Chapter 57: Visiting

Wen Ming Yue nervously saw off Old Zou. When she returned to her seat, her hands and feet were trembling.

The tens of thousands she owed Old Zou was just the tip of the iceberg of her debts, but now she was already being confronted so soon.

She only had a few thousand yuan left from last month’s salary. How could she repay Old Zou’s tens of thousands? Wen Ming Yue’s limbs felt like they had just been taken out of an ice cellar, her blood frozen cold.

If only she hadn’t fallen out with Fan Xia. With her salary and ways of making money in the Shanhai Group, it would have been easy to get an advance on her salary to help fill the hole. It was all her fault for being too hasty, pushing all the responsibility onto Fan Xia in a fit of anger. Her intentions were too obvious, angering Fan Xia and landing herself in this predicament.

Should she beg Fan Xia again?

But now even Wen Lan Sheng, her own son, wasn’t speaking to her. She had nowhere to turn for help.

But the debt of tens of thousands was imminent. If Old Zou found out she couldn’t repay the debt and made a scene at Fan Xia’s home, discovering that Fan Xia and Wen Lan Sheng weren’t actually married and that she had been kicked out of the house, the truth would come out. Old Zou would surely spread the news.

At that point, other lenders would also come knocking to collect debts. All at once, the tens of thousands in debt would turn into hundreds of thousands.

Wen Ming Yue was backed into a corner. She had no choice but to shamelessly ask for leave again, preparing to swallow her pride and personally beg Wen Lan Sheng.

“I’ve asked the supervisor for leave. Can you help me with this work?” Wen Ming Yue handed a stack of papers to her colleague.

The colleague was a fellow long-time factory worker like Wen Ming Yue, and the two disliked each other.

Previously, when Wen Lan Sheng married Fan Xia, Wen Ming Yue had proudly boasted about it in the office, making her colleague dislike her even more. When the colleague learned about Wen Ming Yue selling her house, she had mocked her in the office for quite some time.

Now, with Wen Ming Yue asking for leave again and suddenly adding to her workload, the colleague spoke even more sarcastically: “Having a rich daughter-in-law sure makes a difference. Taking leave every few days to go home. If you don’t want to work so badly, why not just quit? After all, Fan Xia can support your whole family.”

Wen Ming Yue no longer had the confidence to argue with her colleague. She could only swallow her anger, pretending not to hear as she packed up her things and hurriedly rushed to Fan Xia’s home.

Wen Ming Yue had never been so humble before, almost kneeling before Wen Lan Sheng: “Lan Sheng, Mom knows she was wrong. I shouldn’t have fought with Fan Xia like that. But Mom is really in trouble now. Can you please talk to Fan Xia and ask her to lend me tens of thousands? I’ll pay it back very soon.”

Wen Lan Sheng only regretted being soft-hearted enough to open the door for Wen Ming Yue.

“It’s impossible. Xia Xia is very angry now and doesn’t even want to talk to me, let alone lend money,” Wen Lan Sheng said coldly as he sat to the side, ignoring Wen Ming Yue’s humble tone.

“She won’t even lend tens of thousands? Lan Sheng, you and Fan Xia have over ten years of friendship,” Wen Ming Yue said incredulously.

Wen Lan Sheng’s brows instantly furrowed, his barely restored rationality shredded. His gaze was like a sharp, keen scalpel: “You know that Xia Xia and I have over ten years of friendship, but all of that has been ruined by you! How much trouble have you caused these days? If I hadn’t brought you here in the first place, Xia Xia and I would have been living so well. But now, because of you, she doesn’t even dare to come home!”

Wen Ming Yue suppressed her anger and said softly, “Yes, it’s all our fault. But your father and I have changed now. We just need these tens of thousands to get out of this urgent situation. Lan Sheng, you must help Mom. You’re my only son.”

She clung to Wen Lan Sheng’s hand like a drowning person grasping at straws, almost pulling the ring off his ring finger. Fortunately, Wen Lan Sheng held onto it tightly, protecting the ring like a treasure.

“I’ve already told you it’s impossible. Xia Xia won’t lend you any more money, and I don’t have any either. Mom, stop trying to cause trouble. Your salary and pension are enough for you to live comfortably,” Wen Lan Sheng said firmly.

“It’s not enough! Lan Sheng, that money is far from enough! I’m begging you, Lan Sheng, you must get the money for Mom! Mom is begging you!” Wen Ming Yue pleaded desperately, no longer showing any of her former authority.

Wen Lan Sheng was both angry and annoyed: “I said I don’t have any means no. Begging won’t help, I really don’t have money.”

“No money? How can you not have money? Then, this should be worth a lot, right?” Wen Ming Yue tightly held onto Wen Lan Sheng’s finger, her eyes greedily fixed on the shining iris ring.

“Mom, you’ve gone crazy! What are you doing?!” Wen Lan Sheng tried to shake her off, but couldn’t break free.

Wen Ming Yue now looked like a madwoman who had lost her senses, her eyes burning into the ring: “I remember you said before that this ring cost several hundred thousand. It should be able to buy tens of thousands, right? Lan Sheng, help your mother, save me from this emergency. When I get things sorted out, I’ll redeem the ring for you.”

Wen Lan Sheng mustered all his strength and violently pushed Wen Ming Yue away, his eyes cutting like knives, devoid of any warmth: “Don’t even think about it. Get out, leave now! Don’t come asking me for money again!”

“Wen Lan Sheng, if you give me the money, you’re not my son anymore!” Wen Ming Yue shouted angrily.

Wen Lan Sheng also yelled back: “Then consider that you don’t have a son!”

“For an outsider, can you really watch your own mother die?” Wen Ming Yue was furious.

“Yes!” Wen Lan Sheng shouted, his voice echoing in the empty house.

“Mom, please, Xia Xia doesn’t like me being in contact with you. Can you please not come looking for me anymore? Let me go. Only if you leave will Xia Xia come back to me. Otherwise, she’ll be with other men. I really can’t live without her!” He used all his strength to push Wen Ming Yue out, crying as he spoke.

Wen Ming Yue was once again thrown out onto the street. Standing amidst the bustling crowd, she had never felt such panic in her heart.

Her last hope had been shattered. What could she do now?

“Oh, didn’t you take a day off? Why are you back?” her colleague mocked lightly.

Wen Ming Yue sat down at her workstation, looking lost. She had originally taken a day off to borrow money from Wen Lan Sheng, but she hadn’t succeeded. After wandering aimlessly on the streets, she decided to come back to work.

This way, she would only be counted as taking half a day off, and when calculating her salary, only half a day’s wages would be deducted.

Times were different now, and she had to save whatever she could.

During lunch, Old Zhang and Old Zou ate with her. Suddenly, Old Zhang said, “Old Wen, when I was leaving home today, I saw your husband Xie Cen. He was buying vegetables at the nearby market. Aren’t you living at Fan Xia’s place? Why is Xie Cen buying vegetables here? Have you moved out of Fan Xia’s home?”

Hearing this, Old Zou’s eyes fixed steadily on Wen Ming Yue.

Wen Ming Yue choked on a mouthful of rice: “No, it’s just that our Jing Jing doesn’t want to crowd in with her sister-in-law, so we rented her an apartment. But this child is spoiled and can’t get used to takeout food, so her father often comes over to cook for her.”

Old Zhang and Old Zou exchanged smiles: “Oh, I see. That puts my mind at ease.”

The reason they were willing to lend tens of thousands to Wen Ming Yue wasn’t for her sake, but for Fan Xia’s. Everyone knows that lending money is easy these days, but getting it back is difficult, even with years of friendship.

But Wen Ming Yue had an outstanding and successful daughter-in-law. The salary of a Shanhai Group executive assistant must be at least several tens of thousands, right? Even if Wen Ming Yue couldn’t repay, Fan Xia could cover for her. That’s why they felt confident in lending the money.

After this probing, the two creditors felt reassured, but Wen Ming Yue was on pins and needles.

This couldn’t go on. She had to find a way to repay the money.

Wen Lan Sheng wiped away his tears, having severed his family ties with his own hands. His heart felt like it was being seared on a hot iron plate, making it hard to breathe. Only his near-pathological obsession with Fan Xia kept him going.

He slowly got up from the ground, changed into clean, nice clothes, and came to the Shanhai Group building.

Looking at his reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windows, he saw his slightly haggard face with slightly swollen, red eyes, giving off a pitiful and delicate air.

It was just lunchtime, and there were many people coming and going in the building. Although Shanhai Group had strict management, Wen Lan Sheng had worked here before and easily slipped past the security system by following an employee.

He arrived at the floor reserved for the chairman.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, a fresh-faced young male receptionist stood up to greet him: “Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?”

Wen Lan Sheng shook his head: “I’m not here to see Rong Xiu. I’m looking for Fan Xia.”

“Assistant Fan? May I ask who you are?” the young receptionist asked.

“I’m her husband.”

“Husband?” The young receptionist was extremely surprised but quickly said, “Please wait a moment.”

He hurried to the office, but Fan Xia wasn’t at her desk. Only Zhuang Nian was there, miserably eating a grass salad. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

The young man nodded: “Secretary Zhuang, is Assistant Fan here?”

Zhuang Nian jerked his chin towards the closed door. These past few days, Rong Xiu had been clinging to Fan Xia, being lovey-dovey all day as if afraid others didn’t know he was Fan Xia’s secret lover. He almost wanted to move her desk into his office, keeping the door closed all day while they fooled around, making Zhuang Nian feel like an old doorkeeper.

“Why are you looking for her?” Zhuang Nian asked.

The young man said awkwardly, “Assistant Fan’s husband is here.”

“What?!” Zhuang Nian was so startled he almost dropped his salad.

Oh no, Wen Lan Sheng already knew about Rong Xiu’s unspeakable identity. Was he here to confront them? To catch them in the act?

“Wh-where is he?” Zhuang Nian stuttered.

The young man said, “He’s waiting outside right now.”

“Alright, you go control—uh, I mean, keep him occupied. I’ll go inform Assistant Fan.” Zhuang Nian’s heart was pounding.

First, he nervously put his ear to the door to listen, making sure there were no inappropriate sounds before knocking.

Rong Xiu’s cold voice mixed with displeasure: “Come in.”

Zhuang Nian entered with his head lowered.

“What is it?” Rong Xiu asked, his clear eyes shooting out cold light. It was obvious he was displeased at being interrupted while with Fan Xia.

Zhuang Nian looked nervously at Fan Xia, who was calmly leaning back on the sofa, and said, “Assistant Fan, your husband is here.”

Fan Xia’s calm eyes showed a hint of surprise: “Him? How did he get in?”

Zhuang Nian shook his head: “I don’t know.”

“Daring to come here, I’d like to see what he’s up to.” Rong Xiu slowly straightened his slightly rumpled suit, looking righteous and not at all like how a lover should react when confronted with the lawful spouse.

Zhuang Nian couldn’t help but criticize internally: Mr. CEO, please wake up. You’re the mistress now. Show a little fear and guilt, give the proper respect to the lawful spouse, okay?!