Chapter 16: Refusing Ruan Jinbao

When she was in college, she managed to live on a thousand yuan a month, and that was money she earned herself through part-time work. Now, Ruan Jinbao’s monthly allowance was three thousand—twice as much as hers—yet before the month even ended, he had already spent it all!

Damn it!

“Big sister, I’m a guy—three thousand just isn’t enough! My classmates all get five or six thousand a month. I’m the poorest one, always pinching pennies.”

Ruan Mianmian shouted back, “Do you know what kind of family those people have? What kind of family do you have? Isn’t it obvious? Why are you comparing yourself to them? Those rich kids get a hundred thousand a month. Can you compete with that?”

When she was in college, there was a rich kid in her class who got a hundred thousand a month for living expenses. People are born unequal; there’s really no comparison. Comparing yourself to others will only drive you mad.

“Big sister, don’t say those pointless things. Your monthly salary is over ten thousand, isn’t it? I just asked you to transfer five hundred and you’re being so stingy. Are you even my sister anymore?”

“I wish I weren’t your sister. It’s just my bad luck I was born into the wrong family. Does earning over ten thousand a month make me rich? I give five thousand to the family every month—don’t you know that? I don’t have money. If you need it, go ask Mom!”

If she could, she truly didn’t want to be a daughter of the Ruan family.

On the other end, Ruan Jinbao pleaded softly, “Big sister, don’t be like this, please. Just transfer me five hundred, okay? I don’t have money to pay the bill, and my classmates are all laughing at me.”

“If you don’t have money, why pretend to be something you’re not? This isn’t the first time. Is it easy for the family to support you through college? And you spend money with such abandon?”

Every time Ruan Jinbao went out with classmates and couldn’t pay the bill, he’d call her. Or he’d find other excuses to ask her for money. He knew she wouldn’t give him much, so he always asked for three hundred, five hundred, or eight hundred at a time. She didn’t give him money every time; sometimes, when he pestered her to the point of exhaustion, she’d transfer him a hundred or two.

Ruan Jinbao was shameless. Sometimes he’d ask her to send him a red envelope just for a cup of milk tea—and he always ordered the most expensive one. If she refused, he’d call home and complain, and then her mother would bombard her with voice messages on WeChat.

It was maddening.

“Oh, come on, big sister, just say whether you’ll give it or not. My classmates are waiting for me to pay so we can leave. Don’t be so petty. When I start working and making money, I’ll pay you back.”

“Ruan Jinbao, let me make this clear to you. First, our family doesn’t have endless wealth. If you want to squander money, don’t come to me—I’m not your ATM. Second, I’m not your parents; I have no obligation to buy you face. Stop treating me like a sucker every time. Third, you’re already an adult—spend only what you have. If you don’t have money, don’t pretend to be rich. Fourth, if you want to be a money-burning beast, ask Mom. I have no money for you. Don’t call me again.”

After finishing her tirade, Ruan Mianmian hung up, not wanting to waste another word on Ruan Jinbao.

“Congratulations, host. You’ve gained 60 points. Life increased by 6 days.”

Hearing the system’s announcement, her previous irritation vanished. How delightful—just by rebuffing Ruan Jinbao, she gained six more days of life and sixty points, the equivalent of sixty thousand yuan. Previously, she’d regretted spending so much on him, but now she felt instantly balanced.

Whenever Ruan Jinbao called her, it was always for money, nothing else. To prevent him from bothering her again, she simply turned off her phone and continued eating.

After all, if he couldn’t get money from her, he’d just ask their parents. And Mom would surely give it to him, since in her eyes, Ruan Jinbao was her precious darling.

In that family, she was the only one who was surplus.

Once, she had craved affection, desperately hoped for her parents’ love, but now she was used to it and didn’t feel particularly sad. She would focus on living well in the future; nothing else mattered.

After dinner, she tidied up, packed the clothes and toiletries she’d need for the apartment tomorrow into a bag, and put a cloth into a plastic bag—she’d use it to wipe things down there tomorrow night.

Even though the place looked spotless, she wouldn’t feel comfortable unless she cleaned it herself.

Having hung up and switched off her phone, she was completely unaffected by Ruan Jinbao. On the other side, Ruan Jinbao stared at his phone in disbelief.

Ruan Mianmian actually hung up on him? That had never happened before!

She used to be easy to manipulate. He’d put on a pitiful act, say a few soft words, beg her a bit, and she’d never refuse him—at most, she’d scold him and tell him to spend less.

Something was off with her; ever since she came home last week, things hadn’t been right.

Unable to get money from her, he had no choice but to call their mother and complain about Ruan Mianmian.

...

Ruan Mianmian felt quite good these days.

Li Hao and Li Xiaofei hadn’t bothered her anymore; she never mentioned the apology again, nor caused any drama for anyone. Even Fang Yali stopped bossing her around, perhaps intimidated by how she’d stood up to Li Xiaofei.

Or maybe she was secretly scheming something.

After work, she returned to the Jia Run apartment.

There was a large supermarket nearby, making shopping convenient. She filled the fridge with all her favorite foods.

She didn’t flaunt her new phone; besides Xu Weiwei, no one knew she’d upgraded. She hadn’t told anyone about her new apartment—not even Xu Weiwei.

Someone as poor as her had better keep a low profile. Otherwise, if people discovered she was using a nearly ten-thousand-yuan phone and living in a luxury apartment, who knew what nasty rumors they’d spread.

Some things were best kept to oneself—there was no need to show off.

If her parents found out she owned her own apartment, they’d likely rush over and demand she transfer it to Ruan Jinbao, so he could have a marital home when he got married.

This belonged to her; they could forget about it!

Soon enough, Friday arrived.

After work, Li Xiaofei even said to her, “Ruan Mianmian, why don’t you ride with me? It’s pretty far from the office to Yueyuan Restaurant.”

“No, thanks. I’m going with Weiwei—we already have a ride.”

Li Xiaofei would never be so kind, nor so friendly toward her. She certainly wouldn’t get in her car.

“Alright, I guess I’m being too helpful. See you later, then.”

Li Xiaofei didn’t get angry, and even smiled at her. If you looked closely, though, the smile never reached her eyes.

After Li Xiaofei walked away, Xu Weiwei said, “Mianmian, what do you think she’s up to? Is she really that nice?”

“People don’t go out of their way to help unless they have an ulterior motive. She’s definitely up to something. Doesn’t matter, let’s go.”

The two of them, along with Chen Yue, had already arranged to ride with Zhao Mingxuan.

Half an hour later, they arrived at Yueyuan Restaurant.

Li Hao had booked a large private room. Once everyone was there, he ordered the food and even called for two bottles of good wine.