Chapter 404 - 351: Leaving on Her Own
Chapter 404: Chapter 351: Leaving on Her Own
Yang Liu’er rolled out of bed and went to the wardrobe. Kneeling on the floor, she used a small ruler to fish out a flat cloth pouch from underneath. She unwrapped it to reveal a bankbook in her name, Yang Liu’er, with a balance of one thousand yuan.
This was the bankbook Brother Jun Fan had specially taken her to open before he left. He had told her it was her own private savings, something she could keep for herself without telling anyone. Her aunt would provide her monthly allowance and daily expenses on time, but if she ever wanted to buy something expensive and felt awkward asking for the money, she could come to the bank and use her own private savings.
Stroking the bankbook, two streams of tears slid down Yang Liu’er’s face. ’I miss Brother Jun Fan so much. He’s the only family I have left in this world!’
In both her past life and this one, Brother Jun Fan had always treated her exceptionally well and had never wronged her. Although she was scorned and humiliated by Bai Qingyue and the rest of the Bai family, she had never had to worry about money or material possessions. In her past life, Brother Jun Fan had also opened several bankbooks and bank cards for her. When he returned from business trips, he would openly buy many gifts for Tang Yaxuan, but he would secretly set aside a share for Yang Liu’er as well. She had it all—gold, silver, and gemstone jewelry, silk dresses, fur coats. It was just that those things were too valuable and impractical to wear while doing chores, so they all stayed packed away at the bottom of her trunk. As for the money in her bankbooks and on her cards, she never had a chance to spend it. It was all still in the bank when she died. ’I wonder if Brother Jun Fan ever withdrew it? He knew all the PINs. Did the money taken from my accounts end up with Tang Yaxuan?’
Yang Liu’er suddenly recalled an incident from her past life. Once, when Brother Jun Fan returned from the Northwest, he secretly slipped her a pair of He Tian Jade Bracelets while visiting Bai Qingyue at the old family home. But Bai Lili saw it. That very night, Tang Yaxuan came and forced her to hand over the bracelets, slapping her across the face. "You’re nothing but a servant raised by our Bai Family," she had said. "What makes you worthy of wearing this? Let me tell you, it’s useless to act pitiful and try to win sympathy. Anything Junfan gives you still belongs to the Bai family! It’s our shared marital property. Even that rag on your back—if you were to walk out this door, you’d have to take that off too!"
Leaning against the headboard, Yang Liu’er sat in a daze for a long while before suddenly letting out a hollow, foolish laugh. She wiped her tears away fiercely. ’This life, I absolutely cannot waste it. I refuse to believe I can’t earn my own money!’
She decided to find Aunt Weiwei tomorrow and learn how to do business from her. She would use the thousand yuan from Brother Jun Fan as her initial capital. She also had a few dozen yuan on her, saved up from the monthly allowance Bai Qingyue gave her. Thankfully, unlike in her past life, she hadn’t given it all to Shun Ma for safekeeping. She could use this money to rent a place of her own. ’Anyway, my household registration is separate. From now on, I’ll be setting up my own household!’
’I can’t live in the Bai residence anymore. In my past life, Bai Qingyue never even let me go to school. This life, things had finally taken a turn for the better. I was able to attend night school and gain some knowledge. My teacher said knowledge is power, a guiding light! Only with knowledge can I earn respect and have a bright future. Only then will I be qualified to enter high society and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Brother Jun Fan! But now Mr. Bai is interfering, forbidding me from studying and trying to lock me in this grand courtyard residence to wash clothes and cook, reducing me once again to a despised servant of the Bai Family!’
’Absolutely not!’ Yang Liu’er gritted her teeth and clenched her fists. ’I have to make something of myself! I have to work hard! Tang Manman was right, the economic reforms have started. I remember, in my past life, it wasn’t long before many of our neighbors became rich bosses. They bought apartments in high-rise buildings with elevators. Even Brother Jun Fan—after he married Tang Yaxuan, he didn’t live in the Bai family’s courtyard residence, he bought a villa! If I save up enough money and have my own big house, then I can be with Brother Jun Fan with my head held high!’
Having suffered in her past life, Yang Liu’er was now wary of the Bai family at every turn and had zero trust in them. She treated them like complete strangers. Once she decided to leave, she didn’t even say goodbye. She just packed her bags and left, gone before anyone even saw her back.
It wasn’t until late in the morning that Shun Ma, muttering curses under her breath, pushed open the door to Yang Liu’er’s room, only to find it empty. Yang Liu’er had taken all her clothes and belongings. The room was left perfectly tidy, and on the table was a note: "Yang Liu’er is gone. I will not eat the Bai family’s food, wear the Bai family’s clothes, or live in the Bai family’s house. Nor will I be the Bai family’s servant!"
Holding the note, Old Master Bai’s gaze darkened. He slammed his hand on the table. "That wretched girl! Does she think she can come and go from the Bai Family as she pleases? Since she’s left, she’d better not come back. All of you, mark my words: anyone who opens the door for her again can get the hell out right along with her!"
Bai Qingyue glanced at Shun Ma, who stood beside her with her head bowed, and sneered inwardly. ’So, Yang Liu’er has more of a spine than Shun Ma. She leaves the moment something doesn’t go her way. She’s gotten bold, hasn’t she? Thinking she doesn’t need the Bai Family? Fine. Just fine. An uncultured country girl with no world experience—what can she possibly do in Beijing? Nothing but be a nanny or a maid for someone else! That girl is a real fool. As a servant in the Bai Family, she could at least see Junfan from time to time. If she becomes a servant in another household, seeing him will be harder than reaching for the sky!’
Standing at the mouth of the Bai family’s alley, Yang Liu’er looked out, unable to suppress a flutter of apprehension. But she gritted her teeth, took the first step, and merged into the bustling crowd of people heading to work, school, and their various livelihoods. She let out a soft breath, feeling that things weren’t so bad after all.
When Aunt Weiwei heard about Yang Liu’er’s situation, she not only agreed to let Yang Liu’er become her business partner but also invited her to come and live at her home.
Yang Liu’er was embarrassed, but Aunt Weiwei said, "Renting a place is so expensive these days. If you rent from someone else, not only will it cost money, but it might not even be comfortable. How could that compare to staying with us? We have our own small courtyard house. The yard alone is over thirty square meters, so you can hang laundry and quilts to dry without fighting for space. There are three main rooms and two side rooms. Right now, it’s just my nephew and I living here. Even with you, there’ll still be plenty of room."
Yang Liu’er asked, "It’s just the two of you? What about Weiwei’s parents?"
Aunt Weiwei sighed. "My mom passed away a long time ago. My sister-in-law died from complications during childbirth when she had Weiwei, and my brother went to Tibet with a road and bridge construction crew. He won’t be back for another three to five years."
Yang Liu’er froze, not expecting the adorable Little Weiwei to have such a tragic story. Yesterday, in the bustling department store, she had originally been following Tang Manman. But then she’d spotted Weiwei, who bore a striking resemblance to her son from her past life, and she couldn’t resist staying by his side to shield him from the crowd. Weiwei had only glanced up at her before obediently sticking close to her. The sight of his sweet, heart-warming face had made her want to cry. Holding his little hand, she’d almost believed she was back in her past life, with her own son as a little boy...
Yang Liu’er accepted Aunt Weiwei’s invitation and moved into the Lu Family’s home, but she insisted on paying rent, and Aunt Weiwei smilingly agreed.
From that day forward, Yang Liu’er began a brand-new life: doing business to earn money by day, attending night school to gain knowledge by evening, and helping to look after Little Weiwei in between. It was hectic and tiring, but she felt fulfilled and happy—it was so much better than living with the Bai family.
She never stopped thinking about Brother Jun Fan. He had been gone for over a year and was supposed to be studying abroad for three. She didn’t know the exact date of his return. ’But Tang Manman must know! Her fiancé went abroad too. They’ll definitely come back at the same time. I just have to ask her!’