Song Xizhi stared at the heavy baskets behind those burly men and felt something was amiss, so he lifted the curtain, got up, and got out of the sedan chair.

Many people were gathered outside the shelter, discussing the matter. Song Xizhi squeezed into the crowd and peered inside.

The entire shelter is currently under renovation, and it's filled with dust. Baskets of stones and sand are placed in the corners, and burly men carry hoes on their backs as they go in and out.

There were no baby girls inside, but many young women in their teens, dressed simply but with joyful smiles on their faces, had rolled up their sleeves and were helping to move some odds and ends.

The girl, who grew up in these shelters, was overjoyed to hear that the cosmetic surgery center was going to be expanded. Her happiness was evident on her face, and she was afraid that she would have nowhere to use her strength.

Despite the joyous atmosphere inside, Song Xizhi felt a heavy weight in his heart.

She stepped forward and asked the burly man carrying things nearby, "Excuse me, sir, where have all the baby girls from this shelter gone?"

"I just heard from the neighbors at the entrance that they were going to bring the baby girl to this facility."

The burly man gave Song Xizhi a strange look and replied perfunctorily, "How could there be a baby girl staying here when houses are being built these days?"

"Once the house is built, the place will be big and spacious, and the baby girl will naturally be sent back."

Suppressing her doubts, Song Xizhi maintained her smile and continued, "Who ran this shelter? Has the expansion been approved by the government?"

The burly man nodded matter-of-factly: "Naturally, it has been approved by the government. Setting up a shelter is a meritorious deed! The people of the capital have been looking forward to it, and it has been running for more than ten years!"

"The government approved it a month ago! However, it was originally only one facility, but today our master plans to expand every shelter. This is a great thing, so the government naturally agreed without hesitation!"

After he finished speaking in a loud voice, the onlookers felt even more grateful and sighed with admiration.

However, the burly man suddenly changed his tone, looking suspiciously in Song Xizhi's direction: "Who...are you? Are you causing trouble? Why are you asking so many questions? You're delaying the workers' work!"

Song Xizhi pondered the big man's words, but still smiled and said, "Since you say this is a meritorious deed, then I naturally want to donate money as well."

As soon as Song Xizhi finished speaking, before the burly man could even reply, a commotion arose from the crowd of onlookers outside.

They were shouting something like, "A living Buddha! A living Buddha has arrived!"

Upon hearing this, Song Xizhi slowly turned his head and saw Zeng Yaxian's familiar face.

She had clearly seen this face just last night, but now it looked even more haggard, with droopy eye bags, a sallow complexion, and chapped lips. The whole person looked tired and worn out.

Although she wore light makeup, it couldn't hide her exhaustion at all; she looked as if her soul had been taken away.

She seemed to have transformed into someone even Song Xizhi didn't recognize.

Song Xizhi felt a pang of anxiety upon seeing her face, and then saw Zeng Yaxian walking straight toward her.

Zeng Yaxian saw Song Xizhi, and her previously calm expression suddenly twisted, her wide eyes filled with hatred: "I have money, I don't need donations, and the shelter doesn't need dirty money from dubious sources!"

"I have no desire to see a hypocrite like you who seeks fame and fortune. Please leave my territory!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the crowd erupted in uproar.

From Zeng Yaxian's words, they finally understood that the person in front of them was Song Xizhi, the one who was rumored to have killed Hei Yin.

Anger gradually appeared on everyone's faces, and they began to point and whisper about Song Xizhi.

Hearing this, Siqin was furious. She drew her sword and stood protectively in front of Song Xizhi, intending to say something to Zeng Yaxian.

But to everyone's surprise, Zeng Yaxian didn't care at all. She turned around and went into the shelter with the people behind her.

Song Xizhi then noticed that the female guards following behind Zeng Yaxian were each carrying dozens of shovels.

Once they entered the shelter, they handed out a shovel to every girl in the shelter in full view of everyone.

The shovel wasn't big, and the handle was long and thin. It wasn't as heavy as a regular shovel; it looked very light, which made it convenient for girls of their age to use.

Song Xizhi paused for a moment, then, ignoring the mocking looks from others, went straight into the shelter.

Upon entering, one could hear Zeng Yaxian forcefully raising her voice to offer a few words of comfort to the burly men in the shelter, and then reassuring the teenage girls.

"We are currently expanding the shelter and are short of manpower. More manpower will come in the future, but even though you are women, you will still have to help."

"It's all physical labor, so everyone needs to eat their fill and can't go hungry."

As she spoke, she personally handed the shovels to the girl.

Upon hearing Zeng Yaxian's words, all the girls eagerly accepted the shovels from her hands, saying that this shelter was their home and that they would definitely do their best.

Song Xizhi saw Zeng Yaxian pause for a moment, then nod, her eyes seemingly glistening with tears.

So she quickly stepped forward and, taking advantage of the girls' inattention, snatched a shovel from their hands.

Her sudden action surprised everyone present, and one of the girls let out a small gasp.

Feeling the countless eyes around him, Song Xizhi gripped the shovel in his hand, took a small breath, and then cursed, "If you call this a shelter, people who don't know any better would think you're raising slaves."

"These are such young girls, yet you're making them do such rough work and keep them with these burly, unruly men. What are you really up to?"

Upon hearing this, Zeng Yaxian gritted her teeth, stood beside Song Xizhi, and shoved her away.

The tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally streamed down her face.

"You murderer! You've come here on purpose to sabotage my business!"

"What business is it of yours if I open my shelter? Song Xizhi, you poisonous woman! You vile servant! Let me tell you, one day I will find evidence of your murders and make you pay for your crimes in blood. Even the Marquis of Anding's mansion will not be able to protect you!"

Zeng Yaxian was incredibly strong. Song Xizhi was shoved by her and staggered, falling directly outside the shelter.

Song Xizhi winced as his elbow scraped against the ground.

Hearing this, the surrounding people also pointed and whispered indignantly at Song Xizhi.

Siqin was confused and didn't know how things had suddenly developed into this way.

She was about to draw her sword to retaliate when Song Xizhi silently pulled her back, then gripped the shovel in his hand and got into the carriage without looking back.