Chapter 4

After walking for a while, she saw another clothing factory up ahead. There was no hiring sign, but she felt a surge of excitement and approached the guard post. A middle-aged uncle inside asked:

“Who are you looking for?”

Shen Nanxi smiled politely.
“Uncle, I’m not looking for anyone. I’m looking for a job. I can design clothes. Do you need a designer?”

“No. Leave.”

So young and claiming to be a designer? Real designers had years of experience. Did she look like a designer?

The uncle didn’t care how pretty she was—he was a stern and impartial man.

“Alright.”

Shen Nanxi couldn’t bring herself to beg, so she turned and left. Jobs were scarce during this time. Even dishwashing jobs were highly contested. It was going to be hard for her to find anything.

She passed a few more places, none of which were hiring. She started to feel discouraged. Eventually, she took a bus back and got off in the city center. Up ahead was the department store—she decided to check it out.

“You shameless thing! Stop right there!”

As she was walking near the entrance, someone grabbed her and pushed her to the ground. The blister on her hand got scraped open, and she cried out in pain. When she looked up, the man glaring at her fiercely was Shen Chaonan.

They both had the character “Nan” in their names, which was why Shen Chaonan believed they were fated to clash.

He was Shen Cheng’s youngest son—a slick, unruly guy. He had a woman with a handbag and two thuggish men with him.

She was doomed.

Just as she tried to get up, Shen Chaonan kicked her.
“You shameless wench! Change your damn name!”

Shen Nanxi’s eyes blazed with anger. She raised her hand and shouted:
“Shen Chaonan, you hurt me. I’m going to the police! You’re causing trouble again—your mom already can’t stand you!”

“Screw you! Trying to snitch?”

He kicked her in the leg again and barked to the others:
“Let’s go!”

Shen Nanxi trembled in pain—he really hadn’t held back, as if he wanted to break her leg.

“Comrade, are you okay? Let me help you.”

A well-mannered man reached out to support her. The crowd had been shocked—many were afraid of gossip and didn’t dare help. Yet this man stepped right in.

He helped her up and asked:
“Can you stand?”

Her leg still hurt, so she leaned on him for support. Wiping her tears, she said:
“It still hurts. Could you help me over to the wall to rest?”

“Of course. Take it slow.”

He helped her move away from the entrance and settle by the wall.

“Thank you.”

The man smiled.
“Don’t mention it, comrade. I’m Fu Chen. May I ask your name?”

“Shen Nanxi.”

She forced a small smile.

“Nice name. I’d like to get to know you. Do you have a job? I’d like to offer you one at my company.”

He had gotten a good look at her face the moment she hit the ground. He immediately became excited—this was exactly the kind of person he’d been looking for. Stylish, beautiful, elegant—and when he noticed her long legs, he was even more certain.

Shen Nanxi’s eyes lit up.
“No, I don’t have a job. What kind of company do you run?”

“An advertising agency. We do small gigs—shooting short commercials and such.”

“Do you have anything available right now? I really need money.”

In the past, she’d never have accepted this kind of public-facing work. But now, she had no choice.

“If you sign with us, I can advance your payment.”

“Deal.”

“Wait in my car. I’m just going to buy something, then we’ll head to the office.”

He helped her into a small sedan and went shopping. Soon after, he came back and drove her to the company, which was just a street over—in a two-story building with a sign that read:

Jinlilai Advertising & Design.

There was a receptionist inside. Fu Chen explained that his wife, Liu Mengxue, also worked upstairs. The two of them had founded the company together. They also had a workshop that made advertising signs.

Shen Nanxi took a look around—this place would actually make a great bridal photography studio.

Upstairs was the office and reception area.

Fu Chen called Liu Mengxue down. When she saw Shen Nanxi, she was also very satisfied and immediately wanted to sign her.

They proposed a three-year contract, with an advance of 3,000 yuan.

But Shen Nanxi only wanted a one-year contract. The couple was reluctant to lend her 2,000 yuan for just one year. After negotiating back and forth, they settled on three years for 3,000 yuan.

Fu Chen had thought he was bringing back a clueless girl—but she actually understood contracts better than he did. She clearly knew how to read every clause.

“Once your hand heals, we’ll shoot a sportswear commercial. The pay will be around 500 yuan.”

“Great.”

Shen Nanxi was thrilled. She was finally about to earn her first pot of gold.

By the time they finished signing, it was already noon. She got her 3,000 yuan and offered to treat them to noodles. There was a noodle shop nearby, so they went together—but they didn’t let her pay.

While eating, she asked:
“Brother Chen, do you know how to develop photos?”

“Of course. I studied photography. My wife studied advertising design—that’s why we started the company.”

“I want to open a photo studio someday. Could you help me choose the right equipment when the time comes?”

“It’s not easy to find, but if you need it, I can have someone help you buy a set. It’ll cost around 2,000 yuan.”

Pretty expensive—she’d wait until she had more money.

“I’ll come to you when I’m ready.”

“No problem.”

After lunch, she went to the department store to check out sewing machines—over 300 yuan each. She’d wait until she found a location before buying. She planned to start a custom clothing business—start small.

Feeling tired after leaving the department store, she sat down for a bit and then started looking for shopfronts nearby. This area had a lot of foot traffic—perfect for a business.

Before long, she found several custom clothing stores nearby. One of them was up for transfer—though she didn’t know why.

She walked in and asked:
“Excuse me, is this store up for transfer?”

A woman in glasses replied:
“Yes. Do you know how to sew?”

“I do. May I ask why you’re transferring the store, and how much are you asking?”
Shen Nanxi asked gently.

“My eyes are going bad. I can’t keep running the store.”

Business wasn’t great, but the woman didn’t say that—she just pointed to her eyes.

“The total transfer fee is 2,800 yuan, including some fabric and the sewing machine.”

Shen Nanxi felt a glimmer of joy. That was within her budget.

“Auntie, can you lower the price a bit? Can I see the fabrics first? I’m very interested in this shop.”

The shop wasn’t big. The front wall was lined with bolts of fabric, and sample garments hung on both side walls. It was perfect for a solo operator.

The woman adjusted her glasses and stood up.
“Take a look. If you like it, I’ll lower the price a little. All the fabric is on display—there’s a bit more in the storage room.”

Shen Nanxi checked the fabrics. Most of them were suitable for elderly customers. Still, she was confident she could sell them.

The back room also had similar materials—not much, but worth the price. She bargained down 100 yuan and settled the deal at 2,700 yuan. She also paid two months’ rent and had 100 yuan left in her bag.

If she could make four outfits a day, she’d turn a profit. Or she could lower the prices and make more—it would still be worth it.

She immediately took over the shop. The former owner even called the landlord to re-sign the lease. Then she left with her money and belongings.

Now, the store belonged to Shen Nanxi.

She got to work right away, updating the sample garments.

It was March—summer was coming. She made two dresses and one pants-and-top set in one go. During that time, a few customers walked in. They loved her dress designs. Two even placed orders.

She took their measurements and told them they could come back in an hour. Dress-making wasn’t cheap—she’d earn about 20 yuan from those two. That was a solid margin.

This street had high foot traffic. More and more people stopped by to inquire. Shen Nanxi’s dress styles were attractive, and she received six new orders right away.

By the evening, she had already made 50 yuan.

At 8 PM, when Huo Xizhou came home and didn’t see her, his face darkened. Off gallivanting again?

By 9 PM, she still wasn’t back. His chest rose and fell with tension. If something happened to her, he’d be responsible. He stormed out of the house—and just then, he heard the door open.

“Where have you been? Who were you out with?”

Just as Shen Nanxi opened the door, a cold male voice rang out from the darkness.

Her heart trembled. She was actually beginning to feel afraid of this man.