Jiāng Guó’ān was utterly astonished. Was that really her, moving so swiftly and skillfully just now?

She had actually helped Zhāng Xiǎolán get her wallet back.

Jiāng Guó’ān fixed his deep, intense eyes on Sū Bànxià, as if trying to see right through her.

Frowning, Sū Bànxià said, “What are you standing there dumbfounded for? That guy’s a thief. Shouldn’t you be taking him to the police station instead of staring at me?”

She brushed off the wrinkles on her clothes and walked past the two men. Not far away, Zhāng Xiǎolán, clutching her fabric, came running over, panting heavily.

“Bànxià, did you catch up with him?”

Sū Bànxià handed the cloth bag to Zhāng Xiǎolán.

“Here, sister-in-law. I caught up with him. Your bag.”

Zhāng Xiǎolán quickly opened it to check. The grain ration booklet and money were still inside. She instantly breathed a sigh of relief, her whole body going limp like a deflated balloon.

“Oh my, thank you so much, Bànxià.”

“No problem. Next time you go out, remember to keep your grain booklet and money separate. That way, you won’t be an easy target.”

“Okay, okay, will do.”

Glancing at the thief still lying on the ground in the alley, Zhāng Xiǎolán said to Jiāng Guó’ān and Chén Fēng, “Battalion Commander Jiāng, Battalion Commander Chén, hurry up and arrest him. What a strong young man—why resort to stealing instead of doing something honest?”

Jiāng Guó’ān said, “Don’t worry, sister-in-law. We’ll take him to the police station.”

He glanced back at Sū Bànxià before walking toward the thief.

Chén Fēng watched in stunned silence.

Holy smokes, it’s a good thing these two are getting a divorce.

If Sū Bànxià is this fierce, who could possibly handle her?

Seeing that her role here was done, Sū Bànxià said, “Sister-in-law, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.”

Zhāng Xiǎolán replied, “Oh, don’t go yet, sister. Let me treat you to a bowl of rice noodles. I owe you big time for today.”

“No need, sister-in-law. You should hurry and finish your shopping, or you’ll miss the noon bus back.”

Sū Bànxià’s reminder made Zhāng Xiǎolán slap her forehead in realization.

“Oh dear, look at my memory. Ever since I had the baby, it’s been so unreliable. Okay, sister, I’ll get going then. I’ll come by another day to thank you properly.”

Zhāng Xiǎolán hurried off.

Sū Bànxià cast a calm glance at Jiāng Guó’ān, said nothing, and left without looking back.

Chén Fēng watched, baffled. Usually, Sū Bànxià was all over Jiāng Guó’ān—why was she so indifferent today?

Holding the thief’s arm behind his back, Chén Fēng stared in the direction where Sū Bànxià had disappeared.

“What’s going on? Did you two have a fight?”

“We’ll talk later. Let’s take him to the police station first.”

After leaving the alley, Sū Bànxià passed by a barbershop and noticed a wooden sign hanging at the entrance. Written on it in black ink were the words: “Buying Hair Long-Term.”

Hesitating for a moment, she stepped inside.

The original owner’s hair was extremely long, nearly reaching her waist.

She was already fair and plump, and the waist-length hair made her figure appear even bulkier.

Since she was short on money, cutting her hair could also earn her some cash.

As she entered, a middle-aged woman with permed hair—a somewhat dated but currently trendy style—greeted her.

The woman said, “Looking for a haircut, miss?”

Sū Bànxià glanced around the shop and said, “Hello, ma’am. I saw your sign about buying hair. My hair is quite long—if I cut it to shoulder length, about how much could I get for it?”

The woman walked behind Sū Bànxià, grabbed her hair, felt its texture, and measured the length.

“Your hair looks a bit frizzy, but it’s certainly long enough. How does fifteen yuan sound?”

Sū Bànxià knew the woman wasn’t offering a fair price.

She hesitated and said, “Thank you, ma’am, but I think I’ll check out the state-owned barbershop up ahead.”

It was the early days of reform and opening-up, and individual businesses were already popping up on the streets. She could easily shop around for the best offer.

As Sū Bànxià turned to leave, the woman grabbed her arm.

“Wait, miss! If you’re not happy with the price, we can negotiate. How about you name a price? If it’s reasonable, we’ll make a deal.”

Sū Bànxià paused and said, “My hair isn’t as frizzy as you say. It’s thick, black, and straight, and it reaches all the way to my waist. You’d be cutting off about fifty centimeters. Fifteen yuan is just too low. I want thirty-five.”

The woman exclaimed, “Oh, come on, miss! Thirty-five is unheard of—you won’t find that price anywhere else! Tell you what, I’ll raise it by ten yuan. How about twenty-five?”

Sū Bànxià ignored her and turned to leave again. The woman pulled her back and said, “Alright, twenty-eight! How does twenty-eight sound? I really can’t go any higher.”

Sū Bànxià glanced at her and said, “Deal.”

The woman felt she’d slightly overpaid, but since the hair was of decent quality and she could still make a profit after processing it, she didn’t complain.

Sū Bànxià said, “Please cut it to shoulder length, ma’am.”

Once the weather warmed up, she could still tie it up if she wanted.

“Sure, no problem.”

After the haircut, Sū Bànxià took the scissors and trimmed her hair a bit more to her satisfaction.

The woman counted out twenty-eight yuan and handed it to Sū Bànxià.

“You got quite a bargain today, miss. Please don’t tell anyone about this price.”

Sū Bànxià replied, “I’m sure you’ll still make a profit.”

The woman laughed awkwardly.

As Sū Bànxià left, the woman said politely, “Come back again next time!”

Sū Bànxià walked slowly toward the bus stop, observing what the individual vendors were selling on the streets.

Now that some private businesses were allowed, vendors would lay out a cloth on a flat surface and display their goods. If authorities showed up, they could quickly roll up the cloth, throw it over their shoulders, and run.

Sū Bànxià’s mind was buzzing, but she couldn’t quite figure out what kind of business she should start.

Lost in thought, she eventually reached the bus.

She had barely boarded when Zhāng Xiǎolán hurried onto the bus, panting and carrying several bags.

This time, without hesitation, she walked straight toward Sū Bànxià and sat beside her.

Zhāng Xiǎolán pulled two meat buns from an oil-paper bag and handed them to Sū Bànxià.

“Here, I bought these for you. I don’t know how else to thank you. Please, have them.”

Sū Bànxià said, “Really, sister-in-law, there’s no need. It was nothing.”

“Oh, come on! You were amazing—taking down a thief like that! You’re basically a heroine. Today made me realize you’re not as bad as everyone says. But, sister, let me be honest with you—could you please stop gambling from now on?”

Zhāng Xiǎolán usually had a loud voice, but she lowered it for those last words. She’d been genuinely worried about the couple’s situation.

Sū Bànxià just chuckled lightly and didn’t bother explaining.

Since they were getting a divorce anyway, what was the point of saying more?

Zhāng Xiǎolán offered the buns again, and after a moment’s thought, Sū Bànxià took one.

“Thank you, sister-in-law.”