The ancient Qilin King failed his tribulation and reincarnated as Jiang Wan, the wicked stepmother who abused her stepson in a period novel.
In the original story, she abused her five-year-old stepson until he became a cannon-fodder character, then the male lead kicked her to death.
When Jiang Wan opened her eyes, she saw the little boy staring up at her through teary eyes. "Stepmother, I won't eat meat. Please don't hit me."
Her heart softened. "Eat. Eat as much as you want."
As it turned out, the little boy was her lost Qilin cub!
Overjoyed to recognize her, he transformed back into his original form and nearly gave himself away.
Jiang Wan slapped him back into human form. "Keep it together!"
From then on, rumors swept through the military district: Jiang Wan had changed completely, spoiling her stepson rotten while starving herself until she was gaunt and pale.
Her husband, Shen Mohan, returned from the front and was stunned. "You're so good to him?"
Jiang Wan: "He's my son."
Shen Mohan: "???"
The cub went into protective mode. Anyone who dared say anything bad about his mother would find him digging holes in their courtyard in the middle of the night.
Jiang Wan's prescription saved the brigade commander. Her cooking drew senior officials over just to mooch a meal. Even the commander-in-chief came to her door in person. "Comrade Jiang, the organization needs you."
Shen Mohan stepped in front of him. "She's my wife."
The cub put his hands on his hips. "She's my mother!"
The two stared each other down. Jiang Wan rubbed her forehead. "Both of you, settle down."
