Chapter 4: Only a Fool Leaves Money on the Table

Jin Shixun stopped his hand from reaching for the doorknob, turned to look at me, and gave a mocking smirk. He warned me in a low, cold voice, "Stop bothering Jin Siqi. If you dare to provoke her fiancé again, I won't let you off!"

With that, he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his hands, tossed it into the trash can as if it were contaminated, and walked away without looking back.

I clutched the bank card in my hand and curled my lips into a faint smile.

*Heh.* If you think it’s dirty, then don't touch it. Who are you putting on this hypocritical display for?

After lying on the sofa for a while to recover, I called the manager, Sister Hong, on the intercom and asked her to bring me a fresh set of clothes.

Sister Hong walked in, clutching her chest.

"Oh my, Qinxin, you really have some tricks up your sleeve! Even a menace like him can be handled by you!"

"You scared the life out of me just now. I thought I’d have to arrange a funeral for you right after I finished Sasa’s!"

I put on my clothes, combed my long hair back, and consoled Sister Hong with a cheeky grin.

"It’s fine, I’ve got a tough life."

I took a taxi home, gathered the money I had earned over the last two days, and transferred 500,000 to Sasa’s younger brother for his university tuition. The rest went toward paying off my loan shark debt.

Looking at the remaining three million-plus I still owed, it seemed I would have to work myself to the bone lately.

I started reporting to the Zeming Tea House every morning and evening, dressing up exquisitely and wearing new luxury clothes and jewelry every day.

However, after the scene Jin Shixun made, the other wealthy patrons no longer dared to force me into submission, and the senior executives, aside from the big boss, stopped trying to persuade me to sell anything other than tea services.

Seeing the balance in my account only decreasing, I was just brainstorming other ways to make money when Sister Hong came to me, beaming.

"Qinxin, a big client is here!"

She shoved a stack of cash into my hand and winked, "Qi Yuzhou came here specifically and requested that you be the one to brew his tea."

Qi Yuzhou?

Jin Siqi’s fiancé.

Jin Shixun’s warning still echoed in my ears. I gripped the money tight and curled my lips. "Fine, I’ll go right now."

Only a fool wouldn't take the money. I couldn't care less whose fiancé he was.

Besides, I hated Jin Siqi for taking everything from me.

I also hated her for torturing me until I was lower than a beast in the past.

Revenge is a dish best served cold.

Hasn't the time finally come?

I changed into a revealing green dress and applied a vibrant red lipstick.

The woman in the mirror had a stunning figure, and a single glance from her could steal a man’s soul.

Clicking my ten-centimeter heels, I stood gracefully before Qi Yuzhou.

He set down his glass and turned to look at me.

I picked up a wine glass, filled it, sat down beside him, and whispered in his ear, "Brewing tea is fifty thousand; accompanying you for drinks is a separate price."

Qi Yuzhou sneered, "You certainly know how to take advantage of a situation."

I batted my eyelashes. "If you don't pay, I might just go have a chat with your fiancée..."

My voice rose slightly at the end, laced with both a threat and a touch of temptation.

Qi Yuzhou’s icy gaze landed on my fair, delicate collarbone.

"This is the second time you've threatened me."

"Mr. Qi, that’s only because you gave me a second chance to threaten you."

Like a charming succubus, I obediently picked up the wine glass.

"Fine. Drink one bottle, I’ll give you a hundred thousand. Drink ten, and that’s two hundred thousand."

I knew I had offended this man last time, so he was likely here for revenge.

But I wasn't afraid.

Besides, when the God of Wealth comes to deliver money, who would turn him away?

I downed ten bottles of high-proof white spirits in one go.

"Does this satisfy you, Mr. Qi?"

An icy bank card was slapped against my face.

"Two hundred thousand. Keep your mouth shut!"

I took the card. "Thank you, Mr. Qi. Looking forward to your next visit!"

Qi Yuzhou chuckled, straightened his tie, and walked out, once again the perfect fiancé for Jin Siqi.

I took a taxi home.

As the motion-sensor light flickered on, a thin, frail boy was crouching at my door, clutching a tattered cloth bag.

Looking closer, it was Sasa’s younger brother.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

I opened the door, and the boy followed me like a little tail. At eighteen, he was already a head taller than me, yet he always seemed too shy to meet my eyes.

"Is the money not enough? How much more do you need? I’ll transfer it to you now."

The boy waved his hands frantically. "No, sister, you gave me too much. I came here to return some of the money to you."

"Also, I received my admission letter. I want to pay my respects to my sister so she can rest in peace."

Sasa’s greatest wish before she died was to see her brother go to university. Unfortunately, she passed away before that day arrived.

"Alright, stay at my place tonight, and I’ll take you tomorrow morning."

I pushed the money from the cloth bag back to him. "If there’s extra, keep it for yourself. Don't deprive yourself."

Early the next morning, I changed into plain clothes and accompanied the boy to visit Sasa.

At the tombstone, he unfolded the admission letter to show Sasa, hoping her soul could find peace.

Before he could finish speaking, the heavens turned against us, and a torrential downpour began.

There was nowhere to hide from the rain at the cemetery, and I couldn't get a taxi. Just as I was panicking, a black Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up.

The window rolled down, revealing half of Jin Shixun’s cold, noble face.

"Get in."

The driver let the boy sit in the passenger seat, and I sat next to Jin Shixun.

As soon as I was settled, the privacy partition slowly rose.

Jin Shixun’s eyes were filled with disdain. "Jin Xin, you really have no standards now, do you? Desperate enough to prey on a minor?"

I crossed my arms. Since he was going to misunderstand me, I might as well let him. "In what capacity are you lecturing me, Mr. Jin?"

Laughable. As if Jin Siqi weren't enough to occupy his mind, he wanted to meddle in my affairs too.

Jin Shixun stared fixedly at the red mark on my neck and leaned in close. "You ignored my words and went to provoke Qi Yuzhou again?"

*Oh*, so he was here to stick up for Jin Siqi.

"What, is your dear sister hurting? Why don't you just kill me to vent her anger?" I challenged him, staring back.

Jin Shixun’s eyes deepened. He slowly took my earlobe into his mouth and bit down. "I won't kill you, but I can make you wish you were dead..."

Hearing this, I couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

"Mr. Jin, you don't look like the young master of the Jin family right now." I lifted my chin, my eyes filled with a trace of contempt.

Jin Shixun frowned slightly, seemingly surprised that I dared to strike back.

No matter what our relationship was in the past, I owed him nothing now.

I wouldn't let him push me around.

"The first time was an accident, the second was a warning..." I licked my lips. "You and I aren't actually that different."

"Shut up!" Jin Shixun grabbed my wrist firmly.

I winced in pain, but the sound was more like a kitten's whimper, scratching at one's heart.

"Brother, it hurts..." I took the opportunity to whisper in his ear, "Yes, you really hurt me."