Charity - Chapter 4

Like Jiang Yi, I began leaving early and returning late. Besides my shifts at the club, I’d found factory work that paid by the day. Gradually, I started getting home even later than he did.

He stopped asking why I was so late. We slept in the same bed, our backs to each other, in silence. Several times, I knew he’d wanted to reach out and touch me, but I simply edged farther away. Another inch, and I would have fallen onto the floor.

Grandma woke after emergency treatment and called me from my uncle’s phone. She said she knew I had no money. She’d lived long enough. She didn’t want any more treatment.

My uncle shouted in the background. “Absolutely not! You have to get treated!”

“If you actually died, that would be the end of it. But if you don’t get treatment now, you’ll be paralyzed.”

“Your granddaughter’s having the time of her life in the big city, and you’re going to put all the burden on your son and daughter-in-law?”

He snatched the phone away.

“The doctor says the old woman needs that… that joint replacement surgery. I asked. It’ll cost about a hundred thousand. Raise the money as fast as you can.”

“Let me be straight with you. If she really ends up paralyzed, we’re not going to keep looking after her.”

“If you don’t pay, your aunt and I won’t set foot in that hospital again, starting today.”

I closed my eyes. My nails dug into my palms, leaving bloody marks.

“Give me a little time,” I said softly. “I’ll get the money together.”

“Make it quick. The hospital won’t wait.”

After hanging up, I took several deep breaths, wiped away my tears, put on a smile, and turned around.

A man stood behind me, watching with an unreadable expression.

The club’s corridors were covered in thick carpet that swallowed footsteps. I hadn’t heard him arrive at all.

“I’m sorry, sir.” I hastily lowered my head and apologized. Strictly speaking, we weren’t allowed to take calls at work. The club’s customers were all rich or powerful. I couldn’t afford to offend them.

His eyes remained on me. After a long moment, he laughed softly.

“A gambling father, a sick mother, a little brother still in school, and a broken home. They used to say that was the standard backstory for a club waitress.”

“I thought that routine had gone out of fashion.”

“Is selling your body the next step?”

“Not necessarily. Maybe I’ll sell a kidney instead.”

Perhaps when you’re pushed far enough, you lose the ability to think. I no longer wanted to consider the consequences of talking back to a customer—whether I’d lose the job, whether I’d get Lili in trouble.

But once the words were out, regret and frustration came anyway. All I could do was apologize again.

“I’m sorry, sir. My brain’s stopped working. Please be generous and overlook it. Don’t hold it against me.”

“All right, off you go. I won’t. I’m not that petty.”

Hunched over, I hurried away.

When my shift ended, I stopped Lili and told her what had happened.

She thought for a couple of seconds. “It’s fine. Don’t be so nervous. Not every customer takes offense at everything.”

Twisting the hem of my shirt, I steadied myself and asked if I could stop being a waitress.

She looked at me. Clearly, she understood what I meant.

“I know you badly need money right now,” she said. “Have you told Jiang Yi what’s happening with your family?”

“I have. I wanted to borrow twenty thousand, but he said he couldn’t help.”

A scornful smile flashed across her face, then vanished.

“Let me think.”

“Don’t worry. For the sake of where we both come from, I’ll do my best not to throw you into the fire.”

She didn’t keep me waiting long.

Early the next morning, she called. “Don’t go to the factory today. Come to the club early this afternoon. I’ve arranged a makeup artist and a stylist.”

“All right.”

“Don’t eat anything with a strong smell or flavor.”

“All right.”

After a pause, she added, “You can still change your mind.”

I smiled. “I’ve regretted so many things. This time, I really don’t want another regret.”

When Jiang Yi got up, I’d just finished making breakfast.

“Not going to the factory today?” he asked, surprised.

“No, not today.”

He studied my face. Apparently, he thought I was in a good mood, because his expression softened too. He came over and held me, rocking me affectionately in his arms.

“Is Grandma any better?”

“She’s awake. The doctor says she needs a hip replacement. We need to have a hundred thousand ready.”

The air froze between us.

“But Uncle says they can pay first, and I can repay them gradually.” I smiled, keeping my voice light. “I’ve been so tired lately. I want to take today off.”

“Yanyan, actually…” He faltered.

“Let’s eat,” I said. “I don’t want to talk about upsetting things today.”

The pumpkin porridge was fragrant and sweet. I ate a little less than half a bowl.

Jiang Yi said he would skip the construction site too and stay home to help me relax.

“No need. I’m going shopping with a friend.” I smiled and shook my head. “Go to work. You really don’t have to worry about me.”

He considered it, still uneasy, then transferred me five hundred.

“Buy yourself something good to eat. Don’t try to save it. You’ve got so thin lately.”

Before leaving, he stroked my head and bent to kiss my cheek.

“Wait for me to come home.”

“Of course.”

I watched him go, took a deep breath, and cleaned the whole apartment from top to bottom. Then I gathered all my own things.

Just after noon, I went out.

When I met Lili, she got straight to the point.

“I’ve found you a wealthy patron. The man you met last night.”

“His name’s Huo Qishuo. He’s five years older than you, a bit of a womanizer, but he doesn’t have any nasty habits.”

“He’s interested in you and wants you to stay with him for a while. Here’s the contract.”

I opened it and glanced at it, bewildered. “Wasn’t I… coming here to be a hostess?”

“Being a kept woman with one man, without having to drink with customers or entertain them, is better than being a hostess, whichever way you look at it.”

“I’ve asked around. Most women who were with Huo Qishuo parted with him on good terms.”

“When he gets bored, you can take the money home, buy a house, and start again with your grandma. Have a proper life.”

“Li Yan, you have to seize this chance!” For the first time, Lili looked at me with complete seriousness, her hands on my shoulders. “There are still endless possibilities in your life. Don’t give up on yourself.”

I had my makeup and hair done, then tried on several dresses. The woman in the mirror finally looked something like a beauty.

Lili inspected me with satisfaction. “Good. Come with me. Let’s not keep your patron waiting.”

Inside the private room, Huo Qishuo sat with his legs crossed. He examined me from head to toe, then nodded.

“Not bad. Clothes make the person, just as a saddle makes the horse.”

“Though you look pretty good without makeup too. Just a little worn out. Not enough rest, I suppose.”

“Lili, recommend a few reliable beauty salons to her. Women need to take care of themselves, or they age frightfully fast.”

Lili made an okay sign, gave me a meaningful look, and discreetly left the room.

“Come here.” Huo Qishuo beckoned with a finger.

I walked stiffly toward him, almost twisting my ankle on the way. I only just avoided falling.

He burst out laughing. “All right, don’t be so nervous. I’m not going to eat you.”

“Lili’s told you everything, hasn’t she? We’re both doing this willingly. I’m not forcing you.”

I obediently nodded.

“Where do you live now?”

I froze for a second, then gave him the address. He frowned, thinking for quite a while.

“An urban village?”

“Yes.”

“Come on.” He stood.

“Where?” I didn’t understand, but I followed.

“To move you out.” His distaste was plain. “I’m not going into an urban village every time I want to see you.”

His legs were long. In high heels, I struggled to keep up and had to trot after him.

“Can you manage?” he asked. “Don’t sprain your ankle.”

He’d given me so much money. Whether I could manage or not, I had to.

“Forget it. Take my arm.” He held it out.

I slipped my hand through tentatively. Only when I saw no sign of aversion on his face did I relax.

As soon as we left the club, I spotted Jiang Yi and a group of his friends outside. They were talking and laughing. I caught scraps of it: “a bet,” “make it a hundred thousand,” “might be so moved she cries.”

Instinctively, I lowered my head, afraid he’d recognize me.

The next second, my phone lit up. Jiang Yi was calling.

“Someone calling? Answer it,” Huo Qishuo said casually.

I hesitated for two seconds, then picked up.

“Yanyan!” Jiang Yi sounded delighted. “Guess what good news I have for you!”

“I don’t know,” I answered softly, staring at his back.

“My friend won the lottery. He’s willing to lend us a hundred thousand! Isn’t that a surprise? Aren’t you happy? We’ve got Grandma’s surgery money!”

As he spoke, his friends covered their mouths, shoulders shaking. His voice was loud. I thought I heard Huo Qishuo give a contemptuous little laugh.

I answered calmly. “Thank you. But there’s no need. I’ve already raised the money.”

Jiang Yi froze. “What?”

I hung up.

At that same moment, the valet brought Huo Qishuo’s sports car around.

“Get in, you poor little thing.” He opened the door for me himself.

The whole group looked over.

I raised my head and met Jiang Yi’s eyes. He stood stunned for two seconds, then instinctively started toward me. I looked away and got into the car.

“Yanyan?” he murmured in disbelief. When I ignored him, his steps quickened and his voice grew louder. “Li Yan!”

“You know him?” Huo Qishuo asked.

“No,” I said calmly.

So Huo Qishuo blocked Jiang Yi’s path.

“Young Master Jiang, first come, first served. She’s with me now.”

“What the hell are you talking about? She’s my girlfriend! Yanyan, get out of the car! I can explain!”

“Oh? But she says she doesn’t know you.” Huo Qishuo smiled. “Delusions at such a young age, Young Master Jiang? I’d suggest getting your head examined.”

With that, he got in and started the engine.

Jiang Yi pounded on my window, trying to make me get out. I only looked straight ahead.

I’d entrusted him with my feelings for far too long.

At last, in that moment, I took them all back.