Ke Teng knew Jian Fei was stubborn and that they had no emotional foundation. Surprised like this, she definitely wouldn't be able to handle it.
He didn't blame his assistant.
"If you're not allowed to follow, then don't. I'll handle it myself in a couple of days."
"You go to the furniture store and pick out a decent bed. Tell them to deliver it to him."
Jian Fei was at home mending a broken bed leg when her door was knocked.
She opened it to find two workers in furniture store uniforms.
She knew it had to be Ke Teng's doing.
The awkwardness surged again, but the item had already been delivered. Seeing the exhausted, panting delivery men, there was no reason not to sign for it.
Only after they left did she call Ke Teng again.
This time, the call was answered smoothly, Ke Teng's voice laced with amusement.
"I saw you sleeping soundly this morning and couldn't bear to wake you. Are you alright?"
Such an ambiguous tone made them sound like something more. Jian Fei gnawed at her palm in frustration.
"I'm fine, but can you stop talking to me like this?"
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, it's just..."
Jian Fei paused for a few seconds, "Ke Teng, I didn't mean anything else yesterday, you..."
Ke Teng interrupted her, "I didn't mean anything else either, don't overthink it."
"It's just that, even as a friend, if I see you in trouble, I should help. Especially since you gave me such a precious thing."
"Just consider it a little compensation from me to balance my conscience. Don't refuse it anymore."
Instantly, Jian Fei thought of many things.
She thought of novels or TV shows she'd read or watched before, where beautiful girls from unfortunate backgrounds met wealthy and dashing benefactors.
From then on, the two would begin a transactional relationship.
She used to look down on girls like that. With capable hands and feet, why choose such a crooked path?
But at this moment, facing Ke Teng's generous "compensation," she admitted she was vulgar and wavering.
In a man's eyes, such things were indeed precious and valuable.
A good artificial cochlear implant cost over 300,000 yuan. With her salary, who knew how long she'd have to save.
But relying on this, you see, everything could be obtained in one night.
If it were purely for herself, Jian Fei would never have accepted such a compensatory transaction.
But now it was for her sister.
She thought of her sister's self-conscious eyes, her envious glances at others' normality, her cautious nature...
After settling the bed, Jian Fei called home, telling them a classmate from Bei Cheng had pulled strings to get her sister an appointment with a specialist at the hospital and that her sister should prepare to take leave to go to Bei Cheng with her.
Every time she called, her father and grandmother answered together, with her sister listening to their relayed messages.
Hearing this news, the whole family was ecstatic, as if cochlear implants were free and they could afford them.
Seeing their happiness, Jian Fei also felt elated.
Everything was worth it; it wasn't in vain that she had become someone she despised.
On Monday, she went to work, planning when to request leave from her director.
Taking leave after only a month on the job, would he look down on her?
Before she could figure it out, the director invited her into his office.
"Jian Fei, come, come, sit."
He even thoughtfully brewed her a cup of tea.
No need to think further, the project must have been successful, otherwise, why would the director be so happy?
Ke Teng was truly loyal.
He had gone to such lengths for this matter.
"We've secured the project proposal. Your contribution to the successful signing this time is invaluable."
"I've submitted the application for your regularization and salary increase. Continue working hard, Jian Fei. I think highly of you, your future is limitless."
Jian Fei looked at him, thinking that it would surely be easier to request leave now.
However, before she could speak, the director changed the subject.
"I heard Mr. Ke is going to Bei Cheng on business and specifically requested you to accompany him for two days. He called me personally. Can you tell me what it's about?"
Jian Fei: "..."
Ke Teng had actually requested her leave for her!
"It's nothing major, just a mutual friend's wedding. We're attending the ceremony."
"That's great news. I'll give you three days off. Enjoy your time with Mr. Ke."
"We'll have other projects to rely on him for in the future, so I'm entrusting these tasks to you. Please handle them with care."
Jian Fei had truly experienced the benefits of power and money thoroughly over the past two days.
Unsure how to express her gratitude to Ke Teng, she dared not call him. Back at her desk, after much thought, she remembered Ke Jingyu's old habits and sent him a message.
It was nothing more than reminding him to take care of himself and to pay attention to certain things, a way to ease her conscience, with no expectation of a reply.
Unexpectedly, Ke Jingyu called her back a few minutes later.
Jian Fei was overwhelmed, "Mr. Ke. Have I disturbed you?"
Ke Jingyu was very gentle, "No, of course not. Even if you hadn't messaged me, I was planning to find you."
"Jian Fei, I was right about you. Ke Teng has changed a lot recently."
Jian Fei: "..."
"You suggested last time that I kick him out of the house. After he returned, everyone said he was like a different person, and his performance in Tong Cheng recently has also been good."
"He should spend more time with strong and independent children like you, so he can learn your excellent qualities."
"I heard you're working in Tong Cheng now? If you're not too busy, Uncle would trouble you to continue maintaining contact with him."
"I'm busy, and he doesn't like listening to me. Help me urge him, supervise him."
Ke Jingyu had invested a lot of effort in Ke Teng. To be able to humble himself to an ordinary girl like her for his sake, Jian Fei was very touched.
She couldn't bear to refuse, but at the same time, she felt guilty.
What if he found out that this "good girl" had slept with his son? Would he still be this kind to her?
"He came to Tong Cheng the other day and we met. He has indeed improved compared to before."
"Please don't worry, I will help if I can, but you don't need to be so polite with me in the future."
They chatted amicably for over ten minutes. After hanging up, her assistant sent her a WeChat message.
The hospital appointment was confirmed.
Jian Fei didn't have time to think of anything else and called home to tell her sister to take leave, as they would depart tomorrow.
After work that evening, Jian Fei packed her things and cooked noodles for herself. Ke Teng sent her a WeChat message.
"Have you eaten?"
Jian Fei believed they had made their intentions clear. She had accepted his compensation, and he should have no regrets. Why was he messaging her?
She didn't want to reply, but she thought of Ke Jingyu.
"Is something wrong?"
Ke Teng seemed displeased, "Can't I message you if there's nothing wrong?"
"..."
"I know you're going to Bei Cheng tomorrow, so I'm messaging to remind you a couple of things. Pack your things properly, don't be nervous. Call me if anything comes up."
Fortunately, his tone was like that of a normal friend's concern.
Jian Fei replied, "I've checked several times already, and your assistant has confirmed it. Thank you for your concern."
Who would have thought Ke Teng would immediately give her the wrong impression, replying with a cheeky emoji.
"Is a simple 'thank you' all?"
"..."