"Oh,"
Shi Ran nodded, pursing her lips. She knew Yuan Wei had more to say, but she didn't know how to ask.
Lowering her head slightly, she furrowed her brow in thought and said, "If... if you have any difficulties, just tell me. I don't have a lot of money, but I can help you with small amounts."
After graduating from university, she had followed Meng Jingwei and saved quite a bit by being frugal.
Although the amount wasn't large, if Yuan Wei needed help, Shi Ran was naturally willing to offer all she had.
"Heh heh."
Seeing her sincerity, Yuan Wei smiled, "Just hearing you say that is enough."
He sighed, an unconcealable weariness on his face. "I originally intended to borrow money from you, but I know it's not easy for a young lady like yourself to earn money, and I wouldn't be able to repay it anytime soon. So, I borrowed a million yuan from a friend."
He said it was a friend.
Shi Ran knew that Yuan Wei was referring to Gan Yulu, the female boss of Hongfei Group, but since he said he borrowed money, she was willing to believe him.
"Your friend is really good to you, being able to lend a million yuan. I'm so envious."
Trying to probe Yuan Wei indirectly, Shi Ran said this deliberately.
"Good or not good?"
Yuan Wei shook his head and looked into the distance. "I'm not afraid you'll laugh at me, but I've already resigned from Huayu Media. I borrowed money from the president of Hongfei Group, but her condition was for me to become her male secretary."
"What?"
Shi Ran's eyes widened in surprise, filled with disbelief.
She never expected Tang Si's words to be true.
Overly astonished, she stared with wide, bright eyes. Yuan Wei turned to meet Shi Ran's gaze, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm not cut out to be a model. I've been mediocre for years and haven't earned much money. By becoming her secretary and signing a five-year contract with her, I'll be free after five years."
For his mother, Yuan Wei had no choice.
After all, a million yuan was not a small sum, and as a thirty-eighth-tier model, how much could he possibly have?
"This..."
Shi Ran, lost in shock, didn't know what to say. She stared blankly at Yuan Wei, unable to utter a word for a long time.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm just her secretary, not some kept gigolo," Yuan Wei said with a helpless smile.
His gaze towards Shi Ran was overly pure and clear, like an untainted pearl.
At that moment, Shi Ran trusted him.
"Mm, I understand. But..." She wanted to say more, but the words caught in her throat, and she felt it inappropriate to speak them, so she stopped halfway.
The next day.
Qing Muye's 'funeral.'
After cremation, Meng Jingwei carried the ashes to the Xingyun Mountain cemetery and chose an excellent location to inter them.
Many people attended the burial.
Meng Jingwei and Qing Muye's brothers put on an immersive performance, even Old Chen Tou and the Meng Tianhua couple were completely convinced.
The two of them repeatedly comforted Meng Jingwei, fearing that she might take her own life because of Qing Muye's death.
Of course, Yun Shasha came again that day.
But today, she wore sunglasses and a very covered black suit, with a dark ribbon tied around her neck. She simply bowed three times before Qing Muye's 'tombstone,' and then left without even looking at Meng Jingwei.
As she stood before the tombstone to bow, Meng Jingwei clearly saw the scars on Yun Shasha's face and the bloodstains on her neck.
She felt a mix of emotions and didn't know how to approach Yun Shasha.
After the entire day concluded, everyone dispersed, but Meng Jingwei did not leave. She stayed by the grave, resisting the constant pulling from Old Chen Tou and the Meng Tianhua couple, refusing to go back.