My Terrible Life in Those Years

I sat on pins and needles as I looked at the documents, waiting for Aunt Shu to come to work.

Given Aunt Shu's attitude towards me, I'm not very confident that she can help me.

Especially after yesterday's incident in the car, where I used her as a pillow through violence, to be honest, I was a little uneasy.

She arrived at the office around 9:30.

Today I'm still wearing my work attire: a black blazer with a white collar underneath, a straight skirt, and high heels.

I don't know why, but no matter what clothes she wears, she looks like a fashion model.

Ten minutes after she went inside, I quickly got up and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" She had just poured herself a glass of water and was a little surprised to see me looking for her so early.

"What? So proactive in seeking improvement? So eager for evaluation?"

Screw you, why would I put myself in the line of fire?

"Oh, no, my wallet was stolen yesterday, and I don't have enough money for food. So, I was wondering if it's possible to get an advance on my bonus or salary?"

I was quite frank and, as always, told her the facts.

She paused for a moment, then asked, "How much was stolen?"

"two hundred!"

She looked up instantly: "You only have two hundred yuan on you?"

"Yes, I just got off the train. I originally had 800 yuan, but 600 yuan was stolen at the train station. So, this time, I don't have that much money left for the thief to steal!" I was able to recount this story calmly.

She was first surprised, then shook her head, and then chuckled softly.

"Your luck is truly extraordinary!"

I don't know if she meant I'm unlucky and always getting robbed, or if she meant I'm lucky and got a big order on my first day.

I myself am actually quite conflicted, it's a very complicated feeling!

"Have Xiaoliu fill out a payment receipt form for you. It will state that it's for the order follow-up bonus, and the amount..."

My heart skipped a beat, and the phrase "ten-thousand-yuan household" that Sister Liu had mentioned immediately popped into my head.

She took in my expression completely, felt a surge of amusement, but her face remained expressionless.

"Let me pay you a round number two thousand first, and I'll settle the rest when I get my salary!"

I was furious. This woman must be upset about what happened yesterday, so she deliberately only paid me one-fifth.

That's really vicious!

"What? You're still not satisfied? Don't forget, you're just a temporary worker. This is already an exception for you!"

I was startled. This old lady just glanced at me and knew what I was thinking.

I rushed out to find Liu Mei to get the payment slip, gave it to her to sign, and then received two thousand yuan in cash from the finance department.

I knocked on the door again and handed eighteen hundred-yuan bills to Aunt Shu.

"Manager Shu, I promised to compensate you 1,800 yuan for breaking your shoe last time. Here are 18 bills in total!"

She could hardly believe that I had used almost the entire amount of the two thousand yuan I had advanced to pay off her previous so-called debt.

"There are still many days until payday, and you've already paid me so much. I only have a little over two hundred left. Is that enough to last until payday?"

She didn't expect me to be so assertive, paying off her debt directly. If she had known I was so tough, she would have given me a bigger advance. It's a bit strange that she's going through the paperwork now.

I said confidently, "Don't worry, it'll definitely be enough. The money I earn from my part-time job each night, if I'm careful with it, is just enough for food and transportation. Then, this two hundred-plus yuan is for emergencies. If there are other expenses, I'll try to be more frugal. It'll be enough until I get my salary!"

I put down the money and turned to go out to work.

She hesitated for a moment: "Wait a minute."

I turned around and looked at her. She took out an expensive handbag from the drawer, took out a wallet from inside, put 1,800 yuan in cash into the wallet, and then took out 80 yuan in loose change from another part of the wallet and handed it to me.

"You gave me eighty last time, and I just took eighteen from you, so we're even!"

Was this amount of money really a big deal for her? Not at all. She originally wanted to tell me that I didn't need to pay for it, but for some reason, seeing how assertive and unyielding I was, she inexplicably accepted the money.

I suddenly realized that the eighty coins she had just taken out were placed separately in an inner compartment. And the one thousand eight hundred I had just handed her was in the same spot.

I was curious and puzzled, but I didn't ask.

Although I had just handled so much money—two thousand dollars—and immediately lost most of it, I still felt no resentment whatsoever.

After all, I've paid back her money, and I can also pay back Du Yan's hundred yuan tonight, so I won't owe anyone any money anymore.

Moreover, I still have more than two hundred yuan in cash left, which makes me feel quite satisfied!

Aunt Shu didn't have time to ask me to do an assessment this morning. It seems she took on a big GG renovation project. I found out when I was helping Zhou Tong and the others prepare the relevant basic information. However, I'm not qualified to know the specifics of this project.

Several of her longtime colleagues from Sales Department 1 were having a meeting in her office, while the administrative staff and assistants below were constantly preparing various documents.

When I finished get off work at noon, I went to the front desk.

"Hey Liu, let's go, it's my treat!"

Zhou Tong and Yi Hongye immediately became unhappy.

"Jiang, don't be so biased! You only invited Sister Liu, but not us? Let's see if we'll still help you in the future!"

My head started spinning. I had just reluctantly agreed to treat Liu Mei to dinner. By her standards, this meal would cost at least 30, if not 50. I was already feeling the pinch. If I added the two of them, I would have to spend at least 100 of that 200!

I said with a smile, "Today, I'd like to have a more in-depth conversation with Sister Liu alone. I'll treat you all next time!"

Zhou Tong and Yi Hongye immediately started gossiping.

"Wow, you two??? Is this for real? You've only known each other for a few days!"

Liu Mei's pretty face immediately flushed red, and she quickly stopped the two gossipy girls.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. He only has a little over two hundred left. How could he afford to treat us to a meal? Forget it, let's go downstairs to eat. Don't worry, you don't need to treat us. You can treat us after you've paid off all the grain."

Obviously, I didn't intend to hide the matter of repaying the money from them; otherwise, they would have spread all sorts of rumors about it.

After getting off the elevator, I went to eat with three gossipy friends.

Zhou Tong noticed I kept turning my neck: "Brother Jiang, what's wrong with your neck?"

I tossed and turned all night and didn't sleep well at all; my neck is killing me.

"I probably just have a stiff neck!" I rubbed my neck vigorously.

"Is your pillow too high?"

I thought for a moment: "The pillow isn't high! It's quite comfortable. Maybe it's because I didn't sleep well."

Just then, a gust of wind blew past me quickly, carrying a familiar fragrance that I knew immediately belonged to Aunt Shu.

She glared at me fiercely, and I was completely baffled. I didn't know why she suddenly glared at me again, even though I had already returned the money to her!

It wasn't until I was eating that I realized: this lady probably only heard the word "pillow" and thought I was talking about using her legs as a pillow, right? That would be so unfair!