Chapter 12: The Overbearing Ways of the Wealthy

By the time Song Yin returned home, she was utterly exhausted.

Because of that young lady at the Blue Mountain Villa, Lou Yizhou had lost interest in continuing their evening and had sent her straight back.

It was not yet too late, so Song Yin took a shower. When she emerged from the bathroom, Song Yulian was sitting on the sofa, waiting for her.

"If this is about money, don't say another word. I'm taking you to the hospital on Monday. It was hard enough to secure an appointment with that specialist; don't you dare cause any trouble at the last minute."

"Your Uncle Li is truly in a difficult spot."

"Who isn't in a difficult spot? Our family is already in this state, and you still have the energy to worry about him? Tell you what, why don't you go live with him? Then I won't have to worry about you anymore."

Seeing Song Yin’s resolute attitude, Song Yulian’s tone softened. "I was just saying. If you don't want to help, then don't. I’m just saying your Uncle Li isn't a bad person. Didn't he buy you fruit before?"

"Ha... for a few pounds of apples, he took eight thousand from you. Do you think I can't buy my own apples? Mom, how old are you? Why are you still so clueless? Are you trying to play the lovesick fool with me?"

Song Yulian became agitated. "What is wrong with you? I’m just looking for someone to take care of me. Can I rely on you for the rest of my life? Did I make a mistake by raising you all these years?"

Song Yin looked at her and said, "If I had been given a choice, I would rather never have been born."

Song Yulian froze. As she watched Song Yin head into her bedroom, she still refused to concede, calling out from the doorway, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting? Can you give your life back to me? Do you think it was easy for me to raise you alone?"

Song Yin put on her headphones, not wanting to hear another word. She tossed and turned, restless. It had been so many years; she should be used to it by now. *Song Yin, don't you dare cry.*

The next day, Song Yin continued her work as a translator for the group of Arab businessmen. They finished early in the afternoon, and the men gave her a generous tip, saying they would seek her out again if they had future needs.

The translation assignment had gone smoothly.

She checked the balance in her account and, without hesitation, transferred a portion to another account. Predictably, she received a call shortly after.

"Yinyin, why are you sending money again? You and your mother should keep it for yourselves."

"I earned a lot this month. Use it to buy some good food for Dad Zeng. If you can't use it, just save it; perhaps one day there will be a cure for his condition. Brother, please don't be so formal with me. I have things to do, I'm hanging up."

Song Yin ended the call decisively.

She stopped by the local wet market and called Song Yulian. As expected, she was with Li Song.

"I’m reminding you again: we are going to the hospital tomorrow. I’ve already taken the day off."

"I haven't forgotten. I can't talk now, your Uncle Li and I are busy."

...Busy with what, she wondered.

Hanging up the phone, Song Yin bought some simple groceries and returned home.

Auntie Wang once said it was rare for someone her age to know how to cook. In truth, because she had grown up with Song Yulian, living hand-to-mouth, she had been forced to teach herself.

Song Yulian had come from the countryside; she was uneducated but possessed a face that stunned everyone who saw it. Whether that was a blessing or a curse was hard to say. She had originally worked in a factory, but the wages were too low. Later, hearing that being a nanny for wealthy families paid well, she went into that line of work.

She was clever and, after some training, picked it up quickly, soon catching the eye of a wealthy household.

When Song Yin was born, Song Yulian had to leave and return to the countryside to raise her. But having seen the splendor of the big city, Song Yulian could no longer settle for that life. She brought Song Yin back to the city and worked every kind of job imaginable.

She had been married in between, then divorced.

Through all the bumps and scrapes, she had managed to drag Song Yin up to adulthood.

For the past few years, she had been with Li Song, and their relationship was decent enough. Li Song was a construction foreman who had made money years ago and was generous toward Song Yulian. Things had gone poorly for him in recent years, leaving him with significant debt, yet he and Song Yulian remained entangled.

Perhaps he had discovered that she had money set aside for Song Yulian’s medical treatment and had set his sights on it.

Song Yin stopped dwelling on these thoughts.

She had done everything she could; the rest was beyond her control.

Lou Yizhou was in the middle of a vital business engagement, one that would determine his next two major projects. He frowned slightly when he received a call from Auntie Wang.

"Third Master, the young lady refuses to eat again today. And she has developed a fever."

"Has the family doctor seen her?"

"Yes, it’s just a fever, no other symptoms. It might be due to a lack of proper nutrition."

Lou Yizhou’s eyes turned cold. Before he could utter a chilling response, he heard Auntie Wang whisper, "Perhaps we should let that Miss Song try again? The young lady seems willing to eat the food she prepares."

"Let her go hungry. It’s she who is suffering, after all."

Lou Yizhou cut the call.

When Song Yin received the transfer notification from Lou Yizhou, she was startled. She was eating a bowl of tomato and egg noodles she had whipped up, and she nearly scalded herself.

Before she could react, a voice call came in from Lou Yizhou. They hadn't exchanged phone numbers, only WeChat contacts.

"Third Master..." Song Yin set down her chopsticks and answered.

"I cannot get away. I will send someone to take you to the Blue Mountain Villa shortly. Make another meal."

"But..."

Without giving Song Yin a chance to refuse, Lou Yizhou hung up.

Would it kill him to say a few more words?

Song Yin felt speechless.

However, the six-figure payment he had sent was truly tempting.

Song Yin tried to be polite, typing, [Third Master, it’s just a meal. You already gave me more than enough last time; I won't accept this.]

[Keep it.]

The tone was overbearing.

She thought to herself that the overbearing nature of these rich men was something she could certainly get used to.