After finishing her second night shift, Dai Qing could finally rest for two days. Just as she was putting away her tools, Wei Hong waved her over. “Xiaoqing, want to go to the bathhouse together? We can help each other scrub our backs.”

Dai Qing paused for a moment. She had two rooms at home, along with a private kitchen and bathroom. Her grandfather had even installed an imported electric water heater for her. She had never considered going to the public bathhouse.

“Master, I didn’t bring anything with me today. Let’s go another time when I have my bath basket.”

“Alright, I’ll head out first then.” Wei Hong glanced at her, noticing she only had her coat in hand. She nodded and left with her coworkers.

Stepping out of the workshop, Dai Qing felt the cool breeze of the early morning and looked up at the rising sun. Compared to the stifling heat of the workshop, the fresh air outside felt incredibly refreshing. She squinted her eyes and enjoyed the moment.

From the second floor, Cheng Hao stood by the window, watching her relaxed expression with a slight smile. But when his eyes landed on a figure lingering near the factory gate, his gaze darkened. That coward was still hanging around?

“Brother Hao, what are you looking at? Hey, isn’t that Comrade Dai?” Ge Bing followed Cheng Hao’s line of sight, and his eyes widened in surprise.

“Brother Hao, isn’t that the coward who ran off last time? Is he still trying to bother Comrade Dai?”

As the two spoke, Liu Ming, who had been waiting outside, spotted Dai Qing walking out and immediately adjusted his expression. He approached her with a friendly smile.

“Xiaoqing, would you like to go to the park this afternoon? I’ve already bought the tickets.”

“Not interested,” Dai Qing brushed past him, not even sparing him a glance.

“A few friends are going too. There’s boating—it’ll be fun!” Liu Ming, unwilling to give up, eagerly followed her, continuing to invite her.

“I’m busy. I’m not going.” She had plans to do fortune-telling later; there was no time to waste on something as trivial as boating.

“Xiaoqing… are you still mad at me? I’ve already explained things to Li Xing. She won’t bother me anymore,” Liu Ming tried to salvage the situation, pressing on. After all, women liked to feel like they were the only one in a man’s heart—this much he understood.

“Shut up. Stay away from me. The sight of you is annoying.”

Dai Qing turned sharply and walked out of the factory gate. Liu Ming clenched his teeth, his eyes flickering with something sinister. For now, he’d endure. Once she was in his hands, he’d show her who was in charge.

After all, a woman with no family to rely on would eventually need a man to survive. What was she acting so high and mighty for?

Leaning against the factory gate, Cheng Hao observed Liu Ming’s sullen expression and raised an eyebrow. That coward had bad intentions written all over his face—not only was he gutless, but his character was clearly lacking.

Dai Qing, sticking to her routine, bought breakfast, took a bath, washed her clothes, and went to bed.

She slept until after one in the afternoon. After eating a light meal, she changed into fresh clothes: a pale blue puff-sleeve top paired with black trousers and flat leather shoes. She tied her hair into a high ponytail, exposing her smooth forehead. Her large eyes sparkled, and she looked full of energy.

Taking the bus, she made her way to Ruida Grand Hotel. As soon as she stood at the entrance, Dai Qing couldn’t help but frown. The hotel was in a prime location, facing south and located along a major street. However, a faint black mist seemed to hang over the building, and despite the heat of the day, a chilling sensation lingered in the air.

Even without consulting feng shui, she could tell something was wrong inside.

Since her rebirth, this was the first time she had felt such yin energy—an otherworldly presence.

Her grandfather had once said that beyond humans, there were many other beings in this world, such as demons, ghosts, and gods. Each existed in their own realms, coexisting without interfering with one another.