Lin Ning returned to the People’s Bathhouse and officially began work. Big Sister Hong informed them that the Dong’an County Textile Factory had recently distributed welfare bath tickets, and many female workers would come to bathe there, so everyone needed to prepare.

Sure enough, as soon as the bathhouse opened, a large group of women poured in. The attendants, from Old One to Old Ten, took their places, ready to work.

A middle-aged woman lay down on a bench. Starting with her front, Lin Ning began scrubbing. As she worked, she noticed something unusual. The woman’s right breast felt hard, and near her armpit, there was a lump about the size of a date.

When Lin Ning scrubbed her side, she felt it more clearly—a round, firm lump. Based on her experience, this was likely not a good sign.

In her past life, Feng Tianqi’s mother, Ge Jinhua, had passed away from breast cancer. The original owner of this body had extensive experience dealing with similar cases.

After the woman left, Lin Ning chased after her. “Big Sister, can I speak with you?”

“What is it?”

“There’s a lump in your right breast. You should visit a hospital for a checkup.”

The woman’s heart skipped a beat. She touched her breast and confirmed there was indeed a lump. But she quickly dismissed it, saying, “It doesn’t hurt or itch—it’s nothing.”

Lin Ning grew anxious. Lumps that didn’t hurt or itch were often the most dangerous.

“Big Sister, it’s better to consult a doctor. It’s the only way to be sure.”

The woman nodded and thanked Lin Ning before leaving.

After that brief episode, Lin Ning entered a frenzy of scrubbing. She scrubbed nonstop, only pausing to eat or use the restroom. By 11 PM, her back was nearly giving out, and her clothes were soaked through. No wonder the previous Number Seven had collapsed. If not for her good stamina, Lin Ning might have met the same fate.

In the Dong’an County Textile Factory residential area, the woman, named Li Huan, went to the Yongzhou People’s Hospital. After an initial examination, the doctor frowned and immediately arranged for her to be hospitalized for surgery.

Li Huan panicked. “Doctor, what’s wrong with me?”

“We’ll know after surgery.”

After the operation, a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis: early-stage breast cancer. Fortunately, since it was caught so early, no chemotherapy was necessary—regular follow-ups would suffice.

Li Huan was immensely grateful. In her hospital room, where four patients shared a space, she had the mildest condition. Her fellow patients envied her early discovery, noting that waiting just two more months might have been too late.

Once discharged, Li Huan had a silk banner custom-made and delivered to the People’s Bathhouse for Lin Ning. The banner read, “Warm Service, Heartfelt Care.”

Since the bathhouse’s opening, this was the first time anyone had ever sent them a banner. Li Huan recounted the story, and the staff were filled with pride.

Li Huan also handed Lin Ning a large red envelope containing 50 yuan. She revealed her identity as the Party Secretary of the Dong’an County Textile Factory, promising Lin Ning discounted fabric purchases in the future.

After Li Huan left, Big Sister Hong whispered to Lin Ning, “You’ve brought honor to the bathhouse. The management has decided to give you a raise. From now on, you’ll earn 30 yuan a month.”

Lin Ning felt that being a bathhouse attendant had more potential than she initially thought.

What Lin Ning didn’t expect was for a journalist from the Women’s Gazette to catch wind of the story. The reporter interviewed both Li Huan and Lin Ning, publishing an article titled, “How a Bathhouse Worker Saved a Life—What’s the Story?”

The sensational headline grabbed attention. The story spread like wildfire in Dong’an County, making the bathhouse famous. The Women’s Gazette sold so well it had to be reprinted multiple times.

The Lin family also came across the article, but at first, they didn’t connect it to Lin Ning since the reporter had used aliases. However, Lin Yong felt a pang of suspicion. Could Lin Ning have hidden herself in a bathhouse?

Carefully rereading the description—long hair, large eyes, fair skin, slender build—it matched Lin Ning perfectly.

When Lin Yong told Lin Father and Lin Mother, Lin Mother rushed to the bathhouse to confirm. Upon seeing Lin Ning, she hurried back to report, “It’s her! That wretched girl is scrubbing people in a bathhouse! How humiliating!”

The Lin family held a meeting. The marriage arrangement with the Feng family was already set. They had to bring Lin Ning back, but since she was so tough now, confrontation wouldn’t work. They needed a new strategy.

The Lin family brought the Women’s Gazette to the Feng family. “In-laws, your future daughter-in-law made the newspaper!”

Feng Tianqi’s parents, Feng Fugui and Ge Jinhua, were thrilled. “So, it’s Lin Ning? Perfect! We can probably get free baths at the bathhouse from now on.”

Taking advantage of the situation, Lin Yong proposed increasing the bride price. “Since Lin Ning’s value has risen after being featured in the paper, 600 yuan won’t do. It needs to go up to 800.”

Feng Fugui and Ge Jinhua hesitated but eventually agreed. “Fine, 800 it is. Once she’s in our home, she’ll be our servant. We’ll work her to the bone—our family won’t lose out.”

The two families devised a plan. One would act kindly, the other harshly, to ruin Lin Ning’s job and force her to return and marry.

The next day, Lin Ning was scrubbing a customer when a woman in her fifties stood nearby, grinning. “This girl scrubs well, doesn’t she?”

The customer nodded. “Very well.”

“Of course! She’s my daughter-in-law.”

Daughter-in-law?

Lin Ning turned her head, and her memories as a cannon fodder character activated. This was Ge Jinhua, Feng Tianqi’s mother—her supposed mother-in-law!

Ge Jinhua confidently greeted everyone, “Hello, everyone! I’m Lin Ning’s mother-in-law. You all know Lin Ning, right? She was just featured in the Women’s Gazette for saving someone’s life.”

Lin Ning smirked coldly. Old hag, just wait—I’ll deal with you later.

That evening, after dinner, Ge Jinhua felt triumphant. She had spent the entire day flaunting her connection to Lin Ning. If she kept it up, public opinion would eventually force Lin Ning to comply.

During the quiet dinner hour, Lin Ning approached Ge Jinhua. “Come with me.”

Thinking Lin Ning was surrendering, Ge Jinhua smugly followed her to the innermost room. So easy? This tactic really works.

But as soon as she stepped inside, Lin Ning kicked her hard from behind.

“Ahhh!” Ge Jinhua tumbled into the pool with a loud splash.

Before she could react, Lin Ning jumped in after her, grabbed her by the head, and dunked her underwater.

“Glug glug—help—glug glug!”

Ge Jinhua swallowed several mouthfuls of bathwater. Every time she tried to surface, Lin Ning shoved her back under.

“Am I your daughter-in-law?” Lin Ning demanded.

“No—glug glug—no!”

“Will you come back here?”

“No, never!”

Lin Ning dragged her out of the pool and dumped her on the ground. “Get lost! If you come back, I’ll drown you for real!”

Terrified, Ge Jinhua scrambled to her feet and fled, not daring to look back. Her only thought was, This girl is unmanageable—but I’ll get my revenge.