Chapter 14: Danger Approaches

Chapter 14: Chapter 14: Danger Approaches

"Don’t worry, Mom is just borrowing it for a bit. I’ll pay you back as soon as I have the money."

It was the same familiar script delivered in the same familiar tone.

Hua Buwan had lost count of how many times she had heard those words over the years. Whenever her mother took money from her, it never found its way back. It started with, "Mom will hold onto your New Year’s money so you don’t waste it." Then, when Hua Buwan started working, it became, "I’ll put your salary in the bank for you." If she ever asked about the money, her mother would explode, claiming it had all gone toward household expenses and scolding her for being so ungrateful.

At first, Hua Buwan had been completely dedicated to her family. After all, her parents had raised her. As soon as her paycheck hit her account, she would transfer it straight to her mother. But when she fell ill and desperately needed money for the hospital, her parents refused to give her a single cent. They hadn’t even bothered to visit her.

She had barely managed to ask her college roommates for a loan. Upon hearing she was hospitalized, they didn’t hesitate for a second. They took time off work and rushed over from out of town to be by her side.

That day, Hua Buwan had cried her eyes out.

From then on, she stopped giving her salary to her family. Eventually, she moved out to live alone at the supermarket. Her family never reached out to her during that time—unless they needed money. Like right now.

Hua Buwan closed her eyes and stayed silent for a long moment. The joy of earning fifty thousand didn’t even begin to mask the bitter sorrow swelling in her chest. Her eyes stung.

"Wanwan? Are you listening? Your grandparents gave you all their money, but it’s of no use to you. Besides, they were my parents; whatever money they left behind should have gone to me. That supermarket isn’t making any profit anyway, so you might as well sell it. Your dad mentioned that someone is actually looking to buy that plot of land..."

Hua Buwan scoffed. Upon hearing those words, she opened her eyes, her gaze dripping with heavy sarcasm.

"I don’t have any money. I donated everything Grandpa and Grandma left behind to a charity for underprivileged children. And let me make this clear once again: I am not selling this supermarket. Without my nod, don’t even think about trying to sell it."

Before the person on the other end could respond, Hua Buwan continued in an icy tone, "Also, do you really not know why Grandpa and Grandma didn’t leave the money and the supermarket to you? Do I need to remind you of exactly what you and Dad did to them over the years?"

"Hua Buwan! How could you donate all that money?! Why didn’t you consult your father and me before making a decision?!" Her mother was clearly furious; her voice cracked as she screamed into the phone. "I am your mother! How dare you speak to me with that kind of attitude?! Show some respect! Your father is right, you’re just an ungrateful wretch! You have no sense of filial piety! Not like your younger brother and sister..."

Hua Buwan had no desire to listen to her nag any longer and hung up the phone.

Her younger brother and sister? She didn’t even want to bring them up anymore. Just thinking about them made her stomach churn.

PHEW.

Letting out a long exhale, Hua Buwan unlocked the supermarket door and walked inside. She flipped on the lights, double-locked the door behind her, and grabbed an ice-cold cola from the fridge, drinking it as she headed up to the second floor. The crisp, refreshing chill of the soda instantly washed away some of the tension in her body. As for the relentless barrage of incoming calls from her mother, she simply added the number to her block list.

What she didn’t know was that shortly after she entered the supermarket, a head popped out from the shop next door.

Zhou Guodong had been waiting around for Hua Buwan to return. Seeing that she was still living there all by herself, his eyes glinted with greedy intent.

"HEH HEH, she really is alone. Then I won’t hold back. Since she could produce one antique, who’s to say there aren’t more hidden inside? Tomorrow, once I gather my tools, I’ll go in and do some exploring!"

His mind made up, Zhou Guodong turned and slipped away into the shadows.

Hua Buwan remained completely oblivious to it all.