233: Chapter 233 Zhou Chong Makes Empty Promises

The group leader in the factory where Xia Linzi worked was a woman in her forties with a terrible temper who frequently bullied the new workers.

Xia Linzi was introverted and didn't like to talk, so the group leader singled her out for bullying.

Once, because Xia Linzi was too tired and moved a bit slowly, the group leader scolded her in front of everyone: "Are you stupid? You can't even do such a simple job? If you don't want to work, then get lost!"

Xia Linzi lowered her head, not daring to speak, as tears welled up in her eyes.

What was even worse was that the group leader also withheld her wages.

Every month when wages were paid, hers would be several hundred yuan less than the others. When she asked the group leader, the woman said she worked slowly and was inefficient, so the deduction was justified.

Xia Linzi didn't dare to resist or resign because she needed this job and the money to pay for Zhou Chong's tuition.

She could only endure it, working silently every day, not saying a word when scolded or when her wages were withheld.

Once, she really couldn't take it anymore and called Zhou Chong, crying about being bullied.

Zhou Chong comforted her over the phone: "Be good, Linzi. Don't be sad. Once I graduate, I'll definitely give you a good life and never let you suffer any more grievances."

"Just endure it for now for the sake of our future, okay?"

Hearing this, Xia Linzi wiped away her tears and nodded. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

...

Xia Linzi's monthly salary was 1,200 yuan. She only kept 200 yuan for her living expenses and sent the remaining 1,000 yuan to Zhou Chong.

Two hundred yuan was nowhere near enough to spend in Zhongzhou City.

Every day, she only ate two steamed buns and a portion of vegetables. A meal cost three yuan. She never brought herself to eat meat or buy drinks.

She wore the factory-issued uniforms, which had faded to white and were covered in pills. She never bought new clothes.

Cosmetics were even more unthinkable; she only used a bottle of Dabao that cost a few yuan on her face.

Yet Zhou Chong took her money and lived a carefree life in university.

Every month, Zhou Chong would visit Xia Linzi once.

He would take the bus to the factory gate, and Xia Linzi would take leave in advance to wait for him there.

Seeing her, Zhou Chong would smile and give her a hug, saying, "Linzi, you've worked hard."

Then, he would take her to a nearby street stall to eat something.

The food at the street stalls was very cheap—a bowl of noodles for five yuan, or a plate of stir-fried rice noodles for six yuan.

Zhou Chong would order two bowls, eating one himself and letting Xia Linzi have the other.

Xia Linzi would eat happily, feeling that it was the most delicious food in the world.

She looked at Zhou Chong, thinking he was becoming more handsome and successful, her heart filled with pride.

While eating, Zhou Chong would make empty promises to her: "Linzi, when I graduate, I'll take you for big feasts—seafood, steak—and let you eat delicious food every day."

"When I graduate, I'll buy you new clothes and beautiful dresses, making you the most beautiful woman."

"When I graduate, I'll marry you. We'll be together for the rest of our lives and never part again."

Xia Linzi's eyes sparkled as she listened, and she nodded vigorously. "Okay, I'll wait for you."

She never doubted him, never felt that he was lying to her.

She thought he truly loved her and would really marry her.

She thought her sacrifices would eventually be rewarded.

...

Very soon.

Zhou Chong graduated.

Xia Linzi had finally made it through the hard times.

She resigned immediately.

She escaped that place that had left her physically and mentally exhausted.

After resigning, Xia Linzi dragged her faded canvas bag and appeared downstairs at the old Residential Complex where Zhou Chong was renting.

She was gaunt and out of shape; her once-rounded cheeks were sunken, her cheekbones protruded sharply, and her skin had become sallow and rough from years of working late nights at the factory and exposure to the elements. Her hands were covered in thick calluses, and grease that couldn't be washed away was embedded under her fingernails.

But her eyes were incredibly bright, as if they held stars. The moment she saw Zhou Chong, all her exhaustion vanished, and she threw herself into his arms with a smile.

"Zhou Chong, I'm here." Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of playfulness, and she still carried the scent of factory machine oil and cheap soap.

Zhou Chong reached out to hug her, his fingertips subconsciously avoiding the rough skin on the back of her hands. A flicker of disgust crossed his heart, but it was quickly masked by a feigned tenderness.

Deep down, Zhou Chong didn't want Xia Linzi to resign.

He wanted her to stay there and keep earning money for him.

But now that he had graduated, it was somewhat inappropriate to make her go back.

He could only helplessly pat her back, his tone so gentle it could practically drip with water: "You've worked hard, Linzi. Now that you have me, I'll never let you suffer like that again."

He led Xia Linzi into the rental room. It was less than twenty square meters, with peeling walls, mold in the corners, an iron bunk bed, and a wooden table propped up with bricks—that was the extent of his belongings.

Xia Linzi didn't mind at all. She put down her bag and started tidying up, laying out the old bedding she had brought on the bed. Then she went to the downstairs market to buy some vegetables and cooked a pot of plain noodle soup, not even daring to add an egg.

"Zhou Chong, eat quickly while it's hot."

She held the bowl out to him while holding an empty one herself, watching him without blinking, a satisfied smile on her lips.

Zhou Chong took the bowl and took a bite of the noodles. They were tasteless, but he still smiled and praised her: "This is delicious, much better than the food in the school canteen."

Xia Linzi's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled and served him another bowl. "When I get paid, I'll buy meat for you—your favorite braised pork."

The next day, Xia Linzi found a job as a cashier at a Supermarket near the Residential Complex. It paid 2,300 yuan a month, required no late nights or heavy labor, and was much easier than the factory.

Every morning, she woke up at six to make breakfast for Zhou Chong—frying an egg and heating a cup of water—before hurrying off to work.

She finished work at eight in the evening, coming home to clean, wash clothes, and cook, keeping the rental room spotless while waiting for Zhou Chong to return.

Zhou Chong's first job after graduation was in sales.

He only worked for a little over two months before resigning on the grounds that it was "too hard, aggravating, and didn't pay enough."

That day he came home, slammed his briefcase onto the floor, and kicked the leg of the iron bed in frustration, his brow furrowed into a knot.

"Linzi, I can't do this crappy job anymore!" He sat in a chair and tapped his fingers hard on the table, his tone full of complaints.

"Every day I run myself ragged, dealing with clients' attitudes, just for that measly fixed salary. When will I ever be able to give you a good life?"

"I want to start a business—a construction materials company. The money comes fast in the building materials trade. Once I get it off the ground, we'll live in a big house and drive luxury cars, and I'll give you a life of wealth and honor!"

Xia Linzi was washing dishes. Hearing this, she immediately dried her hands and ran over, her eyes full of admiration and support. "Starting a business is great! I support you! You're so capable, you'll definitely succeed!"

Her trust was absolute, like a blank sheet of paper for Zhou Chong to write on.

Zhou Chong sneered inwardly, but on the outside, he put on a troubled look and sighed. "But starting a company requires startup capital—renting an office, buying samples, finding suppliers. It'll take at least 100,000 yuan. I only have a few thousand in hand; it's nowhere near enough."

One hundred thousand yuan felt like a mountain pressing down on Xia Linzi's heart.

She had no money.

But to support Zhou Chong, she chose to take out online loans.

She borrowed from several platforms.

In the end, she managed to get 50,000 yuan.

She took the money to Zhou Chong.

"Zhou Chong, this is 50,000 yuan I borrowed from online loans for you. Take it. If it's not enough, I'll take on part-time jobs and borrow more; I'll definitely find a way to get enough." Her gaze was firm, without the slightest hesitation. "You must work hard. I believe in you."

Looking at the money Xia Linzi had transferred on his phone, Zhou Chong felt a surge of wild joy. However, he put on a moved expression, pulled her into a hug, and kissed her forehead, his tone so affectionate it was sickening.

"Linzi, you really are a good woman, the benefactor of my life."

"Don't worry. Once my company takes off, I'll definitely make you the boss's wife. You'll live in a house with a garden, wear the most beautiful dresses, and never have to worry about money again."

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