Li Xue nodded and didn't stand on ceremony. The two left the clothing store and turned the corner to reach the street where the supply and marketing cooperative was located.

Because she had some personal matters to attend to, she and Jiang Yu parted ways at the door.

It was during working hours, and there weren't many people around. Zhang Yanfang was reclining on a chair in the shop, leisurely eating sunflower seeds and basking in the sun. She didn't even look up when someone came in.

Jiang Yu ignored her, finished selecting her items, and placed them on the checkout table. She then took out a ten-yuan bill and waved it around:

"Bill, please."

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Zhang Yanfang nearly tumbled off her chair. Seeing who it was, her already gloomy face grew even more impatient.

"What? You made money just by coming in and out? Did you pick up some customers and get a cheap deal? If so, I'll have to explain this to the police."

These days, the crackdown on evil forces is severe, and the enforcement is strict. Plus, Jiang Yu kept threatening her with calling the police after what happened at noon. Now that she finally has a chance, let's see how she handles it.

Jiang Yu sneered, her gaze making Zhang Yanfang feel incredibly guilty. She had thought this woman would learn her lesson and at least not falsely accuse others based on mere words again, but instead, she had become even more brazen.

"What do you need to tell the police officer? Do you need my help?"

Li Xue walked in from outside, carrying a bag on her arm, and overheard everything Zhang Yanfang said. Zhang Yanfang didn't know that Li Xue and Jiang Yu were in cahoots, but she knew Li Xue's identity. Moreover, since Li Xue was the sister of the bank's vice president, she naturally dared not offend her.

“Madam, you’ve arrived. You don’t know, this woman has been causing trouble in the store since noon, and now she’s come here to buy things after swindling money from somewhere.”

Li Xue had heard that the employees of this supply and marketing cooperative would serve different dishes depending on the customer's status, but she hadn't thought much of it. Today, she saw that it was indeed true.

"Girl, just pay after you've made your selections. If anyone mistreats you, just tell me. I may not have many other skills, but I can always find out if someone got their job through connections."

Now it was Zhang Yanfang's turn to be confused. Although she knew that Li Xue's words were meant for her, what was even more suspicious was who this woman was, that even the wife of Commander Zhang was speaking on her behalf.

"Okay, sis."

Jiang Yu didn't stand on ceremony; the feeling of having someone backing her up was simply too good to be true.

After paying, the total came to five yuan. Jiang Yu pocketed the change, sighing to herself. She wished prices in the 1980s could stay that way forever.

Jiang Yu, carrying a bag of seasonings, walked with Li Xue to the department store, where the shops were incredibly diverse. The jewelry stores, in particular, were dazzling with their countless samples.

Jiang Yu immediately took a liking to a set of blue crystal pendants, which were simple and elegant, and matched Li Xue's dress perfectly.

While Li Xue was trying on the items, she wandered around the shop and spotted a red bow. She thought a little girl like Shen Suisui would probably like it. She asked the price: two cents.

Jiang Yu bought it without thinking. When she returned to the jewelry store, Li Xue had already paid.

After leaving the store, Jiang Yu was tired of hearing Li Xue's endless thanks. Because she had to catch her train, Jiang Yu said goodbye and headed towards the station.

It was already 3 p.m., and Jiang Yu's stomach was growling. She realized that she had been so busy that she hadn't even had lunch.

However, time was tight, and fearing she would miss the bus, she bought some pastries from a stall. She also bought three skewers of candied hawthorns and boarded the bus home.

Because it's winter, it was already dark at four o'clock.

Jiang Yu groped her way back home, her steps hurried.

The yard was quiet. Little Black was lying by its kennel, wagging its tail when it saw her return. After putting her things down, Jiang Yu couldn't wait to rush to Zhang Cuihua's house.

The lights were on, and Shen Niannian was sitting on a small stool, staring blankly out the window. Shen Suisui was clenching her little hands tightly, feeling uneasy all day.

Although she was afraid of the original owner of the body, at least she had a home. If Jiang Yu really abandoned them, how would they live in the future? Although Aunt Zhang treated them very well, she, who was very perceptive at a young age, knew how uncomfortable it was to live under someone else's roof.

Upon seeing that familiar figure outside the window, Shen Niannian got up and excitedly rushed outside.

Shen Sui Sui's heart also calmed down.

"Mother."

Shen Niannian's childish voice melted Jiang Yuxin's heart. You see, in the 21st century, she was considered an older single woman, constantly pressured by her family to go on blind dates and have children. Now, she was here, a free mother to two children, and no one was pressuring her to have more kids.

Not only that, she also found that having two children with her was quite nice.

Seeing that Jiang Yu didn't seem to mind, Shen Niannian cautiously took two steps forward. Zhang Cuihua followed behind and went out to greet her.

When Jiang Yu tried to put something in her hand, she kept refusing.

"Sister-in-law, thanks to you for watching my child today, I had time to go to the city to run errands. This food is for Dongdong, please accept it."

Dongdong is Zhang Cuihua's son, and he is in the first grade of elementary school.

In those days, candied hawthorns were a luxury for the villagers, but to Jiang Yu, they were just a snack to appease the children. If the kids liked them, she'd buy them some. Besides, she wasn't penniless anymore; some things were worth buying. After all, money isn't something you can save up.

When Shen Niannian heard that it was candied hawthorn, she smacked her lips, her mouth watering.

Upon seeing this, Zhang Cuihua spoke up:

"Dongdong is losing teeth right now, so it's not good for him to eat sweets. Let's save these candied hawthorns for Niannian."

Having said that, she was about to put it back. Jiang Yu knew she was just being shy and making excuses, so she simply explained:

“I’ve already bought them for the kids. If you’re going to be so polite with me, I’ll feel embarrassed to bother you in the future.”

Since things had come to this point, Zhang Cuihua couldn't refuse. She politely said:

"Sister, if there's anything I can help you with at home in the future, just let me know. We're all neighbors, and the more we help each other, the closer we become."

"Sigh~"

Jiang Yu nodded, rubbed her hands together because they were cold, and declined Zhang Cuihua's invitation to come inside.

"I won't go over there, I still need to go back and cook for the kids. Sui Sui, it's time to go home."

Jiang Yu pulled Shen Niannian's hand and called out to Shen Suisui inside the house. Shen Suisui had been listening at the door for a long time, and when she heard Jiang Yu calling her, she hurriedly ran out.

Zhang Cuihua saw them off at the door and happened to run into Dongdong, who was coming home from school. Seeing Jiang Yu leading Shen Suisui and Shen Niannian out of her house, she quickly made way for them.

Although he had little contact with the original owner, he could hear her hitting the child in the yard, and he was terrified of the original owner whenever he saw her.

"Dongdong, quickly call her auntie."

Zhang Cuihua patted her son on the shoulder as a reminder.

When Dongdong heard his mother tell him to call her "aunt," he ran into the house in a flash. Jiang Yu could tell from his expression that it must be the original owner's fault.

"This child has become shy."

Zhang Cuihua quickly tried to smooth things over, and Jiang Yu smiled but didn't say anything more.

What could she say? She could only try to turn around the original owner's reputation in the future, which would be a time-consuming and laborious project.