Volume 1, Chapter 4: Learning to Steal the Spotlight
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Bai Xuanxuan pointed toward the door, gesturing, “It was hanging on the door, this long and this wide, a big golden lock. That was a keepsake left to me by my mother!”
“I was in a rush to go see his father and just hung the lock on the door. How come it’s gone now?”
Bai Xuanxuan anxiously glanced around. “Has anyone seen the lock that was on my door?”
Shen Wen’s mouth twitched. That lock was obviously just an ordinary, shabby lock—how did it become golden in Bai Xuanxuan’s words?
“Stop talking nonsense! Who hangs a golden lock on their door?”
Bai Xuanxuan shot her a sharp look. “Why do you care? It’s my lock; I’ll hang it wherever I like.”
She ran inside, pulled out a crumpled piece of paper and half a pencil, and quickly sketched the shape.
“I’m putting my words on the line: whoever helps me catch the thief who stole this lock will get a bicycle ticket.”
In the resource-scarce 1970s, a bicycle was one of the three big essentials for marriage, and without a ticket, it was impossible to buy one.
Everyone’s eyes lit up instantly.
Neighbor Liu Aunty immediately said, “Last night, I passed by Xuanxuan’s house and really saw a lock hanging on her door. It looked just like this.”
Upon hearing Liu Aunty’s words, those who had doubted before all dispelled their suspicions.
Shen Wen felt a chill run down her spine and unconsciously clenched her pocket—the lock was right there inside.
If anyone found out, she’d definitely be caught as the thief.
Bai Xuanxuan’s eyes flicked to Shen Wen, and her gaze landed on the pocket she was clutching tightly.
“Shen Wen, why are you holding your pocket so tight? Could it be that you’re the one who stole the lock?”
“That makes sense. You were the last person to come to my house last night to tell me that Fu Heng was injured.”
Shen Wen instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding wildly. “Don’t slander me! I—I never even saw any lock!”
Bai Xuanxuan smiled faintly. “If that’s the case, why are you so nervous?”
“Empty your pockets so everyone can see. If there’s nothing, won’t that prove your innocence?”
Shen Wen snapped, “You have no proof! What right do you have to search my pockets? You’re just bullying me because I have no husband and no backing!”
With that, she turned and ran away.
She disappeared like a flash.
The crowd’s expressions turned sour.
After all, Shen Wen usually spoke politely and got along well with the neighbors, and her husband was a martyr.
Bai Xuanxuan was indeed being a bit too aggressive.
Bai Xuanxuan paid no mind to the looks from around her. She pursed her lips. “My door was wide open all night; I have to get inside quickly and see if anything valuable is missing.”
She looked around. “Don’t leave, all of you. I’ll take a careful look inside. If anything is missing, everyone who witnessed it will come with me to the police station to give a statement.”
Just as she expected.
When she came out, no one was left at the door except Xue Junping, standing there somewhat reluctantly.
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Bai Xuanxuan rolled up her sleeves and politely asked, “Brother, do you want to come in and have some tea?”
Xue Junping hesitated. Just as he was about to turn away, Bai Xuanxuan placed a hand on him.
Her voice was steady. “If you tell me who ordered you to do this and point them out, you’ll get a bicycle ticket.”
Xue Junping wavered.
He had indeed accepted some benefits from Shen Wen, but mostly, she had caught him red-handed stealing.
He clenched his teeth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Bai Xuanxuan scoffed. “No rush. You can think it over.”
“Also, I advise you to behave yourself. If you mess up again, it won’t be so simple next time.”
She slowly closed the half-open door. Her voice drifted away with her graceful figure. “Having a broken hand must be tough.”
Meanwhile, Shen Wen was so angry she couldn’t sleep all night. Everything had gone against her expectations.
Now, she wasn’t even sure if Fu Heng would still take her to the capital for treatment like in the previous life.
She had already argued with Xue Junping. How had this Bai Xuanxuan suddenly become so formidable?
But no matter how tough she was, she was still just a woman.
If one man wasn’t enough, a group of strong-mouthed thugs could always hold her down.
She grit her teeth and sent Xue Junping to gather three or four tough guys who kept their mouths shut and strong arms, then cooked a large pot of chicken soup to share in the courtyard.
Bai Xuanxuan was helping feed the pigs at the commune and had just finished when she saw Bai Xuanxuan standing at the door holding a bowl of soup, smiling innocently.
“Big Sister Xuanxuan, I made this chicken soup. It’s really sweet.”
“I gave each household a bowl, and this one with a big chicken drumstick is for you.”
Bai Xuanxuan put down what she was holding and accepted it without hesitation. “Thank you.”
After saying that, she carried the soup inside.
Shen Wen was stunned by her decisive move. Watching her close the door, she hurriedly stuck a leg in to wedge it.
Before Shen Wen could speak, Bai Xuanxuan exclaimed, “Ouch! You caught my foot; it really hurts!”
“My soup and my leg—both spilled!”
Shen Wen’s face turned dark with anger.
She had truly underestimated Bai Xuanxuan’s romantic brain—she had even learned to steal the spotlight!
Neighbors nearby glanced over. They only saw Bai Xuanxuan sitting on the ground, tears streaming down her face.
Shen Wen stomped her foot and forced a smile as she helped her up.
But the smile was even more miserable than crying.
Bai Xuanxuan didn’t take her hand. She dusted off her pants and stood up, wiping away tears in a pitiful way.
Shen Wen lowered her head. “Big Sister Xuanxuan, I didn’t mean it.”
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“Don’t be mad at me. Tomorrow, I’m steaming buns at home. You bring Fu Yuan over to eat, okay?”
Bai Xuanxuan nodded softly, sniffling as she spoke, “Okay, but with so many neighbors around, will you have enough to share?”
Shen Wen was stunned by her question for a long moment. When had she ever said she’d invite others?
But the neighbors basking in the sun were all sneaking glances at her.
Those gossipy women might not hear much else, but they certainly caught every insult and invitation to eat like super-sensitive ears.
She usually maintained a persona of being warm and generous.
Now, she felt like Pigsy looking in the mirror—neither inside nor outside a proper person.
“Shen Wen, you didn’t steam buns just for me, did you? If so, I won’t eat them. If I do, everyone will say I’m being selfish.”
Bai Xuanxuan didn’t look at her sulking face and went straight inside, closing the door.
Shen Wen was left standing at the door, blushing under the gaze of the neighbors.
She was fuming inside.
She could only comfort herself that Fu Heng had only bought a ticket for one person and surely wouldn’t bring Bai Xuanxuan.
She had already arranged for someone to get her a medical certificate for serious illness. When she told Fu Heng, he would definitely still take her to the capital like in the previous life.
Once in the capital, Fu Heng would still be hers alone.
Fu Heng didn’t stay in the hospital very long and was discharged early.
When he arrived at the courtyard, Shen Wen was playing with Fu Yuan.
Bai Xuanxuan sat nearby, eating an apple and basking in the sun.
Fu Yuan bounced over and hugged his leg. The man ruffled his head. Shen Wen ran over with a radiant smile.
Anyone unaware would have thought they were a family of three.
Fu Heng carried a bag filled with candy and chocolates he had bought on the way.
He saw Shen Wen, his expression darkening slightly. He turned his head to look at Bai Xuanxuan sitting under the tree.
Bai Xuanxuan met his gaze and smiled warmly.
Her hair was casually tied, with a few loose strands fluttering gently at the sides.
Her dark eyes, like black pearls washed by water, were clear and lively.
Her soft, delicate lips parted slightly, and when she spoke, her voice was gentle and tender.
Like a feather brushing against the heart.
“Husband, I want to eat chocolate.”