Fang Pingying’s words left Fang Xiu at a loss for words, "I..." "Failure to fulfill responsibilities must be met with dismissal as per my rules," said Fang Pingying to Fang Xiu, then turned sternly to Luo Honglan, "And you, Hong Lan, you’re also responsible. A month’s salary will be docked as punishment." "Sister-in-law, I understand. I am willing to have my salary deducted," Luo Honglan admitted her fault immediately and accepted the penalty. "Get lost, stop playing the good person here," Fang Xiu couldn’t stand Luo Honglan’s demeanor, shoving her aside petulantly and turning to Fang Pingying, "Elder sister, do you really want me to leave? Is there no room for discussion?" "There isn’t. You can no longer stay in the shop, but considering that we are family, I won’t dock the wages for the days you’ve worked this month. As for the money from Liu Junting, if you can get it, bring it to me. If not, I’ll ask him for it next time I see him," said Fang Pingying with a stern face. "You can leave your things here for now. Go see Zhiming today and discuss what to do next. If you’re returning home, come back tomorrow to collect your luggage." Though Fang Xiu complained from time to time about the low wages when working here, the prospect of her leaving now made her panic. She pleaded with Fang Pingying, "Elder sister, please let me work through this last month. The New Year is approaching, and I want to earn one more month’s wages. After the holiday, I won’t come back." Fang Pingying looked at her, speaking earnestly, "Fang Xiu, if you knew how to treasure, you should have cherished the job I gave you much earlier. Begging me now is useless. This is a business, and it must have rules. Moreover, the shop isn’t just mine alone. If Uncle Zeng were here, he probably wouldn’t have let this slide so easily; he might even ask for compensation." Seeing Fang Pingying putting it so bluntly, Fang Xiu knew there was no room for maneuver. Her face cooled, and she began to shout at Fang Pingying, revealing the confrontational attitude she used at home, "Fang Pingying, don’t be so excessive in your actions. We’re family, after all." Fang Pingying had long known that some people, like Fang Xiu, can never be pleased. However well you treat them, as soon as they deem you of no use, they will turn on you. It’s a pity that even now, as Fang Xiu has turned on her, Fang Pingying feels no guilt, having done everything she should have. "Fang Xiu, I gave you the opportunities you deserved. Honestly, with your attitude, you were never suited for working in my shop. If it weren’t because you are my younger sister, and because of that promise I made in front of mom, I wouldn’t agree to you working in my shop even if you offered to work for no wage. Now, it’s you who made a mistake, and I am following the shop’s rules. If today’s mistake were made by Hong Lan, I would make her leave just the same." Having nothing to say, Fang Xiu turned to leave, "If I don’t work here, it’s no big deal, I’ll work somewhere else. Isn’t it easy for me to find a job in this provincial city?" Fang Pingying called out to her and settled this month’s wages. Fang Xiu, furious, went inside to pack her things. Outside, Luo Zhiyong and Luo Honglan exchanged glances, with Luo Honglan whispering, "Elder sister-in-law, are you really letting Second Sister-in-law leave?" "Do you think I was joking with what I said just now?" Fang Pingying responded to Luo Honglan, then reminded her again, "Hong Lan, remember, don’t aim for small gains in the future. Unless it’s staff hired by our shop, don’t let others help you work so easily. Your elder brother is right, strangers have no obligation to us and won’t help without wanting something in return." "Okay, I’ll remember it," said Luo Honglan, still young and somewhat puzzled, "But that Mr. Liu didn’t seem the type; he looks respectable, so why would he do such a thing?" Fang Pingying snorted coldly, "There’s no shortage of scoundrels in disguise in this world." As they talked, Fang Xiu came out with her luggage, glared at them fiercely, and picked up her belongings to leave. Originally, Pingying saw Fang Xiu’s resentful attitude towards her and didn’t want to say much, but in the end, remembering Liu Junting, she couldn’t help but call out to Fang Xiu after she walked to the door, "Fang Xiu, wait a moment." Fang Xiu angrily threw the two bags of luggage she was carrying onto the ground, "What’s the matter, are you going to check my luggage now to see if I’ve stolen anything of yours?" Actually, Pingying’s intention was only to stop Fang Xiu from working here and hadn’t asked her to leave immediately. Since Fang Xiu wanted to go, there was nothing Pingying could do. She advised her, "Go to Zhiming’s, and discuss with him whether to go home or something else." "It’s none of your business." Fang Xiu yelled at Pingying angrily. Pingying frowned at her but still said, "I have no intention of meddling in your affairs. In the future, even if you beg me, I won’t intervene. But I do want to advise you, a man like Liu Junting is obviously no good. No matter what your relationship with him is now, I urge you to stop it quickly, otherwise, you’ll ruin your life." "Hmph." Fang Xiu didn’t want to listen anymore, glanced at Pingying, and left with her luggage. Watching her leave, Pingying sighed. She hoped that Fang Xiu would think things through and not get herself into a hopeless mess. Inside the house, Zhiyong saw Pingying standing at the door in the wind and came out to pull her into the shop, discussing with her, "Now that Fang Xiu has left, leaving Hong Lan to manage the shop alone is certainly not viable. You should stay here. If I have the time, I’ll come over. Later this afternoon, when I go back to the compound, I’ll swing by Zhiming’s place to see if Fang Xiu has gone there. If not, I’ll ask Zhiming to look for her. She couldn’t have gone far." "Right, it’s good to let Zhiming know." Fang Xiu had money on her, Pingying wasn’t worried about anything else, she was just worried that Fang Xiu would get involved with Liu Junting. It seemed that ever since the incident with that woman last time, the relationship between Fang Xiu and Luo Zhiming had deteriorated a lot. The couple wouldn’t see each other for even once a week; it was as if they were leading separate lives. In such a situation, it’s the easiest for other men to take advantage, especially since Fang Xiu’s relationship with Liu Junting is still so ambiguous. "Okay, I’ll go there in the afternoon." Luo Zhiyong nodded, noticing it was getting late. Because of the incident with Fang Xiu, cooking was delayed, Zhiyong asked Luo Hong Lan, "Hong Lan, did you buy the vegetables for lunch? I will cook." "I did, they’re in the kitchen." Luo Honglan said with a smile, "I heard from sister-in-law that big brother cooks really well, I have to try it today." "Alright, just wait to eat," said Luo Zhiyong, smiling as he headed towards the kitchen. Seeing Zhiyong walk to the kitchen, Pingying pulled Hong Lan aside and asked quietly, "Has your sister-in-law been going out a lot lately?" Hong Lan nodded, "Quite a bit. The mornings are fine because the business is good at the shop and she helps me manage it, but in the afternoons, she always goes out, saying she has someone to meet." Pingying thought for a moment and then continued to ask, "What about at night?" (To be continued. If you work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. 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