Chapter 19: Return My Money to Me

“Honestly, how many times have I told you not to work at that nightclub, and yet you never listen!”
“Look where it’s gotten you now—offended the underworld! If I hadn’t shown up just in time today, you know well enough what would’ve happened!”
Cao Yang started lecturing Li Yan incessantly.
Li Yan kept her head down, silent and pitiful-looking.
Cao Yang wasn’t about to let her off the hook; a rare chance to school her had presented itself, and he intended to make the most of it.
He went on and on, but Li Yan offered no rebuttal.
Just as Cao Yang started to wonder if she’d lost her mind, Li Yan suddenly threw herself into his arms, clutching him tightly.
“Waaah… Cao Yang… I thought I was going to die today!”
“I was so scared!”
Seeing her cry so pitifully, Cao Yang softened and gently patted her back.
“Stop crying. It’s okay now. You’re out, aren’t you?”
…
When they got home, Li Yan finally stopped sobbing.
“Are you really going to hang out with that scumbag?” she asked, not wanting Cao Yang to associate with such people.
“No way. I don’t look up to that kind of person,” Cao Yang said disdainfully.
“Then why did you give him your phone number…” Li Yan suddenly realized Cao Yang didn’t even have a phone, and that number wasn’t hers.
“Whose number did you give him?”
“No idea. I just blurted something out.”
Li Yan twitched her lips. “Maybe we should move somewhere else. Running into them is going to cause trouble later.”
Cao Yang lit a cigarette and sat beside her.
“Last time we offended the Henan gang and had to run. Now it’s the Hunan gang’s turn. What about next time?”
Li Yan fell silent.
After a long moment, she asked, “How did you know I was in trouble?”
“I didn’t. I was looking for you and when I got there, I saw a crowd. I asked the waiters and found out what happened.”
“Good thing you were there. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”
“That bastard made me kneel and apologize, tried to drag me into selling too! And he’s from the same hometown. Damn him!”
Li Yan hated Tie Xiong to the core but felt powerless as a weak woman.
Cao Yang nodded, making a mental note to settle the score with Tie Xiong when the chance came.
“By the way, what did you want to see me about?”
“I called my mom today. She said you sent her two thousand yuan.”
“Yeah, so?”
…
“You said you had no money when I asked to borrow some…”
“I really didn’t. I sent it all to my mom.”
“But when I asked you, you hadn’t sent the money yet.”
“That’s because I was preparing to send it, so I was broke at the time.”
“Do you have any money now?”
“Nope, all sent to my mom.”
…
Cao Yang looked at her in disbelief. Her evasive eyes told him she wasn’t being honest. She definitely had money but was just stingy about lending it.
“Sis Yan, I just saved you. Aren’t you going to repay me?”
Li Yan bit her lip. “How do you want me to repay you?”
“I want you to lend me some money.”
“No money.”
“You’re hopeless.”
“Are you mad?”
Cao Yang ignored her, got up, changed clothes in front of her, and then went to room 213 to drink with Lei Dian and the others.
Li Yan called out a couple of times, but Cao Yang didn’t respond.
“Such a miser!” she muttered, then fell into deep thought.
Was she really being too stingy? Cao Yang saved her and only asked to borrow some money. How could she refuse?
She had been sending money home all these years and saved a bit herself. A few thousand yuan was nothing, but she was truly a penny-pincher, always hoarding and never spending.
After much consideration, she decided not to lend the money was the right call—Cao Yang wasn’t borrowing it for anything good. He’d probably end up gambling on slot machines and causing trouble.
Sigh…
She got up, took off her clothes, and slipped into a black silk nightgown.
She tossed the clothes into the laundry bucket, adding Cao Yang’s clothes too, intending to wash them.
Before washing, she reached into the pockets and surprisingly found three hundred yuan in bills in Cao Yang’s pants pocket.
Li Yan stared at the money, puzzled. Where did Cao Yang get this cash?
She only gave him ten yuan a day for living expenses—how could he possibly have three hundred yuan?
Had he been up to something bad?
…
In room 213, Cao Yang was looking to drink with them, but Lei Dian was already asleep. Only A Liang, who had just brought A Mei home, was still awake.
A Liang asked what he was doing.
Cao Yang shook his head. “Nothing.”
…
He was about to head downstairs for a walk but was pulled back by Li Yan as soon as he stepped out.
“Where did this money come from?” she asked, holding the three hundred yuan.
“Did you rummage through my bag?” Cao Yang was a little annoyed.
“What do you mean rummage? I found it while helping you wash your clothes.”
Looking at the clothes in the bucket, Cao Yang believed her and calmed down.
“This money I earned myself. Give it back to me.” Cao Yang reached for it.
Li Yan held the money behind her back. “Explain how you earned this, or I’m not giving it to you!”
“None of your business!” Cao Yang didn’t want to say. After all, thieving was shameful.
“If you don’t tell me, forget the money!”
“Li Yan! I just saved you! Is this how you treat me?!”
“I’m grateful you saved me! But I can’t watch you go down the wrong path. You have to tell me where this money came from, or I’ll call your mom!”
“I’m so done with you, always threatening to call someone!”
“Heh…” Li Yan sneered, “Learned it from you!”
“Ugh…” Cao Yang sighed, helpless, and confessed the truth about the money.
Li Yan was furious. “How can you steal? I told you those guys aren’t good people. Stay away from them. If you ever go stealing with them again, I’ll definitely tell your mom!”
Cao Yang nodded. “I told you the truth. Can I have the money now?”
Li Yan smiled. “I’m holding onto it for you. I’m afraid you’ll waste it. It’s for your own good.”
“Li Yan, could you be a bit more trustworthy?” Cao Yang was tired of her nagging.
“Go to sleep. If you need money, just ask me.” Li Yan confiscated the cash.
This time Cao Yang wasn’t going to let it slide. He reached out to snatch his money back.
He grabbed Li Yan’s left hand, but she transferred the money to her right hand.
Cao Yang locked her left hand with one hand and reached for her right.
In desperation, Li Yan shoved the money into her chest. With both hands restrained, she smugly winked at him.
“Give me the money.”
“No.”
“If you don’t give it, I’ll take it myself!”
“You dare?”
“Cao Yang, you bastard!” Li Yan blushed deeply. She thought he wouldn’t dare, but he not only dared, he seemed to relish the challenge.