Transmigrated Into an Ancient Filial Piety Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (GL) - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Early the next morning, before dawn, Jiang Yubai opened her eyes. She had long been used to waking early. After the Yin hour, she naturally woke and began a full day of labor with hardly any rest. Jiang Yubai had grown accustomed to such days. The only difference this time was that she felt warmth around her body, as if someone held her in their arms.

She struggled slightly, and Ji Huan’s hands, wrapped around her waist and back, tightened. The room was too cold, and rural homes in this era lacked charcoal fires. During the night, Ji Huan had instinctively pulled the warm Jiang Yubai into her arms.

Ji Huan, still half-asleep, felt the person in her arms pushing her. She then remembered she had transmigrated into this book, and the person she held was likely Jiang Yubai.

Although this world allowed women to marry each other, Ji Huan couldn’t help but think like a modern person. In her previous life, she had lived to 24 as a single woman. Hugging another woman probably wasn’t a big deal.

Still, Ji Huan felt embarrassed. She had never liked close physical contact with others, yet now she held Jiang Yubai in her arms.

Ji Huan quickly let go and explained to Jiang Yubai, “Sorry, it was probably too cold last night, and I instinctively hugged you.”

The arms around her waist and back withdrew swiftly, and the warmth on Jiang Yubai’s body faded. Of course—Ji Huan must have only hugged her while asleep. With her unlucky reputation, no one wanted to get close to her.

Jiang Yubai’s grip on the quilt tightened. It was past the Yin hour, the time she usually got up to feed the pigs in the backyard and prepare breakfast for the family.

Jiang Yubai slightly lifted the quilt to get out of bed. In the dark, someone grasped her wrist.

“Why are you getting up so early?” Ji Huan asked instinctively.

“It’s not early. I need to feed the pigs, or Mother will be upset.” Jiang Yubai said, starting to get up.

Ji Huan didn’t let go of her wrist. “The house isn’t just us two who can work. Big Brother’s family, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother aren’t helpless. Lie back down and sleep with me a bit more. If Mother asks, I’ll handle it.”

The room was dimly lit, and Jiang Yubai couldn’t see Ji Huan’s expression. But the warm touch on her wrist was real. Would Ji Huan really protect her?

Jiang Yubai didn’t truly believe Ji Huan would defy her mother, but the touch on her wrist was undeniable. No one had cared for her or touched her in so long. Unable to resist this fleeting warmth, Jiang Yubai lay back down beside Ji Huan.

No one had cared for her in ages. Even if Ji Huan was just talking, even if she’d face Mother’s scolding later, Jiang Yubai still craved this brief warmth.

Ji Huan didn’t know what Jiang Yubai was thinking. Seeing her lie back down obediently, Ji Huan got up to adjust Jiang Yubai’s quilt before lying down herself.

To be honest, sleeping apart wasn’t as warm as hugging. But Ji Huan didn’t dare act rashly—suddenly holding someone wasn’t exactly proper.

In her drowsy state, Ji Huan fell back asleep. She woke again to the shrill, grating voice of a woman cursing outside.

“You cursed jinx, what time is it, and you’re still sleeping? The whole family’s starving! If my precious grandson goes hungry, you’ll pay for it…” The piercing curses rang out, followed by heavy pounding on the door.

Jiang Yubai’s face paled, as if she knew what would happen next. She silently prepared to get up and open the door.

Ji Huan grabbed Jiang Yubai’s wrist and said softly, “No rush. It’s too cold outside. Put on your clothes first. I’ll open the door. Don’t be afraid.”

Ji Huan released Jiang Yubai’s wrist, quickly put on her dress, and got out of bed while Jiang Yubai was still dazed.

Jiang Yubai followed, hurriedly dressing, but her gaze toward Ji Huan was full of confusion.

In the past, she had faced Liu Fengmei’s insults alone. Ji Huan never stood by her side. Would Ji Huan help her this time?

Countless times, Jiang Yubai had hoped someone would help her, even just speak a fair word. But after her mother’s death, no one did. Hope after hope led to disappointment after disappointment. Eventually, she grew numb. If she expected nothing from anyone, she wouldn’t be disappointed again.

Jiang Yubai calmed her inner turmoil, gave a bitter smile, and her eyes lost their spark. Last night, Ji Huan probably just pitied her.

Jiang Yubai didn’t believe Ji Huan would speak up for her. Given Ji Huan’s devotion, she always followed her parents’ words.

Ji Huan was now fully awake from the cold. In the winter morning, the room had no warmth—a harsh change for someone used to modern heating. But thankfully, her body felt fine now.

Ji Huan’s brow furrowed slightly. She opened the door, and the biting cold wind rushed in, making her pull her clothes tighter.

“What’s the matter so early, Mother?” Ji Huan’s tone wasn’t friendly. On a freezing day, someone yelling outside at dawn would annoy anyone, especially since this woman wasn’t even her real mother.

Liu Fengmei’s half-spoken curse caught in her throat. She clearly hadn’t expected Ji Huan to open the door. Ji Huan had always been obedient and never defied her.

Liu Fengmei took a moment to recover, noticed Ji Huan seemed better, and said, “Are you feeling better?”

Ji Huan saw the calculating glint in Liu Fengmei’s eyes and quickly coughed, holding the wall with one hand. “I still have a headache and no strength.”

Liu Fengmei had planned to say the water tank was empty and wanted Ji Huan to fetch water. The words were on her lips but were blocked by Ji Huan’s response. Since Liu Fengmei still wanted Ji Huan to work willingly, she couldn’t push too hard. She said, “Then rest another day. But where’s Jiang Yubai? The whole family’s waiting for her to make breakfast. She hasn’t fed the pigs or cooked. What’s she doing?”

Liu Fengmei spoke while peering into the room. Ji Huan blocked her probing gaze, coughed weakly, and looked at Liu Fengmei with a frail voice. “Mother, I had a fever all night. She took care of me and hasn’t slept. Let her rest, or if Yubai gets sick, you’ll have to care for me.”

Liu Fengmei’s eyes widened. She bit back her insults. Her second daughter was capable, always obedient, and stronger than the other Qianyuan in the family. She was the household’s main laborer. Liu Fengmei didn’t want to upset Ji Huan needlessly.

It was just letting that jinx Jiang Yubai rest for a day. Ji Huan was right—if Jiang Yubai got sick, who would do the chores?

With that thought, Liu Fengmei forced a smile and softened her voice. “You’re right. Let her stay and care for you today. I’ll have your Fourth Brother and the others handle the cooking.”

“Good. Thank you, Mother. Cough, cough, cough…” Ji Huan said, coughing again.

Liu Fengmei watched with a pang, worried the family’s main laborer might become sickly.

“Get back inside and rest. Where’s Jiang Yubai? Can’t she see you’re coughing like this? Take good care of her, or I’ll skin you alive.” Liu Fengmei glared at Jiang Yubai and said viciously.

“Yes, Mother.” Jiang Yubai glanced at Ji Huan, puzzled. Was Ji Huan pretending to be sick to help her?

“Good. I’ll have them bring food to you later.” Liu Fengmei glared at Jiang Yubai again and left.

Ji Huan closed the door quickly, as the room’s warmth had completely escaped.

She straightened up, turned to look at Jiang Yubai, and saw her staring blankly.

Ji Huan smiled at Jiang Yubai and said, “With so many people in this house, they won’t starve if we don’t work. Ignore them. Slack off when you can.”

Jiang Yubai couldn’t believe these words came from Ji Huan’s mouth. Her usually calm eyes widened.

Ji Huan couldn’t explain she had transmigrated. Ancient people revered supernatural things, and saying it might scare Jiang Yubai. She brushed it off casually. “Falling into the water cleared my head. I don’t know how I lived like that before. It won’t happen anymore. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from now on.”

Jiang Yubai’s eyes fixed on Ji Huan. She still couldn’t believe Ji Huan’s words. After so many disappointments, she dared not hope. But Ji Huan speaking up for her today already made her grateful.

“Thank you for today.” Jiang Yubai said faintly. She instinctively started toward the straw pile but was stopped by Ji Huan grabbing her wrist.

Jiang Yubai looked at Ji Huan in confusion. Ji Huan smiled and said, “Sleep on the bed from now on. Later, we’ll clear out that straw pile. If Mother asks, I’ll handle it.”

Ji Huan winked playfully at Jiang Yubai, a gesture the old, timid Ji Huan would never have made. Jiang Yubai’s doubts deepened. Was this really the same blindly obedient Ji Huan?

Ji Huan’s previous job kept her busy with ceramics, leaving her with few friends. Now, alone with Jiang Yubai in the room, she felt the atmosphere grow awkward.

She quickly found something to say. “If you’re still sleepy, lie back down. Don’t worry, I’ve got everything covered. Mother and the others won’t dare touch you.”

“Mm.” Jiang Yubai responded faintly, her gaze toward Ji Huan carrying a hint of scrutiny.