“Don’t even think about the job, and don’t even think about the man!”
After coldly sweeping her gaze across the pair, Qiao Yuewei headed upstairs and locked her door. The moment she was alone, she impatiently lifted her sleeve.
Just now, her wrist had suddenly burned with heat. She already had a vague guess, and once she looked—what a pleasant surprise!
Her mother’s spatial jade bracelet had followed her into this world!
She silently recited the activation chant in her mind, and the scene around her shifted.
What she saw made Qiao Yuewei’s eyes widen!
Originally, the space had only contained the supplies she had stored, but now—there was an entire mall inside, the very mall her mother had left her.
Qiao Yuewei’s eyes reddened. Her mother must be watching from the heavens, unable to bear seeing her suffer.
The mall had five floors, complete with food, entertainment, and everything else.
The first floor had all kinds of large household appliances, the second floor clothing, the third floor food, the fourth floor entertainment facilities like a cinema, and the fifth floor was her private rest area.
Qiao Yuewei went up to the fifth floor. Not only was there a dedicated room, but not far away was a pharmacy fully stocked with both Chinese and Western medicines.
She remembered there were several stores selling vintage-era items, so she returned to the second floor—and indeed, they were there.
There were Dacron dresses, Lenin suits, Zhongshan suits, and work uniforms. Qiao Yuewei casually picked one up, and the empty spot was instantly replenished with another.
Her heart leapt. Did this space auto-restock? Didn’t that mean she could never run out?
To be sure, she picked another garment. And again—the gap filled.
Overjoyed, Qiao Yuewei happily changed into a Dacron dress and spun before the mirror.
The person in the mirror looked exactly like her—skin fair as snow, bright and seductive peach-blossom eyes sparkling like stars, and when she smiled, it was dazzling. A delicate nose, full cherry lips like enticing fruit.
Standing there, she was like a blooming peony—radiant and striking.
Qiao Yuewei pressed her lips together, and the reflection followed. It only confirmed that the cannon-fodder female supporting character was truly her.
After strolling around, she thought she had finished exploring the space—but unexpectedly, behind the mall was another world.
It was the farm her grandfather had left her!
The farm was bare at the moment, with a small spring bubbling beside it.
She remembered—it was the place she had dug together with her grandfather.
Qiao Yuewei scooped a handful of water and took a sip. It was even sweeter and purer than she remembered, and her fatigue instantly vanished. It was spirit spring water!
Rubbing her sore eyes, she realized—not just her mother, even her grandfather’s love had followed her here.
Stepping out of the space, Qiao Yuewei stroked the jade bracelet and lowered her gaze with a smile.
Anyone who understood her knew: whenever she looked like this, she was about to cause trouble.
Since that family of four wanted so badly to go to Xiangjiang, she would give them a “surprise.”
Taking the Qiao family’s money to live the good life?
In their next life, maybe!
And as for the hatred of tricking her into going to the countryside and letting her freeze to death—none of them would escape retribution.
The day after tomorrow was the final deadline given by the city’s educated youth office. If He Chuchu couldn’t present a work certificate to have her name crossed off the list, she was definitely being sent to the countryside.
Right now, all jobs in Shanghai were fixed—one vacancy for one person, and even money couldn’t buy one.
Even job transfers required connections, and they were usually handled internally.
But this wasn’t something Qiao Yuewei worried about. She was thinking of something else entirely.
In the book, He Chuchu went to Yunnan Province’s Shuangshizi Village and met Lu Xiang, then tricked him into marriage to return to Shanghai. Afterward, the whole family went to Xiangjiang.
This time, Qiao Yuewei would make sure He Chuchu couldn’t go to Shuangshizi Village in Yunnan.
Ideally, she’d send her to Heilongjiang!
He Chuchu’s household registration booklet was kept by Hu Xiumei. That woman could hide things better than a rat spirit; getting the booklet would be difficult. Unable to think of a good plan for now, Qiao Yuewei set the thought aside.
Since He Runsong and his family couldn’t get what they wanted from her, they would definitely come bother her again.
Qiao Yuewei glanced around her room and stored all valuable items into the space.
After turning the room upside down, she shook her head.
The Qiao family was a century-old prestigious clan. Even after donating half the assets, the remaining wealth was still immeasurable.
Yet she had found only a few foreign watches. As for the jewelry her mother and grandfather left her—not a trace.
Qiao Yuewei looked toward the door and revealed a sly smile.
He Chuchu’s room.
He Chuchu sat angrily at her vanity, several exquisite jewelry boxes spread across it.
“Mom, think of something! I don’t want to go to the countryside!”
Though she had already given birth to a son, He Chuchu was Hu Xiumei’s first child, and she spoiled her dearly.
“Chuchu, don’t worry. Mom will never let you go to the countryside and suffer! Since Qiao Yuewei refuses to give you her job, then your mom won’t be polite anymore! Your dad already can’t stand her. Tomorrow, I’ll bring a few people…” Hu Xiumei’s expression grew dark and vicious.
Being reminded, He Chuchu’s eyes lit up.
“Mom, that still won’t work. It’s better to use someone trustworthy. Isn’t Cousin already in his thirties and still not married?”
Hu Xiumei laughed, patting He Chuchu’s head.
“My Chuchu is the clever one. Tomorrow, I’ll visit my mother’s house.”
Her eldest nephew worked at a rubber shoe factory. Years ago, he got into a fight and ruined his face. Combined with his violent temper, no one wanted to marry their daughter to him. He was getting older year after year, and her mother worried constantly about his marriage.
Marrying Qiao Yuewei off to him would solve everything at once!
Thinking about what they planned to do, the two happily fell asleep.
The next morning, when Qiao Yuewei came downstairs, Hu Xiumei was bustling in the kitchen. Seeing her, she even greeted her warmly:
“Yuewei, you’re up. Come here, Auntie made your favorite small wontons.”
Qiao Yuewei didn’t even look at her, walking straight past the kitchen.
When someone acted kind for no reason, it meant they were up to no good.
She worked in the office at the food factory; of course He Chuchu and her family would be jealous.
But she had earned her job fair and square after graduating from university.
He Runsong didn’t have the ability to buy his own daughter a job and wanted to steal hers?
Dream on.
Hu Xiumei stood frozen in embarrassment. He Runsong felt anger rising.
“Qiao Yuewei, stop right there! Your Auntie Hu woke up early to cook for you. What kind of attitude is that?!”
Qiao Yuewei stopped and looked at him.
“Did I ask her to cook?”
Her gaze swept over the bowl of wontons.
“You dare eat it—I certainly don’t.”
Qiao Yuewei had three rules:
She didn’t eat food from strangers.
She didn’t eat food made by people with malicious intentions.
She didn’t eat anything she disliked.
With her space, why would she ever touch Hu Xiumei’s food?
He Runsong nearly shook with rage, pointing at her.
“You unfilial thing—what do you mean you ‘don’t dare eat’? Are you saying your Auntie Hu would poison you?!”
At those words, Hu Xiumei’s eyes flickered guiltily before she forced a smile.
“Forget it, Old He. If Yuewei doesn’t want to eat, it’s fine.”
Qiao Yuewei caught every change in her expression.
She really had wanted to drug her.
“Old He, I never said anything about poison—you did.” Qiao Yuewei sneered and walked out the Qiao family gates.
She left He Runsong’s darkened face behind her.
First, she went to the food factory to request two days’ leave, then headed straight for the house where Old Master Qiao had lived.
Ever since the old master’s death, Uncle Ren had been the only one guarding it.
Old Master Qiao had four sons and one daughter.
Aside from the second son, whose whereabouts were unknown, all the other children had passed away.
“Yuewei!”
The moment Qiao Yuewei appeared at the old residence, Uncle Ren was overjoyed.
“Uncle Ren,” she called softly.
Ever since her grandfather passed away, Uncle Ren had stayed in the old house, refusing to leave no matter how much others tried to persuade him.
Uncle Ren brought her into the living room.
“Yuewei, they haven’t been bullying you, have they?”
Qiao Yuewei’s eyes heated. She knew Uncle Ren stayed because he was afraid she would be mistreated.