He didn't want to borrow money from Brother Chen anymore. Lin Chen wasn't a charity; he wouldn't think of him whenever he was in trouble.

However, he did not lose heart; as long as he kept searching, there would always be a way.

......

That day, after finishing her work, Liu Fang greeted Jiang Ning:

"Ningning, I'm going back now. It's Xiong's birthday today, so I'll go back early and make him something nice to eat."

Jiang Ning exclaimed "Oh dear!" and pulled a piece of smoked cured meat from the jar, then handed her a box of Daqianmen cigarettes, saying:

"Why didn't you say so sooner? Otherwise, I would have sent you home already. Please put in a good word for me when you get back, and don't blame me."

Liu Fang laughed and said, "How could I blame you! In our team, whose wife can bring home a monthly salary of twenty or thirty yuan like mine? Not only does he not blame me, he also tells me to work hard here!"

Liu Fang was carrying her things and walking home in a good mood when Lin Tao emerged from the grove of trees at a bend in the road and blocked her way.

What are you doing here? Get out of the way.

Liu Fang was immediately enraged.

Lin Tao remained unmoved and said with a grin, "Don't be so fierce, I want to talk to you about something!"

"We're on different paths, there's nothing to discuss."

As Liu Fang was about to walk forward, Lin Tao grabbed her and pulled her into a hug.

“Let me tell you, you’re busy selling Lin Chen’s books, right? Next time, get me some. I’ll sell them for three yuan each, and we’ll split the extra money.”

Liu Fang used all her strength to push him away:

"You bastard, I will not associate with you."

Lin Tao, however, raised what he was holding and grinned in an extremely lewd manner:

"Then it's up to you to choose. Your bra is in my hands now."