She wanted to get angry, but with her sister and brother-in-law present, she had to hold back.
That night, she was too upset to sleep. She really wanted to talk to Peng Fei, but she hadn't even gotten his contact information yet.
The next day, she woke up early. After breakfast, she was about to head next door, with Tian Tian and Chen Dongyang still accompanying her.
Wang Li's factory was on holiday. Unsure what Peng Fei was busy with, she messaged him to ask, wanting to invite him out for a meal. Peng Fei had not replied.
However, after being lectured by Chen Dongyang yesterday and thinking about it all night, he made a decision today.
He called Wang Li directly in front of Zhan Jingchun.
He said he was doing a part-time job and wouldn't rest during the New Year.
Wang Li expressed her regret, "I'm not planning to go back to my hometown this year. I was thinking of inviting you out to have some fun. You're such a money-grubber, not resting even during the holidays."
Peng Fei replied it was alright, "I still have time to go out for a meal. You helped me so much before, let me treat you to dinner."
"Really?" Wang Li was overjoyed.
"Then there's no better day than today. How about lunch? I'll book the place!"
"Okay, send me a message when it's decided."
Zhan Jingchun's heart felt like it was being pierced with a thousand holes.
Peng Fei was going to have dinner with the woman he used as a shield before, right in front of her?
She brought her sister and brother-in-law to help, and he wouldn't even provide meals for them at noon, choosing instead to go out on a date with another woman?
Unable to stand it any longer, Zhan Jingchun threw down the tools in her hands.
"Peng Fei, what do you mean by this?"
Peng Fei, his back to her, forcefully suppressed the sourness in his heart, took several deep breaths, and slowly turned around.
"What do you mean?"
"My sister and brother-in-law are such renowned designers. Do you know how much it costs for someone else to hire them for a day? They're helping you clean up your mess for free, and you're treating them like laborers? Not providing meals is one thing, but you're also going out on a date with someone else? Is this how you conduct yourself?"
Peng Fei certainly knew his actions were not proper, but what else could he do?
If he had a stable job, he might have had the nerve to argue with Chen Dongyang.
"She helped me a lot at the factory before, and I'm just trying to repay her kindness."
"Can't you repay her kindness anytime? Can't you do it after the house is finished? Why must it be today? I think you're just eager to see her!"
Peng Fei reverted to his old self, remaining silent at crucial moments.
Seeing his attitude of "do as you please, I'm going to do this anyway," Zhan Jingchun felt utterly humiliated.
She had originally thought he was someone she could rely on, that as long as he worked hard and she persevered, they could be together in the future.
But at this moment, she realized he was just like the vast majority of men!
Satisfied with what he had, but always looking for more, and this was his attitude when dealing with relationships with the opposite sex!
She was so flustered. Her sister must have realized she liked Peng Fei, and also seen Peng Fei's inherent flaws. Zhan Jingchun was not only disappointed but also ashamed of herself.
She felt utterly miserable.
"Fine. Then you go have your meal. Don't ask me to help again in the future! Return every penny for the things I bought! Eat well with her, and after you're done, tell her to help you out!"
Peng Fei still didn't speak, standing there like a block of wood.
Tian Tian also got angry watching him. She hated men who seemed to have no mouths and couldn't explain themselves when facing problems!
She couldn't help but scold Zhan Jingchun, "What's there to be angry about? You were the one who eagerly offered to help him, and now he doesn't take you seriously. Serves you right! Come back with me!"
Then she glared at Peng Fei, "Did my sister pay for the supplies? You're really not a man, spending a woman's money! Return the money to her now! And our wages for these two days, give it all to her!"
Peng Fei only had 10,000 yuan left. He wanted to give Zhan Jingchun more, but he was truly pathetic.
"Okay, how much do you two want for your wages?"
He agreed just like that?
It seemed he truly didn't care about his own sister!
She thought he was a decent person just yesterday, how blind she had been!
Tian Tian now just wanted to get away from this scumbag quickly and didn't want to get entangled in financial matters again, lest she be disgusted once more.
"Ten thousand a day, the same for both of us."
Peng Fei did the math. That meant he had to pay Zhan Jingchun a total of fifty thousand.
"I don't have that much, but I can borrow it."
He dialed Wang Li's number again.
In front of them, he switched on the speakerphone.
Wang Li, receiving his calls twice in a day, was ecstatic on the other end, her voice incredibly sweet.
"What's up? Why are you calling me again so soon?"
"Wang Li, I've run into some trouble and need forty thousand yuan. Can you lend it to me?"
"Ah? What happened? Why so much? You..."
"It's nothing, I accidentally set fire to the employer's house and need to pay them compensation."
"Ah, how could you be so careless? Is anyone hurt?"
"No."
"It's good that no one is hurt. Okay, okay, I understand. Don't be too upset. Money and possessions are external things. As long as you're healthy, you'll always have a future. As it happens, I saved 40,000 this year and haven't given it to my family yet. You can have it. No rush to return it, just give it back when you can."
Peng Fei thanked her, and they hung up.
Immediately after, Wang Li transferred the money to him.
Watching him make a woman splurge forty thousand for him with just one phone call, Zhan Jingchun's heart ached uncontrollably again.
She had truly underestimated this blockhead. With just his face, he wouldn't lack women. Damn it, if that's the case, why did he provoke her?!
Peng Fei received the money, didn't add Zhan Jingchun on WeChat, and looked at Chen Dongyang.
"I'll scan it to you."
The fifty thousand yuan quickly reached Chen Dongyang.
Tian Tian pulled her sister, and they left the Chen family's house without looking back.
Xiang Siyuan and the others were doing their homework in the yard. As they were working, the several of them came out, their expressions growing uglier by the moment. They stood up, full of gossip.
"Where are you going? Not decorating the house anymore? Why is everyone so angry? Auntie, who upset you?"
Tian Tian ignored him. He then asked Chen Dongyang, "Uncle..."
"Shut your foul mouth and go do your homework!"
Watching them leave, Peng Fei felt as if his soul had been taken away by Zhan Jingchun.
He knew that Chun Chun had never liked him originally; she had only approached him because she suffered from a psychological illness.
After today's commotion, she would never get close to him again.
He had lost his heaven, lost his earth, lost his spiritual pillar.
He stood dazed for a long time before Xiang Siyuan reminded him to lock the door.
"What are you spacing out for? Not locking the door? Aren't you afraid these little ones will run off on their own?"
Peng Fei, with the plastic bag on his head, walked in dejectedly. The cubs were huddled together gossiping.
"Guess what happened? It must be that he was found out to have a crush on Chun Chun sister, was harshly scolded by my uncle and aunt, and warned never to approach Chun Chun sister again. That's why he's sad, right?"