more playful.

Her words brushed Ji Junxiao’s heart like feathers, making his whole body melt.

Seeing him stand there dumbly, Lin Ranran got up and slowly walked to him, gently wrapping her arms around him.

That familiar fragrance filled his senses, teasing his nerves, testing his endurance.

Ji Junxiao was stiff as a board. If not for her pregnancy, he feared he would have already lost control and turned into a wolf.

“Ranran, don’t mess around,” Ji Junxiao pleaded, breathing heavily, struggling to restrain himself.

But Lin Ranran persisted, lightly stroking his chest and continuing to act spoiled. “Husband, I want you to hold me while I sleep.”

Her hand’s every touch sent electric sparks through him, making his heart race.

He felt his reason unraveling, his breath thickening.

“I—” Ji Junxiao began, only to be interrupted.

“What, you’re unwilling? I get it, you still can’t forgive me.” Lin Ranran lowered her head, pretending to wipe her eyes.

This threw Ji Junxiao into panic. “No, I’m not!”

Lin Ranran rejoiced inwardly, but kept her face pitiful. “Then give me a kiss.”

Ji Junxiao felt his head buzz. She’d only hugged him, and he was already at his limit; if he kissed her, he truly feared he’d lose all control.

“If you don’t want to, fine. I guess you dislike me now. It’s true, with my big belly, I can’t compare to those young girls outside,” Lin Ranran added fuel to the fire.

Seeing her like this, Ji Junxiao’s love and tenderness surged. He could hold back no longer. Gently cupping her face, he bent down and kissed her deeply.

The sudden kiss left Lin Ranran dumbfounded.

She’d only meant to tease him—never thought he would really kiss her.

Oh my god, this was her first kiss!

She had always imagined her first kiss under the moonlit flowers, gazing into each other’s eyes, romantic and tender.

Instead, here she was, pregnant, kissing him in bed.

Worst of all, Ji Junxiao’s hands slipped under her clothes…

Ah, ah, she was dying! Dying!

Do men’s hands always misbehave when kissing?

This scene was getting out of control!

…

“I—I’ll go shower again,” Ji Junxiao finally let go, face crimson, and hurried off as soon as Lin Ranran felt she was about to suffocate.

Lin Ranran’s face was burning. She nearly passed out just now.

If Ji Junxiao had persisted another minute, she might have been the first heroine in history to die gloriously from a kiss!

So humiliating—she might as well stay under the covers forever.

Ji Junxiao stayed in the bathroom a long time before calming himself enough to return. Seeing Lin Ranran asleep, he climbed quietly into bed beside her.

Three months—it had been three whole months since they last shared a bed!

Heaven knew how those months felt like years.

Now, lying beside her felt like a dream.

Looking at her beautiful face, Ji Junxiao’s thoughts drifted to that month after their wedding, when they explored every possibility on this bed, sweetness and passion mingled.

…

Recalling those memories made him hot and restless all over again.

That night, he got up countless times to take cold showers, and only finally drifted to sleep before dawn.

Lin Ranran woke to the sound of chaos outside.

She dressed quickly.

In the living room.

Pei Yuanan spoke with feigned concern, “Uncle Ji, don’t blame me—I’m just following orders. Once the Ji family is cleared, you can return with honor.”

Father Ji stood with his back straight, expression cold. He glanced at Pei Yuanan and replied in a calm, steady voice, “All our belongings are here. Check them thoroughly, then get out.”

Ji Junxiao strode out from inside, “Pei, don’t go too far! We’re responding to the call for educated youth to relocate, not criminals. What’s your agenda with all this fuss? Looking for a fight?”

Pei Yuanan raised his chin, a smug, chilly smile on his face. “Captain Ji—or should I say, Educated Youth Ji now. I’m just following orders. You wouldn’t want to hit me again, would you? That would show disrespect for the organization and discipline; you know the consequences.”

“To teach a lunatic like you a lesson, I’m sure the organization would understand!” Ji Junxiao’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.

“Boss, don’t be impulsive,” Father Ji stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

Ji Junxiao knew that acting rashly would only worsen things. The Ji family was already in dire straits; they couldn’t afford further trouble.

Pei Yuanan’s smugness deepened.

He waved his hand, and his men began a thorough search, turning the Ji family’s carefully packed belongings upside down with rough hands.

Pei Yuanan knew well—the Ji family had served in the military for generations, earning countless rewards and savings. He was determined to find their passbook and valuables to seize them for himself.

Yet after searching every corner, they found nothing.

Apparently, all valuables had been handed to Lin Ranran.

Just then, Lin Ranran came out of the room.

Pei Yuanan asked, “Did you get the Ji family’s money?”

Lin Ranran replied, “I have the passbook, but they’re stubborn—they won’t tell me the password. They said they’ll only give it to me in the countryside if I go with them.”

Pei Yuanan was displeased. “So you’re really going with them?”

Lin Ranran explained, “Isn’t it to get the money?”

“But—”

“Relax, cousin. Once I get the money in the countryside, I’ll come straight back to infuriate them.”

Pei Yuanan’s gaze landed on her rounded belly, full of disgust and disdain. “Hurry up and get rid of that bastard in your belly. It’s an eyesore.”

At just four months, her belly was so big—maybe she was carrying twins.

That Ji guy—he dared touch his woman! Damn it!

“Got it.”

“Hand over the passbook. It’s safer with me,” Pei Yuanan demanded, holding out his hand.

Lin Ranran replied calmly, “If you withdraw the money in the city, they’ll accuse you of stealing their property—what then? In the countryside, I’ll get the password, take out the money myself, as divorce compensation, and then bring it back to you. Isn’t that the same?”

Pei Yuanan considered—Lin Ranran had no other support besides him. She wouldn’t dare play tricks.

Who would be foolish enough to give up city life and stay in the countryside forever?

“Alright.”