Chapter 15: This Is My Salary Card

The next morning, Shen Chutang woke up to a silent house. She ruffled her hair, thinking it might be awkward to run into him after last night, but to her surprise, Lu Beiqin wasn’t home at all.

Just as she was about to head to the kitchen to fix something to eat, she heard someone enter from outside. Lu Beiqin was dressed casually, clearly back from his morning exercise. She hadn’t expected him to have such a habit; no wonder his physique was so impressive.

“Would you like some breakfast?” Shen Chutang spoke first.

Lu Beiqin nodded. “Alright.”

With that, he went to his room, presumably to wash up. Watching his icy demeanor, it was clear he hadn’t given last night’s events a second thought.

By the time breakfast was ready, Lu Beiqin had changed into the outfit she’d bought for him the day before. Shen Chutang couldn’t help but remark, “It’s true what they say—clothes make the man. With you dressed like this, people would think you’re the boss.”

Not at all. Their family’s chauffeur dressed like this.

Lu Beiqin said nothing, drank a bowl of porridge, and placed a card on the table. “This is my salary card.”

After all, as a grown man living here, he couldn’t just let her pay for everything.

Shen Chutang waved her hand dismissively. “No need. I was the one who asked you to marry me and live here. For these three months, just stay without worry.”

Lu Beiqin was stubborn. “Take it.”

Shen Chutang had no choice but to accept the card. “Alright, I’ll keep it safe for you then.”

Lu Beiqin stood. “I’m off to work. My grandfather wants to meet you this weekend.”

“Ah, okay.” Shen Chutang looked at the card, clicking her tongue and shaking her head. She hadn’t expected him to be so considerate, handing over his card without a second thought—not even worried she might spend all his money.

With nothing better to do, she went to the bank to check the card’s balance.

Poor thing. After all these years of work, there was only a hundred thousand in it.

Unable to bear it, Shen Chutang transferred another hundred thousand into the card.

Soon after, Lu Beiqin messaged her.

[?]

Shen Chutang replied, [Let’s consider this our joint living expenses for three months. Any future spending will come from this card. We’ll settle up at the end.]

Lu Beiqin: [Alright.]

[Go on, focus on your driving.]

Lu Beiqin put down his phone and pinched the bridge of his nose.

It was the first time a woman had ever transferred money to him; it felt strange.

Uncle Zhang couldn’t help asking, “Sir, is everything alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Uncle Zhang, remembering the young lady from before, asked, “So… how are things with you and Miss Shen?”

Lu Beiqin’s lips curled with a hint of amusement. “I’m experiencing what it’s like to be a kept man.”

Uncle Zhang: “???”

What kind of nonsense is that?

...

Shen Chutang had just left the bank when she received a call from an unfamiliar number.

“Hello?”

“Miss, please come help my mother! She’s going to be beaten to death!” The voice was a young boy’s crying. Shen Chutang immediately recognized it as the mother and son she’d rescued yesterday, and hurriedly hailed a cab to the Shen family home.

When she arrived, she saw a frail woman collapsed in the hall, with Seven clutching her and sobbing.

Shen Tingting stood with a stick in hand, aggressive and domineering. “In this house, I am the true heiress. Who are you calling ‘Miss’? That little wretch isn’t worthy!”

Seven clung desperately to his mother, terrified and crying nonstop.

Shen Tingting snapped impatiently, “Crying and crying! Your mother isn’t dead, so what’s the point? Unless you want to be beaten too!”

With that, Shen Tingting raised the stick to strike Seven. In an instant, Shen Chutang picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it at Shen Tingting’s forehead.

Shen Tingting jumped back in fright, pointing at Shen Chutang furiously. “Are you insane?!”

Shen Chutang rushed forward, checking on Seven. Aside from being startled, he was unharmed. But his mother had clearly taken a few blows. Thankfully, they were only superficial wounds.

She gently patted Seven’s head. “Don’t worry, it’s alright now.”

Seeing herself ignored, Shen Tingting flared with anger. “I’d like to see how you plan to protect them today!”