章 41: Chapter 41: Is Gu Wanzhou More Important? The Melancholy of Rao Shiyun

Li Zhiyan accepted the thick wad of cash, waving dismissively at Zhang Si. "Leave now."

Zhang Si nodded repeatedly, relieved to be spared further trouble. "Thank you, sir. And I apologize, Miss Fang."

Before leaving, Zhang Si's gaze lingered on Fang Zhiya. It was a look of both regret and greed—a final attempt to imprint the image of the beautiful woman he had failed to possess.

With Zhang Si gone, Li Zhiyan glanced at the ten thousand yuan in his hand, realizing what the term "beauty is trouble" truly meant.

Among the older generation, there were undoubtedly many traditional women like Gu Wanzhou, Rao Shiyun, and Fang Zhiya. Yet, the stories he had heard about others from that era shocked him—tales of scandalous relationships and boundary-breaking affairs abounded.

In this world, women like Rao Shiyun and Fang Zhiya were rare gems. Their poise and modesty made them stand out amid the chaos.

"Fang Auntie, take your wages," Li Zhiyan said gently, handing over the envelope.

Fang Zhiya hesitated. It was surreal that this boy—her son's classmate—had achieved what she couldn't. Slowly, she accepted the money but split it in half, holding out five thousand yuan toward him.

"Xiaoyan, thank you for helping Auntie. I can't accept this entire sum. Please take half as a token of my gratitude."

Li Zhiyan smiled and shook his head. "Auntie, I can't take this. You're my elder, and helping you is something I should do. Keep the money—you need it more than I do, especially with Uncle gone."

Seeing her wavering, he added, "If you really want to thank me, just invite me over for a meal someday. I've been told I'm a bit of a foodie."

Fang Zhiya's eyes reddened again, but this time with gratitude. She nodded softly, feeling a mix of relief and warmth.

"Alright, Auntie. You should head home and change out of those damp clothes before you catch a cold. And maybe consider getting a new bank account to keep the money safe."

"Okay…" Fang Zhiya said quietly. She felt a surge of reliance on this young man, who had become her lifeline amid the turmoil.

---

When they arrived at Fang Zhiya's home, the sight of red paint splattered across the walls made her pause, worried that the harsh reality would frighten Li Zhiyan.

But when she turned to him, she found him unfazed. Instead, his expression was calm, almost understanding.

"The house has been seized by the court," she explained softly. "It'll be auctioned off soon. I'll have to find a place to rent afterward."

As she opened the door, the sparse, almost barren living room greeted them. The debt collectors had been thorough, taking nearly everything of value.

"I'm sorry, Xiaoyan," Fang Zhiya murmured. "There's no proper place for you to sit. I'll go freshen up. Feel free to make yourself comfortable."

"Take your time, Auntie," he replied, his tone gentle.

She disappeared into the bedroom, and soon the sound of running water filled the air. The rhythmic splashes echoed through the empty house, creating a strangely intimate atmosphere.

When Fang Zhiya emerged, she had changed into a simple black pair of pants and a white blouse. Her slender frame and porcelain skin gave her an understated elegance, but it was her natural charm that truly captivated Li Zhiyan.

"Xiaoyan, I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

His eyes flickered momentarily to her figure. Without the constraints of her earlier attire, her full curves were now clearly visible. A petite frame paired with such natural abundance—it was a combination that left him momentarily speechless.

"Auntie," he said after regaining his composure, "you're too kind. You're the one who should be resting, not worrying about me."

Her lips curved into a soft smile. "You're so mature for your age. If only Yaolong were more like you."

The mention of her son brought a shadow over her face. "Yesterday, I asked him to help me look for a rental. He refused and instead went to stay with his friends. Today, he even said I embarrassed him."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away.

"Auntie, don't be sad. Life has its ups and downs," Li Zhiyan comforted her. "If he doesn't want to be with you, you can consider me your son from now on."

His casual remark drew a soft laugh from Fang Zhiya. The tension in her chest eased slightly as she looked at the boy who had been a light in her darkest moment.

"Do you use QQ, Auntie?" he asked after a pause.

She shook her head. "No, I've never used it."

Li Zhiyan raised an eyebrow. It was rare to meet someone who didn't have a QQ account, even in this era.

"Let's exchange phone numbers then," he suggested. "Next time you visit my internet café, I'll help you set one up. It'll make it easier for us to stay in touch."

"Alright."

As they talked, Fang Zhiya's mood lightened. When he finally left, she stood by the door, watching his figure fade into the distance.

---

Later that evening, in another part of town, Rao Shiyun lay in her bedroom, a face mask carefully applied as she took her daily moment for self-care.

Her phone buzzed, displaying a call from Li Meifeng.

"Hello?"

"Shiyun, guess what I just heard!"

"What now? You always have something to gossip about."

Li Meifeng chuckled mischievously. "It's about that little boy, Li Zhiyan. Did you know he bought an internet café? Gu Wanzhou told me."

The mention of Gu Wanzhou immediately caught Rao Shiyun's attention. Why did Zhiyan tell Gu Wanzhou and not me?

Li Meifeng's voice turned teasing. "See? You're slipping, Shiyun. That kid might prefer Gu Wanzhou over you. While you're holding out, refusing to feed him, maybe Gu Wanzhou's already offered herself up!"

"Meifeng, stop spouting nonsense!" Rao Shiyun scolded, her cheeks flushing despite herself.

"Seriously, Shiyun. You're D+, and you still play hard to get. Meanwhile, Gu Wanzhou is only 36D, but at least she's making her move. If you keep hesitating, that kid will be all hers."

"I'm hanging up if you don't stop," Rao Shiyun said, her tone sharp but tinged with an unspoken unease.

"Alright, alright," Li Meifeng relented. "I actually called to ask when we should visit his café. We should congratulate him properly—and bring a big red envelope while we're at it."