Shen Zhiyao went to a secluded spot and transferred her belongings into the space. Then she took out the report she had written the night before. She intended to report Shen Congguo for stealing steel from the factory for speculative trade, even specifying the hidden location. She handed two candies to a child, watching as the little one crept into the factory, and then headed to the Public Security Bureau.
At the bureau, a young officer came out. Seeing Shen Zhiyao’s dark, flushed face—almost like Guan Yu—he carefully inquired about Shen Congguo and Li Guizhi. He learned that they had been interrogated the night before but refused to admit hitting her. They had even thrown tantrums claiming headaches, so the police had sent them to the hospital, where they still were.
Shen Zhiyao had only wanted to get them out of the house. After all, they hadn’t really gained anything. Without overthinking it, she went to the Youth Placement Office, confirmed her exact assignment location, collected her referral letter and train ticket, and even registered Niu Xiaohua. If Li Guizhi could sign her up, she certainly wouldn’t leave her daughter behind. She kept the allowance intended for Niu Xiaohua—since Li Guizhi probably took Shen Zhiyao’s money, she might as well take Niu Xiaohua’s too. Fair is fair!
Next, she went to a restaurant. From novels about this era, she had read that the braised pork was delicious. She ordered braised pork with shredded potatoes, along with several buns and steamed breads, and sat down to eat. To her delight, it lived up to the reputation!
After finishing, she packed the leftovers—some eggplant and braised pork—into the space, planning to eat them on the train to the countryside. She then went to the recycling station, knowing there were still plenty of valuable items there at this time.
At the recycling station, an old man in a white undershirt sat at the entrance. Shen Zhiyao asked him to let her find some books and promised not to touch anything else. She flashed a sweet smile and handed him a few candies. The old man’s face lit up, and he told her to take her time.
Inside, she called Bai Bai for navigation. She systematically collected table legs, cabinet panels, red wooden boxes, and even a few sets of high school textbooks from this era. Paying just a few cents, she left with her haul before anyone could grow suspicious. With only one day left before she had to depart, she planned to organize the containers she had previously gathered in R Country and the items she’d just collected, then tally her money and tickets. The day after tomorrow, she would leave for the countryside.
By the time she returned home, it was evening. Li Guizhi was sitting in the living room with Niu Xiaohua, both glaring at her viciously. Niu Xiaohua was crying so hard she could barely breathe. “You little bitch! Who let you sign me up for the countryside? I don’t want to go farm!”
Shen Zhiyao strolled casually into the living room. “Tsk tsk tsk, why aren’t you playing the good person now? You think I can’t sign people up? Your mom signed me up without my consent—so why can’t I do the same?”
Li Guizhi’s eyes were bloodshot as she glared. “You little brat! What did you do to your uncle that the police took him away?”
“Hahaha, good! They deserved it. He was secretly selling the factory’s steel. Now that’s taken care of, pack up and get out of my house with Niu Xiaohua while my mood’s still good—don’t waste time!”
Li Guizhi pointed at her. “Move out? Why should I? This is my home! I married your uncle; I’m the mistress of this house. And your job—compensate me for that too, or I won’t let you go!”
Shen Zhiyao clapped her hands. “Go get some sun, it might make your face less idiotic. Your house? Your job? Want it? Ha! What proof do you have? Are you divorced in the countryside? Has Niu Xiaohua’s father processed it? Show me! Show me your marriage certificate with Shen Congguo! One more slip-up, and I’ll report you and make sure you end up eating peanuts in jail!”
Li Guizhi’s eyes went wide. She had no idea how Shen Zhiyao knew she hadn’t divorced, and she turned pale. Shen Zhiyao grabbed her by the collar and tossed her out the door, then threw out the items she had packed that morning. She looked at Niu Xiaohua. “You leaving on your own, or do you want to go out like your mom?”
Niu Xiaohua glared, and Shen Zhiyao said, “Don’t want your eyeballs? I can pluck them out for free!”
Niu Xiaohua sulked as she left. Li Guizhi whispered to her daughter, “Don’t worry. She leaves for the countryside the day after tomorrow. Mom will get your stuff ready tomorrow. Once you two leave, I’ll come back, and when there’s a chance, we’ll live here again.”
Shen Zhiyao didn’t bother with them. She went back to her room, entered the space, and scooped up Bai Bai, cuddling him with complete enjoyment. Bai Bai, from initially embarrassed, was now used to it, looking utterly resigned.
After putting Bai Bai down, Shen Zhiyao returned to the villa, grabbed a nightgown from the modern wardrobe, and went to shower. She emerged wearing a red nightgown, standing before the mirror. At 1.68 meters tall and under 100 pounds, her figure was perfectly proportioned. She thought, I wonder if Captain Lu ever had a girlfriend in this lifetime… Would he like someone like me? I owe him my life—maybe… offering myself isn’t such a bad way to repay him…
Shaking her head, she chastised herself. Focus! I haven’t even repaid him yet, and you’re already thinking about romance. You’re here to fix your past regrets—get a grip!
She went to the kitchen, boiled ten eggs, prepared some jerky and apples, and packed the previously boxed lunch for the countryside. She picked light items for her bag, leaving heavier ones for backup. She grabbed a 6-kg and a 10-kg luggage from the furniture warehouse, added a colorful four-piece bedding set, some clothes, a couple of skirts, a pair of dress shoes, white sneakers, and two pairs of work shoes, packing them into a small suitcase. She also packed sturdy enamel basins and toiletries bought at the state-owned store. She didn’t plan to carry everything, nor to mail it—just enough to take to town and then to the village. Even though she had plenty of money, she needed to save some.
Once ready, she grabbed a few dishes and a box of rice from the prepared-food warehouse and ate ravenously. After finishing, she drank a cup of spring water and called Bai Bai. She was ready to start planting in the space. There was a large patch of empty land by the river—such a waste. Her seed warehouse was full of all kinds of seeds. Though she had hundreds of thousands of kilograms of grains, who could ever complain? With grains in her pocket, she would never go hungry. And she had saplings too—perfect for planting on the mountain. With one month in the space equaling just one day outside, she could finish everything tomorrow.
After sharing her plan, Bai Bai agreed. Chasing chickens and herding sheep had been fun, but planting something would be a good change of pace.
With that settled, Bai Bai returned to the room with Shen Zhiyao to sleep. He didn’t really want to share the room—after all, the living room was spacious, and the sofa was so comfortable. But this woman clung to him pitifully, looking up with those large, expressive almond-shaped eyes. Who could refuse such a gaze…