Chapter 25: Her Reputation Matters Too

In the pitch-dark night, Min Yuanyang walked away from the dimly lit city, heading further and further into the outskirts, where rows of low houses stood.

She kept walking, her heart calm and her goal clear.

When she was little, she and her family had fled from a disaster. Along the way, they encountered another group of refugees, and a fight broke out.

Her eldest brother gave her half their food and told her to run into the forest—never to look back.

For nearly two months, she survived with just that small knife, killing wild chickens, pythons, and rabbits…

She made it out alive and reached Xiba Village. But she never saw her parents and siblings again.

Since then, no matter how dark the night was, she was never afraid.

Among the rows of low houses, Min Yuanyang found the right one with pinpoint accuracy.

The front door was newly installed, and the paint on the wooden frame hadn’t fully dried.

During the day, she had lingered around the public restrooms, gathering information. One particular piece stood out—Li Jianshe’s soon-to-be brother-in-law was Qin Shouchang, the textile factory director’s nephew.

Qin Shouchang had just arrived from the countryside, and his uncle had secretly arranged a job for him here.

Min Yuanyang had changed bathrooms seven or eight times, collecting enough information to confirm this was the place.

She took a deep breath, looked at the three-meter-high courtyard wall, and climbed over it.

Landing steadily, she didn’t even shake the bundle on her back.

In the heat of summer, nearly every house had its windows open. Min Yuanyang climbed in through one.

Inside, besides Qin Shouchang, there was also a young woman—someone she had seen earlier that day, leaving Li Jianshe’s house. Others called her Li Xiaoru.

The two of them were tangled together, completely unclothed.

Ten minutes later, Min Yuanyang left the same way she came, leaving no trace on the blue brick floor.

Half an hour later, she was back at the courtyard, glancing once more at her daughter’s new home, smiling happily again.

Xiangbao.

Mother failed you in the past, letting you suffer so much.

From now on, I will make it up to you. Every single person who wronged you will pay—twice over!

Morning

Sheng Chunxiang opened her eyes, feeling sore all over. She turned over and tried to sleep again, but her mind was flooded with all kinds of intimate images.

She had officially transformed from a pure young maiden into a married woman.

If she had known he had this much energy, she wouldn’t have let him drink that spiritual spring water.

Luckily, she had drunk some too—otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for three days.

The bedroom door swung open.

Pei Qingyuan stood there wearing an apron, holding a spatula, his face beaming like sunshine.

“Wife, do you want to eat now, or later?”,

Sheng Chunxiang rolled her eyes at him. “You’re feeling quite proud, huh?”

Pei Qingyuan walked in, sat on the edge of the bed, and stared at his wife’s fair, jade-like shoulder, which still bore traces of his “battle marks.”

“Wife, if I weren’t proud, wouldn’t that be wrong? I married a wife as divine as a goddess—I am honored!”

As he spoke, he even lifted the spatula in his hand high, as if taking an oath of allegiance.

Sheng Chunxiang was speechless. “Get lost!”

Pei Qingyuan immediately stood up. “Alright, alright, I’m leaving. Then get up and eat. You worked hard last night.”

Before Sheng Chunxiang could throw a pillow at him, he had already closed the door.

Sheng Chunxiang took out a bottle of spiritual spring water from her space and drank half of it in one go.

Pei Qingyuan, that spoiled rich kid, had been living the good life, while the original owner of this body was weak. Even with the boost from the spiritual spring, it wasn’t enough.

She first went to the bathroom for a shower. Pei Qingyuan had been considerate enough to prepare the bathwater in advance.

Feeling refreshed, Sheng Chunxiang changed into new clothes before stepping out of the room.

On the dining table, six dishes and a soup—everything was fragrant, colorful, and appetizing!

“Wife, try it. How’s my cooking?”

In his past life, he had worked like an ox, doing laundry, cooking, and playing both father and mother. Cooking was a piece of cake for him.

But when he was cooking earlier, he was surprised to find that his skills had somehow improved.

Was it because he was in high spirits after something good happened?

No, no.

In the end, he came to a conclusion—his wife brought him good fortune!

Sheng Chunxiang sat down and took a bite of the braised pork. Her eyes lit up.

“Your cooking is pretty good. Keep practicing, and you might just match my mom’s cooking one day.”

She tried a few more dishes, each more surprising than the last.

Receiving praise from his wife, Pei Qingyuan grinned like a fool.

Since they had expended a lot of energy last night, they both devoured the meal like wolves. The results were impressive—even the leftover soup was wiped clean with a steamed bun.

Leaning back in her chair, Sheng Chunxiang let out several content burps.

She had no desire to move. As for washing the dishes, that was what dishwashers were for.

Pei Qingyuan didn’t want to move either, but he was even more reluctant to let his wife wash the dishes.

“Wife, let’s rest for a bit. I’ll wash them later.”

Then, unable to keep his hands to himself, he carried her back to the bedroom, intending for a few more rounds.

Sheng Chunxiang kicked him away. “Look at you, so useless. Be careful, or you might die from overexertion.”

Pei Qingyuan had never heard such wild words before, but he understood that his wife was mad. He quickly pulled her into his arms and started massaging her shoulders.

“Wife, don’t be mad, don’t be mad. I’ll give you the key to my secret stash.”

He casually pulled out a key. “That cabinet over there—there’s a hidden compartment inside. All my savings are there.”

“Buy whatever you want. From now on, I’ll take care of you!”

Sheng Chunxiang didn’t hesitate. Marrying was all about enjoying life, and enjoying life required money.

A man’s money was her money. And her money was still her money.

“You’re not hiding any private savings?”

Sheng Chunxiang stared directly into his eyes.

Pei Qingyuan raised his hand in an oath. “If I have a secret stash, then—”

Sheng Chunxiang interrupted, “Then you won’t be allowed to get in bed at night.”

Pei Qingyuan froze for a moment. That was ruthless. His wife was truly ruthless!

But he liked it!

Just as they were resting after their meal, they heard the sound of the door opening outside.

Then—

“Ahhh! A thief! Old Pei, we’ve been robbed!”

Zhao Guihua entered and saw that her bedroom door was open. She rushed in and, without even needing to check, realized that all the wedding supplies she had prepared for her younger son were gone!

Pei Guokang had taken another sick leave. After getting beaten up by Sheng Chunxiang, he had been hospitalized, and even now, his bones still felt like they were falling apart.

As he stepped into the house and smelled the lingering aroma of meat, he was so furious that he nearly spat blood.

“Pei Qingyuan!”

He roared in fury.

Behind him, Zhao Jiancheng and Zhao Qingya clenched their fists, their teeth grinding in hatred.

They had spent the whole night at the hospital, not sleeping a wink.

And Pei Qingyuan? He had been at home with that little wench, feasting and enjoying life!

“Old Pei, that hospital stay really did wonders for you. Listen to how strong your voice is, and look at how rosy your complexion is. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were faking your collapse yesterday!”

Pei Qingyuan held Sheng Chunxiang’s delicate hand as they walked out of the room together.

Sheng Chunxiang even made sure to leave the bedroom door open, allowing everyone to see the festive red decorations inside.

She smiled. Pei Qingyuan, this spoiled rich kid, was truly a master at annoying his father.

Pei Guokang looked at them standing side by side, dressed in brand-new clothes, with identical smug smiles that made them look even more like a perfect match.

The old man was so angry he nearly coughed up blood again!

Zhao Jiancheng quickly supported him. “Dad, calm down!”

Then he turned and shouted, “Pei Qingyuan! Are you trying to kill Dad with anger?”

Pei Qingyuan smirked. “You keep calling him ‘Dad’ so passionately. After all these years, people might think you’re actually Old Pei’s real son.”

Sheng Chunxiang gasped in surprise. “Wait, he’s not his real son? But they look so alike.”

Pei Qingyuan widened his eyes in exaggerated shock. “Oh my God! How did I never notice? Wife, you really have sharp eyes!”

Zhao Jiancheng panicked, his face turning deathly pale. “You… you’re talking nonsense!”

Pei Guokang’s blood pressure shot up so high he actually choked, unable to speak, and slumped onto the couch.

Ungrateful child.

This ungrateful child!

Zhao Guihua stormed out of her bedroom and saw everything inside Pei Qingyuan’s room.

“You… you… where did you get all these things?!”

Sheng Chunxiang blinked her big, innocent eyes. “Husband? Is she accusing us of stealing?”

Then, she flexed her wrists.

Her reputation was important—she wouldn’t allow anyone to falsely accuse her.

Pei Qingyuan’s face darkened. “Old Zhao, what’s with that look, that tone, and that attitude?”

“Didn’t you say long ago that once I got married, everything in my room would be mine?”

“I got married yesterday, so of course, I went to collect my things from you.”

Sheng Chunxiang added, “Exactly! I am Pei Qingyuan’s legally wedded wife, married with proper rites, and we even swore our vows in front of the portrait of the great leader.”

“If you accuse me of being a thief, aren’t you insulting the great leader?”

Pei Qingyuan said, “Wife, don’t be mad. Let’s call the neighbors over and let them judge. They all heard it.”