“Looks like she really is asleep.”
Yu Zhaozhao ignored Mao Cuizhi and began searching through the room.
The book had mentioned, when describing Mao Cuizhi’s personality, that she was extremely money-obsessed.
She valued money above all else, and her favorite nightly routine was counting her cash and ration coupons, then checking her bankbook to admire the steadily growing balance.
Because of this, her bankbook was hidden inside a specially sewn compartment in her pillowcase, while the cash and coupons were kept in a metal box in the wardrobe.
Using this information, Yu Zhaozhao quickly found the bankbook. Opening it, she saw there was only 2,800 yuan inside—this included the compensation money from Yu Wangchuan and his wife.
Then again, it made sense.
Back when the old man of the Yu family was still alive, they had been poor farmers in the village. It was precisely because they didn’t have enough food that Yu Wangchuan chose to join the army—after all, one less person meant one less mouth to feed.
Later, after the parents passed away, Yu Wangshan didn’t want to continue that life of backbreaking farm work. So he begged his younger brother to help him find a job.
Yu Wangchuan did his best, reaching out to former comrades and spending a lot of money before finally securing Yu Wangshan’s current position.
But after getting the job, one person’s income had to support a family of four, so it was natural that little could be saved.
However, the book mentioned that Yu Wangshan had secretly built connections and occasionally resold factory resources, earning quite a bit. That money was hidden with his “other family” outside—otherwise, that widow wouldn’t have willingly borne him a son.
Yu Zhaozhao curled her lips into a faint smile.
Yu Wangshan usually visited the widow every other day. Since he came home last night, there was a high chance he would sneak out tonight.
Looks like she’d have to stay up late.
After placing the bankbook into her space, Yu Zhaozhao opened the wardrobe and took out the metal box. Inside were neatly stacked cash, ration coupons, and documents like the household registration booklet.
Mao Cuizhi really didn’t treat her as an outsider—she didn’t hide anything important. Or perhaps she was simply confident in the original girl’s timid personality, knowing she wouldn’t dare do anything.
After taking the household registration booklet, Yu Zhaozhao put the box back. The cash and coupons could wait—she could take them after Mao Cuizhi finished counting them tonight.
Before closing the wardrobe, she picked out the newest and best outfit from both Yu Wangshan’s and Mao Cuizhi’s clothes and stored them in her space. Then she left the house.
She was confident in her abilities—Mao Cuizhi wouldn’t wake up before evening.
Yu Miaomiao and Yu Tianbao didn’t come home for lunch, so she had plenty of time.
Having lived here for five years, the original girl was familiar with local landmarks. Following those memories, Yu Zhaozhao first found the post office, then slipped into an alley beside it and entered her space when no one was around.
The amount in the bankbook was large. With her original appearance, withdrawing money would be impossible. But from her past life as an agent, she had mastered disguise.
She darkened her complexion with foundation, drew wrinkles on her face, and finally added a fake mustache.
Yu Wangshan was short and slightly overweight, so his clothes didn’t look too long on her—just a bit loose.
She layered extra clothing underneath, tucked everything into her pants, and tightened the belt.
Soon, she had transformed into the image of a well-dressed middle-aged man.
After checking herself carefully in the mirror, she left the space.
The moment she stepped out, a wave of heat hit her. Wrapped in layers of clothing, she felt stiflingly hot—but for the sake of money, she endured it.
She quickened her pace and entered the post office.
The clerk’s eyes widened at the bankbook.
“Are you sure you want to withdraw all of this money?”
“Yes, miss. This is savings accumulated by three generations of our family. We’re splitting the household now—so with so many children, we decided to divide it as cash.”
The clerk nodded.
It wasn’t unusual. Many families still followed the tradition of not splitting households while the parents were alive. With multiple working children, saving this amount was reasonable.
She took another look at the man—well-dressed, even wearing a wristwatch—and believed him. She processed the withdrawal.
Yu Zhaozhao took the money and left the post office. After turning a corner, she immediately entered her space again.
Sure enough, not long after, she saw two suspicious men appear on the surveillance feed.
When they realized they had lost their target, they kicked a stone in frustration before leaving.
Yu Zhaozhao casually placed the money into a drawer of the coffee table. Since no one else could enter the space, there was no need to hide it.
She quickly washed off her makeup, changed out of Yu Wangshan’s clothes, and put on Mao Cuizhi’s outfit instead. She restyled her hair and applied new makeup.
This time, besides wrinkles, she added bright red lipstick and a touch of eyeshadow.
When she exited the space again, she looked every bit like a glamorous, wealthy woman.
Yu Zhaozhao originally planned to use a different service window, but there was only one clerk today. She had no choice but to sit down again.
When the clerk heard her request and looked at the bankbook, her heart practically shattered.
Damn it!
Why are there so many rich people—why can’t I be one of them?
Although 2,800 yuan was a lot, compared to the earlier 16,800, it seemed insignificant.
As she verified the bankbook, she asked,
“Ma’am, is something going on at home? Why withdraw so much money all at once?”
It wasn’t just curiosity—there were rules. Large withdrawals required asking for a reason. If the customer seemed suspicious, it had to be reported in case the bankbook was stolen.
But judging by her appearance, this woman looked like the wife of some official—otherwise, she wouldn’t dare dress so boldly with bright lipstick.
“Ah, it’s my twin sons. They just graduated high school. I’m taking out money to arrange jobs for them.”
Yu Zhaozhao leaned closer and lowered her voice.
The clerk nodded in understanding.
The government encouraged young people to go to the countryside, but any family with means would try to avoid sending their children.
Buying jobs wasn’t officially allowed, but everyone did it quietly—it was an unspoken rule.
Not wanting to offend anyone, the clerk didn’t ask further and handed over the money.
After thanking her, Yu Zhaozhao left with the cash and the now-empty bankbook.