Aunt Tong was stunned. She did not expect that Han Ruochen would actually dare to say that she wanted to fire Tong Zhaodi. She thought that since the two of them were childhood friends, Han Ruochen would definitely agree with her requests because she was Tong Zhaodi’s mother. But who would have thought that the woman would actually refuse to agree?

"Ruochen, you are being too careful. In the end, aren’t you and Ah Yan like siblings?" Aunt Tong did not want to give up so easily. If she were to make Han Ruochen her daughter-in-law, then her son would never have to worry about eating meat in his entire life because Han Ruochen’s savings alone would be enough. She had already imagined that sooner or later, she would get her hands on the savings that Han Ruochen had saved after going to the sea; how could she be willing to give up so easily?

"There is a difference between real siblings and like siblings. Since the two of us do not share the same blood, my reputation would still be ruined if I were not careful. So please don’t make things difficult for me, Aunt Tong." Han Ruochen had lived a life where she was schemed against left and right; how could she not understand what was going on in Aunt Tong’s mind? However, she was not willing to deal with this woman.

At most, she would stop using Tong Zhaodi and think of some other way to help her. Han Ruochen knew that it was selfish, but this was the kind of personality she had developed after living locked up in a room. She cared for others, but that was until they did not cause any trouble for her. If Aunt Tong believed that she could make use of Tong Zhaodi to trap her, then she was wrong. There was no way Han Ruochen would allow that.

So, once she finished speaking, Han Ruochen turned on her feet and was about to steer the boat away. Anyway, she did not need Tong Zhaodi’s help. She could deal with most of the things on her own.

When Aunt Tong saw that Han Ruochen was really going to leave without taking Tong Zhaodi along with her, she panicked. And she was not the only one. Tong Zhaodi panicked even more. Before coming here, she had told her mother countless times that Han Ruochen would not agree with such a request, but her mother refused to listen to her; she even beat her up, saying that she wanted to harm Tong Yan and could not see him doing better.

Could not see him doing well? Tong Zhaodi had nothing against her brother; as long as he wanted to do something, he was free to do it. But he shouldn’t scheme against his own sister to get what he wanted! Tong Zhaodi was heartbroken, but she could not stop her mother. Now look at this. Han Ruochen did not even want her anymore. Her mother was good. So good, because of her brother, she ruined her life.

Tong Zhaodi was furious, but she did not dare to lose her temper with her mother. She could only lower her head and sob silently.

"Cry, cry, cry! That’s all you know. Why did you not say a word just now? If you had insisted, then Han Ruochen might have agreed with my suggestion." Aunt Tong still did not think that there was anything wrong with what she said to Han Ruochen. She only blamed Tong Zhaodi for standing next to her like a mute. If the woman had spoken up, then Han Ruochen would have naturally agreed with her.

Aunt Tong glared at her daughter and then turned to look at Han Ruochen. She smiled politely at Han Ruochen and then said to her with a flattering smile, "Ruochen, there is no need to get angry. I was just making a suggestion; since you are used to working with Zhaodi, you can take her along with you. I naturally have nothing against it."

"Aunt Tong, it is not that I am being disrespectful to you, but I really cannot take Zhaodi along with me anymore." Aunt Tong believed that as long as she took a step back, Han Ruochen would also back down, but it seemed like she had underestimated Han Ruochen. The woman seemed to be surrounded by barbs.

"Why!?" Aunt Tong was furious. She had already admitted that there was something wrong with what she said, so why was Han Ruochen still refusing to back down?

Han Ruochen simply smiled and explained, "Aunt Tong, I agreed to let Zhaodi follow me because I consider her my good friend. But if this arrangement causes trouble for me, naturally, I will change it."

Hearing her response, Aunt Tong’s face turned pale. She was angry, but she did not dare to lose her temper with Han Ruochen. She forced a smile and said, "Don’t worry, Ruochen. Auntie did not want to make things difficult for you. I was just making a small suggestion, as I thought that you were struggling; since that is not the case, then you can go on and do your own thing. I will not say anything."

After she finished speaking, she turned around on her feet and ran away as if she were scared that Han Ruochen would refuse her again. When Han Ruochen saw her leave, she snorted coldly. She then turned to look at Tong Zhaodi, who was still crying, and said to her, "Alright, stop crying. What’s the point in crying so much? Will your mother feel bad for you if you cry?"

Tong Zhaodi wiped the tears from her eyes and sobbed, "Sister Ruochen, please don’t chase me away; if you fire me, then my mother will definitely sell me off to an old man." Tong Zhaodi had heard all about it. How her mother was planning to take her job away and give it to her brother, and at the same time send her off to marry an old man. She did not want to marry an old man!