Chapter 35: Middle-aged woman

Ten minutes later, Shen Hongxing came out with her examination report.

Xu Shuangshuang and the others surrounded her, “How is it? Did you pass?”

“Not yet. The final results will be available in three days!”

The four of them went to the ophthalmology department.

The eyesight test was quicker, and both eyes met the standards.

After all the examinations, the officer told Shen Hongxing that if the physical examination went well, the next step would be a background check the strictest political review.

Shen Hongxing was worried about failing the political review.

Leaving the hospital, it was not yet eleven o’clock. Cao Hongxia said to Shen Hongxing, “Boss, it’s still early. Shall we go to Baiyun Market to buy clothes now?”

Shen Hongxing didn’t want to discourage her, so she agreed, “Okay, let’s go now!”

They arrived at the roadside and waited for more than twenty minutes for a bus.

“Boss, let’s sit here!” Cao Hongxia pulled Shen Hongxing to the back of the bus.

Chen Jiayi and Xu Shuangshuang sat in front of them.

“Hey, Hongxia, after shopping, shall we go to the market to buy some vegetables and ribs to make hot pot at home?” Shen Hongxing had a sudden idea.

Cao Hongxia and Xu Shuangshuang had only heard of hot pot. They had heard that wealthy people would cook mutton and beef slices in copper pots every year.

They had never eaten it.

They asked Shen Hongxing, “Boss, is it really that delicious?”

“Of course it is! Tonight, I’ll make you a double-flavor hot pot!” Shen Hongxing knew they lived a hard life and it was normal not to have eaten hot pot!

A middle-aged woman wearing a headscarf in the front rows turned to look at them.

Shen Hongxing didn’t pay attention.

She continued talking to Cao Hongxia.

She unexpectedly noticed that the middle-aged woman kept turning her head to look at them.

Her gaze was particularly unfriendly.

But who was the woman looking at?

Her?

Xu Shuangshuang?

Chen Jiayi?

Or Cao Hongxia?

Seeing Shen Hongxing notice her staring, the middle-aged woman quickly turned away.

The road was bumpy.

Soon, Xu Shuangshuang, Chen Jiayi, and Cao Hongxia fell asleep.

The middle-aged woman in the headscarf turned around again to secretly look at them.

Shen Hongxing found the woman strange.

She closed her eyes and pretended to sleep.

Sure enough… the woman, seeing that she was also asleep, became bolder and walked over to Cao Hongxia, staring at her.

Shen Hongxing secretly opened one eye.

The woman seemed to be confirming something, staring at Cao Hongxia’s face, left and right, finally focusing on her left ear.

Shen Hongxing clearly saw two red moles on Cao Hongxia’s ear.

As if satisfied with the result, the woman nodded and returned to her seat.

The bus stopped at Baiyun Market.

Shen Hongxing watched the passengers get off one by one, only waking her friends when they were the only ones left.

The woman was gone.

Cao Hongxia hadn’t been harmed.

Shen Hongxing didn’t tell Cao Hongxia about the incident on the bus.

The market was full of clothes, all the latest styles. Cao Hongxia and Xu Shuangshuang went on a shopping spree.

Shen Hongxing and Chen Jiayi bought two sets of clothes and accompanied them.

By evening, they left Baiyun Market with bags full of clothes.

Shen Hongxing took them to the market.

They bought a copper hot pot.

Returning home, it was almost dark.

Shen Hongxing told Cao Hongxia about the incident on the bus, “Hongxia, a woman kept staring at you on the bus to Baiyun Market!”

Cao Hongxia didn’t take it seriously, laughing, “A woman? What kind of woman?”

“A middle-aged woman wearing a headscarf!”

What?

A middle-aged woman wearing a headscarf?

The smile on Cao Hongxia’s face vanished. She was terrified, her legs weakening, and she almost fell.

Shen Hongxing quickly caught her.

“Hongxia, what’s wrong?”

Cao Hongxia struggled to stand up, “Nothing, I’m fine!”

The image of the woman on the bus haunted her. Could she be that woman?

In her memory, that woman always wore a headscarf.

But soon, she denied this thought.

It’s impossible.

That woman lived in a remote mountain village. How could she come to Chaoyang?

She was overthinking.

Besides, if that woman had really found her, how could she have let her go? It couldn’t be her.

Yes!

That’s it.

Besides, she had changed her name and lived…

many years, how could that woman still recognize her?

Shen Hongxing anxiously asked, “Hongxia, do you know that woman?”

Cao Hongxia didn’t want Shen Hongxing to worry. She turned to her and forced a smile, “Boss, how could I know her?”

Shen Hongxing didn’t believe her.

Cao Hongxia’s reaction told her she knew.

She remembered that Cao Hongxia would die this year in her previous life. Her heart tightened. Could Cao Hongxia’s death be related to the woman on the bus?

No!

She had to find out who that woman was and her relationship with Cao Hongxia.

Only then could she save Cao Hongxia.

She wouldn’t let her die young again.

She coaxed Cao Hongxia, “Hongxia, we’re best friends now. Only if you tell me what happened can I help you escape this nightmare!”

During her stay here, she had noticed that Cao Hongxia had nightmares every night and would cry when she woke up.

While playing, Cao Hongxia would often space out.

Shen Hongxing sensed that the nightmare might be Cao Hongxia’s death knell.

“Yes, Hongxia, no matter what happens, we’ll help you. Don’t bear it alone, okay?” Chen Jiayi and Xu Shuangshuang hugged Cao Hongxia.

Hugging her, they felt Cao Hongxia trembling.

“Don’t be afraid, we’re here!”

Xu Shuangshuang patted her back.

Cao Hongxia hesitated.

Tears silently flowed down her face.

Seeing this, no one pressed further, “Okay, don’t cry. If you don’t want to say it, don’t. We won’t force you! Just remember, no matter what happens, we’ll protect you!”

“Boss, Sister Shuang.

Shen Hongxing raised the vegetables, “If you’re okay, I’ll teach you how to make hot pot!”

Cao Hongxia wiped away her tears and nodded, “Okay, teach me!”

They divided the work.

One person chopped vegetables.

One washed vegetables.

One was in charge of the fire.

Shen Hongxing was in charge of the spices.

Soon, the aroma filled the simple kitchen.