Chapter 73: The Origin of the Matter

After a while, Yuan Qingying came out of the bathroom.

The shy expression on her face was gone, replaced by her usual cool detachment.

Li Chen’s heart skipped a beat.

Did she see through my little scheme?

Having come to this point, he didn’t dare bring it up again.

Looking at her attire, he changed the subject and asked, "Senior sister, how did you end up going to a bar and getting involved with that kind of person?"n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yuan Qingying’s expression instantly turned dim. She sat there, silent for a long time.

"If senior sister doesn’t want to talk about it, that’s okay. I believe you have your reasons," he said.

Yuan Qingying remained silent for a while longer before slowly raising her head, "You saw everything, so I won’t lie to you. I work there selling drinks. That man today insisted on taking me away, I didn’t agree, and he chased after me..."

Li Chen was startled, not expecting Yuan Qingying to be moonlighting at a bar.

He asked incredulously, "Senior sister, you’ve completed your training and are seeing patients independently now. The hospital pays decently, right? Why would you need to work part-time in a place like that?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Yuan Qingying’s eyes moisten.

"My dad has always been in poor health, and his condition flared up again recently. The doctor said he must have surgery without any more delays, but even after borrowing from relatives and friends, the money still wasn’t enough. I heard that you can make money quickly by selling drinks in bars, so that’s what I did," she explained.

"Li Chen, I beg you, please don’t tell anyone. I don’t want Teacher Xu and my colleagues to know," she said, fighting back tears.

Li Chen was starting to feel uneasy.

He now understood why she lived in such shabby conditions despite having a decent job and always appeared so cold and aloof.

What incredible pride she must have to mask herself like this, to hide her most vulnerable side so thoroughly.

"Senior sister, I’m sorry, I didn’t know," he apologized.

He stood up, walked over to her, and looked at her beautiful figure that must have endured so much, his heart filled with compassion.

He hugged her instinctively, without a trace of lust, just wanting to offer some form of comfort.

Yuan Qingying didn’t refuse this time.

Perhaps she was truly exhausted and needed a shoulder to lean on.

She held back her tears, and after a while, perhaps calming down, she looked up at Li Chen and said, "Thank you, Li Chen, I feel much better now."

"These days, working and moonlighting, I’ve saved some money. If I work hard for a bit longer, I will have enough for my dad’s surgery," she asserted.

"You’re still going to work at the bar?" Li Chen asked.

"You really make money fast there; I can’t afford to lose that job," she said with determination in her eyes.

Li Chen responded with a helpless smile.

He knew all too well that though barmaids could earn money quickly, the reality was more complicated.

Yuan Qingying’s earnings were undoubtedly linked to her stunning looks and tall, beautiful figure. God knows how many people had designs on her behind the scenes.

The incident that day was just one example.

"Senior sister, you can’t go back there anymore. If you run into that Brother Long again, I’m afraid you’ll be in danger," Li Chen said, wanting to spare this naive girl from the grimmer truths and instead brought up the day’s events directly.

The effect was clear; Yuan Qingying hesitated.

But quickly, lifting her head, she said firmly, "Li Chen, thanks for the warning, but I still need to go. If I don’t save my dad, no one else will."

Li Chen felt a tug at the softest part of his heart.

He took a deep breath and, after a moment’s hesitation, pulled out a card from his pocket. This was left to him by his grandfather before he passed away.

"Senior sister, I don’t know how much you’re short, but there is two hundred thousand in this card. Take it for my uncle’s surgery. If it’s not enough, I’ll figure something out. You really can’t go back there..."

"No! No! No! How could I take your money..." she protested.

"Consider it a loan then, you can pay me back slowly when you get your salary," he insisted.

Yuan Qingying was silent, her wet eyes no longer able to hold back the tears that fell like pearl drops. Find exclusive stories on NovelBin.Côm

"Li Chen... I..."

"I’m just short eighty thousand for my dad’s surgery. I’ll definitely pay you back, definitely..."

She really needed the money and didn’t refuse again.

When she left, it was already past ten. Walking on the street, Li Chen felt an inexplicable sense of relief.

By the time he got home, Han Jianye and Han Zhenhua were asleep, while Jiang Qing and Shen Mengxue were sitting on the couch watching TV.

Seeing Li Chen return, they both stood up.

"Xiao Chen, why are you so late? Are you hurt?"

Jiang Qing noticed Li Chen’s cut sleeve and the bandage on his arm and expressed her concern.

Shen Mengxue, who had stopped in her tracks, hurried over when she heard Li Chen was injured, regardless of anything else.

"Aunt Qing, sister-in-law, it’s just a small cut. It’s been taken care of, so don’t worry," he reassured them.

"Have you eaten yet? If not, Aunt Qing will make you something," she offered.

"Aunt Qing, I’ve already eaten," he responded.

Because someone else was present, Jiang Qing and Shen Mengxue restrained themselves, afraid to reveal too much.

After a brief chat, Li Chen washed up and retired to his bedroom.

Just as he lay down for a bit, the sound of a text message notification came from his phone.

...