Chapter 54 : Friendship Is Fake, Money Is Real  

Zhou Ping had found Zhou Yanwen a job delivering supplies to the army compound’s canteen, a perfect fit since he could drive.  

This job suited Zhou Yanwen so well that he’d already been at it for two days, using every chance to inquire about Fang Xiaoluo’s whereabouts. To his surprise, just as he was about to head back, he spotted her from afar.  

There was no mistaking it. Only Fang Xiaoluo had a silhouette like that.  

Overcome with excitement, Zhou Yanwen stopped the truck and jumped out eagerly.  

“Xiaoluo!”  

Seeing his grinning face, Fang Xiaoluo felt nothing but disgust.  

“Do you need something?”  

Her distant and indifferent tone left Zhou Yanwen a bit disheartened.  

He had expected her to ask how he got into the compound or what he was doing now, but she didn’t ask anything.  

No problem. In the past, it had always been Xiaoluo initiating conversations. Now it was his turn. If she didn’t ask, he’d offer the information himself.  

“Xiaoluo, I’ve got a job now. I’m delivering goods to your compound’s canteen. You see, you used to say I was aimless. Now I’m motivated and earning my own money!”  

The subtext was clear: “Praise me, Xiaoluo. Look how great I am now.”  

Fang Xiaoluo gave him a cold, unimpressed look. “That’s great. Since you’re making money now, how about paying me back all the money I spent on you before?”  

Zhou Yanwen: …  

Seeing his silence, Fang Xiaoluo continued, “I’ve calculated it. The things I bought for you and the money I spent on you add up to at least 1,000 yuan. I’m kind-hearted, so I’ll cut you a deal, just pay me back 1,000 yuan.”  

“Since you’re delivering goods here daily, it’s convenient. No need for me to chase you down for it. Let’s set a date when you bring the money. I’ll write you a receipt, and we’ll settle things once and for all.”  

Zhou Yanwen was utterly flustered.  

“1,000 yuan? Xiaoluo, you must be joking, right?”  

Fang Xiaoluo widened her eyes. “No way, Zhou Yanwen. Surely you’re a moral person who thinks 1,000 yuan is too little. Fine, make it 1,500 yuan, I don’t mind more.”  

Zhou Yanwen cleared his throat awkwardly. “Xiaoluo, that’s… not what I meant. That’s way too much. You weren’t like this before. Was all the affection you showed me back then fake?”  

Fang Xiaoluo replied bluntly, “The affection was fake, but the money was real. Please repay it.”  

“That’s settled then. Next time you come to see me, I hope you bring the money. I have a flaw, I care about money, not people.”  

With that, Fang Xiaoluo turned and walked away.  

Zhou Yanwen stared at her retreating figure, unable to tear his gaze away.  

She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Even just her silhouette made his heart ache.  

If not for Xu Yaqiu, Fang Xiaoluo would be his wife right now!  

She was probably upset because he married Xu Yaqiu, which was why she was being so calculating about the money.  

But really, that was all in the past. Who keeps a record of money spent back then?  

—

Fang Xiaoluo arrived at Huo Jinlei’s house, where his wife, Tao Yanjie, was eating with their two children.  

Seeing it was Fang Xiaoluo, Tao Yanjie greeted her warmly, “Sister-in-law, what brings you here? Come in and sit.”  

They had met during the wedding, though they hadn’t interacted much since then.  

Fang Xiaoluo smiled. “Yanjie, I actually came to ask for a favor.”  

“Of course, sister-in-law. Tell me what you need, and I’ll help if I can.”  

“Your daughter Xiaoyue is in second grade now, right? Do you still have her first-grade textbooks from last semester? I’d like to borrow them to take a look.”  

Tao Yanjie said with a laugh, “I thought it was something serious! Wait here, I’ll get them for you.”  

In no time, Tao Yanjie returned with two books, their covers neatly wrapped and in excellent condition.  

The books were clearly well cared for, reflecting the cleanliness and tidiness of a little girl.  

“I’ll return them to you after I’m done using them,” Fang Xiaoluo said.  

Tao Yanjie smiled and replied, “No rush, sister-in-law. Keep them as long as you need.”  

“I’ve already interrupted your meal. I’ll head back now, and you can get back to eating,” Fang Xiaoluo said as she walked out.  

Tao Yanjie called after her, “Sister-in-law, I’ve finished eating anyway. If you’re not busy, stay a bit longer, and we can chat.”  

But Fang Xiaoluo knew they had their own things to do and didn’t want to overstay her welcome.  

After returning home with the textbooks, she opened them and flipped through.  

She noticed that the textbooks from this time were still quite simple, clear, and easy for children to understand.  

She calculated the time left until the final exams and created a study plan:  

– Spend a certain number of days mastering pinyin.  

– Learn to recognize a set number of characters.  

– Read the textbooks fluently and memorize what needed to be recited.  

For math:  

– First tackle addition and subtraction within ten.  

– Then spend time mastering carrying and borrowing, followed by addition and subtraction within one hundred.  

– Finally, practice some basic word problems.  

Of course, she’d also need to assess Shen Haifeng’s learning pace.  

After drafting her plan, she revised it a few times until she was satisfied.  

—

“Mom…”  

In this house, the only one who might call her that was Shen Haifeng.  

Then, she heard the sound of something spilling onto the floor.  

Shen Haifeng quickly ran over. “Grandma, I’ll help you pick it up!”  

Zheng Lanhua had been holding a basket, ready to sort beans. But upon hearing Shen Haifeng call Fang Xiaoluo “Mom,” she was so startled that the basket fell, scattering beans everywhere.  

While gathering the beans, she glanced at Shen Haifeng, thinking to herself, ‘Is this child out of his mind?’  

He actually called Fang Xiaoluo “Mom”?  

Did something happen to make him change, or had he been threatened?  

Before she could ask, Shen Jinxia dashed out of the house.  

Being young and blunt, she asked directly, “Big brother, did you just call her Mom?”  

“Big brother, didn’t you say at the start that we shouldn’t call her Mom?”  

Holding a handful of beans, Shen Haifeng replied, “That was then, and this is now.”  

Shen Jinxia rested her chin on her hands. “Oh, I get it. Big brother, you’re trying to get on her good side, aren’t you?”  

Shen Haifeng glared at her. “You could just not talk.”  

“Why?” Shen Jinxia blinked her big eyes.  

Shen Haifeng stammered for a while before replying, “Why do you ask so many ‘whys’? Call people what you’re supposed to. It’s basic manners.”  

“Well, if you’re calling her Mom, then I’m not calling her Sister anymore. I’ll call her Mom too!”  

With that, Shen Jinxia ran into Fang Xiaoluo’s room, threw herself into her arms, and looked up at her with a wide grin. “Mom.”  

The soft, sweet little voice sounded by her ear. Fang Xiaoluo looked at Shen Jinxia, whose little face had grown a bit rounder over the past few days, and felt a surge of happiness.  

“Yes,” she replied seriously.  

Shen Jinxia suddenly felt warmth in her heart. The word “Mom” was so lovely, so comforting. Now she had a mom not a stepmom, but a real mom.  

She rolled around in Fang Xiaoluo’s arms, giggling. “Mom, my good mom. I really like you so much. !”