She put on a warm yet hypocritical smile, as if the person who wanted to carry someone to pay off the debt was not her at all.

"Ouch!" She put the money neatly into her arms, her voice immediately becoming eight shades sweeter, "Brother Qiang is so straightforward! It's my fault. I was so anxious just now that I spoke rashly!

You are a magnanimous person, don't bother with me!"

As she spoke, she patted Gao Zhiqiang's arm in an artificial manner. The affection she showed made the little sister next to her stunned.

"Once we get this money, our account will be settled! Brother Qiang, you can take a rest. I won't bother you anymore. The store is still busy! Come and visit us when you have time. I'll give you a discount!"

After saying that, she twisted her waist and left with her group of people who were still unsatisfied, feeling satisfied.

Gao Zhiqiang was left looking at the mess on the floor and the room full of scrap metal, so angry that he was shaking all over and almost fainted.

——

The train clanged and gasped, and finally came to a rest at the Jishi platform.

It was already getting dark, and the light bulbs on the platform were dim and yellow, making people's faces look gray.

Lin Yaqin, carrying the dirty canvas bag, was swept by the crowd and stepped onto the cold platform of Ji City.

A familiar smell came to her face, carrying the unique flavor of a small city, instantly stinging her nostrils.

She stood in the square in a daze, looking at the street scenes around her that were both familiar and unfamiliar, and an indescribable sadness surged in her heart.

How proud she was when she left there a year ago, and how miserable she is now!

Now she is like a wild dog with a broken spine, with an indelible stain on her body and a pile of smelly money in her arms.

In just one year, her life has been turned upside down.

That bit of pride had long been extinguished by the cold water of Beijing, leaving only a belly full of panic and grievances that had nowhere to vent.

The night wind began to pick up, and she shivered, hugging the bag tightly in her arms. The most important thing now was to find an inconspicuous corner to hide herself.

She wanted to go find Li Mingyuan and her two children, but the idea was quickly dismissed. Things had gotten so bad in the beginning, it was impossible to reconcile in a short time!

She needs to think about this carefully!

She avoided the main road and, relying on her vague memory, went into a dimly lit alley.

There is a "Peace Hotel" deep in the alley. Half of the lights on the sign are broken and there are miscellaneous items piled up at the door.

Pushing open the creaking glass door, I saw an old man dozing off behind the counter.

"Stay in a hotel?" The old man was awakened and looked at her with narrowed eyes.

“How much is the cheapest single room?”

"One yuan a day, three yuan deposit, the toilet is outside." The old man said lazily.

"It's so expensive? Can it be cheaper?"

"That's the price. You can stay here if you want or not. If you think it's too expensive, you can stay under the bridge for free." The old man waved his hands impatiently.

Lin Yaqin gritted her teeth, counted out a few crumpled bills and slapped them on the table.

The old man slowly took out the key and handed it over: "Room 203, upstairs on the left. Boil the water yourself. The kettle is in the corner. If you break it, you'll have to pay for it."

Lin Yaqin took the rusty key.

The room was at the end of the second floor. It was small and cramped, with only a wooden bed, a table with crooked legs and an enamel washbasin.

Most of the wall paint had peeled off, and the air was filled with a mixed smell of mold and disinfectant.

She locked the door, leaned her back against the door and slowly slid down to sit on the ground.

The nerves that had been tense all the way finally relaxed, followed by overwhelming fatigue.

Holding her canvas bag, she curled up on the cold bed, looking out the window at the night scene of Ji City. Her heart was in a turmoil.