Falling After Marriage - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: It’s Because I Wanted to See You

August was joyful and peaceful for Cheng Sangluo.

This was probably the most tranquil period she had experienced since her release from prison. Life without the crazy woman’s interference was simple but fulfilling, allowing her to hold onto a glimmer of hope for the future.

When she first signed the debt agreement, she was anxious, unable to eat or sleep, and lost a significant amount of weight.

But the reality was unavoidable: with interest, the three million could never be paid off in just one month. Life had to continue, and money could only be saved slowly.

Perhaps due to the law of extremes, she suddenly became fearless, carrying on with life as usual.

It had been over half a month since she started working at the auto repair shop introduced by Wei Yun.

It was the third day after they parted ways. Cheng Sangluo followed the address on the business card and found Qingyuan Auto Repair near the motorcycle parts city.

The owner’s name was Xiang Qingyuan, a retired veteran from the same unit. Most of the repair technicians and apprentices hired in the shop were also ex-soldiers.

Auto repair shops were everywhere near the parts city, but his shop had the best business and reputation. After all, a group of honest, hardworking people had every reason to earn money.

Perhaps because Wei Yun had given him a heads-up, when Cheng Sangluo first arrived, she only gave a brief self-introduction. Xiang Qingyuan immediately agreed to hire her, not mentioning a word about her criminal record.

Cheng Sangluo was the only woman and a newcomer, so everyone looked out for her. Later, when they learned she was a special forces veteran, they gained a bit more admiration for her.

“Brother Yuan” was also generous, offering her a starting salary of 5K RMB during her apprenticeship and including lunch every day, though she didn’t get weekends off.

Initially, Cheng Sangluo was assigned simple physical tasks that didn’t require technical skill, such as washing cars, changing tires, and adding windshield fluid. When she had free time, she learned repair techniques from the masters.

She had occasionally done simple auto repair work in the military. She had seen it done before, so basic replacements came naturally to her, and she learned quickly.

It was peak transportation season recently, and the shop was incredibly busy, leaving her no time to sit and rest throughout the day.

Busy days always flew by. In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Today was no exception.

As soon as Cheng Sangluo stepped into the shop this morning, before she could even change into her work clothes, Brother Yuan pulled her over to look at a luxury car a customer had brought in.

Everyone had seen cars worth over a million RMB, but this was the first time someone had brought a Bentley Continental GT to be fixed here.

A group of people was currently gathered around the car, looking like they were performing some mysterious ritual.

The head mechanic cautiously touched the car hood, muttering: “Old Xiang, you dared to take a job on this car? Aren’t you afraid of losing all your money?”

“My goodness, a big Bentley!” The second mechanic, who arrived a step after Cheng Sangluo, yelled in surprise from afar: “What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing major. Just a nail puncture in the tire. The owner wanted a temporary patch. They checked a few nearby shops, but they were afraid of the trouble, so they were referred to us,” Brother Yuan took a sip of hot tea from his enamel mug, spitting out the tea leaves. “We have to try to fix it. The owner is rich and offered this amount just to patch the tire.”

As he spoke, Brother Yuan rubbed his fingers, indicating about eight hundred yuan.

Cheng Sangluo couldn’t gauge how expensive the car was, but she could guess one thing with her toes—it cost a fortune.

She had little interest in luxury cars. She didn’t know why, but seeing the Bentley’s glossy paint suddenly reminded her of Lin Jin’s Maybach, and then her extended Land Rover.

After that, her mind only held that long-unseen, exquisite face that she found annoying but had to admit was beautiful.

After discussing it, they collectively decided it was safer for Brother Yuan to personally patch the tire, so he would be the one to bear the responsibility if anything went wrong.

Cheng Sangluo became the unlucky assistant, reluctantly pulled in by Brother Yuan, who claimed it was to give her more practice—”How else are you going to become a master?”

In fact, patching a tire wasn’t difficult; the hard part was the process of lifting the car with a jack.

Even a slight scratch on such a car could lead to bankruptcy. And lifting the car unfortunately fell to Cheng Sangluo.

Thankfully, the entire process went smoothly, thanks to her strong psychological composure.

There was no secret to it: just treat it like an ordinary car. Jack it up, remove the tire, patch it up, and put it back—that was all there was to it.

Afterward, Brother Yuan took off his dirty cotton gloves, drank some tea, and chuckled at Cheng Sangluo: “It was indeed time-consuming and laborious, but fortune favors the bold. I have to say, your psychological composure is genuinely strong.”

Cheng Sangluo mostly worked quietly. When complimented by everyone, she only smiled silently. Just like now, all the praise from Brother Yuan was met with a faint smile.

She kept an eye on the work. Seeing a customer pull up for a car wash, she immediately went to attend to them.

Brother Yuan stretched his neck to watch her busy figure, then shook his head helplessly, sighing internally. Such a nice girl. She doesn’t look like someone who committed a crime. How did she end up in jail?

Because of the constant movement of vehicles, the shop felt like a large steam oven even with the air conditioning running at full blast, filling the room with the smell of sweat.

Cheng Sangluo was busy performing a detailed wash on a car. Her polyester work uniform was already soaked with sweat, sticking to her and chafing her skin painfully when she moved.

It was almost time to clock out, and she was finishing the last car. Watching the mechanics leave one by one, she didn’t rush her car-wiping motion.

Seeing her still busy, Brother Yuan went to the small supermarket next door to buy some drinks and bread. He returned holding an “Old Popsicle” ice cream bar: “The customer will pick up the car in a little while. Take a break first.”

Cheng Sangluo took the popsicle but didn’t eat it, instead holding it against her forehead to dissipate the heat.

This was a common cooling method: the one-yuan popsicle provided relief. Once melted, it could be put in the fridge, frozen, and eaten later.

Brother Yuan opened a can of Red Bull and handed it to Cheng Sangluo, apologizing slightly: “I’m in a hurry to pick up my kid from school. Everyone else has left. The Bentley owner said they’ll pick it up later, so you need to stay and watch the shop for me.”

Cheng Sangluo accepted the drink and took a big gulp. After sighing in satisfaction, she joked: “Brother Yuan, you’re too polite. You only needed to let me know. You didn’t have to buy me food and drinks.”

As a boss, Brother Yuan was a truly good person. There were many things he could order his subordinates to do, but he mostly handled things himself.

“You’re the polite one.” Brother Yuan patted Cheng Sangluo’s back meaningfully and then left the repair shop.

Cheng Sangluo rested for a while, then continued cleaning the car next to her. Only after sending off the last customer did she get a chance to eat dinner.

She sat on a chair, tiredly tearing open the bread package and taking a big bite. It was too dry, so she had to wash it down with Red Bull.

Physical labor made her hungry, so she ate ravenously.

She chewed diligently with bulging cheeks, embodying the look of someone striving to live a hard life. Though it looked a bit poignant, the feeling was one of fulfillment.

After quickly finishing her meal, she hastily wiped her mouth. It was getting dark, and she didn’t know when the Bentley owner would arrive.

She simply couldn’t sit still. In a flash, she was lying on the creeper, sliding under a car that hadn’t been fully repaired, seizing the chance to study the chassis.

Time passed, but the Bentley owner still hadn’t arrived to pick up the car.

Cheng Sangluo didn’t pay much attention. She was engrossed in her research. Coupled with the noise outside the shop, she didn’t hear the sound of high heels entering.

The dark-red, diamond-studded stilettos, supporting elegantly arched feet, moved lightly and steadily, finally stopping beside the car.

The air was filled with a complex scent—engine oil, sweat, and something else.

Cheng Sangluo suddenly wrinkled her nose, catching a scent of familiar cedar, and instinctively looked outside the car.

When she saw the pair of feet, she was momentarily stunned.

She could never forget those feet, seemingly elegant but prone to stepping on others’ dignity. Accompanied by that familiar scent, even without seeing the face clearly, she knew who the visitor was.

Cheng Sangluo put force into her legs and slid out from under the chassis on the creeper.

When she saw the face of the person who had arrived, the person from her speculation stepped into reality.

Lin Jin was dressed in a sharp professional suit, holding her handbag with both hands in front of her, still wearing that cold, condescending look.

She smiled faintly, looking at the puppy whose face was smeared with dirt: “Long time no see~”

Cheng Sangluo didn’t reply. She stood up, brushed the dust off her clothes, walked into the bay where the Bentley was parked, and hit the switch to raise the roller door.

Once the door was fully open, she spoke strictly business-like: “The tire is patched. Please drive your car away. I’m waiting to clock out.”

Lin Jin ignored the cold dismissal. She walked around her car, pretending to inspect it, acting like she would find a fault even if there wasn’t one.

Cheng Sangluo put a hand on her hip, scoffing: “There are no dents or scratches. You can circle it a hundred times, and it will look the same.”

“Tsk, your attitude is terrible for the service industry,” Lin Jin clicked her tongue, using her toe to tap the patched tire. There was indeed nothing to fault.

“Is there a possibility that my attitude is only directed at you?” Cheng Sangluo glared at the crazy woman, then leaned against the wall, urging: “No other issues? Hurry up and leave. Don’t waste time here.”

“This car is fine, but I didn’t say my other car is fine.” Lin Jin smiled slyly, beckoning the Maybach parked across the street.

Cheng Sangluo blinked her tired eyes. She was immune to the crazy woman’s clumsy tricks.

In the past, she might have struggled or shouted a few insults. But now, dragged down by exhaustion, the fatigue of work practically seared into her bones, she had no fight left.

Soon, Sheng He slowly drove the car to the inspection area.

Cheng Sangluo only glanced at it and noticed that the air pressure in the four tires was wrong. She knew without thinking that Lin Jin must have deliberately punctured them.

It was highly likely the big Bentley’s issue this morning was also her doing.

Cheng Sangluo held her breath for a moment before letting out a heavy sigh of helplessness: “Why do you always like to do things that cost you so much money? Don’t you get bored? Why would you puncture a perfectly good car tire?”

Lin Jin didn’t deny doing it, which confirmed Cheng Sangluo’s guess was correct.

She pouted, her attitude malicious: “It’s my car. I can do whatever I want with it. Forget puncturing tires, even if I crash it and write it off, you can’t stop me. Can’t I just buy your service? You’re open for business here; you can’t refuse a customer.”

Cheng Sangluo wearily rubbed the bridge of her nose. After a long pause, she compromised: “Do you want to change the tires or patch them?”

“Which one is more troublesome? Choose that one. I just want to waste your time. Name your price.”

“…” Cheng Sangluo was speechless. She walked straight to the Maybach and used the gauge to test the tire pressure.

Lin Jin followed casually, winking at Sheng He to signal him to leave, giving herself space to be alone with the puppy.

She sat down leisurely, quietly admiring Cheng Sangluo working diligently. Although the uniform was rough and the surroundings were poor, it didn’t detract from the puppy’s appearance; in fact, it added a kind of wild intensity.

Cheng Sangluo finished the inspection, assessing: “For a car like yours, it’s best to go to the 4S shop to replace all the tires. I can temporarily patch them here.”

“Then patch them. Take your time patching them. I have all the time to wait.”

“Come pick up the car tomorrow. It won’t be done today.”

“No, I need this car urgently tomorrow.”

How could Cheng Sangluo not know Lin Jin was deliberately making things difficult? She snapped: “You have so many cars! Can’t you drive the Land Rover? Can’t you drive the Bentley? Does it have to be this one?!”

“Yes, it has to be this one,” Lin Jin answered smoothly, glancing at the Bentley nearby. “Don’t force me to puncture that car’s tires too, or you’ll have to live here tonight. Anyway, pay for the service. As long as the payment is enough, I decide everything.”

Cheng Sangluo scorned: “Money, money, money! All you talk about is money! Not everything can be bought with money!”

She was tired of that word because half her life had been constrained by it.

“Then tell me, what can’t money buy?” Lin Jin was someone who prioritized profit. In her worldview, money could buy anything.

“Human life, happiness, freedom, respect, and time.”

“Which of those things you mentioned can’t money buy? Didn’t I buy your cheap life with three million? No, including your useless family, it should be buy-one-get-three-free. Time is the same. Look, aren’t I using money to buy your time right now? So, your so-called happiness, freedom, and respect follow the same logic.”

Lin Jin made perfect sense. It seemed that modern society was indeed this realistic and ugly. Everyone pursued profit. Everyone poured their lives into chasing money, even exchanging their freedom for it.

Cheng Sangluo was deflated by this argument. It seemed she, too, was struggling miserably in this money-grubbing world.

Lin Jin stood up and walked over to her. She took a wet wipe from her handbag and, just like before, reached out to wipe the dirt smudged on the puppy’s face.

No matter how many times, she would use the same rhetoric with Cheng Sangluo: “What did I tell you? Your face needs to be clean. That’s the basic respect you owe yourself.”

Cheng Sangluo couldn’t remember how many times Lin Jin had wiped her face for her. The reason she never refused was always because of that single word: respect.

However, despite Lin Jin’s repeated attempts, she couldn’t completely clean the dirt from the puppy’s face, just as she could never completely wipe away the stain of her own depravity from Cheng Sangluo’s heart.

Cheng Sangluo finally turned her head away, saying indifferently: “That’s engine oil. Wet wipes can’t clean it.”

Lin Jin withdrew her arm, somewhat annoyed, and tossed the wet wipe away. Then she commanded: “What are you staring at? Hurry up and patch the tires! Do you really want to spend the night here?”

Cheng Sangluo didn’t start working immediately. She first made sure the terms were clear.

She imitated Brother Yuan’s finger-rubbing motion from the morning, gesturing to Lin Jin: “I’ll charge the price for patching the Bentley tire, plus overtime pay. One thousand per tire. Four tires is four thousand.”

“No problem.” Lin Jin agreed readily, even increasing the offer: “How about I give you five thousand to round it up? The extra thousand is for me to buy one smiling service from you.”

This was an absurdity plucked from a fantasy—spending four thousand to patch a tire. Anyone who heard it would laugh.

But Lin Jin was this extravagant. She enjoyed the pleasure of using money to slap Cheng Sangluo’s face.

Cheng Sangluo deeply resented money but had to seize every opportunity to earn it.

She suddenly grinned at Lin Jin, though the forced, unnatural smile looked terrible.

“It seems the thousand yuan to buy a smile was wasted.” Lin Jin’s tone was self-mocking. She stood up and walked towards the door.

Cheng Sangluo didn’t want to ask where she was going, but she hadn’t paid yet, so asking was better than not asking: “Where are you going?”

Lin Jin paused, turning back with a captivating smile: “If I said I was going to buy you a bottle of ice-cold Coke, would you be touched?”

“…” Cheng Sangluo couldn’t be bothered to respond. She put on her cotton gloves and got busy preparing her tools.

She took her tools to the inspection area. She had to jack up the car first and remove all the tires. After removing two tires, Lin Jin still hadn’t returned.

She couldn’t entirely control herself. Though her hands were busy, she kept glancing toward the door. Her emotions were complex. She thought there was no need to worry about the crazy woman, then couldn’t help but scoff internally.

Suddenly, loud, grating motorcycle engine sounds came from outside the door.

Cheng Sangluo particularly hated those non-mainstream, reckless motorcycle gangs. Anyone would curse at them for suddenly revving their engines late at night.

She abruptly stopped working and rushed to the doorway to look.

In the distance, Lin Jin, holding a bag of drinks, was surrounded by a few youths on motorcycles.

The small group of hooligans circled Lin Jin, revving their engines even louder and blowing harassing whistles.

As much as Cheng Sangluo disliked the crazy woman, she immediately grabbed the pry bar leaning by the door and aggressively rushed toward the group of people without hesitation.

Support Falling After Marriage