“You only just noticed?” Shi Man had been wondering why Bu Qiqi hadn't asked the simpleton why someone was looking for him; it turned out she had just found out. “I already asked him. He said Jiang Xin plans to buy a laptop and wanted to ask him a few questions about it.”

Buy a laptop? So many people are buying them now, but wouldn't she ask her man about it? Wang Qiqi inwardly scoffed at the flimsy excuse. “She avoids me whenever she sees me. Hmph, if it weren't for her, would I be in such an awkward position right now?”

For the past couple of days, many people in the department pointed and whispered when they saw Wang Qiqi. Although they would quickly change the subject whenever they saw her, the abruptness of their topic shifts was grating. Some were even outright aggressive, maliciously asking Wang Qiqi where the money for the house came from. Their tone and looks clearly implied that the way Wang Qiqi earned her money was improper, obtained through some dirty means. This made Wang Qiqi furious. However, regarding their speculation, while she was angry, she knew the more upset she got, the happier certain people would be. Wang Qiqi simply pretended not to hear, as if they were just passing gas. Besides, who knew how envious they were secretly, perhaps even scheming how to earn enough money for a house themselves? It was precisely at these moments that Wang Qiqi became especially angry at a certain person.

“Hmph, if she knew you were buying another house, I wonder what she’d think. Oh, and the simpleton is buying a shop unit too—who would have thought.”

Shi Man suddenly remembered something and recounted the story of the simpleton seeking her out at noon. “Nana agreed to it. Qiqi, do you think Nana’s house isn't selling well? Otherwise, why such a big discount, even the simpleton got a piece of it? She’s discounting it so heavily, how much profit is she even making?” Shi Man sounded conflicted despite being happy about the deal.

“Even though the house is discounted and the money is less, we’ve paid the deposit. Real estate developers need cash the most. Sure, ordinary customers pay a higher price, but how many units do you think they can sell in a month?” Wang Qiqi analyzed. It wasn't like the later years when houses were snapped up like cheap cabbages, and people back then hadn't even begun to consider the sales rate when buying property. However, real estate companies would have comparison metrics. “Besides, the stock market is sluggish. Some people are pulling their money out, always looking for new investment channels. So, don't worry that Nana’s real estate company is failing.”

Shi Man was merely expressing a slight hesitation; only a fool wouldn't take advantage of a good deal.

Although Gong Yiying had received Wang Qiqi’s affirmative answer for help, she was still unsure exactly when Wang Qiqi would send over the necessary materials. After all, agreeing to help was one thing; when the help would materialize was another. Take her current boyfriend, for instance—he hadn't definitively said he wouldn't take her abroad, only that he currently didn't want to return to his home country. “I’m back. What are you planning for dinner? I’ll cook,” Gong Yiying asked her boyfriend, who was lounging on the balcony reading a book.

“I’m eating out tonight. You only need to prepare for yourself,” a voice finally came after a long pause.

Gong Yiying was about to ask who he was going out with and why she wasn't invited, but then she considered what good asking would do—he’d just feed her fabricated assurances. “Drink less,” she said. This reminded her of something someone else had told her recently, and Gong Yiying felt she should agree to it. Previously, she would worry if he’d object or get jealous. But now, Gong Yiying felt she needed to earn more money; foreigners were too stingy, expecting her to share every expense. It was a blessing the rent was covered; otherwise, Gong Yiying knew that man would have expected her to pay that too. Now, Gong Yiying understood she had embarked on a path of no return. She had already sacrificed so much for the sake of going abroad; she refused to let it all go to waste at the final hurdle.

The person on the balcony had expected Gong Yiying to press him further, but her silence left no room for the explanation he was preparing. A flicker of worry crossed his mind—could she have found a new target? “Are you alright?”

Gong Yiying saw her boyfriend approach with concern. Though she desperately wanted to believe this was genuine care, she saw many things in his eyes, like his suspicion toward her. She managed a wry smile. “If I ask, will you tell me? Besides, you must have important business going out. I’m going to see Lü Yan tonight anyway; she said she’s short-staffed recently, and I’m not working anymore. Staying home is expensive, so I might as well earn some money.” Although she tutored children in the neighborhood in Chinese, it only covered daily expenses. How would she cover the costs of going abroad, which she also had to finance herself? Gong Yiying had given up hope that her boyfriend would financially support her trip.

Lü Yan? Hearing that name, Gong Yiying’s boyfriend understood—his girlfriend had plans for the evening too. “Earning your own money is a good thing. You’ll get used to it once you’re abroad. Unless you’re married, people rarely pool their finances.”

Gong Yiying listened to him drone on about the Western approach to finances while she rummaged through the refrigerator with her head bowed. Not being abroad yet, she didn't know if what he said was true. “I know. I have no issue with splitting expenses.” After saying that, Gong Yiying felt her attitude might have been poor, so she brewed a cup of coffee and handed it to her boyfriend. “Have some *coffee. Drink less tonight, and don’t go flirting with girls out there.” *Tch. Wasn't he just projecting his own desire to go flirt with women while not wanting to be cuckolded himself? Don't worry, before the matter of going abroad is completely settled, the thought of betrayal never crossed Gong Yiying's mind. Since he wanted to see her act jealous, Gong Yiying certainly didn't mind putting on a show. These past few days, Gong Yiying genuinely felt her acting skills had improved significantly.

Seeing Gong Yiying act this way, the foreigner thought this was the normal reaction. He pinched her nose lightly. “Don’t worry, my heart belongs only to you, as long as you are good.” For example, stop pestering him about going abroad. Although he had initially agreed to take Gong Yiying with him, she constantly inquired about the progress during the paperwork. Moreover, when he discussed it with friends, many advised him to reconsider, believing he was acting foolishly. It was just a fling; there was no need to invest so much in her, especially taking her abroad. Many friends warned him that if Gong Yiying went abroad, she would likely dump him immediately. This gave him pause. He decided to weigh his options again. Gong Yiying’s recent anxiousness had deeply annoyed him, making him feel his friends were right. Unexpectedly, her attitude had shifted so suddenly today, though he still decided to reassess everything.

Hearing his words, Gong Yiying shyly nestled into his arms. Because her face was pressed against his chest, he couldn’t see how twisted her expression was, nor the intense hatred clouding her features.

After her boyfriend left, Gong Yiying tidied herself up slightly and went to find Lü Yan. Since someone had offered her a job, claiming it was safe and reliable, why shouldn't she take it? In truth, Gong Yiying had lied to her boyfriend. It wasn't about teaching foreigners Chinese at all. Lü Yan had recently started hiring people to guide foreigners touring Beijing as translators. Although many people did this kind of work, Lü Yan had a knack for securing groups of foreigners. Furthermore, she strictly forbade her staff from taking foreigners on frivolous shopping sprees, which helped maintain a good reputation. After more than a year of development, many foreigners visiting Beijing sought out Lü Yan to help lead tours in the surrounding areas. Lü Yan was initially hesitant to let Gong Yiying take on this job, as Gong Yiying’s past behavior hadn't impressed her. But now, she was swamped with work and short-staffed, and she trusted few people.

Lü Yan explained the necessary precautions to Gong Yiying, staring at her intently for a long moment. “I don’t care how many schemes you have or how badly you want to go abroad—that’s your business. If you work under me, you follow my rules. If you can’t, you get out immediately. Understand?” Lü Yan wasn’t concerned that someone like her would actually pull anything too outrageous; she was confident she could handle a young woman with no footing like Gong Yiying.

Gong Yiying felt a chill under Lü Yan’s gaze and nodded repeatedly. “Sister Lü, rest assured, I won’t do anything that could damage your reputation.” Although the offered pay wasn't high, Gong Yiying didn't care about that small sum. Plus, foreigners were generous with tips; the tips earned in one day could be substantial. More importantly, Gong Yiying hoped she might meet a foreigner who fancied her and would agree to take her abroad—that would be far more delightful than just earning money.

Lü Yan guessed Gong Yiying’s intentions with reasonable accuracy. Among the girls working as guides under her, at least eighty percent harbored the dream of meeting a foreigner, hooking up, and leaving the country. Lü Yan thought such girls were fools. How many of the foreigners visiting China were sincere? And how many idiots would refuse an eager admirer offering herself up? Many simply left once their travel dates were up, washing their hands of the whole affair. However, because a few girls had fortunately managed to go abroad, many others couldn't see the downside. Seeing the current situation—this girl already had a foreigner boyfriend yet still harbored this idea—Lü Yan found it baffling. But it didn't concern her as long as she was making money. She handled the arrangements for the tourists' dining and lodging in the nearby areas, ensuring she earned a profit from those deals. “If you agree, come to the office tomorrow morning to sign the contract. We have a few foreigners arriving by plane tomorrow afternoon.”

Gong Yiying had no objection to starting work the very next day; staying home was too boring anyway.

(To be continued)