Chapter 17

As Lu Zhanting was leaving, he pulled out an envelope. “This is the bonus I got from my latest mission. You and Xiaoqiang must eat well and live comfortably. Even if I get married in the future, I won’t let you two suffer.”

After Bai Aiyun accepted the money and watched him leave, she turned and walked back into the hospital. She passed through a long corridor until she reached an office at the end. She knocked gently and then pushed the door open.

The man standing by the window turned around and hurried over to her. “Oh no, how did our son get such a severe case of pneumonia? You and the child have really had a tough time this time.”

This man was none other than Li Qun, the hospital’s director—and Bai Zhiqiang’s biological father.

Her relationship with him dated back to when she was eighteen, newly employed at the hospital as a young nurse. At that time, she fell for Lu Zhanting, a wounded soldier being treated at the hospital. She had impersonated another nurse and became his supposed savior. When the hospital found out, in order to keep her job—and her place in Lu Zhanting’s heart—she was forced to submit herself to the older man in front of her, who was old enough to be her father.

Over time, their relationship turned into a long-term secret affair. Li Qun, drawn to her youth, kept her close. And Bai Aiyun, despite falling deeper into this hidden relationship, never demanded that he divorce his wife and marry her. They simply maintained their secret, mutually beneficial arrangement.

Li Qun handed her an envelope stuffed with cash. Bai Aiyun leaned into his embrace and said softly, “As long as you remember me and our child, everything I’ve endured has been worth it.”

Li Qun was especially fond of her gentleness and sensibility. He scooped her up and carried her into the room.

The next morning

Lin Qian woke up to the sound of her alarm. She stared up at the white ceiling, lying on a soft, comfortable bed. This almost felt like a dream.

Everything she was enjoying in this space was a gift from Huo Xiujin—the man who had given her a second chance at life. She wondered what he was doing now.

In her past life, although the two of them lived close by, their lives had hardly intersected.

After getting up and washing, Lin Qian exited the special space and returned to the hotel room she had rented. The room was filled with a mix of unpleasant odors. Clearly, this wasn’t a long-term solution. She didn’t want to go back to the Lin family’s house either. After work today, she needed to look for a place to rent.

She had a quick breakfast downstairs and then rode her bicycle to work.

As she reached the entrance of the textile factory, someone yanked her bicycle.

“Lin Qian, you unfilial girl!”

She turned and saw Ma Guixin’s furious face.

All the workers around the factory gate turned to look.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

At that moment, Lin Qian suddenly realized she couldn’t move out of the Lin household just yet—she had to stay and deal with these people properly.

“You didn’t come home last night—where were you?”

“The house is empty now. I stayed over at Hua Fang’s place.”

“So you do know the house has been emptied out? Do you know how heartbroken your father and I are? Your dad was so upset he couldn’t even get out of bed. He’s sick! Now give me money so your dad can get treatment!”

After making her purpose clear, Ma Guixin dramatically plopped down on the ground and started wailing, putting on a full show as if Lin Qian had done something terrible. A crowd quickly gathered around them.

Lin Qian replied calmly in front of everyone, “Mom, you’ve been collecting my salary every month. Ever since I started working, you’ve been the one picking up my wages. Now that all the money has been stolen, how could I still have any money on me?”

Ma Guixin hadn’t expected Lin Qian to talk back publicly. This was the first time Lin Qian had ever challenged her since moving into the Lin family, and it caught her completely off guard.

The factory’s accountant happened to be walking by and couldn’t help but step forward and speak up. “I can confirm that. Comrade Ma Guixin comes in every month to collect Lin Qian’s salary. She’s just a young girl—how could she have spare money if her wages are all taken?”

As a fellow parent, this was the first time the accountant had seen a mother act so much like a parasite. She couldn’t help but feel indignant for Lin Qian.

Lin Qian looked at her gratefully.

Ma Guixin didn’t expect people at the factory to side with Lin Qian instead of respecting her as the elder. She jumped to her feet, furious.

“Pah! I suggest you mind your own business! How I discipline my daughter is none of your concern!”

She turned to shout at Lin Qian, “Let me tell you, you were born and raised by us! You’re part of the Lin family in life and even after death! It’s only right for you to hand over your wages before marriage!”

Lin Qian stepped forward. “Mom, your mistake is taking all my wages and then, when it’s gone, coming to me asking for more money.”

Ma Guixin, her eyes full of calculation, said, “I don’t care. Your dad needs treatment. If you don’t have money, then sell your job and get the money!”

Lin Qian hadn’t expected her mother to start eyeing her job so soon. Clearly, Lin Yuanyuan was desperate for cash.

Fine—then she’d sell the job.

After all, the market was starting to open up to individual businesses and street vendors. The wave of factory layoffs was coming in just a few years anyway. In this new life, she didn’t plan to work for anyone else. She would start her own business and make big money.

“Alright,” Lin Qian said. “If that’s what you want, I’ll sell my job to pay for Dad’s treatment.”

Ma Guixin didn’t expect Lin Qian to agree so easily. Her face lit up. “Good, good, good! You’re still my good daughter!”

She turned and called out to the crowd, “Good morning, everyone! My daughter is a permanent worker at this textile factory. Who wants to buy her job? First come, first served!”

As everyone turned their attention toward her, Lin Qian quietly slipped away to grab a brick from the roadside, hiding it in her cloth bag—though in reality, she placed it into her personal space.

Very quickly, Ma Guixin managed to sell Lin Qian’s job for a high price of 800 yuan.

Happily pocketing the cash into the inner lining of her coat, she led the buyer over to Lin Qian.

“Qianqian, your job has been sold to this comrade. Now take them inside and help them get familiar with the place. We still need to provide some after-sales service.”

“Sure, Mom. Don’t worry.” Lin Qian said all the right things, but her eyes stayed fixed on where Ma Guixin had stashed the money.

Ma Guixin, thrilled and completely full of herself, handed the buyer over to Lin Qian, then turned and left cheerfully.