C14 This Is too Stingy!

"Boss Wang mentioned he borrowed a million from you, and now he's paying it back," Qin Xiaoliu relayed.

"And the other million is his way of befriending me—a gift."

Naturally, Qin Xiaoliu kept to himself that Wang Faang now saw him as an elder brother. That bit of information was a card he could play at the right moment. He preferred to remain a low-profile underling, but that didn't mean he could escape the protagonist's notice. If his hunch was right, Lin Feng was probably eager to eliminate him.

Yet, he wasn't about to just walk away from that million yuan.

It was, in part, a message to Lih Qingcheng that a portion of the money was rightfully his.

"Oh, I get it," Lih Qingcheng said.

"Boss Wang must feel the debt has been outstanding for too long, so he's offering a million as interest."

"Is that the case, Xiaoliu?"

Lih Qingcheng was inwardly astonished. She knew Wang Faang all too well; getting a million back was a feat in itself. But for Qin Xiaoliu to return with an additional million was unexpected. Even if Wang Faang claimed it was a gift, she knew better.

It was high time to collect some interest for all he'd taken from her.

"Extortion, pure and simple!" Qin Xiaoliu screamed inside.

He was on the verge of a breakdown. The million he'd earned through blood, sweat, and tears—was he really being strong-armed out of it?

But what could he do? She was his boss. If she chose to spout lies, he had no choice but to play along.

With gritted teeth, Qin Xiaoliu confirmed, "Yes, Boss, that million is indeed interest!"

He felt as if a stampede of frustration was trampling through his mind.

"Alright then," Lih Qingcheng conceded.

"Let's say you've managed to complete the task, albeit begrudgingly."

"Now, walk me through the details of how you collected the debt."

As Lih Qingcheng finished her request, Qin Xiaoliu's face lit up with excitement—not for any reason other than the system had finally gone live!

[Congratulations to the host for successfully altering the storyline. You have been awarded 1000 luck points!]

[Would you like to draw a lottery?]

"Draw."

[1000 luck points deducted. Lottery draw successful!]

[Congratulations, host. Your Wisdom has increased by 100.]

At last, the system had made its return!

Qin Xiaoliu was so ecstatic he could hardly contain himself.

But what in the world was this "wisdom value"?

His emotions fluctuated between excitement and dejection.

Suddenly, an angry voice cut through the air from ahead.

"Qin Xiaoliu! Are you even listening to me?"

The kid was getting too big for his boots.

It was one thing to brazenly stare at her, but now he was outright ignoring her.

Clearly, it was time for a reality check.

If not, he'd be getting too big for his britches!

Yet, upon closer inspection, she couldn't help but notice how increasingly handsome he seemed.

Could it be he hadn't had any work done?

Still, he didn't quite measure up to Lin Feng.

The thought startled her.

Why on earth was she comparing him to Lin Feng?

Lin Feng was her idol, her dream guy.

She must be losing it.

The sound of her voice sent a jolt through Qin Xiaoliu.

He'd gotten carried away, completely losing track of his surroundings.

With a goofy grin, Qin Xiaoliu scratched his head and cautiously replied,

"Boss, could you remind me what you were asking?"

Then he preemptively covered his ears, bracing for the inevitable.

And sure enough, a roar akin to a lion's bellow erupted from Li Qingcheng.

"I... told... you... to... give... me... a... detailed... account... of... the... debt... collection. Did... you... get... that?"

After her outburst, Li Qingcheng resumed her seat with poise and grace.

Qin Xiaoliu could hardly believe that the fierce roar had come from her.

Indeed, she was the boss for a reason; her ability to flip the script was beyond the ordinary.

"Uh, I initially went to Boss Wang's building supply store to find him."

"And then... well, you know."

"Finally, that's what happened."

"That's the whole story."

"On my way back, I ran into a bunch of fools!"

"You saw that for yourself just now."

Qin Xiaoliu omitted the part about Wang Faang recognizing him as an elder brother.

He simply reported that Wang Faang had handed over two million yuan and offered a heartfelt apology.

Lih Qingcheng listened to Qin Xiaoliu's account with a grave expression.

"You're not hurt, are you?" she asked, her gaze scanning Qin Xiaoliu's frame.

She was aware of Qin Xiaoliu's martial prowess.

The fact that he emerged unscathed from a brawl with so many was baffling to her.

Yet, she kept her suspicions to herself.

Under Lih Qingcheng's scrutinizing look, Qin Xiaoliu squirmed uncomfortably.

Then, clutching his chest, he adopted a pained expression and said,

"Boss, I think I've sustained a severe internal injury."

"It's my heart that's been hurt."

"I believe I need a six-month paid leave."

"It would be ideal to arrange a global tour."

"I need to find the world's best doctors to heal my wounds, so I can serve you again, boss."

His plea was heartfelt.

He regretted not leaving the bloodstains on his body back in Wang Faang's office; his act would have been more convincing.

Yet his eyes were fixed on the leather case filled with a million yuan.

My million yuan, rest assured.

Today, you were taken from me, but I will reclaim even more!

"How about I just give you this million yuan?"

Lih Qingcheng said with a playful look, holding the leather case aloft.

She teased him as one might a Husky with a bone.

But the Husky, in this case, was all too eager to be tricked.

"Sounds great. Hand it over," Qin Xiaoliu said, drooling over the case, inching ever closer.

Just as he was about to grasp it, he sensed something amiss.

He quickly adopted a moral high ground,

"This is the interest Wang Faang paid you, boss. It wouldn't be right for me to take it."

"Though, I must admit, my injuries are quite severe."

He looked like he was on death's doorstep.

Lih Qingcheng's face was a picture of frustration.

"Can't you put a little effort into your acting?"

"You're clutching your left chest, claiming a heart injury?"

"Do you take me for a fool?!"

"Now, get out of my sight. Immediately."

Qin Xiaoliu turned to leave at the sound of Lih Qingcheng's voice.

But he paused just as he was about to exit the door, hesitating.

He gave Lih Qingcheng a look that was full of unsaid words.

"Spit it out if you've got something to say."

Lih Qingcheng prompted, eyeing him.

"Boss, is it possible for me to get an advance on my salary?"

"My pockets are completely empty."

"I haven't had a bite to eat all day!"

He turned his pockets inside out as he spoke, showing that he was indeed penniless.

"How much did you spend on your errand?"

Lih Qingcheng asked with an icy stare.

"Uh, the round-trip fare cost me forty yuan."

Qin Xiaoliu replied truthfully.

Lih Qingcheng nodded, a smile playing on his lips as he regarded Qin Xiaoliu.

"Alright, let's do the math."

"I've just covered a 100 yuan fine for you."

"Subtract the 40 yuan you spent, and you're still 60 yuan in debt to me."

"Here's an additional 500 yuan."

"That puts your debt at 560 yuan."

"I'll take it out of your wages later. Is that clear?"

Qin Xiaoliu's eyes fixed on the 500 yuan Lih Qingcheng had laid on the table, his mouth twitching involuntarily.