Chapter 4: Emptying the Scumbag Dad’s Ill-Gotten Gains  

After dinner and a day full of turmoil, Liu Huiru fell asleep early. Qian Lai, her mind set on a plan, returned to her Dimension. She removed the bandage from her head, changed into black clothes, and slipped into the long-abandoned chemical workshop through the back door of the factory under the cover of night.  

Years ago, this place had been the site of a Furnace Explosion that shocked the nation, leaving devastating casualties in its wake. Since then, it had been left deserted, forgotten by all.  

Even on this early summer night, a chilling breeze still swept through the area.  

The vast factory building was shrouded in eerie gloom. The massive window frames stood bare, not a single pane of glass remaining. The cold wind whistled through them, occasionally letting out mournful wails, as if the ghosts of the past were weeping.  

Qian Lai tugged at her collar, feeling a shiver run down her spine.  

That Qian Jiangang! Only he could come up with something like this—hiding his ill-gotten gains in a place like this.  

During the day, the factory was guarded, and entry was strictly forbidden. But at night? Hah! Even if someone were paid, no one would dare set foot here.  

The beam of her flashlight was nothing more than a faint flicker against the overwhelming darkness.  

She moved along the factory walls, searching for Boiler No. 2, where Qian Jiangang had stashed his money. Her path was constantly blocked by rusted steel scraps and debris left behind from the explosion. Hopping and dodging the obstacles underfoot, she kept her eyes peeled for her target.  

“Tsk.” The inevitable happened.  

A long nail scraped against her ankle, leaving a deep gash. The pain nearly sent her tumbling to her knees.  

But in that moment, her flashlight fell to the ground. Following its beam, she spotted a cleared area not far away—a makeshift living space with scattered bedding and leftover food.  

What? Someone lived here? More than one or two people, by the looks of it!  

Her heart pounded harder.  

Scrambling to her feet, she ignored the throbbing pain in her ankle. She had to find her target and get out of here—fast.  

Just as anxiety tightened its grip, she turned a corner, skirting past the “living area.” Moonlight streamed in, illuminating a large, faded “2” painted on the wall.  

The original spiral staircase had long since rotted away. She half-fell, half-crawled into the boiler’s interior.  

Inside, it was darker than Qian Jiangang’s conscience. The charred walls clung to the soot, and even her flashlight could only pierce a few inches of the blackness.  

She knocked on the boiler walls, but only flakes of ash rained down.  

Then she inspected the floor.  

The sound was off!  

With effort, Qian Lai pried open a hidden compartment in the boiler floor. Wedged between coiled pipes was a red cloth bundle, tightly wrapped in layers of plastic.  

As she lifted it, she discovered an iron box beneath.  

Opening it, her eyes widened. Inside was a stack of crisp ten-yuan bills, meticulously sealed in waterproof cloth.  

Without hesitation, she stashed the “spoils of war” into her Dimension. She needed to leave this terrifying place immediately.  

Just as she was climbing out of the boiler’s broken shell, she heard rustling—someone was coming in.  

Not good!  

She ducked back into her Dimension to observe.  

But after a long silence, the factory remained deathly still, as if the sound had never existed.  

Maybe she was just too jumpy—scaring herself over nothing.  

Stepping confidently onto the ruined staircase, she descended. But after just two steps, strong arms suddenly lifted her into the air from behind. A large hand wrapped around her slender waist, while another clamped over her petite face.

Qian Lai struggled in fright, but was firmly held by two strong arms. A deep, magnetic male voice whispered by her ear, “Don’t make a sound.”

Her entire body tensed reflexively, heart pounding like thunder. Her back and waist were pressed against a solid, broad chest. The surroundings were so quiet they could hear each other’s heartbeats.

She crouched with him, using the angle formed by Boiler No. 2 and the back wall as cover, perfectly positioned to observe all movements ahead.

The space was somewhat cramped. The man’s warm breath kept brushing against her neck, making her blush—fortunately hidden by the darkness.

Glancing back inadvertently, their eyes met for a moment before the man quickly withdrew his hand. He raised a finger to his lips, “Shh.”

The girl nodded slightly.

By the moonlight, Qiao Muting could see her face clearly. Bright eyes flickered, her expression solemn as if she were about to join the Party. Her thin lips were pressed together, a smudge of black ash streaked across her fair cheek, slanting over the bridge of her nose—like a little white rabbit just rescued from a trap.

An inexplicable ripple stirred in his heart.

The “little white rabbit” twisted slightly at the waist, and he instinctively steadied her.

Only then did he snap out of it, stunned!

He was allergic to the touch of the opposite sex, yet just now—just moments ago—when he covered her mouth and pulled her into his arms, why had there been no adverse reaction? On the contrary, he seemed to thoroughly enjoy being close to her! Even the mere proximity to her, sensing her presence, left him feeling strangely exhilarated.

What was happening? This was unprecedented since he’d developed this “strange condition”!

He knew his body was different. Contact with a woman’s skin would trigger severe allergic reactions—once, he’d nearly suffocated to death.

A woman’s saliva, sweat, tears, even… were like poison to him.

Yet today, why was it different? This peculiar comfort almost made him lose control.

His brain commanded his body to behave, but his willpower teetered on the brink of collapse.

Disbelieving, he looked down at the girl in his arms. The “little white rabbit” was clearly trembling in fear but putting on a brave front. The faint scent of gardenias drifted from her dark hair, and her fitted top accentuated her perfectly developed figure.

His chin lowered instinctively, now just a hair’s breadth from her forehead. His Adam’s apple bobbed nervously as he leaned toward her ear—only for his own face to burn first.

He hated this condition of his!

The girl was like a magnet, drawing him closer. The nearer he was to her, the more at ease he felt.

Just then, three figures suddenly rose from the darkness at the other end of the factory and began moving toward them.

Seeing this, the girl in his arms turned her head and raised a slender finger to her lips, pouting slightly: “Shh.”

Her adorable expression made Qiao Muting’s heart skip a beat.

“Big Brother, you’re too paranoid. There’s no one here.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“If we have to stay in this dump for two more days, I’m out. Once Old Four gets back and we cash in, we’re living it up.”

“Yeah, Big Brother. Live for today. Worst case, we end up eating ‘Government Food.'”

“Government Food? You wish. For what we’ve done, going in means eating ‘Gun Bullets.’ Hmph, Shuanzi, I advise you not to be careless. I don’t want to end up inside.”

As the three men drew closer, the women could finally see them clearly. The tall leader had an extremely fierce face. Behind him was a fat man—the one called Shuanzi—carrying a burlap sack over his shoulder.

From their conversation, it was clear all three were desperate criminals.

The trio returned to their temporary “base,” set up a pot, and cooked a meal. After three rounds of drinks, the fat man fell into a deep sleep, snoring thunderously.

“Big Brother, why hasn’t Old Four come back yet? Could it be…”

“Old Four’s got bad legs. He’s always slow. Shuanzi, get some sleep. I’ll keep watch outside for the first half of the night.” With that, the Boss strode out of the factory building.

Qian Lai grumbled inwardly. If not for the man suddenly appearing behind her, she could have slipped into her Dimension by now and would already be sound asleep on her luxurious king-sized bed.

Why, oh why, was she stuck here… sitting on someone’s lap?!

The space was too cramped, and his legs took up too much room.

She turned her head awkwardly to glance at Qiao Muting, her eyes asking: Are we really staying like this all night?

Qiao Muting’s gaze softened in response: Just wait a little longer.

Time ticked by, and it must have been close to midnight by now.

She straightened her stiff back slightly, and the man gently touched her slender waist, reminding her not to make any noise.

His warm, steady breathing gradually eased her vigilance. She thought to herself, he probably wasn’t a bad person.

Several times, she glanced up at him—his jawline was sharper than her life plans, his Adam’s apple moved at an uneven pace, and her forehead occasionally brushed against the skin of his neck… The girl couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Why did the atmosphere feel so strange?!

Even in her past life, she’d never been this close to a man, let alone for so long.

Noticing her gaze, the man lowered his eyes slightly, the corners of his lips curling into a perfect arc.

To Qian Lai, it looked three parts cunning, five parts roguish, and two parts smug.

But she had to admit—his looks were flawless.

Thick, sword-like brows, a nose like a mountain ridge, full lips that always seemed slightly upturned.

Pity about those peach-blossom eyes with their charming creases—no doubt a magnet for admirers, with gold hairpins and jade pendants scattered carelessly in his wake.

Tsk. A hopeless romantic and a spendthrift to boot.

“Freeze!”

“Police!”

Countless flashlight beams suddenly pierced the darkness outside the factory, and the flashing lights of police cars flickered into the workshop.

“Stay here. Don’t move.”

The man’s deep, magnetic voice whispered by her ear again. In an instant, he sprang forward on long legs, charging toward the two sleeping men.