Chapter 2: Take Good Care of Yourself

An Ruoyan didn’t answer her but said, “Tonight I want to eat braised pork, sweet and sour fish, and scrambled eggs.” Huang Jinxiu’s eyes widened, her expression twisted. This brat really dared to say that—some people couldn’t even have meat once a month. Only Shi Qiang, who was the deputy director of the steel factory, could have meat once a week at home, but even then, he wouldn’t dare cook too much. But her? She talked about meat and fish without considering if she deserved it.

An Ruoyan knew she wouldn’t say what she wanted to hear, so she didn’t give her the chance to speak.

“Sigh, actually I don’t need to eat either. It’s just that I’m so weak. Maybe we can wait until I’m better to talk?” Huang Jinxiu gritted her teeth at An Ruoyan’s slightly smiling, slightly mocking expression. “Fine, I’ll make it for you.”

Huang Jinxiu went to prepare the meal, leaving An Ruoyan alone in the room. She got up, locked the door, and slipped into her space. This space was the one she had obtained in her previous life when she went to an antique market with her best friend. She didn’t know much about antiques; she just liked a bracelet, haggled with the vendor, and bought it for 200 yuan. That night, when she went to the bathroom, she slipped, hit her head on the bathtub, and her blood dripped onto the bracelet—thus she gained the space.

With her years of experience reading novels, she guessed that heaven was about to entrust her with a great mission. But she wasn’t panicked—she was an orphan working like a cog in a foreign company. Even if she transmigrated, it was just another place to be a cog. Moreover, she had a space, which contained a two-story villa fully furnished with appliances, and the back door led to a large supermarket that automatically restocked. This made her extremely happy, as her meager salary wasn’t enough to buy supplies.

She used all her savings to buy gold, as it was hard currency. Even if she didn’t successfully transmigrate, she could sell it when needed. An Ruoyan looked in the mirror to check her appearance and realized that the original owner looked 80% like her—also a beauty—but because of poor nutrition and injuries, her face was pale and thin. That was a minor issue; she had a supermarket and could restore herself over time.

After taking a bath and drinking a cup of diluted spiritual spring water, she heard a knock at the door.

“Sister, the meal is ready.” An Ruoyan opened the door to find Shi Meijiao waiting.

“Sister, Mom cooked a lot today, saying it’s what you wanted. You’re really inconsiderate. Although Dad is the deputy director, he supports the whole family. We can’t be so greedy; we should cherish Dad’s hard work and be frugal.”

An Ruoyan listened quietly and occasionally nodded in agreement. When Shi Meijiao stopped talking, she slowly said, “I think you’re right. I really am inconsiderate; I can’t compare to you in this.”

“Then how about this: you don’t eat today’s dishes. I’ll help you eat, so no one will blame you and ruin your reputation. I don’t mind; I have thick skin and don’t fear being criticized.” Shi Meijiao was shocked and angry—how could she offer to eat food for her? Shi Meijiao could eat it herself; she didn’t need anyone’s help!

An Ruoyan continued, “When I go to find Zhou Shuchen, I’ll definitely tell him that you’re a frugal and hardworking girl.” Shi Meijiao brightened, throwing a look that said, “You really know your place,” and politely said, “That’s unnecessary. Sister, you were injured; you should eat more nutritious food.”

An Ruoyan nodded, “Okay, then I won’t say anything.” She went to the living room, leaving Shi Meijiao fuming but unable to openly argue.

Seeing the prepared meal, An Ruoyan didn’t hesitate, sat down, and noticed her bowl of rice was the smallest. She swapped bowls with Shi Qiang and began eating contentedly. She marveled at how oily and rich the food was, realizing that, having never eaten fatty meat before, it actually tasted divine.

Shi Qiang came out after changing clothes and saw An Ruoyan eating, with his wife and daughter standing nearby. His expression darkened immediately. Shi Meijiao watched with malicious delight, secretly wishing her father would scold An Ruoyan.

The room fell silent except for the sound of An Ruoyan eating. She had already seen Shi Qiang but ignored him. Shi Qiang, now a deputy director, was very authoritative; if he hadn’t started eating, no one could eat first. The original owner would have obediently waited, but she didn’t.

After swallowing a piece of braised pork, she said, “Everyone, come eat. Why are you just standing there?”

Shi Qiang shouted, “How dare you! The elders haven’t started eating! Have you no manners?”

An Ruoyan ate faster, fearing someone would snatch the food, and said, “I have no manners, so I ate first. Don’t follow my example.” She even pushed the dishes closer to herself.

This protective manner of eating made Shi Qiang veins bulge in anger. “I raised you for three years, and this is the shameful result! You eat as if you’re starving!”

An Ruoyan thought for a moment. Shi Qiang hadn’t let the original owner starve, but she hadn’t been full either. Shi Qiang, the stepfather, had a good reputation in the neighborhood.

“Starving, indeed! My bowl is like cat food. If that’s enough, then all future meals are yours,” Shi Qiang said, looking at Huang Jinxiu. He usually didn’t interfere, and he didn’t dislike An Ruoyan’s eating either, plus it would look bad to mistreat a stepdaughter.

Huang Jinxiu muttered, “I thought Ruoyan is still young, so she eats less.” She wasn’t convinced, just trying to save money and appear prudent.

An Ruoyan sneered, “Shi Tianchuan is younger.”

She was still young, already eighteen, could marry and have children. Huang Jinxiu blurted, “Tianchuan is a boy.”

An Ruoyan said, “So you’re favoring boys. Great leaders say women can hold up half the sky—you shouldn’t have this feudal mindset!”

Shi Qiang glared at Huang Jinxiu, “Cook more meals from now on.”

After finishing, An Ruoyan went to rest. Though she drank diluted spiritual spring water, she felt dizzy and didn’t want to overdo it, fearing someone would notice her recovery.

Shi Meijiao blocked her and asked, “When are you going to tell Shuchen you want to break up?”

“You guess!”