Chapter 91: People need face, trees need bark

Actually, Li Qinglan didn't even dare to speak loudly in the bureau.

That being said, it's just to lure Lin Niansheng out.

The two got into Lin Niansheng's car.

Li Qinglan rubbed her wrist and gave a resentful smile: "Team Leader Lin, don't be so nervous; our goals are the same—could I possibly betray you?"

Then I saw Lin Niansheng's face darken; he took out a cigarette, lit it, and puffed anxiously.

The car instantly filled with irritating smoke.

Li Qinglan opened the car window for air, then lowered the mirror to check her facial injury.

"Lend me 100,000 first; once I settle my current troubles, I'll wholeheartedly help you!"

"What? 100,000? Are you crazy?"

As soon as she said that, Lin Niansheng's gaze toward her grew even more disgusted.

How could this woman have the nerve to ask me for money?

I've given her so many chances before, yet she hasn't helped me accomplish a single real task, and even dragged me down so I can't hold my head up in front of the bureau chief.

What's even more infuriating is that Li Jiaci and his gang of thugs are still thriving in Jiangcheng.

The lumber mill is booming more and more.

That aside, Li Qinglan opens her mouth asking for 100,000.

In her eyes, Lin Niansheng isn't Maozi—he's a money-printing machine.

Lin Niansheng puffed on his cigarette and coldly snorted: "You're not qualified to talk money in front of me!"

"Team Leader Lin, please help me!"

"Which of the things I've helped you with isn't illegal?"

"But whenever you told me to do something, I never refused."

Li Qinglan said this, then rolled up her sleeve to reveal the wound on her arm where a whip had lashed.

There are many more such wounds.

They look shocking to behold.

Lin Niansheng asked impatiently: "Who did this?"

"Who else could it be? My dad!"

"He owed 100,000 at the gambling den, and they gave him one day to pay it back!"

"So he came to me, forcing me to pay his debt!"

"I refused, so he whipped me with a belt!"

"He even threatened to hand me over to the gambling den's enforcers to pay off the debt with my body!"

Li Qinglan was filled with resentment.

Thinking of that degenerate gambler, she wished she could kill him.

100,000!

If she had 100,000, would she still need to beg Lin Niansheng for an overseas slot?

Damn it, she could just spend the money to settle it herself!

As long as Lin Niansheng lends her the money, she'll immediately take it and flee far away.

She'll never come back in this lifetime!

But she dare not say these words to Lin Niansheng.

Li Qinglan continued to play the victim, saying: "Team Leader Lin, for your sake I've offended Li Jiaci and all his brothers—I truly have nowhere left to turn!"

Hearing that, Lin Niansheng took a drag, narrowed his eyes, and said solemnly: "I have no money!"

That was obviously an excuse.

Li Qinglan is more prone to failure than success.

For profit, she could betray a boyfriend she'd dated for years.

Naturally, she could also betray Lin Niansheng for profit.

Moreover, Li Qinglan has failed several times; to Lin Niansheng she long ago lost any utility.

If it weren't for the bureau's current strict oversight and the bureau chief constantly suspecting him, such a lowly wretch who knows his secrets would long ago not deserve to live.

Better yet, let the gambling den's people seize him, saving him the trouble of doing it himself.

Lin Niansheng stubbed out his cigarette, frowned, and waved his hand: "Get lost—don't bother showing up in front of me when there's nothing going on!"

"Team Leader Lin, you can't just stand by and let someone die!"

"What if the gambling den's people catch me—who then..."

"I don't need a fool like you!"

Lin Niansheng gave her a cold look.

Before Li Qinglan could speak further, he grabbed her hair and slammed her hard against the glass.

Bang.

"If you don't want to die, get out of my sight!"

……

Hospital.

Wang Lan's hospital ward.

The orderly followed the medical staff out to get medicine.

Li Qinglan hid in the stairwell on this floor, watching them leave, then dared to sneak to the ward door.

Her clothes were tattered, her whole body covered in blood.

Leaning against the wall, they coughed violently a few times.

A metallic taste of rust welled up in their throat.

"Xiaoalan..."

Wang Lan, who was lying down resting, heard the voice and propped themselves up to sit.

Li Qinglan's face was pallid; they smiled at him and said, "Seeing your complexion improve puts my mind at ease!"

After saying that, they bent over and started coughing.

Wang Lan had long seen through her true nature; at this moment their heart was calm, even feeling she deserved it.

Li Qinglan stepped slowly to the bedside and collapsed heavily into the chair.

"Everything before, it's the sister-in-law who owes you an apology!"

"But I was also forced into this!"

"Xiaoalan, let others hate me as they wish—that's my own doing!"

"But ask your conscience—have I treated you the best?"

"Give the sister-in-law a chance to make amends!"

Hearing this, Wang Lan's face finally showed a hint of a smile.

Li Qinglan felt elated, secretly thinking that this fool was exactly as expected—just a few words and they were coaxed again.

Li Qinglan grabbed Wang Lan's hand and said with a smile, "The sister-in-law truly didn't spoil you in vain—this child is so sensible!"

"The sister-in-law wants to..."

"Li Qinglan, people need face, trees need bark—I see you as shamelessly thick-skinned!"

"What?"

Wang Lan violently shook off her hand.

Then, disgusted, they rubbed it on the blanket, as if shedding her bad luck.

Li Qinglan's expression stiffened, the corner of their mouth twitching: "Xiaoalan, how could you speak to the sister-in-law like that?"

"Whose sister-in-law are you cursing, you bastard?"

"It's just that I'm stupid, being played by you until I'm dizzy!"

"Someone like you, a despicable wretch, deserves death by a thousand cuts!"

"Get lost, hurry up and get lost!"

"Just seeing your face makes me sick!"

Wang Lan pointed at the ward door, their chest aching with anger.

Because he easily believed that woman's words, he almost brought disaster upon his elder brother and nearly got himself killed.

This lesson, he will never forget.

Upon hearing this, Li Qinglan suddenly knelt on the ground, weeping: "Xiaoalan, I really was coerced—look, I too have learned my lesson…"

"That's what you deserve!"

"I once trusted you so much; even if my elder brother cast you aside, I still regarded you as elder sister-in-law and family!"

"But you exploited my trust, betraying us again and again!"

Wang Lan felt utter heartache.

They even hated themselves for being used as a tool by that despicable person.

And still oblivious!

Li Qinglan stammered, still trying to defend themselves.

Wang Lan simply picked up the teapot and slammed it hard onto the ground.

Clang!

"I won't say it a third time!"

"Damn it, get lost!"

They were ruthlessly driven away twice in a row.

Li Qinglan walked out of the hospital, dazed and dispirited.

Could it be that her fate is to suffer so terribly?

She refused to accept it!

Just then,

A tall, straight figure stepped into her path.

Li Qinglan looked up, and their face instantly changed; they frantically sought a place to hide.

"Hah."

"Been beaten?"

Li Jiaci sneered.

"No…… no!"

Li Qinglan turned sideways and shook their head.

Lying had become her instinctive reaction.

Li Jiaci clasped his hands behind his back, tilted his head to assess her miserable state—truly satisfying.