The First Volume: The Abandoned Wife's Self-Strengthening Chapter 57: Usury

  Xue Lengyu suddenly felt a little bit despicable.

  She didn't have that deep and strong feeling of being willing to sacrifice herself for him, but she relied on her own uniqueness to catch his attention. Now, relying on his good feelings towards her, she is making progress inch by inch, wanting to leave the palace and also planning to make a fortune.

  Of course it's not that I don't want to pay back, but after all...

  Xue Lengyu thought about it again and again, but she still felt uneasy. It wasn't that she was being overly cautious or prone to worrying, but the fact that this handsome face was so vividly in front of her made her feel increasingly unsettled.

  Xue Lengyu was just an ordinary girl, never having been noticed by such a handsome man before. Now, this aloof and handsome guy suddenly became gentle towards her, and it was natural to feel heart-pounding at first. However, after calming down, it felt somewhat unreal.

  Furthermore, a man like Shu Li, although his performance tonight seems to be moldable, but in this era where men dominate, if he were to take the money and leave, would he not feel at ease thinking that she cannot marry anyone else. And later on, if they were to discover that they are incompatible, provoking him into a rage, even if she were to leave the Wang Manor, her life would not be easy.

  The people will not fight against the officials unless she can abandon her parents and roam the four seas, otherwise how can she escape the control of Shu Li.

  Xue Leng Yu furrowed his brow in deep thought, and didn't go to disturb him. The night wind was gentle, but it blew the branches and leaves slightly, and a few flower petals on the tree were gently blown down by the wind, landing on Xue Leng Yu's hair. The beautiful woman looked at him, and he couldn't help but slow down his breathing, afraid that even the slightest sound would disturb the beauty in front of him.

  From the time she crossed over to the present, Xue Lengyu felt that everyone she met, except for the honest and simple Zhan Fengsong, had ulterior motives. So she thought about it repeatedly and decided it was better to clear the air with Shu Li early on, lest things escalate and lead to even greater danger.

  Raising her head to look at Shuli, Xue Lengyu twisted and turned, hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth: "Shuli... there are some things I want to make clear to you."

  "En." Shu Li just hummed in agreement and waited for him to continue.

  Xue Lengyu mustered up the courage to say: "I said I'd borrow your money, and that's exactly what I'll do. I'll write an IOU for you, set a specific repayment date, and I will definitely pay you back. As for helping me leave the mansion, if you're willing, I'd be delighted; but if it's inconvenient, don't feel obligated."

  Shu Li blinked, understanding Xue Leng Yu's words. Her gentle features turned cold: "Leng Yu, are you afraid I'll use this to threaten you? Am I so unworthy in your heart?"

  Xue Lengyu sneered: "Don't say it so unpleasantly. Ugly words are said beforehand, and only then will they not hurt feelings later. You know that I'm just a weak woman with no power, always being oppressed and bullied along the way. The impression you've given me has always been very cold. So I don't want to owe you too much sentiment; repaying kindness is always a worry."

  Xue Lengyu was too calm, and Shu Li also covered up his eager heart, saying: "Leng Yu, are you used to talking about things like this?"

  So direct, so without leaving any room for maneuver, so... devoid of even a hint of emotional attachment.

  Xue Lengyu said calmly, "I consider you a friend, that's why I'm speaking so frankly. I don't want any misunderstandings to hurt our feelings. You've seen the kind of person I am; I don't like to get too familiar with people right away. If I only treated you as the master of the Wang estate, I would just be polite and courteous. There's no way I would have spoken such honest words."

  Although I still don't like Xue Lengyu to be so clear and direct in drawing boundaries with me, setting up a defense mechanism. But thinking carefully about it, it really fits Xue Lengyu's personality. His cold and polite face towards everyone is actually not as refreshing as this.

  "Good." Shu Li said faintly: "Tomorrow, you write a receipt for me. By the way, since that's the case, shouldn't you give me some interest?"

  "Ah?" Xue Lengyu was taken aback, and then his heart sank: "How much money do you want?"

  Just now, I thought he was a good person who helped others with pleasure. Now, he's taking advantage of someone in trouble. Xue Lengyu couldn't help but feel depressed and wondered if she had been too gullible. If only she had known earlier, she wouldn't have opened her heart to him.

  On his unusually cold and serene face, a completely out-of-character expression suddenly appeared. After some thought, Fang said: "I lend you 1,000 taels, you return me 1,500, how about that? The interest is high, but there's the added condition of escorting you out of the mansion, so it's not too excessive."

  Xue Lengyu's face turned sour, this interest is not just high. Shu Li has never been in contact with money, so he opens his mouth wide and doesn't feel anything himself. He thought 500 taels of silver was a trivial matter.

  "What's wrong?" Shu Li raised an eyebrow: "Can't come to an agreement?"

  Xue Lengyu smiled bitterly: "You'd better stay in the Wang Manor."

  "Why?" Xue Lengyu's words left him perplexed. He had no idea why she would say something like that.

  Xue Lengyu said, "I think you've never experienced the hardships of the common people and don't know how hard it is to earn money. If you were to do business, I'm afraid your stall would be smashed with rotten tomatoes, stinky leaves, and smelly eggs within two days."

  "What did you say?" sounded strange and weird. If I were a businessman, would I really be that incompetent?

  "Because you're too dark." Xue Lengyu said coldly.

  Xue Lengyu's face showed a hint of anger and embarrassment, but Shi Li couldn't help but feel like teasing him some more. He said calmly, "Alright then, let's just forget it. I'd rather not ruin our decent relationship because you insisted on giving me money."

  It's clear that Shu Li is in a bad mood, but Xue Leng Yu can't help but remain calm. Money, money is such a serious problem.

  Xue Lengyu rubbed his forehead, thought carefully and said: "So, how about this? I don't need that much money either. I'll just borrow 100 taels from you and return 150 taels to you. This way, the interest is the same as what you asked for, and it's still within my acceptable range."

  In her eyes, which were calm and unruffled like still water, a hint of helplessness flowed out. At this moment, she was still discussing this with him in all seriousness. Xue Lengyu, this woman, was indeed truly one of a kind.

  "How is it?" Xue Lengyu saw that Shu Li didn't respond, and a hint of anxiety arose. He gritted his teeth and said: "Alright, I'll lend you 100, but you have to pay back 200. This interest rate, even the most ruthless usurer would admire."

  Xue Lengyu has almost forgotten the anger she suffered at Li Mu's place, and now puts all her emotions on getting money out of the house. The depression in her heart also eased slightly, and she stood up tall, saying: "Let's go."

  Shu Li said, and then he turned around and walked back. Although his pace was swift without any hesitation, his steps were slow.

  "Leave?" Xue Lengyu was taken aback, seeing Shu Li turn around and walk away without looking back. He quickly pulled his clothes tight and stood up, asking, "Hey, does this mean you've agreed or not?"

  The sound of the flute was still and calm in the quiet night, without a single ripple. However, Xue Lengyu couldn't see his face, but he couldn't hide a hint of a smile: "If I don't go to the room, how can I give you the money? How can I write an IOU?"