Zhang Fan didn’t need to turn around to know what was happening.
“I’m not someone who makes unreasonable scenes. My dog is already in the water!” Zhang Fan looked at the man at the door. “If there’s anything you need, please wait until we’ve finished washing!”
“Sorry, ma’am!”
The man wanted to say more, but Zhang Fan glared him into silence. “Please don’t frighten my dog. Close the door, thank you!”
Outside the door, footsteps could be heard. More and more guests were gathering, mostly women, and most of them were holding small dogs like poodles.
“It really is a mongrel!”
“I heard it’s a stray, hasn’t even had its vaccinations!”
“My God, isn’t this attempted murder?”
“What is your hotel doing? How can you let a dog like this in?”
…
The voices were chaotic. The man in uniform couldn’t withstand the pressure and pushed open the partition door again. “Ma’am, according to our regulations, your pet cannot stay here. Because the front desk failed to verify properly, which led to this mistake, we deeply apologize.
We are willing to refund your room fee and compensate you with a voucher for your next visit with your pet!”
His words were flawless. Although Da Huang was truly gentle and stable, she couldn’t respond with “my dog doesn’t bite.”
Zhang Fan quickly rinsed Da Huang clean and wrapped him in a towel.
“I understand you have your rules, but I also have my difficulties. I have nowhere to stay today. If you throw me out and I end up on the streets, and something happens to me, will you take responsibility?”
In life, you absolutely cannot be too kindhearted, always thinking from others’ perspectives.
This was the life experience she had summed up over half a lifetime.
It was already late, and it wasn’t easy to get a ride. After leaving the hotel, she could indeed return to the basement she rented, but she couldn’t say there would be no trouble along the way.
No matter how big others’ troubles were, they were none of her concern. No matter how small her own troubles were, she had to face and solve them herself.
“What you said is hilarious!”
Zhu Li crossed her arms over her chest, her smile mocking. “You’ve been working in the city for over a decade. You should at least have a rental place, right? How could you have nowhere to stay?”
She did it on purpose!
Most people who could come here were wealthy.
The top-tier wealthy wouldn’t waste time on such trivial matters. They were low-key and humble.
Of course, you’d never have the chance to meet them.
Only those who were rich but not particularly rich cared deeply about their status. Sharing the same air as poor people was something they considered a humiliation.
When Zhu Li mentioned that Zhang Fan lived in a rental, sure enough, all the wealthy wives wore expressions of disdain.
“Alright, alright, you’ve had your fun. Hurry up and take the compensation and go back!”
“If you’re poor, you should learn to be content. Even if you spend several months’ salary to come here, you still can’t squeeze into this circle!”
“Trying to learn from others and use a pet to hook a rich man, but you won’t even spend a little money to buy a decent dog!”
…
There was all kinds of talk. You couldn’t imagine how people dressed so gorgeously could say such classless things.
Zhang Fan held Da Huang in her arms and walked out of the partition with a smile.
When everyone saw her, they all automatically made way, as if afraid of being bitten.
But she didn’t leave. Instead, she smiled and looked at Zhu Li.
“I’m poor, I don’t deserve to be here. Then what about you? Every month you take the money I give you, don’t study properly, and come to a place like this to do what?”
Her words left everyone astonished. What was going on? Could it be that things weren’t so simple after all—was there more drama to uncover?
“What do you mean, taking your money? When have I ever taken your money?”
Zhu Li craned her neck, her manicured finger pointing angrily at Zhang Fan. “You’re just a wage worker—where would you even get money to give me?”
“Heh…”
Zhang Fan smiled, unlocked her phone, opened the transfer records, and held it up for everyone to see.
“Please, everyone, take a look. I transfer ten thousand yuan to this account every month. Isn’t the profile picture on this account Miss Zhu Li?”
Those standing close took a look. Whether or not the profile picture resembled Zhu Li, anyone who transferred ten thousand a month to someone else couldn’t possibly be described as poor.
So the two not only knew each other—they had a financial relationship!
Some of the wealthy wives realized they had been used as pawns in Zhu Li’s personal grudge.
In contrast, Zhang Fan was dressed plainly but carried herself with confidence and ease. A truly poor person, let alone being surrounded by so many people, would be timid just stepping into a place like this.
Could she actually be a wealthy, low-key, and charitable rich second-generation heiress?
The atmosphere around them shifted in a strange way. The way everyone looked at Zhang Fan was no longer contemptuous.
“That’s not even your money!” Zhu Li panicked and reached out to grab Zhang Fan’s phone.
But her words only confirmed the fact that Zhang Fan transferred ten thousand to her every month.
Just as expected!
That was the inner voice of many of the wealthy wives at that moment. Looks of disdain and scrutiny began to fall on Zhu Li.
“Sigh… an ungrateful wretch!”
Zhang Fan sighed, wearing a helpless expression as she carried Da Huang out of the bathing area.
The facts were right there in front of everyone, and she seemed unwilling to have anything more to do with Zhu Li. Though the onlooking wealthy women were still confused, they could vaguely guess what kind of person Zhu Li was.
Zhang Fan had just mentioned “studying hard”—meaning this Zhu Li was still a student.
A student dressed so maturely, carrying and wearing designer brands, relying on someone else’s money—she was probably a swindler or a mistress.
Any genuine wealthy wife would detest such a person with every fiber of her being.
Everyone automatically stepped back, drawing a clear line between themselves and her.
“Hey, where’s the ‘giant poodle’ someone’s keeping? Those with small dogs, watch out—don’t get too close!”
Someone made the remark, and the crowd burst into laughter. The entire bathing area soon emptied out.
The comment was more about the person than the dog.
“Zhang Fan!” Zhu Li gritted her teeth, about to explode with rage.
That money was clearly Huang Daren’s—it was just being routed through Zhang Fan’s account. How dare she take advantage of the situation and act like she was her keeper?
But she didn’t dare say it out loud. Reputation was secondary—what she feared most was being pursued for repayment.
Whether Zhang Fan pursued it in her own name or Huang Daren’s wife pursued it as marital property, repaying that money would be excruciatingly painful.
…
In the hotel lobby, Zhang Fan sat on the sofa holding Da Huang. The man beside her thought for a long while before laboriously giving his answer:
“Asking you to leave at this hour—that was indeed inconsiderate of us! How about this: my home isn’t far from here. If you don’t mind, you can stay there temporarily until you find a place.”
That generous?
Of course it wasn’t that generous!
“However, I’ll need to charge you a certain fee based on rental standards. Of course, if it’s just for tonight, it’s free!”
The man’s handling of the situation was flawless, leaving Zhang Fan unable to find any fault with it.
The only issue was safety.
“Alright, let’s go then!”
With that, she took out her phone, stood beside the man, snapped a photo, and posted it on her social media feed.
“Ma’am, you can’t do that!” The man tried to stop her, but the photo had already been uploaded. “Our hotel has rules against taking photos. Besides, you’ve infringed on my portrait rights!”
“Don’t worry, I won’t use your image for marketing, nor will I do anything to damage your reputation.”
Zhang Fan stroked Da Huang’s head and gave the man a smirk. “I just want to ensure my personal safety. That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
“Heh…” The man smiled helplessly. “This way, please. I’ll escort you there!”