"Brother, don't worry. After I'm discharged from the hospital, I'll find a way to make money and cover the medical expenses I owe."
"That was always your debt, and you should be the one to pay it back. I've been blacklisted by the entertainment industry, so don't expect me to help you pay it off."
Lu Zei spoke with unusual sharpness.
"You're already in your twenties, and this is a critical time. It's time for you to start working and earning money."
Yes, her brother was blacklisted; she had to step up.
"Mhm."
...
Lu Sisi was discharged, and the weight of the medical bills followed her.
Previously, Lu Zei had sold his designer clothes and watches, anything he could to convert into cash to pay for Lu Sisi's medical expenses.
But faced with the exorbitant medical bills, it was still a drop in the bucket.
Now, only this house remained as his last possession. If the house was gone, they would truly be left with nothing.
The current hardship weighed on Lu Zei, making him feel suppressed and irritable.
After downing two bottles of cheap beer, he retreated to his room.
Although Lu Zei said nothing, Lu Sisi knew he was blaming her for squandering his savings.
Money.
Lu Sisi desperately needed money.
Tang Xiaomin's refusal to lend her money enraged her.
But after Lu Sisi endured a week of Lu Zei's cold shoulder and disdain, she finally couldn't take it anymore. She picked up her phone and dialed Tang Xiaomin's number.
"Xiaomin, I... I've thought about it. Can you help me?"
Tang Xiaomin on the other end of the line curled her lips into a cold smile.
"Have you really thought it through?"
"Yes, I have."
She had thought about it for a whole week.
"Since you've made up your mind, come with me to a banquet the night after tomorrow. Remember to dress up nicely; your chances of success will be higher."
Lu Sisi asked, "Is it a banquet for the upper class?"
"Of course. How else would you meet truly wealthy people at an ordinary banquet? I'm introducing you to a big boss from a company. I wouldn't introduce just anyone to you."
Lu Sisi's hope reignited.
"Xiaomin, thank you."
"Don't thank me just yet. Even though I'm introducing you, it will ultimately depend on yourself."
She had given her fair warning.
After hanging up, Tang Xiaomin hugged the pink plush bear she had held the night Tang Xu died.
She dotingly stroked the bear's head, which had been drawn into a skull, and a sinister, venomous smile spread across her lips.
"The show has begun. Tang Xu, just wait patiently. When I've had my fill of fun, I'll send this culprit down to be your sparring partner."
"What do you think? Isn't my sister generous? She's even helping you get revenge. Unlike you, tsk..."
...
In the evening, Tang Xiaomin, accompanied by Yan Jue, attended a banquet hosted by CEO Wang.
CEO Wang, the one who manufactured brand lingerie and had almost slept with Tang Yiyi, that hypocrite.
Last year, CEO Wang's company had been on the verge of bankruptcy.
After a year of hard work, he had finally managed to revive the company.
This time, he had created a new lingerie brand, "Angel's Temptation."
The lingerie was incredibly sexy and alluring, captivating men from all angles. Upon its launch, sales were astonishing, and the reviews were rave.
In the backseat of the car, Yan Jue asked curiously,
"Minmin, what's gotten into you today that you're in the mood to go to a banquet with me?"
Tang Xiaomin smiled and said, "Of course, I'm taking you out to show off my rich boyfriend!"
"Heh..."
Yan Jue laughed from the bottom of his heart.
Finally, Tang Xiaomin wanted to show him off.
Although her words were half-true and half-joking, he was still happy.
"Minmin, I have a question for you."
"What is it?"
"Do you like my money, or do you like me?"
"Mmm..."
Tang Xiaomin thought for a moment and quoted Shu Ya's usual flirtatious line.
"Only children make choices; adults want both."
"Heh."
He affectionately flicked her nose.
"You're quite greedy, aren't you? But I like you just the way you are."
Yan Jue was like that. If anyone told him they desired nothing from him, such a statement devoid of human nature, he would never believe it.
A moment later, the car pulled into Lu Sisi's residential complex and smoothly picked her up by the roadside.
Lu Sisi looked at Yan Jue in surprise. He was the CEO of Xianfu Group, now the richest man in Modu.
Seeing Yan Jue up close, Lu Sisi was awestruck by his powerful aura and captivated by his handsome features, speechless for a long time.
"Hmph."
Yan Jue snorted dismissively, turning his head away from Lu Sisi.
Lu Sisi quickly averted her gaze and said apologetically, "President Yan, sorry to have bothered you."
"I told you I could come on my own, but Xiaomin insisted on picking me up."
Yan Jue remained silent. From the first glance, he was repulsed by Lu Sisi's "green tea bitch" persona.
"There's no need to apologize. We're friends. Sisi, hurry up and get in; we're leaving."
Tang Xiaomin called Lu Sisi "friend" on the surface, but the way Lu Sisi had looked at Yan Jue earlier had already ignited her fury.
In front of Lu Sisi, Tang Xiaomin shamelessly acted spoiled with Yan Jue.
"Darling, I saw a huge diamond necklace at the mall yesterday. Will you buy it for me?"
Yan Jue looked at Tang Xiaomin in surprise. In his memory, this seemed to be the first time she had asked him for such flashy, ostentatious jewelry.
"Oh, how big a diamond is it that you like it so much?"
Tang Xiaomin mentally gave Yan Jue a thumbs-up. That was a good question.
"Not very big, just a ten-carat, flawless, square-cut diamond. It's about... this much."
Tang Xiaomin held up one of her hands, forming the shape of a 'four'.
"Four million?"
"Yes, it's not very expensive."
Yan Jue nodded.
"Indeed, it's not expensive. But since you like it, I'll buy it for you."
Buying it on the spot, splurging so lavishly, felt incredibly satisfying.
Tang Xiaomin smiled wholeheartedly.
"Darling, you're so good to me. Meeting you must have used up all my luck for a lifetime."
Her words were prophetic. Tang Xiaomin could never have imagined that her encounter with Yan Jue would truly use up all her luck.
...
Yan Jue treated Lu Sisi as if she were invisible, his arm draped naturally around Tang Xiaomin's shoulder, his face full of adoration.
"What else do you want to buy..."
...
Yan Jue's extravagance shocked Lu Sisi.
Was this the favor a rich man showed to a woman?
This was truly... so fortunate!
After entering the banquet hall, Lu Sisi took advantage of Yan Jue talking to someone and quietly asked Tang Xiaomin,
"Xiaomin, Xiaomin, President Yan spoils you so much. Do you have any secrets?"
"Secrets?" Tang Xiaomin looked at Lu Sisi warily.
"I don't mean to snatch President Yan away from you. I just want to ask for your advice on how to make a man devoted like President Yan."
Tang Xiaomin couldn't possibly tell Lu Sisi about the hardships she and Yan Jue had endured together.
"Sisi, remember these four words: Cater to his desires. Although Yan Jue spoils me, he's actually a businessman. After he buys me nice things, I have to pay a price."
"Ah? What price?"
"Heh..."
Tang Xiaomin smiled ambiguously.
"Between men and women, isn't it just about that one thing?"