The Uninvited Guest

Her mind kept churning, and Jiang Ru's afternoon nap was not peaceful. She woke up after two o'clock, rummaged through the wardrobe in the room, finding it empty. She only had three or four sets of autumn and winter clothes. Li Xiao had even fewer, just a faded black polo shirt, a pair of camouflage work pants, and a padded jacket.

Conversely, under the cabinet, there were a few old clothes, but it was unclear how long they had been there; as soon as she took them out, a musty smell wafted up.

Moreover, these clothes seemed to belong to Li Xiao's deceased grandfather and father. Even using them as diapers, she felt it wasn't right.

Jiang Ru felt a pang of sadness. She thought of the best things her nephew had received when he was born, then looked down at the child in her belly.

Even as a half-hearted mother, she didn't want her child to suffer.

Li Xiao couldn't become a good father overnight, and Jiang Ru couldn't place all her hopes on him alone.

Furthermore, even if that man became a good father later, he might not necessarily be a good husband.

Jiang Ru couldn't abandon her husband and child after three years like the "original self" in her previous life, but she also didn't want to live her entire life with Li Xiao. Life was long; whether she could return or not was a temporary concern, but she had to plan for herself first.

Thinking this, Jiang Ru took out money and went out again. That morning at the market, she had seen a fabric store nearby.

Her mother-in-law had given her thirty yuan yesterday, and she had spent ten yuan that morning. Although Jiang Ru was reluctant to spend money, she still went to the fabric store and spent eight yuan, buying a lot of fine cotton fabric, and some cotton batting. This store also offered custom tailoring, but Jiang Ru didn't need it, as she would have to pay extra for labor.

Seeing her buy so much, the shop owner even gave her a bag of needles and thread.

Jiang Ru put her purchases in her basket and returned home, recalling the style of her nephew's baby clothes as she walked; it didn't seem too difficult to sew.

But this baby would be born when it was cold, so she also needed to prepare thick clothes and blankets to get through the winter.

That's right, she would have to observe confinement then, and eat and rest well.

It would be best to buy some nutritious items like formula milk.

The more she thought, the more she felt lacking in every aspect, and Jiang Ru's mood instantly sank.

So, when she got home, she was still in a bad mood. Feeling stifled, she simply took out all the meat she bought today and stir-fried it: pork stir-fried with green chilies, sweet and sour shredded potatoes, and tomato egg soup.

Jiang Ru had just put the rice in the pot when she suddenly heard a "bang bang bang" knocking sound from outside the door.

Listening carefully, she confirmed she hadn't misheard, immediately frowned, covered the pot, and went outside. Reaching the courtyard, she didn't open the door immediately but asked first, "Who is it?"

A hoarse, cracking teenage voice echoed from outside, "Third Sister, it's me, open the door!"

Then he knocked harder.

As soon as Jiang Ru heard this, her steps immediately halted. She had originally thought Li Xiao had returned, and though a little startled, she was prepared to open the door.

Now, hearing "Third Sister," she immediately knew who it was: the original owner's mischievous younger brother, who came asking for money every month.

Actually, the money Li Xiao gave was enough for the original owner's expenses. But because since childhood, she and her two older sisters had been taught to wholeheartedly help their younger brother, she always gave him money whenever he came. Last month's money had already been given, but this month, Li Xiao was detained at the police station and hadn't returned, so there wasn't a penny left in the house.

The person outside was still yelling, "Third Sister, I'm hungry. What are you cooking that smells so good? I want some too."

Jiang Ru didn't want to get entangled with this devilish younger brother. Without thinking, she disguised her voice and replied, "Your sister has moved away, I'm not your sister."

The knocking outside immediately stopped, but very quickly, it became even louder. "You're lying to me, your voice wasn't like that just now."

After saying that, as if angry, he kicked the door hard. "Jiang Ru, you bitch, open the door for me!"