Chapter 697: Great Benefactor

Meanwhile, Wang Lihong had finished her bath.

She looked much more refreshed after changing into clean clothes.

She wasn’t too hungry, as she had eaten a steamed bun she’d brought with her on the road.

Ever since her uncle’s wife had taken over the house, she had started starving her, refusing to give her food in an attempt to force her to give in and get married.

Of course, she would never agree to that.

Fortunately, she had secretly hidden a few buns in her room, which kept her from becoming weak with hunger.

Otherwise, she really wouldn’t have been able to escape.

Most importantly, before she fled, she had also snuck into the kitchen to grab some of the steamed buns that were locked in a cabinet.

As Wang Lihong waited anxiously with nothing to do, she took out her last remaining steamed bun and began to chew on it dryly to ease her nerves—

Just as Fu Mingxue knocked on the door, Wang Lihong, who was chewing on the hard, dry bun, nearly choked.

"COUGH— C-Coming."

She hastily took a gulp of water to swallow the bun, then hurried to open the door.

When she saw it was Fu Mingxue, she let out a sigh of relief, her anxious heart finally settling.

"M-Mr. Fu, you’re here! Quick, please, come in—"

Fu Mingxue noticed her flustered expression but didn’t think much of it.

She stepped into the room and glanced around. ’It is a bit small, but it’s pretty clean.’

’Staying for one night will be perfectly fine.’

Her gaze returned to the fidgety, anxious Wang Lihong before her.

She didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point.

"I’ve arranged a job for you. It’s at an arts and crafts factory in the city, which should be a good fit. Just go to the engine factory before 7:30 tomorrow morning and find Director Geng. Someone there will take you to the arts and crafts factory."

"By the way, did you bring your household registration papers?"

Wang Lihong quickly replied, "I did! I brought everything."

"That’s good. Take them with you when you report for duty. Once your position at the factory is confirmed, you can make a trip back here to transfer your grain ration records."

Wang Lihong nodded quickly. "I know. If I don’t transfer my grain ration records, the factory won’t issue me grain subsidies."

’I’ll definitely have to come back.’

’That house my grandfather left me—it belongs to my family. What right did my uncle have to steal it?’

’Besides, I haven’t eaten a single bite of their food. What right do they have to decide my marriage for me?’

’I will take back everything that is mine.’

Fu Mingxue was happy to see that the young woman had a determined spirit.

"Alright, then. You can stay here tonight without any worries."

Seeing that she was about to leave, Wang Lihong anxiously called out to stop her. "Sister Fu, thank you so much! I don’t know what I would have done without you. I’m just so, so grateful! You’re the greatest benefactor I, Wang Lihong, will ever have in my life."

With that, she bowed deeply to Fu Mingxue again.

Fu Mingxue quickly stopped her.

’Honestly,’ Fu Mingxue thought, exasperated, ’this girl really loves to bow.’

’And this "Sister Fu" business... I might even be younger than her.’

’But that’s not important.’

’If she wants to call me that, let her.’

"Please, don’t bow to me again. I’m not fond of it. Just focus on going there tomorrow and getting settled in at your new job. That’s all. I wish you the best."

Wang Lihong’s eyes reddened again.

"Thank you, Sister Fu. I will never forget your incredible kindness for as long as I live."

"It’s nothing, really. It was a small thing, so don’t worry about it. I’ll be going now. Remember to eat properly. Goodbye!"