Chapter 2

Lin Tian went to the kitchen and checked the household’s food supplies. Even eating for one week by herself wouldn’t be a problem.
The stove here was a traditional clay stove, requiring firewood to operate. Fortunately, Lin Tian had experience running a countryside guesthouse and was used to handling such things, so it wasn’t too difficult for her.
She moved quickly, rinsing the rice and washing the pots, then cracked a few eggs to steam into an egg custard. She lit the fire and added wood, letting the flame gradually stabilize.
The firelight reflected on her serious expression, adding a unique kind of beauty.
After searching around, Lin Tian finally found a piece of preserved meat in a locked cabinet. In this era, having meat at home was rare, and she understood its value.
But now she was pregnant, so she had to eat something good, no one could shortchange her.
She sliced half of the preserved meat and put it over the rice to steam. Then she checked the vegetables; there were only potatoes, eggplants, and the like. She also saw the vegetables growing in the yard, mostly just green onions, with the others not yet ready. To save time and effort, Lin Tian peeled all the potato skins and put the potatoes on the rice to steam together.
The weather was getting warmer, so Lin Tian sat a little farther from the stove, only moving when she needed to add more firewood.
Slowly, the aroma of rice and preserved meat filled the room.
Lin Tian’s stomach rumbled in response, and her mouth began to water uncontrollably. Pregnant women got hungry easily, especially knowing she had twins inside her.
She couldn’t wait to see if the rice was done. Lifting the lid, she poked the rice with a chopstick, soft and fully cooked. The other ingredients were steamed perfectly as well.
Carefully, she took the food out of the pot, drained the water, and prepared a sauce for mixing with the rice.
Resources were scarce in this era, but basic seasonings were still available.
Lin Tian heated a bit of oil, then added soy sauce, salt, pepper, and chili. After briefly frying, she poured in water. Once it boiled, she added the steamed potatoes and mashed them with a spatula into a thick potato paste. Soon, the room was filled with the fragrance.
After making the potato sauce, Lin Tian poured it over the rice and preserved meat and stirred it thoroughly. The sauce blended completely with the rice, creating a simple yet flavorful mashed potato sauce rice.
Unable to resist, she took a bite, it was absolutely delicious. The hot food not only satisfied her hunger but also dissipated the uncertainty and irritability in her heart.
Each plump grain of rice was coated in savory potato paste, accompanied by the fragrant preserved meat. Lin Tian’s body felt completely satisfied. Occasionally, she added a spoonful of the egg custard with sesame oil, and for the first time in a long while, she felt content.
In her former body, no food could have given her this sense of fulfillment. But now, in this body that rarely had meat for two or three days, such a meal was an extraordinary treat.
She also found some malted milk powder, which she recalled had been bought before Chu Ci left. The original Lin Tian had been saving it carefully. She made herself a cup and sipped it slowly after eating.
Actually, this life wasn’t so bad. Before leaving, Chu Ci had given the original Lin Tian enough living expenses. She didn’t have to work in the fields like others, just feeding herself seemed enough.
Unlike in her previous life, where she was busy every day like a spinning top, here she could finally enjoy a moment of peace.
But thinking about the original plot and her now visibly pregnant belly, Lin Tian felt a sense of urgency. No matter what, she needed to go to the city to give birth. With the current medical conditions and the fact that she was carrying twins, the capital city felt much safer.
Besides, Chu Ci was the father; she couldn’t do nothing and leave him in the dark. And she still had a certain fondness for this “white moonlight” male supporting character.
After pondering her next steps, and finishing the malted milk, Lin Tian cleaned up and decided to take a nap. It wasn’t that she was careless; it was the physiological effects of pregnancy. Even a strong woman like her could not resist sleepiness.
What could she do? She went back to the room, lay on the bed, and closed her eyes.
Soon, Lin Tian fell into a deep sleep.
But it wasn’t entirely peaceful. She dreamed of someone both familiar and strange, her original self.
Lin Tian was a little stunned and didn’t know what to say.
The person in front of her, identical to herself, spoke first in a gentle voice:
“Lin Tian, we finally meet. The two children are entrusted to you. From now on, you are their mother. My only hope is that they grow up healthy.”
Lin Tian was confused. What was happening?
She forced herself to stay calm and asked: “And you… so why am I here?”
The figure smiled: “I was always meant to disappear. As for why you are here, perhaps you will understand later. Take good care of yourself and the children. I am leaving now.”
The figure slowly vanished. Lin Tian awoke, sunlight streaming through the window onto her slightly dazed face. Soon, her expression hardened with determination.
Since she was here, she might as well make the best of it. Though she was in another world, she would continue to live well, and take care of the two children in her belly.
As for her temporary husband, Chu Ci, she still needed him, so she would go find him as soon as possible.
It was a sunny May afternoon, not too hot, with a gentle breeze, pleasantly comfortable.
Lin Tian woke up. Though three months pregnant, her figure was still good, with only a slight belly protrusion. Wearing a loose top could conceal it easily.
Standing in the clay courtyard, she practiced the Eight-Section Brocade qigong exercises. Even pregnant women needed to exercise; in her previous life, Lin Tian had little time for physical activity. Now, it was a dream come true.
She had originally planned to talk to the brigade leader about a few things, but then thought that he was probably busy every day and decided it could wait.
After practicing the Eight-Section Brocade for a while, Lin Tian was slightly sweating, and a healthy flush appeared on her face. She no longer looked so pale.
But since this was the first day, she decided to take things gradually.
The next morning, Lin Tian made herself a steaming bowl of sweet potato porridge and boiled two eggs. Clearly, her appetite had increased.
After practicing the Eight-Section Brocade a little more, Lin Tian returned to her room to rest, but then heard a knocking at the door.
The incessant knocking immediately ruined her good mood.
“I’m coming! Stop knocking!” she shouted irritably.
She walked to the door without haste, but the person outside didn’t seem patient, or perhaps was deliberately pushing her. The moment he spoke, Lin Tian knew who it was: the cheap younger brother of this body.
While knocking, he called out: “Sister, hurry up and open the door! Mom wants you to come home.”
Lin Tian finally opened the door, exchanging glances with Lin Yang. Lin Yang had never shown much respect for his older sister and complained: “Second sister, why are you taking so long to open the door?”
If it had been the original Lin Tian, she would already be apologizing. But Lin Tian was not someone with a soft temper. She glared at Lin Yang and asked, “What’s the rush? Don’t you know I’m pregnant? If I fall because of you rushing me, will you take responsibility?”
Lin Yang was momentarily speechless but still argued: “It’s not that serious. Pregnant women in the village still go to the fields. You’re just pampered, never stepping outside the gate. Mom was right, ever since you married, your husband spoiled you, and you’ve become lazy.”
His words reminded Lin Tian of the original Lin Tian’s life before marriage, working like a beast of burden. The body she now inhabited had been weak, which was partly why the family had treated her as they did.
But now was not the time to pick a fight. Lin Tian gritted her teeth and asked: “Did Mom have something important to tell me?”
Lin Yang suddenly remembered the serious matter and said, “Of course. Come with me quickly.”
“All right, I’ll go with you,” Lin Tian replied, already expecting it wasn’t anything good. But she knew patience was the best strategy. Once she left here, it would all be over. She locked her home and walked toward her mother’s house with her “cheap” younger brother.
The two houses weren’t far apart. Lin Tian deliberately walked slowly. Lin Yang, impatient, muttered with a bad tone, “I’ll go ahead. You can take your time.”
Lin Tian nodded: “Fine, you go ahead. I’ll be there soon.”
Sure enough, Lin Yang left. Lin Tian smiled sweetly. Walking with someone she disliked made even the air feel worse, but now she could enjoy the village scenery she’d never experienced before.
However, this was not a later era, the rural environment was poor. The roads were rough, though occasionally a couple of local women greeted her. Lin Tian knew they were surely mocking her behind her back. In this era, being abandoned by one’s husband, gossip always fell on the woman.
This was one reason Lin Tian wanted to leave as soon as possible.
Fortunately, her mental resilience was strong, unlike the original Lin Tian, who had been fragile. Still, no one liked hearing hurtful words repeatedly. Luckily, for now, these people only whispered behind her back, not like later, when they would taunt the original Lin Tian to her face, making her even more miserable.
The original Lin Tian had been too weak to argue and could only cry at home. Pregnant and already in poor health, with bad medical conditions, could she not have a difficult labor?
But now that Lin Tian had arrived here, she would change all that. She never believed in fate, only in human will.
After a while, the Lin family home finally came into view.
The door was open, and Lin Tian walked in on her own. The Lin household was slightly larger than her current home, with a yard full of thriving vegetables. She already planned to pick some to take home, it was natural, green food, perfect for her.
Inside, Zhang Lamei was waiting. Lin Tian’s father was probably at work, and Lin Yang’s whereabouts were unknown.
Lin Tian spoke first: “Mom, what’s the urgent matter you wanted to talk to me about?”
Zhang Lamei nodded and repeated yesterday’s topic: “Er-ya, your father and I discussed last night. Going to the capital to find your husband, what if you don’t find him? Even if you do, how will you live? With him, you, and the child in your belly, how will your family manage? So, you should listen to me, marry into the neighboring village. Your family can back you up there. You’ll get another bride price, and the house you live in, Chu Ci bought it. Since he’s not here, it’s yours. If you sell the house again, that’s more money. Isn’t that much better? Why bother going all the way to the capital only to gain nothing?”
Zhang Lamei spoke earnestly, clearly thinking she was doing what was best.
But Lin Tian knew that the bride price and the house money would end up in her mother’s hands. The benefits would all go to them, leaving her with nothing. Lin Tian guessed that her father had taught her mother this strategy. Her father always seemed gentle and harmless, but he was cunning, making sure his daughter was sold for the best price was his goal. Even sending her to school had that same purpose: increasing her value. But Lin Tian was not the original daughter, she had no feelings for this family.
“Mom, Chu Ci told me that someone in his family holds a high position in the capital. Think about it, who is more promising, Old Wang next door or Chu Ci, who can help Lin Yang’s future? A little effort from me doesn’t matter, as long as I please Chu Ci and ensure Lin Yang has a good future. You and Dad really need to think carefully. Even if the village is rich, what can my brother accomplish here? The capital city is a whole different level, you can’t be so short-sighted,” Lin Tian reasoned politely but firmly.
Zhang Lamei had always known her son-in-law was from the capital but had never heard about his family’s background. Hearing that someone in his family was a high-ranking official, her heart warmed slightly, and she also thought Lin Tian had a point.
No matter how good the village was, it still meant just farming, but the capital was different. Once there, her husband could help find a proper job, her brother could become a worker, and they’d have urban household registration. This was a major step toward elevating the family’s status.
Zhang Lamei grew more and more excited, already imagining herself enjoying city life with her son. She forced herself to calm down and looked at her daughter.
She suddenly realized that in just a day, Er-ya had grown even prettier.
Such a beautiful daughter-in-law, and carrying his child to boot. Handling her daughter-in-law shouldn’t be too difficult, she thought uncertainly.
She didn’t really know Chu Ci well, having had little interaction with him.
Zhang Lamei took a deep breath and asked, “Er-ya, are you sure you can do it?”
“Mom, don’t worry. I’ll hold onto him tightly. You and Dad worked so hard to raise me, now it’s my turn to repay you,” Lin Tian replied softly.
This filial display gave Zhang Lamei some extra confidence. She nodded. “Alright. I’ll discuss your going to the capital with your father. And as for marrying Old Wang next door… forget it.”
Lin Tian felt reassured about her mother’s “fighting spirit.” After all, while her father might look down on his daughter, he liked this daughter-in-law and rarely opposed her. Their preference for sons over daughters was shared, if Zhang Lamei valued the daughter, Lin Tian’s father likely wouldn’t neglect her either. In short, the two were well-matched in temperament.
Lin Tian said, “Then Mom, I won’t leave at noon. I’ll wait for Dad to come back so you both can persuade him together.”
Zhang Lamei nodded in agreement.