Chen Caohua walked home with a heavy heart after her bath. As she reached a corner, she heard a sinister voice, “Chen Caohua.”

The voice was like a thunderclap, striking her mind with terror. Without looking back, she immediately started running.

The man behind her was prepared. He grabbed her clothing and pulled her into the alley. “A hundred days of kindness for one day as husband and wife. We’ve shared a bed, and now you act like you don’t know me?”

Chen Caohua trembled uncontrollably. “Huang Shitao, stop talking nonsense!”

The man was none other than Huang Shitao. He had tricked Chen Caohua into going south with him to find work, but there was no money to be made. As their funds dwindled, he suggested she sell herself as a prostitute.

Unexpectedly, she had run away!

Huang Shitao’s plans had been disrupted, and he was furious. Unable to make it in the south, he returned to Dong’an County. His first task upon returning was to find Chen Caohua and settle accounts!

He pulled her into his arms, speaking tenderly, “Caohua, we were like a real couple in the south. After you left, I’ve been thinking about you nonstop.”

Chen Caohua panicked, terrified someone might see them. From her previous life, she knew that Huang Shitao, though seemingly honest and reliable, was actually a manipulative parasite who lived off women!

She pushed him away forcefully, shouting, “There’s nothing between us! If you dare harass me again, I’ll report you to the police and accuse you of raping me! How dare you lay hands on a soldier’s wife? Get ready for a bullet in the head!”

Huang Shitao was taken aback. He knew about Feng Tianqi’s identity.

Laughing nervously, he said, “Caohua, don’t be so tense. I’m not here to cause trouble. I’m just short on cash and thought I’d ask you for a little help.”

“I don’t have any money! My old hag of a mother-in-law doesn’t even let me keep change. Even the thirty cents for my bath, I had to scrounge together!”

Chen Caohua’s eyes suddenly lit up. “I don’t have money, but I know someone who does. You can ask her.”

“Who?”

“A young woman named Lin Ning. She sells bath towels at the public baths every day, making tens of yuan daily.”

“That much?”

“Of course! Bath towels are a new trend in Dong’an County, selling like hotcakes. Lin Ning has some secret supply source. Today, I saw with my own eyes that she made 21 yuan!”

Huang Shitao’s interest was piqued. “Where is she? Is she alone?”

“She’s always alone, wandering between bathhouses in the county. Just keep looking; if she’s not at one bathhouse, she’ll be at another. Find her when no one’s around, and just ask her for some money.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Chen Caohua added, “She’s quite good-looking too. You don’t have a wife, right? Why not make her your wife?”

“Haha, Caohua, you really care about me.”

Disgusted, Chen Caohua shoved him away. “I need to go, or my mother-in-law will start yelling. Make sure you find Lin Ning. I’ll be waiting for your good news.”

Huang Shitao truly entertained the thought. Being broke and lazy, the idea of robbing someone as an easy solution seemed perfect!

Lin Ning replenished the stock at the bathhouses and headed to the garment factory. It had been a week, and it was time to collect her first commission on the bath towels.

Director Cao personally led her to the accounting office. “Comrade Lin Ning, this week we sold 160,000 bath towels. Your commission is 1,600 yuan.”

The accountant handed her 160 crisp bills. “Please count it.”

1,600 yuan in just one week! It was a huge sum in this era.

Lin Ning carefully counted the bills. “Indeed, 1,600 yuan. Thank you, Director Cao.”

Director Cao laughed heartily. “We should be thanking you for coming up with such a great product.”

Leaving the factory, Lin Ning stashed the money in her secret storage space and purchased another 500 yuan worth of bath towels. She then began the walk home.

She had earned 800 yuan from selling towels herself and an additional 1,600 yuan in commission, totaling 2,400 yuan. Combined with the 600 yuan she had taken from her family, she now had 2,400 yuan-enough to buy a house soon.

The thought of the original owner’s previous homelessness fueled her determination. She decided to end this rootless lifestyle by buying a house.

That afternoon, the streets were quiet, covered in fallen leaves. The only sound was Lin Ning’s footsteps.

As she walked, she felt uneasy. Behind her, faint footsteps echoed in sync with hers. She turned and saw a man standing in the distance, looking up at the sky.

Suspicious, Lin Ning changed her route, heading down a sparsely populated street.

The man following her was none other than Huang Shitao. He had spotted Lin Ning while scouting bathhouses, watching her unload bags of bath towels and return with them significantly lighter. Knowing she made good money, he decided she was an easy target.

Seeing Lin Ning turn onto a secluded path, Huang Shitao quickened his pace. The road ahead led to a dead end- perfect for his plan.

As Lin Ning walked, she heard the footsteps behind her pick up speed. Suddenly, there was a rush of wind.

“Whoosh-“

Lin Ning sidestepped, and Huang Shitao missed, stumbling forward. “You’re a clever one, but you won’t escape me!” he shouted, lunging at her again.

Lin Ning stood still, smiling faintly. As he got close, she kicked him hard in the stomach. Huang Shitao yelped in pain as he was sent flying into the dead end.

Following him into the alley, Lin Ning’s blows landed relentlessly. The alley echoed with Huang Shitao’s cries. “Mercy! Please, stop!”

“Trying to rob me? I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget!” Lin Ning growled, punching him square in the jaw.

“I didn’t know you were this strong! If I had, I’d never have come after you!” Huang Shitao whimpered.

“Don’t even think about targeting anyone else, or you’ll get the same treatment!” Lin Ning shouted.

Defeated and bruised, Huang Shitao cursed under his breath. “That damned Chen Caohua tricked me! I’m going to settle this with her!”

Lin Ning paused, narrowing her eyes. “What did you say? Chen Caohua sent you?”

“Yes! She told me you had money and where to find you. I didn’t even know who you were until she told me! Please, let me go. I’ll never do this again!”

Fury flashed in Lin Ning’s eyes. That wretched Chen Caohua!