Chapter 85: Let Her Clean Up the Mess? Dream On!
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
“The membership fees are non-refundable once paid. This was made clear from the start, and you all signed the contract!” You Bing Yue declared sharply, her voice laced with authority and her eyes blazing with fury.
The young man and the group behind him flinched at her commanding tone, involuntarily taking a step back. However, those further back, unable to fully feel her domineering presence, continued their clamor, shouting angrily, “Refund! Refund!”
Already irritable, You Bing Yue felt her temper snap at their unreasonable demands. Her voice turned icy as she lashed out, “I’ll say it again. Paying the fees was a mutual agreement. Once paid, they are non-refundable. If anyone dares to incite trouble again, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Her confrontational stance stoked the crowd’s anger. Fear forgotten, they shouted back, “It’s your fault to begin with! Let’s see how ‘merciless’ you can get!”
You Bing Yue sneered coldly. “Stubborn fools. Very well, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
In a flash, she appeared before the young man and struck him with a single palm. He flew backward, crashing into the crowd behind him, toppling three or four people in the process.
Placing a foot firmly on the young man’s chest, You Bing Yue glared down at him and spat a single word: “Scram!”
No one had expected this delicate yet aloof woman to resort to violence, let alone display such terrifying strength, incapacitating four or five men in one blow. A moment of stunned silence fell over the crowd.
When they recovered, indignation surged anew. “You’re clearly in the wrong, yet you assault people? Just wait, we’ll report this to the authorities!”
At that moment, Du Zi Heng arrived.
Taking in the chaotic scene, particularly You Bing Yue with her foot on a man and her defiant stance, his vision darkened with frustration. “Bing Yue! Let him go!”
You Bing Yue turned to him, incredulous at his tone, and snapped, “Du Zi Heng, are you blind? I’m dealing with these troublemakers for you!”
His head pounding, Du Zi Heng hurriedly grabbed her arm and began dragging her aside. Meanwhile, the shopkeeper and staff emerged from the store to help calm the agitated crowd.
Leading You Bing Yue toward the shop, Du Zi Heng called over his shoulder, “Inform these guests that the shop is undergoing repairs and will reopen within three days at the latest.”
He continued, “Once the store reopens, complimentary tea and snacks will no longer be offered. We will return to the original purchase and borrowing system. Those who have paid membership fees may present their tokens for a refund.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Du Zi Heng noticed Yu Zhi Yi standing in a nearby alley. His face stiffened as a wave of embarrassment surged through him.
Her warning echoed in his mind. She had told him he’d lose money and advised him to spend cautiously to avoid a future mess.
He shouldn’t have doubted her.
But regret was futile now.
As the door closed, You Bing Yue’s angry voice rang out from within. “Du Zi Heng, you ungrateful fool! I was helping you, yet you side with those troublemakers?!”
The thick door muffled the rest of their argument. Outside, with Du Zi Heng’s assurances and the staff’s placations, the crowd gradually dispersed. The South Wind Bookstore returned to its usual calm.
Red Luan sighed wistfully. “Why couldn’t they argue in front of us? Now it feels like we’re outsiders.”
Yu Zhi Yi chuckled. “Alright, the show’s over. Let’s get back and continue our discussion.”
Red Luan tilted her head, smirking. “Sister, you’re not going to help him clean up this mess, right?”
“Of course not,” Yu Zhi Yi replied dryly. She had no intention of wasting her energy on such matters.
Back at the Splendid Embroidery Workshop, the two resumed their conversation.
Red Luan suggested, “You should find trustworthy people to run the charity. If it’s not profit-driven, their role would mainly involve identifying those in need and creating assistance plans.”
“For instance, disabled individuals or the elderly and children without support could receive a basic living guarantee. For children, their education must also be covered…” She paused thoughtfully. “In times of natural disasters, the organization could purchase and distribute relief supplies to affected areas.”
However, she hesitated, biting her lip. “That said, being a trailblazer comes with risks. If you establish this charity, expect skepticism from all sides.”
Distrust of human nature was inevitable.
Some people, despite donating nothing themselves, would scrutinize the efforts of those who did.
In this era, with no precedent for charitable organizations, the first attempt would undoubtedly face an uphill battle.
After all, doing charity earned praise.
And if one wealthy individual did it, the public would question why others didn’t follow suit.
Jealousy was easy to provoke.
“It doesn’t matter,” Yu Zhi Yi said calmly. “I’ll use my money for good deeds. If anyone dares to criticize me, I’ll ensure they either shut up permanently or never dare speak again.”
Her bold declaration left Red Luan tingling with excitement and determination. “Alright! Since it’s your cause, I’ll support you too. I’ll donate!”
Yu Zhi Yi blinked in surprise. “I’m not here to solicit funds…”
“Don’t be silly, I know that.” Red Luan grinned. “Even if you were, I wouldn’t mind. My reputation’s growing, after all.” She patted her bulging coin pouch. “See this? Business is booming! A few dozen or hundred taels a month for charity won’t hurt me.”
She had her reasons for donating—to honor her parents who’d passed too soon in her previous life.
“Alright.”
Seeing her determination, Yu Zhi Yi didn’t argue.
Merit might be intangible to most, but its value was undeniable. It could shield one from harm in this life and ensure a prosperous and happy reincarnation.
Since Yu Zhi Yi rarely ventured out, Red Luan took charge of the charity’s operations while Yu Zhi Yi provided the funding.
The next day, Yu Zhi Yi summoned workers to deliver 50,000 taels of silver.
Red Luan was stunned.
She had anticipated a significant contribution, but this was beyond her imagination.
Fifty thousand taels—equivalent to tens of millions in her previous life!
Her sister had handed it over without so much as blinking.
When their gazes met, Red Luan sighed inwardly, accepting the fact that her “poor” friend was, in fact, fabulously wealthy. She contributed a modest 500 taels herself.
With matters settled, Yu Zhi Yi returned to the Du Mansion.
As her carriage arrived, she spotted a familiar figure standing ahead—Du Zi Heng.
He approached with a determined expression.
Instantly wary, Yu Zhi Yi stated coldly, “I told you, no refunds.”
During the auction for the dress, she had warned him to spend within his means and had made it clear that neither the money nor the dress would be returned.
Did he think she’d fund his cleanup efforts?
Not a chance.