Chapter 139 IOU

However, he burst into laughter, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Qiao Wanyin, you haven't changed a bit, you're still incredibly shrewd!"

"Clever, so clever. You're so shrewd and articulate. I almost fell for your tricks."

He leaned forward, his eyes piercing.

“You were the one who ran away with all the family’s money back then, not even sparing my old mother’s retirement money, and ran off to Hong Kong without looking back.”

"Now you're trying to take advantage of me again? Do you think I'm still that naive boy who could be easily fooled by a few sweet words from you?"

Qiao Wanyin's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to jump out of her chest, and her chest was heaving violently.

But her face remained expressionless; she simply gazed at him quietly, like a bottomless pool of water.

She said with a slight reproach, "Is this considered lying? I did all this so I could be with you, didn't I?"

“You have no idea what kind of life I’ve been living all these years. I’m all alone over there, with no one to talk to. During holidays, I can only squat in the stairwell eating cold buns while other families are reunited.”

"If I hadn't been ruthless, I would have been swallowed up by the bone long ago in that place."

As she spoke, she took out a pack of cigarettes from her bag, lit the lighter with a "snap," and the flame illuminated half of her face.

She prepared these cigarettes especially for them.

She took a deep breath, her eyes hazy and profound.

It was as if through that layer of smoke, one could see the past.

"Amin, do you know how hard life is on the mainland?"

Her voice was low, hoarse and tired, "I have nothing, I can't even afford a decent piece of clothing."

"In winter there is no heating, so you have to boil your own water to take a bath; in summer there is no air conditioning, so it's so hot you can't sleep all night. Vegetables in the market are sold by weight, so you have to be careful with every dollar you spend."

"I've had enough! I don't want to endure that kind of life for another single day."

The doubt in Fang Xiaolin's eyes was gradually replaced by a kind of greed.

The Qiao Wanyin he remembered was someone who loved money, was vain, and couldn't sit still.

Now that she's offering money, even saying she's willing to pay 50,000, it's clear she genuinely wants to go with him.

It seems she's truly fallen for him.

"So how much are you planning to give?"

His tone was calm, but it held a hint of probing: "Fifty thousand? Or more?"

Qiao Wanyin felt a sense of relief, knowing that he had begun to waver.

She slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, her voice low: "Fu Lian'an is not poor either. He has a house at his workplace and his pension is guaranteed. If we give him too little, he won't even look at us, and he might even feel humiliated."

“I did the math, and if I gave him 50,000 yuan in cash all at once, he would probably be tempted.”

She paused, then added, "This money is also my compensation to him. After all these years, I haven't given him a proper explanation."

"RMB?"

Fang Xiaolin's eyes suddenly lit up, and her tone became more excited, "Is it really 50,000 RMB?"

Hong Kong dollars.

Qiao Wanyin bit her lip, as if it was extremely difficult to squeeze these words out of her throat.

“As you know, Fu Lian is not young, his career is stable, and he holds a high position in the military. It’s impossible to get him to give up for this little bit of money. He won’t let go, and he won’t agree to a divorce.”

"Isn't this too much?"

Fang Xiaolin frowned, her tone full of disbelief and skepticism.

“He’s just a soldier. Even though he’s been in the army for a while now, he shouldn’t be worth that much money, right? 50,000 Hong Kong dollars is no small amount.”

She took a deep breath and softened her voice.

"He's a regimental commander now, a proper military leader. He has connections above him and soldiers below him. How can you look down on him? Besides... his family isn't short of money either. If things really escalate, you'll be the one who suffers."

Fang Xiaolin was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said, "Wait a moment."

After saying that, he turned and went upstairs.

He could still afford HK$50,000.

Although it hurts to spend the money, this sum might be the key to changing the situation.

As long as Qiao Wanyin signs the divorce papers and spends one more night with him, it will be worth it.

Qiao Wanyin finally breathed a sigh of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly.

Fang Xiaolin, Fang Xiaolin, do you think you have the upper hand?

Our score has only just begun.

"50,000 Hong Kong dollars."

Fang Xiaolin walked downstairs, carrying a thick brown paper bag in her hand.

He walked to the coffee table and put the paper bag on it.

"However, Ah Qing, I need to see your sincerity first. I can give you the money, but not for free."

Qiao Wanyin blinked, looking completely innocent, and asked, "What sincerity? I'm just here to talk about divorce, what else could it be?"

Fang Xiaolin pushed up his glasses, revealing a deep and sharp gaze behind the lenses.

"First, write a divorce petition, the formal kind. Then..."

He lowered his voice, which carried a hint of seductive ambiguity.

"Don't leave tonight."

It took a lot of effort, pulling strings and using connections, to finally trick Qiao Wanyin into coming to Gangcheng.

But what was the result?

She fled overnight before even touching the person.

This matter is like a thorn, stuck in my heart for many years.

She forced herself to suppress the nausea and managed a weak smile.

"If I stay now, it will be a huge problem for you. You don't want to get into trouble, do you?"

“Fu Li’an is an employee, and we are married. Marriage is protected by national law. If you dare to interfere, it’s illegal in mainland China! Bigamy or disrupting a marriage, either one could get you imprisoned for several years.”

Fang Xiaolin was certainly aware of this.

Breaking up a marriage can indeed have serious consequences. Once discovered, not only will your business be at risk, but you may also lose your freedom.

But to let her take HK$50,000 and leave so easily is too lenient on her, isn't it?

She takes the money, he bears the risk, and there's not even any guarantee?

"Ah Qing, it's not that I don't believe you."

Fang Xiaolin sighed, her tone suddenly becoming earnest.

"But as a businessman, I'm most afraid of being cheated. Reputation, contracts, and evidence—you can't afford to lose any of them. If you want to get this money, you need to keep some proof, right?"

Qiao Wanyin understood.

Fang Xiaolin is very shrewd and never does business at a loss.

She concealed the coldness in her eyes, and when she looked up again, her face had changed to a gentle and submissive expression.

"Then tell me, what should I do to put your mind at ease? I can't exactly sign a document saying that I voluntarily...want to be with you, can I?"

For this 50,000 yuan, why not just endure it!

Even if she wanted to slap him right now.

But she ultimately held back.

She had to stay calm and be patient.

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Fang Xiaolin's eyes: "Then write an IOU!"

He leaned back in the wicker chair, slowly picked up his teacup, seemingly waiting for her to give in.

...

Qiao Wanyin walked out of Fang Xiaolin's small villa, found a secluded corner, and stuffed 50,000 Hong Kong dollars into her spatial storage.

Her face was ashen, and her fingertips were still trembling slightly.