Chapter 18: Traded for a Gold Bracelet

Hair tied in a bun, a simple Korean-style makeup—she still looked delicate and beautiful despite the heat. She seemed to be the young woman from the 11th floor.

She had asked for help in the group chat before, and now she was out here alone setting up a stall, selling lipsticks and face masks.

Her profile picture matched her real appearance, so Jiang Yuan remembered her a little.

Seeing Jiang Yuan looking her way, the girl enthusiastically called out, “Hey pretty lady, come see if there’s anything you like. These are all big-brand face masks and cosmetics—they work really well!”

Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but scoff a little.
What use were these things now?

Still, she walked up confidently.

“I don’t need makeup. But how about that bracelet of yours? Would you trade it?”

It was a pure gold bracelet from Cartier—elegant and valuable.

“This one?”

The girl touched the bracelet on her wrist, visibly reluctant and clearly battling internally.

“It’s really expensive. What would you trade for it?”

Jiang Yuan wasn’t dumb. There were plenty of other people with stalls nearby, and people were already eavesdropping with their ears perked up.

“Two lollipops.”

“What?! No way! You’re dreaming. I’m not trading it.”

Jiang Yuan shrugged nonchalantly and replied cheerfully, “Candy provides energy. If you don’t want it, no worries.”

Once everyone heard it was just two pieces of candy, they lost interest.

But the girl’s face turned pale. She had low blood sugar and used to rely on chocolates or sweets.

Now that such things were no longer available, Jiang Yuan’s offer was incredibly tempting. But it was a Cartier bracelet—it hurt to part with it.

“Wait a second.”

Jiang Yuan casually turned around and stepped back toward her.

“I’ll trade.”

Clearly, the girl had made a huge mental decision.

Jiang Yuan knew—people with such thin frames often had low blood sugar.

She had exactly two lollipops in her pocket. The girl took off the bracelet and handed it to her.

Jiang Yuan didn’t hesitate—she took it and slipped it into her pocket.

Then she pulled out two lollipops and passed them to the girl. “Miss, it’s not very safe out here these days. It’s late—head home early.”

She held the girl’s hand and didn’t let go—then secretly slid two sausages from her sleeve into the girl’s sleeve.

The girl was surprised but didn’t say anything. She understood Jiang Yuan’s message.

In this kind of situation, it was very unsafe to be alone. Someone had already come knocking on her door two nights in a row.

That gold bracelet was definitely worth the exchange.

She didn’t want to play the saint, but she also didn’t want to take advantage of someone in desperate need—it didn’t feel right.

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Back home, Jiang Xingzhi was about to go out.

“Dad, where are you going?”

“My good girl, you’re back? Are you okay?”

Qin Yue rushed over, looking ready to embrace her.

“Don’t come near, Mom. Disinfect me first…”

“Ah, yes, hold on…”

Qin Yue quickly grabbed disinfectant at the entryway.

Now Jiang Xingzhi had a chance to explain.

“Your mom was worried when only I came back. She made me go look for you.

Sweetheart, as long as you’re safe. I was careless today—we can’t split up again.”

Jiang Yuan felt a wave of warmth. Family was truly different. If she were still with the Xia family, no one would care whether she lived or died.

After disinfecting, she also sprayed down the hallway.

Of course, she didn’t forget to spray near Song Yi’s door too. Today marked their first proper interaction.

Whether or not they’d have more contact later, making sure this area was clean was good for them.

After Bai Mengmeng’s visit earlier, there seemed to be more mosquitoes and flies—it was disgusting.

Who knew if these things were poisonous? Better not to let them touch your skin, just in case.

Back inside, Qin Yue started lecturing her again.

She wasn’t afraid of much these days, except Bai Mengmeng’s possible retaliation.

That woman was unpredictable—what if she knew shady people? It would be dangerous if she tried to cause harm.

Jiang Yuan listened patiently. In the past, she might’ve found it nagging. Now, it just felt heartwarming.

“Alright, stop scolding our daughter. She’s a mom now herself. Give her some dignity.”

“I’m just worried about her. And you! How could you let her go alone? I’m so mad at you…”

“It’s fine, Mom. I’m back safe. I’ve learned my lesson.

Anyway, I’m tired—heading to bed.”

Hearing that, Qin Yue quickly brought her a box of milk.

“Drink some before sleep. It’ll help you rest.” Little Nuan was already asleep, so there was nothing else to worry about.

Jiang Yuan drank her milk while opening the building’s surveillance footage.

It was quiet—everyone seemed asleep.

But unexpectedly, she saw that Xia Chaoyang and Bai Mengmeng had gone back home.

Looks like they had truly hit rock bottom, or Bai Mengmeng wouldn’t have made that decision.

Her ex-mother-in-law had quite a bit of money. Since Bai Mengmeng couldn’t get anything here, she probably set her sights on her now.

Too bad. Jiang Yuan had hoped they’d stay here longer.

If they were gone, getting revenge would be much harder.

On the footage, Xia Chaoyang was lying in bed, and Bai Mengmeng was hand-washing laundry.

With water and electricity rationed now, being able to wash clothes was almost a luxury.

But Bai Mengmeng looked resentful—like life had no meaning.

The old lady was full of energy, clearly well-fed. “That damn Jiang Yuan! When I see her again, I’ll skin her alive…”

That’s right, the Xia family matriarch was cursing her out.

“Mom, Chaoyang just wanted to borrow some money from her. Who knew she’d act so arrogant, like she had a whole gang behind her?

Jiang Yuan’s even fooling around with another man—only days after the divorce! She clearly had someone else already, that’s why she was so quick to break things off.

But she took all the money too—now we can’t even afford food!”

Bai Mengmeng mocked her while doing the laundry.

Fooling around? Was she talking about Song Yi?

Looks like that bimbo hadn’t learned her lesson about spreading rumors!

Their words were disgusting—one more insidious than the other.

Jiang Yuan didn’t mind though. Let them have their cheap talk—she was the one actually benefitting.

This time, with the upper hand, she was going to make life miserable for them.

She turned to look at Little Nuan beside her.

The little girl was sleeping soundly. Jiang Yuan gently stroked her cheek.

In just over ten days, the rain would start.

And with it, a new kind of trial.

In her past life, she and her daughter didn’t survive it.

This time, no matter what, she would protect them both.

Since they had enough food at home, Jiang Yuan wasn’t planning to go out anymore.

But she kept a close eye on the outside world.

More and more supply points were closing, and what you could buy was far less than before. Prices were skyrocketing every day—so high it left people numb.