C15 Lending Money(last part)

Ann Jue mused that her upcoming words would carry more weight. With a warm smile, she entered the house to exchange a few words with her aunt, then made her way to the living room. There, she quietly took her uncle's hand and asked, "Uncle, has aunt been in good spirits lately?"

"She's been very good. Why do you ask?" Ann Fen responded.

With a discreet gesture toward the other room, Ann Jue's voice dropped even lower. "Uncle, I've noticed that aunt is really good to you. You're not thinking about getting a divorce, are you? Several of my classmates' parents have split up, and they're having a really tough time."

"Ah, why would you think that? How could I ever divorce your aunt?" Ann Fen replied, clearly taken aback.

Ann Jue let out a sigh, adopting a mature tone, "Well, I'm relieved to hear that. The other day, I saw you with a pretty lady, walking together and kissing just like the young couples do on TV. I was worried you'd found a new wife and didn't want aunt anymore."

Ann Fen was momentarily stunned. He quickly covered her mouth and blurted out, "Don't say such things. Where did you see this?"

He wondered if Ann Jue had somehow seen him with Xiaoli during one of their dates.

Pouting, Ann Jue huffed, "Uncle, it was on the street near the auto repair shop. Some of my classmates were there too, and it was so embarrassing."

"Oh no, surely you're mistaken! How could I be involved with another woman?" Ann Fen's forehead was beaded with sweat as he considered the possibility that his colleagues from the auto repair shop might hear about this.

With an air of innocence, Ann Jue countered, "I'm not mistaken. My classmate was the one who spotted you first and pointed it out to me!"

"Ah! Did they mention it to their parents?" Ann Fen's anxiety grew.

"Probably not, but who knows if they will in the future." Ann Jue blinked and added, "Uncle, what's going on with you? By the way, my dad's workplace is doing even worse now. I can't even afford to eat pork ribs! Uncle, can I stay over at your place and have some ribs?"

Desperate for a solution, Ann Fen's eyes brightened at her suggestion. "Absolutely, you can stay and have ribs at our place! Jue, is your family short on money? How much do you need?"

"I heard from my dad that he still hasn't paid back the 5,000 yuan he borrowed from a colleague last time. Sigh, my dad works so hard. He's taken on a lot of debt for my education. Uncle, you know I attend the best school around here," Ann Jue sighed, her face etched with guilt.

"Education is important. It's the key to a bright future! There's nothing wrong with spending a bit more on schooling; it's the right thing to do!" Ann Fen's eyes twinkled as he turned and fetched a red envelope from inside the room, pressing it into her hands. "I'll go back with you. Let's lend your family this 5,000 yuan to tide you over during this rough patch. We're family, after all. Your dad is such a hard worker. Why didn't he say anything to me?"

Ann Jue couldn't help but smile, feeling the weight of the red envelope in her hands. She showed a tearful smile of gratitude. "Uncle, I really don't know what to say. I can't thank you enough!"

With that, she tucked the red envelope into her clothing.

Ann Fen watched her, then rubbed his hands together. "Jue, seeing as your uncle has helped you out, could you do me a favor in return?"

Ann Jue looked up, her face earnest. "Of course, Uncle. Just tell me what it is, and I'll do it if I can!"

"Well, it's nothing too troublesome. It's about that incident your classmates witnessed... Could you please talk to them and make sure they don't mention it to their families?" Ann Fen spoke cautiously, not wanting to be too blunt, yet concerned she might not grasp the seriousness. "You must remind them; it's very important! You know your aunt is in confinement and shouldn't be upset. That woman and I... it was just a chance encounter, nothing like those relationships you see on TV!"

"Oh! I trust you, Uncle. Don't worry, I'll speak to them," Ann Jue promised, her expression grave. "I'll take care of it just like you asked."

Ann Fen finally felt some relief and praised her warmly, "Good, good, good. Jue, you're such a good girl."