"Work hard, damn it! Work like your life depends on it! With so many people around, if any of you slack off, you might as well hand in your resignations right now..."
The store manager, hands planted firmly on her wide hips, barked orders as she directed a swarm of employees bustling in and out.
After wielding the stick, she didn’t forget the carrot—flaunting her managerial finesse: "If you perform well this month, I’ll make sure last month’s wages are paid out. So snap to it!"
Amid the chorus of grumbling employees, An Yi stood out as the most diligent.
After all, he was being paid. The bare minimum effort was non-negotiable.
Fifty-pound sacks of flour? He hauled two at a time without breaking a sweat.
But after a couple of trips, regret set in.
A sudden epiphany struck him—why waste such strength in a supermarket?
He could be earning way more hauling bricks at a construction site!
The manager, however, was pleasantly surprised by An Yi.
At first glance, he seemed like a lazy slacker with a rogue air about him, but when it came to actual work, he was shockingly reliable—steady, hardworking, a model employee compared to the jaded veterans.
The supermarket’s promotions were a hit, and Lan Ruoxi’s stunning looks drew crowds, making the place busier than during its grand opening.
The manager was practically giddy with joy all day.
"New guy, follow me to the storage room."
After delegating tasks, the manager singled out An Yi, ordering him to join her in the back.
An Yi complied—then froze.
A rush of alarm hit him.
He wasn’t naive. Storage rooms were prime locations for... *incidents* in certain *materials* he’d *read*.
The manager was in her forties—a woman in her *prime*. Could she be...?
His face paled.
"Quit dawdling! Move it!"
Her sharp voice echoed from inside.
The other employees shot him knowing looks.
Lucky bastard, huh?
An Yi strode in with heroic resolve.
If this woman dared lay a hand on him, he’d resist to the death! He’d rather let Shen Muxuan have him than surrender to *her*!
Then, with a creak, the manager shut the door, plunging the room into darkness.
An Yi: "..."
---
A luxury car pulled up at the mouth of a shabby alley, drawing hushed stares from onlookers.
A vehicle like that usually parked outside high-end spas—this dingy backstreet was way beneath its pay grade.
Qiu Xu stepped out, scowling. "What dump is this? You’re sure your niece works here for the summer?"
Lan Yihe carefully shut the car door behind him, frowning. "Yeah, weird, right? No clue why she’d pick this place."
"Tch. Poor girl, huh? Can’t imagine she’s much to look at, given *your* genes."
Adjusting his blazer’s tie in the stifling heat, Qiu Xu radiated impatience, already unimpressed with the girl he hadn’t even met.
Lan Yihe forced a laugh. "Ugly trees bear sweet fruit. I’m no looker, but my brother was handsome, and his wife was a famous beauty back in the day. The girl’s a stunner—guaranteed to knock your socks off."
"Seeing’s believing. I’ve bedded more women than you’ve had cups of tea. If she’s not up to par, not only are you repaying that three million, but with interest—*loan shark* rates."
Qiu Xu’s lips curled into a cold smirk.
Sweat beaded on Lan Yihe’s forehead.
"Don’t worry, Young Master Qiu. She just graduated high school—no boyfriends, untouched. Her mother’s critically ill, hospitalized. Desperate for cash. Once I dangle the money for treatment, she’ll fold like a house of cards."
Qiu Xu paused mid-tie adjustment, staring at Lan Yihe before slapping his chubby cheek with a grin. "Damn, fatty. You’re *ruthless*."
Lan Yihe chuckled nervously, praying his niece would meet Qiu Xu’s standards.
"Enough ass-kissing. This the supermarket?"
Qiu Xu eyed the "Shengda Supermarket" sign and smirked, turning to the hulking driver still in the car. "Fu, stay here. You’ll scare the locals."
"Yes, Young Master!"
The driver’s voice boomed like a gong, his massive frame barely contained by the vehicle.
The supermarket, strategically positioned, was easy to spot.
At the entrance, Qiu Xu’s gaze locked onto a figure—and his breath hitched.
A girl with a high ponytail, dressed in a JK uniform—Lan Ruoxi—stood there, her gentle, shy smile cutting through the gloom like a beam of light. His heart lurched.
Whoever took her photo should be *shot*.
It hadn’t captured even *half* her beauty.
Noticing Qiu Xu’s heated stare and quickened breath, Lan Yihe relaxed slightly. "Well, Young Master Qiu? My niece up to snuff?"
Qiu Xu exhaled slowly, clapping Lan Yihe’s shoulder with a grin. "Heh. Uncle Lan. Looks like we’re family now."
*Uncle Lan?*
The title sent a thrill through Lan Yihe.
He’d only intended to *lend* Lan Ruoxi to Qiu Xu as a plaything, maybe shave some debt off.
But Qiu Xu was *smitten*.
That three million might just vanish!
"Her name?" Qiu Xu’s eyes never left Lan Ruoxi, drinking in her flawless features.
"Lan Ruoxi. Top student at Donghai University. Classy, too—won’t embarrass you."
Lan Yihe’s grin widened.