Chapter 2: No Abortion

Their gazes froze simultaneously, both turning toward the source of the sound—Jiang Yuman’s stomach. 

Jiang Yuman rubbed her growling belly with some embarrassment, though she couldn’t really be blamed. 

Given how the original host had been starving herself and throwing tantrums, wasn’t it only natural that she’d be hungry? 

With this justification in mind, she lifted her chin confidently and met Fu Jingchen’s eyes. “I’m hungry. Is there any food left at home?”

Before Fu Jingchen could respond, Madam Fu’s knock came at just the right moment, her voice slightly choked: “Manman, Jingchen, are you up? Breakfast is ready.” 

Jiang Yuman breathed a sigh of relief. Just like in the novel, Madam Fu had come to call them for breakfast at this exact moment. 

The difference was—she was here now, and wouldn’t say those heart-wrenching words the original host had. 

“Mom, why are you still calling her to eat? Didn’t she vow to starve herself? Let her starve then! The family just hit rock bottom, and she’s already rushing to cut ties—even abandoning her own child!” 

Suddenly, another voice chimed in from outside. 

“Haitang, don’t say that.” 

“I’m not wrong! I was the one fooled back then, bringing this ungrateful wolf into our home!” 

Fu Haitang fumed indignantly. “That vixen! She schemed her way into marrying my brother, and now her true colors show after just a few months!” 

Even the thick door couldn’t muffle the conversation outside—every word clearly reaching the pair inside. 

Jiang Yuman glanced at Fu Jingchen, only to find him studying her intently. 

She immediately forced a smile at him, her heart filled with endless melancholy. These were all debts left behind by the original host… 

But it didn’t matter!

Now that she was here, she was confident she could turn this situation around against all odds. 

“If you’re hungry, let’s go downstairs to eat,” Fu Jingchen said evenly, his gaze shifting away from her delicate features. 

“Okay.” 

When they stepped out of the room, the two at the door had already left. 

Most likely, Madam Fu had pulled her daughter downstairs early, afraid Jiang Yuman might overhear. 

They made their way down together. 

Despite his reservations, Fu Jingchen remained by Jiang Yuman’s side, steadying her to prevent any missteps. 

As she descended, Jiang Yuman took the opportunity to survey her surroundings. 

The Fu family lived in an exquisitely decorated duplex villa with tasteful furnishings—though in just a few days, this house would be seized by the authorities. 

It wouldn’t be until two years later that its rightful owners would return. 

At the bottom of the stairs lay the living room.

At the large round table to the right of the staircase sat the entire Fu family. 

There was Fu Wangshan, who had served in the military but was now suspended with pending investigation, seated beside his gentle and dignified wife—Madam Fu. 

Next to Madam Fu sat the glaring young woman who had spoken at the door earlier: Fu Haitang, the youngest daughter of the Fu family. 

When Jiang Yuman approached, Fu Haitang snorted and slammed her bowl onto the table. 

“If you want to eat, serve yourself!” 

She had not an ounce of goodwill left for Jiang Yuman, her former friend turned sister-in-law. 

First, she had used Fu Haitang to worm her way into the Fu family, scheming relentlessly to win over her brother—fine, she succeeded. But then she didn’t even cherish what she had! 

The moment the family fell into trouble, she couldn’t wait to divorce and abort the baby! She embodied the very image of a gold-digger who only loved wealth and status. 

Thinking of the gifts she had prepared for her unborn nephew—now useless—Fu Haitang’s eyes stung with unshed tears. 

“Haitang, is that any way to speak to your sister-in-law?” Madam Fu scolded. 

She, too, had resented Jiang Yuman before. But just now, outside the door, she had heard Jiang Yuman agree to keep her grandchild! 

No matter how fiercely they had argued before, the fact that Jiang Yuman had relented on this matter filled Madam Fu with gratitude. 

She quickly stood up and ladled out a bowl of porridge, placing it in front of Jiang Yuman. “Manman, you must be starving. Eat up.” 

The dishes on the table were simple and modest, all prepared by Madam Fu herself. 

After the family’s downfall, their live-in help had been dismissed, and they now had to manage everything on their own. 

“Thank you, Mom,” Jiang Yuman said gratefully.

As soon as the words left her mouth, astonished looks were cast her way from everyone at the table. 

After all, ever since the family’s downfall, Jiang Yuman had not only turned the household upside down with her tantrums but had also refused to address Madam Fu and father as “Mom” and “Dad.” 

Day after day, she had done nothing but clamor for a divorce and starve herself, leaving no peace in the house. 

And now, she was actually calling her “Mom”! 

Had the sun risen from the west today? 

For a moment, everyone was dumbstruck—even Fu Haitang, who had been ready for a fight, was left speechless. 

Only Fu Jingchen watched Jiang Yuman with a complicated gaze. 

He realized now just how little he truly understood her. 

Just last night, she had been threatening to kill herself unless he agreed to the divorce—so why did it feel like she had become a completely different person today?

Not only was she behaving normally, but she was even willing to call his mother, “Mom” now. It was hard not to wonder if she had some ulterior motive. 

Jiang Yuman took a few sips of porridge before noticing the frozen silence at the table. When she looked up and saw everyone’s reactions, her expression turned awkward. 

‘Original host, look at the mess you’ve made…’ 

“Jiang Yuman, what kind of scheme are you plotting now?” Fu Haitang finally snapped, her voice icy. 

It wasn’t that she was being overly suspicious—it was just that this woman was too cunning, too skilled at taking advantage of every opportunity! 

Back then, she had befriended Fu Haitang solely to marry her brother. Every time Fu Haitang remembered, she felt like she had invited a wolf into their home. 

‘Abnormal behavior always signals trouble.’ There was no way Jiang Yuman was up to anything good this time either. 

‘Bang!’ 

Madam Fu slammed her hand on the table, her usually gentle face twisting with anger. “Haitang! What are you saying?” 

“Mom, was anything I said wrong?”

Fu Haitang stiffened her neck stubbornly. “If she hadn’t put on such an act back then, would my brother have married her?” 

“Even vicious beasts don’t harm their own offspring! Yet she was willing to abandon her own flesh and blood. Now she’s suddenly acting all nice—who knows what wicked scheme she’s brewing this time? Don’t let her fool you!” 

“Fu Haitang!” This time, even Fu Wangshan spoke up disapprovingly. 

Madam Fu was even more severe, her rare anger surfacing: “If you keep running your mouth like this, I’ll—” 

“Mom.” 

Before she could finish, Jiang Yuman interrupted gently, “Little sister is still young. Don’t be so harsh on her.” 

She didn’t want the family to descend into chaos over this and quickly cut in before Madam Fu could say anything irreversible. 

After all, this mess was entirely the original host’s doing. 

In the novel, the original host had exploited Fu Haitang ruthlessly. Just when Fu Haitang had begun warming up to her because of the upcoming nephew, the abortion scandal erupted. 

And Madam Fu—driven to a heart attack by the original host’s cruelty—had passed away soon after. 

This poor girl had truly drawn the short straw by getting involved with the original host.

“Don’t think your fake kindness will win me over!” 

Fu Haitang, predictably, wasn’t having any of it. She glared at Jiang Yuman. “You heartless woman who wouldn’t even keep your own child!” 

“Haitang, Mom, Dad—I know you all have many misunderstandings about me.” 

Jiang Yuman rested a hand on her belly and sighed. “I want this child. I won’t get an abortion. Everything I said before was just anger talking.” 

For the original host, those words would have been lies. 

But for her? They couldn’t be more true. 

Since she was here, she might as well make the best of it. Jiang Yuman was determined to build a good life with Fu Jingchen. 

The dining table fell into silence once more at her declaration. 

After a long pause, Fu Wangshan’s lips trembled slightly. “Child, you… you mean that?” 

A man of dignity and prestige, he rarely showed such vulnerability.

But now, simply because Jiang Yuman had said she wouldn’t abort the child, it was as if he had shed his identity as Commander Fu and become just an ordinary grandfather. 

When it came to his children’s marriages, he rarely interfered. 

But the prospect of a grandchild was the only glimmer of hope left for this family, whose future now seemed so bleak. 

They had all pleaded with her before, only to be berated by their daughter-in-law. 

Though heartbroken, Fu Wangshan had resigned himself to the fact that he couldn’t persuade her to keep the baby. 

Yet now, against all odds, there was a sudden turn of events! 

He could hardly believe his ears. 

The others, including Fu Haitang, were also staring fixedly at Jiang Yuman, waiting for her response.