Chapter 17: The plan failed and he was taken advantage of.

Fang Juan’s eyes flickered, then she changed her tune:

“Tingting, what you said makes sense. That really is the state’s business, and we shouldn’t meddle too much. But… I’m afraid I can’t go back to the village with you just yet. I suddenly remembered I still have something to take care of. Why don’t you go back first?”

Ji Tingting lowered her voice apologetically.
“Actually, I wasn’t planning to return so soon either. I wanted to go find Brother Hongwen. I only tried to drag you back to the village because I was worried you’d cause trouble. But if you’ve given up on that idea, then I’ll head to the factory to see him.”

“Alright then, you go find Brother Hongwen. I won’t get in the way of you two lovebirds.”

Ji Tingting blushed.
“We’re not even engaged yet, don’t say that.”

“It’s only a matter of time, what’s there to be shy about?” Fang Juan teased, forcing down the bitterness in her heart.

Head lowered, Ji Tingting fiddled nervously with her fingers.
“Then I’ll be going.”

She turned and walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped as if something had come to mind. Hurrying back, she said gently:
“Juanzi, once you’re done, head straight home. Don’t wander around the streets. Brother Hongwen said the area near Da Dong Road hasn’t been safe lately, lots of hooligans hanging around there. Be careful if you’re alone.”

Fang Juan silently made note of “Da Dong Road,” then waved her hand with a smile.
“Don’t worry, once I’m done, I’ll go straight back. And besides, I’m not a three-year-old. What trouble could I possibly run into in broad daylight?”

“I’m only worried about you.” Ji Tingting showed a conflicted expression. She added softly:
“What business do you have, anyway? Maybe I should go with you after all?”

Fang Juan gave her a push forward.
“Go on now, hurry to your Brother Hongwen! My errand is nothing serious, I don’t need you tagging along. Relax, once I’m finished I’ll head home. Nothing dangerous will happen.”

“Fine, fine, stop pushing—I’ll go.” Ji Tingting let herself be pushed away, pretending to look both shy and helpless, before heading in the direction of the fertilizer factory.

But she didn’t actually go there to find Gu Hongwen. Instead, once she was sure Fang Juan couldn’t see her, she turned toward the health clinic.

Based on what she knew of Fang Juan, once they split up, she would definitely head to Da Dong Road to find hooligans to deal with Ji Tangtang. Ji Tingting had to help her—most importantly, she had to find out exactly where Ji Tangtang was. Otherwise, if Fang Juan found the thugs but couldn’t locate Ji Tangtang, what good would it do?

The thought of Ji Tangtang being robbed of all her money and even having her body ruined made Ji Tingting’s lips curl up unconsciously.

But in the end, after searching the health clinic, the supply and marketing cooperative, and every other place Ji Tangtang might have gone, she never caught sight of her.

Meanwhile, Fang Juan wasn’t having much luck either. Thanks to Ji Tingting’s reminder, she did manage to find some hooligans on Da Dong Road. But after hearing her proposal, they demanded half of whatever money they got—and what’s worse, they began groping her, taking advantage of her.

Fang Juan flushed red, both ashamed and furious. She threatened the man pawing at her:
“Let me go! Careful… careful, I’ll accuse you of molestation and have you sent to the labor camp!”

The man smirked greasy and lewd.
“Go ahead, accuse me. But if you do, I’ll report you instead—say you asked us to rob a woman of her money and even wanted us to ruin her chastity.”

Fang Juan froze. She didn’t dare report them, of course. After all, she had been the one to approach these hooligans, asking them to do her dirty work. A wave of regret surged through her. She should have planned more carefully before coming, or found someone more reliable—someone she could control—to do the job. That way, she wouldn’t be trapped in such a humiliating situation.

Seeing she was cornered, the man grew bolder, his hands wandering. Simply groping one spot wasn’t enough—he grew impatient to move lower.

The two lackeys on lookout, seeing their leader’s actions, drooled with envy, their eyes glued to Fang Juan’s body.

Fang Juan had a square face, small eyes, and dark skin. Her looks couldn’t be called pretty. But she was young, and her figure was well-developed. To these lust-filled young men, that was temptation enough.

As the two stared at her like hungry wolves, their leader wrapped her tightly in his arms, his hands becoming increasingly shameless. His hand even—

Shame, fury, fear—and a strange, unfamiliar sensation—rushed through her all at once.

The man, savoring her expression, only became more malicious. Laughing loudly, he taunted her.

Fang Juan was terrified. At this rate, Ji Tangtang might not be the one ruined—she would be.

Frantic, she shoved at him with all her strength.
“Fine, I agree! Once we get the money, we split it half and half. Just let me go! She’s much prettier than me—her skin is so fair it practically glows. She’s a true beauty, a vixen that loves to seduce men. You’ll be more than satisfied with her.

If you waste time on me, she might slip away. Then you’ll have neither the money nor the fun. Let me go!”

She wasn’t strong enough to break free if he resisted, but fortunately, he relaxed his grip, letting her push away. He wiped his fingers across her face, then nodded.
“Fine, you lead the way.”

Fang Juan scrubbed her face roughly with her sleeve, rubbing her dark skin until it was raw and red, but she still felt filthy.

The man watched her, chuckling.
“Why act so disgusted? It’s your own body.”

Fang Juan was seething with resentment, but she had just learned firsthand how vast the difference in strength was between men and women. Though her heart burned with anger, she didn’t dare speak up and only led the way silently.

The man followed behind, staring at her back with lingering desire. “What a wanton little slut,” he muttered.

The two lackeys fawningly caught up, their lecherous eyes roaming up and down Fang Juan’s body. The man shot them a warning glance. “Business comes first. Once the big matter is settled, you’ll get your share of the benefits. But for now, you can’t touch her.”

The two quickly nodded like lackeys. “Boss is right. When the time comes, you’ll get the first taste, and we’ll be satisfied just to drink a little soup afterward.”

Fang Juan, meanwhile, was calculating. She had already wasted quite a bit of time back on Da Dong Road, which meant Ji Tangtang should have come out of the clinic by now. Since Ji Tangtang had money on her, and there were only a handful of places in the city to go, Fang Juan led the thugs straight toward the supply and marketing cooperative.

But unfortunately, when they arrived at the co-op, Ji Tangtang was nowhere in sight.

Fang Juan thought for a moment, then quickly rushed to the nearby state-run store. Compared to the co-op, the state-run store sold a greater variety of goods, and at higher prices too. Fang Juan normally didn’t even dare go inside—the clerks there were notoriously arrogant. If you went in wearing shabby clothes and couldn’t afford to buy anything, you were sure to be looked down upon.

But thinking that Ji Tangtang had just earned a hefty sum today, it was very likely she would shop there, so Fang Juan braced herself and walked in.

To her surprise, Ji Tangtang wasn’t there either. Fang Juan panicked. Had she gone somewhere else?

She quickly searched every place she could think of, but there was still no sign of her. Refusing to give up, she even circled back and searched all the same places again—the co-op, the state-run store, and this time even the clinic.

But after walking until her legs ached with exhaustion, she still hadn’t found Ji Tangtang.