Lu Lin hurriedly withdrew his gaze. Lowering his eyes, he listened to the sound of the woman’s returning footsteps, his heart pounding like thunder.
Sensing her stop beside the bed, he gathered his courage and pretended to be calm. “What is it? Is there… something else?”
“I’m going to change your quilt,” Jiang Nuan said softly as she lifted the filthy blanket off him. “You’ll feel more comfortable.”
In truth, she also wanted to help him change his clothes. She didn’t need to think to know how badly his lower body must have been mistreated.
But with so many people outside, she had no choice but to abandon the idea for now.
Lu Lin hurriedly clutched the quilt tightly, embarrassment flashing in his eyes. “N-no need.”
He was so dirty.
He couldn’t dirty her eyes.
And besides… she was still his sister-in-law.
If others saw, it would only cause her trouble.
One pulled, the other resisted, and they fell into a stalemate.
Lu Lin’s wheat-colored face flushed red as he stammered, “It’s… not appropriate.”
Jiang Nuan glanced toward the courtyard. Quite a few people were craning their necks to look this way. She sighed inwardly.
They had just been misunderstood not long ago. Even though the misunderstanding had been cleared, it was better to be cautious. She couldn’t ruin Lu Lin’s reputation.
She let go. “Lie down first. I’ll go make you something to eat.”
The brigade leader still had to stamp the divorce introduction letter at the brigade office.
That gave her enough time to cook something for Lu Lin.
“No need,” Lu Lin quickly refused, embarrassed to trouble her.
Grrr—
The sudden rumble of his stomach broke the air.
His expression froze.
Their eyes met.
Jiang Nuan smiled. “I’ll be back soon.”
Lu Lin looked at her. Beneath his dark eyes, a tenderness nearly overflowed. Flustered, he quickly looked away.
“Be careful. Don’t confront them head-on.”
Hearing his concern, Jiang Nuan’s eyes lit up.
Ever since he returned from the army, he had been distant toward her.
She had always thought he minded what happened on their wedding night…
But now it seemed he didn’t hate her as much as she had believed.
“Okay. I know,” she replied gently.
Hearing her soft response, Lu Lin’s heart raced wildly, an uncontrollable surge of joy leaping in his chest.
As soon as Jiang Nuan stepped out, he immediately looked toward the window and saw her hand the pen and paper to the brigade leader.
The brigade leader took them and casually began writing the divorce introduction letter.
Worried about Lu Lin’s empty stomach, Jiang Nuan hurried to the kitchen.
Watching her rush in, Lu Lin felt as if a warm current wrapped around his heart.
She… really went to cook for him?
Afraid it might be a dream, he stared unblinkingly at the busy figure in the kitchen.
Jiang Nuan looked around.
There was only a single wild vegetable dumpling in the cupboard.
Old Madam Lu guarded food like her life, locking all the good things in her own room to prevent anyone from stealing a bite.
Jiang Nuan’s eyes suddenly fell on the axe behind the door.
“Y-you… what are you doing?” Lu Daqiang turned pale when he saw her come out carrying the axe.
“Move aside! Stay out of my way!” Jiang Nuan swung the axe lightly; the sharp blade glinted painfully in the sunlight.
Not only Lu Daqiang, but even her own family members who hadn’t left yet took several frightened steps back.
Jiang Nuan swept a cold glance at her natal family before kicking open Old Madam Lu’s door with the axe in hand.
Bang!
Lu Rou’s eyelids fluttered open just as the sound of chopping echoed through the room.
With a few swift strikes, Jiang Nuan split open Old Madam Lu’s “treasure chest.” The large wooden trunk shattered into pieces.
Rice, flour, oil, eggs—all were hidden inside.
Jiang Nuan’s eyes lit up. She took everything out and was about to leave when suddenly a cat darted out from nowhere!
“Master! Master! I finally found you!”
Jiang Nuan’s eyes widened.
A large, silver-gray cat with flowing fur bounced toward her enthusiastically.
The way it ran at her—it was as if she were its long-lost mother.
She had only ever seen tabby cats and orange cats. She had never seen one like this.
And it could talk.
Startled, she stepped back repeatedly.
“Waaah… Master, don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad kitty.
I’m a super invincible cute, beautiful, kind, and clingy good kitty.”
Its tail, which had been standing straight up like a feather duster, drooped down.
It wrapped its fluffy, thick paw around her ankle and began to whimper pitifully.
Seeing that it didn’t seem aggressive—and that it was crying so miserably—Jiang Nuan glanced outside. The people there were still too frightened by her earlier display to come near.
She crouched down and cautiously reached out, gently patting the cat’s fluffy head.
“Stop crying. You… are you really a cat or…” a monster?
Seeing how pitiful it looked, she couldn’t bring herself to say the last word.
The moment it felt her gentle touch, the cat’s crying stopped instantly. Its glass-like emerald eyes lit up!
It let out two excited yowls.
“Master touched me! Touch me again!”
Its chubby, furry head rubbed eagerly against her palm.
If it weren’t afraid of scaring her, it would have thrown itself straight into her arms.
Jiang Nuan melted at its cuteness, completely lowering her guard. As she stroked its head, she asked again, “Who exactly are you? Where did you come from? Why are you calling me ‘Master’?”
The cat rubbed comfortably against her hand, wagging its tail as it answered.
“I’m a super invincible good kitty carrying a system mission, traveling through different worlds to find a suitable host to bind with.”
Jiang Nuan coughed lightly. “Um… I know you’re a good kitty. You don’t have to repeat that.”
“Master, don’t think I’m nagging. I’m just afraid you’ll be scared.”
Jiang Nuan nodded understandingly and gestured for it to continue.
“Simply put, I’m a spirit pet.
In your previous life, I was hit by a car while carrying out my mission. You kindly saved me.”
“Wait.” Jiang Nuan’s eyes widened. “You… know that I—”
“Yes! I know you were reborn!” the cat nodded vigorously. “Master, don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”
Jiang Nuan stared into its clear green eyes and slowly relaxed.
“Master, I know you’re a super invincible good person!
You didn’t just save me—you saved countless stray cats. You’re full of merit and virtue!”
Jiang Nuan felt embarrassed by the praise. In her previous life, she had indeed liked rescuing stray cats. To her, it had only been small acts—but this cat praised her as if she were a saint.
“Master, I’m sorry. After I recovered in your previous life, I wanted to repay you—but I was too late. When I found you, you had already been killed.”
The cat looked at her with heartache, then suddenly grew angry. “Don’t worry! In this life, I’ll definitely help you take revenge on those beasts!”
Jiang Nuan looked at its fierce-but-adorable expression, amazed that a cat knew so much—but she didn’t take its words seriously.
How could such an adorable little creature possibly help her get revenge?
It would be good enough if it could take care of itself.
As if hearing her thoughts, the cat huffed indignantly. “Master, don’t underestimate me. I really can help you.”
Jiang Nuan melted again at its cuteness and couldn’t bear to discourage it. She patted its head. “Alright, I believe you. Now hide quickly. I have something important to do.”
She still had to cook for Lu Lin. Any later and it would be too late.
“Master, don’t go! I’m not finished!”
The cat clutched at her pant leg anxiously. “Master, are you willing to bind with the Weight-Loss System?”
“The Weight-Loss System?”
The cat nodded vigorously, then quickly began explaining the system in detail.