Jiang Guo’an said, “Understood.”

Irritated, he ran a hand over his buzz cut and hesitated before asking, “Where exactly did the money you used to pay off the debts come from?”

He had pondered it over and over after returning home but still couldn’t figure it out.

Just yesterday, she had been hurt badly enough to have her head split open. What if she left the compound again and got beaten half to death?

How would he explain it to her family when he returned to his hometown?

After much thought, he still wanted an answer.

Su Banxia was accustomed to eating refined grains, and after two days of coarse food, her appetite was gone. The steamed corn buns and cabbage held no appeal, and Jiang Guo’an’s repeated questioning only annoyed her further.

She sat up straight, lifting her head and squaring her shoulders, her clear black-and-white eyes fixed on Jiang Guo’an.

“I already answered that question yesterday.

In the end, you still don’t believe me.

My answer remains the same. Since we’re getting a divorce anyway, you don’t need to worry.

I said I wouldn’t cause you any trouble from now on, and I meant it.

No matter what, I hope you can give me at least a little trust.

That’s all I have to say. Do you have any other questions?”

Seeing her calmer than ever before, Jiang Guo’an swallowed the other questions he had.

Forget it. Given her attitude, he wasn’t going to get anything out of her.

Jiang Guo’an took a deep breath and pulled out sixty yuan from his bag, keeping twenty for himself.

He had borrowed the money from Chen Feng that morning. Su Banxia’s sudden repayment of the debt had left him worried that the debt collectors might come after her again.

“Keep these forty yuan. If you run into any debt collectors, at least you can pay them something to avoid getting beaten.”

Jiang Guo’an placed the money on the table and stood up to leave.

Su Banxia looked at the money on the table and once again found herself thinking that this man might actually be worth getting along with.

It was just that the original host had caused so much trouble and heartache that there was no trust left between them.

But since they had already agreed to divorce, she couldn’t take the money.

As Jiang Guo’an reached the door, Su Banxia called out, “Hey… stop…”

In her urgency, her tone came out commanding.

Jiang Guo’an turned around in surprise.

Was she talking to him?

Su Banxia strode over, grabbed his hand, and with a serious expression, pressed the forty yuan into his palm.

“I said I wouldn’t spend a single cent of your money to repay the debts, and I meant it.

I appreciate your kindness, but you can keep it.

Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone look down on me or lay a hand on me again.

I know I’ve been a burden to you in the past, but that ends now.

Please take this money back.”

Jiang Guo’an was stunned. What was she playing at these past two days?

She didn’t want the money?

Fine, if she didn’t want it, she didn’t have to take it.

He wasn’t about to beg her on his knees to accept it.

Clutching the money tightly, Jiang Guo’an said irritably, “Suit yourself. If you don’t want it, forget it.”

If she didn’t take it, he’d have one less debt to worry about.

Jiang Guo’an slammed the door on his way out. Su Banxia wasn’t angry at all. On the contrary, she found the man rather amusing.

It was just that the original host had too many flaws, and over time, Jiang Guo’an had grown to resent her.

Well, since things had already come to this, it was better to part on good terms.

After lunch, Su Banxia mopped the floor again, then collected the dried clothes from the balcony, folded them neatly, and measured her bust. She cut the fabric she had prepared in the morning into the shape of a bra.

She spent the entire afternoon in her room sewing.

By the time the sky had completely darkened, she had finished making two bras.

She tried one on—the pure cotton fabric she had bought felt comfortable against her skin.

She had to admit, she had never seen such a curvaceous figure in her life.

In her previous life, living in an era obsessed with appearances, she had often struggled with anxiety over her looks and body.

But now, things were different. The original host’s body was truly voluptuous, with full curves in all the right places. Though slightly plump, it felt soft and pleasant to the touch.

Su Banxia secretly admired herself in the room for a while before finally taking off the bra, washing it with soap in the bathroom, and hanging it on the balcony to dry.

By this time, her stomach was growling with hunger. There were still a few bites left of the shredded pork with cabbage from lunch, so she ate half a steamed corn bun with the leftovers and drank a large glass of warm water. Only then did her stomach feel somewhat settled.

The original host’s skin was actually quite good, though it had become a bit dry from long-term neglect.

Su Banxia thought that while losing weight, she shouldn’t forget about skincare. Since she was alone at home, she might as well indulge a little.

She cracked an egg, separated the egg white into a bowl, added a small amount of flour, mixed it well, and applied it to her face. As expected, her skin, deprived of moisture for so long, began to itch.

Su Banxia endured the itch and applied two more layers. Forty minutes later, she washed off the homemade mask.

Perhaps because she had never done any skincare before, even just one mask left her skin feeling remarkably smooth.

The only downside was that the egg white smelled terribly fishy.

After washing her face, Su Banxia realized the original host didn’t have a single bottle of moisturizer.

It seemed she would have to make another trip to the city soon.

After finishing her skincare, Su Banxia did some exercises in the living room before finally lying down.

Perhaps because she was tired from the day, the faint scent of soap on the bedsheets and pillowcases made her feel drowsy almost instantly. Within minutes, she was sound asleep.

Meanwhile, Jiang Guo’an, squeezed into his comrade’s dormitory, tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Chen Feng, who had just finished washing up, came in and said, “Lao Jiang, how long are you planning to stay in the dorm? Old Liu will be back from his home visit in a few days. You can’t possibly squeeze into one bed with us then.”

Jiang Guo’an rested his head on his hands, his mind in turmoil.

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Chen Feng felt sorry for Jiang Guo’an. Thinking about how long he had been married yet remained completely untouched by his wife, he couldn’t help but feel Jiang Guo’an had drawn the short straw.

Another comrade, He Liang, chimed in, “Brother, you’re well-fed and don’t know how the hungry feel. Every night when I lie down, I miss my wife.

If the relationship between a couple isn’t good, they should communicate more.

Whenever my wife ignores me, all it takes is one night together, and everything is fine again.

Couples may fight, but they make up by bedtime—no grudges held overnight.

Even though the whole compound is full of gossip about your wife, you can still guide her and help her improve.”

Chen Feng retorted, “Guide her? Guide nothing!

Your wife is your wife. His wife can’t be compared to yours. She can’t do anything right and even gambles.

If this continues, no matter how hard Lao Jiang works in the team, her influence will ruin everything for him.”

After these words, the others fell silent, knowing it was the truth.

Jiang Guo’an didn’t say a word, merely turned over with his back to them.

In her sleep, Su Banxia sneezed twice but remained undisturbed.

After all, once she was well-rested, she needed to find a place to live quickly and figure out a way to earn money.

…

That night, Zhang Xiaolan lay in bed with Li Jianguo and said, “Lao Li, can I tell you something?”

Li Jianguo, exhausted from the day, was almost asleep. “What is it? Go ahead.”

“This morning, when I went into the city to buy groceries, I ran into a thief near the supply and marketing coop. My cloth bag, grain ration book, food coupons, and money were all stolen.”

Li Jianguo’s drowsiness vanished instantly.

This wasteful woman—how could she have been so careless?