CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182: THE BEGINNING

What if a thief steals it from me? Or a robber grabs it and runs off? The more she thought about it, the more afraid she became. Although she knew she was only scaring herself and that no one would notice she had fifty cents as long as she stayed calm, she couldn’t help worrying. In the end, she even clutched it directly to her chest.

The three of them arrived at the bank once more. Kong Man didn’t fully relax until she watched the teller feed the cash into the money counter and confirm it was all genuine. After depositing the fifty cents into her account, the trio left the bank. Only then did Kong Man look at Xia Liang, a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders.

"Mister Xia, rest assured. I will definitely deliver results that satisfy you."

"Mhm," Xia Liang nodded, then turned and left with Luu Qi.

Kong Man didn’t go straight back to the real estate company. Instead, she found a bubble tea shop and began planning her next steps.

After all, another fifty cents is still in Xia Liang’s hands. As long as he’s satisfied, that money will be mine, too.

「6:30 p.m.」

When it was time to get off work, Kong Man changed out of her professional attire, kicking off the painfully uncomfortable high heels. Dressed in a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, she stepped out of the sales office doors.

As expected, Zheng He was already at the door waiting for her. The moment he saw Kong Man, he ran over excitedly.

"Manman, you’re off work?"

Kong Man’s face broke into a smile as well when she saw him. "Yes, dear. Have you been waiting long?"

Hearing this, Zheng He was pleasantly surprised. Wow! Kong Man is actually being considerate of me today! Her mood seems really good,

he mused.

He had already helped Zheng Jin get together with Manager Sun, earning a whole two and a half cents today. This was the money Manager Sun paid to keep his sister. He had returned Two Cents to Xia Liang, and Dai Yingyue had naturally gotten the remaining five points from Zheng Jin to give to him.

I can take Kong Man out for a nice dinner tonight, and maybe buy her a gift, too, he thought.

Perhaps it was the power of money, or perhaps it was to ensure her plan went smoothly, but for whatever reason, Kong Man found Zheng He particularly pleasing to the eye today. Previously, Kong Man had always looked down on Zheng He. He was a grown man, yet still an unemployed loafer who was lazy, gluttonous, and only knew how to ask his family for money.

Kong Man proactively linked her arm with Zheng He’s, making him overjoyed.

"Come on, Manman. Didn’t you want to go to that Western-style restaurant? I’ll take you today."

"Okay, great!" Kong Man smiled and nodded, all the while thinking, How am I going to get him to bring up marriage later?

The two took a car to a Western-style restaurant with an English name. Two steaks and a bottle of red wine cost them a whole point. Even though a fifth of his money was gone, Zheng He was still thrilled.

The elegant surroundings, accompanied by the gentle sound of a violin, was the kind of high-end restaurant she had once longed for. But returning now, Kong Man no longer felt any excitement. After all, I have fifty cents now. Indulging like this once is no big deal.

Zheng He said in a fawning tone, "Manman, is the food to your liking? If not, we can have the waiter bring another dish..."

"That’s not necessary." Kong Man suddenly put down her knife and fork, her gaze fixed on Zheng He.

Seeing her so serious, Zheng He’s heart suddenly tightened. "Manman, is something wrong?"

"Yes," Kong Man nodded. "My mother says I’m not getting any younger. She introduced me to someone with good prospects and wants me to marry him."

"What?!" Zheng He flew into a panic, completely forgetting they were in a fancy restaurant. "Manman, you’re my girlfriend! How can you marry someone else?"

A nearby waiter quickly approached. "Sir, you can’t shout in here. Please keep your voice down."

"Sorry!" Zheng He couldn’t be bothered with that. He tossed out a quick apology and continued to stare at Kong Man.

"I know," Kong Man said, feigning helplessness. "It’s my mother’s idea... I want to marry you, too, but..." She finished with a heavy sigh.

Zheng He grew frantic. He genuinely loved Kong Man. "Why? What’s wrong with marrying me? I’ll treat you well!"

"I know," Kong Man said, looking at him. "But you don’t have a car or a house, you don’t have a steady job, and you still live with your family. There’s no way my mother would let me marry you. Unless..."

Hearing the first part of her sentence, Zheng He had started to despair. "Unless what?" he asked, grabbing onto the sliver of hope.

Kong Man said hesitantly, "Unless... you can offer a large bride price."

"Ah..." Hearing this, Zheng He’s spirits sank. He could never forget how, when he’d proposed to her before, she had demanded a bride price of one Yuan. That was why he had been so insistent on getting one Yuan from Luu Wenlin. He couldn’t help but mumble, "One Yuan... where am I supposed to find one Yuan?"

Seeing his crestfallen look, Kong Man quickly gave him a ray of hope. "I was joking before! You don’t need a whole Yuan. Two and a half cents will be enough! I’ll put in a good word for you with my mom, and then maybe she’ll agree!"

Hearing this, Zheng He’s face lit up. "Really? That’s great!"

"Mhm," Kong Man nodded affirmatively. A resolute look flashed in Zheng He’s eyes. "Don’t worry. I will definitely get that two-and-a-half-cent bride price, and I’ll marry you in grand style!"

Seeing his determination, Kong Man looked at him with feigned affection. "Mmm, I believe in you..."

Meanwhile, at another dinner table, Xia Liang had no idea that Kong Man had already made her move. He was still busy devouring the food on the table with Luu Qi.

"By the way, son, when are you and Xiao Qi heading back?"

Hearing this, Xia Liang couldn’t help but roll his eyes. "Seriously, Mom? Are we that much of a nuisance? We just got here, and you’re already trying to kick us out."

Luu Qi nodded in agreement from the side. "Yeah! Auntie, we’ve only been here for two days."

His father, Xia Weiguo, spoke up to explain. "You’ve started a company now, haven’t you? And you have that bubble tea shop. We’re just worried we’ll hold you up."

Hearing that was their reason, Xia Liang shook his head dismissively. "Don’t worry, Dad. I’m just a shareholder, the boss behind the scenes. All I have to do is collect the profits. Making money is what my employees are supposed to worry about."

"Oh." Hearing this, his parents could only nod. After all, they’d never been to his company and couldn’t offer any real advice.

After finishing his last bite of rice, Xia Liang put down his bowl and chopsticks. "By the way, Dad, Mom, why don’t you two just retire early? Your son earns more than enough money for you to live on."

At his words, both of his parents waved their hands in dismissal. "Retire early?" his father said. "I’ve still got working arms and legs. I’m afraid I’d get sick from having too much free time."