Chapter 19: Is This Really Good?

Wei Yang smiled gently and explained, "His childhood sweetheart, his first love, has come back. If I stayed any longer, wouldn’t I just be an eyesore?"
"Besides, I’m realistic. What we had was purely transactional—no feelings involved."

Only mutual benefit, no emotions.

Tao Qingran sighed helplessly, then hugged her with a hint of tenderness. "Wait a moment!"

She turned and took a bank card from her bag, pressing it into Wei Yang’s hand.

Wei Yang was stunned, looking at her suspiciously.

"There’s two hundred thousand yuan here. It’s my savings from the past two years. I was originally planning to buy a new car, but you need this money more."

Tao Qingran’s expression was serious, as if she was ready to sever ties if Wei Yang refused.

Wei Yang lowered her eyes, a faint redness appearing at the corner.

She forced a smile. "Qingran, I’m not short of money. He gave me compensation, plus this apartment."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Tao Qingran knew Wei Yang wouldn’t lie, so she took back the bank card. "Then if you ever need money, you must tell me."

She knew Wei Yang’s family situation but felt powerless to help.

"Yes! I’ll tell you right away."

"That’s better."

...

After washing up, Tao Qingran pulled Wei Yang into bed to chat, their conversation drifting everywhere, mostly to keep warm.

"Yang, what are your plans now?" Tao Qingran asked, concern written all over her face.

After a pause, before Wei Yang could answer, she smiled brightly. "Yang, I just remembered, Lu Yao was looking to hire a secretary. Why don’t you go work for him?"

Wei Yang was taken aback for a moment, warmth blossoming in her heart. "You don’t have to worry about me all the time. I’ve already found a job. Today was my first day."

"So soon?"

Tao Qingran found it hard to believe. A well-paying job isn’t so easy to come by!

Wei Yang chuckled and playfully poked her forehead. "Do you think I’d lie? It’s with Mr. Shen from S Group."

"So, you spent the evening entertaining Mr. Shen?"

"Mr. Shen’s monthly salary is over a thousand yuan higher than before. That adds up to more than ten thousand a year—a substantial sum! In a few days, it’ll be my nephew’s fifth birthday. This money will be enough for his mother to take him on a proper outing."

"You!" Tao Qingran rubbed her cheek, helplessly pursing her lips. "When will you start taking care of yourself properly?"

Wei Yang smiled faintly. "I’m doing fine."

Tao Qingran: "!!"

Yeah, sure I believe you!

To get money for Wei Ting’s treatment, she had even sold herself to Xie Yanli—how could that be considered fine?

"Yang, I know I can’t do much to help you, but I don’t want you to keep sacrificing yourself." Tao Qingran’s voice was full of pain.

Wei Yang felt a pang in her heart, but still smiled through her tears. "I’m not sacrificing myself! Compared to those first six months, my life now is so much better."

"Qingran, I’m truly content."

For a moment, Tao Qingran was at a loss for words.

They chatted on and off until the early hours, finally drifting into a deep sleep.

The next morning at seven-thirty, Wei Yang was woken by her alarm.

She tidied herself up, said a sleepy goodbye to Tao Qingran, and headed out with her bag to work.

At the company entrance, she shoved the last bite of bread into her mouth before carrying a cup of coffee inside.

"Good morning, Secretary Wei!"

"Morning!"

...

Back at her desk, Wei Yang organized Shen Cen’s schedule for the day, then carried a stack of documents toward the CEO’s office.