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With much persuasion, Huang Panpan finally put the money under the bed, her eyes reddened. She quickly signed, then realizing that Yuening wouldn't understand, she pressed her throat, recalling the lessons from the kind-hearted people, and imitated the sounds.

"I'll... I'll pay you back later... Thank you."

"Of course... I trust you."

Regardless of the circumstances, since Miss Chu took the money, it was now hers.

In that instant, Huang Panpan's fate seemed to shift. The image of a life controlled and devoid of spirit vanished.

Her forehead flushed with a hint of prosperity and wealth.

In the future, she would become a well-known female entrepreneur in Zhejiang Province.

As the yacht sailed away from the dock, Huang Panpan kept watching the two figures onshore until they disappeared from sight.

The wind blurred her vision, and it penetrated her shirt, chilling her body.

Huang Panpan's mind kept replaying those gentle and soothing words.

"The world is vast and full of possibilities. You're just deaf, no different from ordinary people. As long as you aspire, you can have anything you desire."

Huang Panpan smiled in gratitude.

Thank you, she understood.

At her most desperate moment, she hadn't expected a stranger to extend a helping hand to lift her out of despair.

Years later, Huang Panpan, having achieved success and fame, returned to Hong Kong. She knelt before Chu Yuening and bowed her head three times.

Before leaving, she secretly left behind a check for twenty million dollars.

As the sun climbed high into the sky, golden rays poured into the mountain villa. The shallow blue water shimmered with reflected light.

A brand new, extended white sedan stood at the entrance.

Zhang Jiande caressed the car's body, his eyes glowing with admiration. He turned to ask, "How about a fully loaded Cadillac Deville worth over a million? It's quite something, isn't it?"

"If only I had enough money in my pocket, I'd definitely get one."

"Brother De's seal of approval is necessary." Chu Yuening, dressed in a beige sports outfit, stood by with a plate of fruit, occasionally picking a strawberry to eat.

"Since you like it so much, how about I lend it to you for two weeks?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiande immediately recoiled. "Lend it to me? It's brand new! How generous are you? Besides, it wouldn't be convenient for you to go down the mountain without a car."

"Ning Ning's generosity isn't something new." Shanpo, who had just finished touring the grand mansion, held a peachwood comb behind her back with a smile etched on her wrinkled face. She bent down and patted both her knees. "A mansion truly lives up to its name. Walking around doesn't hurt the legs or back; it's as if we're flying. Even a single tile offers the best experience."

As she spoke, Shanpo dramatically fanned herself. "Especially the fresh mountain air, which is far superior to the exhaust fumes in busy city streets."

"Well then, you must come over and stay whenever you have time," Chu Yuening said, gently pressing on Shanpo's shoulder, guiding her to look at the mansion. "I've reserved a room for you. You're always welcome here."

Sighing, Shanpo linked arms with Chu Yuening, not holding back her gratitude. "Ning Ning, you're too kind. My grandchildren have been driving me crazy back home. Now, I'll finally have a place to escape to."

In her youth, Shanpo and her husband had purchased an 80-square-meter apartment in Kowloon. With rising prices, their son's marriage and the birth of grandchildren, they still couldn't afford a larger property.

The five of them were squeezed into one floor, making daily life rather stifling.

Zhang Jiande shook his head exaggeratedly and sighed as he lit a cigarette by the door. "I envy you women."

"Ningning, don't envy me. You're always welcome to come play anytime," Chu Yuening smiled.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm busy. I need to accompany my wife," Zhang Jiande mentioned his wife with a beaming smile on his face.

"Wife" was a term of endearment in Hong Kong, much better than a derogatory term like "old hag".

After decades of marriage, such a term still being used showed just how strong their relationship was.

Chu Yuening had vaguely heard from Superintendent Leung about Zhang Jiande's wife, but she had never met her. She suggested, "Brother De, bring Sister-in-law over for a visit when you have time."

"Sure, if she's up for it, I'd take her anywhere, even to the ends of the earth," Zhang Jiande sighed wistfully, remembering his wife's disability caused by work. "Hui Wen used to love going out. If only that accident hadn't happened... sigh."

Suddenly, the regret on Zhang Jiande's face faded. He looked at a villa down the mountain, where a Hummer was parked at the entrance. He felt puzzled. "Ningning, look down there. Is that Inspector Zhou's car?"

Looking down, Chu Yuening confirmed it was true.

So far, in Hong Kong, only Zhou Fengxu had been seen driving a Hummer.

"Go ahead. I'll take Shanpo down the mountain later," Zhang Jiande said considerately. "Young people should spend more time with others their age; it brings vitality."

Chu Yuening's expression softened. Around friends, she always felt at ease.

After the person left,

Shanpo brushed her hair with a wooden comb and asked, "How much longer can Huiwen hold on?"

"I'm not sure," replied Zhang Jiande, whose usually cheerful face now darkened. He puffed away at his cigarette, gazing at the green hills in the distance. "One day at a time."

"Why don't you ask Ning Ning? Maybe she has a solution," suggested Shanpo, unwilling to see her old friend so dispirited.

"Suffer for now," sighed Zhang Jiande. "I don't want to involve friends in something that might incur divine retribution, regardless of cause and effect."

"Ai... Good people don't live long."

In the mountains, Shanpo's sigh echoed softly.

The movers formed a never-ending line, two or three at a time, carrying sofas into the villa like a dragon's procession.

In the living room, Shi Boren, exhausted, sprawled on the sofa and gave Zhou Fengxu a thumbs up. "Brother Xu, true to your word. To get closer to the girl you love, you bought a house without hesitation."

Zhou Fengxu, crouching down, was meticulously cutting open the television box with a blade, his gaze fixed intently. "If you want to, you can buy one too."