After taking stock of the supplies in her space, one person and one spirit entered the bamboo house together. From the outside, the house looked simple, but inside it revealed an entirely different world—its layout both minimal and exquisitely refined.
The first floor contained a living room, an open-plan dining area and kitchen, and a laundry room.
Stepping into the living room, warm yellow wall lamps cast a gentle glow over the natural wood flooring. A plain linen sofa sat beside a woven bamboo floor lamp. On the table, a celadon vase held several freshly blooming camellias, adding a lively touch to the space.
Beyond the living room was the open dining area and kitchen, with the laundry room adjacent. A fully automatic washer and dryer were stacked together, and the nearby shelves were neatly lined with various cleaning supplies.
Ascending the spiral staircase, half of the second floor served as her military research lab. The surrounding walls displayed weapon design blueprints she had drawn in her previous life. Many materials were stored in the warehouse and could be retrieved whenever needed.
The other half was her luxurious pharmaceutical lab. Rows of sandalwood medicine cabinets stood neatly arranged, filled with medical texts. At the center was an operating table carved from a single piece of white marble, surrounded by precision pharmaceutical instruments, all spotless and orderly.
The entire third floor was her living quarters, with a spacious walk-in wardrobe, a tea room, and a study arranged throughout.
Li Luoyu sank into the soft, comfortable bed, a smile curving her lips. Turning to her side, she reached out and grabbed Little Liuli, tickling it playfully.
“Liuli, you really are like a mind reader. You’ve got my preferences completely figured out. The layout of this bamboo house feels like it was designed to tug directly at my heartstrings.”
Little Liuli let out a soft, delicate giggle. “Of course—we share the same soul, after all.”
“Mhm… thank you, Liuli.”
Liuli hummed contentedly as the two drifted into sleep together.
At dawn the next day, Li Luoyu went downstairs for breakfast. On the table were a basket of meat buns, a bowl of plain congee, three boiled eggs, and a small plate of pickled vegetables.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before grabbing Aunt Zhang’s hand.
“Aunt Zhang, Grandpa has been reported. Whether it’s true or not, the higher-ups will probably want to send him down. This place… might not be safe anymore.”
Aunt Zhang suddenly pulled her hand back, her cloudy eyes brimming with tears.
“Luoluo, what are you saying? I followed Madam Luo into the Li family when you were still in swaddling clothes. And now…”
Li Luoyu squeezed Aunt Zhang’s slightly rough hand and smiled.
“Aunt Zhang, the times don’t allow it. Here’s 500 yuan—keep it for yourself. Find a safe place and live peacefully for a while.”
She pressed the money into Aunt Zhang’s palm and gently closed her hand around it, her own eyes stinging with unshed tears.
To the original Li Luoyu, Aunt Zhang had been like a mother—one of the few sources of warmth in her short life. She didn’t want Aunt Zhang dragged into this mess.
“Aunt Zhang, I’ll pack your things. You need to leave quickly.”
Aunt Zhang wiped her tears and sighed helplessly before returning to her room to pack.
She didn’t have many belongings; one bundle was enough. Li Luoyu added two strips of cured meat, two pounds of brown sugar, and a basket of apples from the kitchen for her to take along.
After a brief struggle, Li Luoyu urged, “Aunt Zhang, go quickly. The Committee will be here soon.”
With no other choice, Aunt Zhang left, wiping her tears and looking back every few steps.
As soon as Aunt Zhang was gone, Li Luoyu swiftly collected all the rice, flour, grain, and oil from the kitchen, as well as any valuables from the living room. She then used her spiritual power to envelop the entire courtyard, inspecting every corner—from top to bottom, even the mouse holes—making sure nothing incriminating or valuable was left behind. Only then did she sit down at the table.
Sure enough, not long after Aunt Zhang left, seven or eight people flooded into the small courtyard. Some she recognized, others she didn’t. They crowded into the living room, watching her eat breakfast.
The man at the front wore gold-rimmed glasses and a gray Zhongshan suit in an old cadre style. A Parker pen was clipped to his chest pocket. His hair was slicked back, and he exuded an air of self-importance.
Behind him, several lackeys and street thugs carried sticks, their shifty eyes and slouching posture making it obvious they were used to smashing, looting, and roughing things up.
Two others, unable to squeeze inside, paced at the doorway in Liberation shoes. The soles scraped harshly against the green bricks, even knocking over Aunt Zhang’s pots of scallions and garlic.
Li Luoyu lifted her gaze slightly, meeting the eyes of the search party. Calmly stirring her congee with a spoon, she asked in a mild tone,
“Have you eaten?”
The committee director fumbled at the gun on his waist and forced a hypocritical smile.
“Miss Li, someone has reported that your grandfather is hiding correspondence from enemy agents. We’re here under orders to conduct a search.”
“Oh.” Li Luoyu didn’t stand. “Then please show your search warrant.”
The man’s expression darkened, but he still took out the document and briefly displayed it.
She glanced at it indifferently. “Alright, do as you please. I haven’t finished eating, so I won’t be attending to you. But I do have one request.”
Her gaze locked onto the director, her tone turning colder.
“Do not damage anything in my home.”
This was her bottom line—and her and her grandfather’s dignity. Not something these people had the right to trample.
The director sneered. “Of course.”
“Mhm. I trust that an organization serving the people won’t disappoint them.” Her voice was light, the final note lifting slightly.
The director’s gaze lingered on her porcelain-white face, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes. He had never seen an eighteen-year-old girl remain so composed while her home was being searched.
He narrowed his eyes, studying her. In the past, every family under investigation had either wailed in despair or begged on their knees. Yet this girl sat calmly at the table, sipping her congee as if the group before her weren’t wolves and tigers, but mere guests paying a visit.
Still, he waved his hand at the thugs behind him.
“Search thoroughly. See if there’s anything here that shouldn’t be. That way, we’ll have something to report when we go back.”
At his command, the thugs grinned and rushed forward, swinging their sticks as they began smashing everything in the living room.