Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Listen to Sister’s Advice Chapter 5: Chapter 5 Listen to Sister’s Advice The first glimr of dawn was just appearing on the horizon as Chen Cheng groggily opened his eyes.
He stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above, then sat up to take in the sowhat familiar surroundings.
“This is…
ier’s house!”
A throbbing post-drink headache ca from the back of his head, prompting him to rub it and try to sober up a bit.
Good news, his shoes were clean;
Bad news, his clothes were still on.
He tried to rember what had happened the night before, feeling like it was all just a dream.
Yet the items around him and the very real money that had appeared in his account told Chen Cheng that it was all true.
There was already the sound of boisterous bragging coming from downstairs; Chen Cheng knew that Xiao ier’s noodle shop had already started its morning business.
He put on his shoes and floated down the stairs.
“Up and about?
I thought you’d sleep in a bit longer.”
Busy tending the noodles, Xiao ier glanced at Chen Cheng standing at the top of the stairs, “Go wash your face, I’ll make you a couple of poached eggs.”
And with Chen Cheng’s appearance, all the regulars at the shop were green with envy.
After all these years, Chen Cheng was the first man to co down from that attic.
“Are they a thing now?”
“That can’t be right!
ier never ntioned having a man!”
“I’m so pissed…”
The chatter filled the air, all of it reaching Xiao ier’s ears.
Not one to tolerate nonsense, she brandished her long chopsticks like a sword and declared loudly: “If I have the guts to keep him over, I’m not afraid of your gossip!”
Chen Cheng casually said, “I’ve made the bed.”
And with those words, the shop erupted in chaos.
“Damn, the best-looking boss lady under the Big Willow Tree has been snagged by this kid!”
“I can’t even finish my noodles!”
“In what way am I worse than him?!”
“Ain’t that the truth?
Man, comparison really is the thief of joy!”
Amidst envious gazes, Chen Cheng went to the tap, haphazardly splashed his face, and felt significantly more awake.
Xiao ier cracked two eggs into the slightly boiling water; she turned to look at Chen Cheng’s bloodshot eyes and asked with concern, “Didn’t sleep well?”
“Must be the alcohol still wearing off.”
“Have sothing sweet, it helps with the hangover.” Xiao ier added two spoonfuls of sugar to the bowl, “There’s a cup of coffee in the freezer, instant 3-in-1; don’t scorn it.”
“ier, stop it with that!” Chen Cheng chuckled, “But coffee with sweet poached eggs, I’ve grown up and this is the first ti I’m unlocking this secret breakfast option.”
Hearing this, Xiao ier couldn’t help but laugh, “You clown, always joking around.
The coffee is to wake you up; the poached eggs are the breakfast.”
She pointed towards a table by the door, “Sit there, I’ll bring it over to you in a bit.”
Chen Cheng took a seat, and just as his bottom touched the chair, Feng Biao arrived.
Looking every bit as hungover, he ordered, “ier, one bowl of noodles.
Extra toppings.”
After speaking, Feng Biao noticed Chen Cheng, who had arrived earlier.
“Man, you’re fast!” Feng Biao pulled out a cigarette pack and offered one to Chen Cheng, “What ti did you get here?”
“You could sll the food and had to co too, right?” Chen Cheng, recalling the events of last night, waved his hand, “I’ll pass.”
“Quitting?”
“I quit.”
Feng Biao lit a cigarette, “Where did you crash last night?”
He glanced at Chen Cheng and heard the chattering in the store, he couldn’t help swearing, “Damn, did you really sleep with her?”
“I did.” Chen Cheng nodded.
Feng Biao was so frustrated that the cigarette he had just lit was nearly crushed.
“I said, why didn’t you crash at my place!
So you went to Sister ier’s instead!”
Chen Cheng replied, “Can you stop thinking about those nasty things all day?
I slept upstairs, Sister ier slept downstairs.”
Feng Biao finally breathed a sigh of relief, his smile returning, “That’s more like it!
Sister ier, she’s the goddess of my entire youth!
If you, little punk, ruined her, I’d grind down my molars!”
“You’re married, what’s there to grind?
Aren’t you afraid Yingzi will find out?!”
Chen Cheng leaned in and asked in a low voice, “Have you got the car thing sorted out?”
Feng Biao stopped joking, “I checked, your car can get a loan of 110,000.
I got the interest rate down to 3.5 percent, and you don’t even need to pledge the car, am I a good friend or what?”
Chen Cheng’s eyes lit up, considering that the usual interest rate at Feng Biao’s dealership was around 1 percent, equivalent to an annual rate of 12%.
This 3.5 percent interest rate translated to barely 4.2 percent annually, almost matching bank loan rates.
Compared to Chen Cheng’s current daily interest rate of 5 percent, this was nothing.
“How soon before I get the funds?” Chen Cheng asked further.
“It’s usually within two working days.” Feng Biao said, “But, considering our relationship, shouldn’t I expedite it for you?
Don’t worry, sign the contract later and the money will be in your account this afternoon!”
At this mont, Xiao ier ca over with poached eggs and noodles, just in ti to overhear their conversation.
She looked at Chen Cheng with a worried expression, “A loan?
Xiao Cheng, what do you need a loan for?”
Chen Cheng smiled to reassure her, “Sister ier, don’t worry, I just need so capital to keep things flowing.”
However, Xiao ier was not reassured.
She frowned and pressed, “Xiao Cheng, what exactly is troubling you?
Why do you need so much money?”
Chen Cheng knew he couldn’t deceive her, so he repeated the sa excuse he had given to Feng Biao yesterday.
“Co with .” After listening, Xiao ier’s worry deepened, she turned around and said to Feng Biao, “Shu Biao, keep an eye on things here.”
Feng Biao nodded in agreent, but as he watched the two heading upstairs, he couldn’t help but murmur to himself, “Why are they being so noticeable early in the morning?
Did they really sleep separately?”
The two went up to the attic again.
Just as Chen Cheng was about to explain, Xiao ier opened the wardrobe and took out a biscuit tin.
She walked up to Chen Cheng, opened the tin, and took out a bank card, “Xiao Cheng, it’s been twelve years since I ca to Big Willow Tree, and I’ve saved just this hundred thousand.”
“You’re in a pickle now, take it and use it first.” She spoke sincerely, “Don’t go for any loan against collateral, paying that unnecessary interest, it’s just not worth it.”
This slim card embodied countless early mornings and late nights of Xiao ier’s life, and even more so, her deep affection for Chen Cheng.
“Sister ier, I can’t accept this money.” Chen Cheng hurriedly gestured no.
“Xiao Cheng, just take your sister’s advice,” Xiao ier’s tone had a touch of insistence, “Let’s get through this difficulty first.
It’s not like I’m giving you the money for nothing, you can pay back when you’re a bit more stable.”
Chen Cheng, looking into Xiao ier’s resolved eyes, felt an even stronger warmth in his heart.
He knew very well that Xiao ier genuinely wanted to help him, and her friendship was worth more than money.
Chen Cheng took a deep breath and said seriously to Xiao ier, “Sister ier, I appreciate your kindness.
But I really can’t take this money.”
Xiao ier frowned slightly, not understanding, “Why?
Tell , are you worried you can’t pay it back?
Don’t worry, sister won’t press you, just pay back when you can.”
Chen Cheng shook his head, “Sister ier, I’m not worried about not being able to return it.”
“Then why won’t you take it?”
Chen Cheng looked into her tender eyes, “Sister ier, this money, you scraped it together bowl by bowl.
It wouldn’t feel right in my heart.”
Hearing this, Xiao ier’s gaze gradually softened.
She said, “Once I’ve made a decision, nobody can change it.
Once the early market is over, we’ll go to the bank to transfer the money.”
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