Chapter – 34
Dignity Is Precious, but Money Is Pricier!
In the cafeteria, as Yu Zhi finished speaking, the bystanders immediately started making noise:
“Moving materials is tiring too! Why doesn’t that count as labor?”
Yu Zhi looked at Wen Ying.
Wen Ying anxiously twisted her fingers together:
“You know I didn’t mean it that way. I just… I’m afraid you’ll go astray. You can’t let money trample your dignity…”
“Doing the same work, and if the pay is high it’s called trampling dignity? If the pay is low, it’s called honest labor?”
Yu Zhi furrowed her brows and asked, pretending to be confused: “What kind of twisted logic is that?”
Wen Ying was forced to take half a step back: “I… I didn’t mean it like that…”
“So what do you mean?” Yu Zhi suddenly announced loudly:
“I won’t accept moral coercion! I’m willing to move stuff—so what! Sister Pei, make sure I get cash!”
Pei Nian’an quickly pulled out a stack of bills from her bag and handed them to Yu Zhi.
Everyone was stunned.
Whoa, real cash!
So glaringly red! Makes you want to grab it!
Why didn’t they step up earlier when it came to moving things?
Regret! That’s just one big word: REGRET!
System: [Ding! Congratulations, host! Achievement unlocked: Expose the hypocrite in public! Reward: 100,000 yuan!]
Yu Zhi: Feeling very pleased with herself!
Wen Ying stood there, watching Yu Zhi happily pack money into her backpack, her fingers trembling with anger.
Pei Nian’an felt satisfied seeing Wen Ying’s frustration and sat on a bench, clapping her hands in delight:
“Yu Zhi! I’ll add five thousand more! After moving the materials, come shopping with me!”
“Sure!” Yu Zhi replied, giving Wen Ying a playful wink:
“Wen Ying, if you feel morally uneasy about taking money, you could always help without pay. Want to come help me move materials?”
Wen Ying finally lost her composure and turned to leave, almost stepping on her own skirt in the process.
…
Yu Zhi happily went to help Pei Nian’an move the art supplies.
The money in her backpack didn’t weigh down her spine; instead, she felt full of energy!
Pei Nian’an, in a good mood, didn’t insist on going home and accompanied Yu Zhi—though she didn’t actually lift a finger, focusing on simply being there.
The art studio was stacked with heavy plaster statues and art boxes. Yu Zhi and another girl made multiple trips between the studio and storage room, sweat dripping from their foreheads.
Pei Nian’an was sitting nearby, immersed in reading a novel.
After countless trips, they finally finished moving everything.
“Sis Pei, I’m done!” Yu Zhi panted as she returned to the studio, only to find Pei Nian’an engrossed in her book.
Yu Zhi frowned: “What’s wrong with you?”
Pei Nian’an pointed at the novel, looking aggrieved:
“The heroine is so pitiful! And the rich supporting character is just too bad! How can someone be both dumb and cruel?”
Yu Zhi: “……”
Yu Zhi: “Sis Pei, how can you empathize with the protagonist? That wasn’t the point of me letting you read this book…”
Pei Nian’an glanced at her: “What do you mean?”
Yu Zhi: “……”
Yu Zhi fell silent.
Pei Nian’an wiped her eyes and asked again: “Did your club activity go badly?”
Yu Zhi wiped her sweat and smiled: “Every loss comes with a gain. I couldn’t go because they wouldn’t let me take leave; I’ll make it up to them next time.”
“Yu Zhi, you really don’t understand human relationships,” Pei Nian’an rolled her eyes and lectured seriously:
“It’s simple—just apologize properly. Keep your dignity! I’ll tell you, if you buy everyone a milk tea, nobody will talk about it.”
“Huh?” Yu Zhi was stunned. “There are over thirty people in the club…”
Buy each of them a milk tea?
Dignity is precious, but money is pricier!
Yu Zhi thought to herself, I’d rather apologize.
Seeing Yu Zhi’s stingy look, Pei Nian’an got impatient.
Since Yu Zhi helped her move stuff and missed her club activities, Pei Nian’an didn’t want her to lose face, so she directly asked:
“Alright, which classroom is your club in?” Pei Nian’an already had her phone out.
Yu Zhi hurriedly checked the group messages: “Building 3…”
Before she could finish, Pei Nian’an had already finished operating on her phone:
“Done, forty milk teas ordered under your name.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes widened: “Sis Pei! You’re the best!”
Pei Nian’an smugly tilted her head back: “Of course, follow me and you won’t lose out.”
At that moment, the classroom door was suddenly pushed open.
Xia Qingqing rushed in, breathless, and ran straight to Pei Nian’an:
“Sis Pei! I just saw in the group chat that you needed help moving materials. I can help!”
Pei Nian’an pursed her lips: “Why didn’t you come earlier? Poor Yu Zhi had to do all the work.”
Xia Qingqing smiled awkwardly. Seeing Yu Zhi drenched in sweat, she quickly took out a beautifully packaged bottle of mineral water:
“Sis Pei, you must be thirsty. Drink some water.”
Pei Nian’an took the bottle, frowning:
“You don’t know how to twist the cap? Yu Zhi always opens it for me.”
Xia Qingqing’s smile froze, and she quickly opened the bottle.
Pei Nian’an glanced at her, then pointed to Yu Zhi:
“I’m not thirsty. Give it to Yu Zhi.”
Yu Zhi immediately smiled and reached out:
“Thanks!”
Xia Qingqing: “???”
Reluctantly, she handed the water to Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi drank happily, half the bottle gone in one gulp.
Xia Qingqing’s heart ached—this imported mineral water cost over ten yuan per bottle, and she herself rarely drank it. Yet Yu Zhi, the sycophant, got it all!
Thinking this, Xia Qingqing’s glare could have sliced Yu Zhi in half.
Even worse, recently Pei Nian’an didn’t hang out with Xia Qingqing and her old friends, spending all her time with Yu Zhi.
After finishing the water, Yu Zhi wiped her mouth with satisfaction: “Thanks, I was really thirsty.”
Xia Qingqing gritted her teeth but could only force a dry smile: “Y-You’re welcome…”
Pei Nian’an stood up and patted Yu Zhi’s shoulder:
“Come on, let’s go get ice cream.”
She didn’t even glance at Xia Qingqing and pulled Yu Zhi along.
Xia Qingqing, to win Pei Nian’an back, forced herself to follow.
She hurried to Pei Nian’an’s side and pulled out a lace sun umbrella:
“Sis Pei, the sun is strong, let me hold it for you!” she said, deliberately pushing Yu Zhi aside.
Pei Nian’an frowned:
“Just hold the umbrella, don’t shove Yu Zhi. Whatever, give it to her and let her hold it for me.”
Xia Qingqing: “……”
Her smile froze, but Pei Nian’an had already spoken, so Xia Qingqing reluctantly handed the umbrella to Yu Zhi.
Yu Zhi took it happily: “How thoughtful～”
Good night, good night~
