"Sister, you are right to scold me. I know I was wrong."
Zhang Xinyi's attitude changed one hundred and eighty degrees. Mu Linjing was momentarily confused, wondering what play she was putting on this time.
However, upon seeing Zhan Yichen, who had just opened the door and sat down, she seemed to understand something.
Liu Xin and the other two were inexperienced, but Zhang Xinyi was different. She could immediately recognize Zhan Yichen's car as a luxury vehicle and his clothes as expensive designer brands. Based on these two points alone, she could determine that Zhan Yichen was wealthy.
Therefore, her act of feigned weakness earlier was all for Zhan Yichen's benefit.
Mu Linjing already disliked her, and now that she was shamelessly coveting her boyfriend, it had truly crossed Mu Linjing's bottom line.
"Just drop them off at the restaurant."
She no longer wanted to travel with this mother and daughter. She had kindly come to find them, only to bear the risk of her boyfriend being targeted. It was truly disgusting.
Zhang Xinyi was still unaware of what her parents were doing here; her attention was entirely focused on Zhan Yichen.
"Sister, is this handsome man your boyfriend? He's so handsome and so rich, you're so lucky."
Mu Linjing, sitting in the passenger seat, rolled her eyes fiercely. She didn't believe for a second that Zhang Xinyi was genuinely complimenting her. She probably wished she could snatch him for herself.
She simply didn't want to waste her breath on Zhang Xinyi and let out a cold snort without saying anything.
Zhan Yichen drove fast and soon arrived at the restaurant. After dropping off the mother and daughter, neither of them got out of the car, nor did they even roll down the windows. They immediately turned the car around and sped away.
Zhang Xinyi stared at their departing car, lost in thought. "Mom, luxury cars are truly comfortable. I wish I could have one like that someday."
A mother knows her daughter best. Liu Xin understood her meaning. Instead of reminding her daughter that she should focus on her studies at her age, she encouraged her. "Daughter, you are so beautiful, men will like you. What does your sister have? She has a bad temper, and no man would like such a shrew."
Hearing this, Zhang Xinyi giggled uncontrollably. She glanced back at the restaurant and was quite pleased. "Mom, what are you going to treat me to? I think this restaurant suits my status."
Saying this, she was about to stride in as a distinguished guest. However, this was not a place where they could act as they pleased. Liu Xin quickly stopped her.
"Xinyi, this is where Mom and Dad work."
Zhang Xinyi scrutinized her from head to toe again. Seeing her dirty work uniform, she knew her job was not glamorous.
But she was not a child who would empathize with her parents' hard work. Even knowing that the job was difficult and tiring, she insisted on eating there.
Liu Xin awkwardly rubbed her apron. "Xinyi, we can't afford it. Mom and Dad don't have money."
Upon hearing this, she became displeased. "What do you mean no money? Where is your salary? Can't you even take it out for me to have a meal?"
This left Liu Xin at a loss on how to explain to her daughter that their work did not come with a salary. Just then, the boss came out with Zhang Yi.
"This is your daughter, isn't it? Control her properly and don't cause a scene at my doorstep. It affects my business."
Zhang Yi was also bowing and scraping, subservient to the boss but barking orders at his wife and daughter.
"What are you standing around for? Hurry up and take her to the back. Don't embarrass me here."
Liu Xin lowered her head and tugged hard at Zhang Xinyi's arm, but she refused to leave. She started making a scene at the entrance, insisting on eating there.
Seeing the situation, the boss's expression turned stern. "Your daughter is making a scene at the entrance, disturbing my customers. Both of your wages for today will be deducted. If you cause any more trouble, there will be no wages tomorrow."
Having their wages deducted was like a life-or-death crisis for them. Upon hearing the boss's words, Liu Xin immediately covered her daughter's mouth and dragged her forcefully to the kitchen.
In reality, the restaurant had just reopened, and there weren't many customers. The boss was merely following Zhan Yichen's instructions, finding an excuse to keep them on for a few more days.
Zhang Xinyi, who had always been spoiled at home, continued to quarrel and make a fuss in the kitchen. Liu Xin had no choice but to tell her daughter about their debt.
"What? You're too stupid. How long will it take to repay so much money? Why doesn't Mu Linjing help you repay it?"
"Her?" Liu Xin spat on the ground fiercely when mentioning Mu Linjing. "If it weren't for her, your father and I wouldn't have ended up in this predicament. Our debt is a pit she dug."
Zhang Xinyi was furious. "Mom, she treated you like this?"
Liu Xin began to feel wronged, wiping tears from her eyes. "Xinyi, if you had a boyfriend as rich as her, we wouldn't be bullied anymore."
The image of Zhan Yichen flashed before her eyes. He was the most handsome and wealthiest man she had ever seen.
These days, Liu Xin and her husband had been sleeping in the restaurant kitchen. After all, they had no wages and couldn't even afford rent for a basement. The weather was freezing outside, and only here could they find a place to stay.
Now that Zhang Xinyi had found them, she could only share the kitchen with them.
She had been pampered since childhood and fell ill after sleeping for one night. However, they didn't even have money to buy medicine.
Liu Xin watched her daughter fall ill, her heart aching. But gradually, an idea began to form.
"Xinyi, the brother who drove yesterday works at Zhan's Building. Go find him. You're so sick, it's a perfect opportunity to win his sympathy."
Zhang Xinyi also thought it was a good idea. With the little money she had in her pocket, she took a taxi to Zhan's Building.
Coincidentally, today was also Zhan's first day back to work after the New Year, and it was also the day for the employee meeting.
This task was naturally assigned to the general managers of each department. Mu Linjing and Zhan Mohan were busy conveying the meeting's content and subsequent work arrangements to their respective department employees.
Zhang Xinyi stumbled into the lobby and fell onto the front desk.
The young woman at the reception was startled. "Excuse me, who are you looking for? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
She waved her hand. "I'm looking for Mu Linjing's... boyfriend."
She didn't know Zhan Yichen's name. After speaking, she weakly slumped to the floor. Fearing something might happen, the receptionist quickly called both Zhan Yichen and Mu Linjing, then helped Zhang Xinyi to the lounge area.
When Mu Linjing and Zhan Mohan heard that a seriously ill young girl wanted to see Zhan Yichen, they were both confused. Neither of them guessed that the visitor would be Zhang Xinyi.
After coming down, they were both surprised to see Zhang Xinyi looking so frail.
Mu Linjing took over from the receptionist and supported her. "What happened to you? You're sick like this after just one night?"