Which Poor Bastard Had Eight Lifetimes of Bad Luck to Marry Such an Idiot
Autumn had settled in, the chill in the air growing sharper. When Su Jingyang headed out that morning, Ling Li specifically reminded him to add another layer. Before autumn arrived, Su Jingyang had already had new clothes made at Liang Lu’s tailoring shop for Ling Li, Ah Xuan, and himself. Liang Lu had found it odd at the time and asked why he was making clothes for a child as well. Su Jingyang had casually brushed it off with an excuse. By now, Liang Lu had more or less figured out his temperament and didn’t press further.
At the shop, Su Jingyang squeezed in with the others to eat, then went back to curling up behind the counter to read.
It was mealtime, so there were very few customers buying or reading books. Su Jingyang read intently without interruption.
The shop had dedicated staff to recommend books to customers. His job was simply to handle payments. Whenever things were slow, he spent most of his time reading.
What was he reading?
Romance storybooks.
Back when System #1 told him to help the protagonist achieve a perfect ending, Su Jingyang thought the chances were slim. Still, idle time was idle time. Doing nothing wasn’t an option, so he took advantage of the bookshop’s convenience and began painstakingly studying romance tropes, hoping to gather some inspiration. That way, if he ever ran into the protagonist, he wouldn’t be clueless.
Although this was an mpreg novel world and differed slightly from the romance stories he was reading, he believed novels were ultimately the same beneath the surface, just different packaging.
While he was reading intently, a shadow flickered at the counter. With a loud smack, someone raised their voice and said, “I want to return this book!”
Su Jingyang immediately looked up. In the bookshop, many people came to read or copy books, and plenty bought them as well. Those who spent money on books were usually book lovers. Returns were rare. Still, as long as there was no damage, returns were allowed within a certain period.
“Hurry up, hurry up. Give me a refund!”
Su Jingyang reached out and took the book that had been slammed onto the counter. He lifted his eyes and glanced at the young man rubbing his hands impatiently while waiting for the refund. His brows lifted slightly.
Well damn. It was someone he recognized.
The troublesome old woman’s precious grandson.
He lowered his gaze to the book again. Sure enough, it was the one the old woman had bought a few days ago. She had hovered around the shop for ages before finally steeling herself to buy this compilation of top-ranking imperial exam essays from past years. The book wasn’t cheap. Many scholars brought their own paper and ink to copy it instead. The old woman likely didn’t want her grandson to tire himself out and simply paid outright. She was generous in that sense.
Su Jingyang had spotted her from afar that day and felt his head start to ache. He had deliberately gotten up to avoid her and asked someone else to handle the payment. Only after she left with the book wrapped in cloth did he come back out.
Only a few days later, and the grandson was already returning it.
“Here’s your refund. Take it and count it carefully.” Su Jingyang checked the book and found it still brand new. It probably hadn’t even been opened. Shaking his head inwardly, he returned the money.
The young man snatched it up, counted it, and immediately broke into a grin. He even said to Su Jingyang, “Didn’t expect this book to be so expensive.”
With the money in hand, he turned to leave. Then he seemed to notice something, turned back, and stared at Su Jingyang. “I… haven’t I seen you before?”
When Su Jingyang had helped the old woman carry firewood, it was still summer. He had been wearing coarse cloth, and because he didn’t handle sun exposure well, his skin had darkened a bit. Now he was dressed in pale blue robes with a matching headscarf. Without the harsh sun, his skin had already returned to its usual fair tone. Sitting there holding a book, he looked like a calm, proper scholar, completely different from before.
The academically hopeless youth clearly lacked his grandmother’s sharp eyes. Failing to recognize him was only natural.
Su Jingyang gave a polite smile and said he must be mistaken.
The young man seemed to have asked casually and didn’t dwell on it. Scratching his head, he ran out, then proudly shook the money at a few thug-like companions waiting outside before slinging arms over shoulders and leaving together.
Su Jingyang suddenly laughed once. If this guy ever amounted to anything, he, Su Jingyang, would walk on his hands from now on!
A few days later, the old woman came again, muttering to the staff that her grandson had dropped the book into the latrine and ruined it beyond reading. Gritting her teeth, she bought another copy. Su Jingyang peeked out from the partition and saw her carefully counting out copper coins at the counter, boasting that her grandson studied so diligently he even read while squatting in the latrine. She insisted he would definitely become a high-ranking official one day.
Su Jingyang almost laughed. That weirdo was obviously taking advantage of her illiteracy and grabbing any random book to fool her. The corner of his mouth twitched, but the smile didn’t quite come.
He quietly pulled over a shop assistant and whispered a few words, sending him to talk to the old woman at the counter. She left satisfied, book in hand.
Sure enough, having tasted success once, the next day the youth came back again, beaming, asking for a refund.
Su Jingyang sneered inwardly. This bastard was really addicted to scamming.
Without changing expression, he took the book, flipped through it, then tossed it back. He said refunds were no longer possible.
The youth immediately kicked up a fuss, clearly unwilling to let it go. Su Jingyang reached out, flipped to the title page, and tapped the bottom-right corner. Written there in tiny characters was a name: Hao Jiasheng.
That had been Su Jingyang’s handiwork the day before. He told the old woman that such an expensive book should be marked. If it was lost again and someone picked it up, they would know where to return it. Having already paid twice, the old woman had been heartbroken and eagerly agreed, asking someone to write her precious grandson’s name inside.
“Sorry,” Su Jingyang said calmly. “Shop rules state that books which are damaged or soiled can’t be returned.”
Hao Jiasheng stared in disbelief. Anger followed quickly, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He shot Su Jingyang a vicious glare, yanked the book away, and stormed off.
Leaning back in his chair with arms crossed, Su Jingyang called cheerfully after his retreating figure, “Study hard and make progress every day!”
The grandmother and grandson didn’t show up again after that. Su Jingyang enjoyed the peace. He had no interest in acting out dramas with them.
He continued studying romance stories. Just as he finally figured out a few common patterns, rumors suddenly spread through the town. People said a particularly vile rapist had arrived. He didn’t target women or couples. Instead, he specifically preyed on tender young children, killing them outright after assaulting them. Utterly insane.
Panic swept the town. Su Jingyang clearly noticed far fewer children running around outside. Most had likely been locked indoors by their families.
Ling Li heard the news as well. He stayed home every day guarding Ah Xuan, refusing to go anywhere. Su Jingyang wanted to stay with him, but Ling Li wouldn’t allow it, worried about delaying his work.
Su Jingyang helped prepare some practical weapons for Ling Li, wooden sticks, iron rods, things like that. Every day after work, he rushed home as quickly as possible.
Another stretch of calm passed. Just as everyone started to believe the perverted rapist had left town, something happened to Ling Li and Ah Xuan…
That evening, as usual, Su Jingyang closed up shop and went to buy Ah Xuan some snacks before hurrying home. The moment he stepped inside, he saw Ling Li collapsed in the courtyard. Ah Xuan was nowhere to be seen.
Su Jingyang’s mind exploded.
He dropped everything and rushed over, lifting Ling Li. “Ah Li! Ah Li!! Are you alright?!”
Ling Li’s face was deathly pale. Half-conscious, he weakly pointed in a direction, his voice barely audible. “Ah Xuan… the child… the child…”
Su Jingyang knew instantly that something had happened to the child. Worry for Ling Li and terror for Ah Xuan tangled together, panic pouring off him in waves.
The weather had turned cold. He couldn’t leave Ling Li lying outside. He hurriedly carried him into the house, then grabbed an iron rod and sprinted in the direction Ling Li indicated.
Regret burned his eyes red. He should have taken a few days off and stayed home. None of this would have happened…
Wait.
Was that Ah Xuan?!
Gasping for breath, Su Jingyang saw a young man dressed in black emerge from an alley, holding an unconscious Ah Xuan with one arm. He glanced around and headed off quickly. Tall and long-legged, he moved fast. The child lay limp over his shoulder.
Rage exploded in Su Jingyang’s eyes.
You disgusting pervert! You sick bastard! Even a child?! Today, I’ll kill you!
To avoid alerting him, Su Jingyang steadied his chaotic breathing and closed in silently but swiftly.
Once he was close enough, he raised the iron rod and swung it down at the bastard’s head with full force!
The blow never landed.
The man in black turned sharply, eyes cold as blades. With a single motion, he blocked the rod effortlessly. A slight exertion sent a shock through Su Jingyang’s arms. Before he could react, he stumbled backward and slammed hard onto the ground. His ass nearly split in two.
The black-clad youth’s movements were fast and clean, his expression calm and unhurried. Su Jingyang, all brute strength with no martial arts, was crushed like a complete rookie.
Ignoring the pain, Su Jingyang scrambled up, gripping the rod and glaring viciously at the fair-skinned, strikingly handsome youth in black.
MD! Wasting such a good appearance! Not doing something proper, actually becoming a huge pervert!! Ptui! Revolting!
Pointing the rod at him, Su Jingyang shouted at full volume, “Put the child down! Now!”
A quick glance showed the area was secluded. It was dinnertime. No one was around. There was no one to call for help. This man clearly had martial arts. What could he do? What could he do…
Dog system! Why drop me into a world with martial arts?!
The system was summoned but stayed eerily silent.
The youth in black curled his lips in mockery. “An accomplice?”
His voice wasn’t loud. Those two words carried more pressure than all of Su Jingyang’s bluster.
Su Jingyang’s already large eyes went even wider. “Accomplice my ass! Put the child down or I’ll make sure you regret it!”
A cold glance swept over him. “You?” the youth said. “Know your limits.”
Then Su Jingyang got wrecked again.
Clutching his chest, coughing violently, his face flushed red with blood at the corner of his mouth, Su Jingyang still staggered after him and hugged his leg tightly. “You… put the child… put the child down…”
“You really don’t see the coffin until the lid’s nailed shut.”
Annoyed by the dirt smearing his clothes, the youth was about to strike again. Su Jingyang suddenly lunged upward, slamming his hardened skull straight into the man’s chin.
Even with high martial skill, the youth hadn’t expected that. He let out a muffled grunt, his grip loosening.
Su Jingyang seized the moment, snatched the child back, hugged him tightly, and retreated several steps.
The youth’s lip had split. Blood trickled down, the same vivid red as his lips. He closed his eyes briefly, long lashes trembling, wiped away the blood, and exhaled slowly, restraining something.
Su Jingyang spotted a patrol of officers approaching. Hope surged. He ran toward them, shouting, “The rapist is here! Hurry! Come catch the big rapist!”
The officers heard Su Jingyang’s shouting. They all looked toward this direction, then rushed over in succession.
The youth in black opened his eyes sharply, expression darkening. In a flash, he grabbed Su Jingyang and hauled him back to the alley entrance.
“So,” he said coolly, “you’re the child’s family?”
Su Jingyang backed away. “You’re asking the obvious!”
“Then why shout like a bandit? You couldn’t just say the child was yours?”
“Me???” Su Jingyang was nearly stumped by the question. He immediately said angrily, “Nonsense! Dealing with you, a rapist who snatched away a child!!! Do I need to explain like that to you??!!”
The youth gestured inside the alley. “The rapist’s in there, idiot.”
Su Jingyang glanced over and froze.
A grotesque-looking man was bound and gagged, clothes soaked with suspicious blood between his legs. He had clearly passed out from pain.
Everything clicked as he quickly realized he misunderstood something! This youth wasn’t the rapist. He had saved Ah Xuan!
Su Jingyang’s attitude flipped instantly. Hugging Ah Xuan, he rushed forward, eyes brimming. “Hero! Benefactor! Thank you so much! You’re beautiful and kind! You saved a child and an entire family! I was reckless and misunderstood you, please forgive me! I apologize!”
Moments ago, he looked like a ferocious wolf. Now he was dusty, wide-eyed, soft-spoken, like a foolish kitten.
The black-clothed youth curved his mouth corners, smiling scornfully. Spotting the red mole in Su Jingyang’s palm, he assumed the child was his and thought silently, which poor soul drew eight lifetimes of bad luck, marrying such a fool.
Su Jingyang continued earnestly, “Benefactor, my benefactor! We’ll pray for you at the temple, set up a longevity tablet! May I ask your name?”
The black-clothed youth seemed to squint his eyes with disdain, pushing away his approaching face with a palm, and said flatly, “You’re stupid. You’re not worthy of knowing my name.”
With a graceful turn, his robes fluttered. By the time the officers arrived, he was gone.
Su Jingyang: “……” The friendly smile gradually disappeared.
Su Jingyang: Today you ignore me! Tomorrow, I’ll make you unable to reach me! (艹皿艹)
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IsitRo: Aiyoooo, omggg I remember reading this and the comment section was like you will be that fool ML! 😹
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