Chapter 33: A Life of Stolen Fragrance and Filched Jade

Qin Huairu spent until midnight tidying up her belongings, yet she felt no exhaustion, only immense satisfaction. Everything in this house now belonged to her, from the furniture to every delicate little trinket.

She opened the small connecting door, enjoyed a refreshing bath in the bathroom of the west wing, and walked straight into Lin Shaowen’s bedroom.

Lin Shaowen was sleeping soundly when he suddenly felt something under the covers. He pulled back the quilt and was stunned.

"Sister Qin, aren't you tired? You have to go to work tomorrow."

"Mmm, mmm, mmm."

Qin Huairu let out a few muffled sounds.

Morning.

Qin Huairu woke up first. She turned her head to look at Lin Shaowen, who was held in her arms, and felt immensely happy. Before Lin Shaowen married, she could almost hold him as she slept every single night. In a sense, as long as they didn't step outside the courtyard gate, the two were no different from a normal married couple.

After getting up, Qin Huairu prepared breakfast in the kitchen before waking Lin Shaowen. Shortly after, she returned to her side room, changed into a gray work uniform, and pushed her bicycle out the door.

Passing through the middle courtyard, she saw Mrs. Jia sitting by the doorway.

Her eye sockets were sunken and her expression was haggard; it appeared she had only been released that morning. There were five finger marks on her face, suggesting she had endured quite a bit of hardship inside.

"You slut, you shameless harlot..."

The moment Mrs. Jia saw Qin Huairu, she began to curse.

"Have you not been locked up enough? Fine, I'll go call the police right now."

Qin Huairu said this and walked away without looking back.

"Qin Huairu, come back here..."

Mrs. Jia panicked and scrambled up to chase after her. She had been terrified in the police station yesterday, and the women in her holding cell had truly beaten her mercilessly.

By the time she reached the gate, she happened to see Qin Huairu talking with the First Master.

"Qin Huairu, let it go. After all, she was once your mother-in-law," Yi Zhonghai said earnestly.

Ever since Lin Shaowen arrived, his control over the courtyard had grown weaker and weaker. Qin Huairu’s tendency to call the police at every turn was likely something she had learned from Lin Shaowen. However, since she had joined the Women’s Federation, Yi Zhonghai dared not scold her and could only offer well-meaning advice.

"Mrs. Jia, listen to me: I’m sparing you this time for the sake of the First Master. If you act up again, just wait and see."

With that, Qin Huairu got on her bike and headed to work.

Mrs. Jia was trembling with rage, and only after Qin Huairu was far away did she burst into foul-mouthed abuse.

Medical Clinic.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Lin Shaowen entered his island.

"First cast..."

"Obtained several seeds of fast-growing 'Don't-Thank-Me' flowers."

"What on earth?" Lin Shaowen was baffled. This system was great in every way, but the lack of an instruction manual gave him a headache.

"Second cast..."

"Obtained several seeds of fast-growing creeper vines."

"Third cast."

"Obtained several seeds of pest-repellent grass."

Lin Shaowen grabbed a coconut and prepared to leave with a dejected face, only to discover a group of things floating on the beach. He rushed over. Apart from the few dozen chickens and ducks he kept free-range, no living creatures had ever appeared on this island.

"No way, Australian lobsters?" Lin Shaowen couldn't believe his eyes.

They were densely packed, swimming continuously with the tide; it looked like there were thousands of them. He carefully scooped one up to weigh it in his hand, estimating it to be over two pounds. Nowadays, it wasn't easy to get a taste of Australian lobster; imported goods were rare treasures in this era.

However, Lin Shaowen wasn't greedy. He caught ten of the largest lobsters, placed them in the small shack, and returned to the real world.

Lin Shaowen let out a sigh of relief. Although he had locked the door, the risk of entering the island from the medical clinic remained relatively high. But ever since Qin Huairu opened that small door, the risks at home were even higher.

"Sigh!" Lin Shaowen sighed and slumped onto his desk.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone was knocking.

"Come in."

"Doctor Lin, sorry to bother you."

The person who entered was Deputy Factory Director Li Xinmin—the infamous Deputy Director Li.

"Director Li, is something the matter?" Lin Shaowen stood up to greet him and pulled out a cigarette.

"Smoke mine, smoke mine..."

Deputy Director Li wore a fawning smile. He pulled two cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes from his bag and placed them on the table, making Lin Shaowen’s eyelids twitch.

He knew his place. Although the leaders of the rolling mill were very polite to him now—with people like Wang Kuirong even calling him 'brother'—in reality, his status in the rolling mill was no different from Shazhu’s; he was just a worker with a specific, useful skill. He was slightly better off than Shazhu because while some people didn't like to "eat" (take bribes), no one didn't value their own health. As long as they came to the clinic for a massage, their bodies would feel light and agile for at least a month or two.

Deputy Director Li bringing two cartons of cigarettes upon entry made him wary.

"Director Li, just tell me what you need..."

Lin Shaowen calmly put the cigarettes into his drawer. If this were just a personal matter for Li Xinmin, he wouldn't be giving gifts. After all, given the high status Lin Shaowen enjoyed in the factory, Li Xinmin not making trouble was already a favor.

"Doctor Lin is indeed a straightforward man." After offering a compliment, Deputy Director Li whispered, "My father-in-law hasn't been feeling well lately, so I was hoping you could come by and take a look."

"A house call? When?" Lin Shaowen frowned slightly. It was rumored that Deputy Director Li’s father-in-law was a big shot, which was why he had such a smooth political career. Big shots enjoyed top-tier medical resources; why would they need a factory doctor?

"Right now. My father-in-law’s car is already at the factory," Deputy Director Li said, his face full of smiles.

"Alright."

Lin Shaowen didn't hesitate. He packed his things and left directly with him.

First Canteen.

"Hey, isn't that Doctor Lin and Deputy Director Li?"

Someone shouted, and instantly, many people gathered around.

"A sedan! Where are they going?" Ma Hua asked, envious.

"Who cares where they're going? Lin Shaowen doesn't do his real work; all he knows is how to suck up to the leaders," Shazhu remarked with disdain.

Ever since Qin Huairu moved out, he had held a grudge against Lin Shaowen. It wasn't that he suspected anything between them, but he felt that by lending Qin Huairu money, Lin Shaowen was ruining her. What woman could carry a debt of a thousand yuan?

"Shazhu, that's just sour grapes," Liu Lan teased.

"Sour grapes?" Shazhu immediately retorted, "What's so great about a sedan? Back when my old man cooked for people, they used to send cars to fetch us too."

"You mean that father of yours who ran off with a widow?"

Liu Lan regretted it the moment the words left her mouth.

Sure enough, upon hearing Liu Lan’s words, Shazhu’s face darkened instantly. "Get out, get out, everyone get back to work..."

Many people glared at Liu Lan, blaming her for her lack of tact. Who didn't know that Shazhu hated anyone mentioning He Daqing?

Only Qin Huairu remained silent, quietly starting to wash the vegetables. She took Lin Shaowen’s teachings to heart: "Work more, talk less."