Jiang Zhen touched He Shuli’s corpse and saw some memories: “The memories I saw were He Shuli’s. Even if Du Qiuyi had done something, I couldn’t see it. But before the surgery, Du Qiuyi showed He Shuli great warmth and concern. He Shuli regarded Du Qiuyi as a kindred spirit and even confided in her that her younger sister wasn’t her biological sibling. She told Du Qiuyi that if she didn’t survive the surgery, she hoped Du Qiuyi could help find her sister’s birth family. In the memory, Du Qiuyi’s expression was strange, as if she already knew the truth about He Shuli’s sister’s origins.”  

Gu Liancheng suddenly had a thought: “Fancheng Hospital used to be a privately-run Baoji Hospital. Fourteen years ago, Du Qiuyi hadn’t gone abroad yet—she was interning at Fancheng Hospital. Could she have been the one who swapped the babies? But back then, Du Qiuyi was only a teenager. If she did it, what was her motive?”

A glint of inspiration flashed in Jiang Zhen’s eyes: “You find the evidence to sentence her to death, and I’ll touch the corpse to confirm the truth.”

Gu Liancheng: “…Let’s think this through carefully.”

…

Du Qiuyi was nervous. Originally, He Shuli didn’t necessarily have to die, but she had discovered that her sister wasn’t her biological sibling. If the search continued, given the Wan family’s influence, they would inevitably uncover traces of the baby swap. The consequences would be unthinkable.  

The baby-swapping business had been going on for decades—selecting wealthy families to switch their children, then demanding half of the inherited fortune as a “donation” once the child came into their wealth. Over a decade ago, her master had taken her in as an apprentice. To practice, she had swapped He Shuli’s sister with the hospital director’s wife’s daughter as a trial run. Later, her master was struck by a shell and met his retribution, and she went abroad, putting an end to the business.  

After returning to the country six months ago, she had planned to revive the operation. But plans change, and she decided to quit for good. As for those who had been swapped—let them remain mistaken.  

…

Gu Liancheng still had one day of marriage leave left. He said to Jiang Zhen, “Fancheng’s winters are harsh. Let’s go to the market tomorrow to stock up on supplies and buy everything we need.”  

Jiang Zhen had been wanting to buy some pots and bowls to store in her space, so she quickly agreed. The next day, with their four children in tow, Gu Liancheng drove over in a light truck and helped the kids into the back.  

Jiang Zhen was surprised: “Did you take this from the military? Is that allowed?”

Gu Liancheng chuckled and explained, “My grandfather owns a textile branch in Fancheng, managed by my uncle. This truck was imported from abroad a few years ago along with some machinery—there were two trucks. During the Liberation, we donated one to the transport team, and the factory kept the other.”

Though by 1953, private enterprises would be nationalized, until then, they could still use it for personal purposes.  

Jiang Zhen was slightly uneasy—Gu Liancheng’s maternal family was quite well-off. “You didn’t mention this before marriage.”

When they had first met, Gu Liancheng had just been reborn. His focus hadn’t been on material matters but on how to keep his family safe.  

He replied, “My uncle’s family is a mess. Before my mother passed, she told my siblings and me not to fight with our uncle over the textile factory.”

Jiang Zhen rubbed her hands together. She didn’t feel comfortable interfering in Gu Liancheng’s family affairs.  

Seeing her conflicted expression, Gu Liancheng asked, “Do you want a share?” 

Jiang Zhen: “A little. But given our relationship, I can’t exactly ask you to fight your own uncle for it.”  

Then she had a sudden thought: “What if baby-swapping is a business? Is your uncle really your uncle?”

Gu Liancheng: “…That’s too much of a coincidence. It can’t be.”

…

At the market, Jiang Zhen took advantage of moments when Gu Liancheng wasn’t looking to secretly stash pots, pans, and kitchenware into her space. As she shopped, she ran into Dr. Qi accompanying An Xiuqing to stock up on winter supplies.  

An Xiuqing greeted them warmly, “If I’d known you were coming, we could’ve arranged to come together. Dr. Qi arranged for an ox cart from a farmer—we could’ve given you a ride back.”

Gu Liancheng coldly refused, “No need. We have our own transportation.”

Seeing the truck parked nearby, An Xiuqing felt a pang of frustration. Gu Liancheng’s family was actually quite wealthy—his maternal relatives were major capitalists. She remembered that Gu Liancheng’s grandfather had founded a textile mill in 1915, later expanding to six branches nationwide. Though it had since shrunk to three, their textile business had once reached as far as Southeast Asia.  

A starved camel is still bigger than a horse. During the political movements later, tens of thousands of gold and silver ingots were confiscated from the vaults of Gu Liancheng’s grandfather’s estate. In the end, the entire family suffered—some were sent to labor camps, others fled abroad. In her past life, Gu Liancheng had died before seeing it, but now, even if he was reborn, what could he possibly do to resist the tide of history?  

An Xiuqing thought Gu Liancheng’s coldness meant he still cared about her. But it didn’t matter anymore—she wouldn’t lose her head over a little lingering affection.  

Now that the threat between her and Dr. Qi was gone, she no longer cared that, in her past life, Dr. Qi and He Shuli had once been in love.  

…

An Xiuqing mentally calculated the winter supplies she needed. She remembered that starting in 1953, grain, oil, and meat would be rationed, private vendors banned, and everything would require coupons.  

It’s better now—the market still allows free trade. I should buy as much as I can in these last two years.

She spotted a basket of high-quality charcoal—perfect for making a heated bucket to cozy up in during winter. Smiling, she turned to call Dr. Qi, only to see him approach a young girl. She overheard their conversation.  

“You’re He Shuli’s sister, aren’t you? She mentioned you often—you were her biggest worry. She said that after Liberation, even girls could go to school. She regretted missing her chance but wanted you to have yours. She planned to work hard and save money to send you to medical school so you could become a doctor.”

The girl’s eyes reddened. “Dr. Qi, you’re a good person. Thank you for helping my sister… and for not looking down on her.”

Qi Junhai’s throat tightened. Glancing at the charcoal in front of her, he said, “My household needs charcoal for winter. I’ll take both baskets.”

He Shulan bowed gratefully. “Thank you, Dr. Qi. Let me carry them for you.”

An Xiuqing, seeing that Dr. Qi had already decided, protested unhappily, “Dr. Qi, the quality of this charcoal isn’t good!”

Qi Junhai quickly hushed her. “Don’t say that—she’ll feel bad. It’ll work just fine.”

An Xiuqing bit her lip, watching as Dr. Qi and the petite He Shulan walked side by side, each carrying a basket of charcoal toward the ox cart. Resentment flared in her chest. First He Shuli, now He Shulan? Will there always be another woman in the way? 

…

Jiang Zhen nudged Gu Liancheng. “Look at An Xiuqing’s expression—it’s kind of terrifying.”

Gu Liancheng glanced over. An Xiuqing had changed. Ever since she treated her aunt like a wish-granting genie—and got everything she wanted—she had become a stranger.  

He looked away, unwilling to dwell on it. “He Shuli’s sister is still young. She’s not in immediate danger.”  

Jiang Zhen nodded. “True. The best solution is to eliminate the root cause—if Du Qiuyi dies sooner rather than later, that’s better than just being on guard.”

Gu Liancheng sighed. “You promised not to break the law.”

Jiang Zhen quickly reassured him. “I’m not stupid. Come on, let’s keep shopping.”