Chapter One: Returning to the Time Before Our Child Was Born, I Serve My Wife Chicken Soup
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[Alternate title: "Starting with a Paternity Test, My Wife's Family Went Crazy"]
Zhao Qiang opened his eyes and found himself standing in a corridor. He distinctly remembered dying—so where was this place?
Nurses, doctors, and patients in hospital gowns passed before him. The air was thick with the sharp scent of medicine, assaulting his senses.
He realized he was in a hospital, confirmed by the sign overhead as he turned his head.
Obstetrics and Gynecology—this was where women gave birth. The delivery room was just ahead. Why was he here?
“Brother-in-law, how’s my sister?”
A voice reached his ears, and before him appeared a rakish young man, Liu Tianming—his idle, unmotivated brother-in-law.
Behind him, several familiar figures arrived one after another.
His own parents, as well as Liu Ruyan’s mother, Li Fengying, and father, Liu Hongliang.
At the sight of this family, Zhao Qiang’s expression darkened.
He suddenly realized he had been reborn—returned to the day Liu Ruyan gave birth.
Liu Ruyan, that treacherous woman, had ruined him.
She had betrayed him for ten years, until he caught her in a hotel, shameless and unashamed, entangled with another man.
Liu Ruyan didn’t even attempt to explain; she brazenly admitted it, mocking him for his incompetence, sneering that he didn’t even know with whom his wife slept.
He never learned the man’s name, but Zhao Qiang would never forget that face.
After he discovered their affair, the man, fearing exposure, had him silenced.
Just before dying, the man revealed that the twins at home weren’t his children. He even thanked Zhao Qiang for raising them, offering a heavy blow to his head as a token of gratitude.
In his final moments, Zhao Qiang watched Liu Ruyan and the man laughing together.
Now, reborn, he would never raise another man’s children again.
Whoever fathered those brats could raise them themselves; he wouldn’t be their fool.
He had to find the man who had been secretly meeting Liu Ruyan.
All the humiliation he suffered, he would reclaim every bit.
“What are you staring at, you worthless fool? Didn’t you hear me?”
“How long has Ruyan been inside? Why aren’t you worried at all?”
Li Fengying, right in front of Zhao Qiang’s parents, berated him without a hint of guilt.
She ate his food, spent his money, and insulted him as useless.
“Brother-in-law, you’re really something. With sister’s belly so big, why haven’t you booked a VIP labor suite for her in advance?”
Liu Tianming chimed in.
To him, Zhao Qiang was a total failure as a brother-in-law.
Zhao Qiang smiled coldly—this family truly was shameless.
A VIP suite cost tens of thousands a month; they were asking for the sky.
They spoke as if his money grew on trees.
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They despised him for being useless, yet took his money without hesitation.
“Mother-in-law, look at Zhao Qiang—does he really love our Ruyan?”
Li Fengying’s contempt for Zhao Qiang was absolute: useless, weak, and worst of all, incapable of earning money.
He couldn’t even cover the daily expenses of five people; she deeply regretted marrying her daughter to such a failure.
“In-law, I think Qiang is just overwhelmed—he’s probably thinking about names for the new baby.”
He Fen, Zhao Qiang’s mother, tried to explain, unsure why her son was acting so agitated.
He was about to be a father, yet was still so restless.
“Mother-in-law, I was just distracted.”
“I was thinking about what the child should be named; I’ll leave everything up to you.”
Zhao Qiang didn’t get angry; he already knew what would happen next.
Since Liu Ruyan liked having other people’s children, let her have them.
After giving birth, there was no way he would be saddled with them—did they take him for a fool?
Let whoever fathered the child take them away; he certainly wouldn’t keep them.
“I don’t care. As agreed, if it’s a boy, he’ll take the Liu family name.”
“You’re still young; you’ll have more chances to have children. Then you can use the Zhao family name.”
“Zhao Qiang, did you hear me?”
Li Fengying folded her arms, her tone domineering and leaving no room for discussion.
Naming the child was something she had decided long ago.
No matter his opinion, the boy must bear the Liu surname, never that of this useless man.
If they ever wanted to change the name, the Zhao family would have to agree; she’d rather strike first.
Most importantly, she already knew the gender of Liu Ruyan’s baby, having arranged for someone to check.
“I hear you, mother-in-law.”
“I’ll do as you say.”
Zhao Qiang nodded, sneering inwardly.
Since ancient times, children took the father’s surname, but the Liu family had turned everything upside down.
They ate his food, wore his clothes, and treated him as a son-in-law who married into their house.
Last life, Li Fengying bullied him, forcing him to sign a contract—if he didn’t comply, he’d have to pay the Liu family half a million.
Zhao Qiang shook his head, thinking how pathetic his previous life had been.
Let Liu Ruyan’s family be arrogant for now—once the children were born, they’d get what was coming.
He knew Liu Ruyan was giving birth to twin boys.
He’d raised the twins for ten years: one was Liu Jiahao, the other Liu Jiajie.
He’d showered them with love in his previous life—now he saw how blind he’d been.
He’d raised another man’s children; such foolishness he’d commit only once.
His parents were still oblivious to the Liu family’s true nature; he needed to help them see.
He already had a plan for Liu Ruyan, but first he needed to find the man behind it all.
“Waa, waa…”
With two cries, a nurse hurried out of the delivery room to announce the good news.
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“Who is Liu Ruyan’s family?”
“Nurse, we all are! How is she?”
Li Fengying grabbed the nurse’s hand, trembling with excitement.
“Congratulations, congratulations! Twin boys!”
“Twins, wonderful!”
“Sister is amazing!”
“Our daughter-in-law is so capable!”
Zhao Hai and He Fen praised Liu Ruyan, delighted that the Zhao family line would continue, crediting her with this achievement.
Zhao Qiang was unsurprised—just as in his previous life.
He watched the farce unfold, the corners of his mouth lifting.
A good show was about to begin, and he couldn’t wait.
The family entered the delivery room. Li Fengying and Liu Hongliang rushed ahead, scooping up the two infants.
“Daughter, you’re incredible.”
“Two at once, remarkable!”
“Yes, sis, look how cute these babies are! You truly are our family’s lucky star.”
The Liu family was joyful, completely excluding Zhao Qiang’s parents as if they were unrelated.
Li Fengying and Liu Hongliang held the babies tightly, refusing to let the Zhao family even touch them.
Zhao Hai and He Fen withdrew their hands awkwardly.
Zhao Qiang looked at Liu Ruyan lying on the bed. Even after childbirth, she was stunningly beautiful.
No wonder he had been so devoted, so willing in his past life.
Liu Ruyan truly had the qualifications—her figure and looks were flawless.
A dazzling campus beauty from Imperial Capital University, descending into the mundane, had made Zhao Qiang feel unreal in his previous life.
He never understood why Liu Ruyan chose him; now it was all clear.
He was merely a stand-in, raising another man’s children.
“Zhao Qiang, you fool, what are you standing there for?”
“Ruyan just gave birth; she’s weak. Hurry up and feed her some chicken soup.”
“Mother-in-law, where’s the chicken soup you made today?”
Li Fengying had He Fen prepare chicken soup daily; today was no exception.
“It’s right here.”
He Fen hurried forward, dutifully serving at Li Fengying’s command, happy to do it for the sake of her daughter-in-law’s child, no matter how exhausting.
Zhao Qiang knew his mother bought a chicken every day, rain or shine, for the soup.
But did Liu Ruyan deserve it?
“Mom, let me feed Ruyan.”
Zhao Qiang took the chicken soup and sat before Liu Ruyan.
“Wife, you’ve worked hard. Giving birth must have been tough, hasn’t it?”