Chapter 88: Because of Your Deception

After that day, Wang Yan found some free time to go with Andy to the Dai Mountain Nursing Home to visit Andy's younger brother.

After so much time had passed, the nursing home had undergone some changes; after all, Wang Yan and Andy had truly taken out real money.

The land in the courtyard had been leveled, and some exercise equipment had been added. The old building structure and the mottled exterior walls had also been repainted and repaired.

Elderly people are prone to illness; there are all sorts of ailments, and some are not minor, which are the biggest expenses. Every year, the government's funding is spent quite a bit just on medical treatment. The money remaining from Wang Yan's donation, aside from a portion used to improve the food, was all used to buy medicine and treat illnesses.

Besides this, Wang Yan also remembered what he had said and played matchmaker for Guan Ju'er and Zhao Qiping again. A week had passed, and the two were communicating more and more. According to Andy, Guan Ju'er and Zhao Qiping had already gone on a private date once.

Fan Shengmei was habitually keeping Wang Baichuan on a string, ignoring him. Guan Ju'er was getting hot and heavy with Zhao Qiping and had no mind to care about other people's romantic lives. However, Qiu Yingying noticed her aloofness and offered a few words of advice.

Before she could even finish, Fan Shengmei's logic came crashing down: when a man is pursuing you, it is when he is most attentive. If he isn't willing to spend money and time at this moment, then you can immediately tell this man to get lost.

After hearing this, Qiu Yingying didn't say much more. She had been working and studying desperately for so long, and with the verbal teachings and personal examples of the experienced old hands at the company, she had made some progress and learned not to argue with people casually. She couldn't say she was keeping her mouth shut, but she could control herself to some extent.

Since Fan Shengmei, who had been through a hundred battles, said so, why should she care so much? Working overtime, studying every day, sensing her own improvement, striving hard, and becoming the next Andy. Buying a house and a car in Shanghai, realizing her father's expectations, and also her own wish—isn't that wonderful?

And after the last gathering of the five women, Qu Xiaoxiao, who had been quiet for a period, recently popped up again.

She had a falling out with Yao Bin. To be honest, Qu Xiaoxiao had never cared about Yao Bin. As for the things in Yao Bin's hands, she believed Yao Bin wouldn't spread them around; everyone was unclean, and perhaps it was just that she played more freely than others—what of it?

What she cared about more was the embarrassment of being nakedly seen through by a man she had played in the palm of her hand, as well as the resources in that circle. After all, Yao Bin was the big brother of that small circle; if Yao Bin broke with her, the others definitely wouldn't let her play with them either.

Of course, Qu Xiaoxiao was only feeling regretful; after all, her biggest backing was that much wealthier family. Yao Bin wouldn't have a big mouth and talk everywhere, and her reputation wasn't ruined. It was inevitable to compare when young, and after growing up, making friends was more for the exchange of benefits and sharing of resources. If she couldn't hang out in this circle, she would just change to another.

It was just that losing a group of fox friends and dog companions she had eaten, drunk, and played with for many years was somewhat of a blow, and she wouldn't be happy. For this reason, Qu Xiaoxiao wantonly found a handsome guy with a good body and did "that" for a few days, having a good time.

After being scolded by Qu Yongquan for not going to work for several days and having no news, Qu Xiaoxiao finally remembered the serious business of fighting for the family property. Friends and such—how could they be more important than their family's industries?

Qu Xiaoxiao, who had devoted herself entirely to work, went out early and returned late every day, and from time to time, she would ask Andy for advice on company management, operations, and business savvy. She didn't put any obstacles in Wang Yan's way, because she hadn't found the opportunity.

Seeing her sincerely asking for advice, Andy couldn't say anything to refuse and would occasionally give her a few pointers. She couldn't be said to have a good impression of Qu Xiaoxiao, but she truly didn't dislike her. As for Wang Yan's attitude toward Qu Xiaoxiao, although it had some influence, it wasn't too great.

She had talked to Wang Yan about her attitude toward Qu Xiaoxiao. Wang Yan had nothing to criticize; this little matter didn't affect their relationship at all, and Wang Yan had never taken Qu Xiaoxiao seriously. Andy was an adult with her own thoughts and would judge the pros and cons; there was no need for him to go up and gesture, just letting her observe more was enough.

This day, Qu Xiaoxiao, returning late, once again encountered Wang Baichuan, who was standing in front of his car, looking infatuatedly at Fan Shengmei as she walked away.

Walking behind the dazed Wang Baichuan, Qu Xiaoxiao patted his shoulder: "Hi, still looking? People have already walked so far."

"Ah?" Wang Baichuan turned his head in shock: "Ah, it's you. Just got back from work?"

Qu Xiaoxiao sighed: "Yeah, too much work. Alright, I won't talk to you, see you later."

"Goodbye."

After walking two steps, Qu Xiaoxiao thought of something, turned her head, widened her eyes, and pretended to be pitiful: "Right, Handsome Wang, there's something I need to tell you. But you have to forgive me first."

Smiling, Wang Baichuan said: "We don't have any intersection, right? How could there be talk of forgiveness?"

"That's true, haha. Then I'll say it?" Qu Xiaoxiao carefully glanced at Wang Baichuan, and seeing him nod, she whispered: "It's just, when I first saw you, my hands were itchy and I checked your license plate. Then... then I accidentally let Sister Fan know that your car is... is rented."

After saying this, seeing Wang Baichuan's ugly expression, she hurriedly stepped back two steps and said pitifully: "That, you won't blame me, right, Handsome Wang?"

Wang Baichuan forced a smile: "It's nothing, it was rented in the first place, why would I blame you."

Qu Xiaoxiao seemed relieved and said happily: "Thank you, Handsome Wang, you are really a good person. Then I'm leaving, bye-bye." After saying this, she gave a little flying kiss, carried her small bag, and twisted her butt as she walked away.

Staring blankly at Qu Xiaoxiao walking away in a wavy manner, Wang Baichuan stood frozen in place, having no energy to care about Qu Xiaoxiao's slightly teasing and somewhat insulting demeanor; his mind was filled with the sentence just now: "Sister Fan knows that your car is... is rented."

A cold wind blew, and Wang Baichuan shivered and came back to his senses, opened the car door, sat in the driver's seat, and seriously thought about this matter.

"She knows?"

"Since she knows, why didn't she say it out loud to expose me?"

"Is it that she doesn't care, is she waiting for me to confess, or what?"

"What exactly does she mean by me?"

Wang Baichuan was very uneasy, constantly analyzing and thinking about what exactly Fan Shengmei meant.

Regardless of gender, when one has true feelings for someone and pours their heart and blood into it, it is inevitable to let one's imagination run wild over the other person's joys, angers, sorrows, and happiness. To the other person, it might be a small matter that they didn't even care about. But to oneself, after all sorts of messy imagination, it becomes a raging storm, a major event that cannot be ignored.

For a long time, he slammed the steering wheel hard, and a harsh horn sound rang out; Wang Baichuan made up his mind...

Over there, Qu Xiaoxiao caught up with Fan Shengmei, who was also walking in a wavy manner: "Sister Fan, wait for me." As she spoke, she noticed the things in her hand and said exaggeratedly: "Yo, this Handsome Wang is really spending money, bought you things again."

Fan Shengmei swung the luxury bag in her hand and smiled disdainfully: "When a man pursues a woman, how can he not bleed? Then why would I waste my time and energy on him?"

"Sister Fan is worthy of being Sister Fan." Qu Xiaoxiao flattered: "These words are so right, it is to ruthlessly scrape such men who pretend to be wolves."

Once this was mentioned, Fan Shengmei felt annoyed and changed the subject: "Why haven't I seen you lately, what are you busy with?"

Qu Xiaoxiao elongated her voice and said exhaustedly: "What else could I be busy with, that broken company of mine. Didn't make any money, but instead tired me half to death. Sister Fan, you tell me what I'm aiming for, you guys are better."

Fan Shengmei greeted her in her heart, but didn't show it on her face: "Oh my, you Miss Qu, how can we ordinary people compare, don't be so low-key in front of me."

Being flattered, Qu Xiaoxiao smiled: "Let's not talk about this, it's annoying to talk about it. Recently..." Qu Xiaoxiao asked about Guan Ju'er, Qiu Yingying, and the dynamics of Andy and Wang Yan.

Fan Shengmei was someone who knew her numbers and wasn't a person who owed others; after all, this Qu Xiaoxiao had a criminal record, so she didn't mention Dr. Zhao at all. Fooling Qu Xiaoxiao, the two laughed and returned to the 22nd floor.

Qu Xiaoxiao returned home, put down her things, turned around, and walked to 2201 opposite to knock on the door. In these few days, she had basically figured out Andy's daily routine; only the period after dinner when she came back from a walk was she alone, without that unlucky, poor, and sour man surnamed Wang by her side.

After a while, Andy opened the door, saw it was Qu Xiaoxiao, greeted her, and turned back to the desk to continue dealing with work matters.

Qu Xiaoxiao was used to Andy's lack of hospitality, consciously closed the door, went to the refrigerator, and took a bottle of water. While drinking, she sat on Andy's desk and smiled: "Andy, let me tell you something, it's interesting just thinking about it."

Andy looked up, signaling her to continue.

"Just now at the entrance of the residential area, guess who I saw?" Seeing Andy staring at her, Qu Xiaoxiao felt she was asking for trouble and shrugged: "Alright, I won't keep you in suspense. I ran into Wang Baichuan at the entrance of the residential area."

Andy said uncomprehendingly: "Is seeing Wang Baichuan worth you laughing so happily?"

"Haha, you don't know, Andy. Let me tell you, just now I told Wang Baichuan that Fan Shengmei knows the car is rented." Qu Xiaoxiao was laughing so hard she was almost passing out: "Haha, Wang Baichuan's expression at that time, haha, you didn't see it, really, Andy..."

Looking at Qu Xiaoxiao, who couldn't stop laughing, Andy frowned: "This is a matter between the two of them, Little Qu, is it appropriate for you to do this?"

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"What's inappropriate about it?" Qu Xiaoxiao smiled disdainfully: "I can also be considered to be helping them. Is it interesting to hide it? It's better to know the truth early, so both sides can be liberated. Moreover, I saw Wang Baichuan bought her things again, luxury big brands, that's not cheap. Fan Shengmei also said that men must bleed when pursuing women, I just don't like her kind. Besides, Wang Baichuan is still renting a car, how much money does she have to scrape?"

After pondering for a moment, Andy shook her head and said: "I think what you said has some truth, but I still feel that what you did is not very good. After all, this concerns their feelings; you poked the matter out, and no one can say what the result will be. You doing this is a bit..."

"Alright, let's not talk about the two of them." Qu Xiaoxiao waved her hand impatiently. How other people's feelings are, whether the result is good or bad, what does it have to do with her? Not entangled, she changed the subject: "Right, Andy, today I went to talk about a project with others, they..."

Andy, while dealing with affairs, distracted herself to give Qu Xiaoxiao some pointers. After the matter was dealt with, Andy said: "Alright, Little Qu, let's leave it at that for today. The things in hand are all dealt with..."

Qu Xiaoxiao, who was absorbing experience, nodded disappointedly; these were all valuable experiences summarized by Andy. Helplessly, she said: "Then alright, I'm leaving first, see you tomorrow, Andy." After saying this, Qu Xiaoxiao opened the door and returned to her own home, while constantly greeting the one surnamed Wang in her heart.

Andy went upstairs, didn't bother Wang Yan with the matter just now; she knew Wang Yan didn't like these messy things.

Having had more contact with Wang Yan, watching Wang Yan practice martial arts and calligraphy all day, Andy was inevitably curious and had the heart to compare. Recently, Andy was learning martial arts and calligraphy with Wang Yan.

Andy was willing to learn, and Wang Yan naturally had no objection, patiently teaching her. Daytime was fine, it was just that the learning efficiency at night was a bit low... anyway, the result was good.

Today, Qiu Yingying got off work early and returned accompanied by Guan Ju'er, who was also working overtime. As soon as they entered the door, they saw Fan Shengmei standing in front of the mirror, twisting her body back and forth, measuring her feet.

Qiu Yingying put down her things: "Sister Fan, these shoes are really beautiful, did Handsome Wang buy them for you? He is really good to you. Right, Guan Guan."

"Let me see." Guan Ju'er approached and looked: "Hmm, Handsome Wang is indeed good to Sister Fan. If I'm not mistaken, these shoes are the new model of..." Her short-haired colleague would from time to time teach her a few tricks, teaching her the ways of various luxury brands, so her eyes had improved somewhat.

Suppressing the joy in her heart, Fan Shengmei said in surprise: "Not bad, Little Guan, you have progress. You saw it at a glance."

Qiu Yingying didn't know these things and asked curiously: "Guan Guan, then how much do these cost?"

"Hmm... less than ten thousand, I think."

"What? A pair of broken shoes for ten thousand?" Qiu Yingying exclaimed, and seeming to notice that her words were slightly inappropriate, she hurriedly said: "I'm sorry, Sister Fan, I didn't mean it, I just..."

Fan Shengmei interrupted: "Oh my, it's fine, I know, no need to apologize."

Qiu Yingying smiled and thanked her: "Thank you, Sister Fan. But this Handsome Wang really likes you, last time he bought a bag and spent tens of thousands, this time he bought a pair of shoes and spent nearly ten thousand, he is really especially good to you, I think you should cherish it well." As she spoke, she stepped forward and hugged Fan Shengmei's arm.

"Oh my, let go quickly." Fan Shengmei pretended to be disgusted and pushed Qiu Yingying away: "You don't understand our affairs, don't worry about me, you should think about yourself well. Working overtime desperately all day, sister is really worried for you."

Letting go of Fan Shengmei, Qiu Yingying said freely: "No need to worry for me. Ever since I was deceived by the white scumbag once, I feel that Sister Fan, you are right. This woman, still has to rely on herself. As for finding a boyfriend, let's see fate."

Although she often kept these words on her lips, Fan Shengmei didn't agree with Qiu Yingying's naive thoughts. But she couldn't dampen others' enthusiasm, so she teased: "Yo, is this still that little earthworm? I almost don't recognize you..."

Qiu Yingying smiled embarrassedly: "Alright, Sister Fan, don't laugh at me. I won't talk to you guys anymore, Guan Guan, I'm going to wash up first."

Seeing Qiu Yingying enter the room to change clothes, Fan Shengmei said: "Hey, Little Guan, how is it going with Dr. Zhao?"

"It's alright, just like that."

"What do you mean just like that, didn't you guys eat together last time, has there been no progress in these past few days?"

Thinking of the two's playful private conversation, Guan Ju'er's face turned red: "Oh my, there really is no progress."

Seeing her like this, how could Fan Shengmei not understand, she nodded knowingly: "Alright, alright, I won't ask. But Little Guan, sister still wants to advise you, this matter between men and women is like a game between two armies... If he doesn't pay time and energy, then after he gets his hands on you, he won't care about you." Fan Shengmei talked a lot about her love game theory without shame.

Guan Ju'er had thin skin and was relatively sensitive to things like "getting his hands on you," so she said with a red face: "Oh my, Sister Fan, you are annoying. I won't talk to you anymore, I'm going back to the room to change clothes." After saying this, she fled, and as for Fan Shengmei's love game theory, she had her own right and wrong and love views, and had always let it go in one ear and out the other. If she weren't too shy, she would have debated with Fan Shengmei for a few sentences.

Watching Guan Ju'er run back to the room in a panic, Fan Shengmei shook her head with a smile, young... really good.

The next day, time was almost up for getting off work, and Fan Shengmei, who was packing up her things and preparing to retreat, received a call from Wang Baichuan: "Xiao Mei, I'm downstairs at your company, I want to have a meal with you tonight, I don't know if it's convenient for you."

Having just bought a pair of shoes yesterday, she had to give a good face today, so Fan Shengmei said in a dangling voice: "Since you are already downstairs at my company, with such sincerity, what else can I say?"

"That's great, Xiao Mei, then... see you in a while."

"Good."

Downstairs, seeing Fan Shengmei walking out gracefully, noticing her bag and shoes, and that silk scarf, Wang Baichuan happily stepped forward: "Come, Xiao Mei, let me help you carry it."

"No need, just one bag, it's nothing. Where are we going to eat?"

"Just a Western restaurant not far from here, I've already booked a seat, let's go, the car is over there."

On the way, Fan Shengmei dealt with Wang Baichuan in a perfunctory manner. She noticed Wang Baichuan's hesitation, but she wouldn't pass the words or build a ladder; if he wanted to say it, he could, it wasn't the first time like this. Ever since they reunited, Wang Baichuan was always like this, she knew it all, it was nothing more than that set of love and affection, but what was the use of that? Love without material conditions is a castle in the air.

Amidst the melodious music, Fan Shengmei elegantly ate a small bite of steak, clinked glasses with Wang Baichuan, drank a sip of red wine, and charmingly wiped the corner of her mouth. Noticing that Wang Baichuan had no other actions besides drinking, Fan Shengmei said: "Eat, why are you just looking at me? It can't fill your stomach."

Shaking his head, Wang Baichuan said emotionally: "No, Xiao Mei, looking at you, I'm not hungry at all. You are my feast for the eyes."

Fan Shengmei put down the knife and fork in her hand: "Not allowed to talk nonsense, if you say it again, I'm leaving?"

"Good, good, I won't say it, I won't say it." Wang Baichuan drank a sip of wine and said softly: "Xiao Mei, I found that we haven't talked properly."

"What do you want to say?" Fan Shengmei raised her eyebrows, and seeing Wang Baichuan looking at her silently, she ate a bite of food, thought for a moment, and said: "Hmm... I actually want to praise you properly."

Paying attention to Wang Baichuan's expression, Fan Shengmei continued: "You say our classmates of this batch, most are still working for others, looking at people's faces. You are very good, you took the lead in starting a company, became a boss, and the operation is... quite impressive."

Wang Baichuan suppressed the little joy in his heart, drank a sip of wine to suppress it, and smiled: "Xiao Mei, do you really think so?"

Fan Shengmei smiled faintly: "Am I saying it against my will?"

"Not against your will, quite good." Wang Baichuan had a relieved expression of having you is enough, drank the dry red in the cup in one gulp, wiped the corner of his mouth, and said: "Xiao Mei, I am very happy that you can think so. Since that's the case, then I won't hide it from you."

Fan Shengmei didn't show any emotion on her face, but she had a bad premonition in her heart.

"I'm sorry, Xiao Mei, I deceived you. It's like this, my car is rented." Wang Baichuan said to himself, he was somewhat embarrassed, touching his head like a sunny boy to ease the embarrassment at this moment.

"Actually, I've been holding this matter for a long time, and I haven't found an opportunity to confess to you, now that I've said it, I feel much better." As he spoke, Wang Baichuan noticed Fan Shengmei's ugly expression and said nervously: "Xiao Mei? What's wrong with you? Are you angry? I really didn't mean to deceive you. It's just that when we first met, you made a direct conclusion, I didn't open my mouth, and it dragged on until now. Xiao Mei? Say something?"

Fan Shengmei stared at Wang Baichuan, thinking about countermeasures in her mind; she didn't expect Wang Baichuan to show his cards directly, she was completely unprepared. Being called back to her senses by Wang Baichuan, after thinking for a moment, Fan Shengmei's eyes were dim, and she said in a deep voice: "Wang Baichuan, I didn't expect, I really didn't expect you to be such a person, you have disappointed me too much."

Everyone is an actor; at this moment, Fan Shengmei was possessed by a drama queen, her acting skills were online, looking like she had been deceived, accusing Wang Baichuan of his crimes.

"Xiao Mei, I really didn't mean to deceive you." Wang Baichuan leaned forward excitedly, but still knew to pay attention to the influence, not shouting loudly: "Believe me, Xiao Mei. It won't take too long, I can buy a house and a car in Shanghai, Xiao Mei."

Fan Shengmei shook her head in disappointment: "Is what I care about whether you can buy a car and a house in Shanghai? What I care about is your deception of me. Wang Baichuan, in your heart, am I that kind of woman who only cares about profit? How can you think of me like that?"

"Let's leave it at that, don't contact me anymore." After dropping this sentence, Fan Shengmei got up and was about to leave.

Wang Baichuan hurriedly left his seat and grabbed Fan Shengmei; the violent movement caused the chair to rub against the floor, making a chilling sound, and other diners looked over.

Seeing that she had attracted so much attention, Fan Shengmei hurriedly tried to pry Wang Baichuan's hand grabbing her arm, struggling and wanting to leave: "Let go of me, Wang Baichuan, you hurt me. In public, what do you think this is?"

Wang Baichuan also reacted, hurriedly let go: "Xiao Mei, I'm sorry, I was just excited for a moment and didn't control myself."

Fan Shengmei didn't speak, hurriedly lowered her head, covered her face, and ran out; she just wanted to escape this place quickly.

Seeing her run away, Wang Baichuan couldn't just do nothing, hurriedly ran to chase, but was blocked by an ignorant waiter. Glancing angrily at the waiter, Wang Baichuan took out his wallet, took out a handful of money without counting, stuffed it over, and turned to continue chasing Fan Shengmei.

"Xiao Mei, Xiao Mei, wait for me, listen to me, okay? Xiao Mei?"

The strange looks of pedestrians on the road made Fan Shengmei feel like she was on pins and needles; she turned around, hugged her arms, took a deep breath: "What else do you want to say?"

"Xiao Mei, deceiving you is my fault. But what I said is true, I really can buy a car and a house in Shanghai. After this order in hand is done, two more orders, then my parents at home can help pay a little, paying a down payment is completely possible."

Down payment? Fan Shengmei smiled disdainfully: "Wang Baichuan, I've made it very clear, it's because of your deception. Alright, there's nothing more to say."

Fan Shengmei turned her head and wanted to leave.

Wang Baichuan didn't care about that anymore, and said loudly: "Xiao Mei, you said it's because I deceived you. Then what about you? Didn't you deceive me? Do you really have a house? Are you really taking pottery classes and flower arranging classes?"

Her footsteps stopped, Fan Shengmei turned her head abruptly, her face twisted: "Where did you find out?"

Not answering her question, Wang Baichuan continued: "Xiao Mei, isn't it good for us to work hard together? Why do you have to be like this? We can..."

Reaching this point, there was no face to speak of, so Fan Shengmei simply laid her cards on the table, interrupting: "Work hard together? I marry you and have children in a rented house? I work hard with you to pay off the mortgage and car loan for ten or twenty years, building a nest for love? I and you..."

Wang Baichuan looked at Fan Shengmei, who was talking non-stop about reality, and felt she was so strange. He had countless words he wanted to say, but looking at Fan Shengmei like this, he couldn't open his mouth no matter what.

Looking at the silent Wang Baichuan, Fan Shengmei didn't want to say any more: "Forget it, Wang Baichuan. Let's leave it at that. Don't look for me again."

Fan Shengmei left, carrying the bag worth tens of thousands that Wang Baichuan bought, stepping on the shoes worth nearly ten thousand that Wang Baichuan bought, wrapped in the silk scarf worth nearly ten thousand that Wang Baichuan bought...

Staring blankly at Fan Shengmei's figure walking away, Wang Baichuan opened his mouth silently, as if wanting to call her name... ===== CHAPTER 89 =====