Chapter 317: I Only Want Small Happiness

Qiao Bao'er opened the refrigerator and took out the pack of fried rice she had brought back this morning, ready to heat it up in the microwave."I bought it this morning, a big portion, and it tastes...Qiao Baoer got drunk last night and went to room 502 upstairs to have a wild time.

She was complained about by the residents for being too noisy, and finally, the security guard of the community carried her back to her own apartment. It was really embarrassing.

The next morning, she woke up with a bit of a hangover. Qiao Ba'er started to regret being so impulsive yesterday. She rarely lost control of her emotions like that. After thinking it over, her eyes narrowed in anger, and she hated the person upstairs even more.

"Damn you, Death's Shepherd! You better not come back!!" he roared at the ceiling in frustration.

Rubbing her temples, Qiao Bao'er felt a bit sleepy. Leaning against the headboard, she frowned, vaguely remembering encountering a man while drinking in the park last night...

She didn't know him, but he seemed to know Junzhi牧.

Who is he again

Feeling so annoyed, Qiao Ba'er simply flopped back onto the bed and continued to sleep.

Life has its own troubles for everyone.

Zhu Xiaowei's biggest worry now is finding a job.

I went to many companies this morning, but I felt the opportunities were slim. Companies typically don't hire new people towards the end of the year.

The weather is getting colder and colder. Although it's noon and the sun is high in the sky, a gust of cold wind still makes people shiver.

Zhu Xiaowei had been waiting at the bus stop for half an hour, and finally saw the bus she was going to take. She wanted to rush over, but unfortunately, she was too petite with short legs to squeeze through the crowd.

She stood there, dazed and left behind, watching the already full bus drive away. A wave of loneliness washed over her.

The bus only comes every half hour, and her little car is being repaired. Zhu Xiaowei quickly calculated her savings and expenses in her mind. Feeling sorry for herself, she couldn't bear to take a taxi. She resigned herself to walking back, saving money.

Walk down the main road, looking left and right, and see if any stores are hiring.

Actually, she also knew that the so-called nanny job from the Pei family wasn't a long-term solution. It was better to quit now and not hesitate. However, it was almost the Lunar New Year, and regular companies weren't short on staff.

During the New Year period, some businesses actually increase their temporary staff to help out. Zhu Xiaowei is not afraid of hardship or tiredness. She'll find a short-term job as long as they pay her. A busy workload can pass the time, and a new environment allows her to stop thinking about those things related to the Pei family all day long.

However, as she was walking and thinking, a large basin of cold water suddenly splashed all over her.

Zhu Xiao Wei was soaked to the bone, her coat dripping with water at the hem, shivering from the cold. She barely reacted, even her eyelashes were wet with raindrops as she lifted her head.

She was furious, but the other person had a ferocious expression and started yelling obscenities first.

"You little brat, you want to kill me Just wait and see how I'll punish you!"

is Zhu Xiaowei's stepbrother, Ma Jun.

Zhu Xiaowei recognized the person and grew even angrier. She wiped the water from her face and stepped back, saying, "What are you talking about"

"What's your attitude Have I not disciplined you enough" Ma Jun roared in a gruff voice.

You said you were going to give me money, but you kept dragging your feet. You cheapskate! You got us into this mess with the debt collectors showing up at our door. Now your sister-in-law is threatening to divorce me.

"It's none of my business," Zhu Xiaowei gritted her teeth, "I never agreed to help you..."

Passersby cast curious glances at them, especially Zhu Xiaowei who was drenched. Hearing their argument, they pointed and whispered amongst themselves.

Zhu Xiaowei suddenly felt ashamed and embarrassed.

There was a narrow alley behind her, and she was suddenly pulled into it by someone.

She turned angrily to push the other person, but as soon as she turned her head, the person in front of her slapped her across the face with a resounding smack.

"You useless thing, always embarrassing me!" The familiar shrill voice belonged to her own mother.

Majun and Zhu's mother blocked the front of the alley. Zhu Xiaowei, as usual, lowered her head, reddened eyes, and didn't retort.

They said they could give 100,000 yuan in interest first, and the rest would be paid back gradually...

I have no money.

She gritted her teeth and said that.

Ma Jun saw that she wouldn't listen and immediately became enraged, "You **ing bitch, you dare talk back to me!" His thick arms were tattooed with dragon and tiger designs from his life on the streets. He grabbed her shirt collar with one hand, while his other hand was about to swing at her other cheek.

Zu Mu was afraid that her stepson, who had a bad reputation, would beat Zhu Xiao Wei severely. She immediately persuaded, "Ma Jun, she's your sister after all, for Aunt's sake don't hold a grudge against her."

Ma Jun didn't necessarily give Zhu Mu face, but just listened to her say, “Don’t worry about the money, you let her go first, and I promise she will get the money…”

Ma Jun pushed her away disdainfully, and Zhu Xiaowei stumbled backward, bumping directly into the rough wall opposite. Her fair neck and jaw were scratched with a few bloody streaks.

Zhu Xiaowei hung her head low, her whole body soaked through. Her face burned with pain from the slap, and she bit back tears without saying a word.

Mother Zhu walked up to her and adopted a gentler tone, saying, "Xiao Zhu, our family has raised you for so long, your brother owes some usury, you can't just ignore it… Besides, in the future, we mother and daughter will still rely on your brother for support. You have money, so take it out. You can't be heartless and ungrateful."

Zhu Xiaowei still lowered her head, her pale cheek exposed to the cold wind, her face ashen.

"And then there's that day, Christmas Day. Where did you run off to Didn't I tell you I had set up a blind date for you You didn't go, and it made me lose face! Do you know that"

"Having said that, his voice turned stern. "Luckily the other party didn't blame you. I've already spoken to them, and tomorrow you absolutely have to go."

"I won't go."

After a long while, Zhu Xiaowei's voice, dry and hoarse, managed to squeeze out a sentence.

Zhu Mu had expected her to refuse and wasn't too angry. She was quite patient in educating her daughter.

“He has a house and a car, and he's a manager at a big company. I mentioned to him that you're currently unemployed, and he immediately agreed. He said if you marry him, you won't have to worry about work. He can introduce you to a job, and you won't be unfairly dismissed like you were at your previous company. With your intelligence, Xiao Zhu, any company would want you. In the end, you still rely on men. You're lucky to have met him.”

Zhu Xiaowei blushed, biting back her tears before saying, "Mom, he's over fifty!"

"So what if he's in his fifties It's trendy to be a 'middle-aged uncle' these days, and besides, his children are all successful and living abroad. He just wants someone to spend his later years with. You could keep him company, it would be so relaxing! And after he passes away, half of his assets will go to you."

Mother Zhu kept persuading her, "Xiao Zhu, look at our background and status. Tell me, what kind of man do you want to marry How old are you now The earlier a woman gets married, the more valuable she is. In another year or two, who will want you"

"Don't be like those women who crave vanity and think they can marry a rich and handsome man. Take a good look in the mirror and see what you really look like. Be self-aware and don't spend all day daydreaming. Be content with what you have."

Zhu Xiaowei couldn't hold it in any longer, "Where have I been dissatisfied!" Tears welled up in her eyes, red and swollen, as she stubbornly stared at her biological mother.

"Mom, even if your daughter is as lowly as mud, I still have dignity. Don't even think about selling me for glory. I would never agree to it!"

She screamed out all her grievances, suddenly pushed aside the mother in front of her, and ran deep into the alley, desperately running away....

Ma Jun's face turned sinister, he immediately chased after her, and towards her back, viciously cursed, "You slut, dare to run, just wait until I break your legs!"

Zhu Xiaowei was frightened out of her wits, her steps becoming increasingly disordered.

She was truly terrified, Ma Jun could really break her legs. She had often been beaten until she was bruised and swollen in the past. No one at home would stand up for her. From a young age, she dared not speak out of turn or resist. She had already been very obedient and accommodating.

She ran for a long time, panting until the terrifying pursuing footsteps had vanished behind her, only then did she slowly stop.

She didn't know where she was. She sat down randomly on a step, sobbing, clutching her head in her hands. Suddenly, she couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears.

"I'm so useless..."

"I've already tried my best to live, I've really tried. Why is this happening to me... I just want a little bit of happiness..."

She really liked Qiao Bao'er because she was the first person to stand up for her. She secretly envied Qiao Bao'er in her heart because Qiao Bao'er was beautiful, confident, and sincere. She would do whatever she wanted directly. Unlike her, who was so useless and timid, always bowing her head. When she was wronged, she didn't dare to speak out for fear of offending others.

This is a dilapidated building site in an old, rundown district. There are few pedestrians here, and the cold wind blows fiercely from all directions.

A biting wind dried her rain-soaked clothes, leaving them stiff against her skin. She sat hunched on the dusty stone steps, her head heavy with fatigue, when suddenly a figure materialized before her.

When Zhu Xiaowei reacted, his whole body stiffened as if facing death.

She hadn't lifted her head yet, but she heard a familiar, warm voice, "How did you get here"taff know some news that our passengers don't. They are all off work and something must have happened.""Will they run away before anyone notices""It's hard to say, if things get bad, life comes first....