Chapter 3: I Want to Go to the Countryside

Fu Jingchen’s emotions surged as he tightly watched Jiang Yuman.

For the past few days, no matter how he assured her that he would treat her and their child well after going to the countryside, she had not agreed.

She cried and caused a scene, almost wanting to tear down the roof, and even called their unborn child a burden.

Yet now, after just one night, not only had she softened her stance before him, but she also said so in front of the whole family…

What was her true intention?

What else did she want to take away from this family?

If she was merely toying with him, why say it in front of everyone?

The whole family was hoping for this child and wished for her to stay in the family.

If it turned out to be a lie, would their parents be able to bear it?

And… was she really willing to give birth to the child?

These thoughts swirled in his mind, and even his wounded heart ached faintly.

“Really.”

Jiang Yuman had no idea how complex Fu Jingchen’s thoughts were; she looked around and said:

“It was just that I couldn’t accept the sudden change before and acted out of frustration. This morning, I figured it out.”

As she spoke, she glanced at Fu Haitang, “Just like my little sister said, a tiger doesn’t eat its own cubs; I will give birth to this child.”

Fu Haitang, looking at Jiang Yuman’s somewhat seductive face, snorted coldly and quickly turned her face away.

However, her ears were secretly perked up.

What was going on with this woman today? Was she speaking the truth?

Fu’s mother’s eyes were already red as she looked at Jiang Yuman, managing to hold back her tears.

“Manman, thank you so much for being so understanding.”

The Fu family finally had hope.

“Mom, don’t say that…” Jiang Yuman felt a rare twinge of guilt.

Being understanding and her compatibility were just too low.

After all, she was lazy and gluttonous, and she also had a side to her that loved beauty.

Fu Wangshan took a deep breath, as if remembering something, and said to his wife, “Go get the things.”

“Okay, okay,” Fu’s mother quickly wiped her eyes and brought over a wooden box.

When opened, it was full of items.

In addition to various tickets, there was also a well-organized amount of money.

At a glance, there was at least three thousand yuan worth.

Moreover, there were many food stamps, meat coupons, sugar tickets, and various tickets issued by the military.

With this many tickets, even in this time, they wouldn’t have to live too poorly.

As Jiang Yuman looked at the box in front of her, this must be what the family had given to the original owner in hopes of persuading her not to have an abortion, right?

A malnourished camel is bigger than a horse.

With so many things, how could the original owner have said they were just for coaxing her?

That ungrateful girl really didn’t know satisfaction.

Taking this money and tickets, while it couldn’t compare to her life before giving birth, it wasn’t like they would live poorly.

Seeing Jiang Yuman’s gaze fixated on the box, Fu’s mother hurriedly added:

“Manman, this is everything the family has right now. I still have some jewelry upstairs; you can have all of it.”

After a pause, Fu Wangshan also spoke, “Daughter, there isn’t much; just take it all. We will leave the day after tomorrow, and it will be tough for you then.”

“Even though I am suspended from duty in the army, I still have old connections, and they can find out where we will be sent.”

He paused, his voice slightly choking, “If the child is born and you don’t want it, just send it to us.”

Clearly, this money was the only thing they could offer for their grandchild.

From now until the child is born, if the money isn’t exhausted, it was their shallow compensation to the daughter-in-law.

Fu Wangshan didn’t expect his daughter-in-law to raise the child; moreover, he didn’t want to delay her life.

He knew his daughter-in-law was clever and beautiful.

If there was no child, it wouldn’t be hard to remarry into a proper family. Jiang Yuman never imagined the elderly couple actually thought this way.

For a moment, she was stunned.

It was Fu Haitang’s irritated voice that pulled her attention back, “Dad, Mom, at such a time, why are you still believing this woman’s lies?”

“I think she is deceiving us first, and once we are sent to the countryside, far from the emperor, if she really doesn’t want the child, what can we do?”

This box of money and tickets was all that Fu Wangshan had received from his military comrades over the years, the only support they would have after going to the countryside.

Now giving it to Jiang Yuman, this woman who loves wealth, Fu Haitang was distrustful!

She knew she had to wonder why this morning, she acted like a completely different person, and now she seemed to want to drain their last resources.

“Haitang, shut up!” Fu Wangshan was very angry.

They had seen Jiang Yuman’s antics during this period. This possibility wasn’t non-existent.

However, even so, they also didn’t dare to gamble on it.

“Jiang Yuman, do you dare to swear in front of us that today’s words are not lies?”

Fu Haitang ignored Fu Wangshan and looked at Jiang Yuman.

“I don’t need to swear,” Jiang Yuman replied softly.

Fu Haitang coldly laughed, “I knew it! You…”

Before she could finish her words, Jiang Yuman’s determined voice rang out again:

“Because I want to go to the countryside with Jingchen.”

With these words, everyone at the table caught their breath.

Fu Wangshan’s eyes widened in shock, “Manman, are you joking?”

Previously, she was so desperate for a divorce and abortion, and now she not only changed her mind completely but also wanted to go with them to the countryside!

“Mom, I’m serious.”

Jiang Yuman looked at Fu Jingchen beside her, noticing his clenched fists.

Her usually soft voice carried a trace of determination, “Couples are like birds in the same forest; when disaster strikes, how can one fly away alone?”

“And we are family; families should stick together at all times.”

“But you won’t be able to handle life in the countryside…” Fu Wangshan was already beginning to wipe his tears.

A diligent person suddenly becoming lazy gets scolded. But a lazy person suddenly becoming diligent gets praised.

Right now, Jiang Yuman seemed to be in that position.

The once troublesome daughter-in-law suddenly being so understanding made Fu’s elderly couple feel both relieved and guilty.

“I’m not afraid,” Jiang Yuman said, her complexion slightly pale, her tone resolute, “Besides, with Jingchen here, he won’t let me suffer.”

What she spoke was the truth; in the book, Fu Jingchen was an exceptionally responsible and perfect man.

This could be seen from how he spoiled the original owner after marriage and kept himself pure, not letting any woman near him.

This whole family cared about the original owner and the child.

Being with them, she felt at ease.

The woman in front of them had bright eyes and white teeth, her gaze holding a trace of unease; anyone who looked at her would feel pity.

Yet Fu Jingchen’s beautiful face was clouded over, and with a cold expression, he stood up wordlessly and directly led Jiang Yuman upstairs back to their room.

“Hey!” Fu Haitang instinctively attempted to get up and stop them.

However, Fu Wangshan held her back.

“Mom, why are you stopping me?” Fu Haitang asked, confused.

“Your brother and sister-in-law are going to talk; what are you following them for?”

Fu Wangshan wiped his tears, recalling their earlier conversation, feeling that life once again had a glimmer of hope.

Looking at the unfinished porridge Jiang Yuman had left on the table, he muttered to himself, “I need to hurry and warm up the porridge, or else Manman won’t have anything to eat later.”

After saying this, he hurried to the kitchen.

Fu Haitang watched her father bustling about, unable to help but roll her eyes.

But thinking about Jiang Yuman’s words earlier, she couldn’t help but murmur to herself.

The countryside is so harsh; can this bad woman, who has nothing but beauty, really handle it?

Thinking about this, she couldn’t help but glance upstairs, as if vaguely guessing her brother’s thoughts.