Su Banxia patted the bright red grain ration booklet in her hand.

Fine, since he had already given it to her, she might as well use it. No point in borrowing from others now.

The boiled cabbage was practically unpalatable, but she forced down the entire bowl, suppressing the urge to gag.

After cleaning up the dishes, she spent half an hour clumsily practicing yoga in the living room.

She was determined to become beautiful and slim—fair skin, pretty face, long legs, a slender waist, and a curvaceous figure were her goals.

With looks and money, would she ever lack men around her?

Early the next morning, Su Banxia took the grain ration booklet and a basket, boarding the bus to the city at the compound’s entrance.

Drawing on the original host’s memories, she had some idea of how things worked.

The compound’s shuttle bus ran on even-numbered days of the lunar month, departing in the morning and returning at noon.

Today happened to be the second day of the third lunar month.

Su Banxia had just taken her seat on the bus when Zhang Xiaolan boarded a few minutes later.

Zhang Xiaolan had shoulder-length hair and was wearing a brand-new navy-blue work uniform, the creases still visibly fresh. She paired it with black trousers and black cloth shoes. Clearly, she had dressed up for the occasion.

Spotting Su Banxia, Zhang Xiaolan tightened her grip on her bag.

Was she going to ask for money again?

Zhang Xiaolan considered getting off the bus, but remembering her empty kitchen, she reluctantly made her way to a seat.

She really didn’t want to engage with Su Banxia, but their husbands were close friends.

Putting on a polite smile, Zhang Xiaolan said, “Oh, Banxia, you’re heading into the city too?”

“Yes, sis. My kitchen’s out of food, so I’m going to buy some groceries.”

Seeing no other seats available, Zhang Xiaolan had no choice but to sit next to Su Banxia.

“I’m also going into the city to buy a few things.”

“Then let’s go together.”

Zhang Xiaolan forced an awkward smile, and the two fell silent.

After a bumpy twenty-minute ride, the bus arrived in the city. Anxious that Su Banxia might ask to borrow money, Zhang Xiaolan quickly said, “I have some urgent matters to take care of, so I’ll go ahead. Take your time browsing.”

“Sure, see you later, sis.”

Su Banxia wasn’t foolish—she knew people were avoiding her because they feared she would ask for money.

It didn’t matter. She would be leaving soon anyway.

With the grain ration booklet in hand, Su Banxia went to the supply and marketing cooperative and bought ten jin of rice, two jin of soybean oil, and some coarse grains.

She spent eight mao on a bottle of shampoo, two mao on a bar of laundry soap, another two mao on a bar of scented soap, five mao on a new towel, and other daily necessities like a toothbrush and toothpaste.

She also bought a bag of monosodium glutamate and thirty eggs.

Since she was trying to lose weight, she needed to cut back on staples but still ensure she got enough protein.

Eggs were expensive these days—even with a ration coupon, each cost twelve and a half fen. Thirty eggs set her back over three yuan.

Once she returned, she would need to find a way to earn some money.

Not interested in wandering around the streets, Su Banxia headed straight back to the bus after shopping.

Once on board, she realized she had forgotten two items and had to leave her purchases on the bus.

Before getting off, she politely informed the driver, “Sir, I forgot to buy a couple of things. Is it alright if I leave my stuff here?”

“No problem. Just make sure you’re back before the bus departs.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”

“You’re welcome.”

Su Banxia then headed to the state-owned clothing store.

The original owner didn’t own a single bra, and with such large breasts, going without support was not only uncomfortable but also felt heavy. She really needed to buy a couple of bras.

Su Banxia browsed around the state-owned clothing store but didn’t see any bras in sight.

She then went to the supply and marketing cooperative to check, but still couldn’t find any.

Just as she was starting to worry, she remembered that Jiang Guo’an’s grain ration booklet contained fabric coupons. Her eyes lit up instantly.

She returned to the supply and marketing cooperative, used the fabric coupons to buy two meters of cotton cloth, and also picked up a few buttons.

If she couldn’t buy one, she would just make her own.

As soon as Su Banxia stepped out of the supply and marketing cooperative, she saw Zhang Xiaolan walking toward the entrance.

Not far behind her, a suspicious-looking man was lurking. Just as Zhang Xiaolan lifted her foot to step onto the stairs, the man deliberately rushed toward her and bumped into her forcefully.

As Zhang Xiaolan stumbled forward, the man seized the opportunity to snatch the cloth bag she was tightly clutching.

Zhang Xiaolan staggered, and by the time she regained her balance and realized her bag had been stolen, her face paled, and she immediately cried out.

“Stop, thief! There’s a thief!”

That damned thief—her husband’s grain ration booklet and ten yuan were all in that bag. If it was stolen, their family would be left with nothing to eat for the month.

Oh no, what should she do?

Just as Zhang Xiaolan was panicking, overwhelmed and at a loss, Su Banxia swiftly stepped in front of her without a word, shoved the cloth she was holding into Zhang Xiaolan’s arms, and sprinted off in the direction the thief had fled.

Not far away, Jiang Guo’an and Chen Feng had just stepped out of a military jeep.

Seeing this, the two immediately chased after Su Banxia.

Despite her size, Su Banxia ran with remarkable agility, her feet seeming to glide over the ground.

She chased the thief into an alley, and when he saw she was alone, he stopped running and turned to face her.

Like a magician, the thief produced a small knife from his sleeve and thrust it toward Su Banxia.

Jiang Guo’an, who had just reached the alley entrance, felt his heart leap into his throat at the sight.

He was about to shout for her to dodge when Su Banxia, undeterred by the threat, charged forward, leaped into the air, and delivered a powerful kick to the thief’s stomach.

The thief’s eyes widened in shock as he crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach in pain, his face contorted in agony.

The knife in his hand clattered to the ground.

Su Banxia kicked the knife away and stomped on the back of the hand that had held it.

Hands on her hips, she glared down at him and snapped, “You bastard! How dare you steal from a military spouse? Aren’t you afraid you’ll be struck by lightning?

Hand it over.”

The thief grimaced in pain but still struggled defiantly.

He turned his head and snarled, “You fat cow! How dare you hit me? Believe me, I’ll kill you!”

Catching his breath, the thief tried to struggle to his feet. Seeing his stubborn refusal to cooperate, Su Banxia grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked it backward before he could fully rise.

The thief howled in pain and cursed angrily.

“You shrew!”

Su Banxia ignored him, only tightening her grip on his hair.

The thief’s head was forced backward, and half his body followed suit.

Spotting the corner of the cloth bag peeking out of his pocket, Su Banxia snatched it out and finally released him, standing up straight.

Su Banxia said, “You’re a grown man with hands and feet—why resort to stealing instead of doing honest work?

Let me tell you, if I ever see you again, I’ll beat you up every time.”

The thief never expected to be taken down by such a fierce woman today. This was no ordinary woman—she was a force of nature, a tigress with immense strength.

Seeing him still lying on the ground, Su Banxia didn’t want to cause any more trouble.

After confirming that the grain ration booklet and money were still in the bag, she smiled and walked toward the alley entrance.

But as she lifted her head, she saw a figure in military green standing at the mouth of the alley.

Su Banxia paused mid-step.

Him again?

Why was he haunting her like a lingering ghost?