Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 19: Repay the Favor Now, Not Later

His lips suddenly felt prickly and numb. Wen Yan didn’t dare to dwell on the image in his mind and abruptly turned his head away, the tips of his ears burning hot.

He preferred to believe that the scene from his near-death experience was a product of his own imagination.

But it was a fact that Song Lianhe had saved him. He truly disliked her, yet he couldn’t disregard the debt of having his life saved.

After a long pause, he finally croaked out, "...I will be sure to repay you for saving my life in the future."

Hearing the reluctance in his tone, Song Lianhe smiled. "Drink your medicine first."

Yan Wen had only hesitated for a moment when he sensed someone approaching. A cool, subtle fragrance wafted to his nose, and as if startled, he immediately stood up, took the porcelain bowl from her hand, tilted his head back, and drank it clean.

Song Lianhe took the empty bowl with satisfaction. She stood beside him, sizing him up for a long moment before suddenly speaking. "Weren’t you going to repay me for saving your life? No need to wait for ’the future.’ Today will do."

Yan Wen was stunned. ’They say a true benefactor doesn’t expect repayment, and one who expects repayment isn’t a true benefactor. But look at her! It’s as if she’s afraid I’ll run off in the middle of the night, demanding the debt be paid on the spot!’

But this was fine, too. Yan Wen didn’t want to be indebted to her anyway.

So, he nodded in agreement. "As long as it is within my power, I will do my utmost."

"You can." Song Lianhe’s attitude toward him warmed slightly. "I’m planning to start a small business. How about you come and work as my shopkeeper? If that’s acceptable, we can sign a contract right now."

He frowned. "Shopkeeper?"

"That’s right, a shopkeeper! As for what the business will be, I’ll let you know once the preparations are further along."

’I haven’t been wasting my day, after all. I’ve already investigated and learned pretty much everything I need to know.’

’Never mind all my impressive-sounding titles. In reality, I have to depend on the charity of others for even the most basic freedom!’

’And what does that prove?’

’It proves I have no power, so I’m at the mercy of others!’

’So, if I want to be in complete control of my own life, I have to become powerful. The most urgent task is to make money!’

’I’m a second-generation rich kid now. It would be a heavenly injustice not to take advantage of these convenient circumstances!’

’As for Yan Wen, the future Top Scorer... needless to say, he has a first-rate mind. Since he wants to repay his debt, I might as well sign him on to work and make money for me. Then, if anyone dares to cause trouble, I’d like to see who would be brave enough to cross the new Top Scorer!’

’Heh, just thinking about it makes me feel like I’ve hit the jackpot.’

Yan Wen’s brow furrowed. He understood her meaning, and his face instantly turned cold. "Second Miss Song, please do not jest. I am a scholar, after all. A gentleman is concerned with righteousness; a petty man is concerned with profit. Even if I were utterly destitute, I would never associate with profit-obsessed merchants!"

Song Lianhe almost choked with indignation!

’Just listen to that! Is he even speaking like a human being?’

’The whole world bustles about, all for the pursuit of profit.’

’The whole world swarms, all drawn by the lure of gain.’

’Everyone under the sun flocks together for profit and then goes their separate ways for profit. Everything revolves around "profit"!’

’You say you don’t care about profit? If you don’t care about profit, then why the hell are you trying to become the Top Scorer?’

’You could just stay home and help old ladies cross the street every day. Wouldn’t that also count as serving society?’

’What’s especially infuriating is that he eventually defects to Zhou Junlin for the female lead’s sake. That’s the part I really can’t stand!’

She planted her hands on her hips, stood up straight, and glared at him. "You care about righteousness? You’re a gentleman? You’d even disregard the one who saved your life, so what kind of damn gentleman does that make you?!"

Hearing her spew such vulgarities, Yan Wen frowned in disgust. "Second Miss Song, you are a daughter of the General Mansion. Your every action and word should conform to the rules of propriety. Do not tarnish the name of the General Mansion. Your own loss of integrity is a small matter, but you must not drag down others’ reputations with you."

Song Lianhe let out a bitter laugh. "Heh, drag down whom? Song Xilan?"

Yan Wen gritted his teeth and averted his gaze.

"You came to my home in the middle of the night to call for an unmarried young lady to meet you. You weren’t afraid of ruining her reputation, so what do I have to be afraid of?"

"You—How could you..."

Yan Wen’s face flushed crimson. He wanted to offer a rebuttal, but what she said was the truth. There was no denying it.

Song Lianhe sneered. "And you call that abiding by the rules of propriety? But my plan to open a legitimate business isn’t? Yan Wen, if reading all those books has only taught you to view the world with such a biased lens, then in my opinion, you’d be better off not having read them at all."

"You—"

"I guess I was wrong about you. I, Song Lianhe, can’t afford to hire someone like you! As for saving your life, repay the debt if you want. If you don’t, I won’t force you. Let’s just pretend tonight never happened."

Yan Wen’s hands clenched into fists, his chest heaving.

She turned gracefully and walked to the door.

Just as she was about to push the door open, a man’s tense voice came from behind her. "...Fine. I agree."

Song Lianhe paused. Without turning around, she said in a lazy drawl, "Don’t you look down on us merchant folk?"

"..."

Hearing no response, she turned around. Yan Wen’s expression was complicated and reluctant, but he still looked at her and said earnestly, "Since I have agreed, I will certainly do my best."

Knowing how hard it was to change a person’s convictions and that this was already a major concession for him, Song Lianhe didn’t argue further. Instead, she asked with a faint, unreadable smile, "What if you pass the imperial examinations with flying colors? A great and mighty Top Scorer working as my shopkeeper... aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?"