“I believe Ranran.”
Madam Ji was the first to break the silence, holding Lin Ranran’s hand tightly.
“Thank you, Mom.”
Lin Ranran looked at her gratefully.
At that moment, Ji Junyao returned with the reheated dishes.
The roast chicken and roast duck had also been chopped up by Ji Junxiao and arranged onto four full plates.
The rich aroma instantly filled the entire house.
Everyone in the Ji family stared at the meat on the table, unconsciously swallowing.
“Come on, everyone. Let’s eat.”
Lin Ranran greeted everyone warmly.
Picking up her chopsticks, she first placed a fragrant piece of chicken breast into Madam Ji’s bowl.
“Mom, have some.”
Madam Ji’s eyes immediately reddened.
She quickly picked up a large chicken drumstick and placed it into Lin Ranran’s bowl.
“Thank you, Ranran.”
“You’re pregnant.”
“You need to eat more.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
Lin Ranran smiled before turning to Ji Junyao.
She placed a plump duck leg into her bowl.
“Little Sister, you’ve been running around helping everyone all day.”
“You’ve worked hard.”
“Eat this duck leg.”
Ji Junyao stared at the duck leg in her bowl with hesitation and suspicion.
This isn’t…
A last meal before execution… is it?
Yet the tempting aroma drifted straight into her nose.
Her stomach growled loudly in response.
Gritting her teeth, she awkwardly muttered,
“Thank you… Sister-in-law.”
“Honey, this piece is for you.”
Lin Ranran smiled gently as she placed a slice of duck into Ji Junxiao’s bowl.
He looked down at the meat…
Then back at the woman who seemed like an entirely different person.
His emotions became incredibly complicated.
If she was only pretending…
Then her acting skills were truly terrifying.
No one could distinguish truth from lies.
The family finished dinner amid the strange atmosphere.
Everyone ate until they were completely full.
The rich meal noticeably lifted everyone’s spirits.
If Lin Ranran really continued behaving like this…
Perhaps the Ji family truly could live together in harmony.
“I bought everyone a few gifts.”
“They’re outside in the courtyard.”
“Honey, could you bring them in?”
Lin Ranran smiled as she put down her chopsticks.
Everyone was stunned once again.
Soon, Ji Junxiao carried in two heavy wooden boxes.
Everyone’s eyes were immediately drawn to them.
Opening one of the boxes, Lin Ranran smiled.
“I passed by a bookstore today and found a lot of wonderful books.”
“I thought that even after moving to the countryside, we shouldn’t stop learning.”
“Big Brother Junyong.”
“These two books—The Art of War and How the Steel Was Tempered—are for you.”
“I hope they’ll be useful.”
Ji Junyong’s eyes instantly lit up.
As he accepted the books, his hands trembled with excitement.
“Sister-in-law…”
“These are really for me?”
Lin Ranran nodded with a smile before turning toward Ji Junshan.
“Second Brother.”
“These two books—How to Win Friends and Influence People and Principles of Economics—are yours.”
“Read more.”
“They’ll definitely help you in the future.”
“Sister-in-law…”
“I have books too?”
Ji Junshan accepted them like priceless treasures.
Next…
Lin Ranran distributed books to Ji Junzhan and Ji Junyao.
Ji Junzhan received On War and Lives of Great Men.
Ji Junyao received The Spirit of Laws and The Art of Communication.
She had also carefully selected numerous military books for Ji Junxiao and Father Ji.
Everyone looked at the books in stunned silence.
Lin Ranran had somehow chosen books that perfectly matched each person’s interests.
Moreover…
They were all newly published editions.
It was obvious she’d put genuine thought into them.
Had she…
Really changed?
“Oh.”
“I also bought everyone new clothes.”
“Try them on and see whether they fit.”
As she spoke, Lin Ranran opened the second box and handed everyone a brand-new outfit.
The Ji family was left speechless once again.
This woman…
Who had always been selfish and wasteful…
Had suddenly become so thoughtful.
It was as if she’d become an entirely different person.
“There are also some bolts of fabric inside.”
“After we get to the countryside, I’d like to learn how to make clothes.”
“What?”
“You’re coming with us?”
Everyone asked in unison.
Their faces were filled with disbelief.
Lin Ranran nodded.
“Of course.”
“You’re my family.”
“If I don’t stay with you…”
“Where else would I go?”
Ji Junxiao frowned.
“The countryside is harsh.”
“The conditions are terrible.”
“And you’re pregnant.”
“Can you really endure it?”
“If all of you can endure hardship…”
“So can I.”
Her eyes were filled with determination.
Madam Ji gently stroked Lin Ranran’s belly.
“But you’re carrying a baby.”
“What if you can’t adjust to the environment?”
“What if something happens to the child?”
“Mom, don’t worry.”
“My health is strong.”
“I’ve always exercised.”
“I’ll be fine.”
She gently patted Madam Ji’s hand reassuringly.
Father Ji, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
“Good.”
“Ranran.”
“If you’re truly willing to suffer alongside our family in the countryside…”
“The Ji family will never forget your kindness.”
“I’ll make this clear right now.”
“If anyone in this family dares bully you…”
“I’ll be the first to deal with them.”
As long as Lin Ranran was willing to accompany them…
As long as she protected the Ji family’s bloodline…
Then all of her past mistakes could be forgiven.
After all…
No one was perfect.
What mattered was sincerely turning over a new leaf.
“Thank you, Dad.”
Lin Ranran’s eyes became moist as she looked gratefully at her father-in-law.
Madam Ji suddenly asked,
“Ranran…”
“You bought meat.”
“You bought books.”
“You bought all these things.”
“Where did you get so much money?”
After all…
She had only given Lin Ranran twenty yuan.
That wasn’t nearly enough.
After hesitating briefly, Lin Ranran slowly answered,
“Mom…”
“I was foolish before.”
“I gave most of my money to my cousin.”
“Today I went to see him.”
“After a lot of persuasion…”
“I got the money back.”
Everyone instinctively became suspicious.
The Pei family had always been greedy.
How could they possibly return money so easily?
Seeing their expressions, Lin Ranran immediately reached into her bag and pulled out a thick stack of cash.
She respectfully handed it to Father Ji.
“Dad.”
“Here’s one thousand yuan.”
“Our family leaves for the countryside tomorrow.”
“From now on, you’ll be the head of the household.”
“Please keep this for emergencies.”
At that moment…
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the money.
The Pei family had actually returned it.
But…
How exactly had Lin Ranran managed that?
Father Ji looked at the stack of bills.
Instead of accepting it, he calmly said,
“You keep it.”
“Tomorrow the Pei family will come to supervise us.”
“We’re not allowed to take any valuables from this house.”
“They won’t even let us bring cash, grain, or food coupons.”
Lin Ranran nodded.
“Alright.”
“Then I’ll hold onto it for now.”
Suddenly…
A realization struck Ji Junyao.
“I know!”
She exclaimed loudly.
“Did the Pei family intentionally give you this money as bait?”
“So you’d help them frame us?”
“Tomorrow…”
“Will they accuse us of possessing stolen money?”
As soon as those words were spoken…
Everyone turned toward Lin Ranran.
Could this entire sweet performance…
Actually be a carefully prepared trap?
Fortunately…
Ji Junyao had noticed it in time.
Otherwise…
Wouldn’t the Ji family be completely doomed tomorrow?
Seeing everyone’s reactions, Lin Ranran sighed helplessly.
“Yes.”
“I admit that I was foolish before.”
“I helped my cousin do many terrible things.”
“But I finally realized something.”
“He never truly cared about me.”
“He already has another woman outside.”
“Today…”
“I caught them together in bed.”
“Not only did he feel no guilt…”
“He even called me damaged goods.”
Tears welled in her eyes.
“Only then did I realize how stupid I’d been.”
The Ji family was utterly shocked.
Who would have imagined that Pei Yu’an was so heartless?
He was simply throwing away the person who had helped him once she was no longer useful.
Taking advantage of the moment, Lin Ranran squeezed out a few more tears.
“He kept urging me to abort the baby and divorce Ji Junxiao.”
“He promised he’d marry me.”
“But it was all so he could humiliate the Ji family one last time.”
“He even said that after we married…”
“I’d have no right to interfere with him.”
“Because I’d already been married once…”
“He planned to fool around outside.”
“He said he’d only feel satisfied after playing with ten or eight other women.”
“I hate him so much…”
“Scumbag!”
The Ji family immediately cursed Pei Yu’an with disgust and anger.
“I treated him with all my heart.”
“And this is how he repaid me.”
“So I tricked him.”
“I told him the Ji family still had another three thousand yuan in savings and a large collection of gold and jewelry.”
“The moment he heard that…”
“His eyes lit up.”
“So I got him to write me an IOU.”
Keeping the explanation brief, Lin Ranran summarized how she’d deceived her cousin.
Then she produced one of the signed IOUs for two thousand yuan.
Once again…
The Ji family was speechless.
They had to admit…
When it came to schemes…
Lin Ranran really was talented.
Otherwise…
Ji Junxiao would never have fallen into her trap so easily before.
Ji Junyao still remained unconvinced.
“Even if the IOU is real…”
“How can you promise you won’t secretly tear it up later?”
The rest of the family thought she had a point.
Who could say for certain this wasn’t another elaborate performance?
When it came to acting…
Ji Junxiao understood her abilities better than anyone.
Lin Ranran sighed.
“Then I’ll hand the IOU over to you.”
“Dad.”
“You keep it.”
Father Ji nodded.
“Very well.”
“I’ll hold onto it.”
“Alright.”
Ji Junxiao looked at her with a complicated expression.
“So…”
“When you said you were going to settle accounts with Pei Yu’an…”
“You really meant getting the money back?”
Lin Ranran looked back at him.
“What else?”
“I was out of my mind before.”
“I gave him so much money.”
“Now I regret it more than anything.”
“I fought both my cousin and his mother by myself.”
“I was exhausted.”
“And you?”
“You couldn’t even wait for me.”
“You really hurt my feelings.”
She deliberately wiped away another tear.
Ji Junxiao lowered his head.
“I’m sorry.”
“I thought you…”
“You thought that once I went to the Pei family…”
“I’d never come back.”
“Didn’t you?”
“I understand now.”
“You simply refuse to believe me.”
“You won’t even give me a chance to change.”
Ji Junxiao wanted to explain further.
But Madam Ji interrupted.
“Ranran…”
“This is all my fault.”
“I suddenly fainted.”
“So your second brother hurried to call Junxiao home.”
“If anyone is to blame…”
“Blame me.”
The moment Lin Ranran heard that, she became anxious.
“Mom!”
“Are you alright?”
Madam Ji smiled gently.
“I’m fine.”
“Just a little dizzy.”
“As long as you two live happily together without arguing…”
“My health will naturally improve.”
As she spoke, Madam Ji took Lin Ranran’s hand and gently placed it into Ji Junxiao’s.
“Junxiao.”
“Treat Ranran well from now on.”
“Don’t let her suffer anymore.”
Ji Junxiao nodded.
“I will, Mom.”
Madam Ji smiled warmly.
“That’s how it should be.”
“As long as husband and wife love one another…”
“As long as our family stays united…”
“We’ll definitely overcome these hardships.”
Lin Ranran nodded.
“Mom.”
“Our lives will only get better.”
“Oh, right.”
“Your health isn’t good.”
“Before we leave for the countryside…”
“You absolutely must go to the hospital for a complete examination.”
“The medical conditions there will be much worse.”
“If something serious happens later…”
“It’ll be too late.”
“Yaoyao.”
“Junzhan.”
“Take Mom to the hospital right now.”
As she spoke, she took out one hundred yuan and handed it to Ji Junyao.
Looking at the money, Ji Junyao hesitated.
“Isn’t… this too much?”
Lin Ranran shook her head.
“If she needs IV treatment, let her have it.”
“If medicine is needed, buy it.”
“Buy as much as necessary.”
Ji Junyao turned toward Father Ji.
He simply nodded.
“Go.”
Madam Ji immediately protested.
“No.”
“I’m not going.”
“Why waste so much money?”
“I’d rather save it to nourish Ranran during her pregnancy.”
Lin Ranran gently held her hand.
“Mom…”
“If you don’t recover…”
“How will you take care of me during my confinement after I give birth?”
“What if you become seriously ill then?”
Madam Ji suddenly slapped her forehead.
“That’s right!”
“Why didn’t I think of that?”
“Ranran really is thoughtful.”
“Let’s go to the hospital.”
Soon afterward, Ji Junyao and Ji Junzhan left with Madam Ji.
Before leaving…
Both of them apologized sincerely.
“Sister-in-law…”
“I’m sorry.”
“I misunderstood you.”
Ji Junyao said guiltily.
“Sister-in-law…”
“I’m really sorry.”
“From now on…”
“We’ll protect you.”
“Even in the countryside…”
“We’ll never let anyone bully you.”
Ji Junzhan promised earnestly.
Lin Ranran was deeply moved.
She knew exactly what kind of family the Ji family was.
Their values were upright.
They clearly distinguished right from wrong.
If someone treated them sincerely…
They would return that sincerity with their whole hearts.
Perhaps…
That was why the original owner had once been able to manipulate the male lead so thoroughly.
The remaining Ji men began packing their belongings.
They would leave for the countryside the next day.
Although there wasn’t much they were allowed to take…
There was still plenty to organize.
Anything even slightly valuable inside the house had been sealed by the authorities.
None of it could be removed until the investigation concluded.
While packing, Ji Junxiao walked over carrying a thick stack of cash.
“Here’s five hundred yuan.”
He handed it to Lin Ranran.
She blinked in confusion before teasing him,
“What?”
“An advance payment?”
“You could say that.”
He answered seriously.
“I hope you’ll keep your promise.”
“The remaining five hundred…”
“I’ll give it to you after you give birth and bring the child to me in the countryside.”