Chapter 416

"Old Wu, you're back again. Sister Cui doesn't have time to chat with you right now. Hurry up and pay back what you owe, stop thinking about all those unrealistic things!" A gruff voice came from outside the door, clearly from a shop assistant.

Old Wu managed an awkward smile, scratching his head. He lowered his voice and said to Sister Cui, "Sister Cui, isn't this a coincidence? I was just about to talk to you about this."

Sister Cui merely gave Old Wu a casual glance upon hearing him, then continued to operate her abacus, head bowed. Her movements were swift, her fingertips dancing across the beads, creating crisp sounds.

"Sister Cui, I really need this urgently. My child is starting university this year, and we're short on tuition. You know, he's my only hope for a better life." Old Wu's voice held a note of pleading.

The abacus in Sister Cui's hands stilled. She slowly lifted her head, her gaze scrutinizing.

"Old Wu, you haven't known me just for a day. I conduct my business with integrity, and lending money is no different. You haven't repaid your last loan, and now how much do you need this time?" Sister Cui's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

Old Wu lowered his head even further, rubbing his hands together. He whispered, "For the last loan, wasn't I trying to figure something out? This time, this time I only need twenty thousand. As soon as my child starts university, I'll pay you back immediately!"

Sister Cui sneered. "Twenty thousand? Old Wu, you've got some nerve. You borrowed five thousand last time and haven't repaid it in almost a year. Do you really think I'd trust you now?"

Old Wu grew anxious and quickly explained, "Sister Cui, last time it really wasn't my fault. It was Master Zhou, Master Zhou he..."

"Don't mention Master Zhou!" Sister Cui's face suddenly darkened, and her voice grew colder. "Master Zhou's name isn't for people like you to toss around casually. What does your borrowing money have to do with Master Zhou? Last time, you just used Master Zhou's name to cheat me out of money!"

Old Wu trembled with fright and quickly waved his hands. "Sister Cui, I really didn't mean that! I just wanted to say, Master Zhou himself said he needed that money last time, that's why I..."

"Enough!" Sister Cui slammed her hand on the table, making the abacus tremble. "Old Wu, don't make up stories for me! Who is Master Zhou? How could he possibly need you to borrow money for him? Do you think I'm a fool?"

Old Wu's face turned a deep reddish-purple. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word.

Sister Cui took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. Then she slowly said, "Old Wu, I know you're in a hurry to get tuition for your child. But you can't come to me for money every single time. In these past few years, which of your financial holes haven't I helped you fill? But you? Every time, you pat your chest and promise, but when have you actually repaid me?"

Old Wu's head drooped even lower, like a child who had done something wrong.

Sister Cui glanced at Old Wu, her tone softening slightly. "Alright, you go back for now. I'll think about this."

Old Wu's eyes lit up at her words. He quickly said, "Thank you, Sister Cui! Thank you, Sister Cui! You truly have the heart of a Bodhisattva!"

Sister Cui said nothing more, merely waved her hand, signaling him to leave. Old Wu, as if granted a great pardon, quickly stood up, profusely thanked her, and hurried out of the shop.

Watching Old Wu's retreating figure disappear outside the door, Sister Cui sighed. She picked up her abacus and began to work on it again. Her brows were deeply furrowed, clearly burdened with worries.

An assistant emerged from the back room, saw Sister Cui's expression, and cautiously asked, "Sister Cui, did Old Wu come to borrow money again?"

Sister Cui merely hummed in response, saying nothing.

The assistant continued, "Sister Cui, Old Wu is really something; it's always like this with him. That five thousand yuan last time, did he really say it was for Master Zhou?"

Sister Cui stopped her work and looked up, a hint of contemplation in her eyes. She didn't answer the assistant's question, but instead murmured to herself, "Master Zhou... would he really need Old Wu to borrow money for him?"

Seeing Sister Cui lost in thought, the assistant didn't dare disturb her further and quietly walked away.

Sister Cui's gaze rested on the abacus, but she no longer moved its beads. In her mind, a figure emerged: the enigmatic and elusive Master Zhou.

She had known Master Zhou for many years and was well aware of his character. Master Zhou had always been generous, treating money like dirt. How could he be short on such a small amount? Moreover, if Master Zhou truly needed money, why would he borrow it through someone as unreliable as Old Wu?

The more Sister Cui thought about it, the more something felt amiss. Although Old Wu was unreliable, he wouldn't tell such a massive lie about something like this, would he? Could Master Zhou genuinely be in some kind of trouble?

A faint sense of unease stirred within Sister Cui. She couldn't shake the feeling that some unknown secret lay hidden behind this matter.

She put down the abacus, stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the bustling street. Sunlight streamed through the window, falling upon her, yet it brought her no warmth.

Master Zhou...

In her mind, that name, that figure, lingered persistently.