Damn!

She knew it.

Since this man couldn’t have her, he would inevitably resort to all kinds of underhanded tricks to deal with her.

As a creditor, it was perfectly normal for him to press for debt repayment.

But Chen Qing had never considered humoring him from the start.

She didn’t share the modern mindset of crossing into the 1970s and thinking herself superior to people of that era.

Especially when it came to dealing with someone like Yang Xiujin, who hid his malice behind a dignified facade—it was dangerous!

One careless misstep could easily lead to trouble.

She had to distance herself from him as soon as possible.

Suppressing her frustration, Chen Qing asked, “How much do you need?”

“Two hundred. I’m sorry, but my ex-wife’s family ran into some trouble. For my daughter’s sake, I have to cover this expense.”

The man’s pupils were dark as ink, exuding a dense, piercing coldness. He watched Chen Qing silently, like a predator eyeing its prey, putting on a guilt-ridden act that was both disgusting and hypocritical.

After a moment of thought, Chen Qing said earnestly, “Director Yang, you’ve helped me for so long. If this is a matter of life and death, I’ll go to the finance department and pester them to advance my future salary to repay you. Or I can borrow money from others one by one. Don’t worry, I won’t shortchange you.”

Seeing her sincerity, which seemed genuine, Yang Xiujin frowned deeply.

Why was her reaction different from what he had anticipated?

“It’s not that urgent. Just give me whatever you have on hand.”

“Then I’ll give you twenty for now.”

“Alright.”

For now, she was being stubborn.

He wanted to see if Chen Qing, with the appetite he had cultivated in her, could still adapt to a life of simplicity and frugality.

The two went their separate ways.

The moment Chen Qing turned around, her face fell.

Why did the original host have to provoke such a person?

People like him enjoyed controlling others in the palm of their hand. If you defied his wishes, he would punish you severely, like a total creep.

After finishing her work in the cafeteria, Chen Qing returned to the factory committee office and sat down heavily at her workstation next to Tian Mengya, sighing deeply.

Tian Mengya perked up her ears and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I borrowed a large sum of money from Director Yang to experiment with making clothes. Now he’s short on money, so I had to give him half of my salary.”

Chen Qing placed her hands on the table, resting her chin on the soft part of her arm, her expression grim.

“You borrowed money from Director Yang?” Tian Mengya asked in surprise.

Chen Qing shot her a glance. “What else? Did you think he gave it to me? We’re not related in any way. Why would he give me money?”

“No…”

Tian Mengya wanted to say something.

She distinctly remembered a time when everyone told Director Yang to stop giving Chen Qing money, since Chen Qing was eating and drinking lavishly outside while he grudgingly settled for simple meals in the cafeteria. And Director Yang hadn’t denied it!

Didn’t that mean he was giving her money?

“There are still twenty-eight days until next month’s paycheck, and I only have fourteen yuan and fifty cents left.”

Chen Qing sighed despairingly.

Everyone in the office exchanged glances. How did Chen Qing end up being taken advantage of by Yang Xiujin after borrowing money?

Even Tian Mengya couldn’t figure it out. She even suspected Chen Qing was lying.

But during lunch in the cafeteria, she noticed Chen Qing only ate a steamed bun, and Tian Mengya’s doubts began to waver.

Chen Qing was absolutely the last person in the world to shortchange herself. If she weren’t truly short on money, she would definitely have the cafeteria auntie serve her meat dishes.

As the factory flower, Chen Qing’s every move was closely watched. When others saw her eating just one steamed bun, and a coarse-grain one at that, someone immediately asked, “Xiao Qing, why are you eating so little?”

“I used to care too much about my appearance. Director Yang said he could lend me money to buy clothes and shoes, so I gradually borrowed quite a bit from him. Today, he said he’s short on money, so I gave him half of my salary first. With just over ten yuan left, I have to tighten my belt and spend frugally.”

Chen Qing sat there listlessly, her face wooden, nibbling on her steamed bun in a dispirited manner, looking somewhat wronged.

Director Lin from the Women’s Federation, who often dealt with matters of romance, was far more perceptive than the average person. She immediately sat down beside Chen Qing.

Yang Xiujin happened to arrive for lunch just in time to hear these words and nearly choked on his anger!

What was wrong with her? Why was she blabbing everything to everyone?

People around him also cast strange glances his way.

Someone who was on good terms with him asked Yang Xiujin, “Old Yang, are you that short on money lately?”

Even the great beauty had to be let go.

Yang Xiujin forced an awkward smile. “Some issues came up at home.”

“Ah, every family has its own troubles.”

The man wore an understanding expression but didn’t hesitate to prick up his ears and listen to Chen Qing’s words.

Director Lin asked Chen Qing, “You’ve been borrowing money from Director Yang of the Logistics Department all along?”

“Yes, it was all borrowed. A total of 178 yuan. Director Yang, since you’re here, did I get the number right?”

Chen Qing looked at Yang Xiujin with sparkling eyes, her expression proud like a little girl hoping for praise for her calculation.

Yang Xiujin’s grip on his aluminum lunchbox tightened, veins bulging on his hand. “That’s correct.”

Chen Qing immediately turned to Director Lin, her expression triumphant. “See? I’ve been keeping track.”

Director Lin shot a cool glance at Chen Qing before asking further, “Why were you so short on money?”

“Because I spent all my money on clothes,” Chen Qing admitted guiltily, nibbling on her steamed bun.

Director Lin pressed on, “Why did you buy so many clothes?”

At this moment, Chen Qing had two choices:

First: Pin the blame entirely on Yang Xiujin and make him take responsibility for her spending.

Second: Promote herself.

For the sake of her personal safety and her wallet, Chen Qing chose the second option. “Because I’ve been good at making clothes since I was little, and I love beautiful outfits. Before, I didn’t have enough money to buy many styles to study. Once I had the money, I couldn’t help but splurge. Director Lin, believe me, I can make every style of clothing available on the market now!”

Director Lin retracted her cold gaze from Yang Xiujin and smiled. “Is that so? That’s impressive.”

“Hehe.”

Chen Qing chuckled sheepishly, her fair and delicate skin tinged with a light blush.

Her beauty captivated many onlookers.

Yang Xiujin was no exception—this cunning and lively version of Chen Qing was even more captivating.

How could he bear to let her slip through his fingers?

But in such a public setting, there was little he could do. So, despite his nearly ten-thousand-yuan fortune, he had to settle for chewing on a coarse-grain steamed bun!

Whispers spread through the cafeteria.

Originally, everyone had thought Yang Xiujin was giving money to Chen Qing. But now, Chen Qing claimed it was all borrowed, even citing the exact amount. Comparing it to the sums he’d given her over time, it seemed roughly accurate.

After all…

Every time Yang Xiujin gave Chen Qing money, plenty of people had witnessed it~

But if it wasn’t given but borrowed, that changed things quite a bit.

Director Lin was the Women’s Director of the province’s largest machinery plant, responsible for the ideological and political education of over ten thousand employees. Hers was no sinecure. Her conversation with Chen Qing wasn’t solely about personal matters.

“Your nephew and niece are good children. The machinery plant covers all tuition fees for families of martyrs. You hardly need to worry about them—they’ll grow up just fine.”

Chen Qing blinked.

Why didn’t the original story mention a character like Director Lin?

She was gentle yet strong.

And she cared deeply for the families of martyrs.

It was she who had forced the original host to provide meals for the two children.

If she had been around, how could she have stood by and watched the original host abandon them?

“Chen Qing.”

Director Lin called her name, her tone firm.