Transmigrated as a vicious stepmother, I raised a child who became a heartthrob.

I had only just braced myself for a moment when I felt someone wrap their arms around my waist.

Immediately afterward, his body, which was already suspended in mid-air, was forcibly pulled back down.

Pei Hui's mind went blank for a moment, and his instinctive reaction was to reach out and slap the other person's hand, trying to break free.

"do not move."

A woman's voice came through, cold and seemingly devoid of emotion. She then reached out and pulled him directly into the car.

Pei Hui didn't struggle, since he was useless now anyway.

I was secretly surprised by the woman's immense strength.

The car has heating on, so the temperature is different from the outside.

Jiang Zhuhua sat in the driver's seat, still looking like he was smoking, but refrained from doing so because there was a patient next to him.

Both of them fell silent. Jiang Zhuhua knew very well that the other person was a time traveler. So, with just a few questions and the rumors circulating online recently, the other person would be able to confirm that they were different from the original owner of the body.

Perhaps that's why the other party chose to go to the police station instead of the Pei family's house.

He might have wanted to find someone to rely on, whoever it was. But when Jiang Zhuhua refused, he stood alone on the bridge again.

Jiang Zhuhua keenly realized that the other party regarded her as their only connection to the world.

Strangely, the two had never met before today.

I don't know where this strange feeling came from.

"Pei Hong only has one child, where did you come from?"

Jiang Zhuhua locked the car door, but decided to ask first.

She wanted to hear what the other person had to say: would they choose honesty or just give her a random excuse?

Or perhaps something else.

"You're not her either, are you?"

Pei Hong leaned back wearily in his seat, feeling his mind was not clear, he had a slight fever, and he was generally drowsy.

He still knows exactly what he's saying.

“Jiang Zhuhua won’t turn against the Jiang family so easily, nor will she choose to bring a child into the family. She won’t divorce Pei Hong; she’s sacrificed far too much for the marriage, and the sunk costs are too high. Besides, your personalities are very different. You only need to pay a little attention to discover the differences between you two.”

Pei Hui spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse, giving examples one by one.

Is this a sign that they're ready to speak openly?

"Let me rest at your place for a while. Just a little while."

Pei Hui looked exhausted, completely lacking the energy he had when he was about to jump. It was as if his spine had been removed.

Jiang Zhuhua wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he could almost sense the pleading in the other person's tone, even though their expression remained calm.

It was a kind of calm as if one's heart had turned to ashes.

Jiang Zhuhua had no doubt that if he opened the car door at this moment, Pei Hui would still choose to jump out, regardless of the cost.

However, for some reason, Pei Hui tied that thin thread back to himself.

Is it because of a longing for family affection?

Jiang Zhuhua guessed.

"I'll take you to the hotel."

There are children at home, so Jiang Zhuhua can't possibly take them back. Moreover, based on various paradoxes, if the two meet and one of them disappears, the situation will definitely be very awkward.

Jiang Zhuhua started the car, and it slowly moved forward, passing the bridge.

"Um. I don't have any money."

Pei Hui's head bobbed up and down, looking like he might fall over at any moment.

"It's okay, I have money."

Tonight, so many unexpected things happened, and Jiang Zhuhua just wanted to end it all as soon as possible.

"Are your injuries alright? Did the opera troupe prescribe any medicine for you?"

The other person's injuries were clearly very serious, but Jiang Zhuhua didn't know why they had been discharged from the hospital. He inquired politely.

"He won't die anytime soon."

Pei Hui's reply was really unpleasant to hear.

Jiang Zhuhua felt that it had been a long time since anyone had dared to speak to her like that. It made his hands itch to pat her.

"You've traveled through time?"

Jiang Zhuhua chatted with the other person casually, and finally just told them the truth without any beating around the bush.

After all, who would believe something like that if it were said out loud? It would just make people think you're crazy.

"Ah."

Pei Hui remained listless, and his tone was very soft.

Jiang Zhuhua sensed something was wrong with the other person and pulled the car over to the side of the road. He reached out and touched the other person's forehead; he had developed this skill from taking care of children for so long—using his hand to feel whether the temperature of the two people was the same.

This method allows for a quick assessment to determine whether the other person has a fever.

It was scalding hot to the touch and slightly damp. She clearly had a fever.

But the other person didn't seem to care much, and gently turned their head away.

Jiang Zhuhua parked his car in front of a 24-hour pharmacy, bought a thermometer, fever reducers, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The other person is currently undocumented. It's quite convenient to go to the hospital with the police, but it's very difficult when there are no police around.

He used his ID to book the room and brought the person inside. Pei Hui was probably delirious from the fever; he looked dazed and slow to react.

He'll take any medicine he's given, regardless of what it is. He'll drink any water he's given. He'll do whatever you say, but he's completely dazed and takes a long time to react when you say something to him.

"Go to sleep."

Jiang Zhuhua made him take the anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing medicine, rubbed his tired temples, moved a stool, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

I haven't had a good rest all day, and it's already past midnight.

Dawn will break soon.

Unable to send his child to school today, Jiang Zhuhua sat on a stool and sent a message to Assistant Wang.

She also reminded him that she had something to do and wouldn't be home in the morning, and asked him to come early.

Otherwise, Jiang Ji might feel scared if she's home alone.

Pei Hui appeared to be fast asleep, and Jiang Zhuhua sat by the bed, observing him.

Through this outward appearance, one can actually see Jiang Ji's shadow. After all, the two are the same person.

However, Pei Hui looked more mature and tired, and also had an indescribable aura about him.

Even the same person can look different over time.

Jiang Zhuhua felt a little annoyed by her previous impulsiveness, but she didn't regret it. Her mind was a bit confused, and to be honest, she wasn't sure how to deal with this person.

Should we hand the person back to the police? Or dump them on the side of the road and let them fend for themselves?

Or perhaps it was because of his own kindness?

Jiang Zhuhua didn't know. He was so tired all day, and even just thinking for a short while made him feel exhausted.

She drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

A few minutes later, the person on the bed slowly opened their eyes, looked around at their surroundings, and stared at Jiang Zhuhua for a long time.