Song Xi almost instantly smelled the faint scent of sandalwood, a scent exclusive to older men.
Her expression was calm. Even when the other party pinched her chin, about to interrogate her, she managed to say with extreme coldness, "The money from last time hasn't been paid. This time, if you need it, it'll be double."
Lou Yu Ming's dark, cold eyes revealed mockery. "You're so short of money, why don't you put yourself up for bid?"
Song Xi stated frankly, "That's exactly what I intend to do."
Seeing her utter lack of dignity, Lou Yu Ming lost interest. He moved away from her and lit a cigarette.
"Did my little nephew give this to you?"
He noticed the box with the Bulgari logo.
Song Xi stared at the ceiling, not even sparing him a glance. "Do you have a problem with it?"
He opened the box, hooked the utterly perfunctory necklace with his index finger, and held it against her neck for a moment before tossing it over. "It's an out-of-date model, really suits you."
Her heart inexplicably ached. Song Xi maintained her outward composure and put the necklace on. As if deliberately trying to provoke him, she said, "It's the thought that counts, I don't care."
Lou Yu Ming let out a cold laugh. "Do you know that all the Zhang family's money is earned by me?"
Seeing her look of surprise, he grabbed her ankle and pulled her towards him. "So, how should you speak to your benefactor?"
His dark eyes were as deep as an endless abyss, and Song Xi could easily fall into them. But at this moment, she was exceptionally clear-headed.
She pulled her foot back. Lou Yu Ming didn't stop her.
"But Zhang Qi's money still belongs to the Zhang family for now," Song Xi said.
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere plummeted.
Lou Yu Ming's expression became unprecedentedly grim. He stood up abruptly, didn't even glance at her, and left the room without looking back.
This was the first time she had seen him so angry. Song Xi nervously clenched her fingers, not understanding which of her words had touched his bottom line.
Song Xi spent a week in fear and trepidation. During this time, Lou Yu Ming made no moves, and life was peaceful. She finally relaxed.
Zhang Qi also rarely came to find her. He had encountered some trouble recently.
His last social media post had caused quite a stir because he hadn't used groups, so everyone saw it.
Yi Xiao Ling, in particular, had lost her temper with him.
She said his actions indicated he intended to reform, and if that was the case, they should part amicably.
Zhang Qi knew she was venting, but he had no time to deal with it.
His family had also seen the photo. His parents thought he had decided on Song Xi and were frantic. They absolutely disagreed and lectured Zhang Qi every day.
Annoyed by their nagging, Zhang Qi would just perfunctorily reply, "Okay, okay, yes, yes, I'll listen to you, we'll break up, yes, I don't like her." Somehow, these words reached the old lady's ears.
The old lady cursed Zhang Qi as unfilial and ordered him to bring Song Xi home immediately. She even used Lou Yu Ming as a negative example, telling Zhang Qi not to follow his path, as it was unfilial!
Lou Yu Ming remained silent about this. After leaving the room, he said coldly to Zhang Qi, "Handle your own affairs, don't involve others."
Zhang Qi dared not talk back, nor did he dare to ask about the car. He felt that his uncle had been rather terrifying lately, prone to outbursts for no apparent reason.
Later, Zhang Qi deleted the social media post and proactively bought Yi Xiao Ling a new Gucci item. Song Xi didn't know about it at first. Yi Xiao Ling messaged her, saying, "Oh, why did Zhang Qi delete the photo of you two?"
Song Xi checked and, indeed, it was gone.
Immediately after, Yi Xiao Ling posted on social media, with a picture of a Gucci bag and the caption: "My husband bought it, I love it!"
So, she had come to flaunt.
Song Xi sneered and simply turned off her phone, continuing to clear plates.
Her life had been very difficult recently. The hospital had been aggressively demanding payment for the next quarter's hospitalization fees, calling her every few days. She had initially hoped to sell the necklace from Zhang Qi for a good price, but after listing it for days, there was no interest. It seemed Lou Yu Ming was right; it was an out-of-date model, and no one cared.
Fortunately, with fewer classes in her third year, she worked at a convenience store during the day and a restaurant at night, losing a lot of weight.
Even so, she couldn't gather enough for the hospital fees. It was only now that she realized how important Lou Yu Ming was to her.
After work one evening, a WeChat message popped up from Sister Li, whom she hadn't contacted in a long time.
She asked if Song Xi was free and if she could help out at short notice.
Sister Li had been kind to her, so Song Xi agreed without hesitation.
Wei Yin Bar.
This was Song Xi's old haunt. She remembered that she had first met Lou Yu Ming here.
Wei Yin sounded unassuming, but it was rumored to have immeasurable capital backing it. Otherwise, such a small bar couldn't be located in such a prime, expensive area. Its patrons were all wealthy and influential, operating on a membership basis, and even Zhang Qi didn't seem to qualify.
At eight in the evening, Song Xi successfully entered the bar.
Sister Li was surprised to see her. "I thought you were joking. Is Mr. Lou okay with you coming here? Don't end up ruining my business."
A bitter smile flickered across Song Xi's lips. "Sister Li, rest assured, it's over now."
"Ah, what a shame. I thought you were the most successful one among us. To think... men are truly unreliable."
Song Xi, instead, comforted her, "Out with the old, in with the new."
"Shush!" Sister Li playfully hit her with the fan she held. "My dear, how dare you say that. Hurry up, the clothes are already picked out for you. Oh, has your skill at the pipa faded?"
Song Xi confidently replied, "Of course not."
Sister Li smiled alluringly. "That was your bread and butter before. Of course, I believe you. Among all of us, you play the pipa the best."