The Price of a Debt: An Unexpected Intervention

Xiang Qing had just emerged from the restroom, her legs still feeling a touch weak, when she unexpectedly collided with Shen Lanzhi.

Shen Lanzhi’s gaze swept over her, a look of deep concern etched onto her face.

“Xiao Qing, are you alright? Why is your face so flushed? Did someone perhaps take liberties with you?”

Xiang Qing’s heart lurched violently, threatening to leap right out of her throat.

‘Oh no, oh no. Did this woman have a scanner installed in her eyes?’

“N-nothing!” Xiang Qing frantically waved her hands. “The restroom was just incredibly stuffy, truly!”

Clearly unconvinced, Shen Lanzhi cast a swift glance towards Gu Wei, who was nonchalantly watching television in the living room with one leg crossed over the other, before pulling Xiang Qing urgently into a secluded corner.

“Xiao Qing, tell me the truth,” Shen Lanzhi whispered, her voice hushed. “That woman, Gu, mentioned some kind of employment. Did you two sign a contract?”

‘A contract?’

Xiang Qing shook her head, a tell-tale flush of guilt creeping up her neck.

‘There was no contract at all; it was entirely a verbal agreement.’

Seeing her reaction, Shen Lanzhi immediately understood that the situation was far more complicated than it appeared.

“What exactly is she using to threaten you? Don’t be afraid, just tell your sister.”

Cornered by the question, Xiang Qing had no choice but to briefly recount the entire backstory.

“It’s nothing much… it’s just that back when I was a streamer, she was my top supporter, showering me with 800,000 in gifts. Afterwards, she relentlessly pursued me. Since I didn’t reciprocate her feelings, she felt deceived and demanded her money back.”

Xiang Qing scratched her head, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

“I… I didn’t want to return the money, nor did I possess such a large sum. So, I agreed to work as her nanny for three months, using my labor to settle the debt.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Lanzhi’s entire being ignited with fury. She extended a finger and playfully but firmly poked Xiang Qing’s forehead.

“You foolish girl! How could you be so utterly naive!”

Xiang Qing blinked, momentarily stunned by the poke.

‘How am I foolish?’

“You don’t have to return that 800,000 at all!”

Shen Lanzhi spoke with the exasperation of someone seeing potential wasted. “Live stream tips are considered voluntary gifts! She is an adult with full legal capacity; her mind was perfectly clear when she made those donations, and she must be held accountable for her own actions! You don’t owe her a single cent! Even if she were to call the police, the officers would side with you!”

Xiang Qing hunched her shoulders, muttering softly under her breath.

“I understand the logic…”

“You understand, yet you still agreed to her terms?” Shen Lanzhi’s chest heaved with indignation.

“The main issue is Gu Wei herself; she appears utterly unhinged and unpredictable. I simply can’t fathom what her true intentions are.”

Xiang Qing’s face was etched with distress. “If I don’t agree, she’ll undoubtedly continue to harass me with this excuse. Heaven knows what kind of madness she might unleash! My thought was simply to endure these three months, thereby removing any justification for her to bother me again. Only then can I truly find peace of mind!”

‘Besides, three months of work to offset 800,000 yuan—that’s hardly a losing deal!’

Of course, these were words Xiang Qing would never dare to utter aloud.

“Absolutely not!” Shen Lanzhi declared, her resolve hardening even further after hearing the full explanation. “You cannot remain here! What if she harbors ill intentions towards you? Come with me now!”

With that, Shen Lanzhi grabbed Xiang Qing’s wrist, intending to lead her straight out the door.

“Hold it, hold it!”

Gu Wei, who had been openly eavesdropping from the living room, instantly sprang from the sofa. In a single, swift movement, she darted forward to block their path.

“What do you think you’re doing? Planning to abduct someone?” Gu Wei demanded, crossing her arms as she stood squarely in the doorway. “My little darling hasn’t finished her duties yet. Where exactly do you intend to take her?”

The sight of Gu Wei immediately ignited Shen Lanzhi’s temper.

“Gu Wei, stop playing innocent! You used illegal means to coerce Xiao Qing, and this matter is far from over!”

“Illegal means?”

Gu Wei chuckled, her smile remarkably arrogant. “How am I acting illegally? Debts must be repaid; it’s a fundamental principle. She took 800,000 from me, and now she’s working to repay that debt. It’s perfectly reasonable, rational, and legal!”

“Nonsense!” Shen Lanzhi roared, completely abandoning her gentle demeanor. “That was a tip! A gift! Not a loan! You are attempting blackmail and extortion!”

“I don’t care!” Gu Wei retorted, her tone insolent. “The money came from me, so she belongs to me! Three months, not a single day less!”

Caught between the two, Xiang Qing felt her head throb.

‘Help me! Please stop arguing over my 800,000 yuan!’

‘The money is already mine! Your arguments won’t make it disappear!’

“Xiao Qing, don’t listen to a word she says!” Shen Lanzhi implored, turning to Xiang Qing with earnest concern. “You are perfectly justified in keeping that money. If she dares to harass you further, we’ll call the police!”

“Call the police?” Gu Wei scoffed, a disdainful smirk playing on her lips. “Go ahead and report it! Let’s see if the police come to arrest me or to tell you to mind your own business. This is a private debt dispute between us!”

“This is absolutely not a debt dispute!”

“I say it is, so it is!”

As the two women seemed poised to resume their furious argument, Xiang Qing felt her brain cells dying in droves.

She had truly had enough!

“Enough!” Xiang Qing finally erupted, shaking off Shen Lanzhi’s hand. “Both of you, stop arguing!”

The scene instantly fell silent.

Both Gu Wei and Shen Lanzhi stared at her, their faces etched with surprise.

Xiang Qing took a deep breath, striving to project an air of authority.

“Firstly, Sister Shen, thank you for your concern,” she began. “I know your intentions are good, but I can handle this matter myself.”

She paused for a moment, then turned her gaze towards Gu Wei.

“And you, CEO Gu! While it’s true that debts must be repaid, for these three months, our relationship is strictly one of employer and employee! Please refrain from touching me inappropriately again in the future! Otherwise, I will no longer serve as your nanny!”

The incident in the restroom moments ago had only fueled Xiang Qing’s indignation.

‘This woman is absolutely perverse!’

Far from being angered by Xiang Qing’s words, Gu Wei merely offered a playful, knowing smile.

“My little darling, are you attempting to negotiate terms with me?”

“I’m not negotiating; I’m informing you!” Xiang Qing declared, summoning every ounce of her courage. “If you dare to behave indecently towards me again, I will return the 800,000 to you! I’ll go borrow it right this instant!”

Although she had no idea where she would procure such a substantial sum, she was determined not to lose face.

Gu Wei raised an eyebrow, an amused glint in her eyes.

“Alright, I agree.”

Xiang Qing was taken aback.

‘She agreed so easily?’

Even Shen Lanzhi was stunned.

‘Had this madwoman suddenly changed her ways?’

“However…” Gu Wei’s tone shifted abruptly, a sly smile gracing her lips, much like a cat that had just stolen a fish. “Outside of work hours, such actions wouldn’t be considered indecent behavior, would they?”

Xiang Qing could only stare, speechless.

‘Just as expected, this woman truly couldn’t change her wicked ways!’

Shen Lanzhi instantly erupted.

“What more do you want? You intend to harass Xiao Qing even after her work hours? Dream on!”

She grabbed Xiang Qing once more. “Xiao Qing, we’re leaving! We can’t stay with someone like this any longer!”

This time, Gu Wei didn’t intervene, merely opening her mouth to speak in a slow, deliberate manner.

“If you take her away now, how exactly will the 800,000 yuan debt be settled? Are you suggesting she resort to borrowing from loan sharks? Or perhaps… Miss Shen, being so affluent, you intend to pay it off on her behalf?”

Shen Lanzhi’s movements froze mid-action.

Eight hundred thousand yuan was by no means a small sum for her.

While she was indeed well-off, producing 800,000 yuan in cash on a whim was not something she could easily do.

Observing her reaction, Gu Wei’s smile widened, radiating an even greater sense of triumph.

“What’s wrong? Reluctant now? Weren’t you speaking with such righteous indignation just moments ago? I truly believed you were prepared to sacrifice everything for love.”

“You!” Shen Lanzhi was utterly speechless, her face cycling rapidly between crimson and ashen.

Watching from the sidelines, Xiang Qing sighed inwardly.

‘It’s over. Sister Shen’s fighting spirit is still no match for this madwoman.’

‘Or rather, money truly speaks with authority.’

Sensing that Shen Lanzhi was on the verge of defeat, Xiang Qing quickly stepped in to mediate.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough talk,” Xiang Qing interjected. “Sister Shen, I’m truly fine. I’ll just work here for three months, and after that, we’ll be completely even.”

She patted Shen Lanzhi’s hand, offering her a reassuring smile.

How could Shen Lanzhi possibly be at ease?

She glanced at Gu Wei’s smug, triumphant expression, then at Xiang Qing, whom she considered naive and vulnerable, and made a momentous decision.

“Fine, I won’t take her away,” Shen Lanzhi announced suddenly.

Both Gu Wei and Xiang Qing stared at her, their faces etched with confusion.

Shen Lanzhi, however, merely puffed out her chest and declared with resounding conviction.

“But I’m staying here too!”

“Huh?”

Xiang Qing’s jaw nearly hit the floor.

‘Big sister, what exactly are you planning?’

Gu Wei’s eyes narrowed.