Chapter 569 Ye Shao's Confidence
Qu Huanhuan was genuinely surprised. People actually hired fake girlfriends now. But looking at the well-dressed man before her, whose attitude didn't seem like that of a swindler, the offer of compensation made her a little tempted.
"What kind of compensation are we talking about?"
"It won't trouble you often, just some meals at my home, and absolutely no inappropriate behavior. If you're willing, how about two hundred each time?"
"Two hundred!"
"Is that too little?"
"No, no, no, that's quite a lot. Hmm~~ I agree. But let me be clear, if you're a骗子 (piàn zi - swindler) or disrespect me, don't blame me for not being polite. I know kung fu."
Saying that, she clenched her small fists and demonstrated a couple of moves. Ye Mu'en suppressed a smile and quickly nodded. He finally had a long-term partner.
"This is the first payment for your trouble, count it."
Qu Huanhuan took the money with a smile and started counting it bill by bill, revealing her money-grubbing nature completely. Ye Mu'en didn't find it bad; instead, he thought it was cute.
"Alright, it's a deal. My name is Qu Huanhuan, what's yours?"
"Ye Mu'en. I'll pick you up this Saturday at eleven in the morning."
"Okay, no problem. I just need to acknowledge you as my girlfriend, right?"
"Yes, if they ask how we met, just say it directly."
Qu Huanhuan pointed to the spot where she was sitting.
"You mean I met you while eating your 爆肚 (bào dǔ - tripe)?"
"Yes, too many lies are more likely to be exposed."
Qu Huanhuan thought for a moment and gave a thumbs up. In any case, the boss was always right, and she would resolutely follow his arrangements.
"Then, let me help you pack up."
"No, no, it's oily here. Don't get your clothes dirty."
Ye Mu'en looked at his clothes. His sister had bought them, and he couldn't ruin them. When she refused, he really stopped, merely watching from the side. He waited until he had escorted her to a nearby alley before leaving, considering it his responsibility to ensure her safety.
Back at her rented courtyard, Qu Huanhuan moved very lightly. She had housemates, and waking them up wouldn't be good. After a simple wash, she sat on her bed and slowly counted her earnings for the day.
"One hundred and one yuan and three jiao, plus two hundred, that's three hundred and one. If I earn this much every day, I'll be a ten-thousand-yuan household soon."
Qu Huanhuan carefully put the money into a bag. She would deposit the round figures into the bank tomorrow. Lying on the bed, she fell asleep with a satisfied smile.
It was already half-past eleven. Ye Mu'en knocked on the door to greet the person on night duty before returning to his own courtyard. Soaking in the bathtub, he thought about everything that had happened today and smiled helplessly. What sin had he committed that he had to do such things one day?
The next day, Ye Mu'en arrived at his unit feeling refreshed. He recalled seeing his sister sitting in the courtyard drinking tea and waiting for him as soon as he stepped out of his room that morning.
"Big brother is awake. You're up so late today."
"I got back late last night. I didn't fulfill my promise to you, so you came to catch me early in the morning?"
Ye Shenggge didn't speak, only gesturing with her eyes at a bowl on the table.
Ye Mu'en followed her gaze and immediately closed his eyes. What was inevitable had finally arrived.
"Doesn't only Dad need to drink medicine?"
"Oh, I accidentally brewed too much. You'll have to help me out."
Ye Mu'en pursed his lips and nodded repeatedly, picking up the bowl and drinking it down briskly. After drinking the bowl, he felt refreshed.
"Alright, thank you, big brother, for giving me face."
"You're welcome. All my face is yours."
Ye Shenggge smiled, picked up the bowl, and even wiped her brother's mouth with a tissue.
"Big brother, don't forget about this Saturday."
"Don't worry, don't worry, I absolutely won't forget. My sister's orders are always my top priority."
Ye Shenggge raised her eyebrows with satisfaction, but somehow felt that her big brother was brimming with confidence this time.
Ye Mu'en had two bowls of porridge at home before leaving. He even saw his father by the courtyard gate, retching, and helpfully patted his back.
"You can drink the medicine before meals next time. It's easy to feel nauseous after eating."
"Scram, do I need you to teach me?"
"Look, the old man's temper is really fiery."
"Go, go, go."
As soon as he sat down at his desk, he saw Tang Zhao standing at the doorway, looking at him resentfully. Ye Mu'en pretended not to see him and started reading the newspaper at hand.
"Report."
"Come in."
Tang Zhao stood opposite him with a deadpan expression, saying nothing, hoping Ye Tou would have a change of heart. They remained in this standoff for over ten minutes before Tang Zhao finally gave in.
"Ye Tou, didn't you ask me yesterday to discuss getting Liu Shu's help?"
Ye Mu'en raised his eyes slightly and threw the newspaper onto the table.
"Can't I change my mind?"
"That's not it, it's just that I was implicated again and scolded."
"Tsk, as if you don't get scolded normally."
Tang Zhao simply sat down, leaning on the table and mumbling dully.
"Ye Tou, give me a straight answer. Does Liu Shu really have no chance at all?"
"What? You hope she has a chance?"
Tang Zhao shook his head like a rattle drum.
"No, I'm just afraid my brother-in-law won't give up. If there's a possibility, maybe I can stop him from causing trouble."
Ye Mu'en disdainfully patted Tang Zhao's head a few times with the newspaper.
"Sit properly. If outsiders see you, the Deputy Tang, like this, there'll be no authority left."
"What are you afraid of? When we go out, I'm still the strictly disciplined Deputy Tang."
Ye Mu'en shook his head. This guy was good at putting on an act.
"Liu Qingming. He's a person of no merit or demerit, a very transparent existence. Wasn't he just transferred to Mingcheng? It took him over ten years to get a promotion."
"Yes, but he can't hide his ambition, he's just good at pretending."
"Your pretense is learned from him?"
"Bullshit! I only pretend on the surface. He's been pretending from the inside out. How can he compare to me? If it weren't for the title of brother-in-law, I wouldn't even bother with him."
Ye Mu'en looked at the guy, who had been his capable subordinate for several years, with disdain. How could there be things he couldn't handle?
"If you don't bother with him, that's fine."
"But I can't ignore my sister, after all, she took good care of me for several years when my parents weren't around."
"Liu Qingming alone can't reach me. You just need to be careful usually."
"I'm just afraid he'll make a move through Liu Shu, and that will only harm that girl."
Ye Mu'en was speechless. If anyone could make a move on him, he would have died eight hundred times over by now.
"Deputy Tang, this depends on your ability. If anything bad happens, I'll send you to a remote mountain area to cultivate anew."
"You're dictatorial. It was clearly you who caused the trouble."
"I've already explained. If you can't accept it, that's your problem. By the way, buy your niece a gift with this thousand yuan. Consider it my compensation."
Tang Zhao pocketed the money without politeness. Doing what you promised is a basic principle of being a person.