Chapter 4 – Scumbag

Ran Jinnian’s eyes widened.

Why was she seeing such a scene?

Could it be that her rebirth was just a hallucination before death?

“Wife.”

The man’s deep voice sounded by her ear, pulling Ran Jinnian out of that vision in an instant.

She blinked blankly at the world before her until the man’s face gradually became clear.

“Wife, are you feeling unwell?” Lu Jinyuan’s face was full of worry—had he perhaps worn her out these past few days?

Ran Jinnian didn’t know how to explain. That earlier scene should have been an illusion. “I’m fine.”

Wang Xiumei waved her hand. “Go on, take her outside to rest.”

Lu Jinyuan held her hand, and the two walked out together, drawing the eyes of everyone present.

Ran Siyuan and Ran Xuesong, knowing their sister’s temperament, held back the teasing remarks they wanted to make.

At noon, Wang Xiumei prepared an impressive spread:

Hot-and-sour shredded potatoes, egg drop soup, roast goose from a state-run restaurant, stewed cabbage with vermicelli, a big plate of spicy tossed dried tofu, and pickled cabbage fish.

Today was Lu Jinyuan’s first visit in the capacity of son-in-law, so the dishes were especially abundant—meant to show how much they valued him.

“Come, Jinyuan, let’s have a few drinks,” Ran Demin said, bringing out the family’s treasured liquor.

“Don’t get our son-in-law drunk, or poor Niannian will have to deal with it later,” Wang Xiumei said to the table.

“I won’t,” Ran Demin said quickly—his daughter’s comfort came first.

The meal was lively, everyone eating to their heart’s content.

After lunch, Ran Jinnian and Lu Jinyuan strolled arm in arm to help their digestion. Neighbors, upon seeing the young couple, exchanged knowing winks.

“They’re really sweet together.”

“Niannian used to run after Jinyuan when she was little, and now she’s become his wife.”

“Don’t you think the Lu boy doesn’t look so cold since he got married?”

“Once you’ve got a wife, you can’t stay a clueless youth forever.”

Laughter followed them down the street.

The road was busy with people hurrying home, but the two of them, walking hand in hand, were like a peaceful painting.

“Wife, I’ll go buy us two popsicles,” Lu Jinyuan said, spotting the supply store up ahead. At present, private businesses weren’t allowed—everything was government-run.

It was peak afternoon, and the shop was crowded with people vying for ice treats.

“Three cents each, don’t crowd!” the clerk called out.

Ran Jinnian looked at the bustling crowd, feeling sweetness in her mouth before even tasting the popsicle.

Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder.

She turned to see a man in a floral shirt. His features were handsome, with high brow bones and a straight nose, but his eyes carried a roguish glint.

“Niannian, I’ve been waiting for you for days. Didn’t you say you’d run away with me?” Song Zehan’s gaze burned hotter as he looked at the fresh-faced beauty before him.

Ran Jinnian stared at the scumbag.

In her previous life, she’d been brainless—crying to Song Zehan before her wedding day. She hadn’t asked to elope; she’d wanted him to come propose. But he’d pushed her to run away.

Like a fool, she stole 800 yuan from home on her wedding day and went with him.

She only learned later that he owed a lot from gambling in town and was just using her to escape.

Seeing her stare at him now, Song Zehan’s tone turned syrupy. “Is your family watching you too closely, so you can’t get out?”

Ever since the Ran family found out about him, they’d guarded against him fiercely.

Ran Jinnian sneered inwardly. “What do you want?”

“Let’s run tonight. Bring more money so we can do business quietly. Once we make it big, we can come back and no one will say a word,” he said, trying to brainwash her.

“Sure,” she said, lips curling faintly.

His heart leapt with joy. He liked her not just for her looks, but because she was easy to fool.

“Meet me at the grain station,” he said quickly, spotting Lu Jinyuan approaching.

“Alright.”

“Make sure to bring plenty of cash, or life in Guang City won’t be easy. Eleven o’clock sharp—don’t be late.” With that, he ran off.

In this era, there wasn’t much nightlife—most people went to bed early.

She watched his retreating back, a cold smile on her lips.

Last life, you destroyed me. This life, it’s time to settle the score.

Lu Jinyuan came back with a bag of popsicles, his gaze briefly flicking to the man who’d just left before settling on her. “Wife, red bean popsicle.”

She’d loved red bean popsicles since childhood.

Taking a bite, the sweet taste lifted her mood.

“Let’s go home before they melt,” he said—he’d bought one for everyone.

She nodded.

After dinner, they returned to the Lu household.

All evening, she was distracted, thinking about Song Zehan.

Lu Jinyuan thought she was still worn out from the past few nights.

“Wife, let’s sleep,” he said, pulling her into his arms.

She shivered slightly. “Can we… not tonight?”

This man was vigorous, demanding her several times a night until she was in tears, begging for mercy.

His lips curved. “What?”

Seeing him feign ignorance, she bit him in annoyance.

“Good girl.” He kissed her forehead. “Sleep now.”

She braced herself, thinking he was going to continue—but he didn’t make another move.

Late into the night, Ran Jinnian was woken by a burning sensation.

Oh no.

The bracelet was scorching hot.

She tried to take it off, but the moment her hand touched it, her vision shifted—

Before her stood a three-story villa, filled with a dazzling variety of goods:

Daily necessities, skincare products, clothing and accessories, fresh produce and meats, snacks and drinks, medicine, even children’s items—everything imaginable.

Her jaw dropped. She pinched herself hard—so hard her eyes watered—but the scene didn’t change.

Where was this?

Was she dreaming?

Another pinch—same result.

In a daze, she stepped into the villa, feeling the whole thing surreal.

On the living room table lay a sheet of paper.

She picked it up.

It explained that the bracelet was a treasure containing a spatial dimension.

A space!

The previous owner had also been a reborn person. After she died, the bracelet vanished, waiting for its next destined master.

Ran Jinnian’s mouth fell open. She never imagined such a miracle would happen to her.

She’d gotten the bracelet by accident—she’d once met an elderly woman, frail and penniless for medical care, and had given her two yuan. The old woman insisted on giving her the bracelet. Unable to refuse, she accepted it.

In her past life, when she eloped with Song Zehan to Guang City, he’d taken the silver bracelet and gambled it away.

Thinking of all this, Ran Jinnian could only feel—she’d truly deserved her misfortune back then.