The Lei Family.
A two-and-a-half-story villa.
Once the property of the Gu Family.
The original owner had visited many times.
After the Gu Family handed over their assets, Lei Zhenhua used his connections to move in.
If there wasn’t some ulterior motive behind this, Shen Nanchu would eat her words.
The original owner had frequently visited the Lei Family to spend time with Shen Hong, Lei Zhenhua’s daughter-in-law.
Now, Shen Nanchu had come under the pretense of visiting Shen Hong—a perfectly reasonable excuse.
Moreover, after their last failed attempt to frame her, the Lei Family had been itching for another opportunity.
Shen Nanchu’s arrival was like a godsend, handing them the perfect chance.
Both sides were eager, but who was really playing whom?
When Shen Hong saw Shen Nanchu, her smile never faltered.
"Nanchu, it’s been days. You’ve lost weight."
"Really?" Shen Nanchu glanced at Shen Hong. "Your waist seems thicker, though."
Shen Hong’s smile stiffened.
[Dislike Points +5]
Shen Nanchu touched her own delicate face and studied Shen Hong with feigned curiosity. "Have you been working in the fields? Your skin looks so rough and dark!"
Shen Hong could barely maintain her smile now.
Shen Nanchu was insufferable.
[Dislike Points +4]
"Wow, your hands are so rough!"
[Dislike Points +3]
"Isn’t that dress from last year?"
[Dislike Points +2]
"Wow, your clothes are practically faded."
[Dislike Points +1]
The angrier Shen Hong got, the happier Shen Nanchu became.
It was just a shame the dislike points from Shen Hong would soon dry up.
Shen Nanchu decided to steer the conversation back on track.
"Shen Hong, what should I do now?"
The opportunity had arrived.
Excitement flashed in Shen Hong’s eyes, though she feigned concern for her "friend."
"Nanchu, let’s be honest—a woman’s best option is to marry well."
"The Pei Family has no real ties to you. How long can they protect you?"
"Relying on your in-laws is no match for finding a dependable man."
Shen Nanchu inwardly rolled her eyes.
If men were dependable, pigs could climb trees.
"But I’m already married into the Pei Family. Everyone knows it. If I remarry, I doubt I’ll find someone as well-off."
A flicker of disdain crossed Shen Hong’s face.
A divorcee still thinking she could land a top-tier husband? Did she think she was some celestial beauty?
"Nanchu, I’m only saying this because we’re close."
"Why not marry my brother-in-law? Then we’d be sisters!"
Shen Nanchu widened her doe-like eyes.
"Really? Is that possible?"
"Of course."
To lure Shen Nanchu in, Shen Hong even brought up Lei Mingyuan, Lei Zhenhua’s eldest and most favored son.
It had to be said—even a rotten tree could bear good fruit.
While the rest of the Lei Family was… aesthetically challenged, Lei Mingyuan stood out—handsome, tall, and well-proportioned.
Shen Hong had originally wanted to marry him, but she wasn’t skilled enough to catch his eye, so she settled for the second son instead.
Shen Nanchu bashfully nodded.
Shen Hong was delighted.
"Nanchu, stay for dinner. My brother-in-law will be back tonight—I’ll introduce you."
Shen Nanchu was equally pleased. She’d been looking for an excuse to stay.
"That’s perfect."
"But… I couldn’t sleep last night. I must look terrible right now."
Shen Hong’s lips twitched.
Shen Nanchu’s skin was flawless—smooth and radiant like a freshly peeled egg.
What did she know about looking tired? Shen Hong, with her dark circles, was the one who’d actually lost sleep.
Suppressing her irritation, Shen Hong forced a sympathetic smile.
"Why don’t you rest in my room?"
"Alright."
Once Shen Nanchu was settled in, Shen Hong left.
The moment she was alone, Shen Nanchu flicked the blanket away in disgust, leaping off the bed with a grimace.
The Gu Family’s hidden treasure was conveniently located in the next room.
Perfect.
The master bedroom, where Lei Zhenhua and his wife stayed, was adjacent.
Shen Nanchu had done her homework—today, only Shen Hong was home.
Silently slipping into the neighboring room, she headed straight for the wardrobe.
It was long unused, coated in dust.
But in the face of riches, a little dirt meant nothing.
Without hesitation, Shen Nanchu crawled inside, feeling around until her fingers brushed against a tiny hole.
Found it.
She pulled out a key from her pocket and inserted it into the hole.
A soft click echoed as the stone door slid open, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for one person.
Shen Nanchu didn’t hesitate—she crawled in, pulling the door shut behind her.
After a few meters, the passage widened into a small, hidden chamber—about eight or nine square meters.
Dozens of large chests were stacked inside.
At a glance, there were at least thirty.
All locked.
Shen Nanchu picked one at random, inserting her key.
Click.
The lock gave way, and the chest opened, revealing gleaming gold bars.
The Gu Family’s secret stash was pure gold.
In any era—war or peace—gold was the ultimate currency.
And now, it was all hers.
"System, take everything."
In an instant, the chests vanished.
Shen Nanchu retraced her steps, locking the stone door behind her.
Just as she was about to leave the wardrobe, her foot brushed against something odd.
She paused, testing the floor beneath her.
It wobbled slightly.
Kneeling, she examined it closely—a black cloth nailed to a wooden board.
She pried it open, revealing a hidden compartment.
Inside sat another chest, this one also locked.
"Host, would you like the system to open this lock?"
"Only ten dislike points, and the treasure inside is yours."
Ten points? For this tiny lock?
What a rip-off!
Shen Nanchu scoffed.
As if a lock could stop her.
She pulled a hairpin from her bun, fiddled with the keyhole—
Click.
The lock popped open.
The system fell silent.
What was the point of its existence if the host could do everything herself?
Inside the chest:
A hoard of smaller gold bars, two bankbooks (one with 20,000, the other with 30,000), and stacks of industrial vouchers.
Lei Zhenhua was disgustingly corrupt.
But his greed had worked in her favor.
Blackmailing a blackmailer? No guilt here.
She took everything.
Before leaving, Shen Nanchu gave the room one last sweep.
Every little bit counted.
To be honest, Shen Nanchu found quite a few hidden compartments in the room and uncovered several crates of valuable treasures.
There were stacks of silk manuscripts and bamboo scrolls, along with some yellowed paintings and calligraphy pieces—all of which looked exceptionally ancient.
There were even oracle bones inscribed with archaic characters.
Without hesitation, Shen Nanchu took everything for herself.
...
