Chapter 1 The Mess

“Mom, I’m not trying to sound harsh, but just look at the things Bai Tao has done…”
“Chen Zhaodi, since you know your words are harsh, then stop running your mouth! If there’s any gossip in the brigade tomorrow, see if I don’t deal with you!”
“Hey! Mom, how can you do this! Third Brother isn’t even back yet, and you’re just leaving like this? Listen to me…”

As the sound of conversation faded away, the courtyard fell into silence. Inside the room, Bai Tao, who was lying on the bed, suddenly opened her eyes!

Looking at the dark blue printed homespun cloth hanging above her, she froze for a moment. Since when did her bed have this kind of mosquito net? Sleepiness dulled her thoughts, and since tomorrow was finally her rest day, she didn’t want to bother with it. What mosquito net? Sleeping in was way more important!

She turned over with her quilt in her arms.

But with that turn, Bai Tao shot upright in shock! This wasn’t her room! The mud-smoothed walls were mottled and rough, pieces of floral cloth hung unevenly on the walls, making the place look strange. The room wasn’t big. Other than the large wardrobe carved with “Double Happiness,” the only furniture was a wobbly long table by the window. On it lay all sorts of scattered odds and ends, while the air was tainted with a faint stench of urine.

Before she could react, a rush of foreign memories surged into her mind, making her squeeze her eyes shut in pain!

A long while later, she opened them again, scanning the room before exhaling heavily. She had actually transmigrated—into the very novel she had read before bed, The Beautiful Step-Mother of the Seventies!

Thinking of the fate of the supporting character with her same name, Bai Tao’s brows knitted tightly.

In the novel, the female lead Chen Xiuxiu was reborn. In order to change her terrible past life, she wanted to marry the soldier Gu Zhicheng, who had helped her greatly before. But Gu Zhicheng already had a wife—Bai Tao—a woman who was lazy, wasteful, and lived extravagantly. To fulfill her wish, Chen Xiuxiu’s plan after rebirth was to get rid of Bai Tao.

A greedy and selfish woman like her didn’t deserve a good man like Gu Zhicheng!

And so, under the female lead’s halo, Bai Tao, the cannon-fodder supporting role, spiraled into ruin. In the end, she lost her reputation, ruined her relationships, and died in a mudslide while trying to elope.

Even after death, Bai Tao still contributed to the heroine’s path—leaving behind a ring that could automatically produce one tael of gold every month. Just as Chen Xiuxiu was about to rejoice in her golden cheat, she learned that Gu Zhicheng had already sacrificed himself on a mission months before.

Grief-stricken, she raised Gu Zhicheng’s two children in gratitude. Through that, she met his comrade-in-arms, and eventually, the two became a couple, raising the children together in a shamelessly blissful life.

Thinking of that ending, Bai Tao rubbed her forehead. Just because she had the same name, did she have to transmigrate into this character?

Still, the thought of that golden cheat—one tael of gold every month—gave her a bit of comfort. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about money!

Creaaak—

Before she could check her “golden finger,” the door pushed open.

Who was coming? How should she respond now?

Bai Tao glanced around. There was nowhere to hide. She wasn’t ready to face anyone yet!

When in doubt—play dead!

She immediately lay back down, pulled the quilt over her face, and tried to calm her hurried breathing. But before she settled, the thin quilt covering her face was lifted.

Instinctively, she covered her face with her hands. Through the gap of her fingers, she saw who it was.

Gu Zhicheng!

Why was he back already?!

The next instant, a fresh wave of memories hit her. When she processed what she saw in them, her toes curled in embarrassment. So that’s why she was still in bed in broad daylight.

The memory was simple: the original Bai Tao had been laughing and chatting with a male educated youth named Wang Xinzhi by the river. Unfortunately, Gu Zhicheng happened to return on an ox cart and saw them. Flustered, Bai Tao slipped and fell into the river. The last image before she blacked out was Gu Zhicheng’s hand reaching toward her through the rushing water.

And now she had landed right in this battlefield of a situation. Bai Tao really didn’t want to face it.

After a moment of silence, she felt the chill from beside the bed grow sharper, almost tangible.

There was no avoiding it. She lowered her hands, sat up, and looked at the figure standing in the backlight.

Gu Zhicheng truly was the kind of man even the female lead had her eyes on. Handsome features, tall frame, and a steely military aura that no pretty-boy celebrity could compare to.

Her heart skipped when she looked at his face—but when her gaze met his hawk-like eyes, a chill pierced straight through her.

“Bai Tao, what trick are you playing this time?”

His deep voice carried no warmth, making her scalp prickle instantly.

“Wha… what trick? I-I’m not playing any trick!”

Facing his sharp gaze, Bai Tao’s guilty conscience only deepened. After all, the original owner’s actions had all been witnessed by him.

After she spoke, no more words came from above her. The silence pressed down heavily, broken only by Gu Zhicheng’s heavy breathing, echoing like a drumbeat in the stifling room.

After a long while, Gu Zhicheng finally withdrew his gaze from above Bai Tao’s head. He pulled a chair over, sat down, and looked at her squarely. Taking a deep breath, he said,

“About Wang Xinzhi—don’t you have an explanation for me? Or is it that you don’t even bother explaining anymore? Bai Tao, what on earth is going on with you!!!”

Hearing his words, Bai Tao couldn’t help but lift her eyes toward him. Seeing the grief etched across his face, she hurried to explain,

“No, no! There’s nothing between me and Wang Xinzhi. He just came to talk to me about something! It’s not what you think!”

“Not what I think? Then what am I supposed to think! Bai Tao, do you take everyone for fools? The way you and Wang Xinzhi looked together—how could I not think the worst? Do you want me to divorce you?”

Watching the veins bulging on the back of his hand, Bai Tao bit her lip. If divorce was possible, she would gladly agree sooner rather than later! With her golden cheat, she could live comfortably every month without lifting a finger. Sure, the man in front of her matched her aesthetics perfectly, but in the novel, her ending had been so miserable.

If she divorced now, wouldn’t that be handing Chen Xiuxiu the advantage on a silver platter? No way. Bai Tao couldn’t swallow that humiliation.

Her silence only deepened Gu Zhicheng’s unease. Could it be that Bai Tao truly wanted a divorce?!

“I’ve already compromised so much, Bai Tao, what more do you want me to do!”

Bai Tao bit her lip and blurted out, “Just hear me out first!”

“Hear you out about what! Don’t tell me you’re about to say divorce!!!”

Seeing this, Bai Tao’s mouth tightened downward. “Why won’t you let me explain? You keep bringing up divorce over and over—do you think I can’t live without you? Fine! If you want a divorce, I’ll agree. But the two children… mmm… mmm… what… what are you doing…”

She really did want a divorce!

The moment Bai Tao spoke, Gu Zhicheng felt his blood surge straight to his head. If he listened any longer, he’d go mad!

Face darkening, Gu Zhicheng suddenly lunged forward and sealed her lips with his own!

Bai Tao was completely stunned by his sudden kiss. After a brief moment of shock, she immediately began struggling.

What the hell?! Why was he kissing her out of nowhere—this was her first kiss!!!

But soon she realized—the more she struggled, the tighter he held her, and the more fiercely he kissed!

Only when the taste of blood spread in her mouth did Bai Tao finally give up struggling in defeat.

As she softened in his arms, the anger clouding Gu Zhicheng’s reason slowly dissipated. Meeting Bai Tao’s watery peach-blossom eyes, his throat tightened.

Bai Tao just had that power—she could make him lose control at any time.

But one thing was certain—he would never let her go!

Divorce? Dream on. Not a chance!!!