Ye Li went inside and headed straight for Ye Jianguo’s room. She quietly opened the wardrobe, her fingers moving swiftly among the clothes. Before long, she felt a small box hidden deep inside the closet, and her heart leapt with joy. Without even looking at it, she put it straight into her space.
Her gaze swept around the room and finally settled on the slightly worn desk in the corner. She walked over quickly, squatted down, and carefully examined the hidden compartment beneath it. The compartment was concealed extremely well—if she hadn’t once glimpsed Ye Jianguo taking something from there when she was a child, she would never have found it. Wrapping her hand in a handkerchief, she gently brushed away the dust covering the compartment and felt along its edges for the mechanism. After some searching, she finally found a small indentation. With a light press, the compartment popped open with a soft click.
Inside were neatly stacked banknotes, various ration coupons, and several silver dollars that gave off a faint sheen. Ye Li’s eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she swept all the money and valuables into her space. She then opened another compartment beside it and found an old, tattered diary. Ye Li frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and put that into her space as well. A shabby diary hidden so carefully might very well contain something unspeakable.
She stood up and brushed the dust off herself, casually scanning the room. She noticed two brand‑new cotton quilts in the wardrobe and a huanghuali rocking chair placed by the window. Her eyes brightened again, and she stored both items in her space. Glancing at the alarm clock by the bed, she saw it was getting late—if she didn’t leave soon, she’d be late for work. Thinking about how inconvenient it was that her own room didn’t even have a clock, she casually picked up the alarm clock and took it too, then quietly slipped out of the house.
After leaving, Ye Li climbed over the wall back into the alley and sprinted toward the factory.
That day, Liu Hongmei really didn’t go to the big well at the alley entrance to wash clothes. She was holding in a bellyful of anger as she headed for the steel factory’s residential compound. Thinking about how her daughter’s belly had been made big by Jiang Bowen, she grew angrier by the minute.
When she arrived at the Jiang home, Director Jiang wasn’t there, but his wife, Shi Yalan, hadn’t left yet. Opening the door and seeing Liu Hongmei, Shi Yalan gave a lukewarm smile. “Oh, the in‑laws are here! What bad timing—I’m about to go to work, so I really can’t entertain you.”
Back when she and Lin Zhiyue arranged the engagement between the two children, Old Jiang wasn’t even a factory director yet. Unexpectedly, Lin Zhiyue died soon after the engagement was set. Later, Old Jiang was promoted to factory director, and Shi Yalan gradually began to look down on Ye Li. Still, she always maintained a good outward appearance and never gave others anything to criticize. The two kids should have married long ago, but she was the one who deliberately dragged things out and refused to give in.
Liu Hongmei ignored the disdain in Shi Yalan’s expression. With a cold face, she stepped aside and said, “The factory director’s wife must be very busy. If you don’t have time, I’ll just go to the steel factory and have a chat with Director Jiang.”
Seeing her uncharacteristic toughness, Shi Yalan couldn’t help feeling uneasy. Liu Hongmei had always fawned over her before—what had gotten into her today? Shi Yalan was sharp‑witted. Though suspicious, she plastered on a smile. “In‑law, listen to you! I’m just in a rush to get to work. Sigh, we’re all born to toil—unlike you, so free.”
Liu Hongmei coldly watched her sarcasm, seething inside but letting out a mocking laugh. “Factory Director’s wife wouldn’t want me to talk about this right here, would you? If you don’t mind, I don’t either.”
Seeing her look so confident, Shi Yalan’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that her Bowen had gotten into some trouble? “Oh my, in‑law! I just got busy and forgot for a moment—don’t take it to heart. Come in, come in.” Cursing inwardly, Shi Yalan forced a fake smile and ushered Liu Hongmei inside.
Liu Hongmei walked in with her chin held high. Shi Yalan closed the door and asked, pretending to be calm, “In‑law, just say what you came for.”
Liu Hongmei didn’t sit down. She stood in front of Shi Yalan, staring straight at her. “Shi Yalan, your Jiang Bowen got my Zhizhi pregnant. What do you think we should do about this?”
Shi Yalan’s face instantly turned pale, alarm bells ringing in her head, but she still tried to hold her ground. “Don’t talk nonsense. Where’s your proof? Besides, my Bowen’s fiancée is Li Li—how could he be involved with your Zhizhi?”
Liu Hongmei sneered. “Proof? My daughter’s belly is about to show—that’s proof! If your family doesn’t want to take responsibility, I’ll go make a scene at the factory and let everyone see how good Director Jiang’s family upbringing really is!”
Shi Yalan panicked. She knew that if Liu Hongmei really caused a scene at the factory, their family would lose all face. If Old Jiang found out, he might break their son’s legs. She hurriedly put on a smile. “In‑law, let’s talk this out properly. We’re all one family—how could we let your daughter suffer? How about this: I’ll discuss it with Old Jiang and give you an answer as soon as possible.”
Liu Hongmei’s face remained dark as she snorted coldly in warning. “It’d better be that way. Don’t make me wait too long, or I won’t let this go. If your family doesn’t give me a satisfactory answer, I’ll take my daughter to the police station and report your son for rape.”
This time, Shi Yalan was utterly terrified. If Bowen were accused of rape, going to jail would be the least of it—he could be facing a firing squad.
“In‑law, don’t get upset, please don’t get upset! Don’t worry, I’ll definitely give you a satisfactory answer.”
Liu Hongmei didn’t press further. After all, her ultimate goal was to have her daughter marry into the Jiang family.
If she pushed too hard, it would make things difficult for their Zhizhi after she married in. Thinking of this, Liu Hongmei softened her tone a little: “Sister Yalan, the two kids really like each other. Since what’s done is done, let’s just get this marriage arranged. You can pick a good day for them to register their marriage, hold a few banquets, and make it a lively celebration.”
Although Shi Yalan was extremely reluctant, given the situation, she could only agree for now. “Alright, in‑law, what you say makes sense. Once Old Jiang returns, I’ll discuss the date with him. But the wedding still needs to be proper—the betrothal gifts, the dowry, everything needs to be prepared well.”
Shi Yalan muttered under her breath: “The most important thing is, my Bowen was engaged to your Li Li. Now he’s turning around to marry my niece—what kind of thing is this? It’s like someone’s stabbing me in the spine.”
“Sister Yalan, regarding Li Li, I hope you can handle it properly too. Our Li Li is honest and reasonable; if you talk to her properly, she’ll agree.” Liu Hongmei knew what Shi Yalan was thinking and feigned a pleasant smile: “We’re all reasonable people. As for the betrothal gifts, just make them proper—the key is that the kids are happy. I don’t ask for anything else, I just hope your family treats my daughter well.”
Shi Yalan, though annoyed, could only nod: “Of course. Once Zhizhi marries in, she’ll be part of our family. I’ll definitely treat her like my own daughter.”
After exchanging a few more polite words, Liu Hongmei was satisfied and stood to leave. Once she was gone, Shi Yalan’s face immediately darkened as she began scheming how to handle this matter.