Shen Liren wanted to act as if nothing had happened—but his stomach had other plans. He had to go.
Clutching his thighs, Shen Liren ignored everyone else’s expressions. At first, he tried to stay composed, walking with dignity—but when he felt the first leak, he could no longer hold it and dashed toward the restroom.
Shen Li had already stepped aside. The window above was open, so no smell reached her. Shen Man and Gu Xu stood next to Shen Liren—and they were doomed. Both of them gagged and retched continuously.
No wonder it was a product of her space—its effects were first-rate. Today, Shen Liren wasn’t going anywhere.
All the money Gu Xu had spent on breakfast was wasted—no one had an appetite anymore.
“Uncle and Ming Tang both like to soil their pants… could this be hereditary, Manman?”
Shen Li pinched her nose and glared at Shen Man. “Too filthy. I’m going back to my room.”
Gu Xu didn’t leave—he was waiting to see if Shen Liren had any instructions to give.
But he didn’t go near Shen Man either. Flushed and fuming, she stomped her feet. “Shen Li, you’re making things up again.”
Shen Li, as if disgusted by something, ran back to her room.
The stench was unbearable. Shen Man couldn’t stay either. She didn’t want Gu Xu to accompany her—she had overheard her father and knew he had important business to handle with Gu Xu today.
She went to the Red Committee.
Gu Xu waited all morning, but Shen Liren didn’t appear. Time was tight, and he had many preparations—he had no choice but to leave first.
Shen Li was also in a hurry. When she saw the yellow cloth ribbon hanging from the phoenix tree, she went out as well.
First, she visited Aunt Zhao’s house, delivering another basket of vegetables and fruits from her space.
Aunt Zhao’s son didn’t like vegetables—he only ate what Shen Li gave.
“Let’s go, accompany Auntie shopping.”
Aunt Zhao had a loud voice. Whenever they went out, she told everyone that Shen Li was accompanying her—everyone spoke highly of Shen Li.
When they reached a small alley, Aunt Zhao said, “Go handle your business. If anyone asks, I’ll just say you’ve been out shopping with me. Plenty of neighbors have seen us.”
Shen Li had previously told Aunt Zhao she wanted to hide her bankbook, but feared Shen Liren and the others might get suspicious. Hence, today’s little ruse.
In the alley, Shen Li ran into Uncle Lu. After getting Gu Xu’s address, she had him secretly leak Gu Xu’s whereabouts half an hour later.
Uncle Lu was stunned: “Young Miss, it takes half an hour to get there. Even the police wouldn’t take that long. They train every day—they walk faster than you, a young lady.”
How could Shen Li have time to move all her family’s assets?
Uncle Lu couldn’t understand her purpose.
The space was too strange to explain, but Shen Li said seriously: “Trust me, Uncle Lu.”
“Alright. I’ll do whatever you ask, but you must be careful.”
Shen Li repeatedly assured him it was completely safe. Only then did he let her go.
Qiao’an Road—once home to the largest factory in Shanghai. Until the fire that year, where her father died saving people.
Because of the high death toll, the factory gradually fell into ruin.
Shen Liren had hidden things here, using her family’s resources to this extent.
Shen Li’s breathing quickened. She wanted nothing more than to tear this family of ingrates apart.
No—that wouldn’t satisfy her. She wanted to see these ingrates fight each other, to truly vent her hatred.
The factory had a basement, something her father had discussed with her when teaching her architecture.
Shen Li had been interested in architecture since childhood. Her father wasn’t just a doctor—he was also an architect and often took her to inspect buildings firsthand.
No one knew this place better than Shen Li. Hiding and dodging, she finally heard Gu Xu’s voice.
“Add that many boxes. The money will go up by fifty percent.”
These days, many wanted to smuggle people to Hong Kong, but only a few shipping companies had the capability. You needed connections both inland and in Hong Kong.
Gu Xu was angry about the sudden price hike but didn’t dare offend them. “Comrade Jin, we really want to be friends with you. Once we reach Hong Kong, we will surely repay you.”
“These two boxes of calligraphy will be gifts for you. Is that okay?”
Boss Jin grinned, flashing two gold teeth. “Alright, I’ll trust you guys as friends.”
“When will the fifty percent extra be paid?”
Gu Xu hadn’t expected such shamelessness. He couldn’t let Shen Liren know he had gifted the calligraphy—otherwise, Shen Liren would never forgive him.
“I’ll pay,” he said.
He couldn’t find anyone else to cooperate with, so he had to endure their shamelessness.
Gu Xu didn’t carry that much cash, so he would have to get the extra fifty percent from Shen Liren later.
“This is your route to Hong Kong. Every cooperation must be settled before the next one.”
Gu Xu understood the implied threat: if they didn’t settle the fifty percent, they wouldn’t get on the ships to Hong Kong.
Transporting people to Hong Kong was harder than shipping goods.
Boss Jin was their only hope.
Gu Xu took the route map and nodded.
At that moment, the abandoned factory door was pushed open—police officers entered.
“Where’s Gu Xu?”
“Gu Xu, come out.”
The factory was empty, the basement nearby, and their tension made every word audible.
“How did you drag the police here?” Boss Jin was furious.
In this line of work, police interference was the worst possible scenario.
Gu Xu didn’t understand either. “I’ll go check. You just watch. I’ll pay you, but the goods must reach Hong Kong.”
Gu Xu hadn’t caused trouble, so he wasn’t too worried.
As soon as he stepped out, someone behind the police pointed at him. “It’s him! He hit me!”
“He even stole my money!”
During the day, the police approached Zhang Tiezhu. He recalled being beaten last night, losing his money. These people were just playing with him. Now, facing the police, he needed a scapegoat.
“I didn’t do it. He’s a thief—don’t believe him.”
“You were bribed to collect my money,” Zhang Tiezhu admitted partially, downplaying the crime.
Even if he failed to steal anything, the offense wasn’t too serious—but these people? Their reputations would be ruined.
Gu Xu internally blamed Shen Man for the kind of people she brought.
These people, once bribed, would turn against you.
Gu Xu assumed Zhang Tiezhu had tracked him and found him.
“Officers, I really didn’t do it. Let me go to the station and clarify.”
The officers didn’t say much. Although Gu Xu being at the old factory was odd, it was abandoned—nothing suspicious there.
They took Gu Xu away.
Boss Jin and his men followed discreetly, waiting in the corner. Once Gu Xu drew the police away, they met eyes.
For people living on the edge like them, escape routes were critical. If the police went to the basement, they would slip out the back.
Fortunately, despite some twists, everything went relatively smoothly.
“Everyone out, then who’s watching the goods?”
“There’s no one here. Who could steal them? Don’t worry.”