Luo Ziyu forced a smile and swiped her card.
Listening to the sound of over nine hundred yuan being charged, her heart felt like it was bleeding.
As she walked out of the store, she caught a glimpse of Leng Xunze emerging again, surrounded by female customers who were showering him with compliments, and incidentally praising Wen Yan as well.
Envy and bitterness welled up within her.
What good was being handsome? He was still a penniless guy! His girlfriend had to buy his clothes!
"By the way, do you know that girl from earlier?" the middle-aged man suddenly asked.
Luo Ziyu hummed in affirmation.
"Find a time to ask her out for a meal. You wanted that bag from XNN, didn't you? I'll buy it for you later."
Luo Ziyu's eyes immediately lit up. She knew this lecherous old man had his sights set on Wen Yan.
"Sure, I'll ask her," Luo Ziyu smiled.
She wanted to see if that handsome guy would still want Wen Yan after she was ruined!
Wen Yan was quite satisfied with this shopping trip. She ended up buying a set of shirt and trousers, and a belt, spending over seven hundred yuan.
"Did you buy too much?" Leng Xunze knew her bonus was only a thousand.
"It's not much. We don't buy clothes outside every day," Wen Yan smiled gently. "Aren't you starting to negotiate partnerships now? You need to dress well. Sometimes, appearances are very important when you're out!"
"Aren't you feeling the pinch?"
"Feeling the pinch about money?" Wen Yan shook her head and said earnestly, "We're husband and wife. Why would I feel bad about spending money on you?"
Leng Xunze's heart was profoundly shaken.
He didn't understand what he was feeling, only that his chest felt hot, as if it were filled with something.
The next day, Leng Xunze went to the construction site wearing his new clothes.
This project was one of the most important projects under his charge.
Lao San also came today.
"Boss, those holdout residents have been dealt with. The resort plan can now commence," Yuan Jiameng reported the good news with a grin.
Besides running a hospital, he was also a shareholder in various companies.
Leng Xunze gave a faint hum. He was always like this; even projects worth hundreds of millions couldn't stir any emotion in him.
"Also, your younger brother is truly all show and no substance. He started his new position with a bang, but ended up causing almost half the senior management to leave. It was your mother who managed to persuade them all back!"
"Normal. But, with her around, the company won't have any problems," Leng Xunze said lazily.
"Tsk, a perverted powerhouse. Fortunately, there are no daughters in your generation, otherwise, I don't know what kind of woman would inherit your mother's personality!"
Yuan Jiameng said, then noticed the shirt and trousers he was wearing today and teased, "Why are you dressed so formally today? Did your sister-in-law get suspicious?"
He had long disliked Leng Xunze's usual t-shirts and trousers, even though they looked good on him, it wasn't like him at all.
"Your sister-in-law bought them," Leng Xunze finally glanced at him.
Yuan Jiameng looked at the brand. "No way? You can wear such cheap clothes?"
After all, his clothes were mostly custom-made.
Leng Xunze's face darkened. "You're cheap!"
Then, he added casually, "Your sister-in-law received a thousand yuan bonus, and this set of clothes cost over seven hundred."
Yuan Jiameng couldn't believe the hint of pride he detected in Leng Xunze's tone.
Over seven hundred?
Was that even enough for the sleeve of one of his previous outfits?
And he could brag about it?
However, it was truly not easy for this woman to spend so much money.
"Does sister-in-law know your identity?"
"No. She probably just fell in love with me," Leng Xunze said lightly, believing that one would only sacrifice so much for someone they loved.
Yuan Jiameng frowned. "Then you..."
Leng Xunze glanced at him lazily. "What do you think?"
"Haha, impossible, impossible. Boss, how could you possibly fall for a commoner! But sister-in-law is indeed good to you, obedient and sensible, and beneficial to our plan."
Xinghua Company.
At noon, Wen Yan went to the cafeteria for lunch.
Suddenly, someone sat down opposite her.
Wen Yan blinked in surprise and saw Luo Ziyu. As if ignoring her, she continued eating.
"Wen Yan, this is the milk I bought for you," Luo Ziyu shamelessly offered.
Wen Yan didn't take it.
Luo Ziyu continued, "I'm sorry, I was wrong about what happened this time. I was just so desperate for money that I fought with you. You don't know how poor my family is, and how complicated. My father abandoned my mother and me after he became rich. My mother and I relied on each other, so I value money above all else, hoping I can live well and make my father regret it!"
Wen Yan hadn't intended to engage with her, but the latter part of her statement struck a chord deep within her.
Weren't she and her mother in a similar situation?
"But money is earned with one's own hands, not by relying on others," Wen Yan said indifferently.
"I know. I didn't understand before. But yesterday, seeing how good you and your boyfriend were, I suddenly felt envious. I asked myself if I was happy, and the answer was no! I'm not happy! So, I know I was wrong, and I will work hard and strive for a better life." She spoke with great conviction.
Wen Yan nodded. "It's good that you've seen the error of your ways."
"Mhm!"
As they were eating, someone carrying dishes walked by.
Luo Ziyu's eyes flashed. She extended her foot, and the person immediately slipped, sending the food flying towards Wen Yan. Luo Ziyu quickly stepped forward to shield Wen Yan from the splash.
"Ah! I..." The person carrying the dishes was utterly bewildered. Realizing what had happened, they quickly apologized, "I'm so sorry. I don't know what happened. I'll wash your clothes for you!"
"It's fine. I'll wash it myself when I get back. This outfit isn't expensive," Luo Ziyu said with a gentle smile.
The person was very grateful.
Wen Yan noticed the 'fsz' logo on Luo Ziyu's clothes, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "That outfit of yours isn't cheap, is it?"
"It's alright. It's all minor things. She seems like a newcomer, so it's best to be forgiving," Luo Ziyu said magnanimously.
"You've really changed."
"Yes, it's all thanks to you that I've found my way back. But I know that the mistakes I made before won't just disappear. So, Yan Yan, can I treat you to a meal?" Luo Ziyu asked with pleading eyes.
Wen Yan narrowed her eyes.
"Sure!" she smiled.
"That's great! Drink some milk quickly."
Wen Yan nodded, seemingly unaware of anything.
She had clearly seen Luo Ziyu deliberately trip that person.
Was it to gain her trust?
Tonight would likely be a banquet of deceit, but Wen Yan wanted to know what Luo Ziyu was truly after. Hiding and dodging was not as good as facing it head-on.
She realized that since being with Leng Xunze, she seemed to have gained confidence in everything she did.
Thinking of this, a warmth spread through her heart.
After work, Luo Ziyu came to find her immediately, and they went to a relatively upscale restaurant.
"We're eating at such a fancy place?"
"It's alright. It's mainly because I sincerely regret my past actions and truly want to have a proper meal with you."
Saying this, Luo Ziyu led Wen Yan into a private room.
"Why do we need a private room for just the two of us?" Wen Yan asked, confused.
"The ambiance is good. Look outside."
Beyond the window was a rock garden with a babbling stream, creating a refreshing and pleasant scene.
Luo Ziyu asked her to order. "What do you want to eat today? Order whatever you like. I'm so grateful to you for pulling me back from the brink!"
Wen Yan hummed faintly.
"I'm going to the restroom," Luo Ziyu said and got up to leave.
A while later, the door opened. Wen Yan said, "I think it's better not to. There's no need to eat here."
She looked up and saw the middle-aged man from last time.