Chapter 7

Mu Wanwan’s face also grew cold. The man standing before her with a look of stern reproach overlapped with the one from her memories.

In her past life, this had happened countless times. Lin Huiru always deliberately provoked her, only to play the victim in the end.

Wenlin had always sided with Lin Huiru. The more wronged and heartbroken she felt, the more she cried and made a scene—only to make Wenlin despise her all the more.

Mu Wanwan’s heart gave an involuntary shudder, a sour ache rising within her.

In her previous life, she had placed far too much hope in Wenlin, clinging to him obsessively. Yet in the end, it was all for nothing. She even lost her life because of him.

She pressed a hand to her chest, working hard to calm herself.

Then, word by word, she said: “Whoever provokes first is cheap! I hit her because she asked for it. Why should I apologize?”

“Mu Wanwan!”

Wenlin had not expected such an attitude. She had struck someone, yet felt no remorse.

Mu Wanwan cast him a cold glance, then turned to Lin Huiru with a warning: “You know perfectly well what schemes you’re playing at. Don’t treat me like a fool.

You’d better not provoke me again. Otherwise, it won’t stop at just two slaps.”

With that, Mu Wanwan spun around and left.

It was only after she had walked far away that Wen Xin finally came back to her senses, so angry that her words tumbled out incoherently.

“She… she’s nothing but a shrew! Brother, I told you not to marry her. When we get home, I’ll tell Mother. She’s gone too far!”

Wenlin pressed his lips into a thin line. The look Mu Wanwan had given him before leaving unsettled him.

There had been deep disappointment and fury in her eyes—emotions she had never directed at him before.

But he did not feel he had done anything wrong. After all, it was Mu Wanwan who had raised her hand first.

In a moment no one noticed, the corner of Lin Huiru’s lips curved faintly.

She didn’t know why Mu Wanwan had changed so much, but it didn’t matter. This only made things better—her plan was working.

Mu Wanwan was still a fool. The more she made a scene, the more Wenlin would grow to hate her.

It was she, Lin Huiru, who should have become Wenlin’s wife. If the old Master Wen hadn’t interfered, that village girl would never have had the chance.

She had liked him for years. Now, when she was so close to her goal, all her efforts had been wasted. How could she possibly accept that?

Wenlin was hers. She would find a way to take him back.

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After leaving the department store, Mu Wanwan gradually calmed down as she walked.

She would divorce Wenlin soon anyway. Why let such petty people and matters disturb her mood?

Turning the thought over in her mind, she decided to head for the black market.

Though policies had loosened somewhat, the black market still thrived. Some goods couldn’t be sold openly, and in some ways the black market was safer.

She wanted to buy some softer cotton cloth, and surely she could find it there.

She slipped into a narrow alley, winding left and right through the hutongs until at last she arrived.

The place was livelier than she had expected, with plenty of vendors. As she strolled past, she spotted a stall selling spices and bought some, useful for her braised meat.

“Big sister, what are you looking to buy? Just tell me—I’ve got everything, and I can even give you a good price!”

She was just searching for someone selling cotton cloth when a voice called from behind.

Turning, she saw a boy in patched clothes, a cap pulled low over his head.

“Big sister, you’re really pretty!”

He scratched his head as he spoke.

Mu Wanwan smiled. “You’ve got a sweet tongue. I’m looking for some good quality cotton cloth. Do you have any?”

“I do! You’ve come to the right person. I just got some fine fabric in. Let me take you to look.”

“All right.”

She followed the boy into a back alley and then into a small house.

“Big sister, this is my home. Wait here, I’ll bring the cloth out.”

He darted inside, soon returning with several bolts of fabric in his arms.

Mu Wanwan looked them over. The patterns were indeed nice, and one bolt was even silk. Though silk was unfashionable at the moment, it was the most comfortable for undergarments.

“If you like this one, I’ll give you a good price—six yuan,” the boy said quickly, noticing her interest.

Silk wasn’t easy to sell. Though fine and beautiful, most found it impractical, preferring cotton instead.

Mu Wanwan was just about to bargain when an elderly woman with white hair shuffled out of the house.

“Tiger, who’s here?”

“Grandma, why did you come out? Didn’t the doctor say you’re not fully recovered? You should stay in bed and rest!”

The boy rushed to steady her.

“I’m all right. The medicine has been helping.”

The old woman looked at Mu Wanwan with a hint of curiosity.

“Grandma, this big sister came to buy things from me. We’re just talking business. Please go back and rest!” the boy urged.

But instead she shuffled inside, washed two pears, and handed them to Mu Wanwan.

“Girl, we don’t have much to offer. These pears are from the tree in our yard. They’re sweet—try one.”

Mu Wanwan quickly thanked her. “Thank you, Grandma.”

The old woman smiled kindly and went back inside.

Looking down at the pear in her hand, Mu Wanwan lost the heart to haggle. When the old woman had come close just now, she had caught a strong smell of medicinal herbs clinging to her.

Clearly, she was still unwell. The boy, Tiger, was younger than she was, yet already working the black market to support his family. Life was clearly hard for them.

“I’ll take this one. And tell me, do you know where I can buy pork around here?”

If she could find it nearby, she could save herself a trip to the supply cooperative.

Tiger’s eyes lit up at her purchase. He patted his chest confidently. “Big sister, you’ve asked the right person!

We’ve got a small pig farm here, fresh pork every day. If you want, I’ll take you there.”

A pig farm?

Mu Wanwan was pleasantly surprised. The supply cooperative also sold meat and no longer required ration coupons, but supply was limited and prices were higher.

If she could buy directly from a pig farm, her cost for braised meat would drop. And since she wanted to run the business long term, having a stable supplier was important.

With that thought, she quickly asked Tiger to lead her to the pig farm.