Xu Keke took her lunchbox to the nurses' station and found Nurse Chen, asking her to help her get a sick leave slip.

Nurse Chen was a very kind person. She was worried that Xu Keke would be embarrassed to ask the factory for leave, so she specially gave her two extra days off so that she could rest at home.

Xu Keke put the sick leave slip into her pocket. After leaving the hospital, she found the original owner's old, worn-out bicycle under the locust tree.

This bicycle actually belongs to Song Lin. The original owner wanted to buy a women's bicycle.

Song Lin's mother, Lin Juan, said that they should buy a larger bicycle that both men and women could ride. Later, they used their connections to buy a Forever brand bicycle.

The original owner hadn't even had a chance to touch the bicycle on the first day it was brought home. Lin Juan then said that Song Lin had gotten the ticket for the bicycle through connections, so the new bicycle should be given to Song Lin to ride.

They gave Song Lin's old car back to its original owner.

The money to buy the car was actually saved up by the original owner over several years, by saving little by little.

So why do others bully you? Sometimes, it's because of your lack of principles, your submissiveness, and your tendency to be agreeable.

The original owner was rather petite, and the bicycle seat was unusually high. When Xu Keke rode on it, her feet couldn't even touch the ground.

Fortunately, there weren't many cars on the road, and it took her a while to get used to riding it.

The shoe factory is actually not far from the hospital. Just ride down the slope for three blocks and you'll arrive.

The original owner was working overtime this morning, and will have to get off work another three hours this afternoon before leaving.

Xu Keke rode her bicycle into the factory.

The factory's exterior walls were covered with layers of vines, and although it was early spring, a few new green shoots had already appeared on them.

Walking further in, the factory buildings were newly built. The three-story red brick buildings had wooden doors and windows painted green.

Although it looks new and innovative everywhere, this place is full of the unique charm of a certain era.

"Master Zeng!"

Xu Keke hadn't even ridden to the workshop entrance when she was stopped by a voice from behind.

She jumped off the bicycle, and thanks to her good physique, managed to steady herself. She was determined to find a new bicycle; this one was just too difficult to ride.

Xu Keke propped up the car and turned around.

A plump girl came running up, panting. She put her hands on her hips and said, "Master, the director was looking for you, but you weren't there. She went to your house."

This girl, named Xifeng, worked in the same workshop as the original owner of this body. She had taken her mother's place at the factory. She was the original owner's apprentice.

"Director, did they say what they wanted to see me about?"

Xi Feng shook her head; she didn't ask.

The fact that the director couldn't find the original owner and even went to her home suggests that this must be a very important matter.

However, Xu Keke could not find this incident in the original owner's memories.

In her past life, the original owner helped Lin Meijia deliver the key.

Lin Meijia's mother is the manager of a department store. When the original owner arrived, she was told she had gone out to eat. Being very responsible, the original owner was worried about not knowing the situation and giving the key to someone else.

So it took a long time to finally hand the key to Lin Meijia's mother.

When she returned, the workshop director was already at the factory and hadn't mentioned looking for her.

Xu Keke guessed that the original owner must have missed something.

Xu Keke turned her bicycle around. "Xifeng, I'm going home to check on things. Could you keep an eye on things for me for a while?"

Xi Feng readily agreed, "Master, Technician Song is at the hospital, and you must be exhausted from running back and forth these past few days. I'm free this afternoon, and I'm just sitting in the dorm doing nothing, so I'll cover your shift. You don't need to come back; just stay home and rest."

Xu Keke didn't stand on ceremony, thanked her, and rode her bike home.

The Song family's house was allocated by Song Lin's father's work unit when he was still alive; it's located in a courtyard house.

Because so many houses were built later, it's no longer possible to distinguish between the main house and the side rooms.

At midday, those who weren't working were all at home taking a nap. The courtyard was deserted, save for the sunlight streaming through the windows, casting a tranquil glow.

Xu Keke parked her bicycle at the gate of the courtyard.

The tiny courtyard housed more than ten families, and the narrow passageways were only wide enough for two people to pass at a time.

The Song family's three rooms were at the very back of the courtyard. Passing the small, cramped kitchen that could barely fit a honeycomb briquette stove, Zeng Jin hadn't even reached the door of the Song family's house when she heard Song Lin's mother's voice coming from inside.

"Her? She's like a block of wood, she can't even think straight." The disdainful tone clearly referred to the original owner of this body.

Xu Keke pushed the door open and went in. Song Lin's mother, Lin Juan, glanced at her but ignored her.

The little one, who was nestled beside her legs, was enjoying the fruit in his hand. When he saw her, his eyes lit up as if a switch had been flipped.

As if sensing the little guy's restlessness, Lin Juan reached under his armpits and lifted him onto her lap.

After pressing him down to sit, he rolled his eyes at Xu Keke and continued speaking to the workshop foreman.

"You're all in the factory, you can see everything, but you won't say a word even if you hit you three times. You won't say a nice word."

You said you'd do some physically demanding work, but your body is so weak, it's like a gust of wind could blow you away.

At home, even if we want to save time, we wouldn't dare let her cook. She doesn't even know to use garlic to flavor the pan when cooking eggplant.

Last time she bought coal, just that one truckload, it took her the whole day to buy it...

"What about Technician Song?" Workshop director Liu Mei turned her head, raised an eyebrow at Xu Keke, and asked with a stern face.

"What?" Lin Juan didn't understand.

"I mean, buying coal is such hard work, what was that technician Song doing?" Liu Mei said bluntly.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!