Chapter 17: If You Don't Want Her Dead, Keep Quiet

Aunt Zhao cracked sunflower seeds and let out a mocking laugh. "She didn't mind your situation, but you seem to have a problem with her. If you ask me, a woman who's been divorced is worth less now. Besides, look at you—your son is already seven, should be in school, and you can't even take care of yourself, let alone him!"

Wang Shaofen clutched her son's hand tightly. "Thank you, Aunt Zhao, but I'm not considering remarriage for the time being."

Aunt Zhao dropped her sunflower seed shells all over the floor. "Time waits for no one. They're willing to marry you now because you still have some looks; when you're old and unattractive, no one will want you!"

Shen Chutang stood with her arms crossed, chin tilted up as she looked at Aunt Zhao. "Madam, could you please keep your words to yourself and stop scattering garbage everywhere? And tell me, just how big was the matchmaker's red envelope that you received? Is that why you're so eager to sell off a widow and her orphan?"

Aunt Zhao was immediately displeased, but when she turned and saw Shen Chutang dressed neatly and elegantly, she realized this was a child from a wealthy family. Her tone lowered at once, and she got up and left.

Shen Chutang glanced at Wang Shaofen. "By the way, do you know how to work as a waitress?"

Wang Shaofen nodded instantly. "I can do anything! Laundry, cooking, sweeping tables, serving tea and water—I’m good at it all."

"I know someone who owns a restaurant. They might need a waitress. I’ll give him a call and see if he has any positions that include food and lodging."

Wang Shaofen was so excited she couldn't find the words to thank her, gripping her son's hand and expressing her gratitude repeatedly.

The boy, sensible as he was, spoke up immediately. "Thank you, Miss!"

"That's enough. Just call me Sister Chutang," she said.

After Shen Chutang left, the boy turned to his mother. "Mom, didn't you tell me before that if Miss comes back, we should serve her well? Now we've been kicked out—how are we going to serve her in the future?"

Wang Shaofen was worried too. The Shen family was now wealthy and powerful, and she feared Miss would be no match for them. She didn't dare to reveal the secret from years ago.

…

Leaving the slum area behind, Shen Chutang took out her phone and made a call. "Senior, can you check which of your restaurants is hiring? I have a woman here with a child—find them a position with room and board."

Ling You agreed without hesitation. "No problem."

After hanging up, Shen Chutang hailed a car to return home. Passing by the shopping mall she’d visited yesterday, she found it appealing and asked the driver to stop so she could buy something before heading back.

She had just reached the third floor when she heard a commotion not far away.

Shen Chutang approached quickly and saw a woman collapsed on the ground, her face covered in boils, eyes bulging, and a foul stench emanating from her body. She was convulsing uncontrollably.

Foam spilled from her mouth, and no one dared come near.

"What happened to her?"

"No idea. She was fine just now, but after an argument with someone, this happened!"

Standing nearby, Shen Tingting clapped her hands in disgust. That ugly wretch had blocked her path, reeking so terribly—and wouldn’t even let it be mentioned! So she had torn off the woman’s hat and mask, and sure enough, the sight was revolting. She had even touched the woman's things—how disgusting!

"Miss!"

One of the servants shouted in a panic, "Help! Is there a doctor? Doctor!"

"I am," Shen Chutang said, stepping forward and immediately feeling the woman's pulse. She found that the woman had been poisoned by a strange toxin—when it flared up, it resembled epilepsy, causing the victim's appearance to change, skin and flesh to rot and regenerate, like a living corpse.

Such a vicious poison!

Shen Chutang quickly pulled medicine from her bag, ready to administer it, when Shen Tingting saw her and immediately shouted, "Shen Chutang, don't give her random medicine! If you kill her, we won't take the blame for you!"

The servant overheard and demanded, "What are you planning to give my lady? Is there a doctor?"

Shen Chutang frowned, but Shen Tingting continued to mock her. "You didn't even graduate high school—stop pretending to be capable. Wait for a professional doctor."

The servant hurriedly pulled the woman into her arms, looking at Shen Chutang with wary eyes.

Shen Chutang snatched the woman back, laid her on the floor, and growled, "If you don’t want her to die, shut up!"