Xingyuan touched her lips, watching the retreating figure who had "fled in disarray," and smiled faintly. Did she think escaping today would be enough? She could run from the monk, but not from the temple. Tomorrow, she would collect what was owed, with interest.
Yan Xiyue ran back to her room, covering her heart that was beating faster due to excessive nervousness. Although Xingyuan's kiss was gentle, a slight mark was still visible on her lips.
Even though she was an adult, Yan Xiyue always felt a sense of guilt, as if she were a thief.
Xingyuan didn't go home. Instead, she went to Bai Mao's place. Ever since the incident with the "little essay" last time, he had been promoted to her number one subordinate. When she had something on her mind, she would sometimes go to him for advice.
After calculating the time and sending a message that she had arrived home safely, Xingyuan turned her gaze to the disheveled man and woman before her.
These two were Yu Wennian and Ran Xia, who had not appeared for a long time.
However, their lives were much more miserable than in the original plot. As a seasoned school bully, even though Xingyuan had returned to school and put on the appearance of a good student, the residual authority was enough to make these subordinates dare not disobey her orders. Therefore, these two had lived through the past year as if it were a day.
Xingyuan had not openly fallen out with Ran Xia at first. Ran Xia had shamelessly approached her several times. But at that time, Xingyuan's entire focus was on pursuing her wife, and she had no time to play with this woman who was extremely skilled in the art of being a "green tea" (manipulative and deceitful).
Although she was confident, even the most skilled rider could fall. What if she wasn't careful and Ran Xia said something ambiguous to her "Jiejie" (older sister)? She had no interest in the "chasing wife crematorium" trope.
So, she didn't hit her. Instead, she had a group of "sha mat te" (emo/goth style) individuals keep an eye on her. If she tried to do anything, the "sha mat te" group would sabotage her. For over a year, due to their obstruction, she had not succeeded in anything.
They wanted to seek help, but Xingyuan had already cut off that path for them. If any such attempt was discovered, those who dealt with them would become even more ruthless.
Therefore, they were now extremely thin. Although they had taken the exams, their condition was poor, and they dared not repeat the year. They could only pay money to attend any random, obscure school.
Xingyuan looked at their miserable state with no trace of sympathy. If they hadn't initially harbored intentions of using her, and later even resorted to using lives to pave their way, she didn't think she would have been so ruthless.
But since it had been done, they would never be able to rise again.
"Do you know why I invited you here?" Xingyuan smiled, but her tone was icy.
Hearing her voice, the two flinched instinctively and then shook their heads.
During this time, they had both been terrified by Xingyuan's methods. Neither of them was foolish. Since they couldn't fight back, they could only accept their fate with resignation.
"I have some free time today. Why don't you guess? If you guess correctly, perhaps I'll let you go!" Xingyuan said with a smile.
The two exchanged glances. After some hesitation, Ran Xia spoke first, "You feel deceived by us, so you want revenge? Actually, we weren't together before, we just knew each other. For this matter, these punishments are enough for us to bear. Please spare us!"
Ran Xia pleaded with a desperate look. She was truly scared. She hadn't really believed the rumors about this person's influence and methods before. But during this period, she had been made so miserable with no way to seek help, and now she believed this person was indeed formidable.
"What do you say?" Xingyuan raised an eyebrow slightly, her emotions unreadable, and tossed the question to the other person who remained silent.
Yu Wennian swallowed hard and also conceded, "Yes, all the mistakes were mine. But I didn't gain any advantage from you back then, and now we are minding our own business. Why do you waste your time on us?"
"How can spending time on you be considered a waste?"
"However, you are right about some things. After such a long time, I have indeed calmed down. But I am never someone who only retaliates without collecting interest."
"How about this! As long as you sign this contract, everything in the past will vanish." Xingyuan threw two contracts in front of them.
This was a predatory contract. The contract clearly stated that they had to sell themselves to Xingyuan for twenty years. During these twenty years, the company would only provide accommodation and no salary.
Furthermore, after reaching the legal age for marriage, the two must register their marriage, otherwise, it would be a breach of contract, and they would have to pay a penalty of ten million yuan.
"Xingyuan, you've gone too far!" Ran Xia angrily threw the contract.
"You don't have to sign, but I have plenty of time to spend with you. Sending people to wake you up every day is no problem for me. So, whether you use twenty years to atone or a lifetime to apologize, it's up to your choice."
"I am very democratic." Xingyuan picked up the contract and gently brushed off the dust, appearing very amiable.
It's fine. She certainly had the money to hire a few thugs, and it felt quite good to exert power over others!
After a moment of silence, Yu Wennian gritted his teeth and said, "I'll sign."
He then picked up the pen and wrote his name decisively.
Ran Xia's expression was extremely ugly. She wanted to resist, but she knew in her heart that with her own abilities, she had no way to contend with her.
The devoted admirer who had once only had eyes for her had also changed. Even when she approached him proactively, he refused to see her again. So now, what other option did she have but to agree to this demand?
Seeing the two "happily" sign, Xingyuan's face broke into a joyful smile.
"Very good. Since you've both agreed, you'll start working tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow? We have school tomorrow," Yu Wennian reminded her with dissatisfaction.
Although Xingyuan's recent actions seemed exceptionally cruel in his eyes, his past understanding told him that Xingyuan was kind-hearted. Therefore, he didn't believe Xingyuan would prevent them from attending school and directly put them to work for her.
Yu Wennian naturally had other plans. He was good-looking, and as long as he could charm a rich young lady willing to spend a fortune on him, he could smoothly terminate the contract and become a free man, even a member of the upper class. This was also why he had agreed to sign the contract so readily.