Several uneventful days passed before someone else came looking for Lin Ning at the public bathhouse.

“Jiang Chacha? Why are you here?”

Jiang Chacha, true to her name, was a delicate but calculating girl. In the original timeline, she was the original host’s best friend. After the host married into the Feng family, the two lost contact. Rumor had it that Jiang Chacha later moved south, started a big company, and became very wealthy.

Lin Ning’s tone was cold, but Jiang Chacha didn’t seem to mind. She pulled out an oil paper package and stuffed it into Lin Ning’s hands.

“It’s been so long since we last saw each other. I didn’t know you were working here. These candies are for you. Enjoy them.”

No one gives without expecting something in return. From the original host’s memories, Lin Ning knew Jiang Chacha’s gifts always came with strings attached. Whenever she gave the original host something, she inevitably asked for something back in return—something much more valuable.

Sure enough, Jiang Chacha got to the point.

“Lin Ning, do you still have that cinnabar bead bracelet? I’ve been having nightmares lately. They say cinnabar wards off evil spirits. Could you lend it to me for a few days?”

Cinnabar bead bracelet? Lin Ning finally remembered. The original host did have such a bracelet. She had taken it off and locked it in her cabinet because it got in the way while scrubbing customers.

But Lin Ning had no intention of lending it to Jiang Chacha. In the previous life, Jiang Chacha had used the same excuse to borrow the bracelet and never returned it.

“It’s lost. I can’t find it.”

Jiang Chacha panicked. “How could you lose it? Where did you lose it?”

“I don’t remember. It’s just a bracelet. Why are you more anxious about it than I am?”

Jiang Chacha forced a smile. “It’s a shame. That was such a nice bracelet.”

She kept pressing Lin Ning with questions, but Lin Ning maintained that it was lost. In the end, Jiang Chacha left, clearly unhappy.

Out on the street, Jiang Chacha clutched her chest, her face pale. Lin Ning’s claim that the bracelet was lost felt like a knife in her heart. Ever since she first saw the cinnabar bead bracelet, an inexplicable voice inside her had urged her to claim it for herself. Now Lin Ning claimed it was lost before Jiang Chacha could even make her move.

I don’t believe it’s gone, Jiang Chacha thought bitterly. I’ll find a way to search through Lin Ning’s things.

That evening, Lin Ning retrieved the bracelet from the cabinet. The original host had bought it from an old man selling trinkets near Wu Gong Tower in Dong’an County for 1.15 yuan.

The bracelet felt warm and smooth to the touch. It featured 28 small cinnabar beads, with a carved cinnabar “Ruyi” charm at the center. The Ruyi had one larger end and one smaller end, adorned with delicate cloud patterns—an exquisite piece.

In her past life, the original host had bought this bracelet hoping for a life of ease and fulfillment, as symbolized by the “Ruyi” charm. However, shortly after purchasing it, Jiang Chacha had taken it away, and the original host’s life descended into hardship.

Lin Ning stroked the bracelet, murmuring, “Ruyi, Ruyi, grant my wishes.” Suddenly, she felt a sharp pain in her finger. Upon closer inspection, she saw that a small protrusion on the back of the Ruyi charm had pricked her, drawing blood. Crimson drops seeped into the charm, disappearing as if absorbed.

Panicked, Lin Ning ran to the bathroom to wash her finger, but the blood had already fused with the charm.

As she lamented the loss of the bracelet’s pristine condition, a burst of red light erupted from the Ruyi charm, engulfing her. Moments later, Lin Ning disappeared.

Outside the bathroom, someone knocked on the door. “Hey, Seven, are you in there?”

When no one answered, they pushed the door open. “Huh? She’s not here. Where did she go?”

Meanwhile, Lin Ning found herself standing in a vast, open space. Above her stretched a clear blue sky, while below lay fertile soil and lush greenery swaying gently in the breeze. Nearby, a crystal-clear lake shimmered, with fish leaping playfully in its waters—a truly idyllic scene.

Where am I?

Scanning her surroundings, Lin Ning noticed a stone tablet by the lake, engraved with four bright red characters: “Ruyi Space.”

As an employee of the Quick Transmigration Bureau, Lin Ning immediately realized that she had stumbled upon a legendary personal dimension, and the Ruyi bracelet was the key to accessing it.

Looking down at her wrist, she saw that the bracelet had disappeared, replaced by a small cinnabar mark. When she touched the mark, she was instantly transported back to the public bathhouse bathroom. Another thought, and she returned to the space.

After exploring, Lin Ning discovered the land here was extraordinarily fertile, capable of yielding three harvests per year. The lake’s water was imbued with spiritual energy, promoting longevity when consumed and preserving youth when used in skincare.

So that’s how Jiang Chacha must have built her cosmetics empire in the previous life, Lin Ning speculated.

Still, she shook her head. Even if the original host had discovered this space in the past, her spineless nature would have allowed the Lin family to take it from her. True security didn’t come from treasures but from self-reliance.

The next day, Jiang Chacha returned, unable to contain her desperation to search Lin Ning’s belongings.

Softly, she said, “Lin Ning, could you scrub my back? I don’t trust anyone else.”

Fine. I’ll scrub you so hard you regret it.

Lin Ning slapped the scrubbing mitt onto her hand and began scrubbing with all her might.

“Ah! That hurts! Lin Ning, go easier!” Jiang Chacha yelped.

“Alright.” Lin Ning increased her strength instead, drawing another scream from Jiang Chacha. Each time Jiang Chacha cried out, Lin Ning scrubbed harder. By the end, Jiang Chacha’s skin was bright red, but she dared not complain further.

Then, as expected, Jiang Chacha cried out, “My necklace is missing!”

Jiang Chacha searched for a long time, then suddenly pointed at Lin Ning and said, “She was the one who scrubbed me during the bath, and she’s the one who stole my necklace!”

This was a serious accusation. If a bathhouse worker were found stealing from a customer, they would be immediately dismissed and even sent to the police station. The bathhouse itself would also suffer consequences.

Sister Hong asked, “Do you have any evidence?”

Jiang Chacha insisted, “She’s the only one who touched me. If we don’t find the necklace, it proves she stole it!”

This was Jiang Chacha’s true goal: an excuse to search Lin Ning’s belongings.

After a brief discussion, Lin Ning allowed Sister Hong to bring out her things for inspection. Jiang Chacha sifted through everything, but there was no necklace—nor anything remotely suspicious.

Defeated, Jiang Chacha apologized half-heartedly and left. Lin Ning followed her outside, waiting until they were alone.

With a sharp slap, Lin Ning declared, “Jiang Chacha, you’re no friend of mine. From this moment, we’re finished.”

Covering her reddened cheek, Jiang Chacha whimpered, “But I really did lose my necklace…”

“Lies! You never even had one! Get lost. If you show your face here again, I won’t go so easy on you.”

Humiliated and defeated, Jiang Chacha fled, knowing the bracelet—and any chance of exploiting Lin Ning—was forever out of reach.