Chapter 326 - 164: A Few Years of Sweetness, a Lifetime of Bitterness

Chapter 326: Chapter 164: A Few Years of Sweetness, a Lifetime of Bitterness

Back when she was the Saintess of her tribe, although she didn’t have much money of her own, everyone in the tribe worked hard for Xie Yiren’s sake. They would gather herbs and dig for mushrooms, selling them and sending her the money to spend. They did it willingly, so she never had to worry about money. But times had changed. Now, *she* needed money. Though she didn’t know Shen Qingning, they were in a similar situation now; both of them needed to earn a living.

Shen Qingning wanted to earn money to pay Su Ran back.

Xie Yiren, on the other hand, didn’t want to keep using Su Ran’s money.

She had her principles; she didn’t want to feel like she was getting something for nothing, like she was a kept woman. ’It’s not *technically* being kept, but he’s still just giving me money, so it’s basically the same thing, right?’ In any case, Xie Yiren couldn’t quite put it into words.

Still, she was a little better off than Shen Qingning. Shen Qingning was only good at studying, whereas Xie Yiren, while not an academic, was an art student. She could dance, she could sing, she could even cast hexes. ’Finding a part-time job should be a piece of cake,’ she thought.

However, reality proceeded to give Xie Yiren a harsh beating. She applied at one company, but the moment they heard she was still a student, they rejected her outright. Recent graduates were already queuing up outside; what was a current student like her doing, trying to get in on the action?

’Who knew finding a part-time job would be so difficult?’

’The job market is so competitive.’

Xie Yiren returned, completely dejected. She bought one of her favorite roasted sausages, hoping to cheer herself up, but it tasted utterly bland. How pathetic.

She used to always clamor about finding a boyfriend to support her. But now that she had the super-rich Su Ran, she didn’t want him to support her. She just had to be difficult, had to rely on herself. And now, all she wanted to do was call Su Ran, sobbing pitifully, and complain about how she was a useless piece of trash, good for nothing but her big boobs.

She gnawed on the sausage with puffed cheeks, as if venting her frustration at society’s unfairness toward university students.

"*Sigh*... I’ll just go back and hide in my dorm."

After finishing the sausage, she scanned the QR code to pay. "I sent the payment, boss."

"Hang on, miss. It’s five yuan a piece now. You’re short one yuan."

"Five yuan? The price went up to five yuan just after the new year?"

"Inflation, you know."

"Fine." She scanned another yuan. ’This won’t do,’ she thought. ’I have to find a job. If I don’t, I won’t even be able to afford roasted sausages soon. I’ll go back, take a nap, and then ask the girls if they know any ways to make some quick cash.’

Subconsciously, her ’Saintess’ persona still didn’t want to work for a living.

Lost in thought, she started to cross the road. Suddenly, a hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back. Only then did Xie Yiren see the red light. Her heart leaped into her throat. She turned and thanked the kind stranger beside her profusely.

"You’re welcome. You should be more careful crossing the street."

An elegant, distinguished-looking elderly woman was looking at Xie Yiren.

Xie Yiren looked back at her, thinking the elderly woman had such a wonderful presence. Her clothes were beautiful, and she carried herself with a youthfulness that defied her age. Yiren couldn’t help but say, "Ma’am, you’re so beautiful."

"Beautiful? Heh heh heh, there’s nothing beautiful about an old woman like me. You’re the beautiful one, with youth on your side. You’re a student at the dance academy across the street, aren’t you?"

"Yes."

"Oh... And what’s your major?"

"Ethnic dance."

"That’s nice."

Just then, the light turned green, and the two of them crossed the street side by side.

"I’m heading to your school as well."

"Are you there to see someone?"

"Just taking a walk."

"Then let me be your tour guide. Consider it my thanks for saving me just now."

The woman looked at the pretty young girl and nodded. "Alright. What’s your name?"

"Xie Yiren. And you, ma’am?"

"Me? I’m... Luo Shumin."

The two of them entered the campus. The semester hadn’t started yet, so it wasn’t very crowded. One old and one young, they strolled along a lush, green path as an occasional bicycle glided by—a picture of vibrant youth.

Luo Shumin looked around, the scenery seeming to stir old memories within her. "I used to be a student at this school, too," she murmured, lost in thought. "But unlike you, I studied ballet," she added with a hint of pride.

"Really?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, that was decades ago. I was even in the first group of students from this school to go to the United Kingdom for advanced studies..." As she spoke, a smile reminiscent of a first love graced her lips. "I met my husband in the United Kingdom. He was from China, too. We returned to our country together, and right here..." She pointed excitedly at an ancient, weathered locust tree. "Right here is where he proposed to me."

"Oh, now that you mention it, I know the story! I’ve heard it before."

"You’ve heard it?"

"Yes, yes! Ever since your successful proposal under this old locust tree, for decades now, any couple at our school who wants to take the next step comes here to confess their feelings. The success rate is as high as 95%."

"Heh heh, is that so? That’s wonderful. So, has anyone confessed their feelings to you here? Heh heh..."

"Of course!" Xie Yiren declared proudly. "Countless times! You know why the success rate is only 95%? Because the remaining 5% of failures? That’s all me. Heh heh heh..."

For a girl, being pursued and having people confess to you was a point of pride. It was proof that you were pretty. After all, it wouldn’t make sense for someone to be as beautiful as a goddess and have no suitors at all.

However, Xie Yiren felt no spark with any of them. The only one who made her heart flutter was Su Ran.

"Ma’am, after you and your husband got engaged here, you must have had a very happy and sweet life together, right?" Like most young women, she loved hearing these kinds of love stories and couldn’t stop herself from asking for what happened next.

"A few years of sweetness, followed by a lifetime of bitterness," Aunt Luo said with a sad smile.

Xie Yiren asked, "What do you mean?"

"He died in the war."

"I’m so sorry."

"It’s alright, it’s all in the past." She gently patted the back of Xie Yiren’s hand. "At my age, I’ve made my peace with it. It was fate. The day I die will be the day I can finally be with my husband again."

"Please don’t say that. Think about your children. They would be heartbroken if they heard you talking like this."