Rebirth: I Am Not the Movie Queen This Time-Chapter 26: Repaying Money

Bai Zhixi continued excitedly, "Originally, when I was passing by Jinghua Hotel, I didn’t plan to go there at all. Such a big hotel, how could they be interested in our pickles? Those pickles are just for ordinary people, rich people definitely go for exotic delicacies.

Just as I was about to walk past, a young man rushed out from inside, the same one who talked to you yesterday at the County Hotel. That young man stopped me and asked if I was Wan Chu’er’s mother."

Hearing this, Wan Chu’er couldn’t help but clench her teeth in her heart. What on earth does Manager Bai want to do, why does he keep lingering around?

"I didn’t recognize that young man at first and was quite puzzled. When did you meet such a young man? He’s quite old already, but he was very enthusiastic, taking the initiative to say that he had tried our family’s pickled cucumbers at the County Hotel and liked them very much. He asked us to deliver five kilograms of pickles every day, one kilogram each of pickled cucumbers, lotus roots, sour beans, pickled radish, and five-spice peanuts."

Bai Zhixi was very delighted, feeling quite favorable towards Manager Bai, "Right, Xiao Bai also said that if our pickles sell well at Jinghua Hotel, they would increase the order and introduce our pickles to other places. He’s truly a good kid."

Wan Chu’er raised an eyebrow: "Xiao Bai?"

"Yes, the young man said his last name is Bai, and asked me to call him Xiao Bai," said Bai Zhixi.

Wan Chu’er chuckled sarcastically, still Xiao Bai?! Really shameless, deceiving a middle-aged woman.

One of these days when she has time, she needs to find this little pretty boy and ask him what he really wants.

That same afternoon, Bai Zhixi got busy. She washed the cucumbers she bought in the morning twice, then dried them, cut them into pieces, and mixed them with seasoning... Thinking all these would be converted into money, Bai Zhixi felt energized and very excited. She didn’t let Wan Chu’er help, instead she sent her daughter to the room to study diligently.

Wan Chu’er repeatedly told her to take it easy and not to rush to get everything done before she went into her room to study.

The next morning, Bai Zhixi was off to the market again, and Wan Chu’er pulled out US$ 150 from her pocket and handed it to Bai Zhixi.

Given by An Lian, and also from the repayment by Liu Li, totaling US$ 195. She had spent some, and also kept some change for herself.

"Mom, this money was given to me previously by Teacher An, and the part that was repaid by Liu Li, take it for buying groceries. Once we’ve earned some money, we can pay back Teacher An."

Bai Zhixi was taken aback, then handed it back to her, "Both from An Lian, you should return it to him today. Mom has money for groceries."

Wan Chu’er observed Bai Zhixi carefully, seeing no hint of discomfort or shyness, and not knowing what exactly is between her and An Lian, she thought about it and then took the money back, "Okay, I’ll listen to you. I’ll find a time to return the money to him this morning."

Once at school, Wan Chu’er still didn’t actively ask Liu Li for money, she just focused on listening and taking notes during class.

During the break of the first class, she was still sitting at her desk studying and reading. Soon the bell for the second class rang, and Wan Chu’er curled her lips, thinking to herself that Liu Li must be starting to feel the pain.

Liu Li, sitting behind, has been restless since she arrived at school this morning, she owes Wan Chu’er US$ 45 today, three days’ worth of money, but thinking about having to give up so much money all at once made her extremely reluctant.

Her hand was constantly in her pocket, tightly clutching US$ 50, her last bit of personal savings. If she gives Wan Chu’er US$ 45 today, she would only have five yuan left.

Her family gives her five yuan each day for meals, but five yuan is still ten yuan short of fifteen yuan.

She didn’t know where to get that ten dollars from. Steal it from home? If her father found out, he’d kill her. Even if her mother found out, she’d definitely scold her.

Ask her sister for money? Her sister, since getting married because she had demanded ten thousand yuan as a dowry from her husband and didn’t bring any money as a dowry, held no status in her brother-in-law’s home. She didn’t want to trouble her sister.

Wan Chu’er! It’s all because of Wan Chu’er. If it weren’t for her, she wouldn’t be in such a situation.

Liu Li glared fiercely at Wan Chu’er’s back, not paying attention as class ended and another began, attracting her desk mate’s strange glances today.

Wan Chu’er seemed to sense something and suddenly turned around.

Before Liu Li could react, Wan Chu’er tilted her chin, slanted her eyes disdainfully, and waved a piece of paper in her hand at Liu Li, then haughtily turned back around.

Liu Li’s face went pale with anger, and she thumped the desk with her fist.

The math teacher who was about to start the lesson looked at her and asked, "Liu Li, is there something wrong?"

Liu Li came to her senses and said in a panic, "I’m sorry, Teacher, there’s... nothing wrong."

"If there’s nothing wrong, then listen carefully and don’t get distracted."

Liu Li meekly lowered her head. The note in Wan Chu’er’s hand must have been the IOU she wrote. Wan Chu’er was threatening her to pay up soon.

Thus, the second math class also passed amidst Liu Li’s anxious thoughts and Wan Chu’er’s focused studying.

During the break, after much hesitation, Liu Li ended up throwing fifty dollars onto Wan Chu’er’s desk. She dared not withhold the money, thinking to resolve the pressing issue first.

"Give me five yuan in change," Liu Li harshly whispered.

Wan Chu’er leisurely took the fifty dollars, pulled out five yuan from his pocket and threw it on the desk too.

Liu Li picked up the money, lowered her head, and quickly walked away, her heart bleeding!

After school, Wan Chu’er went straight to the playground and found An Lian, who was tidying up the sports equipment.

"Teacher An, thank you for last time. This is the one hundred fifty dollars you gave me, I’m returning it to you," Wan Chu’er said indifferently, then handed over the money.

An Lian, holding a basketball, hesitated to accept the one hundred fifty dollars from Wan Chu’er.

Wan Chu’er frowned and extended her hand further towards him.

An Lian quickly asked, "That... you don’t have to return the money I gave you... Has your classmate stopped bullying you? Does she pay you back every day?"

Wan Chu’er, seeing his genuine concern, nodded, "No, she does." But her hand still extended the money towards An Lian.

Very succinct, but An Lian understood what Wan Chu’er meant.

An Lian then said, "I see you running on the playground every morning recently. Are you trying to get some exercise? I can guide you."

Something clicked in Wan Chu’er’s mind. Since An Lian is a PE teacher, he might know some friends skilled in self-defense or Martial Arts. She asked, "Teacher An, do you know anyone skilled in Martial Arts? I want to learn some fighting techniques."

"Ah?" An Lian was momentarily startled, then instinctively nodded and said, "I do know some, but..."

Seeing him hesitate, Wan Chu’er said, "I won’t learn for free. I can pay tuition."

An Lian cautiously watched Wan Chu’er’s expression and said, "It’s not about the tuition fee... actually, I come from a Martial Arts background. I studied Martial Arts for ten years as a child. If you don’t mind... you can learn from me."

Wan Chu’er was somewhat speechless, and looking disdainful, she said, "Teacher An, you’re a grown man. Just say what you have to say without beating around the bush. I’m not some fierce beast that’s going to eat you!"

An Lian gave a wry smile. You’re not a beast, but you’re Bai Zhixi’s daughter, quite domineering; of course, he has to be careful to please you.

Wan Chu’er thought for a moment and then said, "Teacher An, please keep the money, it’s from my mom to repay you. If it’s convenient for you, please teach me some self-defense. I’ll pay the tuition."

Hearing that Wan Chu’er was willing to learn Martial Arts from him, An Lian was somewhat surprised because of his past issues with Bai Zhixi. Previously, Wan Chu’er had been like a porcupine, never showing him a pleasant face, always remembering to mock and prick him.

"Toad wanting to eat swan meat!"

"You’re not even worth one of my father’s fingers!"

"Stay away from my mom, or I’ll report to the school that you’re harassing a widow!"

...

Recalling those vicious words and unable to argue with a child like Wan Chu’er, An Lian always felt very uncomfortable when he saw her.