After the Salted Fish Transmigrated into a Book, He Discovered the Whole Family were Villains - Chapter 2

【He took the money to buy a token of love for his lover.】

Jian Chengxi’s jaw nearly dropped. He couldn’t believe it. “W-what? A lover!”

【The original husband had left to join the army three years ago, leaving behind a substantial amount of money. It was enough for the original body to live comfortably for decades. But he squandered it recklessly, and just yesterday, in order to elope with his lover, he spent the last of it on a jade pendant, ready to run away.】

Jian Chengxi cursed instinctively. “He’s inhuman! What about the child after he runs off?”

The system fell silent.

Jian Chengxi looked at the unconscious boy lying on the bed not far away. The boy’s tiny body was so frail it looked like it would fall apart with a gust of wind. Nearby, the little girl, who should have been cherished at home at her age, was instead covered in mud. The children were already in such a state, and yet the original body had been thinking about eloping with his lover!!

Jian Chengxi said to the system, “Do you know where he put the jade pendant?”

【Sorry, the system does not have permission to disclose that.】

Jian Chengxi choked again, a fire of anger burning in his chest. He wasn’t even sure if it was directed at the man or himself. He slammed the cabinet hard.

Clang—

A crisp sound rang out.

Jian Chengxi froze for a moment, then took a few small steps behind the cabinet. Sure enough, he found a jade pendant wrapped in cloth that had fallen behind it. Just like the saying: searching high and low, only to find it effortlessly!

A weak voice came from behind him. “Daddy?”

Jian Chengxi stood up abruptly and said, “Daddy found the money. Come on, we’re taking him to the hospital now!”

The little girl’s eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope. So Daddy really hadn’t lied to her.

Jian Chengxi walked over to the stone bed and carried the boy on his back. “Suisui, can you lead the way?”

The little girl nodded. “Mm!”

Only after stepping out the front door did Jian Chengxi get a clearer view of this world. They were actually living in a treehouse, and outside, all the buildings were small, low huts in vibrant colors, looking almost like mushrooms. Most of the trees lining the road glowed with a soft green light. It was beautiful during the day, but probably a bit creepy at night.

At last, after walking down a street, they stopped in front of a medical clinic.

The door was closed.

The small figure of Suisui rushed forward, crying out, “Doctor, doctor, please open the door!”

There was no response from inside.

Jian Chengxi spoke gently, “Suisui, step to the side.”

Li Suisui didn’t understand why, but since Daddy said so, she obediently moved aside.

Jian Chengxi took a deep breath and shouted loudly, “Doctor, are you there? It’s a matter of life and death—please open the door!!”

…

The room stayed quiet for a moment.

Finally, the door opened, and a woman in white stepped out, holding a stick in her hand. “Jian Chengxi, are you out of your mind? I told you, no credit here! You still dare show up?”

Jian Chengxi gave her no time to react. He squeezed through the door and said directly, “The child broke his leg. Please take a look at him, quickly.”

The doctor froze.

Did she really just see genuine concern for the child on Jian Chengxi’s face?

No way, was she dreaming?!

Jian Chengxi entered the clinic, gently laid the child on the bed, then walked over and handed the jade pendant to the doctor. “Is this enough to cover the medical fees?”

The doctor took the item, turned it under the sunlight to confirm it was authentic, then said, “It’s enough. But are you sure? Don’t come crying to get it back later!”

Jian Chengxi glanced at the little girl still standing at the door with teary eyes and a runny nose, then nodded. “I’m sure.”

The doctor immediately accepted the jade pendant. “Deal.”

With payment settled, things got easier. The doctor didn’t kick them out. After hanging a sign on the door that said “In Consultation,” she walked to the bedside and began examining the unconscious boy’s injuries. As she lifted the fabric of his pants, she drew in a sharp breath.

Jian Chengxi wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Is it bad?”

The doctor let out a helpless sigh. “Let me put it this way. If that wound had been left untreated for another two days, the leg would’ve been useless.”

Jian Chengxi looked at the child lying on the bed, his heart sinking. He quickly asked, “Then is it still treatable now?”

“I’ll do my best.” The doctor turned and swiftly began tending to the wound. Then she added, “That little girl of yours, she looks pretty banged up too. Take her to the back, I’ll have my assistant check her over.”

Jian Chengxi immediately took Suisui’s hand. “Then… sorry to trouble you.”

The doctor looked like she had just seen a ghost.

Jian Chengxi turned to the little girl. “Suisui, go get your body checked, okay?”

The little girl’s eyes were swollen from crying, her tattered clothes covered in mud. She clutched Jian Chengxi’s hand with her small, grubby fingers and said in a soft voice, “I don’t want to go.”

Jian Chengxi froze. “Why not?”

Was this what they called a child’s rebellion or stubbornness?!

He had zero experience raising kids and was wondering if he should start coaxing her gently.

Li Suisui’s voice trembled with tears. “I’m scared that if I go out, I won’t see Daddy again.”

Jian Chengxi’s heart ached. He quickly patted her back to comfort her. “Of course not, how could that happen? Daddy would never do something like that.”

The doctor sneered from behind.

Jian Chengxi turned around, puzzled.

“Last time, you took these two kids out to buy groceries. Turns out you didn’t have enough money. You said you would go figure something out, but then you disappeared the whole afternoon,” the doctor said slowly while treating the wound with a knife in hand. “The whole town knows about it.”

“……”

Original host, are you even human?

Jian Chengxi pressed his lips together and silently accepted the blame with tears in his eyes. He gently comforted the little girl. “Daddy promises you, I’ll wait for you right here. If you don’t believe me, you can call me anytime.”

Only then did Li Suisui stop crying. In a small voice, she asked, “Really?”

Seeing the trust in the little girl’s eyes, Jian Chengxi smiled with a tenderness even he didn’t notice. “Mm.”

Only then did the assistant take the child inside for the check-up.

Watching the small figure walk away, Jian Chengxi finally felt a bit more at ease and let out a sigh of relief.

Behind him, the doctor muttered under her breath, “If you’re planning to run now, I won’t help you fool the kid.”

Jian Chengxi turned around, looking a bit surprised, then gave a small laugh. “Who said I was running? I have no plans to leave.”

The doctor glanced sideways at him. The man standing in the middle of the room was a far cry from the Jian Chengxi they usually saw. He always dressed meticulously, looking polished and handsome. Even if his own children wore rough cloth, he insisted on being well-groomed, as if desperate to flaunt his looks. But today, maybe because he had rushed over carrying the child, he actually looked a bit disheveled for once.

With his husband away and his children neglected, the neighbors had long looked down on him behind his back.

Yet this rare bit of dishevelment seemed to strip away the superficial gloss, somehow making him more likable.

The doctor said, “There’s water over there. Help yourself.”

Only then did Jian Chengxi realize he really was a bit thirsty, but he still stepped over to check on the child first. “How’s his leg? Can it be saved?”

The doctor stood at the sterile station, a glowing shield covering both her and the patient’s bed. Once she finished cleaning the wound, she placed her hand on the boy’s leg, and a warm, holy light began to glow from her palm. It was the sacred light of healing. Jian Chengxi stared, stunned.

This world was far more complicated than he had imagined.

It had completely broken away from anything resembling Earth.

A thin layer of sweat formed on the doctor’s forehead. “Do you want an honest answer?”

Jian Chengxi nodded. “Go ahead.”

“The wound itself isn’t that bad. But he’s too young. At this age, kids are still growing, and overusing their legs can cause lasting harm. He’s only three, and he’s always out picking trash or gathering fruit, carrying heavy things—those already put pressure on his legs. Now that he has a broken one, I can’t promise there won’t be lasting effects. He might end up with a disability. You’d better be prepared for that.”

Jian Chengxi’s heart sank.

The doctor gave him a sidelong glance and said, “I know raising two kids on your own isn’t easy, but since you brought them into this world, as a parent, no matter what, you should take responsibility and have a conscience. Otherwise, even if the law lets you off, the gods won’t.”

Jian Chengxi thought to himself, Isn’t that the truth?

The original host had lost all sense of decency and got what he deserved. Otherwise, why would he be here?

Looking at the young boy lying on the hospital bed, Jian Chengxi said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility.”

The doctor glanced at him in surprise. She couldn’t tell if he had taken the wrong medicine today or if he was scheming something new. Still, seeing him show even a little care for the kids was a good thing.

Jian Chengxi took the initiative to ask, “Is there anything I can help with?”

The doctor didn’t take this good-for-nothing seriously and waved him off. “What help could you possibly be? Just go sit down and rest.”

Jian Chengxi had once been a doctor himself. Though he had changed careers later due to certain circumstances, the instinct to help was still there. But since the doctor said so, he had no choice but to step aside and wait quietly.

A soft, uncertain little girl’s voice came from the other room. “Daddy?”

Jian Chengxi immediately answered, “I’m here.”

Only then did the little girl seem to relax, reassured she hadn’t been abandoned, and continued with the check-up.

Jian Chengxi looked at the two pitiful children and sighed quietly to himself.

【Host, you seem to be adapting to your role quite quickly.】

The system, silent for so long, suddenly popped up with this line. Jian Chengxi replied helplessly, “There’s really nothing worth celebrating about suddenly becoming a dad, you know?”

【Who’s to say it’s not a blessing in disguise, Host?】

Jian Chengxi stayed laid-back as usual. “Surviving a car crash and getting a second chance at life is good enough for me. But things were too hectic just now, and I didn’t get a chance to ask, these two kids seem like they’ve always been raised by a single parent. What about their mom?”

Dead silence.

Jian Chengxi grew impatient. “Say something!”

【They don’t have a mother.】

Jian Chengxi frowned. “What are you talking about? Don’t tell me they popped out of a crack in a rock or something?”

The system went quiet for a moment.

Just as Jian Chengxi was still wondering if this world was really that fantastical and bizarre, he heard the system’s voice clearly in his mind, impossible to ignore:

【You carried them for ten months and gave birth to them yourself.】

“……”

Sitting in the chair, the cup in Jian Chengxi’s hand slipped and shattered with a sharp crack.