Beauty and the Bodyguard

“Sis, now that you have a powerful partner you need to help me!” Wei said carefully. “It’s that boss from last time, he’s still not letting me and Dan go.”

“That boss? Didn’t you guys give them the 150,000?” Tang Yin asked curiously after a pause.

“We did, but he said that 150,000 is what we’d pay ten years ago. Now that prices have multiplied so much there needs to be interest for just the 150,000!” Wei was evidently quite furious as he spoke. “They said that either we give him 500,000, or Dan continues working in the company….”

“500,000?” Tang Yin said, her eyes widening. “That’s just being unreasonable! They’re changing 150,000 to 500,000 all of a sudden, is this even in the contract? Should we file a lawsuit?”

“What contract?” Wei smiled bitterly. “Things wouldn’t be like this if there was a contract! The only contract is the one we signed, the one stating that we have to work for him. It says that Dan has to compensate for the loss if she breaks the contract, but it’s never said how much the compensation actually is. He could pretty much just say anything he wants! Plus, if we really do file a lawsuit, there’s no way we can sustain the legal battle. There’s still Uncle Tang’s problem to deal with, isn’t there?”

Tang Yin sighed. Wei was right. Her family was marginalized in the first place. Of course they couldn’t fight a legal battle against a big boss. Even if they did somehow win, they’d still do things that’d harm Wei! The enemies wouldn’t be the ones losing.

“But… tell me, what can I even do?” Tang Yin lowered her head. Wei was saying it loud and clear. He wanted her to go borrow money from Lin Yi.

But how was she supposed to do something like that now?

“Yin, I do have 500,000 from Lin Yi, but isn’t this money for our new place? We wouldn’t be able to get the house-restaurant if we give it away!” Mrs. Tang interrupted. “Here, try and see if you can ask Lin Yi if he can give us another 500,000.”

“Another 500,000! Do you think he’s a money tree?!” Tang Yin stood up all of a sudden, panicking.

“A money tree? He’s rich, this money isn’t worth much to him,” Mrs. Tang said as she looked at her daughter, a little irritated. “Now that you’re allowed to ask him for money, you need to do it more! He’d definitely agree if you ask!”

“Yeah, Sis! Please, I’m begging you! Only Brother-in-law can help us now! What would happen to Dan if you don’t do this? You don’t wanna see her get eaten up, do you!” Wei chimed in.

“You guys don’t understand at all! You don’t even know what’s going on between Lin Yi and me, why’re you always forcing me to borrow from him?! Why do you always force me?!” Tang Yin was so furious tears threatened to fall as she screamed at the top of her lungs. “Do you know how much money I already owe him? How am I supposed to pay it back? How? It’s me borrowing the money, not you two! How do you think I’m supposed to pay it back?!”

Mrs. Tang looked helplessly at the raging Tang Yin. “Do still not get it, Yin? Lin Yi likes you! You being pretty is your advantage, and if you don’t use it properly, you’ll regret it when he breaks up with you!”

“Break up! Yes! He broke up with me!” Tang Yin spat out. She didn’t want to humiliate herself like this, but these two were forcing her into a corner! “He doesn’t want me anymore, now are you guys satisfied? That money he gave you this morning, that’s the break up fee!”

“Ah?!” Mrs. Tang froze along with Mr. Tang and Wei. “Yin… you, what are you saying? Lin Yi broke up with you? You’re kidding right?”

“Kidding? _Kidding_? Does this face look like I’m _kidding_?” Tang Yin had been upset the whole day. All the pain and sadness overflowed, and her tears flowed.

“I…” Mrs. Tang didn’t quite know what to do as she watched her daughter cry. She may have been a materialistic woman, but she was always on Tang Yin’s side. She hugged her and tried to comfort her. “Alright, Yin, don’t cry, it’s just a break up. Mom said that the guy was no good in the first place, right? He’s just a young master tyrant, a jerk….”

What Mrs. Tang was saying actually amused Tang Yin a little. She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Mom, didn’t you say he was good?”

“Huh? I…” Mrs. Tang was a little embarrassed. “Yin, he didn’t take advantage of you, did he?”

“No.” Tang Yin shook her head. “I told him that it wasn’t okay before I meet his parents.”

“Good, then! That’s good,” Mrs. Tang said happily. “So you’re still untouched, all’s good then. We even got 700,000 out of the whole thing, it’s a great deal!”

“Mom, what’re you saying? That money’s a loan!” Tang Yin panicked. Her mother wanted to just take LIn Yi’s money without paying him back! “I can’t just owe him that much money!”

“What’re you talking about? He dumped you, it wasn’t you breaking up with him! Plus, the money’s a break up fee, of course we’re supposed to take it!” Mrs. Tang said, unwavering.

Wei, on the other hand, was at a loss. He never expected that Lin Yi would break up with Tang Yin all of a sudden. He’d wanted her to help him borrow money, too, but now…

“Sis, what about me?” Wei lowered his head, upset. Dan looked to be in despair.

“Wei, calm down. I’ll cancel the plans for the house-restaurant! I’ll let you use the money!” Mrs. Tang was a materialistic woman, but she wasn’t cold-hearted. She was still very generous when it came to family. “I can’t let you and Dan suffer, no matter what! Here, take this money and pay them!”

“Mom! You’re still thinking of using that money? I told you it’s Lin Yi’s, I need to give it back!” Tang Yin said, panicking. Didn’t she just tell her that it was Lin Yi’s money? What was she even thinking?

“It’s a break up fee, of course it’s yours! Or do you want to see your brother sell his kidney?” Mrs. Tang glared. “We’re being nice enough by not asking for more! Of course we’re not gonna give this back to him!”

“I…” Tang Yin was at a loss for words. It was true. She had to pay the money back, but she couldn’t just ignore Wei’s situation.

What should she do? If she freely accepted this money, what would Lin Yi think?

He’d most likely look down on her. Xiaoxiao would mock her for her greed, too. She’d say that she was a gold digger with no class.

Tang Yin found herself in an awkward position, unsure of what she should do.

“Tang Yin, why’re you such a dummy? He played you, it’s normal for him to give you money!” Mrs. Tang harrumphed.

“Played me? Mom, your choice of words…” Tang Yin blushed.