216 I Love You, But I Donst Dare to Let You Know 17 (1/2)

”No matter how affluent I may be, it's still my money in the end. It's considered stealing if you took it without my permission.” With no intentions to give in at all, An Xiaoning continued, ”I'll give you three options. One, return to me everything you've taken. Two, if you don't wish to pay me back, then continue to work for me without a salary, your meals and accommodation will be provided for. Last, follow me to the police station. It's up to you to choose one of the three.”

”I don't wish to go to jail, nor do I have any money to pay you. Can I work for you then? Will that do?” Xu Jingwen pleaded.

”Alright, you've pocketed 30 thousand dollars. You have a salary of 2500 dollars a month, which would total up to 30 thousand dollars in a year. You are to work for me for three years.” An Xiaoning turned to look at Zhang Li and instructed her, ”From now on, keep a close eye on her whenever she's in the store. I'll raise your current pay to 3000 dollars a month.”

”Sis Xiaoning, I'm sorry for not stopping her,” Zhang Li apologized, feeling a little guilty.

”Just perform your duties well.” An Xiaoning then turned towards Mei Yangyang and said, ”Get off work.”

Extremely pleased with the outcome, Mei Yangyang left the store together with An Xiaoning.

”Sis, you weren't the one who sent that text message, were you?”

”It was me, but I didn't mean to. I wouldn't leave without telling you face-to-face beforehand. It was Xi Bolai who took me away and held me at gunpoint. Yangyang, I've recently come to a realization.”

”What is it?” Mei Yangyang listened attentively.

”We have to take every safety precaution possible in order to stay alive. Otherwise, we would never be able to sleep in peace at night. Let's go have dinner. I'll take you somewhere afterwards,” said An Xiaoning, holding her hand.

”Alright, sure.”

——

Xu Jingwen made her way to Chi Rui'er's place.

At this point, Chi Rui'er was already heavily pregnant with a huge baby bump. Being eight months pregnant, she appeared rather clumsy and awkward trying to move about.

Upon seeing that Xu Jingwen was bawling with tears, she quickly pretended to show her concern and asked worriedly, ”What happened? Why are you crying?”

Xu Jingwen told her about the matter truthfully, after which Chi Rui'er let out a laugh and said nonchalantly, ”Ah, I see. Then just continue working there for a year. Your meals and accommodation will be taken care of anyway. Pocketing the money was your fault to begin with.”

”Sis Rui'er, I find you to be a really kind person, but Sis Xiaoning accused you of trying to kill her and she even mentioned that you two are on bad terms with each other. In my opinion, she's not as nice as you are.”

Pleased to hear what Xu Jingwen said, Chi Rui'er answered smilingly, ”Well, she's still my husband's godsister no matter what. Why would I even attempt to kill her? She's really great at imagining things and smearing me.”

”Exactly, you don't seem like such a malicious person at all no matter how I see it.”

”I reckon you haven't had dinner. I haven't either so eat with me. Come, sit down,” said Chi Rui'er, pulling her towards the dining table.

Xu Jingwen sat down together with Chi Rui'er, who was smiling at her warmly, as if she were her blood sister.

Chi Rui'er opened a can of beer for Xu Jingwen while she poured herself a glass of beverage.

Seeming to have thought of something, Chi Rui'er stood up and said, ”You may tuck in first, I'll go get something from my room.”

”Sure.”

Chi Rui'er returned to her room to retrieve a straw from her purse inside the closet. She had prepared the straw long ago.

But she just could not find the right time to execute her plan.

Now was the perfect opportunity.

Her efforts did not go in vain.

With the right tools, it would be more than easy to control the person working for you.

Chi Rui'er let out a malicious smirk and placed the straw inside her pocket before leaving the bedroom.

Chi Rui'er took advantage of the time when Xu Jingwen was not paying attention and slipped the straw into the half-finished can of beer.

She then swirled the can in her hand and continued to pour Xu Jingwen some beer.

The smile on Chi Rui'er's face widened upon seeing Xu Jingwen finish all of the beer.