Jiang Zhen examined Qi Junshan’s corpse. The most recent memories were the clearest. After being shot, he had fled to his lover’s home. The woman wasn’t foolish and asked him if he had anything to do with the ongoing artillery fire aimed at suppressing the bandits.  

“If you’re a bandit, get out of here. Don’t drag me down with you.”  

Qi Junshan had some genuine feelings for his lover, but when he heard movement from the wardrobe, he found a half-dressed man hiding inside. Seeing the man’s body—something he himself could no longer perform with—wounded him deeply.  

“When you were taking food, drinks, gold, and silver from me, why didn’t you ask whether those things were stained with blood? Using what I gave you to support another man… You both deserve to die.”  

The woman tried to scream, but Qi Junshan choked her, intending to silence her for good and then take off with the money. However, injured as he was, he lost the two-against-one fight. By the time the military arrived, Qi Junshan was already dead.  

His death wasn’t a loss, but considering Jiang Zhen’s involvement in the hired-killing case, the organization decided to find a plausible excuse to avoid alerting the person who had commissioned the murder.  

Jiang Zhen had seen the person who hired the killer. Though the woman had been wearing a mask at the time, her figure and voice were recognizable enough.  

“Earlier, when I went to see Elder Sister, I saw her. The nurses called her Dr. Du. Elder Sister didn’t seem too fond of her.”  

“Du Qiuyi? The biological aunt of the An sisters? She definitely has motive and suspicion!” Gu Liancheng said.  

It was just that her personality was too well-hidden. She was extremely well-liked at the hospital, which made the straightforward and blunt Elder Sister Gu seem aggressive in comparison.  

Jiang Zhen scratched her head in frustration. “Why is it that every person we come across is either a relative or someone we know?”  

Gu Liancheng smiled bitterly. “Fancheng is just that small. Decades of entanglements mean everyone’s connected in some way.”  

……  

Suddenly, Jiang Zhen remembered something she hadn’t paid much attention to before. “That Dr. Du’s fiancé is in the hospital. He could barely stand steady against the wall, but the way he looked at me was… intense. I got the feeling he recognized me.”  

If he did, it would be the deceased “Jiang Zhen” he knew. But Jiang Zhen hadn’t uncovered any related memories. Either she was mistaken, or that memory was so painful for “Jiang Zhen” that she had blocked it out.  

Gu Liancheng thought the same. Even if they had known each other, it wasn’t the current Jiang Zhen anymore. “I know Dr. Du’s fiancé. We’re actually on good terms. I’ll go feel him out later.”  

“No rush.” Jiang Zhen had also figured out why Gu Liancheng’s parents owed the An family a life debt over a decade ago.  

“The longer the brain has been dead, the fewer distant memories I can access. But I still saw it—back then, your parents were helping underground party members relocate and sought out An Qihui’s father, An Yuehong. At the same time, Qi Junshan took his first hired-killing job. Even over a decade ago, Du Qiuyi had already paid to have her brother-in-law murdered.”  

Gu Liancheng: “…Are you sure? Over ten years ago, Du Qiuyi was just a teenager!”  

Jiang Zhen: “Since when does age determine whether someone can be evil?”  

Gu Liancheng fell silent. “It’s terrifying when someone you thought you knew turns out to be a stranger. So, you’re saying Uncle An was afraid of his sister-in-law and faked his death to escape?”  

Jiang Zhen nodded. “Helping underground members relocate was dangerous to begin with. If he was already cowardly and selfish, and then realized his sister-in-law wanted him dead… Well, I’d run too.”  

……  

Du Qiuyi was a few years older than her fiancé. The two had met while studying abroad. Being able to marry someone she loved, Du Qiuyi felt content. This time, her fiancé had undergone a minor surgery and insisted on getting out of bed, straining his wound. Distressed, she scolded him, “Honestly, why did you have to get out of bed just to check on Gu Liancheng’s wife?”

Li Chongling replied, “Why would I go see her? I heard Gu Jiaoxia was giving you a hard time and I got worried.”

Du Qiuyi smiled. “It’s fine. I’ll just tolerate it.”  

But when she turned her head, the smile faded from her face. Why is it that the people she hated never seemed to die, and kept lingering around her? Fine then, she would take her time. Whatever she wanted, she had never failed to get—it was only a matter of time.  

……

Du Qiuyi went to Qingshui temple to see her sister, who had taken monastic vows. Amidst the artillery fire the night before, her sister had shaved her head completely and become a nun.  

“Elder Sister, I never thought you could be so heartless. Fine, you abandoned your husband, but you also abandoned your three daughters. If it weren’t for me, their aunt, they’d have been bullied to death.”  

Du Molian kept her eyes lowered, rhythmically tapping the wooden fish. “Benefactor Du, retribution is inevitable—it is only a matter of time. I urge you to repent before it’s too late.”  

Du Qiuyi smiled faintly. “Sister, do you really think that by becoming a nun, my brother-in-law would remain faithful to Wan Furong?”  

Du Molian sighed. “Do you think I took vows over a petty marital dispute? I’ve seen through it all. I’m atoning for your sins and accumulating merit for my three daughters.”  

Du Qiuyi chuckled. “I’ve never believed in such things. I only believe that if heaven won’t save you, you must save yourself.”  

“But you… why must you harm others?”  

Du Qiuyi sidestepped the question. “Sister, Xiuqing has suddenly become clever. She likes Dr. Qi, and now that Qi Junshan is dead, she insists on staying in the Qi household as a widow. She’s already figured out a way—I support her.”  

The wooden fish’s rhythm faltered briefly before resuming. Du Molian seemed to want to say something, but in the end, it all dissolved into the steady tapping.  

…

The An and Qi families had been in turmoil these past few days. First, An Qihui forcibly took her younger sister home. Then, Ji Fengmei suffered a stroke, leaving her mouth twisted and speech slurred. Dr. Qi, busy with his elder brother’s funeral while also caring for his mother, was stretched thin and quickly worn down.  

After a fierce argument with her sister, An Xiuqing returned to the Qi household, publicly declaring that she would observe widowhood for Qi Junshan. “My mother-in-law has always been good to me,” she said. “Now it’s my turn to repay her kindness—I’ll take care of her.”  

Her aunt, Du Qiuyi, known for her virtuous reputation, fully supported this. She even persuaded Dr. Qi, “Who else could you trust to care for her? Why not give half your salary to Xiuqing and let her look after your mother? If you’re worried about propriety, you can keep living at the dormitory—just visit often. This is the best solution for now.”  

Dr. Qi, filled with guilt and gratitude toward the An family, told Ji Fengmei, “Mom, you misjudged Sister-in-law. She’s truly kind. From now on, she’ll take care of you when I’m not home.”  

An Xiuqing, dressed in mourning white with a white flower tucked behind her ear, looked pitifully delicate—though the corners of her lips twitched upward uncontrollably. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand. “Mom, though my husband is gone, Junhai and I are still here. You must stay strong and recover soon.”  

…

The recent sunny weather matched An Xiuqing’s mood perfectly. Qi Junshan had died much earlier in this life than in her past one, before he could marry that decorative wife of his. Now, as Qi Junhai’s widowed sister-in-law, she was certain he would marry her this time.  

Ji Fengmei’s condition showed no improvement—she even threw tantrums, smashing dishes. Qi Junhai couldn’t take it, visiting less and less frequently. At first, he came home two or three times a day; now, it was once every two or three days. Comparing the two, An Xiuqing found the current situation even better than she’d hoped.  

Gu Liancheng still hadn’t returned home, and An Xiuqing almost pitied Jiang Zhen. She wanted to talk to her about life, but Jiang Zhen stayed shut inside with her children all day, making it impossible to find an opportunity.  

So she went to the hospital to see Qi Junhai instead. Packing a meal into a thermal container, she told Ji Fengmei, “Mom, I’m going to see Junhai and update him on your condition so he won’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”  

Ignoring Ji Fengmei’s murderous glare, she left in her plain mourning clothes.  

At the hospital, she met her aunt first. Du Qiuyi handed her another three-day supply of medicine—harmless in small doses, but enough to ensure Ji Fengmei never recovered.  

Seeing An Xiuqing’s hesitation, Du Qiuyi gently touched the white flower in her hair. “When will you learn? Mercy toward others will one day turn into a blade that cuts you instead. Take the medicine—whether you use it is up to you.”  

An Xiuqing didn’t find Dr. Qi in the outpatient department. A nurse said he was admitting a patient. When she finally saw him, supporting a hunched-over woman while running errands to pay her fees, she suddenly understood her aunt’s words.  

So the woman Qi Junshan had married in her past life had originally been Dr. Qi’s patient.  

It all made sense now. Dr. Qi had liked that woman, but Ji Fengmei refused to allow it and used the same method that had been used on her to force the woman to marry Qi Junshan instead. 

How ridiculous.

…

The leeks in the space had sprouted their first batch. They quickly harvested some and stir-fried them with eggs. Gu Pan said, “Chive and egg dumplings are the best.”

Gu Hui asked, “Auntie, when little uncle comes back, we can’t use the vegetables from the space for cooking anymore, right?”

“Seasonal ones are fine, but out-of-season ones aren’t.”  

Jiang Zhao was worried that keeping this secret would eventually backfire: “Mom, I’m really worried. If Dad finds out we’ve been eating good food without him, he’ll be mad.”

The kids blinked, waiting for Jiang Zhen’s response.

Jiang Zhen said, “That’s why you all need to keep this a secret. Don’t let him find out.”

Next door, a loud clattering noise erupted. Jiang Tang covered her ears. “Mom, Auntie An next door is in a bad mood again.”  

Ever since An Xiuqing—with her aunt’s support—had decided to observe widowhood for Qi Junshan and stayed in the Qi household to care for the bedridden Ji Fengmei, she’d been in high spirits. But today, after returning from the hospital, she’d thrown a tantrum. Something must have happened there.  

“After dinner, let’s hide in the space for some peace and quiet.”  

“Yay!”  

The plan was sound—except Gu Liancheng came home. He knocked on the door outside, and Jiang Zhen hurriedly told the four kids to finish the leek and egg stir-fry. “Eat up quick! I’ll get the door.”  

Gu Pan shoveled a big bite into her mouth. “The leek and eggs are so fragrant and delicious. Poor Uncle.”  

…

Gu Liancheng smelled the aroma as soon as he stepped inside and casually asked what was for dinner. To his surprise, everyone lied to him.  

“What’s for dinner?”  

“Pickles from Elder Sister, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and millet congee. Have you eaten? Want me to scoop you a bowl?” Jiang Zhen asked.  

“Sure.” Gu Liancheng had rushed back without eating.  

Jiang Zhen served him a large bowl of sweet potato millet congee and scooped out two spoonfuls of pickles. Back when they had rice, they ate freely, but after learning about rationing, she became more cautious.  

Gu Liancheng wasn’t picky, but he couldn’t shake the scent of leek and eggs. If they’d finished it, fine—but why hide it? With four kids at home, was Jiang Zhen afraid he’d scold them for eating a few eggs?  

Being excluded from the little group for no reason left Gu Liancheng feeling down.  

He finished the big bowl of millet congee in minutes, then set down his chopsticks. “Du Qiuyi’s fiancé is being discharged tomorrow. Tonight, no one’s staying with him, and Du Qiuyi isn’t on duty. Let’s go check on him.”  

Jiang Zhen pointed at herself. “You really want me to go?”  

Gu Liancheng nodded—this was the higher-ups’ arrangement. “Jiang Zhen” had studied abroad, and her ex-husband, Yan Jiawen, had been in Fancheng for years. Their only contact was a few letters a year, and she’d never once tried to find him. So why, when Du Qiuyi and Li Chongling returned to serve the country, did she suddenly come looking for her husband?  

Was she really looking for Yan Jiawen? Had Du Qiuyi hired a killer just for her niece An Qihui?  

They needed Jiang Zhen to go. “Let’s make the trip. Elder Sister is helping you with your job transfer anyway. We’ll just drop by to see him. Since you suspect he recognizes you, this is a chance to confirm your hunch.”  

“Fine.” Jiang Zhen paused. “We can’t go empty-handed, right? Should we bring something?”