Chapter 3: Swapping the Poisoned Chicken Soup with the Scumbag’s White Moonlight

Tong Caihe beamed at Lin Jianxue, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes bunching together.

She affectionately patted the back of Lin Jianxue’s hand.
“Jianxue, I’ll go check on my fellow townsman’s daughter first.”

Then she turned to Jiang Yubai and instructed,
“Yubai, take Jianxue to visit Teacher Shen. I’ll head to the hospital after I’ve seen the girl.”

With that, she grabbed the thermos without the red ribbon and bustled out the door.

Tong Caihe had rented an apartment in Beijing for Jiang Yuning, just a few alleys away from here.

Recently, Jiang Yuning had become pregnant. Using the baby in her belly like a golden pass, she had become increasingly temperamental, acting haughty over the smallest things.

Sometimes if Tong Caihe delivered food a bit late, Jiang Yuning would scold her for ages, pointing right at her nose.

But Tong Caihe didn’t dare show even a trace of resentment. After all, the child in Jiang Yuning’s belly was the grandson she had been praying to the heavens for.

In this day and age, only sons carry on the family line—she wouldn’t dare slack off.

Lin Jianxue watched Tong Caihe disappear through the doorway, the corner of her mouth curling into a cold, mocking smile.

She turned to Jiang Yubai and said with a hint of irony,
“Yubai, your mom left in such a rush—someone who didn’t know better might think her daughter-in-law was giving birth, and she’s off to help with the postpartum recovery.”

At her words, Jiang Yubai’s heart skipped a beat.

He hadn’t expected Lin Jianxue to say something like that. For a moment, he was thrown off and flustered.

He instinctively looked at her and saw the faint smile on her face, as if she had only made a casual comment, not intending to dig deeper.

He steadied himself and offered a gentle explanation,
“Jianxue, don’t overthink it. My mom’s just being kind. That girl lives in Beijing alone, her husband’s away on a business trip, and she just found out she’s pregnant. My mom’s probably just worried about her.”

Lin Jianxue casually adjusted the sleeve of her black cashmere coat, her fingers gently brushing across the soft material.

She looked up and glanced indifferently at Jiang Yubai.

“If her husband’s away, shouldn’t her in-laws be the ones looking after her? Why would your mom be the one worrying?”

The moment those words left her mouth, Jiang Yubai was at a loss for a reply.

He forced a smile, picked up the thermos with the red ribbon, and quickly changed the subject.
“Let’s not talk about this anymore. Jianxue, let’s head to the People’s Hospital and check on Mom.”

At the mention of Shen Wu, Lin Jianxue’s expression softened immediately.

She nodded without pressing further about Tong Caihe and followed Jiang Yubai out the door.

They boarded the bus and bumped along until they arrived at the First People’s Hospital.

Lin Jianxue knew this place like the back of her hand.

After all, in her previous life, this was where she had endured some of the darkest, most despair-filled days of her life.

She made her way effortlessly to Shen Wu’s hospital room.

Opening the door, she saw Shen Wu lying on the hospital bed, looking surprisingly well.

Lin Qiufeng was sitting by her side, carefully peeling an apple. The two were chatting and laughing—it was a warm and peaceful scene.

“Oh, Xue’er and Yubai are here!”

Shen Wu immediately noticed Lin Jianxue and Jiang Yubai walking in side by side. Her long black hair was loose, her pregnant belly round and high, and her gentle face radiated joy.

In her past life, Shen Wu had died young due to massive blood loss during labor. Her body had been drained to the point of collapse.

She had died weighing barely 70 pounds, nothing but skin and bones.

Even on her deathbed, Shen Wu had been worried about Lin Jianxue. She had tightly gripped the hands of both Lin Jianxue and Jiang Yubai, using the last of her strength to beg Jiang Yubai to take care of her daughter and not let her down.

“Mom…”

Lin Jianxue could no longer hold back her emotions. She rushed forward and threw herself into Shen Wu’s arms, hugging her tightly.

The familiar scent of snow cream mingled with the hospital’s disinfectant instantly enveloped her.

It was a smell she hadn’t experienced in nearly twenty years.

All the grievances from her past life, all the longing she’d bottled up for her mother, surged out like a broken dam, turning into hot tears that streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Shen Wu felt her daughter’s body trembling in her arms and heard her stifled sobs.

She quickly cupped Lin Jianxue’s face and gently wiped away her tears with her fingertips. Her voice was soft with concern:

“Xue’er, what’s wrong? Why are you crying? Tell Mom—did someone bully you?”

Lin Jianxue slowly lifted her head and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

Looking at her mother’s familiar yet youthful face, she spoke in a nasal voice:

“Mom, no one bullied me. I just got emotional thinking about you giving birth soon… I couldn’t help it.”

Shen Wu chuckled at her daughter’s childish concern and lightly tapped her forehead:

“Silly girl, what are you crying for? Don’t worry. The doctor said I’m in good health—everything will be fine. No need to overthink.”

“But I’m still worried,” Lin Jianxue mumbled, snuggling against Shen Wu’s shoulder. “They say childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell.”

“Pah, pah, pah!”

Lin Qiufeng, who had been quiet until now, suddenly raised his hand and gently knocked her on the head, pretending to be angry.

“You little rascal! Don’t jinx it with that kind of talk. ‘Gates of hell’? That’s bad luck!”

Lin Jianxue looked up at her father, Lin Qiufeng.

For the first time in years, she saw the concern etched across his usually stern face. He was staring at Shen Wu, his eyes filled with barely hidden unease.

In truth, the one most opposed to Shen Wu keeping this baby had been Lin Qiufeng.

He and Shen Wu were childhood sweethearts who had grown up together.

Lin Qiufeng was now the director of Hongxing Steelworks, and Shen Wu was a dean at a top high school.

They were well matched in every way and admired as the perfect couple.

When Shen Wu unexpectedly got pregnant, Lin Qiufeng blamed himself deeply, believing he had failed to take proper precautions and was now forcing her to take on a risky pregnancy at her age.

He had pleaded with her several times to terminate it, but Shen Wu was determined to keep the child.

Eventually, Lin Qiufeng relented, but his heart never settled.

At that moment, Jiang Yubai chimed in helpfully:
“Mom, my mother made some chicken soup for you.”

He eagerly walked to the bedside and placed the thermos on the table.
“Here, give it a try. She’s a good cook. The doctor said your due date is tonight—this soup should help you stay strong.”

“How thoughtful of your mother,” Shen Wu said, smiling at him.

Jiang Yubai, feeling awkward under her gaze, gave a polite smile and carefully opened the thermos.

As the lid came off, a rich, savory aroma filled the entire room.

Standing to the side, Lin Jianxue inhaled the familiar scent—and coldly sneered in her heart.

She knew it.

There was no way Tong Caihe had only made a bland brown sugar and egg soup for Jiang Yuning.

The one meant for her was clearly chicken soup too.

And if her memory served her correctly—it was poisoned.