It must be said that Zheng Tongwei worked at an astonishing speed.
Money makes the mare go, and in just two short days, the roof was completely repaired.
Zheng Tongwei hastily moved his belongings in, afraid that if he delayed even a moment, Wang Jianguo might change his mind.
Shen Nanchu sat on the balcony, gazing at Zheng Tongwei’s brand-new roof with a delighted smile.
Mei Qiu, the little black dog, crouched playfully at Shen Nanchu’s feet.
At just over two months old, the pup’s fur was as black as freshly dipped ink, soft and fluffy.
His round head held a pair of gleaming dark eyes, and when he ran, he looked like a tiny cannonball.
His pink tongue would occasionally peek out, utterly adorable.
The system had taken care of Mei Qiu for a while and doted on him beyond measure.
The little ball in Mei Qiu’s mouth? The system had spent its own points to exchange for it.
And the Peppa Pig plushie the pup was resting on? Also a gift from the system.
Sometimes, Shen Nanchu found the system foolishly endearing.
If it weren’t for her, how many people would take advantage of it?
So, to ensure the system wouldn’t be easily fooled by others in the future, Shen Nanchu decided she should be the one to trick it more often—helping it learn through experience.
This was her daily act of kindness, and the more, the better.
At Zheng Tongwei’s house—
Zheng Tongwei took out the White Rabbit milk candies he had bought from the town’s supply and marketing cooperative the day before.
Neighbors exchanged gifts—you give me something, I give you something—that’s how bonds were formed.
After a moment’s thought, Zheng Tongwei grabbed another big handful of candies.
Surely, this much would be enough?
Holding the candies, he cheerfully stepped out of his house.
From the balcony, Shen Nanchu watched his excited demeanor and raised an eyebrow.
Soon enough, Zheng Tongwei knocked on the Pei family’s door, candies in hand.
Pei Yunzhou was hanging laundry in the yard. "Who is it?"
"It’s me, Zheng Tongwei, your neighbor," came the voice from outside.
Pei Yunzhou glanced toward the balcony, where Shen Nanchu gave him a nod.
Only then did he go to open the door.
"Comrade Zheng, what brings you here?"
"I just moved in, so I thought I’d bring you some sweets to enjoy."
Zheng Tongwei pulled out two large handfuls of candies from his pocket.
"That’s very kind of you."
Pei Yunzhou had actually owed Wang Dabao and Wang Xiaobao some candies and had been meaning to buy some in town.
Now, he didn’t have to.
Zheng Tongwei craned his neck, trying to peek into the yard to see who else was home.
Pei Yunzhou promptly blocked the doorway, cutting off his line of sight.
"Comrade Zheng, if there’s nothing else, I won’t keep you. I’m quite busy at the moment."
Once the candies were in hand, Pei Yunzhou wasted no time in ushering him out.
Zheng Tongwei’s lips twitched, but he forced a smile.
"Ah… right. Of course."
"Thanks for the candies."
Pei Yunzhou grinned, then—bang!—shut the door right in his face.
Nearly hitting Zheng Tongwei’s nose in the process.
Zheng Tongwei left awkwardly.
Pei Yunzhou triumphantly held up the candies for Shen Nanchu to see.
Shen Nanchu nodded, then shifted her gaze to the dried loofahs hanging on the kitchen wall.
They had discovered them while cleaning the house earlier.
Peeled and dried, the loofah fibers made excellent scrubbing tools for dishes and pots.
Every rural household had a few.
"Lao Si, later, take one of these over to Zheng Tongwei."
Pei Yunzhou looked between the loofahs and the White Rabbit candies in his hand.
"Sis-in-law, are you serious?"
"Mm."
Shen Nanchu felt a loofah was already generous. If there had been anything cheaper, she wouldn’t have even given him that.
"Alright then."
Pei Yunzhou obediently followed his sister-in-law’s orders.
After returning home, Zheng Tongwei eagerly awaited Shen Nanchu’s return gift.
When Pei Yunzhou showed up with a single loofah, Zheng Tongwei was stunned.
"This is my sister-in-law’s gift for you."
"She says it’s great for scrubbing pots and dishes—gets them really clean."
Zheng Tongwei numbly accepted the loofah.
What was he, a grown man who didn’t even cook, supposed to do with this?
And after all those White Rabbit candies he’d given, this was their return gift?
He was speechless.
But he still managed a strained smile.
"Thank you… and your sister-in-law."
"You’re welcome."
From her balcony rocking chair, Shen Nanchu watched Zheng Tongwei’s expression through the system’s live broadcast.
Frustrated but unable to show it, forced to smile and accept it.
Perfect.
……
About ten days later—
Wang Jianguo came to see Shen Nanchu again.
Their village factory proposal had been approved, but they still needed to finalize some paperwork.
The process was tedious.
Wang Jianguo wanted Shen Nanchu to accompany him to handle it, since she was more knowledgeable.
But with the major decisions already settled, Shen Nanchu didn’t think she needed to be involved in the minor details.
This kind of tedious work could be delegated.
"Nanchu, who do you think we should ask?"
"Comrade Zheng Tongwei would be perfect."
Shen Nanchu smiled as she answered.
Over the past ten days, Zheng Tongwei had been relentless in currying favor with her and the Pei family.
Openly and discreetly, he’d done countless favors for them.
Truly, the man was a master at this. His efforts had even earned him a few conversations with the Peis.
A willing worker shouldn’t be wasted.
Shen Nanchu thought Zheng Tongwei was ideal for handling these trivial tasks—he’d get them done flawlessly.
"Alright!"
Shen Nanchu and Wang Jianguo went to Zheng Tongwei’s house together.
Wang Jianguo explained their request.
Zheng Tongwei’s first instinct was to refuse.
This kind of tedious work wasn’t just troublesome—if someone decided to make things difficult, he’d have to deal with that too.
Having worked in government for years, he knew all the bureaucratic pitfalls.
"Comrade Zheng, you’re so kind-hearted and capable—you’ll help the village head and me with this, won’t you?"
Shen Nanchu put on a pitiful expression.
"Lately, I haven’t been feeling well."
"I can’t eat, and I keep feeling nauseous."
"I wanted to handle it myself, but my health just won’t allow it."
As she spoke, she clutched her stomach as if fighting another wave of nausea.
Wang Jianguo looked puzzled.
Hadn’t Shen Nanchu been eating just fine these past few days?
Since when was she suffering from morning sickness again?
And loss of appetite?
"I think you’re an exceptionally capable and outstanding comrade, so I recommended you to the village head."
"Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else in the village who could do this as well as you…"
Under the weight of Shen Nanchu’s flattery, Zheng Tongwei didn’t even hesitate before agreeing.
What a joke!
If Pei Zhengnian’s wife was starting to trust him, how far could he be from infiltrating the Pei family?
"Comrade Shen, Village Head, don’t worry."
"Leave this to me—I’ll get it done without a hitch."
