Duan Ye took several deep breaths before finally prying Ye Nuan's hands off.

Duan Ye: "Ye Nuan, I'm willing to help you because of our friendship over the past two years, not for any other reason."

Seeing Duan Ye reject her time and time again, Ye Nuan's emotions were on the verge of collapse: "Isn't it just because of what my roommates said? Duan Ye, is it really that big of a deal? For such a small thing, you're going on and on with me, making everyone's life miserable! When did you become so petty?!"

Duan Ye sighed helplessly, looked at Ye Nuan, and gave a mocking smile: "You are simply hopeless."

After saying that, Duan Ye didn't linger any longer and turned to leave quickly.

Ye Nuan tried to chase after him, but no matter what she did, she couldn't catch up. Duan Ye was walking very fast and didn't wait for her at all.

By the time she arrived at where Duan Ye had parked his car, Duan Ye had already stepped on the gas and sped away.

Ye Nuan was abandoned once again.

When Ye Nuan returned home, she found that the door was not closed. She quickly ran inside and found that the furniture and other items in the house had been smashed and the house was in complete chaos.

Ye Nuan immediately panicked: "Mom? Mom!!!"

Ye Nuan rushed into the bedroom and found Chen Li huddled in the corner of the bed, her hair disheveled and her face slapped. Fortunately, her clothes were intact, though they had many shoe prints on them.

Ye Nuan was both angry and heartbroken: "Mom, do you owe someone money again?"

Chen Li finally snapped out of her daze and scrambled downstairs to hug Ye Nuan: "Nuan Nuan, call Duan Ye and ask him to come help! Mom was beaten by those beasts, it hurts so much! Call Xiao Ye right now, quick—"

Ye Nuan frowned and helped Chen Li up: "Mom, what exactly happened? Let's call the police..."

As soon as Ye Nuan took out her phone, Chen Li swatted it away, and Ye Nuan's phone fell to the ground.

Ye Nuan: "Mom?! What are you trying to do?!"

Chen Li shouted angrily, "Don't call the police! Don't call the police!"

As soon as Ye Nuan walked over and picked up her phone, Chen Li rushed over and snatched it from her: "Call Duan Ye, Duan Ye has money, tell him..."

Ye Nuan was on the verge of collapse again: "Mom! I broke up with Duan Ye!"

The room suddenly fell silent. Chen Li looked at Ye Nuan suspiciously: "What did you say?"

Ye Nuan repeated herself, "I said I broke up with Duan Ye..."

"Slap—" A loud slap rang out, and Ye Nuan's face was turned to the side, her left cheek immediately burning with pain.

Then came Chen Li's cursing: "You shameless girl, what's wrong with Xiao Ye? You want to break up with him? Go ahead and act all dramatic, but in the end, no one will love you!"

Ye Nuan's expression was numb, her voice hollow and desperate: "Mom, I've broken up with my boyfriend. Why can't you just talk to me properly? Why...?"

Chen Li glared at her fiercely, then sat down on the ground and began to sob, "Now that's great, you and Duan Ye have broken up too, what are we going to do when those debt collectors come knocking again... Waaah..."

Chen Li cried so hard it was heartbreaking, and Ye Nuan felt a pang of sadness.

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Li was still unable to calm down, while Ye Nuan could only quickly tidy up the living room and bedroom by herself, and even went to the kitchen to cook two bowls of noodles.

After serving the noodles, Ye Nuan returned to Chen Li and said, "Mom, have something to eat first."

Chen Li remained motionless, staring blankly ahead.

Ye Nuan had no choice but to squat down and gently hug Chen Li: "Mom, everything will be alright..."

Chen Li sighed, pushed Ye Nuan away, got up and headed towards the kitchen, with Ye Nuan following her.

The two sat down facing each other and quietly finished their bowl of noodles.

After putting down her chopsticks, Chen Li said, "Duan Ye used to give you your living expenses. Mom doesn't give you much each month. You've seen the family's situation. Mom can't support both of you by herself. Mom doesn't expect you to help pay off the family's debts. Mom just hopes you can support yourself and help the family from time to time."

Ye Nuan didn't answer, but just ate her noodles in silence.

Chen Li glanced at her and said, "Your father's monthly alimony payments are only enough for your younger brother."

After saying that, Chen Li stopped looking at her and got up to leave.

Ye Nuan: "Mom, just how much do you owe outside?"

Chen Li's expression suddenly changed, and she angrily shouted, "Focus on your studies! Don't meddle in adult matters!"

Ye Nuan could only fill her stomach with tears mixed with noodles, her hands trembling slightly as she held the chopsticks.

She understood, almost consciously and desperately, that Duan Ye was right.

Wiping away her tears, Ye Nuan gave a sorrowful smile and said with great bitterness, "Yes... even my own mother doesn't love me, so who else can I expect to love me?"

After finishing her noodles, Ye Nuan returned to school, while Duan Ye went to work as usual.

Before going to work, Duan Ye went to the coffee shop to take a look and found that although they hadn't supervised the work yesterday, they hadn't made any mistakes. The people Luo Qingyuan had found were quite reliable.

After the meeting at noon, Duan Ye received a call from Luo Qingyuan.

Duan Ye: "What's wrong?"

Luo Qingyuan: "Isn't tomorrow the weekend? We don't have to work anyway, so how about we go shopping and see a movie after get off work?"

Duan Ye glanced around, found a quiet spot, and then said, "Miss Luo, are you inviting me to dinner?"

Luo Qingyuan chuckled softly, "Yes, then I wonder if Mr. Duan would do me the honor?"

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