“Mom, you’re thinking of me too, not wanting me to suffer too early. No one could have predicted how the situation would develop. I think everything is fate. Heaven gives a great responsibility to someone, it first tests their mind, wears out their muscles, starves their body, leaves them in want. What we lose now will be returned to us in another form later.”
Hearing Zhou Jianan say such powerful and mature words at such a young age, Shen Shujiao’s eyes were full of admiration.
She had only realized this truth after dying tragically and wandering as a lonely ghost for ten years—yet this girl was only eighteen.
No wonder she would later become an iron-faced, selfless female judge.
And the fact that Zhou Hong could talk about handing over the family property to the state showed he already had a plan in mind.
Even in the previous life, Shen Xueman wouldn’t have needed to persuade them—they would have done it anyway.
Shen Xueman had merely missed out on a favor.
“Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, Jianan really is sensible. I believe she will definitely become an outstanding and exceptional person in the future. Don’t overthink it; for now, staying alive and keeping the family safe together is the most important thing,” Shen Shujiao comforted them.
Zhou Hong and his wife nodded.
After chatting a bit longer, Zhou Jianan still didn’t believe Shen Shujiao’s cooking skills could be that good. She arranged to have dinner at Shen’s house so she could see it for herself, then the three of them went home.
Shen Shujiao returned to her room and lay down to take a nap in the space.
When she woke up, it was already four in the afternoon.
Coming out of the space and preparing to wash rice in the kitchen, the door knocked again.
Shen Shujiao opened it and saw Zhou Hong and his family standing at the door.
She opened the door and saw that the couple was holding two bags full of vegetables, fish, meat, and even some liquor.
“Uncle Zhou, Aunt Zhou, why did you buy so much? I already bought vegetables.”
“Tomorrow we’re going to the police to report the handover of the house. Once we move, we won’t have many chances to meet again. Today, I want to make a proper meal for you,” Aunt Zhou said with a smile.
“It’s been so long since I had Aunt Zhou’s cooking. I’ve really missed it. Today, I’ll eat a lot.”
“Jiaojiao, you’ve been exposed—you don’t really know how to cook. The lunch you had earlier, you just bought it from the state-run restaurant, didn’t you?” Zhou Jianan teased.
“To make you fully convinced, I’ll personally cook two dishes for you today.”
The three women went into the kitchen, while Zhou Hong read the newspaper on the sofa.
Seeing Shen Shujiao skillfully wash, prepare, and cut the vegetables, Aunt Zhou said with concern, “Jiaojiao, do you often cook at your eldest aunt’s house?”
“They wanted my family property, so they didn’t dare treat me badly. I guess I’m naturally good at cooking—I learned a few days at home, and now I can do it,” Shen Shujiao replied.
“Then you really have talent in this. Before, when your mom taught you, you didn’t even want to hold a knife. She always worried that you’d go hungry after marriage. Now she’s in heaven and doesn’t need to worry anymore.”
Shen Shujiao’s nose tingled. She said softly, “She just liked worrying. Now it’s fine—she never has to worry again. She’s happily living up there with my dad every day.”
“Yes, their days must be very happy.”
Seeing Shen Shujiao’s sadness, Zhou’s mother didn’t pursue the topic further: “Your braised pork follows the same steps as I do. Why does it smell so good and look so beautiful?”
“Maybe it’s my innate talent!”
“Jiaojiao, you’ve grown thicker-skinned in just over a month!” Zhou Jianan joked.
The three women chatted and laughed in the kitchen, and dinner was quickly prepared.
A table full of delicious dishes was set. Zhou Hong poured himself a glass of liquor, while the three women had Arctic Ocean soda.
Zhou Jianan picked up a piece of braised pork and her eyes practically popped with delight.
“Jiaojiao, now I believe you! You really are gifted in cooking. You should apply as a chef at the Peace Hotel; it would be packed with diners every day.”
“Xiao Nannan, you’re so mean. You’re jealous of my beauty and want me to get scorched and smoked into a big aunty every day.”
“Ha, I saw right through you!”
The two girls joked across the table, lifting the mood for Zhou Hong and his wife.
Just as everyone was enjoying their meal, a loud ‘bang…’ echoed as the front door was kicked open.
Shen Shujiao’s heart jumped. A sense of foreboding rose in her chest.
Everyone quickly got up and ran to the living room, only to see Zhang Fulai and his whole family being pushed in by the Red Armband officers.
Because they were pushed so forcefully, Zhang Tieniu’s wife, six months pregnant, stumbled forward and almost fell.
Seeing her about to hit the ground, Shen Shujiao rushed like the wind and caught her in time.
“Captain Li, what are you doing?” Shen Shujiao’s gaze turned icy as she looked at Li Changzhu and Shen Xueman.
“Your cousin Shen Xueman reported that you are diverting family property—handing over only a third and deceiving the state. These people are accomplices helping you. I brought them here to settle accounts with you,” Li Changzhu said with a dark glare.
In the previous life, having seen Li Changzhu’s cruelty and perversion, Shen Shujiao had chosen to let him handle the property handover, giving him the opportunity for promotion. She had planned to have Huo Zhoubai quietly investigate and remove Li Changzhu later.
She never imagined Shen Xueman would be even more twisted, teaming up with those who harmed women just to hurt her.
“Li Changzhu, I handed over all the family property. The organization has approved it. What right do you have to say I diverted assets? They are ordinary people. What right do you have to point a gun at unarmed civilians?” Shen Shujiao stepped forward, her eyes icy and commanding.
Li Changzhu looked at Shen Shujiao’s beautiful face, a lecherous glint flashing in his eyes.
These daughters of capitalists may appear proper, but when in trouble, they’re no different from the women in dance halls—willing to climb on men to seek protection.
Having tasted Shen Xueman’s sweetness, he thought of Shen Shujiao’s even more captivating beauty.
He obeyed Shen Xueman’s orders, bringing a few cronies to act privately without reporting to superiors.
If he could find more assets, he and his men would share them. His life could be completely reversed.
“For those who deceive superiors and don’t sincerely obey the organization, we have the right to find these hidden parasites. You are those parasites—appearing obedient while secretly diverting the nation’s wealth,” Li Changzhu said coldly, pointing his gun at Shen Shujiao.
“Be sensible and hand over the items, or taste the power of the gun.”