Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: Lin Ranran Indulges in Laziness and Sneaks Meat at Home

Xia Zhiyuan listened from the sidelines, secretly delighted. Everyone was speaking ill of Lin Ranran, so the Ji family would surely dislike her.

Ji’s mother had been chatting amiably with others, but upon hearing these words, her expression darkened and her tone grew colder: “My Ranran is not that kind of person. Don’t go spreading baseless rumors here—you’d better not ruin my daughter-in-law’s reputation.”

Ji Junyao, always straightforward and quick to speak, was now so angry her brows shot up. She retorted sharply, “You all are educated, yet you talk like this? My sister-in-law only skipped work because she wasn’t feeling well—not what you’re saying.”

Seeing the strong stance of Ji’s mother and daughter-in-law, the crowd realized that continuing the discussion would lead nowhere, so they fell silent. Yet behind their backs, whispers continued.

“This family is strange, almost as if the daughter-in-law has them wrapped around her finger.”

“That’s right. The new bride is already so pampered. Before long, she’ll turn the household upside down.”

“Exactly. She won’t do any chores, and the mother-in-law will end up serving her. Did they marry her to worship her like an ancestor?”

“Pregnancy isn’t such a big deal. Go look in the fields—every pregnant woman in the village still works, none of this fussiness.”

“Really, I don’t understand what the Ji family was thinking, bringing in such a bride.”

In just half a day, the whole village knew that the Ji family had married a new daughter-in-law rumored to be lazy and gluttonous, and many secretly mocked them. Still, the Ji family was from the big city, so people didn’t dare go too far—just occasional gossip behind their backs.

When the family left for work, Lin Ranran finally breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, she slipped into her space.

Upon entering, her eyes widened in delight. The fruits, vegetables, and rice she’d planted only days ago had all matured!

Bright red tomatoes hung thickly on their branches, plump and juicy; green cucumbers with blossoms and spines looked tender and crisp; golden rice stalks bent under their weight, emanating the scent of harvest.

The chicks and ducklings had grown up, their feathers now lush and full. Chickens pecked happily at bugs in the field, skillfully avoiding the vegetables, while ducks splashed playfully in the clear stream, occasionally diving under to send ripples dancing across the water.

Lin Ranran grabbed a bunch of amethyst-like grapes, popping one in her mouth. With a gentle bite, sweet juice burst forth, the rich flavor making her close her eyes in bliss. “Wow, so sweet!”

Unable to help herself, she ate one after another, juice running down her chin.

Once full, she felt warm all over and went to the stream for a bath. Afterward, she returned indoors.

Her previously purchased ingredients were neatly arranged, each as fresh as when she’d bought them. The meat, for example, was still bright and well-marbled, exactly as it had been from the market.

She marveled—this space was a natural refrigerator! With it, she’d never have to worry about food spoiling again.

Moreover, Lin Ranran sensed that as she continued planting and raising animals, the space seemed to be expanding. The change was subtle, but she could clearly feel its extension.

Excited, she walked around the space a few times, then took some vegetable and flower seeds from within and planted them around the courtyard.

Once the family received their allotted land, she would plant more fruits and vegetables. Otherwise, producing so much food out of nowhere would surely arouse suspicion.

She then fetched some space water to feed the chicks, ducklings, and the old hen in the yard.

Something miraculous happened—the chicks and ducklings visibly grew bigger. The old hen, even more astonishing, clucked a few times and laid ten eggs in a single breath.

Both surprised and delighted, Lin Ranran quickly stored the eggs in the space, not daring to feed any more water.

After this experiment, she confirmed that the rapid growth of plants and animals was due to the water.

She couldn’t help but wonder: was this the spiritual spring other transmigrators possessed?

The more she thought about it, the more excited she became, quickly drinking a few mouthfuls of spiritual spring water.

Instantly, a cool sensation swept through her body, banishing all fatigue and filling her with boundless vitality.

“This is amazing!” Lin Ranran was ecstatic. “I’ll use this stream water for cooking—my family will get healthier and healthier.”

With food in abundance, Lin Ranran decided to boldly cook meat to improve her family’s meals.

She selected a fine piece of pork belly from the space, paired it with fresh vegetables, and got busy in the kitchen.

Before long, the kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of meat.

Just as she finished cooking, Xia Zhiyuan returned.

She wasn’t scheduled to cook today, but had her own plans. Knowing the Ji family’s first day in the fields would leave them tired and hungry, she wanted to curry favor—especially with Ji Junxiao.

She’d managed to swap shifts with another educated youth after much coaxing.

Entering the courtyard, she caught a whiff of rich meat aroma, sniffed deeply, feeling a surge of jealousy.

Seeing Lin Ranran hadn’t even bothered to wash the pot, she felt smug: this lazy woman was sneaking meat while everyone else was working!

Perfect. When the Ji family returns, she’ll expose Lin Ranran and show them her true colors. Not working and stealing meat—how could she remain in the Ji family?

“Well, Lin, sneaking some meat?” Xia Zhiyuan’s voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Lin Ranran, busy serving rice, looked up and replied calmly with a smile, “Stealing your meat? Do you even have any?”

Xia Zhiyuan was momentarily speechless, her face flushed. She snapped angrily, “How shameless! Not working and sneaking meat—isn’t that lazy and greedy? Ji Junxiao was unlucky to marry you!”

Lin Ranran retorted, “Mind your own business! Our affairs don’t need your meddling. And you—always eyeing someone else’s husband. Being a homewrecker will bring retribution. Stop flirting with my husband, or I’ll let the whole village know your dirty little secret.”

“Lin Ranran!” Xia Zhiyuan trembled with rage, shocked by Lin Ranran’s bluntness. “Don’t talk nonsense! Ji Junxiao and I are completely innocent. You’re just paranoid.”

Lin Ranran sneered, “My husband wouldn’t spare you a glance. As for your intentions, you know them well. If you’re smart, keep your distance.”

“I won’t argue with you. Go wash the pot—after stealing food, you’re too lazy to clean up. Are you expecting your husband to do it for you?”

“I was going to wash it, but now that you mention it, I won’t. I’ll wait for my husband to help, and I’ll have him wash my underwear, too!” Lin Ranran said with deliberate provocation, looking smug.

“You’re truly shameless!” Xia Zhiyuan stamped her foot, never expecting Lin Ranran to be so brazen.

“Who’s shameless here? Always obsessed with our marriage—disgusting!” Lin Ranran shot back, unyielding.

“You!” Xia Zhiyuan was at a loss for words.

Lin Ranran picked up her basket, hummed a tune, and went off to deliver lunch.

Since Xia Zhiyuan still had to cook for the other educated youths, she could only grumble as she started washing the pot she so despised.

She cooked a big pot of rice, and when stir-frying vegetables, she hesitated but added extra oil—normally she’d never waste a drop. She also brought out her precious stash of cured meat, carefully slicing it to cook for Ji Junxiao.

She imagined that once Ji Junxiao tasted her cured meat, he’d be moved, perhaps even see her in a new light.

Walking along the path to the fields, Lin Ranran drew the attention of many villagers.

“Look, that’s the Ji family’s daughter-in-law.”

“She dresses so flamboyantly, hardly like someone here to work.”

“She’s delivering lunch? Just for show. She looks perfectly healthy—probably just lazy.”

“Lazy people are lazy. Delivering lunch is just an act, and I bet the food isn’t anything special.”

“Well, that’s luck. She married into the Ji family—we can’t envy her.”

“The whole Ji family is odd, marrying such a daughter-in-law. They’re in for it.”

All these comments reached Lin Ranran’s ears, but she paid them no mind, continuing on her way with a light step.

It was corn planting season, and the brigade had assigned various tasks—fertilizing earned the most work points, so everyone competed for it.

Ji Junxiao, young and strong, was quick to secure the task and was now sweating under the sun, spreading fertilizer.

Ji’s mother and Ji Junyao were sowing seeds—a lighter job, but standing under the sun for hours left them sore and exhausted. These tasks earned fewer work points, but they had no complaints; just arriving in the countryside, any work was welcome.

As lunchtime approached, Ji’s father looked at the sky and his weary wife and daughter, instructing them to head home and cook.

After all, preparing a meal for the whole family was no easy feat.

Ji’s mother and Ji Junyao had just reached the roadside when they saw Lin Ranran approaching with a large basket.

“Mom, little sister, I’ve brought you lunch! Must be starving—call everyone over to eat,” Lin Ranran called out, her voice bright and clear.

“Ranran,” Ji’s mother hurried over, taking the basket, her eyes full of concern. “The sun is so hot—why did you come to the fields? And you cooked as well. Are you exhausted?”

Lin Ranran smiled, “I’m fine. You’re the ones who’ve been in the sun all morning—must be exhausted. Mom, have some water first.” She quickly took out a thermos from the basket.

Ji’s mother drank several gulps, feeling her throat ease and her fatigue dissipate.

Ji Junyao ran back to the fields to call the family for lunch.

Soon, the Ji family gathered in a shady spot by the roadside.

Having had only porridge for breakfast and worked several hours of hard labor, they were ravenous.

“Thank you, big sister-in-law!”

“Big sister-in-law, you’ve worked so hard!” several of the younger Ji family members said.

Lin Ranran waved them off with a smile, “You’re the ones working hard. Cooking is nothing.”

Ji Junxiao looked at his wife, eyes full of tenderness. “Wife, we’ll arrange someone to cook in future, so you don’t have to work so hard. You’re pregnant—make sure to rest.”

She gently wiped the sweat from his brow. “Proper exercise helps the baby develop and makes childbirth easier. Don’t worry. Eat now, or the food will get cold.”

Lin Ranran handed out lunchboxes to the family, explaining that she’d already eaten.

As they opened their boxes, a rich aroma wafted out.

Inside was fragrant rice, topped with glossy green vegetables, and best of all, several pieces of bright-red, luscious braised pork belly!

The smell instantly whetted their appetites, and the Ji family’s mouths watered.

But, being in the countryside with scarce supplies, such feasting couldn’t last long. The meat was meant to nourish Lin Ranran.

“We bought several pounds of meat. The weather’s too hot—it’ll spoil if kept. Today’s your first day in the fields, you need nutrition,” Lin Ranran explained, seeing their hesitation.

Ji’s mother hesitated, “Ranran, let’s save some for cured meat—it’ll last longer.”

Lin Ranran replied patiently, “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ve already made cured meat. Besides, too much cured meat isn’t good for the baby. Eat up—you’ve all worked hard, you must eat your fill.”

“But—” Ji’s mother started to protest.

“If anyone leaves meat in their lunchbox, I’ll be upset!” Lin Ranran feigned annoyance.

The Ji family was deeply moved. She was forcing them to eat—the Lin Ranran before was nothing like this.

Their respect and affection for her grew.

Ji Junxiao looked at her lovingly. “Ranran, you worked so hard. Have a piece of meat for me.” He reached to put some in her box.

Lin Ranran quickly said, “I’ve already eaten several pieces. You did the heaviest work—eat more to recover.”

Knowing her temperament, Ji Junxiao didn’t insist.

Ji’s father spoke, “Since Ranran went to so much trouble, everyone eat up. Tomorrow, us men will go hunting—see if we can get wild chicken or cat to nourish Ranran. Even in the countryside, we’ll make sure the family has meat.”

“Agreed!” the men replied.

And so, everyone began to eat heartily.

Watching her family enjoy the meal, Lin Ranran felt happiness fill her heart.