Chapter 18 — 58 Lakhs And His True Face

That night, I lay in a bed that has been familiar since childhood. Outside the window is the buzzing sound of cicadas in the summer, and in the distance there is occasionally the howling sound of a train. I lay there, thinking about everything that had happened this year. From the unsightly struggle in front of the showroom door... To the messages full of seduction, threats, and deception. From the project being leaked... To the scene where I saw an acquaintance being led out of the company by security. Those images are like a haphazardly cut movie, occasionally popping up in my head. But the strange thing is... I no longer feel sorry for myself or angry like before. What remains... is sanity after being calm. In life, you will inevitably meet people who want to take something from you. Some people use the name "love". Some people put on the mantle of "friendship". Some people even use the tone "for your own good"... to wipe out everything you have. Before, I always thought— As long as sincerity is exchanged for sincerity, there will be no loss. Now I understand... Before the word sincerity, there must be a boundary. That fifty-eight thousand… is like a mirror. See clearly who is honest with me. Who is just looking at the "value" in my hand. It is like a door. When I closed that door… I thought I was pushing someone else out. But then I realized— I was also pulling myself out of an unfair game. The next day at noon, I still agreed with my mother and went to meet the person introduced. An ordinary Sichuan eatery in the city center. He was wearing a clean shirt and his eyes were a bit shy. We talked about work, hobbies, hometown. Occasionally he would pick up a glass of water and take a small sip because he was nervous. I realized... I'm no longer in a hurry to judge "is this person suitable for marriage?" I just observe— When you mention family, do your eyes light up? When talking about pressure, can you smile and say "everyone doesn't have difficulties?" When he left, he asked a bit awkwardly.

“Later… can I still invite you out to eat?”

I thought for a moment, then laughed.

“But you have to know, I'm in no rush to get married right now.”

“I'm more concerned with whether you two respect each other.”

He was stunned for a second, then nodded.

"Me too."

“I don't want you to feel pressured.”

“As for money… I have nothing worth mentioning.”

“My parents are just ordinary workers.”

"In the future, if we're really together... we'll rely on ourselves."

I listened and suddenly felt relieved. No matter where we went… At least from the beginning, everything was clear. No one will consider my father's money as "capital". No one uses "bride price" or "dowry" to oppress me anymore. After eating, I walked alone along the river for a long time. The summer wind blows, bringing cool moisture with it. On the shore, there are children playing skateboards, and a couple walking hand in hand. I took my phone and opened the banking app. On the screen, the term deposit is still there. Behind the number is a small lock icon. I opened the details, looked at the due date. More than half a year left. Before, I always felt like this amount of money was like a heavy rock, pressing down on me. And now… It's like a fulcrum. A piece of paper that allows me—

“You can slow down.”

“Can think more.”

“You may not have to feel sorry for yourself for anyone else.”

I went to the notes section and added a line.

“The heart of parents.”

Then I exited that page and put my phone in my pocket. The riverside lights light up one after another, imprinting on the water surface like scattered stars. I stood by the railing and took a deep breath. Suddenly I wanted to cry, but I didn't feel it was necessary. Tears... should be saved for times of true loss. And now, what I want to do more than anything... is live well in every choice I make. On the way home, I texted my cousin a message.

"Waiting for that term deposit to mature, I probably won't be in a hurry to buy a car."

“I want to save some money for myself so I can leave at any time.”

"Even if my job doesn't go well in the future and my feelings don't go well, I can still be confident enough to say: let's change another path."

Quickly, he replied with a thumbs up symbol.

“Support me.”

“That's what I've always wanted you to do.”

“Turn money into wealth and protect me.”

“Not like a string for someone else to swing on your head.”

I looked at those lines and laughed. Along this journey, I have gone from a girl who was so scared that she could only turn around and run away in front of the showroom door... To a woman who knows how to say "no". In the middle of that journey, there is heartache, there is anger, there is disappointment, there is also relief. But the most important thing is... I learned a moral. Others can give you money, give you advice, give you promises. But the person who can truly keep those things... can only be you. That night, I returned to my small motel room. I cleaned the tiny single room, there were two pots of green plants on the table, and a string of wind chimes hung by the window. I opened the window a little, letting the night breeze in. Sitting down in front of the desk, I turned on the computer. On the screen, the to-do list lines up. Quarterly report. Project optimization plan. And there is one line that I intentionally marked with a star.

“Learn to drive.”

“Take the driver's license test.”

I smiled, typing another sentence behind.

"Once I get my license, I'll think about whether I should buy myself a car or not."

Not because anyone mentioned it. Not to save face for anyone. It's because I honestly feel... it's time for me to drive myself and go around this city comfortably. I closed the computer, turned off the light and went to bed. The wind chimes outside the window were gently blown by the night wind, making a very light tinkling sound. The sound no longer sounded like a sigh of finality. It's more like a signal of initiation. I closed my eyes. Very peaceful inside. There's a bit of anticipation. There's also a bit of confidence. What the future will hold, I don't know. But there is one thing I know very well. No matter what, I will no longer put others before myself. Whether that person appears in my life in the name of love, friendship, or any other beautiful guise. I will remember the pain of being tested this time. I will also remember the lesson and support that those 580,000 yuan brought me. Then carry all those memories and growth, step by step, towards a life that belongs to you.