C16 Why Was He Angry?

Xiong Miao wasn't at all surprised by his words.

Yet, when she caught his scornful look, identical to those of others, her heart sank. "If I'm so contemptible in your eyes, Director Zhan, why bother promoting me to manager of the Design Department?"

With both hands, she forcefully removed his grip from her chin, her cool eyes now reflecting a resolve born from despair.

She earned her money honestly, through her own skills, without resorting to theft, crossing her moral boundaries, or selling her soul.

She didn't need anyone's understanding.

All she had to do was take care of herself and her six little ones.

"So, because the Design Department's money isn't easy to come by, you resort to selling yourself in a nightclub? Have you no shred of decency?!" Earlier, as she crouched down, her chest was exposed for all to see, and the lecherous stares from the men were unmistakable.

He might have face blindness, but he wasn't blind.

He had seen everything clearly!

That was her game, drawing the gaze of men to pocket wads of cash.

She was greedy and without shame.

Time and again, she challenged his perceptions.

Zhan Yeling stood with his hands in his pockets, exuding a lazy authority. His voice was low and heavy, carrying significant weight.

"I work during the day; the night is my own time. I'm sorry, Director Zhan, but I don't have the luxury of time to discuss my integrity with you—I have to get back to work." Xiong Miao didn't want to elaborate. She worked late into the night to make ends meet.

Her shift wasn't over, and if she was absent for too long, she'd miss out on the 1000 RMB for her part-time job.

As she turned to leave, she was suddenly yanked back with great force.

Zhan Yeling seized her hand and pulled her along.

"Director Zhan, please let go of me," Xiong Miao implored, trying in vain to withdraw her arm.

A wave of unexplained irritation surged within Zhan Yeling.

Was she oblivious to Duan Hongjie's predatory gaze? Was she really intent on returning to that job?

Was she so eager to go back and complete that sordid deal with Duan Hongjie?

Xiong Miao was abruptly thrown into the car by a man, who then climbed in after her. His commanding presence filled the cramped interior.

As Xiong Miao reached to push open the opposite door to escape, a click sounded—the door had been locked.

The driver in front started the car.

"Director Zhan, where are you taking me?" Xiong Miao's voice quivered with fear. The man beside her radiated danger, and she couldn't bear to share the space with him for even a moment longer.

The man remained silent, his obsidian-like eyes icy and indifferent, as if she were merely air to him.

Xiong Miao was at a loss. He had brought her into the car, and now he refused to speak. What was he trying to convey?

Without his response, she was too afraid to say anything more, lest she provoke him and face dire consequences.

The black Rolls-Royce slid through the night, neon lights flickering, casting a play of red and green across its sleek form.

Outside, the world was a kaleidoscope of colors, bustling yet serene.

Inside, the silence was palpable, the air so thick it made breathing feel laborious.

This was especially true with the imposing figure beside her, exuding an aura of authority and a chill that seemed to emanate from his very being.

Xiong Miao was cautious, occasionally stealing glances at the man's expression.

His face was striking, with a tension that only accentuated his features—narrow, phoenix-like eyes that outshone any male celebrity, a proud nose, and well-defined contours. His thin lips were sensuous, and his features, as finely crafted as a sculpture, combined to form a visage of flawless perfection.

How could anyone be this breathtaking?

Even her beloved Qianqian, who bore a resemblance to him, couldn't match his mesmerizing allure.

Just a peek from Xiong Miao was enough to captivate her soul.

"Is it very pretty?" The man's voice, magnetic and resonant, broke the silence unexpectedly, its compelling tone making her heart skip a beat.

Caught off guard, Xiong Miao's head bobbed frantically as she quickly averted her gaze.

"How much did he give you just now?" His tone was commanding, not inquisitive.

Xiong Miao was momentarily confused, not grasping his meaning. "What?"

"Duan Hongjie." The name was forced through clenched teeth.

His anger was rising again. Xiong Miao, ever so timid, hastily pulled out the cash from her pocket. "Roughly two thousand five hundred."

"Throw it away," the man commanded curtly, his thin lips barely moving, brooking no argument.

"Ah?" Xiong Miao was stunned. This was real money, hard-earned cash.

She had toiled for this money. Was she really expected to just throw it away because he said so?

As she wavered, the banknotes were snatched from her grasp and tossed out of the window that had been rolled down without her noticing.

"Ah, my money!" Xiong Miao's instinct was to reach for it, but she was too late. She could only watch as the bills fluttered away in the wind.

The car sped on, the wind it kicked up sending the notes twirling through the air like autumn leaves before they fell to the ground, only to be crushed and sent spinning by other vehicles.

Witnessing this, Xiong Miao was tempted to fling open the car door and retrieve each bill.

That money was like buckets of baby formula, the sustenance for her little ones.

Two thousand five hundred could buy six or seven buckets of formula, enough to last the children half a month.

And with winter approaching, the cold season in their country, her little ones lacked proper winter clothing. That money could have bought them warm outfits.

Yet, all these necessities vanished with a single command from Zhan Yeling.

Observing the woman's look of anguish, akin to someone in physical pain, Zhan Yeling's face was etched with scorn.

"Just two thousand five hundred," he scoffed coldly.

How materialistic could she be? Could she really be at peace with herself, accepting such tainted money? If he hadn't shown up in time, and Duan Hongjie had coerced her, would she have also cheerfully accepted the twenty thousand he offered?

Four years ago, their night together had clearly been her first time. He could feel the authenticity of the experience; it wasn't something that could be faked. The evidence on the bed sheets was undeniable.

In just four short years, she had become desperately needy.

Even resorting to selling her body for cash?

A whirlwind of rage spun within Zhan Yeling's heart.

"Just two thousand five hundred? Do you have any idea how hard it is for ordinary people to earn that amount?" Xiong Miao couldn't help but turn around, her voice thick with indignation.

He was a scion of wealth, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, coddled from childhood. Now, with a net worth in the billions, how could he possibly grasp the struggles of the common folk to earn a living?

She had to wash 25,000 dishes abroad just to make 2,500 dollars.

Her hands would turn pale and raw from the work. She'd wash until her back was sore and she could barely stand.

Yet he could so casually toss aside that same amount of money.

"So, you're tempted by that twenty thousand too," Zhan Yeling said through clenched teeth, his anger subsiding slightly as a new spark ignited in his gaze.

If she placed such importance on the two thousand five hundred she earned by exposing herself, did that mean she was also eager to make Duan Hongjie's twenty thousand?

Xiong Miao caught the implication in his words, pausing briefly before steadying her breath and responding, "I never said I wanted to earn that twenty thousand. I won't take what isn't rightfully mine."