In fact, after deducting Ye Zhenghua's expenses during the first two months when things were most critical, Meng Zihan had secretly saved up a full 20,000 yuan from the money she sent back!
She didn't tell anyone about the money; she hid it in a metal box at the very bottom of her bed.
Meng Zihan's words on the phone last time, "We've already settled everything," really broke her heart and completely chilled her soul.
She finally understood: a niece is ultimately just a niece, and can't be relied upon.
Money is most secure when it's firmly in your own hands.
Who knows if Meng Zihan will stand idly by when she gets sick or old?
Meng Zihan was completely unaware of her little schemes.
But her woman's intuition told her that something was amiss.
Meng Xueyun's eyes kept darting around as she spoke, avoiding eye contact; this was definitely a sign of guilt.
Meng Zihan was too lazy to argue with Meng Xueyun about these messy issues. She simply gave Meng Xueyun a cold ultimatum.
“I don’t care how you spent your money before, or who you owe money to. I’ve already paid back most of that severance pay, and I’ll pay back the rest as soon as possible. But from now on, you’re on your own to figure out how to pay yourselves. I won’t give you a single penny more!”
Hearing these heartless words, Meng Xueyun did not refute them, but smiled and nodded repeatedly in agreement.
"Alright, alright, if you don't want to give it to me, then I won't. I know you've had a hard time too. As long as you're doing well, that's all that matters."
She changed the subject abruptly, as if the argument had never happened.
“Xiaohan, your aunt has to go back to the factory for half a day this afternoon. Taking too much leave will result in a deduction in wages. Your uncle can’t be left unattended, in case he needs to drink water or go to the toilet. Since you’re back, please do me the trouble of staying at the hospital to look after your uncle. That way, you can call the doctor and nurses anytime if anything happens.”
Upon hearing this, Meng Zihan was furious: "What? You want me to guard him?"
She had barely finished speaking when a sharp, piercing electronic ringtone suddenly rang out in the quiet ward, interrupting her from uttering the rest of her refusals.
"Ring ring—ring ring—"
The voice was urgent and crisp, like a death knell.
Meng Zihan panicked and forgot about arguing with Meng Xueyun. She frantically pulled her phone out of her purse.
This was specially bought for her by Zhou Shixian.
These days, people who can afford to use a mobile phone are either rich or powerful; it's a rare status symbol.
More importantly, besides herself, only Zhou Shixian knew this number.
Looking at the familiar number flashing on the screen, Meng Zihan's palms involuntarily became sweaty.
Her heart was pounding uncontrollably, and her previously domineering demeanor vanished instantly.
She nervously licked her lips and hurriedly pressed the answer button.
As soon as the call connected, she immediately switched to a sickeningly sweet, obsequious voice, softly asking, "Hello? Brother Zhou... why are you calling at this hour?"
Zhou Shixian's voice came through the phone.
"I have a business dinner tonight." His voice was devoid of warmth, as if he were reading a notice. "Get ready, wear the little pink dress I gave you last time, and put your hair up. If you can't do it well yourself, go to your usual salon. I'll have the driver pick you up at seven o'clock tonight."
This rapid-fire arrangement contained not a single question, only commands.
Meng Zihan froze, her fingers gripping her phone tightly, her heart pounding wildly.
She's still in Jiangcheng, how could she possibly arrive at 7 PM?
She lowered her voice, arched her back, and said in a gentle, tender voice, "Brother Zhou, I'm not in Hong Kong right now, so I probably can't make it tonight."
On the other end of the phone was Zhou Shixian's incredulous voice: "What? What did you say?"
Immediately, he raised his voice and angrily demanded, "Not in Hong Kong? If not in Hong Kong, where are you?!"
Meng Zihan sensed something was wrong and quickly stammered an explanation.
“I…I’ve returned to Jiangcheng. My uncle is sick, and I…I came back to visit them.”
She hoped that by citing "filial piety" as a reason, she could gain some understanding from Zhou Shixian.
Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Shixian roared, "Meng Zihan! Who gave you permission to go back?! Are you ignoring what I said? Did you even ask me before you went back?!"
The reprimands pierced Meng Zihan's ears through the receiver, but she dared not move the phone away and could only listen to his scolding word for word.
While Zhou Shixian was catching his breath, she tried to explain that she was just homesick, but before she could say it, Zhou Shixian's voice turned cold, and he gave her an ultimatum.
"I don't care if you're in Jiangcheng or anywhere else, I don't care what method you use, whether you take a plane or a rocket, my driver must pick you up downstairs at 7 PM tonight! If he doesn't, your job as 'General Manager Meng' is over!"
"Don't push your luck. There are plenty of young and pretty girls lining up to do the jobs you don't want to do!"
"Brother Zhou, I..."
Meng Zihan panicked completely. She had only managed to utter two words when a loud "smack" came from the other end of the line, and the phone was ruthlessly hung up.
Hearing the continuous "beep beep" busy tone coming from the receiver, Meng Zihan stood there, stunned, her mind blank.
The next moment, as if she had woken up from a nightmare, she grabbed her purse from the bedside table, and without even greeting the astonished Meng Xueyun, she turned around and rushed out in a panic.
"Hey, Xiaohan!" Meng Xueyun was startled by her distraught appearance and hurriedly chased after her, grabbing her arm. "Where are you going?"
Meng Zihan shook off her hand and exclaimed urgently, "There's an emergency at the company! There's an emergency in Hong Kong! I have to be back before 7 p.m. tonight! I have to go!"
After saying that, she rushed out of the ward in her high heels as if her life depended on it, and quickly disappeared around the corner of the corridor.
Meng Xueyun stumbled from the impact, standing frozen in place, staring at the empty doorway. She turned to look at Ye Zhenghua, who was leaning against the headboard.
"This child... is getting more and more unruly. Whenever you ask her to stay and keep you company, she says she has something to do. I think she just doesn't want to do anything!"
She muttered discontentedly as she walked toward the hospital bed.
Ye Zhenghua leaned against the pillow, his mouth involuntarily agape, drool dripping down his chin, and making indistinct sounds in his throat.
"I... I saw the way she looked... she didn't seem like a proper boss at all... a boss... could be scared like that by a single phone call?"
Due to the aftereffects of his stroke, he spoke unclearly, his words coming out in broken sentences, and he became so anxious that his face turned red.
Meng Xueyun sighed, grabbed a tissue, and haphazardly wiped his mouth.
"Who cares if she's upright or not? As long as she pays your medical bills on time, that's all that matters! Mind your own business!"
Ye Zhenghua was taken aback by her words, making two "hoarse" sounds in his throat. He gathered his strength and said angrily, "If... if she hadn't... swindled us out of that 30,000 yuan severance pay back then... would I... would I be worrying and getting angry every day... and have gotten this sick? This medical expense... shouldn't even be considered money she owed me! She owes me!"
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