Linhai Steel Factory, located in the eastern part of the city, spans thousands of acres. Not only is the factory itself massive, but the residential compound for its workers is also exceptionally large.

The rows of mixed-courtyard houses in the southern area are home to ordinary workers. Only those in better conditions have private courtyards, like Chen Qing’s family. Her brother-in-law was a martyr, and her parents were among the first workers at the machinery factory. Later, they even risked their lives to prevent greater losses at the factory.

Thanks to their sacrifices, Chen Qing managed to live in such a spacious home during the housing-shortage era of the 1970s.

To the north, the residential area leads directly to the main gate of the machinery factory. A dozen two-story houses stand side by side, particularly eye-catching and the dream residence for every steel factory worker!

The machinery factory’s director, chief engineer, consultants, and other leaders all live there. Various facilities catering to their convenience have been built around them.

The state-run restaurant is located there, about a kilometer away from the mixed-courtyard houses. He Yuxiang, eager to settle things quickly, ran so fast he was practically a blur.

Auntie Yu, standing at the entrance of the alley, couldn’t catch up with him no matter how loudly she called—his desire to return home was too urgent.

Auntie Yu had just heard that Chen Qing was planning to arrange a blind date and intended to send the two children away. She wanted to give them a heads-up so they could be prepared, but she couldn’t even get a word in.

“It’s mealtime. We should head back now.”

Cooking smoke curled up from the southern residential compound, and Auntie Yu packed up her small stool and headed home.

Other people’s major dramas were nothing more than gossip to her.

He Yuxiang, rushing home, went straight to find his sister.

He Yuting, sitting obediently on the steps, brightened up when she saw her brother return. “Brother, Auntie really applied medicine for me just now.”

She slightly lifted her chin, the bright red medicine serving as proof.

He Yuxiang breathed a sigh of relief. Though he couldn’t understand why the wicked woman had suddenly shown kindness, he was just glad his sister wasn’t hurt. “Rest for a bit. Later, when she eats, I’ll make you some multigrain porridge.”

These days, multigrain porridge meant sweet potatoes and coarse rice—not exactly throat-scratching, but far from tasty.

Still, for the two of them, going hungry was a common occurrence, so they couldn’t afford to be picky about the porridge.

He Yuting nodded. “Okay.”

Hearing his aunt’s footsteps inside the house, He Yuxiang nervously took the lunchbox to the kitchen. He secretly scooped out a layer of meat from the aluminum container and hid it in the backyard, afraid the aroma would give him away.

After finishing this, he placed the lunchbox on the table in the main room.

Their courtyard was relatively large, with three main rooms. The largest served as the living and dining room, while the other two were bedrooms—one for the two children and one for Chen Qing. There were also two side rooms: one used as a kitchen and the other as a storage room for miscellaneous items, plus a small bathroom.

This courtyard was a coveted piece of “prime real estate” for many in the machinery factory.

Chen Qing, who had just finished inspecting the courtyard inside and out, ran into He Yuxiang as he set down the lunchbox. “I steamed some rice. Go wash three bowls, divide the rice, and bring it here. I have something to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” He Yuxiang asked warily, like a little wolf cub.

Chen Qing chuckled. “What, are you going to refuse to listen?”

He Yuxiang felt wronged, angry, and his face flushed bright red!

The wicked woman was indeed still wicked!

Watching his furious retreating figure, Chen Qing rested her chin on her hand and pondered. Had she been influenced by the villainess? Why did she find such amusement in the children’s misery?

This wasn’t normal. It really wasn’t normal.

As a youth of the new era, she was supposed to be the embodiment of truth, kindness, and beauty.

Sitting at the dining table, Chen Qing continued to reflect on her life.

She had transmigrated into a book.

And she had two dependents in tow, one of whom might just explode at any moment.

But that wasn’t even the critical part.

She had discovered something that made her wish she could just reincarnate all over again—the real reason the original host had been willing to marry a divorced man.

The original host was in debt!!!

The amount: a staggering 178 yuan.

The two children had pensions, so the original host didn’t need to support them at all. She had taken over her mother’s job and became a permanent employee, earning thirty-six yuan a month. Moreover, before her sister passed away, she had left all her savings—over seven hundred yuan—to the original host. It hadn’t even been a year since her sister’s death, so there was no way she should have been short on money.

But the original host was vain. The daughter of the deputy director in the factory committee was doted on by everyone and always dressed beautifully. Unwilling to let the title of “factory belle” fall to someone else, the original host spent a fortune on her appearance, trying to outshine the deputy director’s daughter.

And then…

Her pockets were empty.

The thirty-five yuan left in her pocket was all the money the family had.

The person who lent money to the original host was none other than the divorced man!

He wasn’t bad-looking—fair-skinned, tall, and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. As the director of the logistics department and a former university student, he perfectly fit the image of a refined scoundrel.

According to the book’s plot, he treated the original host quite well.

He seemed like a decent person.

But Chen Qing had no interest in being a stepmother.

Especially when she already had two dependents at home.

“Auntie, the rice is here.”

He Yuting carefully carried the rice bowl, afraid she might drop it again.

“Hmm.”

No matter how big the world was, eating came first.

Chen Qing opened the lid of the aluminum lunchbox, and the aroma of meat filled the air.

The glistening, tender slices of pork made both children swallow unconsciously.

Chen Qing picked up a piece of pork and took a bite, her eyes widening in delight.

As an orphan, very few didn’t know how to cook.

Unfortunately, she was one of them.

In her previous life, she had to save money for a down payment on a house and ate very poorly. She never expected to improve her diet in the 1970s…

The pork was rich with a savory soy sauce flavor—firm yet tender, with the freshness of chili peppers and the sharpness of garlic. The layers of flavor exploded in her mouth, filling her with immense happiness!

He Yuxiang knew she wouldn’t share with him, but seeing how eager his sister was, he deliberately spoke up to distract her: “Weren’t you going to tell us something?”

“Yes, there is something.”

Chen Qing carefully considered her words.

“Can’t you just say it directly?”

Dragging it out like this made it seem like she was being polite or something.

He Yuxiang rolled his eyes.

Chen Qing picked up a piece of meat for each of the siblings.

At this, even He Yuting sat up straight.

He Yuxiang was on high alert, repeatedly reminding himself not to fall for the enemy’s sugar-coated bullets!

“Eat, why aren’t you eating?”

“Just say what you have to say!”

He Yuxiang was growing impatient.

“Look at you, so impatient.” Chen Qing took another bite of the spicy stir-fried pork before saying, “I remember your father gave you a piece of gold. I’m planning to buy a sewing machine—how about you contribute it to help me out? Don’t worry, once I start taking on private sewing jobs, I’ll make sure you benefit from it too.”

“No way!”

He knew it—when the wicked woman sought him out, it was never for anything good.

She was after his gold.

It was his only bargaining chip, and he would never give it to her, even if he were beaten to death.

Chen Qing’s lips tightened into a straight line, her displeasure evident.

He Yuting, frightened by her aunt’s expression, began to sob quietly.

Chen Qing: “So annoying.”

She put down her chopsticks and went back to her room.

Half the meat was still left. Given the little antagonist’s cleverness, he’d probably eat it, right?