Director Lin accepted the remittance certificates. He weighed them in his hand and realized there were fewer than he had expected.
“Little Shen, it seems you’re not really taking this job seriously,” he said.
The remittance certificates were valuable, and Director Lin needed them. He had originally targeted Shen Man because her family was wealthy.
Shen Man could tell that Director Lin was dissatisfied. It was all because Shen Li had bought so much that most of the family’s remittance certificates were already used yesterday—these remaining ones were the ones she had hidden in advance.
She pulled out a few more bills from her pocket. These were from Zhong Shuhua, money meant to help Shen Mingtang rent a house.
After last night, Shen Mingtang refused to live in the foreign-style building and needed a new one. There was no choice but to use this money for now.
“Director Lin, I truly want this job. I will remember your kindness and take good care of you in the future.”
She was basically saying: this isn’t a one-time transaction. Shen Man would continue to benefit him later.
Shen Li clicked her camera in the space, taking photos without a second thought about the film.
Director Lin accepted the money, and Shen Man knew the job was secured.
People from the alley started coming out, and Shen Man didn’t dare linger. She parted ways with Director Lin, each going in a different direction.
Director Lin headed toward the shops.
Passing one store, he overheard a loud conversation.
“Auntie, why don’t you set up a competitive position? Those who want the position will give you benefits, you can choose the capable ones, and your superiors will see your effort and innovation.”
Director Lin froze. Of course—why hand the position directly to Shen Man? If it were competitive, those vying for it would give him benefits, and he could pick the most capable. Even if some weren’t selected in the end, it was their own lack of ability—he wouldn’t have to return any gifts. This fresh approach might even earn him recognition from above.
Satisfied that Lin was paying attention, Shen Li went next door to the photo studio to develop the pictures.
“Comrade, you took ten shots. Are you sure you want them all developed?”
“Yes,” Shen Li said, just in case. “Develop an extra set.”
The shop owner worked efficiently. Each photo cost 0.8 yuan; twenty shots came to 15, almost half a month’s wage for a laborer. In these times, except for special circumstances, hardly anyone developed photos.
Finding a generous customer, the owner naturally worked quickly.
Shen Li stored the photos and camera in her space, then returned to the black market for another round, and finally bought coffee beans at the Western restaurant before heading home.
Before she reached the house, Aunt Zhao signaled her to stop, waving her hand.
Shen Li approached, and Aunt Zhao whispered, pointing, “There’s someone sneaky over there. Not sure if it’s the Red Committee Army.”
The Red Committee Army—members of the Red Committee—kept watch around the area. During these turbulent times, they were the ones to fear, especially for someone as sensitive as Shen Li.
In her dreams, she remembered that the Red Committee Army hadn’t targeted the Shen family yet, but she didn’t dare take chances. She resolved to reclaim the family property as quickly as possible and flee to Xiangjiang.
Shen Li thanked Aunt Zhao. “Don’t worry, Auntie. I’ll be careful.”
“If anything happens, come to me.”
After saying goodbye, Shen Li increased her pace. Sure enough, just at the door, the person had fled.
The spot the person had been standing? Her room.
Frowning, Shen Li entered. The house was quiet, free of Shen Liren’s family. Even the air felt fresh.
A loud clang came from her room.
Shen Li wasn’t worried about her belongings—they were all safely in her space—but she feared a thief, so she grabbed an iron rod from the kitchen and cautiously approached.
Inside the room, Shen Man was rifling through drawers, searching for Shen Li’s property deeds and bankbooks. She had just learned that the Red Committee job was now competitive. Director Lin had said he could return the money, but Shen Man wanted the job and clearly wouldn’t take it back.
She knew it was because she hadn’t given enough money.
So she aimed for Shen Li’s money. But that girl? Not only was the money gone, even the big gifts Gu Xu had given her were missing.
Where on earth had Shen Li hidden everything?
Damn it. Recently, every attempt against Shen Li had failed. Without luck on her side, everything went wrong.
Fine. If she couldn’t find it, let someone else do it. She didn’t believe that Shen Li would refuse to reveal her belongings tonight.
Just as Shen Man was about to give up, she noticed a small iron box.
Opening it, she found a commendation certificate for her father, Shen Ming, who had died saving lives. The certificate even had the central government’s stamp, proving its weight and significance.
Fortune favors the diligent—this Red Committee job would still be hers.
She didn’t believe anyone could be more important than her.
Footsteps approached on the stairs. Shen Man hurriedly tidied up, rolling the certificate into her sleeve.
“Shen Man? What are you doing in my room?”
Flustered, Shen Man hid her hands behind her back. “I’m just telling you… we’ll be late tonight. Don’t lock the door.”
The small building had two locks. With both locked, even having the key wouldn’t help.
After speaking, Shen Man left the room.
Shen Li noticed a fine scratch under the bed.
She crouched and saw the small iron box under the bed had been tampered with.
It only contained mementos from her parents—not valuable.
Opening it, Shen Li realized her father’s commendation certificate was gone.
Her parents had contributed greatly to the country. Her mother’s family had donated funds and supplies during the war and had been commended. Her mother had helped women and children and built orphanages. Her father, a doctor, saved many prominent people and translated foreign medical texts into Chinese for students. Ultimately, he had died saving lives.
In this era, such heroism was highly respected, and the central government had issued a commendation certificate.
This was the only centrally stamped certificate in Shanghai.
And Shen Man had stolen it.
Shen Li had never been this furious. Even Shen Liren scheming against her inheritance hadn’t angered her so.
She roughly understood why Shen Man had stolen her father’s certificate.
Shen Li took out more fruits from her space and went to Aunt Zhao’s house.
At night, the house was eerily quiet.
Her heart raced—not from fear, but excitement.
She went straight to Shen Liren’s study. That day, he had taken out the bankbooks from this safe. She had memorized the code.
Click. The safe opened.
Shen Li found her household register.
Finally. With the household register in her hands, her marriage was no longer under anyone’s control.
Shen Liren had been careful. Only a few bankbooks were kept in the home safe. Shen Li opened them and… wow—so many zeros. Her treacherous uncle had hoarded so much of her money. Shen Li felt excited. She wondered how much the next batch would have?
Since she was here anyway, it felt unfair to only take Shen Liren’s assets. For Zhong Shuhua and Shen Man’s sake, she would be completely even-handed with the whole family.