In the Room
Shen Li spent a while planning tomorrow’s schedule. She stored Gu Xu’s two hundred yuan and Shen Liren’s pocket watch in her space, then decided to check on her crops.
Her space had now reached first-level. The rice was growing vigorously, a lush green expanse.
The seeds she had bought earlier—she had planted everything the first-level space could handle. Some plants were already bearing fruit, others just sprouting. Opening the space panel, she saw that a harvest had been collected.
On the panel were vegetables and fruits she recognized: greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more. Each type had over two thousand in quantity.
Luckily, everything was represented as numbers on the panel; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to store it all.
The medicinal herbs had also yielded a batch: Poria and Ophiopogon, only around two hundred each. Medicinal herbs produced less than vegetables.
Hmm, there were even croton seeds?
Perfect—they had a great use.
She selected the croton seeds on the panel, and a new sub-panel appeared with three options: cook, grind, or extract directly.
Excellent, it was so complete.
She chose to grind, and instantly a small vial of croton powder appeared in her hand.
Just as Shen Li was about to leave, the familiar stabbing pain in her heart returned, making it hard to breathe.
She rushed to the spirit spring and drank several mouthfuls, holding her hands together until her stomach felt full. Only then did she feel some relief.
If she didn’t know her death would come six months later due to overexertion and suffering, she might have thought she was on the brink of death.
Exiting the space, Shen Li peeked through the window. Not far ahead, a blue cloth ribbon hung from a phoenix tree—confirming that Uncle Lu’s plan had succeeded. She washed up briefly and lay down to rest.
The blue ribbon was her signal with Uncle Lu:
Blue — mission accomplished.
Red — failed.
Yellow — scheduled meeting.
The Next Day
Shen Li went downstairs and ran into Shen Man. Shen Man looked haggard, faint red marks on her face barely hidden even with powder—proof of how harshly Zhong Shuhua had acted last night.
“Manman, use my powder later. Cheap stuff isn’t good.” Shen Li shook her head with disdain, her expression arrogant. Shen Man hated being looked down upon.
Shen Man’s powder was expensive—it wasn’t the product at fault. But she couldn’t say that, or Zhong Shuhua would criticize her again. After last night, she realized that her supposedly doting mother actually valued her brother more than her by a mile.
Clenching her teeth, Shen Man forced a polite smile: “Thanks, I’ll pass for now.”
Once she had her work secured, she’d see how Shen Li could still show off. Then, Shen Man would pin the capitalist accusation on Shen Li, reclaim what Shen Li had taken from her family, and make her pay.
“Li Li, you’re awake. I bought breakfast for you.”
Gu Xu had arrived early. The table was full of breakfast delicacies, though no Western-style bread—he couldn’t afford that.
“These xiaolongbao are from the state-run hotel. Try them.”
He had carefully packed each xiaolongbao separately, holding one in his hand with a hint of nervousness, worried Shen Li might not be satisfied.
Shen Li wasn’t looking to cause trouble today; she was waiting for Gu Xu to handle the important matter for Shen Liren.
Taking a xiaolongbao, Shen Li sat gracefully and began eating.
Gu Xu couldn’t help but sigh. Watching her eat was a pleasure. She carried a special aura, somewhat like the matriarch of the Gu family.
No—he shouldn’t think that. Shen Li was just a foolish woman, always chasing romance and drama.
Gu Xu steadied himself and handed another xiaolongbao to Shen Man, his gaze lingering. “Shen Man, you probably haven’t had breakfast either. Here, for you.”
Shen Man was sulky, still jealous about Gu Xu’s attention to Shen Li last night. Now he was doting on Shen Li first thing in the morning—it was far too meticulous, and she was worried.
The xiaolongbao were plump with juicy filling; even the thin skin revealed the meat inside.
Shen Man swallowed. Getting this for breakfast was already top-tier.
As she reached for it, thinking of Shen Li’s earlier arrogance, she deliberately scraped Gu Xu’s hand with her fingers, right in front of Shen Li—trying to tease him in front of her.
But Shen Li didn’t even glance over, and even ate two more xiaolongbao.
Gu Xu cleared his throat twice, tempted to withdraw his hand. Right now, he couldn’t have any physical contact—it made him nauseous.
But he couldn’t pull away. He had already hurt Shen Man’s feelings last night. Today, he had to soothe her.
He swallowed his disgust and gave Shen Man a subtle look. Only then did she notice something inside the xiaolongbao wrapping.
The wax paper had two layers. Inside, the xiaolongbao, but tucked in the outer layer were two chocolates.
Imported chocolates.
Unavailable on the open market—usually only given to foreign dignitaries.
Chocolate symbolized status, a privilege for the elite.
Two chocolates were enough to appease Shen Man:
She had something Shen Li didn’t, proving her unique place in Gu Xu’s heart.
That Gu Xu could acquire chocolates showed his extraordinary status.
Shen Man didn’t argue further. She took them softly, “Thank you, Xu-ge.”
Gu Xu quickly withdrew his hand, brushing it subtly on his lap.
These chocolates were sent by someone returning from the capital on his mother’s request. Only ten existed, and he couldn’t bear to eat them himself.
Heard that a Gu family prodigy was getting married, and these were wedding gifts.
Even distant relatives received them, proof of the Gu family’s undeniable influence.
Thanks to this borrowed prestige, Shen Man dared not make a fuss in front of Shen Li.
Gu Xu felt a small sense of pride. Both women were under his control.
“Li Li, this bean cake is delicious. Eat it while it’s hot.”
Shen Li reached for it but looked up as Shen Liren descended the stairs, cheerfully calling, “Good morning, Uncle.”
You can’t hide a smile from a friendly face. Even if Shen Liren was displeased by Shen Li’s behavior yesterday, he couldn’t show it—he’d look petty.
He nodded in acknowledgment.
Seizing the moment while all eyes were on Shen Liren, Shen Li flicked her little finger, sprinkling croton powder hidden under her nail onto the bean cake.
She pushed Gu Xu’s hand away. “Uncle likes these bean cakes—let him eat first.”
She acted obedient and courteous.
Gu Xu had already noticed Shen Liren’s strange attitude toward him last night. He assumed it was because he had avoided Shen Man’s hand, so now he tried extra hard to please.
“Uncle, you’re the elder. Please eat first.”
Shen Liren liked bean cakes—coincidentally, the same taste as Shen Li’s.
The table was full of items both Shen Man and Shen Liren liked. With the bean cake, Shen Li had also included herself—a masterstroke of pleasing everyone.
Shen Liren accepted the gesture. “Xiao Xu, I’ll have a word with you later.”
Last night he had probed Zhong Shuhua and Shen Man. Both insisted they hadn’t touched the safe.
He still didn’t know who had taken the items from the safe. He couldn’t trust Gu Xu to handle the afternoon’s major task alone. He had to go along.
The bean cake was crisp, and Shen Liren ate quickly.
Just as he reached for another, his stomach churned violently. With a loud, smelly fart, Shen Man, just about to bite into a xiaolongbao, inhaled accidentally and nearly vomited from the stench.