Chapter 019

019  

Qingyin quickly reached her hand into the lion’s mouth to fish around. These spots had long been worn out by children playing, and the dark hollows hid who knew what. At first, she pulled out things like discarded notebooks and rotten vegetable leaves. But as she dug deeper, her fingertips suddenly brushed against something heavy, wrapped in oiled paper.  

Her eyes lit up, and she strained to pull it out.  

She reached in again—there was another one!  

Switching to the other lion, she managed to extract three more!  

The items were so heavy that they had been divided into five small bundles and stuffed into the mouths of the two stone lions.  

Five bundles—weighing over three pounds in total!  

Qingyin didn’t have time to examine them closely. She quickly tucked them into the inner pocket of her padded coat, slipped around to the back alley, and entered through the side gate.  

Once back in her room, her heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe. She listened carefully for a moment, confirming that Lin Suifen was sound asleep, before daring to turn on her flashlight and inspect her haul.  

Each oiled paper bundle was heavy in her hand. When she unwrapped them, a flash of gold gleamed back at her—  

Qingyin nearly forgot to breathe. Inside were five gleaming **gold bars**!  

**Gold bars**—the kind cast during the Republic of China era, each weighing over 310 grams!  

Using her hands, trained since childhood to measure medicine with precision down to the gram, she weighed one—at least 312 grams, not a gram less.  

Five bars amounted to **1,560 grams**!!!  

She pinched herself. It was real. She wasn’t dreaming.  

By the standards of this era’s average wages, even a single **small gold bar** was more than many working-class families could earn in a lifetime—let alone five **gold bars**!  

Qingyin felt as though she had stumbled upon unimaginable wealth, so overwhelming she could barely breathe.  

She remembered clearly—in the original novel, among **Xiao Qingyin**’s dowry, aside from some painstakingly preserved gold, silver, and jade jewelry, and *that thing*… the most eye-catching items were **five gold bars** and **two small gold bars**!  

At first, the lovestruck girl had retained a shred of rationality, “lending” **Liu Zhiqiang** the **two small gold bars**. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for him to buy semiconductor radios from the south, so she “lent” him one **gold bar** as well. Then, the Liu family realized she still had money and schemed to extract the remaining four **gold bars** from her.  

The **five gold bars** and **two small gold bars** became his first fortune—and the most valuable part of **Xiao Qingyin**’s dowry at the time.  

*At the time*, because the worth of *that thing* couldn’t even be estimated under current conditions.  

But that didn’t matter. Now, the **five gold bars** were in her hands. As for the remaining **two small gold bars**, she wasn’t sure if **Seventh Maternal Great Uncle** and **Lin Suifen** still had them or if they had already been slowly siphoned away over the years.  

But it didn’t matter. Qingyin was more than satisfied with today’s haul—  

Did she think that was the end of it? No. She was going to make **Lin Suifen** bleed a little more!  

***  

The consequence of her excitement was two dark circles under her eyes, stark against her fair skin. Having never used the original owner’s makeup before, she dug out a box of **duck egg powder** and dabbed it under her eyes, then lightly applied a touch of lipstick. Not only did it perfectly conceal the shadows, but it also made her look even more radiant than usual.

She sent Da Ya and Er Ya to school and went to work at the factory as usual, but this time she had to deliver some documents to the district office first. Although the factory clinic was managed by the steel plant, many medical and health-related documents and materials were still under the jurisdiction of the Health Bureau. With so many factories and mining units in the district, each having its own clinic, it was impossible for the district Health Bureau to visit every factory for minor matters. Thus, most materials had to be delivered by the units themselves.

Normally, this task fell to Sister Yang, but recently, after being set up on a blind date, she had become reluctant to go out. When Lin Li assigned her the job, she passed it on to the newcomer, Qingyin.

Qingyin, who had been looking for a legitimate reason to go out, “reluctantly” agreed.

Delivering the materials took only a short while. Qingyin then took a bus, changed direction, and headed straight for the southern outskirts of the city.

Currently, the most developed areas of Shucheng City were the eastern and northern districts, densely packed with large factories and mining units. The southern area was still rural countryside, and it wasn’t until the late 1990s that expansion began, flattening mountains and constructing roads and residential areas. Qingyin transferred buses twice before finally arriving at the southern terminal.

Fortunately, few passengers rode the bus all the way to the last stop. Following behind two young men, she carried a green satchel and wore a red armband, giving off an “unapproachable” vibe. The driver dropped them off and sped away as soon as possible.

The two young men didn’t pay her any attention, eventually going their separate ways.

Seeing no cars or people in sight, Qingyin darted into the wild grass by the roadside and sprinted down a narrow path.

She reached a small, overgrown hill—only about three to four hundred meters in a straight line—but she was already panting heavily, especially since she was carrying a “load.”

Qingyin found a large locust tree and sat down to rest.

“Big locust tree, two old pear trees to the left, three chestnut trees to the right rear, and a walnut tree straight ahead. That’s the spot.”

Muttering to herself, she picked a spot that wasn’t too conspicuous but was easy to remember. She then gathered a few herbs with insect-repellent and moisture-proof properties, crushed them, and smeared the paste on an oilpaper package. After digging a hole with great effort, she buried the package inside and restored the area to its original state.

Of course, she remained vigilant the entire time, constantly scanning her surroundings. By the time she finished, her clothes were drenched in sweat.

Having lived two lifetimes, this was Qingyin’s first time hiding something like this.

She knew that even though she had changed the lock, if Lin Suifen were truly desperate, she would find a way to tear the place apart searching for it. Keeping it at home was the least safe option.

After all, selling off the most valuable items from her dowry in one go wasn’t a coincidence. Qingyin guessed that Lin Suifen must have encountered an urgent matter requiring a large sum of money, forcing her to take such drastic measures. This money might even be more important to her than her own life.

She would undoubtedly turn into a rabid dog, lashing out without reason.

Moreover, such valuable items would be difficult for Qingyin to sell without being cheated or even getting caught. The best solution was to hide them in a place Lin Suifen would never find, yet one she could visit whenever needed.

This place was called Dushan Village.

Just like in her past life, she remembered this place because her good friend from that life was from this village. She had visited many times and heard about the village’s development. For at least twenty years, there would be no major changes around here. The small mound where she buried her things was nestled between two hills—hidden and unchanged even into the twenty-first century. The old locust tree remained, and the surrounding pear, chestnut, and walnut trees stayed just as they were back then.

Besides, she believed in the principle of hiding in plain sight.

Since there were a few fruit trees here, villagers often came to pick the ripe fruit during harvest season. Everyone focused only on what was above ground—no one would think to look beneath it for hidden treasures.

Qingyin glanced at the fruit as she thought this.

In late spring, the fruits were just beginning to form—tiny, tender green buds. She didn’t pick any now. By autumn, she could come back to forage. How wonderful!

When she spotted a bus approaching in the distance, Qingyin dusted herself off, wiped the mud from her shoes, and headed back to the city.

Her timing was perfect. She arrived at the factory just as work was ending, so she swung by the clinic to make an appearance before grabbing a portion of the communal meal to take home.

As soon as she stepped inside, she saw Lin Suifen cooking.

Surprisingly, today she had added four or five small pieces of fried pork fat to the stir-fried cabbage. Feigning concern, she scolded, “You silly girl, didn’t I tell you to come home for meals? Even though we’ve split the household, I’ll still cook for you.”

Qingyin almost laughed at her performance. Just how much was at stake for Lin Suifen to act so doting and considerate toward someone she clearly despised?

“You know I don’t like cabbage, sis-in-law.”

Lin Suifen smiled outwardly but gloated inwardly: *You don’t like it now? Just wait—soon you’ll have no choice. That 1,000 yuan from the split won’t last you long!*

Qingyin truly disliked cabbage. Back when she lived with her grandfather in poverty, she hadn’t yet learned to grow anything else. Cabbage was the only thing she could manage—it was hardy. So meal after meal, it was cabbage—stir-fried, boiled, or cold-tossed—until she couldn’t stand it. Once she learned to grow other vegetables, she refused to plant cabbage ever again.

Lin Suifen was used to Qingyin’s cold responses. She put on a disappointed face but secretly reveled: *Just you wait, you little brat! Once this matter is settled, there won’t be anything good left in your dowry. You’ll be crying then.*

Distracted by these thoughts, she cooked absentmindedly. Had Liu Da delivered the goods on time? Earlier, she’d seen him drowsily carrying something out. By now, he should be back, shouldn’t he?

But before that, she needed to hurry and retrieve the deposit hidden in the lion’s mouth.

She had meant to fetch it at dawn, but that wretched Liu family had woken up ridiculously early to shamelessly roast a pig’s head right at the entrance. The aroma had roused the entire compound—and delayed her from getting the money.

She hadn’t planned to act so hastily, but according to her contact, gold prices worldwide had skyrocketed recently due to news from Hong Kong. This was the perfect time to sell.

The lion’s mouth held a 20% deposit—a full 3,000 yuan. She wouldn’t rest easy until it was safely in her hands.

Normally, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but this time, the person urgently needed money and insisted on a quick sale. If anything went wrong midway, she wouldn’t be able to handle it.  

Qing Huihui wrinkled her nose and complained, “Mom, what are you doing? The food’s burning.”  

“Oh, oh—I had diarrhea last night and didn’t sleep well. I’m a bit out of it.”  

Huihui had been spoiled rotten. Hearing about the diarrhea, she didn’t even ask if her mother was feeling better or if she’d taken any medicine. She just carried on as if nothing had happened. “Mom, where’s the sesame paste you brought back last time?”  

Lin Suifen frowned. She knew Hui Hui didn’t like sesame paste—she must be planning to take it to the Liu family. Instantly, anger flared up inside her, and she hissed through gritted teeth, “Are you stupid? Even we can’t afford good stuff like this, yet you keep giving it away. What next? Are you going to give yourself away too?”  

Qing Huihui flushed red, finding her mother’s words too harsh. “Ugh, you’re so mean!”  

“Hmph!”  

Lin Suifen turned and saw Liu Da glaring at her with undisguised resentment. She didn’t have time to wonder why he looked like that and quickly asked, “Did it go through?”  

Liu Da looked like he was about to explode. “You dare ask me that?!”  

Lin Suifen froze, but this wasn’t the place to talk—too many eyes around. She quickly gestured downward, toward the cellar. It wasn’t winter, so hardly anyone went down there for vegetables now.  

“Lin Suifen, you’re screwing with me?!” The moment they entered the cellar, Liu Da’s fury erupted like a volcano. He shoved her against the wall.  

“What do you mean? Explain yourself.” A bad feeling crept up on Lin Suifen, and her hands trembled as she tried to push him away.  

“Playing dumb, huh? I just took the stuff over, and when they opened it in front of everyone, it was a pile of worthless scrap metal! I almost got beaten up! After all the times I’ve helped you, this is how you repay me?”  

“Don’t forget—last year, when you sold that emerald ring, I didn’t even take a cut. Six months ago, with the jade bracelet, I only charged you a hundred bucks. And now you pull this shit on me?!”  

Lin Suifen’s legs went weak. “Stop, stop talking.” Any more, and her sister-in-law’s dowry would be completely exposed.  

Liu Da’s face twisted. “Listen here—I know all the dirt under your ass. If you try to screw me over, none of us will get out clean.”  

Lin Suifen, a housewife, wanted to flip valuables on the black market, while Liu Da, eager to climb the ranks as a leader, needed money and had the right connections. The two had hit it off last year, quietly dealing goods in a mutually beneficial arrangement.  

A thought flashed through Lin Suifen’s mind—if only she’d found a couple more distributors back then.  

But right now, she had to calm him down. “Brother Liu Da, why would I screw you over? Tell me properly—what scrap metal? I clearly put gold bars in that oilpaper wrapping.”  

“Spare me the gold bar fantasy! Open your damn eyes and look!” Liu Da flung out a clattering pile of metal.  

Lin Suifen crouched down, examining each piece carefully. They were shaped like gold bars, about the same size.  

She was stunned.  

She had absolutely, without a doubt, retrieved those gold bars just yesterday at noon. She’d kept them hidden in the house the whole time, never letting them out of her sight. She’d even stayed up all night to make sure they were safely packed before sleeping. How… how could they have turned into scrap metal?  

“Are you sure you got them from the lion’s mouth?”  

“The weight was obviously off—couldn’t you tell?” Iron and gold didn’t weigh the same.

Liu Da scratched his disheveled hair. “I can barely keep my eyes open after working the night shift. Who’d have thought you’d screw me over?” Part of it was exhaustion, but mostly it was because their previous collaborations had gone smoothly—he never imagined this woman would dare to pull such a stunt.

He had wanted to sneak home and check the goods, but his nagging wife had been watching him like a hawk, leaving him no chance to open the package.

“I’m so desperate for money—why would I cheat you? Could it have been swapped?” Lin Suifen muttered to herself, carefully examining the scrap metal again. There were no identifying marks.

This was the steel mill’s residential area, where every household had scrap metal lying around. Finding any clues from it was impossible.

“Cut the fucking act. I don’t care about anything else—just return my deposit. I have to pay someone back this afternoon, and don’t ever think about asking for my help again.”

Lin Suifen froze. “What money? I haven’t even gone to collect—”

Before she could finish, Liu Da’s fist connected with her face. She heard the crack of bone, followed by excruciating pain that numbed her entire face. But what terrified her more was Liu Da’s next words:

“I just checked—the money’s already gone. Still playing dumb with me?”

At that moment, Lin Suifen knew she was finished.

The gold bars had been swapped, and the buyers would make her pay dearly. Though these items technically belonged to Qingyin, they were already in someone else’s possession. As the middleman, such a loss meant she could never repay it even if they broke every bone in her body.

Over the years, she had secretly sold many items from Qingyin’s dowry, pocketing most of the profits. But she had always been cautious—after all, Qingyin’s father and brother were still alive, so she couldn’t go too far.

After years of small-scale dealings, she had only accumulated a little over two thousand yuan. Now, with this lost three-thousand-yuan deposit, she would have to return every penny she had ever embezzled, plus all her personal savings.

“Stop fucking around. Just tell me—where’s the money?”

Faced with Liu Da’s aggression, Lin Suifen shed genuine tears—no act this time. “Brother Liu, I swear I didn’t take the buyer’s money. I hadn’t even gone to collect it yet. It must have been the person who stole the gold bars—yes, it must be them! They’re trying to screw us both. Let’s work together to find that bastard…”

Liu Da had no patience for this. If he couldn’t return the three-thousand-yuan deposit, he wouldn’t just lose everything—he might lose his life.

The people in the ghost market weren’t to be trifled with. When pushed, they were capable of anything.

…

Soon, muffled screams of pain and the dull thuds of fists against flesh and bone echoed from the cellar.

Qingyin, of course, heard none of it. After counting money and gold bars late into the night, she had been exhausted. She ate dinner and immediately fell asleep.

Though her eyelids were too heavy to open, her mind was filled with vivid dreams—like watching a movie… No, these dreams were all about another girl named Qingyin.

The first scene showed her lying motionless on a hospital bed, covered in tubes, barely alive. Qingyin noticed the heart monitor flatlining as medical staff frantically tried to revive her, to no avail. A middle-aged man and woman collapsed to the floor, weeping uncontrollably.

Soon, a white sheet was draped over her face, though her parents clung to her pale hands, unwilling to let go.

Qingyin had witnessed similar scenes clinically before, but this time, her heart ached with sorrow.

But soon, the scene shifted. The straight line turned into a regular curve, and the girl even opened her eyes, surveying the hospital room. She muttered confused phrases like “Where am I?” and “Who are you?” The middle-aged couple wept with joy, hugging her as they laughed and cried.

The scene changed again. She was discharged from the hospital and brought back to a very ordinary home—a modest-sized house with a small car, a cat and a dog. A television hung on the wall, while grapes, chocolates, and cookies were arranged on the coffee table. She had a small but sunny, cozy bedroom where everything was adorned with pink and white lace trimmings—even her pajamas and slippers were shaped like adorable little rabbits.

Another shift, and she was carrying a backpack to school. The first few characters of the school name were blurred, but “No. 3 Municipal High School” was visible. Entering the classroom of Class 6, Grade 10, the teacher smiled encouragingly at her. Her classmates applauded her for overcoming her illness and returning to class, each stepping forward to hug her and give her small gifts. Moved, her eyes turned red.

Yet another shift—it was after evening self-study. The middle-aged couple waited at the school gate in their car, rushing to greet her as soon as they saw her. They ushered her into the car, handing her a warm, sweet bowl of silver ear soup and a box of washed grapes. They even asked if she wanted a late-night snack, offering to take her for braised pork noodles… The little dog excitedly bounced around in the front seat, while the cat lay curled up, purring as if indifferent to the outside world—though its slightly swaying tail betrayed its happiness.

For the first time, the girl laughed from the bottom of her heart, nestling into the woman’s embrace.

In her heart, she whispered: *She finally had a mother. She finally had friends. She could continue her studies. She loved this life.*

Qingyin watched like a spectator, her eyes slowly moistening as she observed the ordinary yet heartwarming life of this family of three.

Yes, this was the life that Xiao Qingyin, an eighteen-year-old girl, should have had. She was just a kind girl without a mother. She had never done anything cruel or wicked. She shouldn’t have had to endure a life surrounded by wolves, without friends, unable to even attend school. She deserved *this*.

“Don’t worry. If you don’t want to come back—and if I can’t return either—I’ll cherish the life you’ve given me,” Qingyin murmured to herself. Unexpectedly, the girl in the “movie” seemed to hear her, turning to look at her. After a brief pause, she smiled sweetly and said, “Thank you, sister.”

“You can see me?”

The girl nodded sweetly. “The dowry Mom left me—the most important part wasn’t those things, but…”

The last few words were lost as Qingyin woke from the dream.

For a long moment, Qingyin couldn’t snap out of it.

She understood what Xiao Qingyin meant. The gold bars were the most valuable at present, but the dowry the old woman had left behind wasn’t limited to that… Could it be *that* thing?

And the original owner’s farewell—did it mean that from now on, she was truly Qingyin, with no way back?

Lost in melancholy, she overheard neighbors in the courtyard asking after Lin Suifen, wondering why she had gone to bed without eating dinner, how the food in the pot had burned to a crisp, and so on.

Qingyin snapped back to reality, thinking, *Now you know how to cry? Where was this concern when you were bullying Xiao Qingyin before? You laughed so heartily then. What’s owed will always be repaid, big sister.*

It was predictable—Lin Suifen and Liu Da would soon be frantically searching everywhere like mad dogs. Naturally, she would be their prime suspect. Their inaction now was only because they hadn’t yet processed the situation. Her decision to leave the house today had been perfectly timed.

***

After Auntie Liu was discharged from the hospital, Da Ya and Er Ya moved back home, leaving Qingyin alone again. It was peaceful, but also a bit lonely.

Following the auspicious date chosen by Auntie Gu, on May 16, 1973, Qingyin held a simple stove-lighting ceremony for her small home.

Once the newly built stove had dried and could be used, and the cabinets in the house were assembled with most of the smell dissipated, Qingyin and Auntie Gu took a bus early in the morning to Beicheng District to buy groceries.

According to Sister Zhang and Sister Li, the state-run market near the Beicheng District Chemical Fertilizer Plant had the most extensive selection of goods, all very fresh.

Indeed, their life wisdom was boundless. Auntie Gu stared at the bustling market in astonishment, her mouth agape. “Yinyin, you weren’t exaggerating—this place is enormous!”

Not only were there a variety of dishes, but also a lot of people. Surprisingly, many stalls didn’t even require ration tickets—cash alone would suffice. Other markets allowed this too, but only for leftover, less popular items that couldn’t be sold otherwise.

For Qingyin, who had hardly any ration tickets to begin with, this was perfect!

“Master, I’ll take four jin of this streaky pork belly.”

“Four jin?” The butcher doubted his own hearing, and the people waiting in line were equally stunned. What kind of household could afford to buy four jin of pork belly in one go?

Qingyin had money in hand and no worries in mind. She wasn’t the type to deprive herself. “Yes, exactly four jin. Do you still have any organ meats left?”

“There’s half a pig liver.”

“I’ll take it all.”

“Whoa!!” The crowd looked at her as if she were a tycoon.

“Yinyin, isn’t this too much? It’s just a simple meal for our family, no need for so many dishes.” Auntie Gu was also taken aback by her extravagance, wondering if she had been spoiled and had no concept of quantities—what four jin meant, or half a pig liver.

“It’s fine. Everyone’s been so helpful to me. If we can’t finish it, I’ll just keep the leftovers for myself over the next couple of meals.”

Auntie Gu thought it made sense. After all, Qingyin was cooking alone, and shopping for groceries wasn’t always convenient.

Next, they bought tofu, bean sprouts, vermicelli, and other everyday ingredients, along with some spring greens and common kitchen seasonings. By the time they returned to the compound with their bulging net bags, it was only ten o’clock.

After lunch, they got busy. In about two hours, they prepared two meat dishes, three vegetable dishes, and a soup. By then, the guests had mostly arrived.

Uncle Liu’s family of four, Li Xiuneng, Sister Zhang, Sister Li, and Sister-in-law Qin—who had always been supportive—all came. The kids, Da Ya and Er Ya, didn’t care for sitting at the table and were content with a quick bite before running off to play. The adults squeezed around the table, filling it completely.

“This braised pork is so fragrant—soft, sticky, and melts in your mouth! Even my toothless old man could eat it,” Uncle Liu remarked, savoring each bite with narrowed eyes.

“The scallion-fried pig liver is so tender, not a hint of gaminess. You’re really something, Comrade Qing,” Sister Zhang said, helping herself repeatedly. If not for the leftovers in the pot, she’d have felt too embarrassed to eat so much.

“I think the tomato stir-fried tofu is delicious too. The tofu is fried perfectly—crispy outside, tender inside, and full of flavor.”

“And this simple stir-fried zucchini is sweet and tasty.”

…

Qingyin remained modest outwardly but was secretly proud. Her cooking skills had been honed over years in her past life. Her grandfather used to say that if she hadn’t pursued medicine, she could have easily become a chef.

Although Gu An didn’t show up, Qingyin still set aside a portion of each dish for him. Gu’s Mother had kept mentioning during the day that he’d promised to come, so his absence must have been due to unforeseen circumstances. Out of respect for her maternal love, Qingyin saved some for him.

She had hoped to use this opportunity to clarify her identity to him, but lately, he seemed to have forgotten about the matter altogether.

The only one suffering was Qing Huihui next door. With the small kitchen outside and the windows open, she had been smelling the aromas all through the cooking. Now, watching them eat so merrily without even a polite invitation, she could only mutter the same three words over and over like a broken record: “Ungrateful wretch.”

Lin Suifen had been physically and mentally exhausted lately. The gold bars and the three thousand yuan deposit had vanished into thin air. She had practically turned the place upside down searching for them, yet the other party had threatened that if she couldn’t find them, she’d have to cover the loss herself. She felt like crying her heart out.

“Stop being so annoying! Your mother is worried sick here, and all you can think about is food? Have you no heart?”

“Mom just loves to exaggerate. I don’t believe you’re not craving it yourself.”

Lin Suifen felt a lump of frustration in her chest. Wasn’t she craving it too? Of course she was!

Those dishes like braised pork and stir-fried pork liver used to be delicacies only served during holidays. Yet Qingyin had used them to entertain these distant, down-and-out relatives. It made her so angry she could feel her liver aching!

“If I had a thousand yuan, I’d eat like that too,” Qing Huihui sighed.

Lin Suifen nearly spat blood. Why bring up the sorest subject? She gritted her teeth and said, “A thousand yuan is nothing! You’re so short-sighted, only able to see that measly sum. Your mother has just…” lost eighteen thousand yuan!

The people from the ghost market were not to be trifled with. She had already emptied years of her private savings to cover the deposit, but where could she find the money to make up for the five gold bars? Even if she sold herself piece by piece, she wouldn’t fetch that much!

Thankfully, Qing Huihui didn’t know she had once been so wealthy—wealthy enough to eat like that every day. Otherwise, she’d probably have to fight Lin Suifen tooth and nail.

By nightfall, as darkness settled, the neighbors had dispersed. Lin Suifen put on her coat and headed out. She needed to find a way to cover the deficit quickly.

In her haste, she bumped into someone at the gate. Looking up, she saw it was Gu An and immediately plastered on a smile. “Oh, it’s Anzi! You’re late—Qingyin’s gathering has already ended.”

Gu An ignored her, giving her a once-over with a disdainful look before stepping into the compound.

“Ugh, street hooligan!”

It was as if Gu An had eyes on the back of his head. He turned to glance at her, and Lin Suifen, guilt-ridden, tripped over the threshold and fell flat on her face.

Gu An burst into hearty laughter and strode away.

“Auntie Gu, just sit and rest for a while. We’ve been cooking all day and must be exhausted. Leave the pots and pans for now—they won’t spoil.”

Qingyin loved cooking but hated cleaning up, especially washing dishes. In her past life, as soon as she started working, she splurged on a dishwasher. Later, when she hired a part-time housekeeper, no matter how messy the kitchen got, the cleaning lady would appear like a silent fairy, and by the time Qingyin finished her shower, the kitchen would be spotless again.

Having money was wonderful—that was her biggest takeaway after going from rags to riches.

“By the way, Yin Yin, didn’t you invite Sister-in-law Liu from the backyard today?” Auntie Gu sat on a chair, massaging her legs. “She might not have genuinely wanted to help you, but we really owe her for calling Director Yao during the family division that day.”

“I went to invite her, but she wasn’t home.”

Before Auntie Gu could respond, Aunt Zhao chimed in from the courtyard, “I heard she went back to her parents’ home. These past few days, the couple has been leaving before dawn. Liu Da even took time off work.”

“What’s so urgent? I saw Liu Da with blisters on his lips and bloodshot eyes.”

“Who knows? It’s not just them—Lin Suifen’s been frantic too. A few days ago, she was wandering around the compound at night looking for something, but when asked, she wouldn’t say what. Now she’s out all day. Who knows if she’s lost her soul?”

Only Qingyin knew the truth—they were all going crazy searching for the treasure! The feeling of having the enemy in plain sight while she remained hidden was exhilarating. Heh!

“What are you laughing at?” Suddenly, a shadow fell over her as a tall, lean figure blocked Qingyin’s path.

She quickly suppressed her smile. “You’re here. Have you eaten?”

Under the dim yellow light, she sat among a group of middle-aged and elderly women, with her kind-faced mother by her side. Those simple five words gave him an indescribable sense of comfort.

Unlike others who avoided him like the plague, she didn’t even ask why he was so late or where he’d been all these days.

The stove was still lit. She set up a small iron pot with some water beneath it, placed a wire rack on top, and then put a large bowl to steam—it would be ready in no time.

“You finally decided to come back. All these dishes were saved for you by Yin-yin in advance,” Auntie Gu chided, knowing full well he wouldn’t answer if she asked about his whereabouts, so she didn’t bother.

The braised pork became even softer and more tender after reheating, practically melting in the mouth. Gu An couldn’t resist taking a second piece after the first. Even the potatoes stewed in it had turned soft and floury, soaked in the braising sauce so long they had the silky texture of mashed potatoes.

He knew this wasn’t a flavor his mother could have created.

This woman—this person who wasn’t Xiao Qingyin—who was she really? Where did she come from? And where had Xiao Qingyin gone?

“I know you want to ask who I am and where she went. I can answer honestly, but you might not believe me.”

Gu An shoveled food into his mouth, only nodding when he saw his mother step out to chat with the neighbors from the corner of his eye.

“I’m indeed not Xiao Qingyin. My name is also Qingyin, but I’m not young. I originally lived somewhere else and woke up one day as Xiao Qingyin.”

Gu An’s brows furrowed tightly.

“I know you must think I’m talking nonsense right now, but everything I’m saying is true. I had a very successful life before this. Becoming Xiao Qingyin wasn’t my choice—you have no idea what I’ve lost.” A lifetime’s worth of financial freedom, gone in an instant.

“I know you treated Xiao Qingyin like a little sister. I can tell you she’s doing very well now, very happy.”

A sharp glint flashed in his beautiful peach-blossom eyes. “What did you say?”

Qingyin sighed and briefly explained Xiao Qingyin’s current living situation. Whether it was her sincerity or Gu An’s good mood today, the sharpness in his eyes gradually faded.

“If you harm her in any way, I won’t let you off.”

“I know. You not only have the capability but also the determination.”

“Just remember this—since I’ve taken over her life, I’ll live it well. And I bear no ill will toward you or Gu’s Mother, because you two are the only ones in this world who truly cared for her.”

Gu An fell silent.

But his eating pace slowed considerably, like a growling guard dog suddenly soothed by having its fur stroked, now calm and unhurried.

Qingyin also understood that when dealing with intelligent people like him, sincerity was the fundamental way to reach them. And judging by his reaction, she seemed to have succeeded.

When Auntie Gu returned to the room, she found her son back to his usual careless demeanor, leisurely finishing off a pot of rice and a large bowl of dishes. “Let’s go home, Mom.”

“That’s it? You’re leaving already?” Shouldn’t you talk more? This is such a rare opportunity.

Qingyin was already preoccupied with the mountain of dishes and had no time to persuade them to stay.

Once again, she sighed—when she had the money, she would definitely buy a dishwasher! Until then, she really didn’t want to host any more gatherings at home. It was exhausting. Those women in short videos who did everything from shopping to washing, chopping, cooking, and then cleaning up the mess afterward were absolute legends!

She didn’t have that kind of boundless energy.

***

Over the next few days, Lin Suifen and Liu Da grew visibly more anxious and haggard by the day. The part in Lin Suifen’s hair even widened and grew shinier.

While working, Qingyin kept a close eye on the two of them.

Honestly, now that the gold bar and money were in her hands, she was even more curious about how Lin Suifen had gotten the gold bar in the first place and what she planned to do with all that money.

After all, based on the current international gold price, selling it for 15,000 was already a loss. She must have had a reason for being in such a hurry to offload it.

As for Seventh Maternal Great Uncle, who had failed in his duty to safeguard it, there would be plenty of opportunities to settle the score later. The less omniscient she was, the more cautious she needed to be.

Just as she was thinking this, the end-of-work bell rang. Qingyin stood up, slung her green bookbag over her shoulder, and was about to slip away when a commotion erupted from next door.

“Who’s making all that noise?” Sister Zhang muttered, clutching her half-knitted sweater as she went out to see what was happening. Sister Li slithered out after her like a loach.

Lin Li’s consultation room, which doubled as her office, was surrounded by a crowd of middle-aged and elderly women, all chattering loudly. But upon closer listening, none of it was pleasant.

“What a fine daughter your Bai family has raised! Talking about getting married on Labor Day—pah! A shameless woman like her, we wouldn’t take her even if you paid us!”

“Exactly! My son wasted so much time on your daughter. You owe us compensation! You have to take responsibility!”

“A supposedly decent girl, claiming to be recuperating at home—who knew she was actually hiding a man!”

“How bold, getting knocked up right under the noses of all the neighbors! Some ‘model worker’—we should report her to the union and have the factory strip her of all her honors.”

“You’re lying! My Xuemei isn’t that kind of person.” Amid the accusations, a frail woman’s voice sounded utterly unconvincing.

Her feeble protest only fueled the others’ anger, and the insults grew even uglier.

The situation seemed to be escalating, on the verge of turning physical. Qingyin didn’t dare push into the crowd and instead stayed by her office door, watching from a safe distance.

Amid the chaos, Lin Li tried her best to calm both sides, but it was no use. Before long, an old man, unable to bear the humiliation, started shoving someone, and the scene descended into complete pandemonium.

“Stop! No fighting allowed here! This is an office, not a marketplace!” The security chief, dressed in cadre attire, arrived with several staff members. Only then did the crowd back off, though the glares they exchanged could have killed.

Sister Zhang and Sister Li, who had infiltrated the enemy ranks, emerged and quietly shared the juicy gossip they’d just overheard with Qingyin.

Turns out, the troublemakers were from the packaging workshop’s Bai and Zhao families. The Zhao family’s son had gotten engaged to the Bai family’s daughter, Bai Xuemei, last year, with plans to marry this Labor Day. But last October, shortly after National Day, Bai Xuemei had been injured in a workshop accident while saving a coworker, resulting in a ruptured spleen. Though she survived after two major surgeries, her health remained fragile, and she had been recuperating at home ever since.

The young man from the Zhao family not only didn’t abandon his fiancée despite her severe injuries but instead cared for her tirelessly in the hospital—feeding her, helping her with every need—and even after her discharge, he frequently visited her home with eggs and brown sugar.  

The whole factory knew Zhao Hewen was a good man. In recognition of his touching dedication during his fiancée’s recovery, the factory labor union awarded him a commendation, and the personnel department raised his salary by two grades. The entire workforce accepted this without complaint.  

After all, Bai Xuemei’s injuries were sustained in a heroic act—she had risked herself to save others. That very month, the factory honored her as a Model Worker, awarding her both a bonus and a Brocade Banner. It was even said she would represent the factory’s proletarian workers in the capital next year to meet with high-ranking leaders.  

Qingyin suddenly remembered—on her first day at work, Sister-in-law Qin had mentioned an exemplary speech at the Workers’ Club. Wasn’t the speaker none other than Bai Xuemei?  

With such honors, Bai Xuemei was undoubtedly a hero in the workers’ eyes. And the man who stood by her, unwavering in his care, deserved recognition and praise as well.  

But in the past two months, something strange had happened. Bai Xuemei, who should have been steadily recovering, suddenly stopped leaving her home and refused visitors.  

Everyone assumed she was still weak and simply not ready to go out yet—she’d surely recover soon. Nearby state-owned factories were even planning to invite her for a speaking tour.  

Then, early this morning, a distant relative of the Zhao family accidentally ran into Bai Xuemei—and was shocked to see her belly, already five months along!  

The relative even went to the Zhao family to congratulate them, asking why the young couple hadn’t announced their marriage and pregnancy. The Zhao family was baffled and immediately questioned their son, who was equally clueless. Though he and Xuemei were deeply in love, they had always remained proper, never crossing the line.  

The Zhao family was horrified—this could only mean one thing!  

They stormed over to the Bai household and, sure enough, found Bai Xuemei—who had been avoiding public appearances—with a conspicuously large belly.  

A fierce argument erupted. The Zhao family accused the Bais of deceit, foisting a “used woman” on them. The Bais vehemently denied it, insisting their daughter wasn’t pregnant and challenging them to ask the clinic doctor for confirmation.  

When the security team arrived to calm the scene, both sides stopped fighting and turned to Lin Li. “Doctor Lin, take a look—what else could this big belly be? I even saw the baby move just now!”  

Qingyin quickly followed Sisters Zhang and Li back inside, standing behind Lin Li to get a clear view.  

“Baby movement?” Lin Li adjusted her black-framed glasses, studying Bai Xuemei’s abdomen.  

Dragged over by the Zhao family, Xuemei hadn’t had time to put on a heavy coat—just a thin shirt that stretched tightly over her swollen belly, which occasionally twitched visibly beneath the fabric.  

Bai Xuemei’s face was sallow, her eyes swollen from crying. She tried to cover her stomach, but it was far too large to hide.  

Having recently undergone major surgery, her limbs were as thin as a bird’s, yet her belly protruded like a frog’s.  

The security team was stunned. Bai Xuemei’s heroic deeds had just been held up as an example for the entire factory to learn from. Now, with this scandal of an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, what were they supposed to learn? To get pregnant before marriage? Or to betray their partners? If the baby had been her fiancé’s, people might have gossiped, but at least a quick wedding would have silenced the talk eventually…

But the child isn’t from the Zhao family!