Han Xinrui ignored Bai Qingqing and smiled at the factory director who had just come out: “Director, let’s talk inside,” she said calmly.

She didn’t spare Bai Qingqing a glance and followed the director into the building.

Bai Qingqing stared at Han Xinrui’s retreating figure, feeling increasingly uneasy. After a brief hesitation, she turned and ran straight to the chemical plant to find Huo Hongtao.

She had already discussed the matter with her family. The plan was to let Huo Hongtao talk Han Xinrui into giving up her job so her younger brother could take over once they secured her house. But now it sounded like Han Xinrui was about to sell the job. What would her brother do if that happened?

The more she thought about it, the more panicked she became.

When she arrived at the plant and saw Huo Hongtao, he immediately asked, “Did something happen to Niuniu again?”

Bai Qingqing grabbed his arm and lowered her voice in a rush. “It’s not Niuniu. I just passed by Xinrui’s workplace and heard her talking with the director. She’s planning to sell her job. She’s probably still upset with you.”

Huo Hongtao’s expression shifted. “Are you sure you heard right?”

“I’m sure,” Bai Qingqing said urgently. “Go take a look. Even if she wants to give it up, she shouldn’t be this rash.”

Without another word, Huo Hongtao stood and left with her. He wasn’t upset about Han Xinrui selling the job. What bothered him was that she hadn’t consulted him first. If she wanted to sell it, she should have asked for his opinion.

Inside the factory office, the director got straight to the point. “Xinrui, my niece is interested in your position. Just tell me how much.”

Han Xinrui gave it some thought, then said clearly, “Two thousand.”

The director hesitated, then agreed. “Alright, come back tomorrow. I’ll have the money ready.”

“Thank you, Director.”

They exchanged a few more words, and the deal was settled.

The director had long been planning to bring his niece into the factory. He had wanted to place her in a temporary role first, but now that he could buy a proper position for her, it worked out even better.

As Han Xinrui got up to leave, the director said in a low voice, “Xinrui, keep an eye on Director Huo and Bai Qingqing from the chemical plant. My wife works there. Word about them has been going around.”

Han Xinrui smiled. “Thank you for the reminder, Director.”

Even outsiders could see what was going on. In her past life, she had been too blind to notice.

“Also,” she added, “please don’t mention the sale to anyone. If someone asks, just say you don’t know.”

The director nodded. “Got it.”

When Han Xinrui walked out of the factory, she saw Huo Hongtao waiting at the gate. He approached her immediately and grabbed her arm.

“Han Xinrui, did you really sell the job?”

Han Xinrui stayed calm. “No, the director just asked if I was thinking about it now that I’m married.”

Huo Hongtao visibly relaxed. His voice softened. “If you’re not going to keep it, then give it to my sister-in-law’s younger brother. He—”

Before he could finish, Han Xinrui interrupted with a smile. “Hongtao, your mother said the house has been rented out. I’m going to check on it this afternoon. Are you coming?”

Huo Hongtao’s face froze.

The house had already been handed over to Bai Qingqing’s brother and her parents. He had even told his parents to hide it from Han Xinrui. If she found out, there would be trouble.

Huo Hongtao quickly changed the subject. “So what if it was rented out? Why are you going to check on it? Don’t you trust my parents?”

He reached out and held her hand. “I’ll come with you.”

Just then, Bai Qingqing stepped forward. “Brother Huo, you should get back to work. I’ll go with Xinrui.”

Huo Hongtao hesitated. Bai Qingqing gave him a look, and he quickly said, “Xinrui, I’ll head back. You go with her.”

Han Xinrui still needed time to deal with the house, so she didn’t argue. “Alright.”

After he left, Bai Qingqing turned to her. “Xinrui, are you really selling the job? If you are—”

Han Xinrui stopped her coldly. “Bai Qingqing, when are you going to repay the rest of the money you owe me? Once you’ve done that, we can talk about jobs. Didn’t Hongtao tell you? If it’s not paid back within three days, I won’t go easy on you.”

Bai Qingqing froze, then tears welled up in her eyes.

Han Xinrui stared at her without emotion. “No need to cry. We’ve both been through enough to know better. That act might work on Huo Hongtao, but it doesn’t work on me.”

She didn’t say anything else and walked away.

Bai Qingqing watched her leave, sneering silently.

Han Xinrui, if I could take your college spot back then, I can make Huo Hongtao give my brother your job now. As for your parents’ house, I’ll take that too. You’re just a fool.

After leaving the factory, Han Xinrui went straight to the residential compound where Huo Hongtao’s parents lived. She had to take action before it was too late.

But instead of going straight to them, she went to look for the director of her parents’ former workplace.

When she entered his office, she started crying.

Factory Director Yuan had been close friends with her adoptive father. He had even been the one to bring her from the forest station to the Han family. Though he had no children of his own, he had always treated her like a daughter and had been instrumental in supporting Huo Hongtao’s career.

Seeing her in tears, he frowned. “What happened?”

Between sobs, Han Xinrui said, “Uncle Yuan, the house my parents left me was taken by my in-laws. They gave it to Bai Qingqing’s brother and parents.”

Director Yuan slammed his hand on the desk. “That woman again? Why is she always involved in everything?”

He sighed and looked at her. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want a divorce from Huo Hongtao,” she said, steadying her voice. “And I want to sell my parents’ house.”

He frowned. “If you sell it, where will you live?”

“I want to sign up for the northern development project and go west with the army.”

He looked at her carefully. “You’ve really made up your mind?”

Han Xinrui nodded. “Uncle Yuan, you’ve probably heard by now. On my wedding day, Huo Hongtao left me to go see Bai Qingqing. He doesn’t take me seriously at all.”

Director Yuan was silent for a while. Then he said, “Alright! I’ll help you figure it out.”